USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. V > Part 43
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endangering the Loss and Ruin of their Souls, Bodies, and Estates ; To prevent which for the future the Petitioners pray our Interposi- tion, and as our own Observations as well as the Testimony of others convince us of these melancholy Truths, we think it a Duty we owe to the Province, to Posterity, and to ourselves, to contribute the ut- most in our Power to discourage and prevent these growing Evils.
" With this view we have inspected the several Laws now in Force in Relation to Publick Houses, and we there find many prudent Provisions adapted to the Circumstances of the Province and for preventing the Abuses complain'd of; and tho' we think some Ad- ditions may be made to these (which in due time will come under our Consideration) yet we are of the opinion that were the Laws now in Being but duly put in Execution it would in great Measure remove the Cause of these Complaints.
"It is not to be expected the Governor, who is so much taken up with the Affairs of the Province, should himself be so well acquainted with Persons and Places fitting and necessary for keeping of Inns or Publick Houses for the Purposes aforesaid, and therefore our Laws have wisely provided to free him from the Trouble of such an En- quiry, which otherwise might be necessary, by obliging the Persons who intend to keep these Houses first to apply to the Justices of the Peace of the City or County in which such Persons applying reside, and at the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, to obtain from the Justices their Recommendation to the Governor of the Fitness and Ability of such Appliers for the Service, before they are entitled to a Licence. Were this important Trust duly executed, it would render any further Provision less necessary; but it hath so happened in divers Places that either for want of due Enquiry into the Places where the Persons applying reside, their Circumstances and Abilities, and the Necessity of Publick-Houses in the Places desir'd, or thro' a mistaken Pity for the Persons applying, or some other Motive, a much greater Number hath been recomended to the Governor to obtain such Licences than were either fit for the Em- ployment or of Use to the Publick.
"Hence arises the Evils complain'd of, and here, as we conceive, a proper Remedy may be had, and therefore it is we earnestly re- quest the Governor That he will be pleased warmly to recomend it to the Consideration of the Justices of the several Counties within this Province that they will employ their utmost Care and Vigilance to put the Laws relating to the good Order necessary to be observed in Publick Houses, and for preventing of Tippling by the Inhabitants therein, in Execution. That for the future, where applications are made for such Recommendations they will make diligent Enquiry into the Circumstances of those who apply for them, and grant so many only as shall be necessary, and those to such Persons only as are most fit for the Service.
"The Increase of Vice and Immorality are bad Symptoms in any
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Government, and the Consequences it might have in this we think too evident to a Gentlemen of the Governor's Abilities to need any Illustration ; we, therefore, perswade ourselves of his hearty Assist- ance in the Reformation desired, as the best and most effectual Means to render the Inhabitants of this Province more generally better Subjects, better Members of Society, and above all better Chris- tians.
"Signed by Order of the House, "JOHN KINSEY, Speaker."
The Governor was pleased to say, "That it very well became the Assembly, as Representatives of the People, to endeavour the Re- formation of the Abuses complain'd of; that it was his own opinion too great a number of Publick Houses might have the Tendency mention'd, and that, therefore, he would in the warmest Manner recommend to all the Magistrates a prudent Use of their Power in this Particular as well as in every other;" And thereupon he wrote the following Letter to the Magistrates of the several Counties, to be read in open Sessions :
" Gentlemen-
" It having been represented to me that the Number of Inns and Publick Houses throughout this Province is of late greatly increased, and that many of the Persons recommended to me for my Licence to keep the same are neither of a sober Conversation or of Ability to entertain Travellers in a proper Manner-Contrary to the Inten- tion of the Laws in that respect provided, and tending to the Pro- pagation of Idleness and Immorality among the Inhabitants-which Representation I have taken into serious Consideration, And being desirous, as far as in me lies, to remove every Obstacle in the Way to Virtue, Piety, and good Order, I do in the warmest Manner re- commend to You that you will use your utmost Vigilance that the Laws relating to the good Order to be observ'd in Publick Houses may be duly put in Execution, And that upon all future Applica- tions you will make a careful Inquiry into the Characters and Cir- cumstances of the Appliers, and recommend to me so many only as shall be thought necessary for the Publick Service, and who for their Discretion and Abilities are most likely to answer the good Meaning and Intention of establishing Inns and Publick Houses in all well-regulated Communities.
"I am, Gentlemen, Your humble Servant, " JAMES HAMILTON."
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Friday, 25th May, 1750. PRESENT :
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
Thomas Lawrence,
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Samuel Hassell,
William Logan, Esqrs.
Abraham Taylor,
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approv'd.
The Governor laid before the Board a Letter he had receiv'd the 23d Instant from the Governor of New York, inclosing One from Coll. Johnson to that Government, setting forth the Apprehensions the Indians of the Six Nations were under, as well on their own Account as in Behalf of their Friends and Allies settled at Ohio, from the Threats of the French of Canada, who they say are ac- tually preparing to attack them this Summer with a great Force of French Men and Indians in their Dependance, and desiring to know what Assistance they may rely on from the Government of New York in Case it should so happen; Which Letter of Coll. Johnson Governor Clinton says he transmits to the Governor of this Pro- vince, that He may take such Measures thereupon as He shall judge Proper.
The Governor likewise inform'd the Board that Mr. Peters, the Secretary, and Mr. Weiser, the Indian Interpreter, were then in Cumberland County, in order to take proper Measures with the Magistrates to remove the Settlers over the Hills who had presum'd to stay there, notwithstanding his Proclamation prohibiting their Stay under the severest Penalties ; That he had receiv'd a Letter from Mr. Peters, mentioning that Andrew Montour was just arriv'd from Allegheny, and brought News that the Indians were upon their Guard least the French should come, but did not generally believe they would; and likewise inclosing the Minutes of some Conferences which were held by him in Conjunction with the Magis- trates and Mr. Weiser, as well with Mr. Montour as with some Shamokin and Conestogoe Indians, which were read in these Words :
" At a Conference held with the Indians at Mr. Croghan's in Pennsboro' Township, Cumberland County, on Thursday, the 17th Day of May, 1750.
"PRESENT :
"RICHARD PETERS, Esquire, Secretary.
" Conrad Weiser, " James Galbreath " George Croghan, " George Stevenson,
Andrew Montour, Tach-nech-doarus,
S-ai-uch-to-wano,
" William Wilson,
" Hermanus Alricks,
Esquires.
Catara-dirha,
Tohomady Huntho, a Mohoch from Ohio.
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" Sai-uch-to-wano spoke as follows :
" ' Brethren :
""' We were in hopes of giving the Secretary a chearful Welcome into this Part of the Country ; but We have just heard a Piece of bad News which has interrupted our Joy, that one of the Principal men of the Province is taken away by a sudden Death, a wise Coun- sellor and a good Friend of ours. Be pleased, therefore, to convey to the Governor our Expressions of Sorrow on this melancholy Oc- casion, and let this String of Wampum serve to comfort his Heart and wipe away Tears from his Eyes till this great Loss shall be supply'd by some fit Person to succeed him.'
" A String of Wampum.
" To which the Secretary made answer:
"'Brethren :
"""I will deliver your String to the Governor, with your Expres- sions of Sorrow for the Death of the Chief Justice. This is indeed a real Cause of Concern to the whole Province, since the Loss which the Publick sustains by the Death of Wise Men cannot be soon re- - pair'd. Wisdom in the Administration of the Affairs of Govern- ment requiring Experience as well as great Abilities, of both which the deceased Gentleman had a large Share.'
" Then Catara-dirha, on behalf of the Conestogoe Indians, spoke : "' Brethren :
""" When the Six Nations sold their Land on Sasquehannah to the Proprietaries, the Conestogoe Indians were then living in their Town near Lancaster, for which Reason the Place where they liv'd was excepted out of the Sale. It will appear by your Records that they were to live there as long as they pleased, and when they should incline to depart they were to signify it to the Proprietarics and receive a Consideration; they are now inclinable to remove nearer to the other Indians, and according to the Agreement already made with the Proprietaries they request You to inform the Gov- ernor of their Intention. They want to sell their Improvements, and now make the Proprietaries the first Offer of them.
" A String of Wampum.
" ' Brother, the Governor :
"' Many of our old People are dead, so that we are now left as it . were Orphan's in a destitute Condition, which inclines us to leave our old Habitations. When we are gone ill-minded People may tell you Stories to our Prejudice ; but we assure You that Distance will not alter our Affections for You. Therefore give no Ear to such Stories, as we on our Part will not think you can loose your Regard for Us,/tho' there are some who would perswade Us that we are now not so much regarded by you as we have been.'
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" Then Andrew Montour spoke as follows :
" ' Brethren :
"' The Twightwees, who were admitted into the Alliance of the English in a Treaty held at Lancaster two or three Years ago, sent their Deputies to Allegheny last Winter with a Message addressed to the Six Nations and other Indians living at Ohio, and to the Governor of Pennsylvania, and delivered to them this String of Wampum; and as this Government is equally concerned with those Indians in the Twightwee Message, they have commissioned me to relate it to the Governor, and to give him over the String of Wam- pum sent with it, and desire he will favour them with his answer to it by Mr. Croghan, who is going this Summer to Allegheny.'
"The Message delivered by the Deputies of the Twightwees was as follows :
" Brethren of the Six Nations and all the other Indians living on Ohio, and the Governor of Pennsylvania and all the English Gov- ernors :
""We, the Twightwees, who are now one with You, desire that the Road which has lately been opened between us, being a new one, and, therefore, rough, blind, and not well clear'd, may now be made plain, and that every thing which may hinder the Passage may be removed out of it so effectually as not to leave the least Obstruction ; and we desire this may be done, not only as far as where you live but beyond you to the Places where our Brethren the English live, that their Traders, whom we desire to see amongst us and to deal with Us for the future, may travel to us securely and with Ease.
"' Brethren :
"' We are yet young and unexperienced. You, the Six Nations, are our Elder Brothers, and can advise Us what to do on all occa- sions. We, therefore, put ourselves under your Care, and request that you will look upon us as Children and assist us with your Council, and we promise to follow whatever Advice you give Us, for we are sensible that it will be for our Good. Our Father Onontio has kept us poor and blind ; but thro' your Means we begin to open our Eyes and to see Things at a great Distance. We assure You by this String of Wampum that We, the Twightwees, have entirely laid Onontio aside and will no more be governed by his Advice, nor any longer hearken to what he shall say.
" This is our settled Determination, and We give you the strong- est Assurances that We shall abide by it, and of this we desire you will inform the Six Nation Indians at Onondago, and all the Indi- ans who are in their and your Alliance, and likewise the Governor of Pennsylvania and the other English Governors.
"' Brethren :
" ' I have it further in charge to relate to you the Answer which VOL. V .- 28.
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the Allegheny Indians gave to this Message of the Twightwees, and it was to this Purpose :
""" Brethren the Twightwees :
""' Hearken to what we say, and consider our answer as the joint Answer of all the Nations of the Indians living in these Parts, of our Fathers the Six Nations living at Onondago, and of the English Governors, all whom we include in this answer.
"' Brethren of the Twightwee Nation :
"' You have by your Deputies desired of Us that we would open the New Road between Us and You wider, and take out of it every Thing that can possibly hinder our travelling safely and pleasantly to one another, and that the English Traders may come more amongst You. And further, that you henceforth put yourselves under our Care and desire we will assist you with our Council, and that you have entirely laid aside Onontio and will be no more gov- erned by his Councils. We declare ourselves well pleased with every Part of your Message, and will heartily join with you in making the Road perfectly clear and free from all Impediments. We will take you under our Care and assist You on all occasions in the best manner. We trust your Determinations are made with the utmost Seriousness and Deliberation, and that you will adhere to what you say. The English and We are firmly united together ; We are all one People, and our Hands join'd so that nothing can separate them. You have joined Hands with them and Us 'tis true, but Yours are as yet like the Hands of Infants, they cannot take hold of the Chain of Friendship with as much Strength as those of riper Years, but We advise you to take as strong an Hold of it as ever you can, and to form an Union that nothing can break through. If any Tree should fall and block up the Road between us, be sure let us all put our Hands to it and unitedly and amicably like Breth- ren throw it out of the Road. Don't let us act single on any Occa- sion, but all together, and then shall we have the more Strength.
"' A Message arriv'd from the Twightwees just before I left Alle- gheny, to thank the Indians on Ohio for their kind Reception of and answer to their Message in the Winter, with further assurances that they would continue true to their new Engagements, and ex- pected to see Mr. Croghan with the answer of the Governor of Pennsylvania and the other English Governors.
""" Brethren :
"' I have finish'd what was given me in Charge with respect to the Twightwees, but I have still something to communicate to the Governor of Pennsylvania, and all the other Governors on the Con- tinent, which was communicated to me by the Owendaets (other- wise called Inontady Haga) Indians in Conjunction with the other Indians settled on Ohio, be pleased therefore to receive a Message sent by the Owendaets and the other Indians.
-
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
"""Brethren all the English Governors :
"' When you were at war with Onontio We were perswaded by Corlear to strike the French; you have since made Peace with Onontio, and we expected that we were included in that Treaty, but we don't find it so, for the French are always threatning Us, and have put us into so much Fear by their Menaces that we dare not suffer our People to go into the Hunting Places at a Distance from Us least we should meet a party of French. This was the case all last Summer, and we have received Intelligence from the Six Nations that the French of Canada are now making Military Preparations and intend to attack us this Summer.
"' Brethren :
"' You ought to have included Us in you Peace, but since you did not we now request that the English Governors would jointly apply to have Us included in the Peace, that we may not be subject to the Intimidations and Resentment of the French, but be in quiet as well as you.'"
"The Secretary then informed the Indians that the Magistrates were come together to go and remove the People off the Land at Juniata and other Places by Direction from the Governor, agree- able to the Promise his Honour made the Deputies of the Six Nations last Summer, and that Mr. Weiser and he were appointed to see this work effectually done."
" At a Conference held at Mr. CROGHAN'S in the Afternoon of the same Day, at the Instance of the Indians.
" PRESENT :
"Richard Peters,
"Conrad Weiser,
Andrew Montour, Tach-nech-doarus,
" James Galbreath,
-- Esquires.
Sai-uch-to-wano,
"George Groghan,
Catara-dirha,
"George Stevenson.
Tohomady Huntho.
" Sai-uch-to-wano spoke as follows :
"' Brethren :
""' We have thought a great deal of what you imparted to Us, that Ye were come to turn the People off who are settled over the Hills. We are pleased to see you on this Occasion, and as the Council of Onondago has this Affair exceedingly at Heart, and it was particularly recommended to Us by the Deputies of the Six Nations when they parted from us last Summer, We desire to ac- company You, But We are afraid, nothwithstanding the Care of the Governor, that this may prove like many former Attempts, the People will be put off now and come next year again, and if so the Six Nations will no longer bear it but do themselves Justice. To
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prevent this, therefore, when you shall have turned the People off We recommend it to the Governor to place two or three Faithful Persons over the Mountains who may be agreeable to him and Us, with Commissions impowering them immediately to remove every one who shall presume after this to settle there, until the Six Na- tions shall agree to make Sale of their Lands. To enforce this they gave a String of Wampum and received one in Return from the Magistrates, with the Strongest Assurances that they would do their duty.' "
The Governor then desired the Gentlemen of the Council to take the above several matters into their serious Consideration, and ad- vise him what might be proper for him to do on this Occasion, Who were unanimously of Opinion, That as this Governmt is as strictly united with the Indians of the Six Nations and those of Ohio, as any other Government on the Continent, and has upon all Occasions acted as friendly a Part by them, it is most probable that if they had apprehended such imminent Danger as is mentioned in Colo- Johnson's Letter, they would as naturally have applyed to this Pro- vince for Assistance as to that of New York ; That as well by Mr. Peters' Information as by the Testimony of the Indian Traders come from Ohio, it appears Matter of Doubt to themselves whether they shall be molested this Summer ; That as this Province is cir- cumstanc'd the Only Assistance that can be given them is by furnishing them with Guns, Powder, Lead, &ca, to fight their Ene- mies, the Expence whereof they are apprehensive the Assembly may Scruple to repay without receiving some stronger Evidence of the Necessity of its being advanc'd than Colo Johnson's Letter to the Governor of Another Province ; That upon the Whole they cannot advise the Governor either to advance his money or to call the As- sembly together on this Occasion, but to wait until He receive a more authentick Application from the Indians themselves than has hitherto been made to him.
MEMORANDUM.
The following Persons were appointed Justices of the Peace and of the Common Pleas in the County of Cumberland, by a Com- mission bearing Date the Tenth Day of March, 1749, viz": Samuel Smith, William Maxwell, George Croghan, Robert Dunning, Ma- thew Dill, Benjamin Chambers, William Trent, William Allison, Hermanus Alricks, John Miller, Robert Chambers, John Finley, and Thomas Wilson.
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
1
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Tuesday, 31st July, 1750.
PRESENT :
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esq., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Thomas Lawrence, Samuel Hassell,
Robert Strettell,
Joseph Turner, Esquires.
Thomas Hopkinson, Richard Peters,
Conrad Weiser, Indian Interpreter
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approved.
The Governor laid before the Board a Message from the Chiefs of the Four Nations of the Twightwecs, which was spoke to Mr. Hugh Crawford, Indian Trader, in one of the Twightwee Towns on the Owabach, where he was trading last Winter, and which he put down in Writing. Mr. Crawford added that though he was order'd to deliver it to the Governor of Pennsylvania, and the Traders of that Province only were mentioned, yet the Message was to all his Majestie's Governors, and the Invitation to the Traders of all the English Provinces.
" A Message from the Twightwees, sent by Mr. Hugh Crawford to the English Governors, tho' only delivered to the Governor of Pennsylvania.
"The Four Miamy Nation of Indians (Part of whom were at Lan- caster last Year) desir'd Hugh Crawford to acquaint the Governor, James Hamilton, Esquire, That last July about Two Hundred French and Thirty-Five French Indians came to their Towns, in order to perswade them to return back to the French Settlements from whence they came, or if fair means would not prevail with them they were to take them away by Force; but the French find- ing that they were resolved to adhere to the English, and perceiving their Numbers to be great, were discouraged from using any Hostile Measures, and began to be afraid least they should themselves be cut off. The French brought them a Present consisting of Four Half Barrels of Powder, Four Bags of Bullets, and Four Bags of Paint, with a few Needles and a little Thread, which they refused to accept of, whereupon the French and their Indians made the best of their Way off for Fear of the worst, leaving their Goods scatter- ing about. But at the Time of their Conference the French up- braided the Indians for joining the English, and more so for con- tinuing in their Interest, who had never sent them any Presents, nor even any Token of their Regards to them.
" The Indians further desired Hugh Crawford to assure the Gov- ernors of their steady Friendship to the English, which they hoped would last whilst the Sun and Moon ran round the World.
"The Indians send by Hugh Crawford to the Governor Four
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Strings of Wampum to confirm their Message, and Two Strings more that the Traders of Pennsylvania may be encouraged by him to go out and deal with them, and they earnestly request the Favour of an Answer from the Governors by the said Hugh Crawford.
" HUGH CRAWFORD. " 29th May, 1750."
The Governor laid before the Council a Conference held with the Indians by Mr. Peters at Mr. Croghan's on Thursday the 7th of June, 1750, which was order'd to be entred :
" At a Conference held with the Indians at Mr. Croghan's on Thursday the 7th of June, 1750, by Mr. Peters.
" PRESENT :
" RICHARD PETERS, Esquire, Secretary.
" George Croghan,
Andrew Montour,
" Mathew Dill,
" Hermanus Alricks,
Esquires.
Cana-ja-chanah, als. Broken Ket- tle, Hatchin-hatta,
" William Trent,
"George Stevenson,
Cadsedan-hiunt,
Chiefs of the Seneca Nations set- tled at Ohio.
"Cana-ja-chanah spoke as follows :
" ' Brethren :
""" We have been sent for by Cap" Cressap and are now upon our Road to his House. Meeting with Settlements of White People as we came along from Allegheny, we asked why they settled so far back, and whether the Six Nations had sold that Land to Pennsyl- vania, but received from them no satisfactory Answer. As we came among the Inhabitants we were told that the Lands were not sold by the Six Nations, and that the Secretary had been turning the White People off and was at Mr. Croghan's, whereupon we came here to inquire if this be true; and as we find it is, We return the Government Thanks for their Care of our Lands.
""' We were sent from Ohio about Six Years ago to Canada to desire the French to supply us with Goods, and they could not sup- ply Us. When we returned our Council determined to send a String of Wampum to the Governor of Pennsylvania to desire that the English Governors would send their Traders with Goods among us, which String was sent by James Lowry; to which we have re- ceived no answer. Therefore We present You with this String to know whether that was delivered or any answer ever given to it.'
" A String of Wampum.
"' Brother :
"""The Six Nations come down every Year to sell Land, and we
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
are Part of the Six Nations, live at Allegheny and hunt there. They sell Lands and give us no account of the Value ; therefore we are sent by the Ohio Council to desire our Brother the Governor to recomend it to the Six Nations that when any Lands shall be sold we may have Part of the Value.
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