USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. III > Part 47
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Casper Shirch, Johannes Behn,
Marting Osiner,
Christian Kininger,
Mathias Weber,
Johannes Herman,
Johan Philip Weber,
Valentine Westheber,
Johan Herb Minicher,
Johan George Libenstein,
Johan Michael Sigmund,
Michael Anderras.
Johan Ditrich Yungman,
At a Council held at Philadelphia, May 15th, 1732. P.M. PRESENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governor. Isaac Norris, Thomas Laurence,
Clement Plumsted, Ralph Assheton. }Esq'rs.
A Report of the Justices appointed to deliver the Goal of the County of Lancaster was read in these Words :
" To the Honourable Patrick Gordon, Esquire, Lieut. Governor " of Pennsylvania, &c.,
" Pursuant to His Majesty's Special Commission of Oyer and " Terminer & General Goal Delivery for the County of Lancaster, " to us directed, We do humbly certify your Honour, that a Court " was held at Lancaster on the third and fourth days of this instant, " May, where Margaret Shitts was indicted & convicted of conceal- " ing the Birth & Burial of a Bastard Child, born of her, till it " was afterwards found out; & Peter Harp was likewise indicted & " convicted of aiding & abetting the said Margaret in the Felony " aforesaid, for which they have received Sentence of Death accord- " ing to Law. But it not appearing to us on the Tryal but that the " Child might have been born dead, We beg Leave to recommend " these unhappy Persons to your Honour's Clemency.
" We do likewise Certify, your Honour, that James Hendricks, " Peter Sware & Christian Nisewanger were indicted, and by their " own Confession found guilty of Homicide by Chance medley, and " the Law in those Cases entituling them to His Majesty's Pardon, " We have directed them to make humble Application to your Hon- "our for the same.
" A. HAMILTON, " JER. LANGHORNE, "THO. GRÆME.
" Philadia., May 10th, 1732."
A Petition was afterwards read, Signed by Sixty three Germans, humbly recommending to the Governor's Clemency the aforesaid
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Peter Harp and Margaret Shitts, & His Honour desiring to be herein advised by his Council,
The Board are of Opinion, that in the present Case Mercy should be shown to these unhappy Persons, & it is left to the Governor to direct the properest Manner of doing the same. E.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, June 22d, 1732.
PRESENT :
The Honble PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governour. James Logan, Thomas Laurence,
Isaac Norris,
Samuel Hasell.
}
Esquires.
Present also, by Order of the Governor,
Charles Read Esquire, Sherif of the City & County of Philadia.
An humble Application having been made to the Court of Quar- ter Sessions, lately held for the County of Philadelphia, by the Per- sons under Sentence of Death for Pyracy, now lying in the Goal of this City, setting forth their miserable Condition, and that they are so destitute of all manner of Cloathing that they have not where- withal to keep themselves clean, or even to cover their Nakedness, & therefore praying that a small Supply of Cloathes may be ordered for them, which Application being by the Justices of the said Court, thought more proper for the Cognizance of the Governor & Council, and the same being now considered, The Board are of Opinion that some Cloathing fitt for the Heat of the Weather be provided for them, and that to each there be given a couple of Shirts, a Jackett & two pair of trowsers of Oznabrigs, and 'tis recommended to the Sherif to order the same, and to lay an Account thereof before this Board. E.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Aug. 9th, 1732.
PRESENT :
The Honourable PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governor.
James Logan, Thomas Laurence,
Clement Plumsted, Samuel Hasell.
Esq'rs.
A Bill sent up from the House was read, Entituled AN ACT directing the Manner of Payment of Assembly Men's Wages.
It was observed that at the last meeting of the Assembly, a Bill of the like Nature had been sent up, which had been largely spoke to, & a Message touching the same had been sent to the House, which remaining on the Minutes of this Board, It is ordered that the Bill be returned, with a Verbal Message to this Effect :
That tho' the Governor, for the Reasons formerly given, still ap- prehends some Inconveniences from the discharging the Wages of
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Assembly Men in the Manner proposed by the Bill, yet since it is to continue for three years only, and the House appcars so very de- sirous of it, he is willing they should experience its Success for this time.
The Report of Samuel Powell & Samuel Levis, in pursuance of an Order of this Board of the 4th of May last, was then read in these Words :
" We, the Subscribers, being appointed by the Honble the Gov- " ernor in Council, to View the most convenient Place for erecting " a Bridge over Cobb's Creek, and to compute the Cost thereof, & " Agree with Workmen for building the same :
" In pursuance of the said Order of Council, we have agreed on " a place, (as we Judge,) the most proper for that Purpose, being a " little above the King's Road, which must necessarily be shifted, so "as to lead across a Corner of Land belonging to Obadiah John- " son, on the East Side, & through a field of Edmund Williams', on " the West side of the said Creek, in order to make the Road strait " to Darbytown, which we pray may be ascertained by Authority, " the better to enable us to Compute the Cost and agree with Work- " men for the same. All which is humbly submitted to the Judge- " ment of the Honble the Governor and Council.
"SAML. POWELL. " SAML. LEVIS, JUNR."
An Imperfect Calculation of the Charge was likewise laid before the Board.
The Consideration of which Report & Calculation was deferred till the Commissioners for the Counties of Philadelphia & Chester should be spoke with on the Subject. E.
At the Courthouse of Philadelphia, Aug. 11th, 1732.
PRESENT :
The Honourable the Governor,
With the Mayor of the City & Other Magistrates.
A List was Presented of the Names of One Hundred and six Palatines, who with their Families, making in all about Two hundred and Seventy nine Persons, were imported here in the Ship Samuel, of London, Hugh Piercy, Master, from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes, as by the Clearance of the Officers of the Customs there. The Master having been examined and these Forreigners having declared their Intentions of settling in this Province, & living peace- ably therein, the Persons whose names are Subjoined took & sub- scribed the Effect of the Oaths of Allegiance, Supremacy, &c., and likewise did repeat & Sign the Declaration directed by Order of Council of the 21st of Septr. 1727.
Martin Gerhard, John Bendler, Johan George Nungeser,
Johan Adam Andreas, Christian Frantz; Christian Frantz, Jun.,
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Nicolas Corber, George Philip Windermuth,
Lorentz Knochel, Hans Jacob Breckly, Christopher Breckly,
Jacob Fleiser, Leonhard Deebler,
Mathias Breckly, Ulrick Breckly,
Samuel Brand,
George Bender,
John Heneberger,
Michael Dierstein,
Henrick Ebby,
Jacob Stauffer,
Johan Jacob Belerth,
Johan Nicolas Strass,
Hans George Goedke,
Johan Leond Keffer,
Mardin Weigall, Fredrick Mulchslager, Michael Kreider, Johannes Miller,
Peter Wetzstain,
Christian Bendler,
Henrick Ramsaur,
Hans Adam Naig, Julius Dehr,
Johan George Glasbrenner,
Johan Sebalt Schremer, Wendal Brechbeil,
Johan George Kleinhans,
Hans Wendell Hoill, Wilhelm Bergemer, Christian Bury, Andreas Muller,
Andreas Stantzenberger,
Johannes Ulrick, Johan Peter Hailman,
Christian Geeman, Benedict Geeman,
Johan Leonhard Zeigler,
Ulrich Fisheir,
Henrich Berret,
Peter Shellenburger,
Jacob Gochnauer, Christian Gochnauer, Peter Frith, Andreas Shetler,
Hans Jerig Quickle,
Carl Seyl, Wendel Werbel, Philip Werbel,
Augustus Wendel,
Peter Schneider,
Elias Meyer, Adam Hillegas.
Paulus Boger, Johan Philip Boger, E.
Johannes Ziger,
Hans Jerig Steyer,
Jerig Heyl,
Peter Stey,
Wendel Berndheisel,
Johan Berndheisel,
Hans Michl. Bumgartner,
John Bumgartner,
Jacob Albrich,
Fredrick Hartman,
Wendal Gerlach, John Helfurt, Jacob Weyes,
Johan Fredrick Shitz, Johan Philip Shitz, Peter Baltsbach, Jacob Kneehler, Martin Biller,
Johan Jacob Erdman,
George Lodwig Hornisch, Jacob Keiffer, Casper Wartman, Jorich Klingman, Jacob Gutt, Ulrich Burckholter,
Frederick Keiffer, Jacob Crist, Samuel Scheer,
George Deebler,
Oswald Hosteller,
John Lentz, John Brechbil,
Gottfrid Staal, Hans George Klingman, Michael George, Jacob Oberholzer,
Hans Mosiman,
Hans Carl Balsner,
Christian Balsner,
Fridrick Aldorffer,
Anastasius Uller,
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
At a Council held at Philadia., the same day in ye afternoon.
PRESENT :
The Honourable PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governor. James Logan, Ralph Asheton,
Isaac Norris,
Samuel Hasell. Esq'rs.
A Bill sent up from the House was read, Entituled,
A Supplementary ACT for raising County Rates and Levies ;
Which being agreed to without Amendment, was ordered to be returned to the House.
The Governor just receiving by Express, a Letter from the Hon- ourable Thomas Penn, Esquire, one of our Proprietaries, dated this afternoon at Chester, where he had landed, communicated the same to the Board, who expressing their great Satisfaction with so welcome News, the Governor was desired to cause Notice thereof to be given to the House now sitting :
Which being done,
The Governor directed his Secretary to repair immediately to Chester, with his and the Board's Compliments of Congratulation to our Proprietary on his safe Arrival, & to acquaint him that to- morrow morning they would in Person, pay their Respects to him at that Place, & wait on him to town.
E.
AUGUST 12th.
The Governor and all the Members of Council who were able to travel, accompanied with a very large Number of Gentlemen, Setting out this morning for Chester, waited on the Honourable the Proprietary and paid him their Compliments. After Dinner the Pre- prietary with his Company, now grown very numerous, Sett out for Philadelphia, near to which place he was mett by the Mayor, Recor- der and Aldermen, with a great Body of People. The Recorder, in the Name of the Mayor & Commonalty of the said City, made an handsome congratulatory Speech, which the Proprietary answered in very obliging Terms, and then proceeding forwards he came to the Governor's House in the Evening.
E.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Augt. 15th, 1732.
PRESENT :
The Honourable THOMAS PENN, Esqr., Proprietary.
The Honourable PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governor.
Isaac Norris, Ralph Assheton, Samuel Hasell. } Esq'rs. Thomas Laurence,
The Speaker with the House of Representatives, waited on the Honourable the Proprietary, and presented him the following Ad- dress :
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"TO THE HONBLE. THOMAS PENN, Esquire, one of the " Proprietors of the Province of Pennsylvania.
" THE HUMBLE ADDRESS of the Representatives of the " Freemen of the said Province in General Assembly met :
" May it please our Honourable Proprietor,
" At the same time that we acknowledge the Goodness of Divine " Providence in thy Preservation, we do most sincerely congratulate " thee upon thy safe Arrival into the Province of Pennsylvania. " Our long and ardent Desires to see one of our Honourable Pro- " prietors amongst us, are now fulfilled, and it is with pleasure we " can say, Thou art Arrived at a Time when the Government is in " perfect Tranquility, and that there seems to be no Emulation "amongst us, but who shall by a peaceable and dutiful Behaviour,
" give the best Proof of the Sense they have of the Blessings de- "rived to us under our late honourable Proprietor, your Father, " whose Goodness to his People deserves ever to be remembered " with gratitude. Be pleased to accept of our best Wishes for thy " Health and Prosperity, and give us leave to say, as no Discou- " ragements nor any Artifices of ill Men have hitherto been able to " deter the good People of Pennsylvania from a firm Adherence to " your Honourable Family, so we shall always, to the utmost of our " Power, support and maintain that Government under which we " do with all Gratitude, acknowledge we enjoy so many valuable " Privileges.
" Signed by Order of the House. " A. HAMILTON, Speaker."
To which the Proprietor gave the following Answer :
" I heartily thank the House for their affectionate Address, & as "I look upon the Interest of Pennsylvania & that of my Family to " be inseparable, you may assure yourselves it shall be my study " to pursue those measures which have rendered the Name and " Government of Father so gratefull to the good People of this " Province."
The Speaker then presented the two following Bills for the Gover- nor's Assent, together with an Order for the remaining part of the Support for the current year, which said Bills, vizt :
AN ACT directing the manner of Payment of Assembly Men's Wages.
A SUPPLEMENTARY ACT to the Act for raising County Rates and Levies being passed into Laws of this Province, & a Warrant issued for; affixing the Great Seal thereto, the Governor expresscd himself to this effect :
That he thanked the House for this fresh Instance of their Care of him, and as it could not but give him the greatest Satisfaction to reflect on the Unanimity with which the Affairs of the Assembly had been transacted, so he flattered himself that each Member would in his respective County, use his utmost Endeavours to perpetuate the blessings of Peace & mutual Agreement which are now so visible throughout the whole Province.
E.
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
MEM.
HIS HONOUR the Lieut. Governor, having received last Fall, from the President of His Majesty's Council of New York, Several Papers, touching the Encroachments of the French on the Lands of that Government, then raising Fortifications in its Neighbourhood, and some practices that had been used to draw off several Nations of Indians from the English to the French Interest, A Message accompany'd with a handsome Present was sent to the Six Na- tions, inviting some Chiefs of their several Nations to Philadelphia, to confer fully on the last of these heads, as is sett forth in the fore- going Minutes. And accordingly, several Chiefs arriving here the 18th of this instant August, they waited on our Honourable Proprietor & His Honour the Lieut. Governor, & a few days being spent in mutual Civilities, and giving the Indians time to refresh themselves after their long Journey, the Treaty began on the 23d, and
E.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, August 23d, 1732.
PRESENT :
The Honourable THOMAS PENN, Esqr., Proprietary.
The Honourable PATRICK GORDGN, Esqr., Lt. Governor.
James Logan, Samuel Hasell, Isaac Norris, Thomas Laurence. 2 Esq'rs.
Samuel Preston,
PRESENT ALSO :
Tyoninhogarao, Hetaquantagechty.
Chiefs of the Tsanandowas : with
Tooachtachkout, Sodorarangchese, Totienaro, Owastie, Ananda, Taniayuis, Tuwanagra, Tarachkoros & Atondheydhaw, of that Nation.
Tiohogaunda. A Chief of the Cayooges, with Auchsochquaw, Skaieyntis, Tichibachquey, Otangsarraka, of that Nation.
Brother to Carandowana, Swataney, als, Shekallamy.
Sagogaliax, - Chiefs of the Oneidas ; with Tachnich- torous, and Anunghchrateney, of that Nation.
THE PROPRIETOR, by Conrad Weyser the Interpreter, spoke to the Indians as follows :
" My Friends & Brethern :
" Itis a great Pleasure to me that after so few days, not more than " Six after my Arrival at Philadelphia, from a Voyage of some thou- " sands of Miles over the Great Sea, I had the good Fortune to meet " my Brethern, the Chiefs of the Five Nations, here. I need not " inform you that when my Father, William Penn, was sent by the " Great King of England to bring over large Numbers of his People " to Settle in this Country, he made it his first and principal Care " to convince all the Indians Inhabiting it, that he came with a full " Design to their Friend and Benefactor. He was not only just to
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MINUTES OF THE
" them, in buying and paying for so much of their Lands as he then " wanted, but in all things he treated them with Tenderness and " Affection, he loved them as his Children, he became their Father. " And he entered into the Strictest League of Amity with them, not " only between himself and his People and the Indians then living, " but to continue between his Children & their Children and their " Posterity of all Generations, & for this Purpose he made with them " a Chain of Friendship, to be kept Strong and bright forever. And " when his Affairs in England obliged him to leave this Country, he " gave it strictly in Charge to all his Governors and People in Power " under him, that they should in the same manner treat all the In- " dians as he had done ; That they should be as Fathers to them, & " that all his People should live in perfect Peace and Brotherhood " with all the Indians, as if they were of one Blood and of one Body, " without distinction.
" I am but young, and having been bred in England could not see " those things with my own eyes, but I Constantly had Accounts in " writing of all that was done here, as if I had been myself in the " Place, and by reading these over again I now know them better " than if I had been present, and were to be informed by Memory " only, so that I can fully speak to them.
" Now by these Writings I truly find that my Father's Governors " here, have treated the Indians as my Father had Commanded them. " I find that our People here constantly lived in a true and perfect " Peace, as affectionate Brothers with the Indians. I find that when " about ten years since, two of our Traders in a Scuffle with one of " your People, who was angry and took up his Gun, gave him a " Blow of which he died, tho' this was done far back in the Woods, " the Governor sent out People to take these two Traders, & they " were brought to Philadelphia, putt in Prison and in Irons to be " tried for their Lives, till your Chiefs at Albany that year desired " earnestly that they might be sett at Liberty & be forgiven. But " some years after, when too foolish People had shott two of our " Delaware Women Indians & a Boy, the Men that did it were tried " & hang'd for it, in the same manner as if they had killed their own " Sisters, of the same Mother. These things I suppose you have " been fully informed of, and are sensible of our Rejoycing in your " Good and our Sympathizing with you in your Losses, of which " some Proofs have been given you.
" And now, since I am here with you my Self, I do assure you " that the Friendship & strict Union which my Father began with " all our Friends, the Indians, and his Governors after him have " cultivated, I shall take Care to improve and strengthen. My " Father made a Chain and Convenants for himself and his Children, " and I his Son, will to the best of my Power make that Chain yet " stronger and brighter on our Parts ; that it may continue so to all " Generations. As a Proof of this, we would now enter into a close " Discourse with you on Affairs that nearly concern your own Peacc " and Safety ; for as true Brothers that are as one Body, & have the " same Interest, we lay to our harts whatever may affect and touch
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
" you. But this requires Plainness and Freedom ; we should open " our Hearts, conceal nothing, but confer together as if we had but " one Mind to inform and direct us in all things. It is thus with " us in relation to you, and we doubt not but it is the same on your " Parts in relation to us; therefore if you please we would desire in " the first place to know of you how it is with you. How you stand " with your Neighbours, the French, who formerly were your cruel " Enemies but are now at Peace with you. How they behave to " you ; As also, how all the other Nations of Indians to the North- " ward or Westward of you, are affected towards you ? And when " you have considered by yourselves these Propositions, we will meet " again to-morrow and enter further into these matters, and take " Counsel together with open Hearts as true Friends and Brethern, " upon all things relating to you. And when we have finished this "Friendly Treaty, we shall have a Present for you to return with " home, that will confirm all we shall say to you."
After which HETAQUANTAGECHTY, their Speaker, said :
That since their Brother ONAS is now come amongst them, & that they have the Satisfaction of seeing him & the Governor to- gether, they will speak to them both in the manner that is desired. And producing some Strings of Wampum he gave them to the Pro- prietor, and said that these had been sent from this Government by Shekellamy with a Message inviting some Chiefs of their Several Nations to come to Philadelphia ; that there are now only some Chiefs of three of their Nations present, vizt : of the Tsanandowas, Cayoogoes, & Oneidas, but that these are fully impowered and otho- rized to treat & speak in behalf of them all.
That they are very glad to find their Brethern of the same mind with them ; they were desirous to speak of these Subjects that have been proposed to them, & shall be very free & open in their Answers, without concealing any thing they know.
The Council then adjourned, and the Indians after a friendly En- tertainment departed.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Augt. 24th, 1732.
PRESENT :
The Honourable PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governour.
James Logan,
Clement Plumsted,
Isaac Norris,
Thomas Laurence, Esq'rs.
Samuel Preston, Samuel Hasell.
The GOVERNOR acquainted the Board that the Indians had de- sired further time to consider of their Answer. Whereupon the hear- ing of them was putt off till to morrow.
His Honour then said he had understood some objections had been made without Doors, to the manner of treating with these Indians, as if the same had been carried on in a less publick manner than had at some times been practised ; that therefore he was desirous to know the mind of the Board in this Point. The Consideration whereof VOL. III .- 19,
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being entered into, It was observed that heretofore, Treaties with the Indians had been generally held in the Council Chamber, tho' on some very particular Occasions it had been otherwise ; that at this Treaty, to hold all our Conferrences in publick which must relate to our Neighbours, might frustrate the Intention of it, And that 'twas to be apprehended the Indians themselves would decline being so free and Open on these and other matters of importance, if they should perceive that Numbers of People without Distinction were admitted to hear what passes. These, with several other Reasons, being debated & considered, the Governour proposed and the Board came to the following Resolution.
That the Indians be sounded on this head by the Interpreter, and their Minds known, whether they would chuse a more Publick man- ner of being heard, & that the Method most agreeable to their Sen- timents be followed.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, August 25th, 1732. PRESENT :
The Honourable THOMAS PENN, Esqr., Proprietary.
The Honourable PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lt. Governor.
James Logan, Isaac Norris,
Clement Plumsted,
Thomas Laurence,
Esq'rs.
Samuel Preston, Ralph Asheton.
CONRAD WEYSER, the Interpreter, who pursuant to the Re- solve of yesterday, was directed to learn the Sentiments of the Indians touching the manner of their being heard, now attending, was called in, & said that they had acquainted him it would be more agreeable to their Inclinations to treat at the Governor's house in the way they had begun, but if they are desired to speak in a more publick man- ner they will not decline it.
The Indians were then sent for, who being seated, & several Gen- tlemen of this City admitted to be present, HETAQUANTAGECH- TY the Speaker, first repeating the Substance of what the Proprietor had delivered, said :
That the Discourse which they had heard, being Chiefly intended to know of them how they and the French stand affected towards each other, & how the other Nations of Indians around them are in- clined towards them, they are now ready to satisfy their Brother Onas, in these particulars as far as they know :
They say that during the last War, the French frequently cry'd out to them for Peace, but they had never sued to the French for Peace ; that the Governor of Canada sent many Messages to them, Earnestly requesting that they might come and treat with him ; that at first some of the Canyingoe Nation went to him, & then some of two other Nations, but he refused to treat with them, till at length many of the Tsanandowa's with some of the other Nations went, who told the French Governor that tho' they putt no great Trust in him or his People, for that they had frequently been deceived by them,
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
& that they had Eat their Flesh, yet they, the five Nations, were not afraid to putt themselves as it were in the Power of their Enemies, by coming to hear what they would propose.
That they then told the Governor of Canada, that tho' they had hung on the Kettle yet they would not agree to break it, if certain Articles were established between them.
That the first Article they required of the French was, that they should send home such of their Nations as were Prisoners amongst them, and that notwithstanding these Prisoners might be inclineable to stay, yet they should be obliged to return to the Nation to which they belonged. To which Proposition the French Governor agreed, and gave them a Belt of Wampum in Confirmacon. Upon which they told him they were now to plant a Tree that should take deep Root & extend itself thro' all their Towns, & those of all the Indians in Alliance with them, that having planted the tree they then gave it Leaves, that under the Shadow thereof they & the French might rest Securely & take Council together, that after thus finishing the Tree, they mnde a deep Hole under it, where they buried their Hatchetts.
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