February, 1756: “From the Hague we are cold, that the deputies of the admiralties have resolved to fit out 40 ships of war against the spring, besides the 11 that are now at sea, in order to protect not only their Mediterranean trade against the Algerines, but also that of the ocean, in case there should be occasion; and that a placard has been lately published in the province of Holland, for raising the 100th and 200th penny, at two separate patients, half on the 15th of May, and the residue on the 1st of July.”

February, 1756: “The house of commons of Ireland have waited upon the lord lieutenant with an address to the king, to assure his majesty of the just sense of that house of his majesty’s constant care and protection of that kingdom, and of their determined resolution to do everything in their power for the support of the dignity and honour of his crown, and the defence of his majesty’s dominions at this time threatened with invasion: And to pray that he would be graciously pleased to increase the number of forces in that kingdom to 12,000 men complete.”

February: A bill is submitted to Parliament for the raising a regiment of four battalions for service in North America to be partly officered by foreign Protestants and under the overall command of a British officer.  The bill passes in March and the 62d or Royal American Regiment is raised.

February 3, 1756: “Tuesday, Feb. 3. At a council held at St. James’s it was resolved to issue a proclamation (which was accordingly published in the London Gazette) setting forth, that the king being resolved, by the assistance and blessing of God, not to be wanting in his care for the defence of this kingdom, in case of any hostile attempt to land upon the coast thereof, hath thought fit strictly to charge and command all officers and ministers, civil and military, within their respective counties, &c. that they cause the coasts to be carefully watched, and, upon the first appearance of any such hostile attempt, immediately cause all horses, oxen and came, which may be fit for draught of burthen, and not actually employed in his majesty’s service, or in the defence of the country, and also (so far as may he practicable) all other cattle and provisions, to be driven and removed 20 miles at least from the place where such attempt shall be made, and to secure the same, so that they may not fall into the hands or power of those who shall make such attempt. Wherein nevertheless it is his royal will and pleasure that the respective owners thereof may suffer as little damage loss or inconvenience as may be consistent with the publick safety.”

February 3, 1756: On the third instant the French king’s orders were published at Dunkirk, for all British subjects to leave his dominions before the first of next month, except such as may obtain his permission to remain. Another edict was published at the same time, inviting his most Christian majesty’s subjects to set out privateers, promising a premium of 40 livres for every gun, and as much for every man they take on board the enemy’s ships; with a further promise, that in case peace should be concluded soon, the king will purchase the said privateers at their prime cost.

February 4, 1756: “Extracts of a Letter from Virginia, Feb. 4. ‘We are marching 200 white men and 100 Cherokees from a fort on the Newriver against the Shawnees, who live at a place that runs into the Ohio. Shirley and Johnson are to proceed in the spring against Crown-point and Niagara; and governor Sharp of Maryland is to proceed with 1000 men from Philadelphia, 1000 from his own government, Washington’s regiment of 1000 from Virginia, and 1000 Cherokee Indians against fort Dushen.’  By the last Gazette from Philadelphia there is an account of 78 people being killed at a place called Ninisinks, and 43 plantations burnt by the Delawar Indians, who live in the New York government. The government of Philadelphia has offered a reward of 350 dollars for each of the officers heads.”

February 13, 1756. “Vice-admiral Watson arrived the 11th of this month in Geriah harbour, on the coast of Malabar in the East Indies, with the Kent, Cumberland, Tiger, Salisbury, Bridgewater, and King’s Fisher stoop; and the following ships belonging to the Company, viz. the Protector of 40 guns, the Revenge, Bombay, Grab, and Guardian frigates, the Drake, Warren, Triumph, and Viper bomb-ketches where he was informed Tulagee Angria was treating with the Mahrattas to surrender the place to them. In consequence of this intelligence, the Vice-admiral sent him a summons the next morning to surrender the town and fort to him; but receiving no answer in the time he proposed, and finding the Mahrattas (from whom he had received no assistance) were trifling with him, he weighed in the afternoon, and stood into the harbour in two divisions, in the order as he directed. The enemy fired at the ships as they passed their batteries; but as soon as they were got by them, and were properly placed, they began such a fire as soon silenced their batteries, and likewise the fire from the grabs. Soon after four o’clock a shell was thrown into the Restoration, an armed ship which Angria some time before look from the East which set her on fire and after his whole fleet shared the same fate in were all entirely destroyed. In the night the Vice-admiral landed all his troops, suspecting the enemy would endeavor to let in the Mahrattas, which supposition was confirmed by a deserter, who informed Mr. Watson that Angria (who himself was not in the fort) had sent orders to his brother-in-law, who commanded the garrison, on no account to suffer the English to come in.   On the 13th in the after several messages had passed for so purpose, the Vice-admiral renewed the attack and in about twenty minutes they flung out a flag of truce, but the Admiral insisted that his troops should be let in and their colours hauled down, and they not complying with his demand, he repeated his attack with great vigor, and the enemy very soon called out for mercy, which out troops were near enough to hear distinctly. Captains Forbes and Buchanan, with sixty men, marched into the fort that night, and the next morning the rest of our forces. The Vice-admiral reported that all his officers and men behaved with great valour; that our loss was inconsiderable, as well as with respect to men as to damage done to the ships.  An officer, with sixty men, marched into the fort that night, and the next morning all our forces. The Vice-admiral reported that all his officers and men behaved with great valour; that our loss was very inconsiderable, as well with respect to men as to damage done to the ships, insomuch that he could have been able to have proceeded to sea again in twenty-four hours, had there been a necessity for so doing. The Vice-admiral left about 300 of the a company’s European troops in the garrison and as many Sepoys, and three or four of the companies armed vessels in the harbour, for the defence of the place.”

February 16, 1756: The Convention of Westminster is signed. England and Prussia form a military alliance.