USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 52
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Signed by Ordr. of the House, N. C. D. DAVID LLOYD, Speaker.
Which being Considered, It was Resolved, that an answer should be forthwith drawn up to it, to be sent to them this morning before they rise, which was done in these words.
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The Govr. to the Assembly, June 11th, 1709. GENTLEMEN :
What I have so Earnestly pressed you to in the matter now before us, as on the one hand it was absolutely necessary on my part for the Discharge of my duty to Her Majesty, in answer to Her Royal Letter, so on ye other I apprehended nothing could be more to your advantage than thus, to put you upon an effectual way of recom- mending yourselves to Her favour; But since you look upon it as a Design in me to Interpose between Her Majesty and you, than wch nothing can be further from my thoughts, I shall not be against your proceedings in any method that you can with reason believe will recommend you there.
That 2}d. per pound, as laid here on the value of Estates, is not at all Equivalent to 4 shs. in the pound, on all yearly rents, might easy be made appear, but I shall not now spend time on it, only must take notice that if you think fitt to lay but that assessment equally and Justly, I have reason to believe it will raise a sum that may come better up to answer the end.
I Question, Gent., whether you ever had more at stake than at this time, & am of opinion that more than you seem to be appre- hensive of Depends on your present resolutions. 'Tis certain you cannot more Effectually gratify, those who desire a Dissolution of the present Govmt. than by not Discharging your Duty at this Juncture, of which I shall once more Desire you seriously to con- sider.
R. Hill and I. Norris are ordered to carry the said message, signed by the Govr., and further to speak to the matter so much in- sisted on by them of misapplying the Tax.
An address from divers of the Inhabitants of Lewis to the Govr. complaining of some irregularities committed by Jonathan Baily, first Justice in the Commission of the Peace, &c., for the County of Sussex, in his administration of that office, and more particularly blaming him for not Complying with the desires of Several of the said Inhabitants, to have a watch sett that night, the Vessel by which they were plundered, came in sight, was read ; and because it appeared to be drawn up with some prejudice, it was laid aside till there should be a more proper occasion to inquire into the matter.
The Govr. also laid before the Board ye Copy of a Petition, said to be Signed by 27 Swedes, and presented to the Assembly, which Copy signed by the Speaker, the House by several of their members, sent to the Govr., in which Petition they complain, That their old grants for their lands, which were given them by the Govmt. of New York, (after the English in exchange for Surinam were by treaty with the Dutch, to whom it aforetime belonged, left in peaceable posses- sion of it upon the Proprietrs. arrival here, were taken from them & detained by James Logan, and that he being the Proprietrs. Receiver Genl. had demanded & forced some of them to pay Greater Quitt rents for their Lands, than by their said first Grants they were ob- liged to, tho' they did not understand that they were to pay any rents to the Propry. but the Queen.
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But the said James Logan being present, in answer to those allega- tions, affirmed it was utterly false that he ever had any of those an- cient grants in his keeping, & informed the board that as far as he could understand that matter, the Swedes had deliv'd. up those old grants, in order to obtain more firm titles for their Lands from the Propr., which most of them had accordingly obtained ; he said that he never demanded more from any of them than one bushel of wheat for every hundred acres of the land they held, & so proportionably, which was the Quitt rent first agreed to be paid under the English Govmt .; that when he first arrived these people, with all the old settlers, were in the practice of paying the said rent, & that he had never attempted to alter or augment it. That this Petition he was certainly informed was carried on purely by the instigation of two or three persons con- cerned in Lands in Chester County, most eminently disaffected to the Proprietor & ye Government.
Richd. Hill, returning, reported that they had deliv'd. the message wch Isaac Norris & himself had in charge, & that they had discoursed the business of the Taxes & their misapplication so often insisted on by the House, & as he hoped to the satisfaction of many of the mem- bers, & then adjourned.
After Council the Govr. reced. a Verbal message from the Assem- bly by some of their members, Desiring that upon acct. of their Harvest they might have liberty to adjourn for some time, the better to attend their necessary Domestick affairs, to which the Govr. then gave them a verbal answer, & afterwards sent one in writing under his hand in these words :
GENT :
Saturday, June ye 11th.
I cannot Consent that the House shall adjourn any longer than from Day to Day, till the business now before us shall be fully Issued
CHARLES GOOKIN.
.
At a Council held at Philadia., the 15th of June, 1709.
PRESENT :
Ye Honble CHARLES GOOKIN, Esqr., Lt. Govr.
Samuel Carpenter, Richard Hill,
Samuel ffinney,
James Logan, Esq'rs.
Isaac Norris, Esq'rs. William Trent,
Saml. Preston.
The Govr. laid before the board a message which he rece'd. yester- day from the House of Representatives in writing, containing two Resolves, which were read in these words :
June ye 14th, 1709.
Resolved, N. C. D., That this House cannot agree to the Govrs. Proposalls Directly or indirectly, for the Expedition to Canada, for the reasons formerly given.
Resolved, N. C. D., that the House do continue their Resolution of
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raising five hun'd. pounds as a present for the Queen, & do intend to prepare a bill for that purpose, at their next meeting on the 15th of August next, & not before.
Signed by Order of the House, DAVID LLOYD, Speaker.
After the delivery of which to the Govr., it appeared the House had adjourned without waiting the Govrs. Consent.
It was hereupon proposed, seeing the Assembly had acted so Con- temptuously to the Queen and this Govmt. in their said adjourn- ment, after so positive a message sent to them by the Govr. in wri- ting, on the 11 instant, requiring the Contrary, whether it would not be necessary forthwith to require their meeting again, by writts of Summons from ye Govr. ; But since their last answer was so positive and full, it was thought more advisable to be at no further trouble with them about the matter at first proposed to them, since nothing that could further be offered, could possibly produce any good effect.
And whereas, the Assembly think not fitt that this Govmt. should Contribute any thing towards the Expedition against Canada, in obe- dience to the Queen's Commands, for ye advantage of which Expe- dition, in Case those Commands were Complyed wth., a General Embargo was laid on all outward bound Ships, and Vessels in our ports. 'Tis therefore now ordered that the sd. Embargo be taken off, & that the officers of ye Customs, and others Concerned, may hence- forward proceed to clear all outward bound Vessels, as formerly they have done.
Capt. Jno. ffrench having gone in a message to Conestogo, brought for answer from the Indians there, that they would forthwith call in all their young men, & with all their force come to Philadia., in or- der to proceed to Albany, & joyn in the Expedition against Canada ; But the Assembly having positively voted agast. joining with that Expedition, or raising any money for that purpose ; 'tis Resolved, that a message be again sent to these Indians, desireing them to Defer their Coming to Philadia., for that the Govr. will speedily make them a visit.
At a Council held at Philadia., the 28th of June, 1709.
PRESENT :
Ye Honble. CHA. GOOKIN, Esqr., Lt. Govr.
James Logan,
Isaac Norris,
Willm. Trent. Esq'rs. Saml. Preston,
Esq'rs.
Richd. Hill,
The several late messages from and to the Indians, with their answers, being recapitulated, & the Govrs. going in person to them being proposed, an Inquiry was made, what suitable presents were provided to be Delivered by the Govr., at his 1st visit amongst them, to which an acct. was given, that all the fund allowed for this Treaty, was only £20 of the old Currency, of which £6 was already
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Expended on messages, so that but £14 remained to be laid out in Powder and Lead.
It was hereupon thought more adviseable, that the Govr. should Decline his visit to them, unless presents could be procured better proportioned to the occasion, and that the Secry. should proceed in the Govrs. stead, with all Expedition.
At a Council held at Philadia., the 9th of July, 1709.
PRESENT :
Edwd. Shippen,
Griffith Owen,
&Esq'rs.
Richd. Hill, Isaac Norris,
Esq'rs.
James Logan,
Saml. Preston. 7
William Trent,
Richard Westly of Lewis, in Sussex, arriving here early this morning, with an express sent from thence by him, in a Boat & 4 Oars, by the Govr. now there, to give notice to the Govmt, here, that on ye 6th & 7th Instant, a french Privateer had Endeavoured to Land at Lewis aforesaid, but being prevented by the opposition made to him, stood up the Bay where the said Westly, on coming up did pass him ; Whereupon, (as he further informs,) he according to the Govrs. Orders to him, which was the principal Design of sending him by water, had given notice to all ye outward bound Vessels, yt he could possibly come to speak wth, that they might avoid the danger, and the sd. Westly Desiring to be satisfied for his own & his Com- panions Trouble herein. 'Tis Ordered, that ye Treasurer forthwith pay to the sd. Westly, the sum of six pounds of ye present Currency, or eight pds. of the old, in satisfaction for his said service, to be allowed out of the Publick money now in his hands.
Ordered, that the Sherifs of Philadia. & Chester, be required with- out fail, to appear at this Board, & render an account of their Pro- ceedings in Collecting ye publick Taxes, ye first Council day, ten days hence. Adjourned.
At a Council held at Philadia., the 16th of July, 1709.
PRESENT :
Ye Honble CHA. GOOKIN, Esqr., Lt. Govr. Saml. ffinney,
George Roche,
James Logan, Esq'rs.
Antny. Palmer,
Esq'rs.
William Trent,
The Govr. having yesterday returned from Lewis, from whence he had sent an acct. laid before the Board at their last meeting, of an attempt made by a french privateer to Land there, but by his pre- sence were disappointed, now further Represented that ye Enemy having, in a manner made our River & Bay a Rendezvouz to their vessels, it was highly incumbent on us to think of making a defence against them, in Case that tempted by the hopes of the Plunder of
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this City, they might adventure to attempt it. That we are now in a very visible danger, which ought to awaken the thoughts of every man who has any thing to lose, & that the Discharge of his Duty & the Trust reposed in him, indispensably requiring him to provide for the peoples safety committed to his charge, he had Order'd a Procla- mation to be drawn up in readiness, requiring all men to provide themselves with arms, and forthwith to Inlist themselves under such officers as should be appointed, and that he thought it further requi- site to require, by the same Proclamation, that all men whatsoever, between the age of 16 & 60 years, should in case of a real alarm attend him at the place of arms, which Proclamation he ordered to be read, & accordingly it was read & approved of, & ordered to be forth- with Engrossed, Sealed & Published.
Further-Present, I. Norris.
But Complaint being made that there is no money belonging to the publick to pay so much as for an Express or any other service whatsoever.
'Tis Ordered that the Assembly shall be Called to meet on the 26th of this Instant, to consider & make due Provision in this case, and Writts of summons are accordingly Ordered to be forthwith published.
At a Council Held at Philadia, the 25th of July, 1709.
PRESENT :
The Honble. CHA. GOOKIN, Esqr., Lieut. Govr.
James Logan,
Isaac Norris,
William Trent, Esq'rs. Saml. Preston,
Esq'rs,
Richard Hill, Antny. Palmer.
The Chiefs of Several nations of the Indians living on Susque- hannagh, viz : Andaggy-junquagh, Woshtachary, - - -- - Chiefs of the Mingoes, Owechela, Passakassy, Sassoonan & Skalitchy, Chiefs of the Delaware Indians, settled at Peshtang above Conestogoe & other adjacent places, Peter & Pipskoe, Chiefs of the Ganawese, with their several Interpreters, viz : Indian Harry for the first, Sam, son of Essepenawick for the second, & Jno. Montague, a Ganawese Indian for the last, being all arrived here with several attendants, three days ago upon apprehension that by the Govrs. last message to them they were Expressly sent for about some earnest business ; they now mett the Govr. in Council, who Ord'd. the Secry. to tell them by their Interpreter, & Peter Bizaillon, to this effect ; That upon the first message the Govr. had reced. from them about 6 weeks ago, desiring his Company at Conestogo, he had returned an answer by Lt. Coll : ffrench, of Newcastle, that He Could not then possibly come to them because of the affairs of Govmt. here, from which he could not be spared ; That he had sent them notice yt the Visit which they proposed to the five nations, with their Tribute, might prove unseasonable at this time, because those nations were engaging in a great Expedition with the English against Canada, of wch they
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would probably hear from them in a little time ; that it would be well if they would prepare themselves to Joyn in it ; & that he had invited some of their Chiefs to call on him at Philadia .; That he had reced. an answer to this from the Mingoes, or those of Conestogo especially, that they would Call in all their Young men, & march immediately with their whole force to Philadia .; But that this ap- pearing inconvenient and not likely to answer the End proposed, the Govr. had immediately Dispatched away another messenger to them, to prevent their Coming, and inform them that he himself having now more leisure, intended in a few days to see them at their own places. That accordingly He, with Coll. Evans & several others, had set out & proceeded beyond New Castle in the way, but there found himself so indisposed by reason of a great Cold he had taken, that he could not continue his Journey, & therefore sent another message to them by Jonas Askew, the Interpreter, to inform them of the matter-to tell them he was sorry He was so far disap- . pointed as that he could not see them at that time, but that if some of their Chiefs should think fitt any time this fall to Call at Philadia. he should be glad to see them there, and if it would suit their affairs to be here within two months, it might be the more convenient, because in that time the late Govr. and Secry. intended both for England, to see the Indians old friend, the Proprietor, W. P., to whom they might by them send any message, and that the Govr. then further Desired them to Consider what he could do for their service, & he would answer them in it. That this was the substance of what had passed, and therefore that he had not Expressly called them in, as they had been given to understand. However that he was now very glad to see them, & that they should be heartily welcome to him. The Govr then told them himself that tho' he had not Expressly sent for them, yet he was glad to see them come so Cheerfully in ; that he was lately come from England, & was sent to them by their friend & Brother W. Penn, the Chief Govr. and father of this Countrey, who has given him at his coming away a special Charge to be very kind to the Indians, and to treat them as his friends & brothers, which he accordingly would observe, & now thought fitt to tell them so; that as there had been a strong Chain of friendship between all those of this Countrey since, under this Govmt. and the Indians; so he desired it might be continued and made every day firmer, that it might never be broken; that if they had any thing to ask of him he desired them to consider of it, & he would hear them speak to morrow. They all pressed their satisfac- tion in what the Govr. had said, and after some time spent in con- versation, &c., they departed.
At a Council held at Philadia., the 26th of July, 1709.
PRESENT :
The Honble CHA. GOOKIN, Esqr., Lt Govr.
James Logan,
Saml. Preston, Esq'rs. Antny. Palmer, Esqr.
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
The Mingoe Indians having been Invited over the River this morn- ing. without the Govrs. Knowledge, could not be ready to meet ; therefore, those of Peshtang, &c. & the Ganawese attending, they were desired to Speak and Deliver what they had to say ; Whereupon, by Order of Owechela & Passakassy, rising, laid on the Board a Belt of Wampum, as a Token to Confirm what he had to speak, & then said : That this summer they had intended to wait upon the five na- tions, and had provided for their Journey Twenty four Belts of Wampum, to be presented to them as their Tribute, of which they thought themselves obliged to acquaint the Govr. & for that purpose had sent him the message that has been mentioned; but that about the same time they had reced. a message from these Indians, ac- quainting them that they had appointed all the Indians of these parts, as also of Maryland, who are all Tributaries to the said five nations, to meet some of their Chiefs, who were coming down for that purpose at Conestogo, but that they had declined their Journey, being not yet arrived ; Upon this they were again informed by the Govrs. Order, of the Expedition against Canada, in which those nations had lately engaged, & therefore were in all probability prevented in their in- tended visit.
The said Speaker added, that it would be now too late for them to proceed in their Journey Northwards, because they would not be able to return before the Cold weather sett in, & therefore must defer it till another year.
Passakassy added, that they had heard of the french being upon our coasts, and that we were in danger of being invaded by them ; that for this reason they were not now willing to take a Journey so far from home, lest their wives & Children, and we of this place should want their assistance in their absence, & therefore they thought fitt to stay.
The Govr. thanked them for their care in this; But they were cautioned hereupon against giving ear to flying reports, they were told that the french had no forces in these parts, yt could injure us, and that what they had heard of this kind was occassioned only by some Robberies, that some of their small vessels fitted out only for this purpose to plunder and way lay honest traders had Committed : the method of Privateering at sea was Explained to them, by which they were made sensible, that what had happened was not the effect of any superiour force in war, but such Robberies as were common at sea, when a few private Lurchers, with arms, sett upon Vessels provided only for trade, and Carrying of merchandize, & so were made prize of.
They were earnestly exhorted not to suffer stories to be spread amongst them, but to take notice of those that uttered them, to ap- prehend them and bring them to the Govr.
Passakassy complained that some of the Traders, especially J. Le Tort, wrong'd them in the measure of their matchcoats"wch he sold them, in which he desired Redress, & upon it they were advised to a method that would scare them.
They Expressed a great satisfaction in what had been told them,
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& being acquainted that they must all meet again in council, they were for this time dismissed.
At a Council held at Philadia., the 27th of July, 1709.
PRESENT :
The Honble. CHA. GOOKIN, Esqr., Lt. Govr.
Griffith Owen,
Richard Hill, 1
James Logan, Esq'rs. Isaac Norris, Esq'rs.
William Trent,
Saml. Preston.
Yesterday being appointed for the Assembly to meet, the Govr. this morning rece'd a message from them, acquainting them that they could not yesterday make a Quorum, but that now they were a House, & ready to receive what he had to deliver to them.
The Govr. laid before the Board what he had prepared in Writing, to say to them, wch. being considered, & with some alterations agreed to, the Secry. was sent to Desire their attendance immediately, & being come, the Govr. spoke to them in these words : GENT :
The boldness of our Enemies this summer, in Plundering Lewis, Watering in our Bay, & sounding it as they passed along, is so re- markable, that it may justly give us occasion to apprehend a nearer visit ; Therefore if means Cannot be immediately found, to oppose such an attempt with a sufficient force, yet several other things might be done, if there were a fund to defray necessary Charges upon an Emergency that might in some measure conduce to our greater se- curity ; But at present we are so unprovided, that there is not money to pay an Express on any occasion ; To supply this great Defect, I found myself obliged to call you together at this time.
The Chiefs of several nations of our Indians being now come in, there is an immediate necessity also for a supply to make them a reasonable present. I need not inform you of how great Importance it is to keep a good Correspondence wth. these people upon the Easy terms it has hitherto been done in this Govmt. ; half of what you allowed for this purpose has been expended in messages, and the other half at least, in provisions, so that nothing remains thereof for a present; I am sensible money cannot just now be raised to answer this end, but you may find means to procure Credit, so that they may not go away empty.
I must also now take notice that there is no manner of Provision for my own support. The Assemblies of this Province have too often had an Eye in this case upon the Propre., but his late hard treatmt. from some he had too far trusted, has utterly disabled him, (were it in itself reasonable,) to Continue any such Provision ; therefore 'tis necessary you immediately Resolve to contribute what is proper in this point, or otherwise you must expect a Change that may prove more chargeable.
What is truly necessary to be done for the general Good of the Publick, I will readily agree to, but must desire the shortest methods
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may be taken to obtain this, & what I have now proposed to you being of immediate necessity, may be answered without any manner of Delay.
The Govr. not having a Copy of his said speech ready drawn, he told them he would speedily send them one, & then they withdrew.
Peter Evans, sherif of Philadia., having neglected to appear at the Board, according to the last Order for that purpose, was now sent for, & required to give an acct. of the Progress he had made in Collecting the Taxes since his last appearance here upon the same occasion.
The Secry. was Ord'd forthwith to carry the Copy of the Govrs. speech to ye House, which he Did, and returning informed that he had taken occasion, upon what had been mentioned to them by the Govr. upon the same head, to give the House a full acct. of what had lately passed between the Govr. and the Indians, how ye money they had allowed had been expended, and what would be further necessary to be advanced upon the present occasion.
Peter Evans attending, Exhibited his accts., by which it did not appear that any considerable part of the arrears had been collected since the last time he was called upon, and being required to reader a particular acct. of the several outstanding sums, and the reasons why he had not, according to Order reced. them, he mentioned Divers reasons, which not proving satisfactory in general. 'Tis Ordered, that a Committee of this Board, with the Treasurer, Carefully Ex- amine and state the said accts., and particularly inquire into the reasons the sherif has to offer in his own defence, why he has suffered each respective sum not yet collected to be so long outstanding.
Richard Hill, Isaac Norris, & Saml. Preston are Desired, with the Treasurer to be the said Committee, who accordingly undertake the same.
Griffith Jones, Abr. Bickley, & a 3d member, in a message from the House, acquainted the Govr. that they had ordered the said Bickley to advance any sum not Exceeding 25 or £30, or thereabouts, for a present to the Indians now in Town, to be supplied by him in such goods as this Board should think proper.
At a Council held at Philadia., the 29th of July, 1709, at J. Growdons.
PRESENT :
The Honble CHA. GOOKIN, Esqr., Lt. Governour.
James Logan, George Roche,
William Trent,
Richd. Hill. Esq'rs. Isaac Norris,
Esq'rs.
Caleb Pusey,
Saml Preston, Antny. Palmer. 1
All the Indian Chiefs now in Town, with their several Interpreters being mett and seated in the Council Chamber; the Govr. ordered the Secry. to speak to them upon such heads, as were then agreed at the board to be most proper.
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