USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. IV > Part 80
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
and sold amongst them contrary to the said Laws, as to endanger their own Lives and the Lives of others, I have, therefore, by and with the advice of the Council, thought fit for the future Preven- tion of such disorders, as far as in me lies, to publish this Procla- mation, strictly charging and commanding That no person or persons do hereafter presume to trade with the Indians without first obtaining a License from the Governor for the Time being, according to the directions given in the said Acts of Assembly; and I do hereby also strictly enjoin the Magistrates of the several Counties within this Province, and especially those of the County of Lan- caster, where these Abuses are mostly carried on, to be very vigilant and carefull in the discharge of the Duties required of them by the said Acts of Assembly, and in Particular to demand such Licence
of Persons Travelling with Goods to Trade with the Indians, and to make or cause diligent search to be made for any Quantity of Rum or other strong Liquors exceeding the Quantity allowed by Law, which they shall have reason to suspect is carrying to the Indians. Moreover, in as much as by the said Act of Assembly of the 12th of King William, all Rum, Brandy, and other Spirits car- ried into any of the Indian Towns, is declared to be forfeit, One Third to the Governor and the other Two-thirds to the persons seizing the same, I do hereby give full Power and Authority to any Indian or Indians to whom Rum or other Strong Liquors shall hereafter be offered for Sale contrary to the said Laws, to stave and break to pieces the Cask or Vessel in which such Rum or other strong Liquor is contained, without being accountable to me for my Third part.
" Given under my Hand and the Great Seal of the Province of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, this seventh day of May, in the Eighteenth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, George II. King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, &ca-, and in the Year of Our Lord One thousand seven hundred and forty-five.
"GEORGE THOMAS.
" By command.
"Richard Peters. "GOD SAVE THE KING."
At a Council held at Philadelphia, the 27th May, 1745.
PRESENT :'
The Honourable GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Thomas Laurence,
Samuel Hasell,
William Till,
Robert Strettell,
Abraham Taylor. S Esqrs.
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approved.
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S, d t 1.
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MINUTES OF THE
The Governor laid before the Board a Letter he had received on Saturday evening by Express from Governor Shirley, dated at Boston the Eighteenth Instant, and another from Commodore Warren, dated before Louisburg the -, in both which there is an Account of the State of the Forces there & a request that he would use his good Offices with the other two Branches of the Legislature to send a number of Men & Provisions to their Assistance, and his Honour inform'd the Council that in order to gain all the time possible he had imediately on Receipt of these Letters issued Writts to call the Assembly to meet on Monday the 3d June, & had dispatch'd them to the respective Sheriffs.
The Board resum'd the Consideration of the new Commissions of the Peace, & agreed to the following List of Magistrates For the County of Philadelphia, Viz: Thomas Laurence, Samuel Hasell, Ralph Assheton, Abraham Taylor, Robert Strettell, the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia for the time being, the Recorder of the City of Philada for the time being, William Allen, Richard Harri- son, George Boon, George Fitzwater, Jonathan Robinson, Owen Evan, Benjamin Shoemaker, Joshua Maddox, Septimus Robinson, Griffith Lewellin, Derrick Kyser, Edward Shippin, Joseph Turner, Charles Willing, Thomas Venables, Nicholas Ashton, Thomas Fletcher, Samuel Morris of White Marsh, Thomas York, James Deleplain, Francis Parvin, John Potts, & Anthony Lee, Esquires. And the Secretary was ordered to prepare a Commission with their Names in it in the order they are here Placed.
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On the 3d June.
MEMORANDUM.
Four Members of the Assembly waited on the Governor to in- form him the House was met pursuant to his Summons, and ready to receive any matter he might have to lay before them. The Gov- ernor said he wou'd send a Message to the House in the morning, together with some Letters he had received from Governor Shirley & Commodore Warren, & desir'd the Members would meet pretty early.
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On 6th June.
MEMORANDUM.
Two Members of Assembly inform'd the Governor from the House that they were inclin'd to adjourn to the time of their former adjournment, To which his Honour made no objection.
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
At a Council held at Philadelphia the 4th July, 1745.
PRESENT :
The Honble GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Governor. Samuel Hasell, Robert Strettell, Abraham Taylor, $ Esqrs.
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approv'd.
The Governor laid before the Board his last Message to the As- sembly, together with their Answer, which are as follows :
A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.
" Gentlemen :
" The Secretary is order'd to lay before You two Letters I re- ceived on the 25th of the last Month from Governor Shirley and Commodore Warren by an Express from Boston. The Importance of these Dispatches laid me under an indispensible Obligation to call you together again before the time to which you stood adjourned, and now you are met I cannot doubt but your Resolutions will be such as may be for the Advancement of His Majesty's Service and the common Interest of the Northern Colonies. The Expedition against Louisbourgh you will observe is carried on with his Majes- ty's Approbation, is supported by Seven of his Ships of War, and has been hitherto attended with such Success as renders it highly probable that the King's Forces will become Masters of the Place if they shall be reinforced in time by the rest of the Colonies.
" As the Measures to be taken by the Government of New Eng- land will in some degree depend upon your Resolutions, I hope you will enable me to transmit them by the next Post.
" GEO. THOMAS.
"June 4th, 1745."
A Message from the Assembly to the Governor.
" May it please the Governor :
" We have maturely consider'd the Governor's Message of the 4th Instant, together with the Contents of the Letters which the Secretary was order'd to lay before Us, And our Result is, that as the Enterprize against Cape Breton is a private Undertaking of the Government of New England, in which they did not think fit to consult the Neighbouring Colonies, and wherein, if the Design suc- ceeds, they themselves will receive the principal Benefit, and there- fore they have no right to involve us in the Expence.
" That the Expedition is since carried on 'with His Majesty's Approbation,' we do not doubt, but how far it was intended this Government should be burdened with the Expence arising from it, will best appear when the Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to
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MINUTES OF THE
the Gov"., mentioned by Commodore Warren, shall be received, until then we hope we shall be excused from coming to any further Reso- lutions in an Affair which for other Reasons than we have mentioned the Governor must be sensible affords us much Difficulty.
" His Honour likewise laid before the Board a Letter from Gov- ernor Shirley, dated the 24th June, desiring the Governor to lay an Embargo upon all the Powder in this Port and to secure it for some time for the Service of the present Expedition against Cape Breton, and Capt". Hill, the Keeper of the Powder House, having been Summon'd to attend the Council, was commanded to report the quantity of Powder in his Custody, and not to deliver out any till the Governor's further Order, and the Secretary received his Hon- our's directions to prepare a Writ for an Embargo to be served on Captain Hill, which was accordingly done, and is as follows :
"' To Captain William Hill, Keeper of the Powder House.
"' Whereas, his Excellency William Shirley, Esqr., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Colony of the Massachusets Bay, has, by his Letter bearing date at Boston the 24th June last, signified to me that the Siege of Louisbourg had quite exhausted all their Magazines, and desires that as it might be uncertain what further demand of Powder there might be for His Majestie's Ser- vice at that Place, I wou'd lay an Embargo on all the Powder here & secure it for some time for the Service of the present Expedition against Cape Breton.
"' I have therefore thought fit by and with the advice of the Council to lay such Embargo, and you are hereby ordered and com- manded not to deliver any Powder nor suffer any to be delivered out of the Powder House to any Person whatsoever within the space of ten days, or till my further Order. Hereof fail not at your Peril.
" Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms, at Philada this fifth day of July, 1745.
""'GEO. THOMAS.'"'
At a Council held at Philada., July 11th, 1745. PRESENT :
The Honble GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Governor. Abraham Taylor, Robert Strethil, S Esqrs.
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approv'd.
The Governor laid before the Board a Letter which he had re- ceived by Express from Governor Shirley, dated at Boston the 3d Instant, giving the News of the Reduction and Surrender of Louis- bourg to the obedience of His Majesty, and desiring the assistance
765
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
of this Colony for furnishing Men, Amunition, & Provisions for garrisoning and defending the place till His Majesty should order Troops from Great Britain, or otherwise signify his Pleasure in this affair ; and Writts having been prepared for calling the Assembly to meet on the 22d, the same were approv'd and the Secretary order'd to dispatch them to the Sheriff's of the respective Counties.
At a Council held at Philadelphia the 22d July, 1745.
PRESENT :
The Honoble GEORGE THOMAS, Esq., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Samuel Hasell,
Robert Strethil,
Abraham Taylor, Esqrs.
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approv'd.
The Governor laid before the Council a Letter which he had re- ceived by Express from Commodore Warren, dated from on board the Superb, in Louisbourg Harbour, the 29th June, informing that they were in quiet possession of the Town and Garrison of Louis- bourg and the Territories thereunto belonging, And applying for this Province's Quota of Men arm'd and victuall'd for at least seven or eight Months, to remain there for the Support of the Garrison till His Majestie's Pleasure should be known ; till when Commodore War- ren proposed to continue there. And likewise desiring the Gover- nor to Advertise all His Majestie's Subjects that are willing to come to that port to trade with the Garrison and Inhabitants, that they shou'd have free liberty without any Duty or Imposition whatsoever, and that none of them shou'd be molested or impressed into His Majesty's Ships or Service, and likewise inclosing a Copy of the Signification of His Majesty's Pleasure by his Grace the Duke of Newcastle to the several Governors of the British Colonies in North America, which were read by the Secretary, and then the Governor laid before the Board the Draught of a Message his Honor had pre- par'd to send to the Assembly on the Subject of these Dispatches, which was approv'd, and is as follows :
A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.
" Gentlemen :
"My duty to his Majesty, my Regard for the Interests of the Colonies, and my concern for the Reputation of Pennsylvania, have all conspired to my calling You together at this time; and I do assure myself that you will joyfully embrace the opportunity of giving a publick and substantial proof of the like Zeal for the King's Service and the common good of your fellow Subject. As it has pleased the Almighty to Grant a Blessing on His Majesty's Arms,
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MINUTES OF THE
and after an uncommon Course of Events to Crown the glorious Enterprize of the Government of New England with Success, I conclude that Arguments to induce you to do your parts for preserv- ing a Conquest of such Importance are altogether unnecessary ; and that on this pressing Occasion your Resolutions will be so speedy, as well as effectual, that I may be enabled to give a satisfactory An- swer by the next Post to the Letter which I had the Pleasure to receive by Express from Governor Shirley, and which I have now order'd to be laid before you, together with one since come to hand from Commodore Warren, enclosing a Copy of the Signification of His Majesty's Pleasure, by his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, to the several Governors of the British Colonies in North America. " GEO. THOMAS.
" July 23d, 1745."
A Copy of His Majesty's Order signified by the Duke of New- castle to the respective Governors of the Colonies in North America :
" Whitehall, Jan'y. 3, 1744-5.
" Sir :
" His Majesty having thought it necessary for the Security of the Colonies of North America, and particularly of the Province of Nova Scotia (which has been already invaded by the French, & upon which there is great Reason to apprehend that they will early in the Spring renew their Attempts by the attack of Annapolis Royal), to employ such a strength of Ships of War in those Seas under the Command of Commodore Warren as may be sufficient to protect the said Province and the other neighboring Colonies in North America, and the Trade and Fishery of His Majesty's Subjects in those Parts ; and may also, as occasion may offer, attack and distress the Enemy in their Settlements, and annoy their Fishery and Commerce, I have His Majesty's Commands to signifie to you his Pleasurse that if Mr. Warren shou'd apply to you for assistance, either of Men, Provisions, or Shipping, to enable him to proceed either to the Re- lief and Succor of Annapolis Royal, or of any other of his Majes- ty's Forts and Settlements, or for making any attempts upon the Enemy, you should in all such cases be aiding and ass'ting to him in the most effectual manner, and according, as upon Consultation to- gether, shall be judged proper for carrying on His Majesty's Service ; and you will be ready to concert and advise with Mr. Warren upon all occasions that may arise which shall have relation to the Services on which he is employ'd; and particularly you will procure and communicate to him the best Intelligence you shall be able to obtain of the State and Condition of the Enemy's Settlements and of the Ships in their Harbours, that he may be enabled to judge whether it may be practicable and advisable to make an Attempt upon any of their Ports.
" HOLLIS NEWCASTLE."
1
767
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Some Delaware Indians from Shamokin being come to Town, the Governor sent for them, and having bid them welcome he desir'd to know their business. They said they came from Alomipas their Chief, and had several things to say from him to the Governor, but cou'd not be ready till to-morrow; whereupon the Governor ap- pointed 10 O'Clock in the morning to hear what they had to say.
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The 22d July, P. M.
MEMORANDUM.
Two Members waited on the Governor to inform him that the House was met in pursuance of his Summons, and ready to receive any thing he might have to lay before them, and desir'd a Copy of the Writts by which the House was Summon'd. The Governor said he wou'd send a Message to the House in the morning, to- gether with the Writts.
At a Council held at Philadelphia the 23d July, 1745.
PRESENT :
The Honoble GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr-, Lieutenant Governor. Samuel Hasell, Abraham Taylor, Esqrs.
Robert Strethil,
The Indians from Shamokin,
Nicholas Scull, Interpreter.
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approved.
One of the Delaware Chiefs made a Speech, importing that the Delaware Indians had been old Friends and Allies; that they had always taken care to preserve the Road clear between their Brethren and them ; that as their Brethren were engaged in War, they came to visit them and to enquire what News; and having heard that they had taken some considerable Place from the French, they were heartily rejoic'd at their good fortune; that tho' they were poor, yet they had brought their Brethren such a Present as they cou'd affor'd, and being in want of Powder and Lead and other neces- saries, their King Olomipas, in confidence of finding the same af- fectionate concern for them as they had always experienced, had sent them to their Brethren to apply for a fresh Supply.
They presented five Bundles of Skins, amounting in value, by Mr. Shippen's Calculation, to £20.
The Governor, in Answer, told the Indians he was glad to see them, he was sensible they were old Friends and Allies; that as the Road between them and their Brethren was at this time free from all obstructions, he did not doubt but they would be careful
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MINUTES OF THE
to preserve it so; that Providence had so far given Success to the Arms of the English that they had taken from their Enemy a very considerable and strong Fortification built by the French in the Bay of St. Lawrence, which commanded the Navigation to Canada in such a manner cou'd not get there without the leave of the En- glish, and that the French not being able for the future to Supply the Indians with Goods, they wou'd be oblig'd to have recourse to the English. He thank'd them for their Present, and in return wou'd order them some Goods, and when they were ready he would send for them. .
The Council took into Consideration the value of the Present to be made to the Indians, and were of Opinion that it should be treble the value of the Goods; and that the Secretary shou'd be charged by his Honour with a Verbal Message to the Assembly to tell the House what the Indians had deliver'd in Council, and the value of their Present, together with the Opinion of the Governor & Coun- cil, that they shou'd receive a Present in return treble the value of their Skins.
MEMORANDUM.
The Governor having rec'd a Letter from Mr. Conrad Weiser, re- lating to his Negotiations at Onandago with the Council of the Six Nations he sent it by the Secretary to the Assembly, with a ver- bal Message to inform the House that some Delaware Indians were in Town, and had made a present to the Government of Skins to the value of about £20, and that as they had signified that they were in want of Necessaries, and had applyed to this Government for a Supply of Goods, it was his opinion, as well as the Council's, that a Present of Goods shou'd be made of treble the value of their Skins.
At a Council held at Philadelphia the 27th July, 1745.
PRESENT :
The Honoble GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Gover- nor.
Samuel Hasell, Robert Strethil, Esqrs.
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approv'd.
The Governor laid before the Council a Copy of a minute of As- sembly, deliver'd to him the 24 Inst. by two Members, together with a Message from the House, which were read, and are as fol- lows :
"In Assembly, the 24th of the 5th Month, 1745.
"The House resuming the Consideration of the King's Com- mands, signified by the Duke of Newcastle's Letters to the Gover-
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
nor of the Northern Colonies, and also the other Dispatches, Let- ters, and Papers laid before them by Order of the Governor, have
" Resolved, that the Sum of Four thousand Pounds be and hereby is given to the King's Use, to be paid into the hands of John Pole and John Mifflin, of the City of Philadelphia, Merchants-One-half part thereof by the Trustees of the General Loan Office, the other half by the Treasurer, under the Directions of the Honoble George Thomas, Esqr., our Governor, to be laid out by them, the said John Pole and John Mifflin, in the Purchase of Bread, Beaf, Pork, Flour, Wheat, or other Grain, or any of them, within this Province, and to be Shipped from hence for the King's Service, as the Governor shall think most fit.
"Copy from the Minutes of Assemy. -
"B. FRANKLIN, Clerk."
A Message from the Assembly to the Governor.
" May it please the Governor :
"We think it our indispensable Duty on every Occasion to shew our Loyalty and hearty affection towards our King and the present Government, under whom we not only enjoy our Civil and Religious Liberties in their full Extent, but often meet with peculiar Lenity and Indulgence.
"With these Sentiments we have taken into Consideration the King's Commands, signified by the Duke of Newcastle's circular Letters to the Governors of the Northern Colonies, and also the other Dispatches, Letters, and Papers, which the Governor was pleased to direct should be laid before us; and altho' the peaccable Principles professed by divers Members of the present Assembly do not permit them to join in raising of Men or providing Arms and Ammunition, yet we have ever held it our Duty to render Tribute to Cæsar; and have, therefore, on the present Occasion, come to the Resolution herewith sent, which we hope will give 'Public and substantial Proof of our Zeal for the King's Service, and the common Good of our Fellow-Subjects,' as well as evidence our ready Obedience to his Royal Commands, so far as we can con- sistently with our Religious Principles."
The Governor inform'd the Board that he told the Two Mem- bers who delivered the foregoing Resolve and Message that since the House had particularized what they would have the Money laid out in, he looked upon their putting the Shipping of it under his Directions to be no Compliment to him. The two Members like- wise inform'd the Governor of the Intention of the House to adjourn to the time of their former adjournment. To which the Governor had no objection.
The Provincial Treasurer having purchas'd Indian Goods to the Amount of £50, in pursuance of a Resolve of the House on the VOL. IV .- 49.
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MINUTES OF THE
Governor's Message of the 23d July, and having deliver'd & List to the Governor, his Honour sent for the Indians and order'd the In- terpreter to read the particulars in the List distinctly to them, and to tell them that the Goods were in the State House ready to be delivered to them. The Indians appear'd well pleas'd, return'd their thanks and took their Leave.
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The 19th August, P. M.
MEMORANDUM.
Two Members of Assembly waited on the Governor and ac- quainted him that the House was met in pursuance of their adjourn- ment, and were ready to receive any thing he might have to lay before them. To which the Governor said he had nothing to lay before the House, but if anything occurr'd he wou'd send a Message to them.
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The 23d August, P. M.
MEMORANDUM.
Two Members waited on the Governor and presented him with an Order for £500, the remainder of his Support, and acquainted him that the House was dispos'd to adjourn this Day to the 30th Sept". if he had no objection. The Governor made no objection to the adjournment of the House, but was pleas'd to say he expected they wou'd at this time have made some Provision for the payment of his Arrearages.
.
At a Council held at Philada. the 27th August, 1745.
PRESENT :
The Honoble GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Governor. Thomas Lawrence, Abraham Taylor, - Esqrs. Robert Strethill,
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approv'd.
The Gov". laid before the Board a Letter, with some Minutes of the Commissioners of Indian Affairs at Albany, which he had re- ceived the Day before by Express from the Governor of New York, informing him of some Transactions between the French Governor of Canada and the United Nations of Indians in a late Treaty at Montreal, and inviting him to send Commissioners to Albany, where he proposed to meet the Indians on the 4th of next Month, with the proper means for retaining them in their fidelity to his Majesty and their Engagements with the several British Colonies. Which
771
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Letter and Minutes being read, and it appearing that there is too much reason to apprehend a defection of the Six Nations through the Intrigues and Artifices of the Enemy, if not timely prevented by the British Colonies, The Board unanimously advised That the Governor do forthwith issue his Writts for the Meeting of the As- sembly on the 4th of next Month.
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4th Sept"., P. M.
MEMORANDUM.
Two Members of Assembly waited on the Governor and ac- quainted him that the House was met pursuant to his Summons, and were ready to receive any Business he might have to lay before them. To which the Governor answer'd that he had a Message ready and some Papers of Consequence to lay before them, which should be done as soon as the House shou'd meet next morning.
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Sept". 5th.
MEMORANDUM.
The Speaker of the Assembly waited upon the Governor from the House and desir'd to Know whether if they should come to a resolution to make a Present to the Indians at their coming down to Albany, he will be pleased to manage the Treaty there in behalf of this Government, which they could not but very much wish, as they are sensible it will be greatly for the Publick Service. To which the Gov" answer'd, that as he is thoroughly disposed to do every thing that may be for the Interest and Security of the People under his Government, it is a very real concern to him that his Health will not permit him to undertake so long a Journey at this Time, but that he would appoint such Commissioners for the pur- pose as he did not doubt would be very agreeable to the House, and then nominated Thomas Laurence, Esqr., of the Council, the Speaker himself, and Isaac Norris, Esqr., of the Assembly.
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