USA > Pennsylvania > Chronicles of Pennsylvania from the English revolution to the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, 1688-1748, Vol. II > Part 32
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Events were meanwhile leading to a war with France. France had, in 1740, sent a squadron to the Caribbean Sea, to give, if necessary, support to the Spaniards, and
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had secretly authorized the commander to concert measures with them for attacking one of the British possessions, although explaining, that, in sending the squadron, there was no intention to make a breach of relations. Upon the death of the Emperor Carl VI, without sons, arose the question of the succession to his possessions as Archduke of Austria, which succession he had undertaken to settle by the Pragmatic Sanction. This agreement, to which England, Spain, France, and nearly every other power in Europe had assented, had given the possessions to his daughter, Maria Theresa, who married Franz of Lorraine. The French King, Louis XV, however, was in close alliance with the Elector of Bavaria, who was the rival claimant and a candidate for election to the Imperial throne. England, fearing the predominance of the French nation in Europe, if he were successful, stood by the Pragmatic Sanction, and wished to see its natural result, the elec- tion of Maria Theresa's husband as Emperor. The King of France sent armies to attack Maria Theresa, and interfered with the operations of the English fleet in the Mediterranean; and English troops, led by King George II in person, met French troops at Dettingen, and defeated them. War, however, between the two nations was not formally declared for some time after- wards.
In expectation that the King of France would declare war, and in fear of a sudden attack, more particularly by sea, upon the colonies in America, the Lords Jus- tices of England sent to the colonial Governors an order dated August 15, 1743, received about November 1, to put their respective colonies in the best posture of defence. Governor Thomas issued a proclamation for the inhabitants to prepare themselves, and commis- sioned persons to levy, muster, and train them; but the Assembly, availing itself of news that the prospect for peace was brighter, did not comply with his request for
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a law obliging appearance for military instruction or action, or with his request for providing arms and am- munition. A supplemental letter, dated Sep. 3, came in April, directing that the forces of each colony be put in condition even to take the offensive. Although France had allowed the embarkation from her port of Dunkirk of an expedition in favor of the Pretender, Charles Edward, and had sent a squadron at the same time into the Channel, and only bad weather had rendered this abortive, the Assemblymen, loud in denunciation of the attempt, still hoped for peace. The King of France, however, had already declared war, and the King of England had, on Mch. 29, made the counter declaration.
On May 26, 1744, the Assembly gave Thomas pay for the whole of the current year, 1000l., expressing confi- dence in him, notwithstanding that there might be some further laws desired before the expiration of the year. Thomas, in appreciative remarks, said that he had ever "disliked bargaining for laws." During the rest of his administration, the Assembly of the Province allowed him at the rate of 1000l. per annum.
Notice being received of the British King's declara- tion of war and his order for distribution of prizes taken at sea, the Lieutenant-Governor, on June 11, gave notice of the same, in a proclamation requiring all the King's subjects within the province capable of bearing arms to provide themselves with firelock, bayonet, and cartouche box, and with powder and ball, also encourag- ing the fitting out of privateers and service thereon, and also warning against transporting any arms, ammuni- tion, or stores to the subjects of the French King, or holding any correspondence with them. A Captain and two drummers of Dalziel's regiment in Antigua were then recruiting in Philadelphia. Their success is not known. The encouragement of privateering quickly led to several vessels going out with letters of marque.
The great usefulness of the Quaker-controlled Prov-
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ince in the war was in conciliating the Indians, the Six Nations and their allies being able to lead an easy in- vasion of the British possessions from Canada, and the Southern Indians being able to extend the domain of Florida. Complications increased by the conduct of some Pennsylvanians even on the soil of Penn's "seigniorie." The traders carried spirituous liquors to the Indians, cheated them when they were drunk, if not when they were sober, and often debauched their wives. Upon John Armstrong's retention of a horse and gun for a small debt, John Mussemeelin, a Delaware, owner of the horse and gun, murdered Armstrong and two of his men. After some pressure being put by Shikallima upon the Delawares, some of whom were afraid to med- dle with Mussemeelin, and others of whom were afraid of Armstrong's avengers, Mussemeelin was seized and surrendered to the authorities at Lancaster. From thence, he was brought to Philadelphia, and, as one of the results of the Indian treaty about to be mentioned, the Delawares were obliged to bring to Philadelphia two supposed accessories also, and, after their discharge upon examination, to bring them again to testify at Mussemeelin's trial. Jurisdiction was by Act con- ferred upon the Supreme Court to try capital offences by Indians. Mussemeelin was hung in November, 1744.
In June, 1744, at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, took place the settlement of differences between Maryland, Vir- ginia, and the Six Nations, both Maryland and Virginia having sent Commissioners, and representatives having come from each of the Six Nations except the Mohawks. Thomas, at the urgent request of the Pennsylvania As- sembly, was there in person. After arguments, the In- dians displaying great eloquence, there was, in consid- eration of 300l. in goods from the Maryland Commis- sioners, a release by the Six Nations to Lord Baltimore of a large region in the western part of the present state of Maryland, and of any other lands occupied by
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his colonists, and there was, in consideration of 200l. in goods and £200 in gold, a release to the King of all lands then or afterwards included in the province of Virginia, the King to be asked to give something more to the In- dians upon a considerable extension of the settlements. The Six Nations promised not to allow any invasion of the English colonies by land, it being understood that neither side should be allowed passage. The Six Na- tions showed willingness for the promotion by the various Governors of peace between them and the Catawbas. When the Indians were informed that the English had already won victories over the French, Canassatego remarked that then much rum must have been captured, and some could be spared to let the Indians join in the rejoicing; at which hint a dram for each of those present was given in a small glass, which was called a "French glass." Canassatego said the next day that he wanted a good sized English glass. Thomas, as will be seen later, was quick-witted. He told the red men, on the big glass being used, that he was glad that Canassatego had a dislike for what was French, and added "They cheat you in your glasses as well as in everything else."
At this time there were some families of the Gana- wese, or Conoys, among those Tuscaroras who still lived south of Virginia. These descendants of the an- cient Pascatoways were allowed passes to come to dwell with their fellow tribesmen in Pennsylvania. The lat- ter retired this year from Conoy Town, by reason of the white settlement making deer scarce, and went to the Juniata. They asked for some payment for the land which they were leaving: but this request, although repeated five years later, was not complied with.
Thomas, after returning from Lancaster, reported to the Assembly the King's declaration of war against France, and asked for a militia law with "any reason- able indulgence to such as" were "religiously persuaded
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against bearing arms." He also submitted the problem as to what was to be done with any French prisoners which the privateers might bring in. Could he have a guard for keeping the prisoners in Philadelphia, or for taking them to prisons in the country? If provision were made by the public, some could be sent to Europe, and some could remain to be exchanged. If no provi- sion were made, the privateers would set them free in some remote French possession, and, by their not being at hand for an exchange, the opportunity to secure the liberty of some British subjects would be lost. The Assembly replied, that, its sentiments on defence being so well understood, it was unnecessary to say anything further on that subject: a militia had been raised by former Governors, and this seemed warranted by the Charter of Privileges. As to the prisoners, it would be advantageous for them to be taken to some other part of the King's dominions, but succeeding Assemblies would doubtless pay to keep temporarily a few, if brought.
Later in the Summer, a French privateer entered Delaware Bay, and, proceeding as far up the river as New Castle, captured four vessels. The captain even allowed his men to go ashore, declaring that he knew Philadelphia too well to fear the sending out of any- thing to attack him. When this was reported to the new Assembly, the consideration of it was postponed.
All parties, the Proprietaries, their Lieutenant-Gov- ernor, and the Assembly, united at this time in opposing the bill introduced in Parliament at the preceding ses- sion, and lying over for consideration, to prevent the issuing of bills of credit by the colonies as legal tender for the payment of debts. The Assembly said that such a law appeared destructive of its liberties, and likely to be attended by serious consequences to all the King's subjects in America. A sum of money to defray the expenses of opposition was voted to be sent to the
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Agent of the colony in London. Thomas, in January, 1744-5, received 500l. as part of his support for the current year.
The request of Massachusetts, of which William Shir- ley was Governor, for aid in the expedition which it was undertaking against Cape Breton, was communicated to the Assembly by Thomas with a favorable recommen- dation, urging prompt action, but met with the resent- ment of the legislators. They did not hesitate to show local jealousy in criticising the project, and left their religious scruples to be inferred in the words "other reasons," saying, that, if there were no other reasons, the following were sufficient for refusing, viz: the ex- pedition had been devised, and its plan fixed, without orders from the British Ministry, whose plans might be interfered with, and also without consultation with the other colonies, which, if the undertaking succeeded, would get little of the credit, but, if it failed, would have the principal part of the disgrace; aid from Great Britain was uncertain; aid from the colonies would probably be too late; the attempt was extremely haz- ardous, and danger from differences among officers equal in authority, with no Commander-in-Chief, was unavoidable; the expense would be great; there might be much bloodshed; and the event was uncertain.
Four months later, the Assembly could not make the excuse of the project being without royal approval. The expedition had reached Cape Breton, and laid siege to Louisbourg; Commodore Warren with seven ships of the British navy was cooperating; and, in an application from Governor Shirley and Commodore Warren for a reinforcement of men and provisions from Pennsylvania, Warren had mentioned royal in- structions as on their way to the colonial Governors. The Assembly's point then was that the instructions would show how far it was intended that Pennsylvania
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should be burdened with the expense; and the matter was deferred until the instructions should arrive. Louisbourg, which was perhaps the strongest place on the coast in the possession of France, was taken in June, 1745.
Then a request came for troops for a garrison with ammunition and provision; and, on receipt of the Duke of Newcastle's letter, it was found that it was the King's pleasure that any applications from Warren should be complied with. The Assembly, in response, voted 4000l. to the King's use, to be paid to John Pole and John Mifflin, under the directions of the Governor, to be spent by said Pole and Mifflin "in the purchase of bread, beef, pork, flour, wheat, or other grain, or any of them, within this Province, and to be shipped from hence for the King's service as the Governor shall think most fit." A message was sent with this, repeating the old declaration that the principles of divers members did not permit them to join in raising soldiers, or in provid- ing arms and ammunition. Gov. Thomas remarked, that, after the House had particularized what the money should be laid out in, he could not feel that any great compliment had been paid him in allowing him to direct the shipping of the goods.
However, he saw that he could twist the word "grain," to cover what the forces much wanted. Was not gunpowder "grain?" Pole and Mifflin were Quakers, but at least Mifflin, who was years afterwards admitted to the Council, seems to have been inclined to military measures. The two may have allowed Thomas to make the purchases. At any rate, the forces duly received gunpowder. Probably everybody except the Quakers, and even many of them, enjoyed the joke: Gov. Thomas had saved himself and his People from the wrath of the British government; the Assemblymen had satisfied their consciences by providing merely for foodstuffs, and were not responsible for the misapplica- tion of the money. The Assemblymen let the matter
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drop. We are not to infer that they had intended to leave to the Lieutenant-Governor such a loop-hole : this would make all the Quaker members godless hypocrites. Of course, the man who proposed the words "or other grain"-his identity is unknown-may have been a non-Quaker, and may have thought out the trick. We leave to Norris and his friends credit for sincerity, and to George Thomas, in the absence of proof that there was a different punster, credit for wit. Franklin's Autobiography really supports this view, in telling us that some of the Council advised Gov. Thomas not to accept the appropriation as any compliance with the request, but that he replied: "I shall take the money, for I understand very well their meaning; 'other grain' is gunpowder."
Thomas advanced his own money toward raising troops for the regiment commanded by Governor Shir- ley. How many or who went from Pennsylvania, we do not know. Thomas also advanced money for clothing- which no twisting of the word "grain" could cover- sent to the garrison at Cape Breton. Neither of these sums were repaid to him for a long while, if ever, but in all likelihood by the Crown after his relinquishing the Lieutenant-Governorship. The Assembly of Penn- sylvania, having resumed the payment of a salary to him, did not allow for the years when it was not voted. The treasury had been emptied: the accounts of the Treasurer and of the Trustees of the Loan Office, when, in August, 1745, audited by the Committee of the As- sembly, showed, as to money actually paid and collected, a balance against the Province of 2000l., while, against any sums to come in, there still remained due 2000l. for the erection of the State House. In September, the As- sembly declined to assist Massachusetts further in the preservation of Louisbourg.
For some years, the most profitable trade with the Indians carried on by Pennsylvanians had been with
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the Shawnees on the Ohio and its branches. The part of the tribe within the charter boundaries of the Prov- ince, became concentrated in that basin by the removal thither early in 1744 of Kakowwatchy and the others who had been at Wyoming. The Shawnees, although dwelling among the Six Nations, were not disposed to take the same stand as the latter at the beginning of the war between England and France. Soon after the treaty of Lancaster, at which only one Shawnee was present, the traders nevertheless started for the Ohio, in reliance upon the sentiments of the Six Nations. A number were then attacked and robbed by a party of Shawnees and French, headed by Peter Chartier. Chartier ac- cepted a military commission under the French King.
When the Governor of Virginia communicated a re- sponse from the Catawbas favorable to his suggestion of peace with the Six Nations, Thomas sent Weiser to Onondaga, first issuing, on May 7, 1745, a proclamation for the enforcement of Acts of Assembly against the sale of strong drink to the Indians, and against trading with them without a license. Weiser calling the atten- tion of the Long House to the attack by the Shawnees upon the traders, and complaining of it as a contraven- tion of the treaty of friendship between the Province and the Six Nations, because perpetrated by Indians under their jurisdiction, the Six Nations were greatly angered at the Shawnees, and threatened to exact rep- aration from them, if the Governor of Canada did not atone for attempting to invade the country. In the mat- ter of a meeting with the Catawbas, the sachems prom- ised one at Philadelphia in the following year, and also promised a truce until then. However, almost immedi- ately after Weiser's visit, a band of Oneidas started against the Catawbas, a proceeding which the sachems afterwards said that they could not control, and which they justified by the theory recognized among them, they asserted, that warlike acts could be performed until
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peace were actually made. The Governor of Pennsyl- vania could not enforce an opposite theory ; but Thomas had the bravery and the conscientiousness to carry out his obligations to the Catawbas and the Province to which they belonged, by sending to them notice of the expedition of the Oneidas.
Although having a good name with New York and Pennsylvania for observance of treaties, the Six Na- tions did not intend to be bound for ever, and under changing circumstances, any more than civilized nations have shown themselves to be. The astute sachems were well aware, and the Governor of Canada would not let them forget, that the importance of the Iroquois, aye their safety, lay in the rivalry of France and England as then balanced in North America with themselves on the English side or neutral. The capture of Louis- bourg tilted the balance very much toward England; she might do without the Six Nations, and, if she con- tinued this career of conquest, she might preponderate over both them and France, combined when too late. So the Six Nations were considering this over a wam- pum belt accepted as a reminder from the Governor of Canada, in which belt there was wrought in colored beads the figure of a tomahawk. In communicating to the Assembly of Pennsylvania the invitation of the Governor of New York to send Commissioners to meet the Six Nations at Albany in October, 1745, Lieutenant- Governor Thomas said that the only thing to do was to outbid the French, and obtain at once a declaration in favor of the English, as a determination to remain neutral would leave the way open to French intrigues, or, at least, was likely to fail by allies of the Six Nations joining the French, and so putting the Six Nations to a choice later of either joining or fighting those allies. The Assembly, mostly Quakers, avoided expressing an opinion as to such a project, but wished Thomas himself to go to Albany; but, his health not permitting, Law-
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rence of the Council, Kinsey, the Speaker, and Isaac Norris, member of the House, attended as the Commis- sioners, taking presents worth 250l., which had been voted by the Assembly, notwithstanding the condition of the finances.
The Commissioners were authorized and instructed to treat with the Six Nations either jointly with the Commissioners from other colonies or separately. Those from Massachusetts wished a joint speech, in the course of which the Six Nations were to be asked to declare war against the Indians of New England, as Massachusetts had done, in punishment for some mur- ders. The Pennsylvanians opposed this, as not author- ized by the legislatures, and as bringing the war nearer to the settlements, and as unfair to the Six Nations, because support from the colonies represented could not be guaranteed them. Outvoted in this, the Pennsyl- vanians insisted upon making a separate speech. The other Commissioners succeeded in getting the Six Na- tions to demand satisfaction from the Governor of Canada for the injuries, involving a delay of two months for his answer, unless there were further injuries, after which the Nations would use the hatchet when ordered by the Governor of New York. When, however, the time had elapsed, they declared their intention to remain neutral. The Pennsylvania speech elicited a promise to hold a council upon the Shawnee and Catawba matters, and to come to Philadelphia in the Spring. It being found afterwards that the Governor of Virginia had relinquished negotiations with the Catawbas, that meet- ing was given up. The Assembly which had organized in October, 1745, during Kinsey's absence in Albany, and had then elected John Wright of Lancaster County as Speaker, met for business in January. Then Wright resigned, and Kinsey was elected. Thomas was then commended for saving the expense of a purposeless visit from Indians.
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James Hamilton, eldest son of Andrew deceased, qualified as a Councillor in January, 1745-6, and Ben- jamin Shoemaker, in February. The latter was a Quaker, and was the only person of German ancestry who ever sat in the Council between 1701 and the Amer- ican Revolution. The Schumacher family had arrived in 1686.
When there was a rumor that the French and the Indians in league with them were about to attack the frontiers of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and the people of Lancaster County petitioned for arms, the Assembly discredited the report, and would only vote to pay for Weiser's employment of Delaware Indians as scouts to procure and send intelligence. When Admiral Warren's letter of November 26 ar- rived, asking for the raising of troops to defend Louis- bourg, and Thomas suggested that the Assembly advance the money to allow this to be done, Warren and Sir William Pepperell being authorized to sign bills of exchange, the Assembly said, that, bills of exchange be- ing in great demand, Warren and Pepperell could easily raise from private persons any sum needed. When, in fear of an attack on Annapolis, Nova Scotia, or on Louisbourg, Governor Shirley wrote that it was neces- sary for the colonies that had not raised any troops to furnish a large number, 500 of whom he hoped Pennsyl- vania might raise, and when Governor Clinton of New York announced the appointment by the New York As- sembly of commissioners to meet those of the neigh- bouring provinces to concert measures for the defence and conduct of the northern colonies, the Assembly pointed out that regiments from Gibraltar had reached Louisbourg since Shirley's letter, and the Assembly said that it would be time enough to express sentiments, when the other colonies had acceded to the New York suggestion. The address of 12mo. 5, 1745, added, that, were there no "other objections" to complying with
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Shirley's request, the colony of Pennsylvania had been drained of many of its inhabitants by the expedition to Carthagena, the manning of private ships of war, and the recruiting by officers from Jamaica and Antigua, and should not be required to give assistance, if any were necessary, rather than Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, whose situation and engagements interested them more deeply in the preservation of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. Considerable legis- lation as to internal affairs was accomplished at this Assembly.
The King ordered on April 9, 1746, that Governors of the North American colonies raise as many troops as possible to cooperate in any expedition for the con- quest of Canada with the troops at Louisbourg and with five battalions which were to sail from England about the 1st of May. The troops from the colonies were to be in companies of 100 men, and those from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia were to form one corps commanded by Lieutenant-Gov- ernor Gooch of Virginia as Brigadier-General, and to proceed from the rendezvous by land into the southern part of Canada. Blank commissions were to be sent over; officers were to be paid by the King from the time of entrance into the service, and soldiers from date of enlistment; all were to share in any booty, and to be sent to their homes at end of service; Lieut. Gen. St. Clair, the Commander-in-Chief, who was to come with the battalions from England, was to make a reasonable allowance for the Governors, to enable them to provide arms and clothing; and the Council and Assembly-it being overlooked that in Pennsylvania the Council was not a house of the legislature-were to be asked for provisions for the subsistence of the troops. The in- structions reached Lieutenant-Governor Thomas about June 3.
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