Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. IV, Part 81

Author:
Publication date: 1838
Publisher: [Harrisburg] : By the State
Number of Pages: 814


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Sept. 7th.


MEMORANDUM.


Two Members of Assembly waited on the Governor to acquaint him that the House was dispos'd to adjourn to the time of their former adjournment, to which the Governor made no objection.


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At a Council held at Philada. the 17th Sept", 1745.


PRESENT :


The Honoble GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Gover- . nor.


Samuel Hasell,


Thomas Laurence,


Abraham Taylor, Robert Strethill, 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 and their Answer, which are as follows, viz":


A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.


" Gentlemen :


" The Occasion of my calling you together so soon after your ad- journment is a Letter I received last week by Express from Gov- ernor Clinton, informing me of some late Transactions between the French Governor of Canada and the united Nations of Indians in their Treaty at Monreal, and inviting this Government to send Com- missioners to Albany (where he proposes to meet the Indians on the 4th of the next month) furnished with proper means for retaining them in their Fidelity to his Majesty and their Engagements with the respective British Colonies.


" When I reflect on the long approved Faith of these People, their grateful Acknowledgments for the Protection from time to time received from the English against the Attempts made by the Enemy to enslave them, and on the solemn Assurances given to me at the late Treaty of Lancaster to observe a strict Neutrality in the present War, and to maintain inviolably their Friendship with the British Colonies, I am not easy to entertain Suspicions to their Pre- judice, but upon recollecting what passed in a private Conversation between one of the most politick of their Sachims and our Inter- preter when he was last at Onontago, I am not without Apprehen- sions that the Success of his Majesty's Arms at Cape Breton may induce them to throw themselves into the French Scale in order to preserve the Ballance, For that Indian Sage said, 'That however meanly they may be thought of, they were not unacquainted with their own true Interests, and therefore would not join with either Nation in the War unless compelled to it for their own preservation ; That hitherto, from their Situation and Alliances, they had been courted by both, but should either prevail so far as to drive the other out of the Country they should be no longer considered, Presents would be no longer made to them, and in the End they should be obliged to submit to such Laws as the Conquerors should think fit to impose on them.' The French Governor has artfully suggested the same things, and their acceptance of a Belt of Wam- pum from him with the Figure of a Hatchet wrought in it, tho' it


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be but to deliberate upon it, is a mark of some Degree of Approba- tion, and by no means a good omen to Us. There is but one proba- ble Method of Securing them in our Interest, and that is to per- ยท suade them by out bidding the Enemy, to an Open Declaration for us ; Money, notwithstanding their Reasoning, having always been the prevailing Argument with them. Should the present opportu- nity be lost, it is much to be feared that the Intrigues of the French in the ensuing Winter will seduce and entirely alienate them from Us. But supposing the best of them that their Inclinations are with us, and that they are still resolv'd to observe a Neutrality, if their Allies break it and take up the Hatchet against us, they must either join them or fly to us for Protection, which can no way be so effectually secured to them as by an Union of all the British North- ern Colonies for that purpose. This is a matter which very nearly concerns the Quiet and Safety of the people of Pensylvania, and as such I recommend it to your most serious Consideration, and have ordered the Letter referred to, with some other Papers, to be laid before you for your more particullar Information.


"The Secretary will likewise deliver to you another Letter, re- ceived since the writs were issu'd from the Governor of Massachu- setts, renewing their Application for an aid of Men, Arms, and Ammunition as absolutely necessary for the Defence of Louisbourg against the Attempts which they apprehend will be made by the Enemy to recover it. The Mortification must be very great to every Lover of his Country should so noble an Acquisition be wrested out of our hands for want of a small Share of that Spirit in the other Colonies to preserve it which inspired the People of New England to undertake and compleat the Conquest of it.


"GEO. THOMAS.


"Sept". 5th, 1745."


A Message from the Assembly to the Governor.


"May it please the Governor :


" Since 'some late Transactions between the French Governor of Canada and the United Nations of Indians, in their Treaty at Mon- real,' have given umbrage to our Neighbouring Government, as well as cause to apprehend the Dangers which may arise from thence, we esteem our. being called together on so important an Occasion as a fresh Instance of the Governor's Care of the Inhabitants of this Province, who are nearly concerned in the Consequences, & may, therefore, justly expect from Us 'the serious Consideration' recom- mended to us.


"'The long approved Faith of these People, their grateful acknow- ledgments for the Protection from time to time received from the English against the Attempts made by the Enemy to enslave them, the solemn Assurences lately given the Governor to observe a strict Neutrality in the present War, and to maintain inviolably their


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Friendship with the British Colonies, are good Reasons against the easy entertaining Suspicions to their prejudice.' And yet since there is some Cause to apprehend Danger from the Influence of the French, we think it highly necessary prudent Measures be taken" ' for retaining the Indians in their Fidelity to His Majesty, and their Engagements with their respective British Colonies.'


" If the Governor's health would permit him to attend at the next Treaty appointed at Albany, it would be the most agreable Method to Us, as well as, in our Opinion, the most effectual. But as we are informed the Governor's indisposition is likely to deprive us of these Advantages, we approve of the Commissioners the Gover- nor hath been pleased to Nominate to Negotiate this affair, and it shall be our Care to provide a Sum of Money for defraying their Expenses, and for purchasing such a Quantity of Goods as will, we hope, be sufficient to present to the Indians at this time, expecting it will be necessary to make an Additional one on their coming hither next Spring.


" As to the Application last made by the Government of the Mas- sachusets, we think the Sum of Money we lately gave, and which is applied to their Use, should excuse us from any further Provision, at least for this time.


"The last Letter the Governor gave directions to be laid before us gives us fresh Concern, for tho' the Shawnese are thought per- fidious and not well affected towards the Inhabitants of this Pro- vince, yet as the attempt made by the Six Nations to cutt them off will introduce War on our Frontiers, it affords but a disagreeable Prospect. If the Account of the Warriors of the Six Nations going against the Catawbas be true, contrary to their late agreement, per- haps the Government of Virginia may justly expect Notice should be given them to prevent the Catawbas being destroyed by Surprize.


" The Necessity of the Commissioners to attend the Treaty at Albany, with the Present proposed to be made to the Indians of the Six Nations, is by this last Account render'd more conspicuous, as it appears requisite to remove the Prejudices they may have im- bibed, and may cultivate a good understanding with them.


" The Governor inform'd the Board of what had pass'd between him and the Assembly as it is enter'd above, and Mr. Laurence having consented to be one of the Commissioners along with the Speaker and Isaac Norris, his Honour sign'd their Commission and a Warrant to affix the Great Seal to it, and having likewise prepar'd a Set of Instructions, they were approv'd, sign'd, and deliver'd to Mr. Laurence.


"A COMMISSION.


" George the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth, To Our Trusty and Wellbeloved Thomas Laurence, John Kinsey, and


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Isaac Norris, Esquires, And to every of them, Greeting : We being informed that divers Attempts have lately been made and practices used on the Indians of the Six United Nations by the French Gov". of Canada to withdraw them from their fidelity to us, And to dis- anull the Engagements and destroy the Amity subsisting between them and our Loving Subjects, Inhabitants of our Northern Colonies on the Continent of America, for preventing whereof, and for de- feating the evil and pernicious designs aforesaid, it is become neces- sary that a Treaty be held by our Governors of our Colonies afore- said, or their Delegates, with the United Nations aforesaid; There- fore, Know Ye that Reposing special Trust and Confidence in Your Loyalty, Abilitys, and Circumspection, We have thought fit to Nominate, Constitute, and Appoint You the said Thomas Laurence, John Kinsey, and Issaac Norris, And every of you our Commis- sioners on behalf of our Governor of our Province of Pennsylvania. By these Presents Authorizing and Impowering You and each of You to Negotiate & Treat with the Indians of the United Nations aforesaid, or with their or any or every of their Chiefs or Delegates, and with them to renew, ratify, and confirm the League of Amity subsisting between our said Province of Pennsylvania and the united Nations of Indians aforesaid, And in conjunction with our Governor of our other Colonys aforesaid, or with any of them, or their or any of their Delegates, or Seperately to Do, Act, Transact, and finally to conclude and agree with the Indians afore- said all and every other matter and thing whatsoever necessary, touching, or in any wise concerning the premisses as fully and amply to all intents, constructions, and purposes, as our Governor of our Province of Pennsylvania aforesaid might or could do being personally present, hereby Ratifying, Confirming, and holding for firm and effectual whatsoever you the said Thomas Laurence, John Kinsey, and Isaac Norris, or any of you, shall lawfully do in and about concerning the Premisses. In Testimony whereof we have caused the Great Seal of our said Province to be hereto affixed. Witness the Honoble George Thomas, Esqr., with our Royal Ap- probation Lieutenant Governor under the Honoble John Penn, Thomas Penn, and Richard Penn, Esqrs., true and absolute Pro- prietaries of our Province of Pennsylvania aforesaid, and the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, upon Delaware, at Phil- adelphia the 25th Day of September, in the Nineteenth Year of Our Reign.


[L. s.] [ P.]


"GEO. THOMAS."


Instructions to the Honoble Thomas Laurence, Esqr., a Mem-


[L. s.] ber of the Council, The Honoble John Kinsey, Esqr., and


[ P. ] Isaac Norris Esqr., a Member of the House of Represen- tatives of the Province of Pennsylvania :


As You will herewith receive a Commission Tested by me un-


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der the Great Seal of the Province, constituting and appointing you Commissioners for Treating with the Six United Nations of Indians at Albany, You are to proceed thither with all convenient Dispatch in order to Your meeting the said Indians on the 4th of next Month, which is the time appointed by the Governor of New York, at whose Invitation they are expected at that place. You are, after your Arrival at Albany, to take the first opportunity to wait upon the Governor of New York to make him acquainted with your ap- pointment, and to shew him your Commission. You are then to enter upon the Treaty with the said Indians, either conjunctly with the Governor of New York, or Separately, as You shall judge most for the Honour and Interest of the Government You represent, taking especial care that you do not suffer the least Diminution of either in the course of the Treaty. You are by the Province In- terpreter, Mr. Weiser, who is order'd to attend You, to enquire by all private ways and means into the truth of the Representation made by the Commissioners for Indian Affairs at Albany, to the Governor of New York, concerning the late Transactions at Monreal between the French Governor of Canada and the Deputies of the said Nations. You are to demand of the said United Nations of Indians what satisfaction they have procured either from the French Governor of Canada or from the Shawonese for the Robbery com- mitted last Year by the said Shawonese, in conjunction with some French Men, on our Traders (on the Lands of the Six Nations, as they call them) at Ohio. And You are to make the said United Nations of Indians sensible that the said Robbery is a Breach of their Neutrality on the side of the French, & ought to be resented by them. But you are at the same time to be very careful not to do or say anything that may impeach the Title of the Honoble Proprietors of this Province to the Lands upon Ohio by virtue of the Royal Grant to them made. You are to ex- postulate very freely with the said United Nations upon their breach of Faith in permitting a Party of Oneides Warriors to march to the Southward to Attack the Catawbas, after they had promised that all Hostilities should be suspended until they should meet the Deputies of the Catawbas the next Spring at Philadelphia, in order to their concluding a peace with that Nation. And You are at the same time to inform them that I have made the Governor of Vir- ginia acquainted with the March of the said Oneides Warriors, that he may by a timely notice to the Catawbas prevent their being surprised & treacherously destroy'd by the said Party. You are likewise to make them sensible that their own treachery upon this Occassion makes their former Charge of treachery against the Ca- tawbas extremely suspicious, and that it will not be for the Honour of any of the King's Governments to procced in their promised Mediation, unless they give them Security forthwith to recall said Warriors & to refrain from all Acts of Hostility until the time of the proposed Treaty. And if this be done to Your Satisfaction, and


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as effectually as the circumstances of these People will admit of, You are to renew the offer of Mediation in my behalf at the time and place before mentioned.


" You are after these Heads are gone through to expostulate with them upon their late Conduct at Monreal (if You find the Commis- sioners of Albany have made a true Representation of it), and par- ticularly upon their receiving a Belt of Wampum with a Hatchet wrought in it from the Governor of Canada. You are to represent to them the Antient Eumity of the French to their Nations, their Perfidy upon all Occasions, their late unjust Declaration of War against the King of Great Britian and his Subjects, and their In- ability to protect them or to Supply them with such Necessarys as they Yearly want for their Subsistence. And you are, on the other hand, to remind them of the long approved Friendship of the Eng- lish; of the Assistance from time to time given them for their De- fence against the Attempts of the French to destroy or inslave them ; of the Treatys lately renewed with them by the British Colonies, & the valuable Presents made to them. And You are at the same time to perswade them to a continuance of that Friendship which has so long subsisted, and if You find them cordially disposed to it, and can have any dependence upon their Sincerity, You are to Pre- sent them with the Two hundred & fifty Pounds voted by the As- sembly in such Goods as You shall think most acceptable to them. You are to keep a Journal of Your Proceedings in the matters recommended to You, and at Your return to deliver it to me, that I may lay it before the Assembly at their next Meeting. And in case any thing should Occur to You at the Place of Treaty which I may have omitted, or it is not possible for me to Instruct You Upon at this distance, I trust from your own Prudence and Judgements that You will Supply my Deficiencys in such a manner as may be most for His Majesty's Service, the Interest of the Northern Colo- nies in general, and of this in particular. You would be farther Instructed were I at liberty to Act up to my own Judgement to join with the Government of New York in urging the United Nations to an open Declaration against the French, & in promising them in that case an Aid of Men, Arms, & Ammunition for their Defence ; but as the Assembly have not been explicit with me on this head, and it is a measure that may not prove agreable to them, I shall not venture upon it, since it would be betraying the Indians should they refuse to make it good.


" Given under my Hand and the Lesser Seal of the Province of Pennsylvania, this Twenty-fifth Day of September, 1745.


"GEO. THOMAS."


The Governor laid before the Board Conrad Weiser's Journal & Report of his Transactions with the Six Nations, and order'd the Secretary to make an Extract of what is the most material, & enter it in the Council Book.


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MINUTES OF THE


Extract of Conrad Weiser's Report of his Journey to Onontago, the 19th May, 1745 :


"On the 19th Instant I set out for Onontago in Company with Shikalamy, one of the Indian Chiefs, his Son, and Andrew Montur, and we arrived safe at Onontago on the Sixth of June following. The 7th, early in the morning, Canasatego, Caheshcarrowano the Black Prince, and Caxhayion, came to receive me and my Com- pany. The best part of the Day was spent with discourses con- cerning News. I understood that the Messenger I sent from Dia- dagdon on the 29th last Month, arrived three days before me, and that the Council of the Six Nations were sent for immediately after his arrival. The Sinickers and Cayinckers were sent for to Oswego, where it was said the Chiefs of the said Nations were. The afore- said Chiefs told me that last fall the French Governor of Canada had sent to Onontago to Invite all or a great Number of the Six Nations to come and see him, and that a great number of them were determined to go, and some were already at Oswego, where they intended to meet in order to proceed to Canada, and that the Onon- tagers were to go in great numbers, and would have set out the Day before had not the Messenger I sent arrived.


"I asked how their Brethren the Governor of New York and the Commissioners of Albany approved of their going to Canada. They said the Governor of New York and the Commissioners of Albany had sent to them last Winter to desire them to stay at Home; but as they had hitherto a good Correspondence both with the French and English, they thought to continue it, and would, on their Return, give a faithful Account of all the Transactions that pass'd between them and the French to their Brethren the English, and added, that their Brethren the English had just reason to sus- pect and disapprove of their going, on account of the War between the English and French, and that the French were known to be a Crafty People ; but, said they, we Know very well that the French Governor of Canada will try to gain upon us, but it will be in vain for him, as we have already agreed what to say to him and will not go from it. The 8th I visited Canasatego and Caheshcarrowano, and held a private Conference with them. I read and Interpreted my Instructions and had their Advice, and they promised their good Offices to assist me. The Deputies of the Oneidoes , and Tuscar- roros arrived, as did like wise the Cayinckers and one of the Chiefs of the Sinickers. The Chiefs came to let me know that they ex- pected to hear what I had to say next morning in behalf of their Brethren. (The 9th) I delivered my Message in form following : ' Brethren, the Six United Nations now met at your Council Fire at Onontago-I am sent to You by the Governor of Pennsylvania your Brother, with a Message that concerns your Brother the Gov- ernor of Virginia, and it is at his Request I am now come to this your Council Fire.' Here I laid down a String of Wampum and


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continued : 'Brethren, according to the promise Your Brother Assaraqua made to you at the late Treaty held at Lancaster between You and your Brethren Tocarryhoagon, Assaraquoa, and Onas, he sent a Message to the Catawbas to Invite them to a Treaty with you the Six United Nations of Indians, and to advise them to send Deputies to you the said Nations. The Catawbas received the Message very kindly, and thanked your Brother Assaraquoa for his Care and Assistance, and made answer in the following manner, (here I took the Catawbas' Letter to the Governor of Virginia and explained it to the Council, but named Williamsburg as the place where the Catawbas desired to Treat with the Six Nations, instead of their own Towns or Country, for that would have caused Sus- picion) : After your Brother Assaraquoa received this Letter, he wrote a Letter to your Brother Onas and Inclosed the Catawbas' Letter, and desired that he would assist him in this weighty affair, and take the Matter wholly into his own Hands. To which your Brother Onas, out of a tender and brotherly affection for his Breth- ren the Six United Nations, gave his Consent; at the same time, considering that a Peace with the Catawbas would in a great mea- sure be conducive to the preservation of his Brethren the Six Uni- ted Nations. In Confirmation of what has been said I give you this Belt of Wampum, and you may depend upon the Truth of the Narrative. Brethren, the Governor of Pennsylvania now, jointly with the Governor of Virginia, advise You in the most friendly manner to hold a Congress with the Catawbas, they being also Chil- dren of the Great King over the Waters, & consequently Brethren of the English, and desire to live in Peace and Brotherly love with You. It will be both to the Honour and Interest of the Six Na- tions to make a firm and lasting Peace with the Catawbas. To en- force this, so just a Request, upon You, and to make the deepest Impression into your minds, Your Brethren Onas and Assaraquoa present you with this Belt of Wampum.' Here I lay'd down a large Belt. After the usual Cry of Jo-ha, which is always given distinctly by every Nation after the Receipt of a Belt, I took up a third Belt of Wampum and said, 'Brethren, By this Belt of Wampum the Gov- ernor of Pennsylvania, jointly with the Gov" of Virginia, your Brethren, invite You to a Congress with the Catawbas, in the Town of Williamsburg, where You will be very kindly Entertained, and the Catawbas will be there also; they are desir'd to send five Deputies and no more, and the like number will be expected from You. Brethren, it is well known among Your Brethren Onas and Assaraquoa that you are Suspicious and mistrustful of the Sincerity of the Catawbas (and no doubt but you have some reason for it), but do you receive the Invitation from your Brethren Onas and As- saraquoa, who will see Justice done to You.


"'If the Catawbas send no Deputies to Williamsburg, they will be looked upon as a faithless and discontented People, and given up to Your Warriors to be punished according to their deserts, and the


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Deputies you send will be rewarded for their fatigue and trouble of so long a Journey, whether the Catawbas send any Deputies or not.' Here I lay'd down the Belt of Wampum which I had in my hand, & which was received with the usual Sound of Jo-hah by the Coun- cil, & with Shouts of Joy by the Younger. I told them I had no more to say concerning this Affair.


" After a few Minutes' Silence Tocanuntie (otherwise called the Black Prince) repeated the whole Speech over to know whether every thing was rightly understood. I made him sensible of one thing which he had omitted, and told him that all the rest was right- then the Council what I had further to say. I then proceeded. 'Brethren, the Six United Nations now met at your Council Fire in Onontago: I desire you will hear what I have in Charge from your Brother, the Governor of Pennsylvania. You can easy remember that at the time of the last Treaty held in Lancaster we had the French King's Proclamation of War against the English, and you was then asked by your Brother the Governor of Pennsylvania, in the presence of your Brethren the Governors of Virginia and Maryland, and in the presence of a Multitude of People, what your Brethren, the English, might expect from you this War. To which you made answer, in the presence of the same Company, in manner following, that you would not suffer either Party to March any Troops over nor to commit Hostilities upon your Lands. At the same time our Traders that used to Trade to Ohio were present, and having placed a great deal of Confidence in what you had said, went immediately to Trade again to Ohio, thinking themselves se- cure from being molested either by the French or Indians; but they have since found themselves mistaken, having been Robbed and taken Prisoners by a large Party of French & Indians with Peter Chartier at their head. (Here I explained the Narrative of the Deponents to them, and told them that the Governor of Pennsyl- vania could do nothing more at present in the Affair than to acquaint them with it and hear their Answer, which I desir'd they would give after they had weighed the matter well and added) : The Shawnese are in your Power and so is Peter Chartier, who is turned from a Subject of the King of Great Britain a Rebel against him. You will therefore see your Brother, the Governor of Pennsylvania, Justice done against that Rebel Peter Chartier, and compell the Shawnese to make restitution of the Goods and Prisoners taken by them. To enforce this upon you I am ordered by the Governor of Pennsylvania to lay this Belt of Wampum before his Brethren the Council of the Six Nations.' The Belt was received with the usual sound of Jo-ha and a Clamour against the Shawnese. After the Black Prince had repeated what I had said, and heard my Approba- tion, the Council was rejoiced, and made a feast in Honour of Onas & Assaraquoa. (The 10th). The Council sat all that Afternoon till Midnight, and next morning again till about ten O'Clock, and then they came to the Council House (the House where I lodged)


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and acquainted me that they were ready to give me an Answer, which, accordingly, they did in the following manner: 'Brethren Onas and Assaraquoa: We are very glad to hear from You, and take your Message very kindly. Your Request is of very great Importance, and which concerns our Allies as well as Us, and the Deputies now met at this Council Fire cannot take upon them to give a positive Answer to it ; the Warriors must be Consulted about it, and all the Chiefs of the Six United Nations, together with the Captains of War, must Meet and Consult together before a firm and lasting Peace can be made with the Catawbas; and as a great many of our People with several of our Chiefs are now going to Canada, at the Invitation of the French Governor sent to us last fall, we must therefore referr the whole Affair till their return, and a Coun- cil, as before, will then be called, and your Belts of Wampum laid before them ; we must, therefore, keep your Belts of Wampum in our hands till then, and soon as the Council is over we will imedi- ately send to you and let you know what the result of the Council will be, and at what time the next Spring our Deputies can come down. In the mean time we will keep our Warriors at Home and not suffer them to go to War against the Catawbas till we have heard what Resolutions they will come to, and a Congress be held with them whom we expect to see at our Council Fire in Philadelphia. Williamsburg, where our Brother Assaraquoa lives, is too far off, and no Council Fire is yet kindled there, neither is there any Road clear'd to that Place, and for Us to go there the first time to meet the Catawbas would be dishonourable to Us. Brethren Onas and Assaraquoa : we desire that you will not take it amiss that we don't come down this Summer. If you consider the Importance of the Affair and our present Circumstances, you will find that we cannot come any sooner. We have no more to say on this Affair.' After a few Minutes Silence the Speaker Tocanuntie (or the Black Prince) begun again-' Brother Onas : We are sorry to hear what has hap- pened to Your Traders at Ohio by that treacherous man Peter Chartier, through the influence of the French; we go now to Canada and shall take your belt of Wampum with us; we look upon what has happened to your Traders as an open Breach of the Peace on the side of the French against us, and the Blow that is given as if it were given to our head ; depend upon it that the French shall make restitution of Men and Goods if it be their doings, otherwise the Shawonese shall; we are very glad that this News has reach'd our Council Fire before we set out for Canada; after our Return you will have a full answer to this Affair, and no doubt but a satis- factory one ; we have no more to say.' After the Council was over, the Black Prince Invited all the Deputies and the Chiefs of Onon- tago, myself & Company to a Dinner; we all went directly to his House ; he entertained us plentifully with Hommony, dried Venison, and Fish, and after dinner we were served with a dram round ;


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whilst we were at dinner they had several discourses among them- selves about the Shawonese, against whom they seemed to be very much exasperated, and some said their behaviour was a Challenge to War, and that there would be War proclaimed against them. They wondered why Onas did not immediately proclaim War against the Shawnese and send for assistance ; others answer'd Onas acted very prudently in letting the United Nations first know what had hap- pen'd, and that it was according to the late Treaty held last Year ; they seemed to expect nothing less than War with the Shawnese and a Peace with the Catawbas."


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Oct. 5th, 1745.


MEMORANDUM.


The Returns of the Sherifs and Coroners for the several Counties being taken into Consideration,


His Honour Commissionated the following Persons, Vizt : Nich- olas Scull, Esqr., Sherif, and Henry Pratt, Gent"., Coroner of the City and County of Philadelphia; John Hart, Esq"., Sherif, and Joseph Chapman, Gent"., Coroner of the County of Bucks; John Owen, Esq"., Sherif, and Thomas Morgan, Gent"-, Coroner of the County of Chester; James Sterrat, Esq'- Sherif, and William Ham- ilton, Gent"., Coroner of the County of Lancaster ; Gideon Griffith, Esqr., Sherif, and Benjamin Cook, Gentleman, Coroner of the County of Newcastle; Thomas Green, Esq", Sheriff, and Thomas Parke, Gent"., Coroner of the County of Kent, and William Shankland, Esq"., Sherif, & Robert Gill, Gent"", Coroner of the County of Sus- sex.


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Oct. 14th, 1745.


Five Members of the Assembly waited on the Governor to acquaint him that a Quorum of the Representatives had met in pursuance of the Charter and Laws, & chose their Speaker, & desir'd to know when the Governor wou'd be pleased to receive the House to present him. His Honour appointed 12 O'Clock the next Day.


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October 15th, 1745.


A Council was Summon'd, but no Members came. The whole House waited on the Governor at 12 o'Clock, & presented John Wright, Esqr-, as Speaker, & His Honour having approved their Choice, the Speaker made thereupon the usual Claim of Privileges,


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& the Governor assur'd them the same shou'd be inviolably pre- served.


On the same Day in the Afternoon, Two Members of Assembly waited on the Governor to acquaint him that the House was inclin'd to adjourn to the Sixth Day of January next, if he had no Objec- tion. The Governor answered he had no objection.


END OF VOL. IV.





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