In returning to Major Rogers, we must not forget that he was an author as well as soldier.  He seems to have been in England in 1765, and to have there published two respectable volumes of his writings.  One is entitled “Journals of Major Robert Rogers; containing an account of the several excursions he made under the Generals who commanded upon the continent of North America, during the late War,” and embraces the period from September 24, 1755, to February 14, 1761.  It is doubtless quite reliable and valuable as a contribution to the history of our Army of the Lakes during the old French war.[A]

[Footnote A:  The full title is “Journals of Major Robert Rogers:  containing an account of several excursions he made under the Generals who commanded upon the Continent of North America during the late war.  From which may be collected the material circumstances of every campaign upon that continent from the commencement to the conclusion of the war.  London:  Printed for the Author, and sold by J. Millan, bookseller near Whitehall, MDCCLXV.” 8vo., Introduction, pp. viii; Journals, pp. 236.

An American edition of Roger’s Journal, ably edited by Dr. F.B.  Hough, was published at Albany in 1883, by J. Munsell’s Sons.  Besides a valuable introduction, it contains the whole text of the Journals, an appendix consisting largely of important official papers relating to Rogers, and a good index.  It is by far the best edition of the Journals ever published.]

The other is called “a concise view of North America,” and contains much interesting information relative to the country at the time of its publication.[A]

[Footnote A:  The full title of this volume is “A Concise Account of North America; Containing a description of the several British Colonies on that Continent, including the islands of New Foundland, Cape Breton, &c., as to their Situation, Extent, Climate, Soil, Produce, Rise, Government, Religion, Present Boundaries and the number of Inhabitants supposed to be in each.  Also of the Interior and Westerly Parts of the Country, upon the rivers St. Lawrence, the Mississippi, Christino and the Great Lakes.  To which is subjoined, An account of the several Nations and Tribes of Indians residing in those Parts, as to their Customs, Manners, Government, Numbers, &c., Containing many useful and Entertaining Facts, never before treated of.  By Major Robert Rogers.  London:  Printed for the Author, and sold by J. Millan, bookseller, near Whitehall.  MDCCLXV.” 8vo., Introduction and Advertisement, pp. viii; Concise Account, pp. 264.]

It is less reliable than the former, but is a readable book, and, when the author keeps within the bounds of his personal knowledge, is doubtless authentic.  Both works are a credit to Major Rogers.  To the charge that he was an illiterate person and that these works were written by another’s hand, it may be urged, as to the “journals,” that the correspondence of their matter to the written reports of his expeditions made to his superior officers and now preserved in the New York State Library, convincingly show that this work is undoubtedly his.  If revised before publication by a should not deprive him of the credit of their authorship.