USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. III > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
332
MINUTES OF THE
Joh. Leon'd Holsteinder,
Hans Adam Moesser,
Michael Neff, Jacob Funk,
George Shoemaker,
Jacob Kin,
Mathias Firrumsler,
Leon'd Hinker,
Johan Egidius Grin,
Jacob Meckeling,
Joannes Gurk,
Teobald Meckeling,
Johan Leon'd Keller,
Hans George Seyller,
Isaac Crison,
Jacob Sint,
Jacob Herman,
Hans Vierybank,
Thomas Koppenhoffer,
Andreas Stickler,
Christian Graaf,
Hans Jacob Slaure,
Martin Valk,
Joannes Ruspag,
Hans Michael Ruiter,
Hans George Metler,
Martin Moeser,
Adam Surmur.
Hendrick Philip Seller,
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Octr. 3d, 1728.
PRESENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governour. James Logan, William Fishbourn,
Samuel Preston, Clement Plumsted. Esq'rs.
The several Returns of Sherifs & Coroners for the respective Counties of this Province & of Newcastle being laid before the Board, the Governour, with the Advice of the Members present, named the following Persons to fill those Offices for the year en- suing :
For Philadelphia City & County, Owen Owen & Huge Roberts being returned for Sherifs, & Merick Davies & John Eyer for Coro- ners. Owen is appointed Sherif, & Merick Davies Coroner.
For Bucks County, Timothy Smith & John Hall being returned for Sherifs, & Jonathan Woolston & William Atkinson for Coroners Timothy Smith is appointed Sherif, & Jona. Woolston Coroner.
For Chester County, John Taylor & Philip Taylor being returned for Sherifs, & Robert Parke & John Mendenhall for Coroners. John Taylor is appointed Sherif, & Robert Parke Coroner.
For New Castle County, William Read & John Gooding being returned for Sherifs, & Joshua Story & Morgan Morgan for Coro- ners. William Read is appointed Sherif, & Morgan Morgan Coro- ner.
And Commissions are accordingly ordered to the said Persons for their respective Offices, the Sherifs giving Security in the Rolls Of- fice, as the Law directs.
The Day following, out of Council.
Returns being likewise made from the Counties of Kent & Sus- sex, vizt :
For Kent County, William Rodeney & Moses Freeman being re- turned for Sherifs, & John Jennings & Samuel Berry for Coroners. Moses Freeman is appointed Sherif, & Samuel Berry Coroner.
For Sussex County, Rives Holt & Robert Smith being returned
333
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
for Sherifs, & John Jacobs & Samuel Davis for Coroners. Rives Holt is appointed Sherif, John Jacobs Coroner.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, October 9th, 1728.
PRESENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lt. Governor. James Logan, Clement Plumsted,
Samuel Preston, Thomas Laurence, Esq'rs. William Fishbourn,
The Minutes of the 1st of Sept'r. & 3d of Octobr., being read & approved, The Governor laid before the Board a Letter he had re- ceived from Capt. Civility, acquainting him that several of the Dela- ware, Shawanese & Ganawese Indians, were come to Conestogoe, & had brought many Skins with them for a Present to the Gover- nor ; that they purposed to fulfill their Promise of Coming to Phila- delphia this Fall, but that the Death of his, Civility's, Child had so much afflicted him that he could not come with them, and there- fore, they had all resolved to defer their Visit till next Spring, at wch time they would surely come to the Governor at Philadelphia.
A Letter from Henry Smith and John Petty, from Shamokin, being likewise received, was Communicated to the Board; giving an Account that Sassoonan, Opekasset & Shekillima were sett out from thence for Philada., that they had met Higgins, who was said to have been hanged, from whom they had understood that some little Differences had accidently arisen between the Indian Traders & some of the Shawanese, & that they were pursuing their Journey to get a fuller Information of the whole.
The Governor then observing to the Board, that upon several Oc- casions there is no small Difficulty in getting a Sufficient Number of Members together to make up a Council, proposed an Addition to the present Number; which being thought necessary, and His Hon- our having named Mr. Ralph Assheton & Mr. Samuel Hassell as proper Persons to be called to this Board, the said Nomination was unanimously approved, & 'TIS ORDERED, that Messrs. Plum- sted & Laurence acquaint them herewith.
MEMORANDUM. Sassoonan & Opekasset, with several Dela- ware Indians, being come to town, waited on the Governour, & de- sired he would appoint a Time to hear them, & accordingly, a Coun- cil was called.
At the Courtho. of Philadia., October 10th 1728.
PRESENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Govr. Richard Hill, Willm. Fishbourn, Clement Plumsted. Isaac Norris, Samuel Preston,
Esquires.
334
MINUTES OF THE
PRESENT, ALSO :
Sassoonan &
Chiefs of the Delaware Indians.
Opekasset.
Shikellima, of the five Nations.
Carandowana, alias Robert Hunter.
Oholykon, a Chief of the Brandywine Indians. with several others.
The Council being mett & the Indians Seated, The Governour, by John Scull, Interpreter, told them that he was glad to see them all well, & that now he was ready to hear what they had to say.
And then Sassoonan, by the said Interpreter, spoke as follows :
He would not, he says, have the Governour take it amiss, that they did not exactly come at the time they appointed, for he was taken very ill; that, however, he is now come to see the Governour.
Then producing a Letter which had been sent him by the Gover- nour, he says : He was exceedingly pleased when he received it, & that he is so well satisfied with what it contains, that ever since he has kept it carefully in his Bosom, & he now returns it to the Gover- nour.
That he is now come from home to see his Brethren, & that some time since, there was a small Misunderstanding between them & us, but that it is now all past & gone, for they remembered it no more, & that he is now come hither to make Every thing smooth & easy between us.
That when their Father, William Penn, was in this country, it was agreed that both Christians & Indians should joyn in removing all Difficulties, & if any Stone or Stump should ly in the Way, that both should joyn their Hands together & help to remove it, that old men & Children might walk safely.
That the Governour now sees but a very small Number of their People : there are only present some of the Delaware & Brandywine Indians, & none of the Shawanese, but the Govr. must not think strange of it, because at this time of the year they connot conveniently come; that nevertheless, he now speaks in the Name & Behalf of them all.
He Says : When he was here in the Spring, he was very well pleased with all the Governour then said; he swallowed it all down, & lost not the least part of it, & he now hopes that Every thing be- tween us is quiet & easy.
He wishes that our present Friendship may last as long as the Heavens & the Stars therein, & that no ill grounded Jealousies may ever interrupt it, but that we may ever joyn hands together as Friends & Brethren.
He says the five Nations have often told them that they were as Women only, & desired them to plant Corn & mind their own private Business, for that they would take Care of what related to Peace & War, & that therefore they have ever had good & peace- able Thoughts towards us.
That the Mingoes, or Five Nations, have frequently told them, that
335
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL
it was likewise their Desire that Peace & Friendship should be still kept and preserved between us, as long as the Sun should rise & sett.
He says that the Indians have had good Times ever since the Christians settled here, & he hopes they will still continue so as long as the Sun & the Light shall Endure, & desires there may be no Coldness between us, so as to hurt them, or any of their or our Chil- dren. That what he now says comes from his heart, & he speaks honestly & sincerely, for they are not as Words that come from the Mouth & are no more thought of ; they proceed from his very heart, & hopes that what has pass'd between the Governour & him has not been anywise misunderstood, & wishes a good Agreement may still subsist between us.
He adds further, That last Spring there was a Difference that happen'd between them & us, but he does not now lay it to our charge ; he believes it was the hand of the Supreme Spirit, or God Almighty, & therefore all the Indians think no more of that matter, & they desire what pass'd on that Occasion may be now no more re- membered.
He tells the Governour that he hopes all the Differences between them & us will be buried deep & covered up from the Sight, that when our & their Children, in after times, observe the great Friend- ship that has been between us, it may rejoice & gladden their Hearts. And he now hopes that all Differences are buried, & that the Earth round about is made so smooth & Even that their Children may afterwards say; This is the Place where Our Fathers & our Brethren (meaning the Christians) Ended & composed all their Differences, so that now there remain no ffootsteps of them.
What he has now said he hopes all present, both Indians & Christians, have heard, & he will take Care that it shall be made Known & published amongst their People, as far as it is in his Power to do : And that he Will make it Known to the Mingoes, Mahickons, & Shawanese, & no part thereof shall be concealed.
That he is greatly rejoyced to see the present good Understanding, & has no more to add at this time.
And then presents Eight Bundles of Skins, as a Confirmation of all the Words he has now Spoken, & delivers them in the Name of the Mingoes, Delaware, Brandywine & Shawanese Indians.
Then the Governour Enquired of them whether they had sent Messages to the five Nations, to lett them know what had pass'd at the last Treaty. To which Sassoonan reply'd that he was very careful of that matter, & had sent notice of it in a few days after he gott home.
The Governour then told them that he was pleased with their Dis- course, & received kindly what they had now offered, & that to mor- row he would answer what they had said, & provide Provisions for them in their Journey homewards.
The Council adjourned till nine o'clock to morrow Morning.
October 11th, 1728.
Ralph Asheton & Samuel Hazle, Esquires, named in the Minute
336
MINUTES OF THE
of the 9th instant as Persons proper to be added to the Board, being introduced to the Governour, did severally take & subscribe the Oaths & Declarations by Law directed, & likewise an Oath for the faithful Discharge of their Duty as Members of Council.
At a Council held in the Courtho. of Philadia., October 11th, 1728.
PRESENT :
The Honourable PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governour.
Samuel Preston,
Ralph Asheton,
William Fishbourn,
Samuel Hazle, Esq'rs.
Clement Plumsted,
And the same Indians as before.
The Governour spoke to them by the Interpreter, in these Words :
" I was troubled to hear Allummapees was sick, but am glad to " see him well recovered, tho' he comes latter than was expected; but "Sickness & Health are not in our Power. God over rules all " things.
" I am very well pleased with all that was said yesterday; it was " spoke from the Heart of a Friend & Brother, in true Love. Words " are of no Value in themselves, but as the Heart uttereth them. "The Governour takes them as the Words of his Brother's Soul "or inward Mind, in behalf of all his Brethren, & as such they "shall be kept by us in Writing, that they may be remembered " forever.
" As you are now come, tho' few in Number, yet in the Name of " all the Delawares, Shawanese & Mingoes amongst us, to declare " your Friendship, & their resolution to live in Peace unto the Chris- " tians forever, I will again goe over the Links of the Chain made " between William Penn & you, which I repeated to my Brethren at " Concstogoe in the Summer, that they may be the more fresh in " your Minds, because you have no Writing amongst you, & I desire " that you may repeat them over & over again to your Children, & " to all your People, & to all the Indians that live amongst you, that " you may have them at all times stamp'd on your Hearts and fixed " in your View."
Here the nine Articles or Links of the Chain, as in the Treaty held at Conestogoe, were briefly repeated.
Then the Governour proceeded & said.
" My Brethren :
" By those you see that we & you are as one People ; we treat " you exactly as we do our own People; we punish those that hurt " an Indian, as if they had hurt ourselves. You know those two " who killed the Indians this last year, were put to Death as if they " had killed Christians; therefore the Indians must make no Dif- " ference, they must treat the Christians that come amongst them as "their Brethren, or as themselves, with Love and without Quar- "relling. And if any Indian should be angry, & have any Ill in his " heart towards a Christian, you must seize him & hinder it; but if
337
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
" any Mischief be done, you must take Care that the Indian be " punish'd for it, that we may have the same Justice as if a Chris- " tian had done the wrong. Therefore you must use your Endeavors " that the Indians who killed the white man last year at Pextang, " tho' they were of another Nation, may be apprehended if they come " amongst you.
" And if any Christian do Injury to an Indian, you must, as " Brethren, come & complain of it; but if it be remote in the Woods, " you must apprehend the Man that did the Wrong, & deliver him " to me, that the Offender may be punished for it according to our " Laws, which will suffer no man to hurt another.
" I accept kindly of your Present, & in Return give you the fol- " lowing Goods for your Winter Clothing, to keep you warm, with " some Powder & Lead to hunt with, & Provisions to support you in "your way home, wishing you heartily a good Journey."
Then the following Goods, which by Order of the Board were gott ready, were delivered to the Indians, vizt :
6 Strowds, 6 Shirts,
12 Duffells,
12 Blanketts,
1} Barrel Powder, 1 Cwt. Lead.
with Bread, Rum, Pipes, & Tobacco.
After which Sassoonan said: That he is rejoyced to hear what tlie Governour has now spoke, & will not only remember it carefully, but likewise publish it among all his Friends & Brethren, & returns thanks to the Governour for what he has been pleased to give them.
And they all express'd their Satisfaction by a harmonious Sound peculiar to them, in which they all joyned.
It was afterwards considered by the Board what Present might be proper to be made to Mistress Montour & her husband, Carandowana, & likewise to Shikellima, of the five Nations, appointed to reside among the Shawanese, whose Services had been & may yet further be of great advantage to this Government ; And it was agreed that Five Pounds in Bills of Credit, should be given to Mistress Montour & her husband, & two Strouds, one Blankett, one Shirt & Gun to Shikellima, his Wife & Daughther; & then the Council adjourned.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, October 15th, 1728.
PRESENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr. Lieut. Governour. Richard Hill, Ralph Assheton, Samuel Hazle. Samuel Preston,
Thomas Laurence,
8 Esquires.
The Representatives of the Freemen of this Province, Elected the first instant, having mett yesterday in Assembly, in pursuance of their Charter & the Law in that Case made & provided, waited this day on the Governour to present to him their Speaker.
And David Lloyd, Esq'r., addressing himself to His Hon'r., ac-
338
MINUTES OF THE
quainted him that the house had been pleased to chuse him to be their Speaker; that he knew it was usual on the like Occasions, to decline that Charge, & to request the Governour that the House might be desired to proceed to another Choice, which, he said, was generally look't upon as a Form only ; But that he now Entreated the Governour would look upon that Request from him as his hearty Desire, & he made no Doubt but the House would find a Person better qualified for that Office. To which the Governour answered, that he could not but approve of the Houses prudent Choice of him to be their Speaker ; that his known Abilities & long Experience, every way qualified him for the Discharge of that Trust, & that therefore he could not excuse him. The Speaker then desired that the Governour would protect them in their Rights & Privileges as a House ; That they might have free Access to his Presence, & have a favourable Construction putt on their Proceedings ; Which the Governour readily promised. And then the House withdrew & the Council adjourned.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, October 26th, 1728.
PRESENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governour. James Logan, Clement Plumsted,
Richard Hill,
Thomas Laurence,
Esquires.
Willm. Fishbourn,
Samuel Hazle.
The Minutes of the preceding Council being read & approved-
The Governour acquainted the Board that he was informed Mr. French, the Clerk of New Castle county, died yesterday; whereby sevl. Offices which he held there were now become vacant, & seeing it would be necessary to fill them with able & well qualified Persons, he desired the Board would advise him as to those following, whom he proposed to commissionate, vizt : David French, Esqr., now Attorney General, to be Clerk of the Peace & Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the said County; Robert Gordon, Es- quire, one of the Justices, to be Register of the Probate of Wills, and for granting Letters of Administration; and William Read, Esqr., another of the Justices, to be Clerk of the Orphans Court; & in case the Board should think well of Mr. French's Appointment, he proposed that Mr. William Shaw should succeed him as Attorney General.
Then the Governour laid before the Board a Letter dated the 22d currt., signed by ten of the Justices of the Peace for Newcastle County, then mett at the Court of Quarter Sessions, & a Petition of Peter Evans, upon both which the Governour desired their Opinion.
And the said letter was read, setting forth, that inasmuch as the Death of Colonel French was soon to be look't for, they hoped the Governour would not only appoint fitt & well qualified Persons to succeed him in his Offices, but likewise such Persons as reside & live among them, according to the Laws & Constitution of their Government ; it being the Sentiments of all their Inhabitants, that
339
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
as well their Records ought to be kept within their Government, as that their Officers ought to reside therein.
Then was read the Petition of Mr. Evans, setting forth that he having a Right & Title to the Office for Probate of Wills, and grant- ing Letters of Administration in & for the Counties upon Delaware, by Patent from the Honourable William Penn, Esquire, late Pro- prietor, & having been kept out of Possession of the said Office by John French, lately deceased, humbly prays to be admitted to the Enjoyment & Possession of the said Office according to the Tenor of his Patent.
The Board having Enter'd into the Consideration hereof, Observ- ed, that the granting of Patents for Publick Offices generally made the Officers less carefull of their Charge, & less sollicitour to please, than those who only hold them at Pleasure. And 'twas considered in the present Case, that since Mr. Evans enjoys by the Patent the Office of Register for the Province, & resides at Philadelphia, it would be a very great Hardship if the Inhabitants of the Counties should be obliged to come up here whenever they had occasion to apply to that Officer, & that it was even to be questioned whether they would submit thereto, being expressly Contrary to a Law of that Government, whereby it is declared that no Office within the same shall be held by any Person, unless such Officer live & reside in the County wherein he holds his Office, which Law the Majistrates have in View by the foregoing Letter, when they desire, in the Ap- pointment of their Officers, that Regard may be had to their Laws & Constitution.
The Board is therefore of Opinion, that the Office aforesaid ought to be supply'd by some Person residing in the County, who ought to give good Security for the Faithful Discharge thereof, & that Mr. Evans, if he thought himself aggrieved, may have Recourse to the Law. And then the Board agreed to the nomination of the Several Persons before mentioned, to their respective Offices ; but observed, that as the due Prosecution of Criminals tends very much to the Reputation of a Government, & that the present Attorney General had acquitted himself in that Office to the general Satisfaction of the Counties, & was very well qualified for the office now to be conferred on him, it might not be improper to continue him Attorney General for some time, & that if another is appointed, Mr. French would undertake to assist him in the Public Prosecutions.
It was remarked by one of the Members, that Mr. Evans, when he received his Patent from the late Proprietor, agreed to pay a cer- tain Sum yearly to a Widow Gentlewoman, a Relation of the Pro- prietors, but that he had kept back one half thereof for some years past, on Pretence he was not admitted to the full Enjoyment of the said Patent. And 'twas moved whether it would not be reasonable that those who Enjoy these Offices in the respective Counties upon Delaware, should not make good that Sum so withheld, or in Proportion. And the same was left to the Governour's Considera- tion.
340
MINUTES OF THE
At a Council held at Philadia, Decemr. 16th, 1728.
PRESENT
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governour.
James Logan,
Clement Plumstead
Isaac Norris,
Ralph Asheton,
Samuel Preston ยท
Samuel Hazel.
Esq'rs.
William Fishbourn,
The Governour laid before the Board a Draught of a Speeech which he proposed to make to the house of Representatives of the Province, who were to meet this day, pursuant to their adjournment, & desired their Opinion theron ; & at the same time acquainted them that a Resolve of that House at their last meeting was presented to him, touching which he was now to take the Advice of this Board, because it would be necessary to make Mention thereof in the Speech ; and the said Resolve being read, is in these Words :
October 16th, 1728.
" Upon a Motion made & Question putt, that inasmuch as there " has been of late several Indecencies used towards the Members of " Assembly attending the Service of the Country in Philadelphia, " by rude & disorderly Persons, unknown to this House; Therefore " Resolved, that it be humbly submitted to the Consideration of the " Governour & Council, to make such Order for the Place of next " meeting of the Assembly of this Province, as to them shall seem " most safe for the Members of Assembly & most convenient for the " Dispatch of the Business of the Country.
" Past in the Affirmative "
Whereupon the Board Express'd their Concern that any occasion should be given to the House for such a Request, & unanimously agreed that a great Regard ought to be had thereto ; but inasmuch as a Removal from Philadia, may be attended with some Inconveni- encies, considering the Severity of the Season & shortness of the Days, & may give some Delay in the Settlement of the public Ac- count with the Offices which are kept here, it may be more expe- dient that the Session should be held here for some time ; & if on further Experience the House shall continue in the same Senti- ments, that a Removal is necessary, The Board are of opinion that the same out to be adjourned to Chester, as the most convenient place for their meeting next to Philadelphia.
The Speech was then read, (the first part thereof was made agreeable to the Mind of the Board above express'd,) & some Altera- tions being made was approved.
The Council then adjourned till to morrow Morning, at which time the House was to have Notice to attend the Governour.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Decemr, 17th, 1728.
PRESENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieutenant Governeur.
Samuel Preston, William Fishbourn, Clement Plumsted,
Thomas Laurence,
Ralph Asheton, Samuel Hazle.
Esq'rs.
341
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
The House of Representatives, according to Order, waited on the Governr., to whom he made the Speech agreed to in the preceding Minute, which is as follows :
" Mr. Speaker & Gentlemen of the House of Representatives :
" I am perswaded you will not think it proceeds from any Disre- " gard to your Message to me at your last Adjournment, that your " present meeting has not been appointed in some other Place than " this City, in which your Members had been indecently treated ; " For, as ever since my Arrival amongst you it has not only been " my Inclination, but fixed Purpose, to devote myself to the Service " of the Country committed to my Care, I should take a much " greater Pleasure in attending that Service with the People's Repre- "sentatives, wheresoever their Safety & best Conveniences for the " Dispatch of Business might call them, than in consulting my own " Ease, or that of my Family; but having laid this matter before " the Council, as the Charter Enjoyns, they are of Opinion that, " considering the Severity of the Season, with the shortness of the " Days, & that the Settlement of the public Accounts, which is one " considerable Article of the Houses Business, can no where so con- " veniently be done as where the Offices are Kept, it may be more " expedient to hold your Session at least for some time here, & then, " if on further Experience you find Reason to continue in the same "Sentiments, that another Place will be more suitable, they agree " with me that you should adjourn to Chester, which, next to Phila= " delphiia, seems the most convenient Place for your Meeting. In " the mean time, Gentlemen, I must putt you in mind that a Legis- "lative Assembly, in Conformity to a British House of Commons, " is invested with a very great Authority. I hope, therefore, you " will not be wanting, as well in Regard to yourselves as succeeding " Assemblies, to make all such Sensible of their Error who shall " dare to treat it with any Indignity, in which you shall have my " ready Concurrence, if necessary, as you shall in every thing else " that may tend to the true Interest & real service of the Publick.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.