USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. III > Part 32
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The Members of the Board observed, that this was the first Acci- dent of the kind they had ever heard of in this Province since its first Settlement ; And that tho' the Indians, who committed the Fact, had received very high Provocations, yet as a subject had lost his Life, It is absolutely necessary the Government should take Notice of & move in it, for that notwithstanding it will be difficult, as the Fact was circumstanced to call these Indians regularly to an Ac- count, yet some proper measures ought to be taken to make the In- dians in general sensible of the Outrageousness of the Action, & to oblige them to make such Satisfaction as the nature of the Case will admit of. It was hereupon further observed, that this Governmt. had been formerly happy above most of our Neighbours, in preserv- ing a good understanding and an uninterrupted Friendship with all our Indians, which was effected by the just & obliging Measures our late Proprietor first took with them, by which he had greatly endear- ed them to himself and to this Government, & the Same Methods had been for Years constantly continued by Treaties with them, held at a small Expence, for that the whole Charge, one year with ano- ther, had not exceeded the Allowance of Fifty Pounds pr. annum, which the Assemblies from time to time had formerly granted; But that now for six years past, vizt : the five last years of the late Ad- ministration, & one Year since the present Governours arrival, we have had no manner of Treaty with our own Indians, upon which they think themselves slighted, & have complained of it on divers occasions; That the late Assembly also, being sensible of this, by their Speaker accompanied by the whole House, when the last Bills were pass'd, had signified to the Governour that the House was de- sirous a visit should be paid to the Indians as usual, & it was hoped, when the Season of the year would admit of it, Care would be taken to doe it, for which the Ensuing House would undoubtedly make a suitable Provision, since the late one of their own motion thought fitt to make such an Application.
It was also observed that this unhappy Accident, occasioned by an Indian Trader, who in pursuance of the Law in being for regulating the Indian Trade, had last year obtained a Recommendation from Chester Court for a License clearly shews the Necessity of having that Trade, and the Qualifications of the Persons admitted to it more narrowly inspected, than is at present provided ; for that tho' this Burt had been recommended for a Licence, it was scarce possible to
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find a man in the whole Government more unfitt for it; That it is manifest this Misfortune was owing principally to furnishing the In- dians with Rum, and that tho' the Law is very severe against the Practice, yet now that Liquor is once more become the principal Ar- ticle in some People's Trade with them, to the great Scandal, as well as Insecurity of the whole Governmt. against which, unless some more effectual Provision is made, the Publick Tranquillity will ever be in Danger; All which is submitted to the Governours Considera- tion.
The Fact under Consideration being further entered on, It is Re- solved, that the Indians being at this time generally abroad on hunt- ing nothing can be done with them till Spring, but that then it will be necessary to treat with them upon it. In the mean while, that it will be requisite that Burt should be apprehended & secured, and 'tis ORDERED, that the Matter be recommended to the Chief Justice, that he may issue his Warrant for taking of him.
At a Council held at the Courtho. of Philadia., Septr. 30th, 1727.
PRESENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr. Lieut. Govr.
James Logan,
William Fishbourn, -
Richard Hill, Clement Plumsted, Esq'rs.
A List was presented to the Board of the Names of Seventy Pala- tines, who with their Families, making in all about Three hundred Persons, were imported in the Ship Malley, Jno. Hodgeson, Master, from Rotterdam, but last from Deal, as by a Clearance from the Officers of the Customs there, It appeared upon Enquiry that they were come hither with an Intention to settle in this Province, and that the Master had no Special License for their Transportation. They were called in, and the Persons whose names are subjoyned, did repeat and Subscribe the Declaration inserted in the Minute of the 21st Instant, viz :
Hans Erick Ower, Francis Stouper,
Jost Moyser, Christian Moyser, Ulrick Sheillinbergen,
Hans Stouper,
Hans Jacob Bender,
Michel Schenk,
Christian Waltone,
Michael Spooner, Hans Erick Keel,
Hans Moyser, Hans You,
Hans Erick Heyriger,
Jacob Shir,
Hans Ower Parent, Letterick Pieter,
Henrick Meyer,
Michel Crable,
Samuel Overhoulster,
Felton Younge, Jacob Roust, Hans Cooble, Jacob Baer,
Lutterick Vellerey,
Hans Erick Crable,
Hans Adam Soulder, Hans Michael Smith, Johannes Sneyder, Andreas Elicks, Porcas Hoffman, Felix Goadts,
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Johannes Crowse, Weyan Teale, Michel Sebastian,
Hans Funck, Michel Frances,
Peter Goadts,
Christian Solderman,
- Augustin Weder, Mans Lenord Hoffman, Hans Teyger,
Samuel Good,
Martin Hosuer,
Jacob Hower, Rudolph Landish,
Hendrick Penhort,
Rudolph Baine,
Hendrick Fultz, Hans Erick Teluer,
Jacob Wanner,
Merick Foux,
Orick Leepe, Christian Willand,
Stephanus Raper,
Erick Lutwich Zell,
James Miller,
Samuel Baire,
Martin Kearstucker,
Hans Rinck,
John Mather Euger,
Hans Erick Sheillinberg,
Johannes Pealer,
David Marten,
Hans Miller,
Jacob Marten,
Hans Mickle,
Henrick Hoffman,
Hans Erick Felter.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, October 2d, 1727.
PRESENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governour.
Richard Hill, Clemt. Plumsted, 2 ·Esq'rs.
Willm. Fishbourn,
A List was presented to the Board of Fifty three Palatines, who with their Families, making in all about one hundred and forty Per- sons were imported in the Ship Adventure, Jno. Davies, Master, from Rotterdam, but last from Plymouth, as by Clearance from the Offi- cers of Customs there, It appeared upon Enquiry that the Master had no particular License for their Transportation. They were then called in, & having declared that they intended to settle & live peace- ably in this Province, the several Persons whose names are Sub- joyned, did repeat & subscribe the Declaration inserted in the Minute of the 21st September last, vizt :
Michael Miller, Joannes Radler,
Frans Baltzar Frans, Joannes Cortes,
Nicolas Crou,
Balzer Lyme,
Jacob Wihelmus,
Michael Keyser, Joannes Ulrick,
Hans Adam Oser, Peter Shilling, Mathias Ryseling, . Jacob Bowman, Peter Roole, John Seyham,
Ulrick Ryser, Joan Carlo Horlacker, Nicolas Keysar, Johannes Peter Hoff, Christopher Ulrick, Chistian Sikler,
Johan Jacob Hoffman, Daniel Bowman.
Joannes Layman, Casper Veye. Jacob Lydie, Jacques Symonel,
1
Martin Kindegy,
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At a Council khu'at Fhiladia., October 4th, 1727.
PRESENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr. Lieut. Governour.
James Logan, Isaac Norris, Richard Hill,
William Fishbourn, Samuel Preston, Clement Plumsted. S
Esquires.
The Governour laid before the Board the several Returns of Sherifs & Coroners, elected this present year for the respective Coun- ties of this Province, & desired the Advice of the Members present in his Nomination, which is as follows :
For Philadia. City & County : Owen Owen & Isaac Leech being returned for Sherifs, and Joshua Fincher & Jacob Leech for Coro- ners, Owen Owen is appointed Sherif, & Joshua Fincher Coroner.
For Chester County : John Taylor & Philip Taylor being returned for Sherifs, and Abraham Darlington & Jno. Mendenhall for Coro- ners, John Taylor is appointed Sherif & John Mendenhall Coroner.
For Bucks County : Thomas Biles & Joseph Lupton being re- turned for Sherif, & Jonathan Woolston & William Atkinson for Coroners, Thomas Biles is appointed Sherif & Jonathan Woolston Coroner.
And Commissions are accordingly ordered to the said Persons for their respective Offices, the Sherifs giving Security in the Rolls Office as the Law directs.
The day following out of Council, Returns being made of the Elections of Sherifs & Coroners for the Counties of Newcastle, Kent & Sussex upon Delaware, the following Persons were appointed.
For Newcastle County : John Gooding and William Battell being returned for Sherifs, and Morgan Morgan & Joshua Story for Coro- ners, John Gooding is appointed Sherif & Morgan Morgan Coroner.
For Kent County : William Rodeney & Thomas Skidmore being returned for Sherif's, & Samuel Berry & Edward Jennings for Coro- ners, Thomas Skidmore is appointed Sherif & Samuel Berry Coroner.
For Sussex County : Rives Holt & Peter Adams being returned for Sherifs, and Samuel Davies and John Russell for Coroners, Rives Holt is appointed Sherif & Samuel Davies Coroner. .
At a Council held at Philadia., October 11th, 1727.
PRÉSENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governour:
James Logan, Richard Hill,
William Fishbourn, Clement Plumsted.
Esq'rs.
The Representatives of the Freemen of this Province elected the Ist instant, being this day mett in Assembly, in pursuance of their Charter & the Law in that case made & provided, waited on the Govr. to present to him their Speaker.
And accordingly David Lloyd, Esquire, addressing himself to His Honour, acquainted him that the House had been pleased to chuse
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him to be their Speaker, but hoped the Grove. would recommend to them another Choice, there being so many other fersons of greater Abilities for that Office ; To which the Governour answered that He would always have a great Regard for the Houses Choice, & there- fore could not but approve of their present one.
Then the Speaker, in the Name of the House, desired that the Governour would protect them in their Rights & Privileges, putt a favourable Construction on their Proceedings, and grant the Members of Assembly free Access to His Presence, when sent to him by the House, Which the Governour very readily promised, & then the House withdrew.
At a Council held at the Courtho. of Philadia., Octr. 16th, 1727.
PRESENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governour.
Richard Hill,
William Fishbourn,
Samuel Preston, Clement Plumsted, Esquires.
A List was presented to the Board of the Names of Forty six Palatines, who with their Families, making in all about Two hundred Persons, were imported here in the Ship Friendship of Pristol, John Davies, Mr., from Rotterdam, but last from Cows, as by Clearance from the Officers of the Customs there, bearing date the 20th day of June last, It appeared upon Enquiry that there was no Special Li- cense granted for their Transportation, & that they are come hither with a Design to settle in this Province. They were then called in, & the several Persons whose names are subjoyned did repeat & sign the Declaration inserted in the Minute of the 21st of September last. Peter Tagman, Hillis Castle, Jerem Miller, Joannes Forrer,
Andreas Swartz,
Albrecht Bowman,
Hans Jerig Miller,
Henry Strickler, Jacob Histant,
Nicholas Bogart,
Jno. Histant,
Hans Jerig Hoffmin,
Abraham Swartz,
Nicholas Crosman,
Christian Meyer,
Mathias Swyzer,
Joannes Feyseg,
Peter Wilde,
Jacob Sneppelen,
Peter Pixseler, Hans Reser, Peter Leeman,
Philip Reemer, Palatine Gratz, Henry Sneppeley,
HIans Jerig Lowman,
Christian Crorebit, Martin Schaffenes, Henry Lier, - Adam Lepert,
Vincent Mayer, Henry Schenholl, Joannes Hosle.
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At a Council held at Philadia., October 19th, 1727.
PRESENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr,, Lieut. Governour. James Logan, Richard Hill, Isaac Norris,
William Fishbourn, Clement Plumsted, Esq'rs.
The Governour informed the Board, that the Assembly of this Province had lately drawn up an Address to His Majestie, on His happy Accession to the Throne of Great Britain, in which he would have concurred had the House been willing to have made some Alte- rations in the Stile & manner thereof, which he conceived was not so proper from him.
And therefore said, he was now to propose an Address in his own & the Name of this Board, as a Mark of their Loyalty & Affection to His Majesties sacred Person & Government, A Draught whereof he had prepared, & hoped the Board would agree thereto, which being read, is in these words.
"TO HIS MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY GEORGE THE " SECOND, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France & " Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.
" The Humble Address of the Lieutenant Governour of the Pro- " vince of Pensylvania, & Counties of Newcastle, Kent & Sussex " upon Delaware, and Council of the same.
" MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN :
" Tho' the peculiar Indulgence of Heaven to the British Nation, " In calling it the most Illustrious House of Hannover to the Posses- " sion of its Throne, could not but deeply affect with the Sincerest " Gratitude every honest Subject, who had the Safety, true Interest, " & Honour of their Country at heart, in being made Sharers of so " continued a Series of Blessings Showr'd down on them thro' the " wise & just Administration of Your Royal Father ; Yet with Hearts " more dilated & Joy more extensive, do we behold His Royal Issue " in Your Majesty's Sacred Person succeed to the same Throne, as " the Surest Pledge of the Divine Will to perpetuate with a happy " Increase, the same Mighty Blessings to all the British Dominions, " in Yourself and Your Posterity forever.
" Your Majestys most Consummate Prudence so largely shewn in " your whole Conduct, while only our Prince, and that Cordial Af- " fection, yourself & most Excellent Consort on all occasions expressed " to those over whome Heaven designed you should reign, together " with the repeated Assurances You were graciously pleased to give, " by the first & earliest Opportunities of your Purpose to make the " Happiness of your People the only Rule of your Government, " must so firmly unite the Hearts of all your Subjects to your " Sacred Person, & so fill them with Excess of Joy, that nothing " can add to their present Happiness, but the just Hope & Expec- " tation that every Day, under so auspicious a Reign, will admi- " nister fresh Occasions to strengthen & yet more firmly establish " the same.
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" Of these inestimable Blessings, dispensed by Divine Providence " through Your Royal Hands from the Treasuries of Heaven, whose " infinite Goodness.therein We most humbly & gratefully adore ; We " in the Recess of your Dominions being duly Sensible, tho' in a " remote Sphere, yet with Hearts as Loyal and full of a sincere Af- " fection as can animate those who move in the nearest to your Glo- " rious Rayes, doe gladly Embrace this Opportunity, by the only " Method in our Power to lay ourselves at your Royal Feet, & with " Hearts prostrate to Heaven implore the Sole Fountain of all Bless- "ings to pour down the Choicest, the best & most solid on your " Sacred Head, on your beloved Consort our Gracious Queen, & " those darling Pledges of Your Mutual Affection & of the Nations " Happiness, Your Royal Issue, of whom We heartily pray there " may never be wanting one equally stock'd with the Virtues of the " August Hannoverian Family in all Ages to come to strengthen & " adorn the British Throne."
The Board unanimously concurred with the Governour in the sense & meaning of the said Address, and only excepted to the Stile & Language as improper to their Profession to use. The same was then ordered to be transcribed & signed by the Governr., who under- took to transmit it by the first opportunity.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Janry. 23d, 1727-8.
PRESENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governr. · Samuel Preston, Clement Plumsted, Esq'rs.
William Fishbourn,
The Governour laid before the Board a Speech in Writing wch he intended to make to the House of Representatives, & desired the opinion of the Council thereupon, Which was approved of by the Board, & the House of Representatives being sent for, attended with their Speaker, to whom the Governour spoke as follows :
" Mr. Speaker & Gentlemen of the House of Representatives :
" At your first Meeting after the Election, you had the opportu- " nity of expressing your Zeal & Affection, in the Name of the In- " habitants of this Province, to His Most Excellent Majesty King " George the Second, upon His Happy Accession to the Throne of " His Royal Ancestors : And now being mett on your Adjournment " from that time to proceed on the Business of the Country, I must " in the first place give bothi myself & you the Pleasure of observing " the Harmony & Unanimity, which have appeared amongst People " of all Ranks on that great occasion, where the only Contention is, " who shall be most forward in expressing an entire Satisfaction in " that happy Establishment to which they owe every thing that's " dear to a free People, with a full Dependance on His Majesty's " Care for supporting them in their highest & greatest Concerns ; " And as this certainly procures Peace at home, & will best secure " the British Interest abroad, it may justly be looked upon as the
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" happy Presage of a Reign equally glorious to His Majesty, and " beneficial to all His Subjects.
" And therefore I shall not in the least doubt of our following " this great Example of our fellow Subjects at home, in pursuing " the Ways of Peace, Concord & Amity, as the only sure means of " procuring and continuing to ourselves and Posterity, a solid & " lasting Blessing on our honest Endeavours.
" My Conduct hitherto, I am perswaded, will witness for me that " I have no private Views of my own nor Ends to gain, and that I " have had nothing more at heart than the real Interest of the Co- " lony. Were not this my indispensible Duty, as well as Inclination, " I am strictly enjoyned by our worthy Proprietors to do every thing " that lies in me to promote the true Interest of the Province ; And " I take this opportunity again to assure you, I shall always, while " I have the Honour to be at the Head of the Administration, find a " most sensible Pleasure in concurring with you in every thing that " may conduce to the true Benefit & Advantage of the good People " you represent.
" What the Service of the Publick requires will naturally fall " under your Notice, I shall only here recommend to you Unanimity " & Dispatch in all your affairs, & what further may occur shall be " communicated to your House by Message."
The Governour then acquainted the Speaker, that he had taken Care to forward the Houses Address to His Majesty by the first op- portunity after their last Sessions, And the Speaker having obtained a Copy of the foregoing Speech the House withdrew.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, April 2d, 1728. PRESENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governour. William Fishbourn, Esq'rs. Clement Plumsted,
Present also, at the Governours Desire, Thomas Laurence, Esqr., Mayor of the City, & Andrew Hamilton, Esquire, Recorder.
The Governour acquainted the Board, that two Ships being lately arrived in this River, from Bristol in Great Britain, vizt : the Doro- thy, John Bedford, Master, & the Pharaoh, Thomas News, Master, with several passengers on board, and a Report having been spread that several Persons had died on board the Ship Dorothy of a ma- lignant Fever, he had given orders that both the said Vessells (as coming from the same Place) should not come near this City, until they were first visited ; And that by a Warrant under his hand & seal, directed to Doctor Thomas Græme & Doctor Lloyd Zachary, Physicians, he had empowered them to visit the said Ships, & make strict enquiry into the state and condition of health of those on board, and to make Report thereof. And that now the said Physicians having made their Report to him in writing, he had thought proper to call as many of the Council as were in Town, together with the Mayor & Recorder, to lay the same before them for their opinion & advice. VOL. III .- 13
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Which Report being read, settting forth, that severals on board the Ship Dorothy had been seized with a malignant Fever, of which some were dead, a good many recovered, & a few still ailing, and that they conceived it proper to order a removal of all such as are in the least ailing into fresh air, with other conveniences; And further, that having visited the ship Pharaoh, they find all on board in good health, & the said Physicians attending were called in, & confirmed their re- port, viz : Dr. Græme on his Oath & Dr. Zachary on his Affirmation, & likewise added, that from what they had learnt of those now sick on board the ship Dorothy, fifteen persons had died of this Fever on the passage.
The Board taking the same into their Serious Consideration, and having perused an act of this Province, Entituled an Act to prevent Sickly Vessels from coming into this Government. ORDERED, that the said ship Dorothy come not nearer than one Mile to any of the Towns or Ports of this Province, & that the master or Owners of the said Ship do not presume to land any Goods, passengers or Sailors, from on board her at Philadelphia, without license first obtained from this Board, under the penalty in the said Act mentioned ; & that the Sheriff of Philadelphia serve the master or Owners of the said Ship with a copy of this Order ; And further, that he be required to pro- vide some convenient place at the distance aforesaid for the reception of those persons, who are still sick on board, that proper care may be taken for their recovery.
'Tis further ORDERED, that the Ship Pharaoh be admitted to En- ter and Land at Philadelphia the Goods & Passengers now on board her.
At a Council held at Philadia., April 11th, 1728.
PRESENT.
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esgr., Lieut. Governr. Isaac Norris, William Fishbourn,
Samuel Preston, Clement Plumsted. Esq'rs.
Upon the application of Mr. Thomas Willing, Merchant, part owner of the Ship Dorothy, and the report of Doctor Thos. Græme & Doctor Lloyd Zachary, Physicians, setting forth that they had of new visited the said ship, and that no person on board had been seized with any malignant Fever since their arrival in this river, (Delaware,) and that no person now on board labours under such Symptoms as can denote him or her at this time affected with the said Distemper, but that all the said ship's company are now in good Health, with exception to those concerning whom they made their former Report, who have ever since been separated from those now on Board.
'Tis ORDERED, that the said Ship Dorothy be allowed to enter & putt on shore at Philadelphia the Goods & Passengers on board, due care being had, that before the said Vessel come up to Philadia., all the Bedding be put ashoar at a Convenient Distance from the
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City, there to be aired, and that the said Vessel to be smoaked with Tobacco and washed with Vinegar, & that the Bales of woolen goods on board remain some time exposed to the Air on Deck before land- ing; and further, that the said ship ly out in the stream of the river & not come near any Wharf till she is sufficiently cleansed, of which the Owners and master are to take Notice and govern themselves ac- cordingly.
At a Council at Philadia., April 18th, 1728.
PRESENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governr. James Logan, Samuel Preston,
Isaac Norris, Clement Plumsted.
Esq'rs.
The Governour informed the Board, that James Letort, an Indian Trader, was lately come to town from Chenastry, on the upper parts of the River Susquehannah, to acquaint this Government with a matter he had been informed of by Mistress Montour, who had mar- ried the Indian called Robert Hunter, & was here with her said hus- band last summer in company with those of the five Nations who had visited us then, the Import of which is, That the people of the five Nations had sent to the Miamis and Twechtweys, called also the naked Indians, settled at the Western end of the Lake Erie within the french claims, desireing them to engage & take up the Hatchet of War against the English & Christians, & that the said Letort was now attending, who being called in and examined on Oath, gave the following account.
That intending last Fall to take a Journey as far as the Miamis Indians or Twechtweys, to trade with them, he had consulted Mrs. Montour, a French woman, Wife to Carondowana, about his journey thither, who having lived amongst & having a sister married to one of that Nation, he believed might be a proper person to advise him, & that she seemed very much to approve of the same, upon which he proposed that she & her husband should goe along with him, which she readily agreed to, & that she appeared very cheerfull & desirous to undertake the Journey.
But that having waited long at Chenastry for one who had engaged to accompany him, the Winter sett in before they could proceed, that the Frost breaking up, he thought it proper to advise with Ma- nawkyhickon, an Indian Chief of Note in those parts, & acquainted him with his intention, that he might also have our Indians approba- tion, but that the said Chief discouraged him, telling him he might happen in his way to see some white heads, who come to hunt not for Skins but for flesh and scalps, that would frighten him, and asked him if he did not know that all these people (the Delaware Indians,) who were hunting at Allegany were called home ; That talking afterwards with Mistress Montour about their intended Journey, she told him she could not goe with him, for that she had heard some news that he was a stranger to, with which she
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