USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. IV > Part 79
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" As the Interest of this Province may be greatly affected by this Bill, I think it highly adviseable that you immediately prepare a set of Instructions, and Transmit them by the first opportunity, for obviating any Objections that may be raised against the Paper Currency here. Mr. Patridge, as Agent for Rhode-Island, has already engaged Mr. Paris in behalf of that Colony.
" GEO. THOMAS.
"Octobr. 17th, 1744."
I
751
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
17th October.
MEMORANDUM.
The Governor sent to the House a Copy of the Minutes of Coun- cil at the late Treaty with the Delaware Indians, together with & Letter from Mr. Conrad Weiser, relating to Indian Affairs.
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· At a Council held at Philadelphia the Eighteenth Day of Octo- ber, 1744.
PRESENT :
The Honourable GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Ralph Assheton, Abraham Taylor,
Robert Strettell, Esqrs.
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approved. .
The Governor having Yesterday received from the Assembly a Bill for the Speedy Tryal of Capital Offences committed by any Indian or Indians in the remote parts of the Province, the same was read, and it being the Opinion of the Board that the word (Remote) was of an uncertain signification, and that it might be as useful to have all Capital Offences that shou'd be committed by Indians in any part of the Province tryd in the Supream Court at Philadelphia, and likewise that the Expences of such Prosecutions should be born by the Province, and not by any particular County, The Secretary was Charged with a Verbal Message to the Assembly, to recommend to them to amend the Bill as to those two Points, but at the same Time to acquaint the House that His Honour would pass the Bill as it is in case they should not incline to alter it.
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At a Council held at Philadelphia, the 19th October, 1744.
PRESENT :
The Honourable GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Gover- nor.
Clement Plumsted, Abraham Taylor, Esqrs.
The Minutes of the Preceeding Council were read and approved.
The Governor informed the Board that two Members of Assembly waited upon him Yesterday in the afternoon to know when he would be pleased to receive the House in order to the Enacting into a Law the Bill for the more speedy Tryal of Capital Offences committed by any Indian or Indians in the remote parts of the Province, and that he had appointed to receive the House at twelve o'clock to-day,
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MINUTES OF THE
and that at the same Time the two Members deliver'd him a paper, which was read, and is as follows, viz4 :
"In Assembly, October 18th, 1744, P. M.
" The House taking into their Consideration the several Messages which they received from the Governor,
" Resolv'd,
" That Samuel Levis and Abraham Chapman do wait upon the Governor and return him the Hearty Thanks of the House for the care he has shewen for the Province, and particularly respecting In- dian Affairs, And to acquaint him that the House have given direc- tions to their Committee of Correspondence to prepare Instructions for their Agent, the better to enable him to oppose the Bill lately brought into Parliament, of which the Governor was pleased to send them a Copy-a Bill which if past into a Law appears to the House destructive of all their Liberties, and likely to be attended with the most dangerous Consequences to all the King's Subjects in America, That they have ordered a Sum of Money to be remitted to their Agent for defraying the Expences which shall arise on the Opposi- tion directed to be given to this Bill; That as the Governor is in a few days Time to be at Newcastle, and it will be inconvenient to divers of the Members to stay long at this Season of the Year, and as the House are of opinion no great inconvenience can arise by their not giving a more particular Answer to the Governor's first Messuage, they hope he will not take it amiss that they chuse to defer the same untill the next sitting of Assembly.
Copy from the Minutes.
B. FRANKLIN, Cl. of Assem"-
Two Members of Assembly waited upon the Governor to in- form him that the House intended to adjourn to the seventh day of January next, if the Governor had no objection to that Time. His Honour said he had no Objection, but if any Thing should happen that might require their Attendance before that Time, he would call them together. The Speaker, with the whole House, waited on the Governor and presented the Bill entitled "An Act for the more speedy Trial of Capital Offences committed by any Indian or Indians in the Remote parts of the Province," to be past into a Law, which was accordingly by the Governor pass'd into a Law of this Province, and a Warrant was issued to affix the Great Seal thereto.
On the 7th January, 1744.
MEMORANDUM.
Two Members of Assembly waited on the Governor to acquaint him that the House was met in pursuance of their Adjournment,
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
and if he had any Thing to lay before them they were ready to re- ceive it. The Governor said He had nothing at present to lay be- fore the House, but was ready to receive any Thing they might have to lay before him.
On the 10th January Two Members waited on the Governor and presented him with an Order of the House, signed by the Speaker, for £500, in part of His Support for the present Year, and ac- quainted His Honour that the Business now before the House not being in forwardness for present dispatch, the House intended to Adjourn to the 22d of April, if the Governor had no Objection to that Time. The Governor than'k the House for the Sum they had presented him with, and made no Objection to the proposed Time of Adjournment.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, 13th February, 1744.
PRESENT :
The Honourable GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Ralph Assheton, William Till,
Abraham Taylor,
Robert Strettell,
Esqrs.
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approved.
The Governor laid before the Board several Letters and Papers which he had received by Express from Governor Shirley, relating to an Expedition form'd by the Government of New England for the Reduction of Cape Breton, wherein "he earnestly desires that all may be done that is possible to engage this Province to do its full part in concert with them for carrying on this Expedition, and that we would either join them or soon follow them with a sufficient force both for the Land and Sea Service, and that we would like- wise procure what private Ships of War we could possibly influence to go."
And on reading the several Letters and Papers, it was the unani- mous Opinion of this Board that the Assembly should be called to meet as soon as possible, and that at their meeting the Dispatches should be forwith laid before them. Whereupon His Honour or- dered Writs to be prepared to summon the Assembly to meet on the 25th Instant.
25th February, 1744.
MEMORANDUM.
Two Members of the Assembly waited on the Governor and ac- quainted him that the House was met and ready to receive any Thing he might have to lay before them, and desired a Copy of the VOL. IV .- 48.
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MINUTES OF THE
Writs by which they were Summon'd. The Governor said he would send them a Message in the Morning, together with the Writs by which they were called together.
At a Council held at Philadelphia the 4th March, 1744.
PRESENT :
The Honourable GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Thomas Laurence,
Samuel Hasell,
Ralph Assheton
William Till, Esqrs.
Abraham Taylor, Robert Strettell,
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and ap- proved.
The Governor laid before the Board his Message to the Assembly about the Expedition concerted by the Government of New England for the Reduction of Cape Breton, and the Assembly's Answer to it, which were read, and are as follows :
A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.
" Gentlemen :
"The Papers which I have order'd to be laid before You will inform you of my reason for calling you together before the Time to which you stood Adjourned. The Government of New England requests our Aid for the Reduction of Cape Breton. The Enter- prize shews a fine publick Spirit in that People, and if it succeeds will be greatly for the Honour of His Majesty and the Interest of all his Colonies in North America. The Conquest of Louisburg, which is the only French Port of Consequence in this Part of the World, either for Strength or the Accommodation of large Ships, will banish all apprehensions for the future of Maritime Attempts upon the Colonies, or their Trade upon this Coast ; but the Advan- tages to us and to our Mother Country are so many and so Evident that it will be losing Time to Enumerate them. Dispatch, you will see, is the life of the undertaking. Let me recommend that to You, Gentlemen, with regard to a Provision of Money. I promise you that the Disposition of it shall be diligently and faithfully made, and in such a manner as you shall advise may be most for the Service it is intended to promote.
" GEO. THOMAS."
A Message from the Assembly to the Governor.
" May it please the Governor :
"The Message we last received, with the Papers to which the Governor was pleased to refer us for the Occasion of our being
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
called together, we have taken into our Consideration with that Attention and Regard the Importance thereof justly requires.
"We are willing to suppose the Expedition intended by the Government of the Massachusetts against Cape Breton is, as the Governor is pleased to Express it, 'the Result of a fine Publick Spirit,' and we would chuse to avoid any Remarks thereon which can justly give them Umbrage, and yet we cannot but think if they expected the Assistance of the Neighboring Colonies, it is reason- ble they should have consulted them, both as to the Enterprize and the manner in which it was to be executed, whereas the present Scheme is wholly their own, and if the other Colonies do not ac- cede to it in the manner it is now projected, it is too late for Alter- ations, how advantageous soever they might prove. If the Design succeed, they will be entitled to but small part of the Honour ; if it miscarry, they may indeed be time enough to share a principal part of the Disgrace.
" Permit us to add, that as the Assistance they expect from Great Britain or the King's Ships, seems to us uncertain, the Aids de- sired of the neighbouring Colonies, if granted, such as probably must come too late, the Attempt in it self extremely hazardous, the Danger which may arise from a diversity of Opinions between Offi- cers equal in Authority, independant of each other, without any Commander-in-Chief to Control or Direct them, great and unavoid- able. In a word, as there are no directions from the Crown concern- ing it, the Sentiments of the Ministry, and how such a Procedure will be relish'd by our Superiors, unknown, and as it may possibly interfere with or disconcert their Measures, had we not other rea- sons to determine us we should think it not prudent to unite in an Enterprize where the Expence must be great, perhaps much blood- shed, and the Event very uncertain."
The Governor Signified to the Board that as Sundry Magistrates in the several Counties were dead since issuing the last general Commissions of the Peace, it would be proper to renew them, and desired the Members to prepare Lists of such as they would judge Worthy to be put into Commission.
The Governor laid before the Board a Letter he had received from the Governor of Virginia, desiring his Assistance for settling a Peace between the Catawba's and the Indians of the six Nations, and enclosing their Answer to a Message sent them by the Governor of Virginia pursuant to the Treaty at Lancaster.
MEMORANDUM.
Two members of Assembly waited on the Governor to inform him that the House was inclined to Adjourn to the 22d of April, if he made no objection to it. His Honour said he had nothing to object to the proposed Time of Adjournment.
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MINUTES OF THE
22d April, 1745.
MEMORANDUM.
Two Members of Assembly waited on the Governor to acquaint him that the House was met pursuant to their Adjournment, and that if the Governor had any thing to lay before them they were ready to receive it. The Governor returned for Answer that no- thing proper for the Consideration of the House had occur'd to him since their last meeting, that if during their sitting any thing of that kind should arise, he would communicate it to them, and that if they had any business to lay before him, he would give it all the Dispatch in his Power.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, 25th April, 1745. PRESENT :
The Honourable GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Thomas Laurence,
William Till,
Robert Strettell,
Samuel Hasell,
Abraham Taylor, r Esqrs.
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approv'd.
The Governor laid before the Board a Petition from the Inhabit- ants of the back Part of this County and the Eastern Parts of Lancaster County, renewing their former request for a new County, which were read, and their Case being thought proper to be recom- mended to the Assembly, the same was done by the Governor in the following Message :
A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.
" Gentlemen :
"Several of the Inhabitants of the back Parts of Philadelphia and Lancaster Counties having renew'd their Petition to me, setting forth the Inconveniences they labour under on Account of their great distance from the County Courts, and praying that a New County may be erected, agreeable to the Lines marked in a Map of the Province formerly delivered, I repeat to you what I said to a former Assembly, that if it shall be thought likely to conduce to the Security, Ease, and good Order of that Part of the Government, I shall be willing to grant the Prayer of the Petition, and as a Pro- vision will be best made by a Law for the Establishment of Courts of Judicature, I shall be also willing to join with you in One for that or any other necessary purposes.
" GEO. THOMAS.
" April 25th, 1745."
757
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
The Governor laid before the Board a Deposition made by James Cunningham, Servant to Peter Chartier, Indian Trader at Alle- ghenny, and sworn to on the 18th Instant before James Armstrong, Esqr., one of the Justices of Lancaster County, whereby it appears that Peter Chartier, his Master, had accepted a Military Commis- sion under the French King, and was going to Canada, which is likewise confirmed by a Letter wrote by Peter Chartier to Jacob Pyat, an other Indian Trader, a copy whereof was also laid before the Board, and the Governor having prepar'd a Message upon the affair of the Catawbas, and upon these Informations of the Deser- tion of Peter Chartier, the same was read and approv'd.
A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.
" Gentlemen :
" Since your last Meeting I received a Letter from the Governor of Virginia enclosing the Catawbae's Answer to a Message he had sent them pursuant to the Treaty at Lancaster, and desiring my As- sistance for settling a Peace between them and the Indians of the Six Nations. I made no difficulty of Promising my best Offices to prevent, if possible, a further effusion of those unhappy people's Blood, and immediately engaged Conrad Weiser to undertake another Journey to Onantago so soon as the Spring should be far enough ad- vanced to afford Grass for his Horses. As the Treachery of the Catawbae's in a former Instance has rendered them justly suspected by the Six Nations, I despair'd of perswading the latter to send Deputies to their Country, and, therefore, instructed Conrad Weiser to propose Williamsburg, or some other Town in Virginia, for the place of Holding the Treaty ; but in case the Six Nations cannot be brought to agree to that to consent to its being at Philadelphia upon condition that they limit the Number of Deputies to five on each side, Notwithstanding Governor Gooch has promised to defray the Expence of this Negotiation, the Charge of an Express or two, or perhaps a few Strowds for a Present to the Indians, will probably fall upon this Province, and I doubt not but You will chearfully provide for it.
" I have just received Information that Peter Chartier, after dis- posing of his Effects in this Government, has gone over to the Enemy. His conduct for some years past has rendred him generally suspected ; and it seems my Repremanding him for some very Ex- ceptionable Parts of it is made use of amongst other Things to excuse his Infidelity. Had he been punished as he deserved for the Villanous report he spread two Years ago among the back Inhabi- tants in order to Spirit them up against such of the Six Nations as should happen to travel through those parts of the Country, he would not have been at this Time with the Enemy ; but an Appre- hension that the Shawnese (whose perfidious Blood partly Runs in Chartier's Veins), might resent upon our Traders any severitys to
758
MINUTES OF THE
him, restrained me from making use of such, and induced me to chuse the Gentle Method of Reproof which his Brutish Disposition has construed into an affront.
" I am likewise informed that he has persuaded a considerable number of the Shawnese to remove from their old Town to a greater distance upon another River, and it is not to be doubted but that a Person of his Savage Temper will do Us all the Mischief he can. If you think it worth while, I will send a Special Messenger to per- suade those Shawnese to return to their former place of Abode, or I will take any other Method you shall advise; tho' it is my Opin- ion, the Advantages of the Trade Excepted, the further these Peo- ple remove from our Borders, the better it will be for Us. I have wrote Letters from Time to Time to the Shawnese Chiefs, inviting them down to Philadelphia, and particularly a very kind one the last fall, which Peter Shaver tells me he deliver'd, but that I have of late received no Answer may be imputed to Chartier's influence over them, and it is too probable that he will make use of it to de- feat any future Attempts we shall make to revive their friendship with us.
" April 25th, 1745."
" GEO. THOMAS.
The Governor laid before the Board a Complaint made by Shick Calamy to Conrad Weiser, that several great abuses had been Com- mitted by the bringing Rum to Indian Towns, contrary to the Laws of this Province; whereupon, a Proclamation was order'd to be prepar'd and laid before the Council next Council day to prevent these Abuses for the future.
MEMORANDUM.
On the 26th Day of April, Two Members of Assembly waited on the Governor with a Written Message, in answer to the last of His Honour's two Messages of Yesterday, and at the same Time acquainted him that his other Message was under the Consideration of the House, and that they proposed to Adjourn to the 18th Augst. next, if he had no Objection to that time. His Honour said he had no Objection.
A Message from the Assembly to the Governor.
"May it please the Governor-
" The good Offices the Governor hath been pleased to undertake, at the desire of the Governor of Virginia, for settling a Peace be- tween the Indians of the Six Nations and the Catawbas, and for preventing, if Possible, a farther effusion of those unhappy People's blood, is very agreeable to Us, and will, We hope, be attended with the Success desired. And if, for the Accomplishing so good pur- poses, it become necessary that the Deputies of those Nations should meet at Philadelphia, and consequently occasion a Charge to this Province, and altho' it be reasonable that the Government of Vir-
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
ginia, according to their Promise, do defray the Expence of that negociation, yet as we look upon it at all Times prudent, and more particularly so in the present Critical Juncture of Public Affairs, to cultivate a good understanding with the Indians, and do not doubt of all the frugality requisite, whatever Charge shall necessa- rily arise for the Expresses and Presents the Governor is pleased to mention, we shall chearfully provide to pay.
"The Infidelity of Peter Chartiers in his going over to the Enemy, and his persuading a considerable Number of the Shawnese to remove from their old Town to a greater Distance on another River, gives us some Concern, as it looks like an Attempt to destroy the Friendship which hitherto Subsisted between those Indians and this Government. It is very probable, from the same treacherous Principles, Chartier may be induced to do us all the Mischief in his Power amongst those Indians; and if a Special Messenger was sent to them it may be attended with some Danger; and considering Chartier's Influence perhaps not be sufficient to induce them to re- turn to the Place of their former Abode, were such Return allow'd to be of Advantage to this Province. We must, however, refer the conducting this Affair to the Governor's Prudence, upon such farther Advices as he may hereafter receive, returning him our hearty Thanks for the care he hath hitherto taken in these Affairs, and making no Question but that as occasion shall require every prudent Measure will be taken to Defeat Chartier's Perfidious De- signs, and preserve, if possible, the Shawonese steady in their friend- ship with this Government."
At a Council held at Philadelphia, 7th May, 1745.
PRESENT :
The Honourable GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernour.
Robert Strettel, Esqr.
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approv'd.
The following Proclamation being prepared by the Secretary, according to the directions of the last Council, the Governor thought it necessary, as the Indian Traders were in Town and Conrad Weiser was going to Onantago, that the same should be publish'd immedi- ately, and therefore sign'd it, together with a Warrant to affix the Great Seal to it.
"By the Honourable GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylva- nia, and Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware.
"A PROCLAMATION.
" Whereas, by several Acts of Assembly of this Province, the sell-
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MINUTES OF THE
ing of Rum to the Indians is Prohibited under severe Penalties, and particularly by an Act of the 12th of King William, it is enacted as follows: 'That all Rum, Brandy, or other Strong Liquors that shall be carried or offer'd to Sale or Disposal to or at any of the In- dian Towns or Habitations within the Bounds of this Province, shall be forfeit, and it is hereby declared to be forfeit, One-Third to the Governor and Two-Thirds to such Person or Persons as shall Seize the same; and all Persons (as well Indians as others) are hereby impowered to seize and secure all such Rum, Brandy, or other strong Spirits so found at any Indian Towns or Settlements aforesaid.' And by another Act of the 8th Year of the late King George the first, it is among other things enacted, 'That no Person whatsoever, otherwise than is therein declared, shall Sell, Barter, or Give to any Indian or Indians, or to any other Person for their Use, nor by any Means, directly or indirectly, furnish or cause to be furnished any Indian or Indians with any Rum, Wine, or other strong Liquors, mixed or unmixed, under the Penalty of Twenty Pounds for each Offence ; One Half to the Governor for Support of Government, and the other Half to the Informer, or such Person or Persons as will sue for the same.' And further, 'That in case any Rum or other Spirits, above the Quantity of one Gallon, be carried among the Indians at their towns, or beyond the Christian Inhabitants, the Person carrying the same, or he in whose Possession the same shall be found, shall forfeit and pay the sum of Twenty pounds to the uses aforesaid." And further, " That any Person or Persons what- soever, after the first Day of August then next following, under the Penalty of Twenty pounds for the Uses aforesaid, shall trade or traffick with any Indian for any Commodity whatsoever, but at their own dwelling Houses & Places of Residence with their ffamilys, within some settled Township of this Province, without being first Recommended to the Governor for his Licence by the Justices of the County Courts of Quarter Sessions where he resides, or the next Quarter Sessions within this Province to the Place of such Residence; and that no Person shall be so licenced without giving Bond in the said Quarter Sessions, with one or more Substantial Freeholders of the same County to be bound with them in the Sum of One hundred Pounds, conditioned that he will duly Observe the Laws of this Province for regulating the Trade with the Indians, which Recommendations and Licences shall be renew'd Annually in the manner before directed; and shall further, by his Oath or Af- firmation, Oblige himself that he will not directly or indirectly sell or dispose of any Rum or other Spirits, mixed or unmixed, to any Indian.'
"And whereas frequent Complaints have been made from Time to Time by the Indians, and of late earnestly renewed, that divers gross irregularities and abuses have been committed in the Indian Countrys, and that many of their People have been cheated and enflamed to such a degree by means of strong Liquors being brought
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