USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. V > Part 62
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" Tho' the Alliance between the Crown of Great Britain and the Six Nations, and the Protection and Assistance they expect to receive in Vertue of that Alliance, is more immediately under the
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Direction of the Government of New York, and altho' Virginia at this time has entered largely into the Trade, and will no doubt on the present Occasion assist them and their Allies, yet we have always endeavoured, in Proportion to our abilities, by Presents as well as by obliging our Indian Traders to behave with Justice towards them, to preserve their Friendship; and on the present Occasion notwithstanding we have the Misfortune to differ in Senti- ments with our Proprietaries in the Part they ought to bear in these Expences, we have rather considered the Advantages both They and the Province may receive by our Liberality, which we have voted chearfully, and recommended the Distribution to the Care of the Governor, that the Six Nations at Onondago (upon any applications to be made to him in their own Behalf or for their Allies who reside to the Westward, and are likely to be more im- mediately affected) may be satisfied, and the Present intended them best answer their necessities and our peaceable and friendly Inten- tions.
"Signed by Order of the House. "ISAAC NORRIS, Speaker.
"31st May, 1753."
And at the same time a Paper containing the following Resolves of the House :
"That the Sum of Two Hundred Pounds be now allowed as a Present of Condolance to the Twightwee Nation on the melancholy Occasion mentioned in the Governor's Message of the sixteenth of October last."
" That the sum of six Hundred Pounds be now also allowed as a Present to the other Indians Nations in our Alliance, or such Part thereof as the Governor may think necessary."
"That the above Sums be made payable to the Governor by the Trustees of the General Loan office, to be laid out by him and dis- tributed in such a manner as he shall think most suitable to their present Exigencies."
And at the same time, another Message requesting his Honour to grant a Commission to Samuel Kirke to be Serjeant-at-Arms.
A Message to the Governor from the Assembly.
" May it please the Governor :
"The Representatives of the Province of Pennsylvania in As- sembly met, request the Governor would be pleased to grant a Commission to Samuel Kirk to be Serjeant-at-Arms and King's Messenger, at all times to attend the service of this House, with Power to execute all Precepts, Warrants, and Messages whatsoever,
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,
A 1 which shall be issued by their order, as has been formerly the usage within this Province.
"Signed by order of the House.
" ISAAC NORRIS, Speaker. "31st May, 1753."
After the Delivery whereof the Two Members presented the Governor with an Order on the Treasurer for Five Hundred Pounds in Part of his Support, and acquainted him that the House enclined to adjourn to the 27th of August. The Governor thanked the As- sembly for the Order on the Treasurer, said he would take the Mes- sages and Resolves of the House into Consideration, and do therein what he should find necessary, and that he had no Objection to the Time of Adjournment.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Tuesday, the Seventh of Au- gust, 1753.
PRESENT :
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
John Penn,
Robert Strettell,
Esquires.
Joseph Turner, Richard Peters,
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
The Governor having received from the Council Office by Capt- Garrison, lately arrived at New York, his Majestie's Ratification of Several Laws, the same was read and ordered to be entered :
" At the Court at St. James,' the 10th Day of May, 1753.
"[L. s.] "PRESENT :
"The King's most Excellent Majesty.
" Lord President, " Lord Anson,
" Lord Chamberlain,
" Mr. Comptroller,
" Duke of Dorset, " Mr. Vice Chamberlain,
" Earl of Cholmondeley, " Horatio Walpole, Esqr.
" Earl of Halifax,
"Sir John Rushout,
" Earl of Fitzwalter,
"George Dodington, Esq.
" Earl of Buckinghamshire,
" Sir John Ligonier,
" Lord Delawarr,
" Henry Legge, Esq.
" Lord Berkeley, of Stratton,
"Sir Thomas Robinson,
" Lord Bathurst,
" Sir George Lee.
" Whereas, in Pursuance of the Powers granted to the Proprieta- ries of the Province of Pennsylvania by Letters Patent under the Great Seal, the Deputy Governor, Council, and Assembly of the said
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Province did in the Years, 1750, 1751, and 1752 pass Twelve Acts, which have been transmitted, and are entituled as follow, viz* :
"' AN ACT for explaining and ascertaining the Boundary Line between the Counties of York and Cumberland, in the Province of Pennsylvania, Passed the 9th of February, 1750.'
""'AN Acr for the more effectual preventing Accidents which may happen by Fire, and for suppressing Idleness, Drunkenness, and Debauchery, Passed the 9th of February, 1750.'
"' AN ACT for the better regulating the Nightly Watch within the City of Philadelphia, and for enlightning the Streets, Lanes, and Alleys of the said City, and for raising of Money on the In- habitants of the said City for defraying the Necessary Expenses thereof, Passed the 9th February, 1750.'
"' AN ACT to encourage the establishing of an Hospital for the Relief of the Sick Poor of this Province, and for the Reception and cure of Lunaticks, Passed the 11th of May, 1751.'
"' AN ACT for erecting Part of the Counties of Philadelphia, Chester, and Lancaster, into a Separate County, passed the 11th of March, 1752.'
"' AN ACT for erecting the North-West Part of Bucks into a sepa- rate County, Passed 11th of March, 1752.'
"' AN ACT to regulate the Assize of Bread, Passed the 11th of March, 1752.'
""' AN ACT to prevent Disputes about the Dates of Conveyances and other Instruments and Writings, Passed the 11th of March, 1752.'
"' AN ACT for directing the Choice of Inspectors in the Counties of Chester, Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks, and Northamp- ton, Passed the 11th of March, 1752.'
"' AN ACT for preventing Bribery and Corruption in the Election of Sheriffs and Coroners within this Province, Passed the 11th of March, 1752.'
"' AN ACT for Regulating and Establishing Fees, Passed the 22d of August, 1752.'
"' AN ACT for regulating Attachments not exceeding Five Pounds, Passed the 22d August, 1752.'
"His Majesty this Day took the said Acts into Consideration, and having received the Opinion of the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, and also of a Committee of the Lords of his Majestie's most Honourable Privy Council thereupon, is hereby pleased to declare his Approbation of the said Acts, And pursuant to his Majestie's Royal Pleasure thereupon expressed, the said Acts are hereby confirmed, finally enacted, and ratified accordingly, Whereof the Deputy Governor, Council, and Assembly of the said
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Province, and all Others whom it may concern, are to take Notice and govern themselves accordingly.
"WM. SHARPE."
A Petition of Philip Nery, Commander of a French Schooner called Nostra Seignora de Rozario, Saint Anna, and Saint Antonio, of the Island of Madeira, put in here as is said by Distress, was read in these Words :
" To the Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania, and Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, upon Delaware:
" The Petition of Captain Philip Nery, Commander of the Schooner called the Nostra Seignora de Rozario, Saint Anna, and Saint Antonio, of the Island of Madeira, humbly shews,-
" That the said Vessel being laden with Nicaragua Wood, Cop- per, and Cordage, at the Island of Curasoa, Your Petitioner sailed with her from thence on the seventh of June last bound for Madeira, she being then almost new and in good Condition, as your Petitioner then apprehended, But on the sixteenth of June aforesaid the said Schooner being off of Cape Tiberon and beating up to Windward with a pretty hard Gale, she strained and laboured so much, and having, as your Petitioner afterwards discovered, suffered greatly by the Worms eating her Bottom whilst she lay at Curasoa, she grew so leaky that though your Petitioner and his Crew kept the Pumps constantly going, yet they cou'd scarce keep her free and were obliged to bear away for Jamaica, Where arriving on the first of July, your Petitioner applied to the Governor for Liberty to repair the said Vessel, but his Excellency advised your Petitioner (as Jamaica was so expensive a Place) to take in more Hands to Assist in pumping, and make the best of his way for some cheaper Place to refit on the North Continent of America.
"That accordingly your Petitioner did there ship Five English Hands, and on the ninth of July departed from Jamaica intending for New York, but on the third Instant being got off of the Capes of Delaware and finding the said Vessel grow so leaky that tho' your Petitioner had one Pump going constantly, and for the most part two, yet it was with the greatest Difficulty that they could keep her from sinking; and for the Preservation of their Lives and the Safety of the said Vessel and her Cargo they concluded to put into the Bay of Delaware, and arrived at Philadelphia Yesterday.
"Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays your Honour to ap- point some fit Persons to make a Survey of the said Vessel, and an Estimate of the Charge of Repairing, putting in a New Bottom (if necessary), and making her fit for the Sea, and to perform her original intended Voyage for Madeira ; and that your Honour will be pleased to permit your Petitioner to land and Store the said
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Vessel's Cargo whilst she is repairing, and to sell so much thereof as shall be sufficient for raising Moneys to defray your Petitioner's necessary Expences of such Repairs, and for the Support of his Sailors and paying the wages of the said Five extraordinary Hands shipp'd at Jamaica.
" And your Petitioner will pray, &ca. " CAPITAINE PHILIPPE NERI."
The Captain was called into Council, and after full Examination a Warrant under the Lesser Seal was directed to Mr. Joseph Rich- ardson and others to examine the Condition of the said Schooner and report the same to the Governor and Council :
[L. s.] " By the Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylania, and Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, upon Delaware.
" To Joseph Richardson and John Meas, Merchants, Thomas Glenthworth, Mariner, and Thomas Penrose, Ship Carpenter :
" Whereas, by a Petition presented to me by Philip Nery, Com- mander of the schooner called the Nostra Seignora de Rozario, Saint Anna, and Saint Antonio, of the Island of Madeira, it hath been represented that the said Schooner in her Voyage from the Island of Curasoa to Madeira, on or about the third Day of August Instant, grew so leaky that it was with the greatest Difficulty she could be kept from Sinking, and was thereby disabled to proceed on her intended Voyage, and obliged to put into this Port in order to refit. These are to request and authorize You the said Joseph Richardson, John Meas, Thomas Glentworth, and Thomas Penrose, or any Three of You, to examine and survey the said Schooner and report to me her Condition, that it may be further considered what Orders to give relating thereto.
" Given under my Hand and the Lesser Seal of the said Province, at Philadelphia the seventh Day of August, 1753.
"JAMES HAMILTON."
The Warrant was returned to the Governor with the following Report endorsed thereon:
" We, the Subscribers, have examined the within named Schooner, and find her Bottom very much Worm Eaten, and it appears she make a great deal of Water, and not fit to proceed on her voyage till discharged and her Bottom repaired.
"JOS. RICHARDSON, " JOHN MEAS, "THO. GLENTWORTH, "THOS. PENROSE.
" PHILADELPHIA, August 8th, 1753,"
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Whereupon the Governor under the Endorsement gave the fol- lowing Permission :
" I being satisfied of the Truth of the Alligations in the Petition of the within mentioned Capt Nery, do permit him to get his Ves- sel repaired in this Port as soon as conveniently may be, and in the mean time to land his Cargo into the King's Store under the Care of the Collector of his Majestie's Customs, until the same shall be re-shipped, save so much thereof as, upon the accounts of the said Capt. Nery's necessary charges of such Repairs, &ca., being laid before me, I shall order to be sold for defraying such Charges.
" JAMES HAMILTON.
" PHILADELPHIA, 9th August, 1753."
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Letters and Papers relating to Indian Affairs since the last Sitting of the Assembly.
A great Number of Battoes full of Soldiers passing by Oswego, the Officers of that Fort sent an account thereof to Coll Johnston, which he forwarded to Governor Clinton, who was so kind as to en- close the Intelligence to the Governor, and after reading the Offi- cers Letters they were ordered to be entered, and Copies thereof immediately to be made and sent to Mr. Croghan at Ohio :
" OSWEGO, May 15th 1753.
"I beg leave to inform your Excellency that Yesterday pass'd this Place Thirty odd French Canoes, Part of an Army consisting of six Thousand French besides 500 Indians, commanded by Mon- sieur Morrin, designed for the River Ohio or Belle Reviere, which from what We can learn from a French Man who stopp'd here, as well as sundry accounts from the Indians, are to settle the Limits between us and them at Ohio, and that they lay claim to all the Lands descending or terminating in the great Lake, and that in case of opposition they are to support their claim by Force of Arms, and are to cause all the English, whether Traders or others, to quit those Parts; That the Commandant is invested with Power to build Forts and garrison them in such Places and in such manner as he judges most proper to secure their claim.
" Our Five Nations seem very uneasy and much exasperated at this unexpected Expedition of the French, and say they never will consent the French shall settle or build Forts at Ohio, as 'tis their Right and which they will never give over.
"Every thing in this Garrison is well, and as nothing further oc- curs beg leave to subscribe myself with all due Deference, Sr.
"Your Excellency's most dutiful humble Servant,
" HITCHEN HOLLAND."
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Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant Holland, Commanding Officer at Oswego, to Governor Clinton.
" Oswego, May 15th 1753.
" Yesterday pass'd by here Thirty odd French Canoes, Part of an Army going to Belle Riviere to make good their claim there, and by a French Man who pass'd this also yesterday in his way to Cajocha give me the following account, which he said he learned from common Report in Canada, Viz: That the Army consisted of Six Thousand French commanded by Monsieur Marin, who is ordered to Ohio to settle the Limits between us and them; that they lay claim on all the Lands on any of the Rivers or Creeks descending or terminating in the great Lake ; that if he meet with any opposition he is to make good his claim by Force of Arms, and to build Forts in such Places as he shall think most convenient to secure their Right; that one Fort is to be built at Kasanosiayogo (a carrying Place) and another at Diontaroga; they are also to oblige all the English they meet with, whether Traders or others, to evacuate the Place, as they look upon all we possess now as their undoubted Right, which they mean to support by Force of Arms ; that this Expedition is agreeable to or- ders received from the Grand Monarque late in the Winter ; that he particularly orders them that they molest not this Post at any rate, in Consideration of Cape Breton, but any other Post the Eng- lish shall presume to approach or settle near where they claim they are to reduce, if not quitted immediately after warning given ; That they expected a Declaration of War by the first vessels from France, which were not yet arrived, and was surprised when I told him we had as yet no Intelligence or Probability of a War. He also told me there were about 500 Indians of the Coghnawagas, Scenondidies, Onogonguas, Oroondoks, and Chenundies, who would not engage to go to War with the English, &ca., on Ohio, but are employed at so much per Month to hunt for the Army. Our Five Nations are very uneasy, and many who were the first and principal Settlers at Swe- gatsey are running to their respective Villages and seem to have much the spirit of Resentment in them that the French shou'd offer to take Possession or settle and build Forts at Ohio without their consents as they look upon it as their Property, and many of them are now eager to take up the Hatchet, and if they were a little spirit- ed and assisted by us would soon, with the assistance of their Allies, frustrate the scheme of the French Politicians in their intended Settlements, which if we tamely suffer we may bid adieu to all the Indians on the Continent, as they will be the Masters of them all, and the consequence will be a continual annoyance and Encroach- ment on our Frontiers, as there is no doubt but they will extend their Dominions in America as far as possible, and now seems the very crisis of time to gain the Indians or forever loose them. If I hear
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any thing further concerning this Army, shall not fail to communi- cate it to you at all opportunities.
"B. S.
" NEW YORK."
" The preceding is a true copy of a paper mentioned in a Letter from Coll. Johnson to Governor Clinton (in which it was sent en- closed), to be a Copy of a Letter from Captain Benjamin Stoddard to Coll. Johnson.
" Examined by
"G. BANYAR, D. Sec'ry.
"Further Intelligence was sent by Governor Clinton, in his Letter of the eighteenth of June, Vizt: Two Letters to Col. Johnston, one from Walter Butler at Fort William, and the Other from Arent Stephens at Schenectady, which are ordered to be entered :
" FORT WILLIAM, June 12, 1753.
" ST. :
" These with my humble Respects to you are to inform you that the Indians of this Castle have this Afternoon met in the Fort, and having received a Belt of Wampum have informed me of the affair as follows: Two Days ago News came from Onondago where they have received this News, with the Belt of Wampum from the French, in this Form :
" Children-
"I am now going by Oswego, and would not have you be any ways disturbed at it, as We are all French without any Indians and would have you be still, as we have no Design against any Indians. My design is to Ohio, and that to warn the English off from my Ground. We are so favourable to them, in civil Terms warning to remove three times off from my Ground, the which if they do not, We shall drive them by Force of Arms; they likewise informed Us that they understood the English intended to hold fast and keep Footing where they were, and he said they liked it very well, and was glad to hear that Proposal of the English Inhabitants, as the French was able to cut them in Pieces; this being directly drawn up, I thought proper to send it with Dispatch that you might take your own Sentiments upon it.
"I am, Sir, your most humble Servant, "WALTER BUTLER."
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" SCHENECTADY, 13th June, 1753.
"S" :
" This Day I received from the Five Nations of Indians a Belt of Wampum with a Message that I should forward it to your Ex-
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cellency and Col. Johnson, which I here do with all imaginable Duty. The Wampum the French made a Speech with to the Five Nations at Onondago, which was to assure them that the French Governor had no Design to hurt his Children the Fiye Nations, but that his Army was going to take Possession of their Lands at Ohio, and hoped that the English would not dispute with them but leave the Land on their arrival there, otherwise they would take it by Force of Arms; the Five Nations begs to assure your Excellency that they have so great a Regard for the English that they send to your Excellency the same Belt which they received from the French that you may see they act with the greatest Truth, but desire your Excellency will return them the Belt again.
"The first Castle of Mohawk Indians are much displeased with the Conojohany Indians for going to New York before they knew whether it would be agreeable to your Excellency, for which reason they have not accompanied thither.
"I am, with the utmost Respect, Sir,
" Your Excellency's most obedient humble Servant,
" ARENT STEVENS."
Two Letters from Governor Clinton of the twenty-fourth June and the seventh July were read and ordered to be entered:
" FLUSHING, on Long Island, 24th June, 1753. " ST. :
"I am just come up from New York, where I went to meet Hendrick the Sachim, and several other Indians of the first Mo- hawk Castle, who were full of Complaints and behaved in so inso- lent a manner, telling me (before the Council and several of the Assembly) that the chain was broke, and parted from me with seve- ral impudent Menaces, that I do not know if the French have not been tampering with our Six Nations. I have laid before the Assembly all that passed at the meeting, and advised to send up thro' all the Six Nations Two Men of some Influence with them in company with the Interpreter, and to give them all a general Invi- tation to an Interview at Albany, in order to prevent any Mischiefs that Fellow and the Rest of that Castle might occasion by his insolent Threatnings. I have as yet not heard of any that they have done, but much suspect the consequence of his Resentment.
"I am, with very great Sincerity,
" Your Honour's most obedient very humble Servant,
"G. CLINTON.
" GOVR. HAMILTON."
" Sr. :
" In your Letter of 22d Juue I observe that your Assembly have VOL. V .- 40.
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voted a Sum to be distributed by your Honour to the Indians, but as no Application had been yet made to you by either the Six Na- tions or Those at Ohio for your Assistance, you think it best to defer it until you are informed by Them and the Council at Onon- dago what Species would be most acceptable to them.
" Upon the late Disturbances of the Indians here, the Council and Assembly have both joined in a Committee to recommend Col. Johnson to undertake the bringing them into Temper again, as he in their opinion was the only Person that could possibly bring it about by his Influence with them, and I have accordingly commis- sioned him for that Service. He intends to set out for Onondago some time next Month to call a Council of all the Six Nations at Onondago, therefore I take this Opportunity to inform you of it, that any application you may make to the Indians on those pro- posed Presents may not interfere or obstruct the said Meeting at Onondago.
"I am with great Truth,
" Your Honour's most obedient very humble Servant,
"G. CLINTON. " GOVR. HAMILTON. .
" FLUSHING, on Long Island, 7th July, 1753."
Some of our Indian Traders were taken Prisoners by a Party of Cognawago or Praying French Indians as they were trading with the Cuttawas, one hundred Miles from the Lower Shawonese Town on Ohio, and Stripp'd and plundered of their Goods and Skins and carried Prisoners to Montreal, from whence they sent a Letter to Mr. Saunders, Mayor of Albany, and he enclosed it to the Gov- ernor, which were both read and ordered to be entered :
" ALBANY, June 21st, 1753.
"May it please your Excellency :
"I have yesterday received a Letter from Messrs. Alexander McGinty, Jabez and Jacob Evans, David Hendricks, William Powell, and Thomas Hyd, now Prisoners in Canada, whereof the Enclosed is a Copie, which I think my Duty to send to you as soon as possible, interim I will write and send them a Letter and ac- quaint them therein of my Proceedings, hope and doubt not but that you will with all Speed cause therein to be done what their case requires, and desire that you order the enclosed be delivered to Superscription. I receiv'd it under my cover and supose it to be from them or some one of them.
" I am with profound Respect, " Your Excellency's
" Most humble and obedient Servant,
"ROBT. SANDERS.
" To Governor HAMILTON."
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" MONTREAL, June 9th, 1753.
" Loving and unacquainted Friends :
" These come to let you know that There are Six English Men of Us here in this Place that are taken Prisoners by the French In- dians. We were taken from off the South Side of Allegheny River, about one hundred Miles, on the twenty-sixth of last January, and the Indians brought Four of Us along to this Place, and Two of Us they sold to a French Captain on the Road as We came; and when We came here to this Place the Indians thought to have sold Us to the French General, but he would not buy Us nor release Us from the Savages, so we live, Us Four, with the Savages still, but we do not know how long, for our Lives are in danger daily of being taken by them, and now the other Two Lads are sent down here, and them they have shut up in Prison, so We are all in a very poor state and can hear of no Remedy or Relief for Us; but we ex- pect if this comes safe to your Hands you will be so compassionate as to use the best Endeavours You can to work our Deliverance from them, for our Lives seem bitter to Us whilst with them. We therefore recommend ourselves unto you, Dear Friends, as real ob- jects of your Compassion, trusting You will do for Us, for here there is neither Mercy nor Pity to be shewn to us ; and if you can do nothing for us, We beg of you send Word of our Condition to the Governors of Boston, York, and Philadelphia. We are all of Us from Lancaster County, in Pennsylvania, and were all Indian Traders. We have no further to write, but we depend upon your Goodness and live in the hopes that You will do for Us and remain your real Well Wishers and Friends whilst We are,
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