Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. V, Part 2

Author:
Publication date: 1838
Publisher: [Harrisburg] : By the State
Number of Pages: 808

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Proclamations for raising troops, 39. For thanksgiving, 50. On President being Governor and continuing officers, 68, 69, 70. Respecting flags of truce, 82. Against sickly vessel, 109. Fast day, 169. Governor Dinwiddie's, against French and Indians, 766. Against sale of rum to Indians, 194, 397. Respecting pilots, 227. Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, 331, 360, 361. Of Gov- ernor Hamilton, 363. On peace, 379-80. Treaty with Senecas. 394. Respecting export and manufacture of iron, 457.

Proprietaries, letters to, 93, 160, 319, 515. Letters from, 216. 229, 239, 240, 244, 342, 363, 377, 499. Power to grant com- missions to associators doubted, 240. Substitute for batteries, 240. Propose building a house or fort on Ohio, 515, 523, 547. Letter from, respecting Abraham Taylor's Claim, 551. Not valid-strike his name off from Council, 551.

Quakers complained of, 204, 207. Assembly Message, 238. Coun- cil resolution, 278. Assembly's reply, 336.

Report of treaty at Albany by commissioners of Pennsylvania, 7-26. Of Committee on Governor's Message, 723. Of commissioners to Indians, 306, 307. Of committee of Assembly on Currency, 415. Do. of lower counties on, 417. Of Peters and Croghan, of proceedings with settlers and Indians, 440. Of commissioners to Indians, 665-685.

Reprieve, form of, 163.

Resolutions of Council on conduct of Assembly, 277-280. As- sembly's reply, 333, 338.

Roads and Highways, 29, 59, 61, 99, 100, 105, 107, 121, 130. From Darby to Chester, 203. From Philadelphia to New Castle. 301, 377, 576, 610.

Robberies on Delaware, 102. '

Roman Catholics have converted many Indians, 467.

Scotland, rebellion, favor of Popish Pretender, 6. Thanksgiving for defeat of it, 51. Address to King in, 51.

Scull, Nicholas, appointed Surveyor General in place of William Parsons, resigned, 274.

Seal, the great, " John and the date punched out," 382.

Sergeant-at-Arms, 617. 1

Shawnese Indians, message from, 569. Governor's answer to, 571. Shekellamy, Indian Chief, sent for, 212. In Philadelphia, 222.

xiv

CONTENTS.

Sheriffs, elected, 55. (See the several counties.) .".

Shirley, William, Governor of Massachusetts, letters from, 31, 55, 56, 72, 83, 127, 129, 140, 152, 170, 182, 198, 295, 718. To, 76, 133, 143, 165, 170, 173, 305. Reasons for not furnishing cannon, 198. Wishes union against Crown Point, 198. Pro- ceedings in Massachusetts, 296.

Sickness, general, 168.

Sinking Fund proposed by Governor Thomas, 46.

Snow shoes, large quantities preparing by Indians for war, 1.

Spangenberg, J. Augustus, applies for passes to three missionaries to Onondago, 576. Granted, 576.

Spanish, fears from, 208. Privateer in Delaware, 248-255, 262, 284. Taken, 301, 324. Prisoners, 122, 125, 131.

Spirituous liquors, 194, 230. Proclamation against, 194, 397. In- crease of public houses, 430.

Sussex county, sheriff and coroner, 411, 468, 551, 597, 662.

Tasker, Benjamin, President of Maryland-murder of Kitzmiller, 582, 583, 589. Letters to, 586, 596.

Taylor, Abraham's, name struck off from Council, 551.

Tax, Provincial, 47.

Treaty, Indian, held at Albany by Commissioners from several States, 7, 26. With Indians at Lancaster, 307-318. Expenses of, 327. Not provided for by Assembly-Council's message to, 339.

Trelawny, Governor, asks for help in recruits, 232. Letter from for men, 326.

Trent, Captain William, respecting a French trader taken, 461.

Troops to be raised, 38, 39, 41, 46, 58. Unpaid, 56, 58.

Twightwee Indians, message from, 437. Message of Governor Hamilton to, 448. Town attacked-murders, 599.

Union of Colonies for defence proposed, 30, 36, 37, 45, 49, 83,97.

Vessel, sickly, arrive, 100, 106, 112. Notice to, 107. Complaint against, 108. Proclamation against, 109. Physicians to examine, 100, 109, 113, 121, 122.

Virginia, letters from Governor, 221, 225, 280, 300, 346. To, 125, 254, 283. Large grant of land to, on the Ohio river, 423. Boundary line, 424, 758-762. Letter of Governor Hamilton to, 424. Letter from William Fairfax, 657. Proceedings of Gov- ernor and Council on receipt of it, 657.

CONTENTS.

Weiser, Conrad, to employ Indians as scouts, 2. Mission to Sha- mokin, 72. Letters from, 83, 122, 136, 166, 185, 212, 213, 229, 298, 467. Letters to, 120, 132, 285, 517, 642. Instruc- tions to, 290, 304. In Philadelphia, 148, 188, 224, 285, 290, 405. "Accompanies Indians, 190. Presents for Indians, 197. His journal to Ohio, 348-358. Compensation for damages, 396. Journal to Onondago, 470-480.

Weningo, locality described, 660.

Wolcott, R., Governor of Connecticut, letter to, 768. From, 771. York county, sheriffs and coroners commissioned, 411, 551, 597, 662. A new county west of, to be formed, 426. Election riot at, 468. And Cumberland line, 502.

MINUTES

OF THE

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA.

At a Council held at Philadelphia, December 17th, 1745. PRESENT :

The Honourable GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.

Samuel Hasell,

Robert Strethil,

Abraham Taylor, Esqrs.

The Governor inform'd the Council that as it was become neces- sary to add some more Members to the Board, he had thought of Mr. James Hamilton & Mr. Benjamin Shoemaker as proper Per- sons, & had caused it to be propos'd to them, & that Mr. James Hamilton had accepted, & Mr. Shoemaker had it under Considera- tion, and the Board unanimously approving the Governor's Choice, his Honour order'd the Secretary to inform Mr. Hamilton of his appointment, & to take care that he shou'd be served with a Sum- mons the next Meeting of the Council.

The Governor laid before the Board a Letter Dated the 15th In- stant, which he had received from Governor Morris, inclosing a Copy of a Letter wrote by one Major Swartwoutz, of the Minisinks, to the Governor of New York, informing him that an Indian in that Neighborhood having fallen into Company with some Indians who had been on some of the Branches of the Missippi, was told by them that the French & French Indians there were preparing a large quantity of Snow Shoes in order to March in the Winter time to the Frontiers of Pennsylvania, Sopus, & Albany. The Governor observ'd to the Council that as the Indians had actually cutt off the People of Saraghtoga, & as Peter Chartier, who was with those In- VOL. V .- 1.

MINUTES OF THE

dians, wou'd not fail to do what Mischief he cou'd to this Province, whether this piece of Intelligence should prove true or false, it was necessary to give the back Inhabitants of Lancaster County the earliest notice possible that they might be upon their Guard, & he had for that purpose prepar'd a Letter to the several Captains ap- pointed over the Militia in that County, which he propos'd to send immediately by Express, & the Letter being read, it was approv'd, & is as follows :

" The Governor's Circular Letter to the several Captains of the Militia in Lancer. Co. :

" Sir-

" By an Express from the Governor of New York I am inform'd that one Major Swartwoutz, a Dweller in the Minisink, has re- ceived Intelligence from two Indians at different times within a Month that the French and French Indians living at a Town or Fort on a Branch of the River Missisipppi have made a large house full of Snow Shoes, in order, so soon as the Snow shall fall, to At- tack Albany, Sopus, & the back parts of Jersey & Pennsylvania. Although I am not very apt to give credit to Storys of this kind, since they have been so often found to be false, yet considering the Success the French have lately had in Attacking & Plundering the Inhabitants in & about Saraghtoga, in the County of Albany, & car- rying away near Seventy of them Prisoners, after they had burnt all their Houses, Barns, & Mills, and considering that-Peter Chartier, who is capable of any Villany, is now with the Enemy, it is not improbable that something will be attempted upon the Inhabitants of the back parts of this Province likewise. You are therefore hereby ordered to give notice of this Intelligence to the Company under your Command, that they may have their Arms & a sufficient quantity of Ammunition in readiness to repel the Enemy in case they shou'd make any Attempts upon the Inhabitants on the West side of Sasquehanna. And You are further to take all proper Measures to procure Intelligence from time to time to prevent a Surprise. But you are to be very careful not to offer the least In- jury or Violence to any of the Indians in Friendship with Us, but permit them to pass as usual without Molestation, lest you shou'd provoke them to join with the Enemy.

" I am, &ca .??

The Governor further asked the Opinion of the Board whether Mr. Conrad Weiser shou'd not be directed to employ some Young Indians as Scouts to procure Intelligence & to send notice of any March of Indians, & it being judg'd very proper, his Honour said he would write such Letter & send it to Mr. Conrad Weiser along with the Express.

The Board resumed the Consideration of the new Commissions of

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

the Peace for the Counties of Bucks, Chester, and Lancaster; & the following Justices were agreed to, vizt .:

For the County of Bucks.

Joseph Kirkbride, Abraham Chapman, Mathew Hughes, Benja- min Jones, Simon Butler, John Wells, Enion Williams, Mathew Rue, Richard Mitchel, Mark Watson, Richard Hough, John Abra- ham De Normandy, Robert Ellis, Alexander Brown Houston, John Jemmyson, Henry Antes, Thomas Owen, Thomas Craig, Esqrs .; & The Chief Burgess of the Borough of Bristol for the time being.

N. B .- At the same time a separate Commission of the Peace was granted to Lawrence Growden, Esq".

For the County of Chester.

John Crosby, Elisha Gatchil, Caleb Cowpland, William Moore, Abraham Emmit, Joseph Pennock, Joseph Brinton, William Pymm, Joseph Bonsell, William Webb, John Mather, Job Rushton, Charles Grant, Samuel Flower, Thomas Cummings, John Parry, Andrew McDowel, Esqrs., & the Cheif Burgess of the Borough of Chester for the time being.

N. B .- At the same time a seperate Commission of the Peace was granted to Joseph Parker, Esq".

For the County of Lancaster,

Thomas Edwards, Andrew Galbreath, Edward Smout, Emanuel Carpenter, John Kyle, Conrad Weiser, James Armstrong, Samuel Smith, John Hogg, James Whitehill, David Jones, James Galbreath, John Postlethwaite, William Maxwell, James Gillaspy, Samuel Anderson, Edward Berwick, Henry Harris, of Cumru Township, Esqr., & the Chief Burgess of the Borough of Lancaster for the time being.

" N. B .- At the same time a separate Commission of the Peace was granted to Thomas Cookson, Esqr.

January 6th, 1745.

MEMORANDUM.

Five Members of Assembly waited on the Governor to inform him that the House was met according to their adjournment, & that their Speaker not being able from Indisposition to attend the Ser- vice of the House, they had proceeded to the Choice of another Speaker, and desir'd to know when the Governor wou'd receive the House in order to present him. His Honour appointed 12 O'Clock the next Day.

MINUTES OF THE

At a Council held at Philadelphia, January 7th, 1745.

PRESENT :

The Honourable GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.

Robert Strethil, Esqr.

The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approv'd.

The House waited on the Governor at the time appointed with their Speaker, John Kinsey, Esqr., who requested the usual Privi- leges for himself, taking notice that those for the House had been already granted The Governor made answer, that as long as he shou'd have the Honour to continue in the Government, He & every Speaker & Assembly might depend on his protection in all their just Priveleges. The Speaker returned Thanks, and desir'd to know if the Governor had any thing to lay before the House. His Honour said he had, & wou'd send a Message to them in the Morning, & when they were withdrawn a Message being prepar'd by the Gov- ernor to lay before the Council for their Approbation, it was read and approv'd by Mr. Strethil, the only Member present, & that the House might not receive any delay the Secretary was order'd to transcribe it fair to be Sign'd and deliver'd in the Morning.

At a Council held at Philadelphia, January 17th, 1745.

PRESENT :

The Honourable GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.

Thomas Laurence,

Robert Strethil,

Samuel Hasell,

James Hamilton,

Esqrs.

Abraham Taylor,

Mr. Hamilton took and subscrib'd the Oaths to the Government, & then took his place at the Board.

The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approv'd.

The Governor laid before the Board his Message of the 8th Instant, together with the Report of the Albany Commissioners, & a Letter from Admiral Warren Dated at Louisbourg, the 26th of November last; he like wise laid before them his Message of the 10th Instant & the Petition mention'd in it, & likewise the Assem- bly's Answer to his Message of the 8th Instant, all which were read, & the following ordered to be enter'd, viz":

A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.

" Gentlemen :

" I take the first Opportunity since the return of the Commis-

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

sioners from Albany to lay before You my Instructions to them, & their Report of the Treaty held with the Indians of the Six Nations at that Place, and I make no doubt but their Conduct will be as satisfactory to You as it is to me. You will observe by the last Article of these Instructions that had I been at liberty to follow my own Judgment, and been secured of Fund for supplying those Na- tions with Arms, Ammunition, and other Necessaries for acting offensively against the French, I should, in conjunction with ye Neighbouring Governments, have urged them to an immediate De- claration of War as the only means, in my opinion, of securing their fidelity to His Majesty; for as it seems next to impossible for them to maintain their Neutrality much longer, if they are not speedily engaged by His Majestie's Colonies, their own security will oblige them to join with the Enemy. Besides, it is certainly the reverse of good Policy to indulge our Indians in a Neutrality after the French have compelled their's to take up the Hatchet; it is giving the Enemy an Advantage which they have already made use of, and will continue so to do to the Destruction of the Inhabitants upon the Frontiers of the several Provinces. Before I quit this Subject I must acquaint You, that by a Letter received since your last Meeting from the Governor of Virginia, I am informed that the Catawbas have refused to come to Philadelphia, as being too distant from their Country, and have declared that they will not regard any propositions made to them by the Six Nations, without first receiv- ing a Token from them, attested by the Marks of some of their Sachims; and that from hence it is concluded any farther Endeavours to reconcile them will be ineffectual. As this Mediation was set on foot at the desire of Governor Gooch, was to be carried on at the Expence of his Government, and has since been declined by him for the reasons before mentioned, I forthwith took the properest Measures to make the Six Nations acquainted with the Catawbas' Resolutions, that their Deputies might be prevented from coming hither in the Spring, as well to save them the trouble of a fruitless Journey as us the Expence of maintaining them for some time here, & of making them a Present at their departure. There will probably be too frequent Occasions, during the continuance of the War, for Expences of this kind.

" You will observe from the Information transmitted by the Gover- nor of New York that preparations have been making by the French & their Indians upon a Branch of the River Mississippi, for an At- tack upon the back parts of this & some of the Neighbouring Colo- nies. Although there shou'd be no real foundation for this Account, it is not improbable that something will be attempted upon Us this Winter by the Enemy, since Chartier is gone over to them with a con- siderable Party of the Shawnese, who is well acquainted with the back parts of this Province, knows the defenceless Condition of the Inha- bitants, & is of a savage, treacherous Disposition. This & some other Circumstances consider'd, I forthwith Dispatched a Messenger with

MINUTES OF THE

Circular Letters to the Officers appointed for a Militia in Lancaster County, with Orders to them to be upon their Guard, and to make the best preparations they cou'd for their Defence, enjoining them at the same time to be very careful not to do any injury to the In- dians in Amity with us, or to molest them in their hunting. I likewise sent Directions to Mr. Weiser to employ some of the Dela- ware Indians at Shamokin as Scouts to watch the Enemy's Motions, and to engage the whole Body of Indians there to harrass them in their March, in case they should attempt any thing against us, and afterwards to join our remote Inhabitants for their mutual Defence. These measures appeared to me so absolutely necessary that I could not doubt of your enabling me to defray any Expence that may at- tend them.

"The last Post brought me a Letter from Admiral Warren, dated at Louisbourgh the Twenty-sixth of November, in which he advises me that no Ships were then arrived from Britain, and that as it is probable the Regiments expected from Giberalter will be forced to Leeward Islands by the severity of the Season, and not arrive at Louisbourgh in time for its Defence against the Preparations which he hears are making in Canada to attack it early in the Spring, and even then be perhaps extremely weaken'd by Sickness and other Accidents, he calls upon me, agreable to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle's Letter, formerly laid before You, to raise a number of Men for the Defence of that Important Acquisition, and to send. them with a quantity of Provisions sufficient for their Support there by the middle of March next. He further informs me that he thinks himself authorized, in conjunction with Sir William Pep- perill, to draw Bills for defraying the Expence, and has sent me an Extract of the Duke of Newcastle's Letter to that purpose ; but as no Bills have been remitted to me for this Service, nor Officers sent to raise the Men, I must apply to You, and I doubt mot but it will be a Service very acceptable to His Majesty, for an advance of so much of the Publick Money as will be necessary for paying, victu- alling, & transporting as many Men as can be raised in so short a Time, and for rewarding such Officers as shall be commissioned to raise and to conduct them to Louisbourg, since no commissions granted by me can intitle them to any Command in that Garrison, or elsewhere out of this Government.

" I need not tell You that the last Vessels from Europe confirmed the Account that a most unnatural Rebellion had broke out, and was then carrying on in Scotland, in favour of a Popish Pretender, supported by France and Spain. At this Distance we can only pray that the Great God of Battles will grant Success to His Majestie's Arms, and that he will confound the Devices of His & our Enemies, open and concealed. I trust that, through the favour of Heaven and the Justice of His Majestie's Cause, we shall soon have an op- portunity of offering our Congratulations upon an Event so desira-

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

ble by Protestants of all Denominations, as well as by all that are for preserving the Freedom and Independency of their Country.

" Having mentioned everything to You of a Publick Concern that occurr'd to me, I have only to assure You that whatever shall be laid before me for the Welfare of this Province, will meet with a favorable Reception and as much Dispatch as the Nature of the Business will admit of.

" GEO. THOMAS.

" January 8th, 1745."

AN ACCOUNT OF THE TREATY

Held at the City of Albany, in the Province of New York, By his Excellency the Governor of that Province, and the Honourable the Commissioners for the Provinces of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, with the Indians of the Six Nations, in 'Octo- ber, 1745.

" To the Honourable GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., with the King's Royal Approbation Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Penn- sylvania, and Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, on Dela- ware, under the Honoble. John Penn, Thomas Penn, and Richard Penn, Esqrs., true and absolute Proprietaries of the said Pro- vince and Counties :

"May it please the Governor:

" Having been honoured with a Commission authorizing us, the Subscribers, in Conjunction with the Governors of the Neighbour- ing Colonies or their Delegates, or seperately, to treat with the Indians of the Six United Nations at Albany in October last, we think it our Duty to render an Account of our Conduct therein, which be pleased to receive as follows :

"The next Day after the Receipt of the Commission, that is, on the Twenty-seventh Day of September last, we set out for Albany, where we arrived on the third of October following. On the Fourth of October, the Day appointed to treat with the Indians, pursuant to the Instructions given us, we waited on the Governor of New York, acquainted him with our Appointment and shewed him the Commission by which we were impowered to treat.

" The Governor desir'd his Secretary might take a Copy of it, to which we consented. The Indians of Five of the Six United Na- tions, in number about Four hundred and sixty, arrived the same Day, none of them Senecas, it being, as we were inform'd, a time of great Sickness and Mortality among them, which prevented their coming.

" But the Commissioners from the Massachusetts not being come, the Treaty was deferr'd until their Arrival. Two Days after, being

MINUTES OF THE

the Sixth of October, in the Evening we received a Message from the Governor of New York, by his Secretary, desiring to know of Us at what time we would confer with a Committee of his Council either alone or with the Commissioners of the other Colonies, all then arrived, viz. :

For the Massachusetts.

Jacob Wendal, Esqr., a Member of the Council. John Stoddard,

Samuel Wells,

Esqrs., Members of Assembly.

Thomas Hutchinson,

For Connecticut Colony.

Wolcot, Esqr., Lieutenant Governor, and Col. Stanley.

" We agreed to return our Answer to his Message in the Morn- ing.

" Accordingly in the Morning we returned our answer by James Read, that we would meet the Committee of Council at a Quarter after Ten that Day, and chose to have our first Conference with them only. About the time appointed we went, but the Commis- sioners from the other Colonies coming into the Room soon after, deprived us of the separate Conference proposed. Being all thus met, the Gentlemen of the Council, to wit, Daniel Horsmanden and Joseph Murray, Esqrs., let us know they were appointed by the Governor of New York a Committee to confer with us concerning the Treaty which was to ensue, that their Governor desired to be inform'd of our Sentiments, whether we were inclinable to speak to the Indians of the United Nations seperately, or whether we thought a joint Speech to be delivered on behalf of all the Colo- nies might be best, either indifferent to him.

" The Commissioners from New England declared their opinions for a joint Speech, as what would show our Union, and consequently have the greater weight with the Indians. On the part of Penn- sylvania it was objected that we had divers Matters in Charge which related to our own Government only, which would be improper in such a joint Speech, and perhaps it might be the case of other of the Colonies : That such a joint Speech would require much time in forming, and with Difficulty, if at all likely, to be agreed on.

"But it was replied this would be the best judged of when the heads of such joint speech were read ; & the Committe of Council producing what they prepared to this purpose, it was agreed to be read. On reading of which, we observed that it mentioned a Com- plaint against the Eastern Indians for Killing some white People, and therefore among other things proposed the Indians of the Six United Nations should be put on Declaring War against the Eastern Indians, and to assure them that the several Colonies would support

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

them in it. To this Article it was objected, on the part of Penn- sylvania, that it was necessary the Legislature of each Government should be consulted before the Indians were put on Declaring of War; That it would be very mischevious to all the Colonies, as it would be a means of drawing the War nearer on their Borders ; That the Indians did not seem disposed to enter into a War with each other, but rather to remain Neutral; That in this Disposition little better could be expected from them than what was remarked to be the case in the last War, when the Indians of opposite Parties passed each other without Fighting, and only Scalped the white People ; That as to the People who had been killed the Indians might be put on demanding Satisfaction, and might possibly obtain it and prevent the Cause of War; or if they were put on Declaring of War, at least Care should be first taken to provide them with the Requisites necessary for defending themselves and carrying on such War, without which it would in Effect be a betraying them. What Provision was made by the Government of New York the Gentlemen of the Council best knew. In Pennsylvania we knew no Provision was made for them ; That, therefore, if this Article was inserted in the Speech proposed, we must insist on Treating seper- ately. To the Proposal for putting the Indians of the Six United Nations on demanding Satisfaction, one of the Commissioners of the Massachusets answer'd, That Proposal ought to come on the part of the Indians, for that if no more was proposed to them on the behalf of the Governments than that they shou'd demand Satisfaction for the Injury done, they would offer some thing yet less. At length it was agreed all the other Governments, Pennsylvania excepted, should treat jointly, and we were desired to be assistant in their joint Treaty so far as we judged fit.

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Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. V, Part 2

Author: Publication date: 1838 Publisher: [Harrisburg] : By the State Number of Pages: 808

Author:
Publication date: 1838
Publisher: [Harrisburg] : By the State
Number of Pages: 808