USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VI > Part 14
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121
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
so that neither the said Henry Peters, Abraham Peters, Blantd, Johannes Satsyhowano, Johannes Kanadakoyon, Abraham Sastu- gredohy, Aneeghnaxqua, Taraghorus, Tohaghdaghquyserry, Kach- neghdackon, Otsinughyada, Scanuraty, Tanuaghdorus, Tokaaiyon, Kaghradodon, Kahickdodon, Takegsata, Tiyonenhokaraw, Sunt- rughwackon, Sagochsidodagon, Tohash wangarus, Orontakayon, Tit- saghton, nor any others of the said Six Nations, nor their nor any of their Heirs, Successors, and Assigns shall or may hereafter claim, challenge, or demand any Right to the said Lands, Islands, Rivers, Creeks, Waters, Hereditaments, and Premises hereby granted and released, but from the same shall be barred for ever by these Presents : And the said Chiefs do hereby Covenant and declare that the Rights to the said Lands and Premises is solely in them and their Nations, and in no other Nation whatsoever: And it is hereby mutually Covenanted and agreed by and between the said Proprietaries in behalf of themselves, their Successors, and all the Inhabitants of Pennsylvania for ever, of the one Part, and the said Chiefs in behalf of themselves, their Nations, and their Children's Children for ever, of the other Part; that notwithstanding any Sales of Lands which the Indians now make or hereafter shall make to the said Proprietaries or their Successors, there shall ever and mutually be preserved between both the said Parties and their Children and Children's Children to the latest Posterity the same Love, Friendship, and kind Treatment that hath all along subsisted and does now subsist between them. In Witness whereof the be- fore-named Sachems or Chiefs, for themselves and on behalf of all the People of the Six Nations aforesaid, have hereunto set their Hands and Seals at the City of Albany, in the Province of New York, the Sixth Day of July, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty-Four, and in the Twenty-Eighth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign George the Second of Great Britain, France, and Ire- land, King.
"' Sealed and delivered (the Words ) [ West and by] wrote on an Erazure in the Tenth Line, and the Words [ thence along the said Western Line] interlined between the Tenth and Eleventh Lines, and the Words [to its] also wrote on an Erazure in the Tenth Line, being first done) and the whole distinctly read and interpreted to the Indians in the Pre- sence of Us. Also before executing the Words [a mile above] between the ninth and Tenth Lines, and the Words [along the said Hills] between the tenth and eleventh Lines were interlined at the Instance of the Indians.
THOMAS PENN, [L. S.] and RICHARD PENN, [L.S.] By their Attornies, JOHN PENN, [L. s.]
""'RICHARD PETERS, [L. S. ]
122
MINUTES OF THE
"ISAAC NORRIS,
"'CONRAD WEISER, Interpreter, "SAML WEISER,
""'ROBT. OSBORNE,
"'WM. ALEXANDER,
"'WM. FRANKLIN,
"'JA. STEVENSON,
""PETER GROENENDYCK,
""'THOS. WILLING,
""'ONONHARIYOH PAULUS,
"'N NICHOLAS PETERS, his Mark,
"'N LOWRENS SONAGARIS, his Mark,
""'J MOSES TEGENONDAKE, his Mark,
""'do CORNELIUS TERAKARU, his. Mark,
"'X WILLIAM TARAGHYORAS, his Mark.
"'+ ZACHARIAS TANANGHSAGOUGHTA, his Mark, his "'KAHICKDODON, -- als. GROOTE YOUNG, [L. S.] Mark. his "'TAKEGHSATU, -| -. (Seneca), [L. s.] Mark. his
"'TIYONEUHOKARAW, ₭ (Seneca), [L. s.]
Mark.
his
"'TANNAGHDORUS, + (Cayugas), [L. s.] Mark. his ".TOKAAIYON, -|- (Cayuga), [L. s.] Mark. his "'KAGHRADODON, -- (Cayuga), [L. s.]
Mark. his ""'OTSINUGHYADA, M als. THE BUNT, [L. s.] In behalf of Mark.
himself and all the Chiefs of the Onondagoes, there being none others present of that Nation.
his "'SCANURATY, -- (Cayuga), [L. s.] Mark. his "TOHASHWANGARUS, + (Tuscarora), [L. S.] Mark. bis "'ORONTAKAYON, Thº Nals. JOHN NIXON, (Tuscarora), [L. s.] Mark.
123
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
his "'TISTSAGHTON, Thº N (Tuscarora), [L. s.] Mark.
his "'ANEEGHNAXEQUA, + (Oneido), [L. s.] Mark. his ""'TARAGHKORUS, B (Oneido), [L. s.] Mark.
his ""'TOHAGHDAGHQUYSERRY, -|- als. CORNELIUS, (Oneido), Mark. [L. s.]
his
"'KOCHNEGHDACKON, -|- als. CORNELIUS, (Oneido), [L. s.] Mark. his
""'SUNTRUGHWACKON, M (Tuscorora), [L. s.] Mark. his
""'SAGOCHSIDODAGON, + (Tuscorora), [L. s. ] Mark.
his "HENRY IP PETERS, (Mohawk), [L. s.] Mark.
his "'ABRAHAM A PETERS, (Mohawk), [L. s. ] Mark.
"'BLANT'D, (Mohawk), [L. s.] his
"'JOHANNES M SATSYHOWANO, (Mohawk), [L. s.] Mark. his
"'JOHANNES -- KANADAKOYON, (Mohawk), [L. s.] Mark.
his
"'ABRAHAM 'SASTAGHREDCHY, (Mohawk), [L. s.] Mark.
"Endorsement on the foregoing deed :
"'Be it Remembered, that altho' the Consideration Money now paid and which is the real Sum agreed for, yet before the Execu- tion of the Deed it was further agreed by Us with the Indians that whenever the Lands over the Apalacian Hills should be settled, the Indians who signed the Deed are to receive a further Sum not ex- ceeding the present Consideration Money.
"' JOHN PENN, [L. S.] ""'RICHARD PETERS, [L. S.]
"' Witnesses present-ISAAC NORRIS, BENJA. FRANKLIN, WM. FRANKLIN, CONRAD WEISER.'
124
MINUTES OF THE
" At a Meeting of the Six Nations on Tuesday the Ninth Day of July, 1754.
"PRESENT :
" John Penn,
" Richard Peters,
" Isaac Norris,
Esquires, Commissioners.
" Benjamin Franklin, J
"Chiefs of the Six Nations.
" Conrad Weiser, Interpreter.
" Hendrick the Mohock Chief, Speaker.
:
"The Indians were yesterday handsomely entertained at the Court House, and made several complimentary Speeches to the Governments of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The Entertainment We were told gave great Offence to the Commissioners of Albany, such a thing having never been done there.
" The Indians were made acquainted that in the Year 1736 the Chiefs of the Six Nations then in this Province had of their own accord, after conveying a large Quantity of Land to the Proprie- taries, executed an Instrument wherein they engaged that they would not sell to any Persons but the Proprietaries any Lands within the Limits of their Charter from the King, and as one of the Indians who had executed that Deed was now present, viz., Ta- hashwangoas, he was desired to tell the Indians the manner of its being executed, and he declared that it was done publickly and of their own voluntary Motion as a Testimony of their great Regard for the Proprietaries, who had at that very Treaty given them a generous Proof of their upright Dealing with the Indians by paying a third time for the Sasquehannah Lands, having bought them of
Col. Dungan first and then of the Sasquehannah Indians, and that he saw all the Persons execute it with great Willingness. Then Hendrick and the other Indians present were desired to look at the Names of the Signers, and having done so they acknowledged they were all principal Men among the several Tribes, and being asked to confirm and ratify that Deed and renew their Engagements to the Proprietaries not to sell to other Persons any of their Lands, they one and all declared it to be right and desired that a short Deed might be drawn, which was accordingly done, interpreted and ex- ccuted, both which follow in these Words :
"' Deed from the Six Nations to the Proprietors.
"'We the Chiefs of the Six Nations of Indians, the Onondagoes, Tsanundowans or Sinickas, Cayoogoes, Oneydas, Tuscaroroes (in be- half also of the Canyingoes or Mohacks), who have lately at Phila- delphia by our Deed in Writing dated the eleventh Day of this In- stant, October, released to John Penn, Thomas Penn, and Richard
125
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Penn, Proprietors of Pennsylvania, and to their Heirs and Suc- cessors, all their Right, Claim, and Pretensions whatsoever to all the Lands on both sides the River Sasquehannah from the Mouth thereof as far Northward or up the said River as that Ridge of Hills called the Tyoninhasachta or endless mountains Westward to the Sitting of the Sun, and Eastward to the farthest Springs of the Waters running into the said River, do hereby further declare that our true Intent and meaning by the said Writing was and is to re- lease, and We do hereby more expressly release to the said Proprie- tors, their Heirs and Successors forever, all our Right, Claim, and Pretensions whatsoever to all and every all the Land lying within the Bounds and Limits of the Government of Pennsylvania, begin- ning Eastward on the River Delaware, as far Northward as the said Ridge or Chain of endless mountains as they cross the Country of Pennsylvania from the Eastward to the West.
"' And further, as We have made the firmest League of Friend- ship with our Brethren of Pennsylvania, and are become as one People with them, We do hereby promise and engage for our Child- ren and their Children that neither we nor they nor any in Authority in our Nations will at any Time bargain, sell, Grant, or by any means make over to any Person or Persons whatsoever, whether white men or Indians, other than to the said Proprietors the Child- ren of William Penn, or to Persons by them Authorized and ap- pointed to agree for and receive the same, any Lands within the Limits of the Government of Pennsylvania as 'tis bounded North- ward with the Government of New York and Albany. But when we are willing to dispose of any further Rights to Land within the Said Limits of Pennsylvania, We will dispose of them to the said William Penn's Children and to no other Persons whatsoever. In Witness whereof We have in behalf of all our Nations signed this further Writing, being distinctly read and Interpreted to us by our Friend Conrad Weiser the twenty fifth Day of October, 1736.
"' Witness (an Interlineation of seventeen Words, being first made between the 8th & 9th Lines.) .
"'ANYUSSQUASUH, + his Mark.
"AUYHARUNGQUAS, + his Mark.
"'CANDAGEH, + his Mark.
"' HAWYIENTA, + his Mark.
"'JOHAN SNIDER POOL.
"'JOHAN LENHART FRY.
"' CONRAD WEISER, Interpreter. his "'HANUKHUNGO, + [L. S.] Mark.
his "' HOTQUANTAGECHITY, + [L. s.] Mark.
126
MINUTES OF THE 7
hiś " GALUSKEROWANO, 2 [L. s.] Mark.
his "'GECHTACHHERY, } [L. s.] Mark. his
"'TAHASHWANGARORIS, + [L. s.] Mark.
his "'CANAWATO, + [L. s.] Mark. his "'SAGUCHSONYUNT, } [L. s.] Mark. his "'TYUCHRYGERECHGO, + [L. s.] Mark.
his ""'SARISTAQUOH, + [L. s.] Mark. his "'SHYKELUNG, + [L. S.] Mark. his "'LACAN + NUNTY, [L. s.] Mark.
his "'CAXHAAYU, + [L. s.] Mark. his ""'TOCANAUNGO, + [L. s.] Mark. his ""'OSCOTAX, + [L. S.] Mark. his "'SAWUNTGA, + [L. s.] Mark.'
1
" Endorsement on the foregoing Deed.
"' Albany ss :
"' Whereas the within Deed was the Day of the Date hereof produced to Us the Subscribers, and interpreted to Us by Conrad Weiser in the Indian Language, and the Names and Marks of the Signers of it were then carefully examined and the Execution thereof was attested to Us by Tahashwango as One of the Signers thereof. We, the Subscribers, in Consideration thereof, and of Five Shillings
127
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
to Us in Hand paid, do for Ourselves, our Children, and their Children's Children, and in behalf of the Six Nations, confirm, ratify, and hold good the said Deed, and do promise, covenant, and engage to and with Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, Esquires, the present Proprietors of the Province of Pennsylvania, that neither We nor any by our Authority shall sell, grant, or convey to any other than the said Proprietaries, their Heirs and Assigns, any Lands within the Limits of the said Province. Witness our Hands and Seals this Ninth Day of July, 1754.
"' Sealed and Delivered in the Presence of Us,
""'ISAAC NORRIS,
"'WM. FRANKLIN,
""'CONRAD WEISER,
""'PAULUS ONONHARIYO,
""'SAMUEL WEISER,
"'JA, STEVENSON,
his
"'ANNEGHNAXQUA M [L. S.]
Mark.
his
"'TOHAGHDAGH K QUYSERRY, [L. s.] Mark.
"'KAROCHYAKTATTY, alias NICHOLAS PETERS, [L. S.]
""'ABRAHAM A PETERS, [L. s.]
""'SCARURATY, O [L. S. ]
""'BLANTD, [L. S.]
"'HENRY 1-P PETERS, [L. s.]
A BUNT, [L. S.]
""'SAGECHSI, [L. s. ]'
"Then Hendrick declared that as Times were likely to become troublesome, if the Governor wanted to know the true Disposition of the Indians or to consult on Affairs, and would at any time send for him, he would be sure to come with a few of the principal Mohocks and confer with him as Brethren should with one another.
" Names of the Indians at the Treaty, vizt .:
" Mohawks of Onunwara.
" Indians of Oneido.
"Tsistarare, Seth,
"Kanoughrageayate,
" Onaagaghte, Johannes,
"Tanughnaaqua,
"Soyoewesc, Joseph,
"Tahaghtaghqueesere,
"Oghnawera, Daniel,
" Watsatuhha,
"Tehanoghsagoghtha, Zacharias, "Keandarundie,
" Tiyeragaro, Zacharias,
"Toqueerort, Jacob,
"Sonoharese, Seth,
"Canagrunko, Seth, Jun".
"Tayendako,
" Niyoherasa. " Indians of Oghquary.
"Tarroghioris, William,
"Kanosteahse, Abraham,
"Teyonogo, Hendrick,
128
MINUTES OF THE
"Teziniaghko, Seth, "Taggukan, Reneer,
"Kanowagoenra, Abraham. " Indians of Oghquary. "Canadagaye, Johannes, "Teckyenondackho, Moses,
" Kayeghdorha, Laurus,
" Canaghsadirho, Thomas,
"Aquirantockquaghs, Hendrick, "Taosaquatho, Arent,
"Tsiwero, John,
"Taweyagearatt, Dan1. Jun".
" Daatheroro, Thomas, Sen".
"Oniengooto, Daniel, Sen". " Adeko,
"Tekarohhonte,
"Siyaditaghko, Johns,
"Isaack,
" David,
" Onidyoghgory, Nickas. " Indians of Ocquaghho. "Saghstaghretsy, Abraham,
"Gaweaghnoge, Brantd,
" Aquiracaghse, Lawrence,
"Raheeyoghse, Johannes,
" Alndaraghniro, Peter,
"Soraghkoa, Joseph,
"Towaniawe, Jacob,
"Tehotkaghraantoghho, Peter,
"Skawayendavano, Joseph,
"Orundadeckha, Henry,
"Tooghweankarote, Paulus. " Indians of Schoohary.
"Nahohidaye, Laurus,
"Tehodogh wenziagoghtho, Seth,
" Ziniungino, John,
" Anaghgoonighs, Jacob,
" Kanigoghare,
" Aweahaghse, David,
" Aghsunhaqueks, Hanslbry,
"Keantslaghroot, Jacob,
"Unughrageaghte, Lawrence,
" Kaneya, Joseph,
"Decanajiyasero, Johannes,
"Th'rewaghty, Joseph,
" Karunghiazigoa, Joseph,
" Arighwanientha, Nicholas,
"Orighuryughsto, David.
"Karunghiadeckha, Brantd,
"Canagaradoughqua, Brantd, "Tiyonidade, David.
" Young Men. "Ohihaweaghte, Joseph, "Saghsanowane, Peter, "Okaghsageghte, Jacob, " Aghseanthearo, Lot,
"Skaheghtade, Joseph,
" Adarockquaghs, Adam,
"Gideon,
"Ayenkoony, Peter. " Indians of Anowara
"Towaraghions, William,
"Onughrageghte, David,
"Sagoderinghtha, Jacob,
"Tekarihogo, Johannes,
" Anatshiaeaghse, Nicholas, Jun".
"Oneaagaghte, Jacob,
"Tayayake, Isaac,
"Sakotsa, David,
"Joseph,
"Onohariwe, Paulus,
" Adekodara, Aaron,
"Owadokweany, Nicholas. " Indians of Onondugo.
" Ozinoghiato,
"Sorihowans,
" Canatsiagaye,
" Tehatkawadoris. " Seneca Indians.
"Gahikdote, Grote Younge,
" Tageaghsado,
"Sakayenquaraghto,
"Toyenockha,
"Sorkadowane,
" Wahanatseary,
"Onwayoense. " Cayuga Indians.
" Tekácaye, fine Carse,
"Ihaghradote,
" Skanearade,
"Oyeaghseragearat,
"Oniarageghte, Arent.
" After all was done with the Indians, Mr. Woodbridge, a School
129
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
. master as before mentioned of Stockbridge, employed by the Con- necticut People to make the Contract with the Indians for the Sasquehannah Lands, came to Mr. Peters and declared that if he could be assured of Mr. Penn's Title to those Lands he would desist treating with the Indians in favor of the Connecticut People ; and to satisfy him Mr. Peters shew'd him the several Deeds made to the late and present Proprietors for those Lands, and the general Deed of the Six Nations not to sell but to the Proprietaries any Lands within the Limits of the Royal Grant of the Province, and when he had perused them he declared himself perfectly satisfied, and assured Mr. Peters that those People would give the Proprieta- ries no further trouble.
"Col. Williams one of the Connecticut Commissioners had like- wise the Perusal of the Deeds, and told Mr. Peters that the Pro- prietaries Title appeared to him to be good, though he was then and is now one of the principal Persons concerned in this dark Affair.
" We have, Sir, given you a full account of all our Transactions in the Discharge of your Orders, and We hope it will meet with your Approbation.
" We are Your Honour's most obedient humble Servants,
"JOHN PENN, " RICHARD PETERS.
"Philadelphia, 5th August, 1754."
"The Insolence of the French Indians, and the mean Impres- sions they have received from the French of the English, will appear by the Demand that the Caghnawago Indians had the Assu- rance to make in the following Letter, for a further Reward for releasing McGuinty and other Indian Traders that they had taken as they were following their Trade and carried prisoners to Mont- real, treating them as Slaves and offering them to Sale as if they were Negroes, to the French and under the Sight of the Governor of Canada. Mr. Reyendert Schuyler received the Letter from the Hands of a Cahnawago Indian, and sent it to Mr. Norris, who laid it before the Pennsylvania Commissioners, and they desired the Let- ter might remain with them in order to be shewn to the Govern- ment, and it is ordered to be entered in the Minutes, being as follows :
"'DU SAULT, St. Louis, ce 14 Juin, 1754.
"' Je te prie mon Frere Anagarondon de faire faire Attention a tous nos Messieurs sur ceque Jen'est point ete satisfait du Prisonnier que Je vous ai Remy a Aurange l'armee derniere, mes jeunes Gens medise tous les jours qu'il ne sont pouit Coutant de votre facon dagir, et qu'a lavenir ils n'amenneront plus les Hommes vivan puis qu'on ne leur donne pas seulement de quoy avoir un petit Esclave sauvage, tu scais mon Frere que Je n'ai en que quatre vingt dix Livre de VOL. VI .- 9.
hool-
130
MINUTES OF THE
notre Argent, Je charge mon Jeandre de cette Commission, il t'ex- pliquera mes Sentiments au te remettan ma Lettre, le moin qu'on paye un Prisonnier c'est quatre cent Livre, fait faire attention a ceur qui ont ces sortes d'affaires entre les Manis ; sans quoy Je ne repon point des Evenements qui pounoit arriver a lavenir lorsque mes jeunes Gens feron des Prisonniers.
"'ONONRAGUITE, " ' Chef du Sault, St. Louis.'"
The following Letter and Petitions were laid before the Assem- bly :
" A Letter to the Governor from Andrew Montour. " WINCHESTER, the 21st July, 1754. " May it please your Honour :
" The Half King and Monekatootha with a Body of the Six Nations from Ohio came down to the back Parts of Virginia, but would not stay in that Government ; they are gone to Aucquick to settle, where the other Indians as fast as they can get off from the French are to join them; as there is a large Body of them and no Ground there to hunt to support their Families, they expect their Brothers the Pennsylvanians will provide for their Families as their Men will be engaged in the War. I am,
" Your Honour's most obed' humb. St., his " ANDREW M MONTOUR." mark.
" Petition of the Inhabitants of Cumberland County to the Gov- ernor :
"' To the Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire, Lieuten- ant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, and Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, upon Delaware,
" The Address of the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the County of Cum- berland, humbly Sheweth :
" That We are now in the most imminent Danger by a powerful Army of cruel, merciless, and inhuman Enemies, by whom our Lives, Liberties, Estates, and all that tends to promote our Welfare, are in the utmost Danger of dreadful Destruction, and this lamentable Truth is most evident from the late Defeat of the Virginia Forces ; and now as We are under your Honour's Protection We would beg your immediate Notice-We living upon the Frontiers of the Pro- vince and our Enemies so close upon Us-nothing doubting but
131
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
these Considerations will affect your Honour, and as You have our Welfare at Heart that You defer nothing that may tend to hasten our Relief. And we have hereby appointed our most trusty Friends Messrs. James Burd and Philip Davies our Commissioners to deliver this our Petition to your Honour, and in hopes of your due attez- tion and Regard thereto We are your Honour's devoted Servants ; and as in Duty bound shall ever Pray.
" BENJAMIN CHAMBERS,
" ROBERT CHAMBERS, 1 "JOSEPH ARMSTRONG,
"JOHN SMITH.
" CUMBERLAND, 15 July, 1754."
Signed by several others, being in all Seventy-Five Signers.
Petition of the Inhabitants of Donegal, in Lancaster County, to the Governor :
" To the Honourable James Hamilton, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware,
" The humble Petition of Us, the Inhabitants of Donegal, humbly sheweth :
" That your Petitioners being duly sensible of the great Danger that our Province now is in by reason of such a cruel and merciless Enemy as We are now engaged with, We therefore desire to join with our Friends and Neighbors in requesting your Honour to take our distressed Condition into your Consideration, and to put Us in a Condition that We may be able to defend Ourselves, and We on our Part will join with all that We can do for the Safety of the Province ; and your Petitioners as in Duty bound will pray. \
" We empower our Trusty Friends James Galbraith, Esqr., and Thomas Foster, Esqr., to present this to your Honour in our Behalf.
" WILLIAM SMITH,
" WILLIAM ALLISON,
" JOHN ALLISON,
" BARNEY HUGHES.
" JULY 26th, 1754."
Signed by several Others, being in all Ninety-Eight Signers.
erful ires, re in table rces ; beg Pro- g but
en- of sea;
132
MINUTES OF THE
Petition of the Inhabitants of Pextang, Derry, and Hanover Town- ships, in Lancaster County, to the Governor :
" To the Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Penn- sylvania, and Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware,
" The humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Townships of Pextang, Derry, and Hanover, in Lancaster County, humbly sheweth :
" That your Petitioners being settled on and near the Sasque- hannah apprehended themselves in great Danger from the French and French Indians, as it is in their Power several Times in the Year to transport themselves, with Ammunition, Artillery, and every necessary, down the said River; and their Conduct of late to the neighbouring Provinces encreases our Dread of a speedy Visit from them, as We are as near and convenient as the Provinces already attacked, and are less capable of defending Ourselves, as We are unprovided with Arms and Ammunition and unable to purchase them. A great Number are warm and active in those Parts for the Defence of themselves and Country, were they enabled so to do (altho' not such a number as would be able to withstand the Enemy). We your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that your Honour would take our distressed Condition into Consideration and make such Provision timeously for Us as may prevent Ourselves and Families being destroyed and ruined by such a Cruel Enemy, and your Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray. Dated July 22d, 1754.
" THOMAS FORSTER, " JOHN HARRIS, " JOHN CARSON, " JAMES GALBRAITH,"
Signed by several Others, being in all Fifty-seven Signers.
MEMORANDUM.
On the Seventh of August Two Members waited upon the Gover- nor to acquaint him that the House were met and ready to receive any Thing he might have to lay before them, and desired he would be pleased to furnish them with a Copy of the Writs by which they were summoned. To which the Governor was pleased to say He should be at the Council Chamber by Eleven o'Clock this morning, when he would send a Message to the House to require their Attendance, and that the House should be furnished with a Copy of the Writs by which they were summoned.
D
133
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Wednesday the Seventh of August, 1754.
PRESENT :
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
Robert Strettell,
Benjamin Shoemaker, /
Joseph Turner,
Richard Peters, Esquires.
William Logan,
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
The Governor laid before the Council the Draught of a Speech which he proposed to make this Morning to the Assembly, and being approved it was wrote fair, and the Secretary sent with a Message to require the Attendance of the House in the Council Chamber, who came accordingly, and the Governor delivered the Speech to them in the following Words :
" Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly-
" The Importance of the several Matters I have now to lay before You, both to his Majestie's Service and to the Safety and Protection of the Inhabitants of this Province, will, I am persuaded, render any Apology for calling You together before the Time to which you stood adjourned altogether unnecessary.
"You will be pleased, then, to know that I have lately received from the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces raised by Virginia for Defence of his Majestie's Dominions, an Account of those Forces having been attacked and entirely defeated by a superior Body of French Troops, assisted by a considerable Number of Indians under their Direction.
."This daring Insult upon his Majestie's Subjects within the undoubted Limits of his Dominions, in a Time of profound Peace, very clearly points out the manifold Calamities We have Reason to apprehend on a Rupture between the two Crowns, from the Incur- sions of that bold and enterprizing People in Conjunction with bar- barous Nations of Savages, if they be permitted to strengthen them- selves so near to the inhabited Parts of these Provinces. One prin- cipal Motive, therefore, of my hastening your Meeting was that I might the sooner have an Opportunity of recommending to You a chearful and vigorous Resolution of dislodging (with God's Assist- ance) from the Neighbourhood of our Settlements these Invaders of our Country, and that as little Time as possible might be lost in making the necessary Preparations for that Purpose.
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