USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VII > Part 19
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The Governor informed the Council that he had received a letter
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from Mr. Spangenberg, inclosing some papers relating to Indian Affairs, which were read and ordered to be entered as follows :
A Letter to Governor Morris from Mr. Spangenberg.
"May it please your Honour :
" Having been from home when New Castle came to Bethlehem, and your Honour's Letter to me, my Brethren have taken care to see your Orders obey'd, as far as lay in their Power.
"What hath been spoke and done with New Castle, before he sat off from Bethlehem, your Honour will see out of the inclosed account dated June 15th.
" Since that Time he came back and brought with him Jo. Pepy and Nicodemus, and their Families, the list where of your Honour will see laid by in this Letter.
" Yesterday He (Newcastle) desired to know your Honour's fur- ther Order, which was delivered unto him accordingly, out of your Honour's Letter, as will appear by the Record, dated 25 June, '56.
" Now to tell your Honour the Truth, I don't believe that either Jo. Pepy or Nicodemus and their Families can stay at Bethlehem. We have been obliged to put People out of the House to make Room for them. But this is not all; There is such a Rage in the neighborhood against the said poor Creatures, that I fear they will mob us and them together. For Jo. Pepy having lived among the Presbyterians, and treacherously being gone from them, hath ex- asperated them in the highest Degree.
" We have put two Men with them to be their Safe-guard, but . your Honour knows very well that this won't hinder the Stream when it is comeing upon them and us at the same Time.
"I proposed to them to-day, whether they or any of them should chuse to go with Newcastle; but they did not care for it. They are afraid, I believe, because they have deserted from the Indians, as before from the English.
"They have told me the Families which are inclined to come, and will come, if they can, with Newcastle. The most of them are well-known here to be good-for-nothing and quite faithless Creatures.
"I, therefore, humbly beg of your Honour to remove the said Jo. Pepy, and Nicodemus, and their Families, the sooner the better, to Philadelphia; for there they are in the Heart of the Country, and Mischief may be prevented which could breed evil consequences.
"As for the rest, I hear that Jo. Pepy, as well as Nicodemus, have been all along employed in Councils, and Treaties, and Messages, since the Time the War begun ; so that if they are Friends indeed,
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they may give your Honour a Light into many Things relating to the Indian Affairs. I am,
" Your Honour's most humble Servant,
" SPANGENBERG. " B'th1., Jun. 26, 1756."
" The Names of the Two Deleware Families, now at Bethlehem, that came there from Diahoga, June 24, 1756.
" Joseph Pepy. Wewnlalinlent. "Sarah. Nalehileehque, (his wife).
" Their Children :
" James. Pelesch.
" Isaac.
" Sarah.
" Jesaias. Gonassenook.
" Mettshish.
" Nocodemus. Weshichagechive.
" Justina. Saagochque.
" Their Children :
" Zacharias. Petachtghowechive.
" Christian. Pullaky.
" Nathan. Wonspris.
"Thomas. Potshalagees.
" Gashatis.
" Dorothea."
" Substance of what was said to the Indians at Bethlehem, 15 June, 1756 ..
"The Indians, vist .: Newcastle, Jagrea, John Pomshire, Thomas Stores, & Joseph Michty, being together, and some of the Brethren at Bethlehem present, William Edmonds asked the Captain about the Interpreter, and John Pomshire was appointed thereto. Then William Edmonds informed them from the Governor's Letter, that by a Letter from Mr. Charles Reed, of the Jerseys, he had Intelli- gence that some white People were gone from Paulin's Kill in the Jerseys, to scout after and Scalp the Indians, and that, therefore, lie desired, out of Love and care for the Safety of these Indian Messengers, we would keep them here so long till we could send Messengers thither to enquire into the certainty thereof, and whether they were returned, and if they had killed and done any Indians mischief, and that Two Messengers were sent from here
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accordingly with Letters to Mr. Parsons, and to Justice Anderson, desiring them to assist them all they could on their Journey. Further, that since the said Messengers were gone, the Governor hath been pleased to let us know by an Express that he hath been informed by Col. Clapham that Ogaghradarisha, a Chief of the Six Nations, was come to Shamokin, expressing their high Satis- faction at our building a Fort at Shamokin, and that another Indian of Cayuga had accompanied him as far as Diahoga, and had been afraid of going on, tho' he might have come safe with Ogaghra- darisha.
" It was on this Account the Governor's Desire that New Castle and his Company might proceed on their Journey for Diahoga as soon as possible. On this New Castle replied that he would consult with his Companions and let us know his mind to-morrow morning. The next morning he said that as it was so dangerous now to go up by reason of the Jersey Parties who were gone out against the In- dians, and his Cousins were ready to go with him Step by Step on this important Affair, he should be short in Duty and always to blame if he should proceed without Erst acquainting the Governor, that said young Men were gone according to the Report we had by the Messengers sent to Jerseys, especially if they should meet with his Cousins and do them Mischief.
" At the same time he desired that his Companions might have what they wanted for their Journey, and was told thereupon that the Governor had given Orders for it, and that we would not fail to let them have every thing what could be got here.
" Testis : WM. EDMONDS."
" Substance of what was delivered to Captain New Castle at Bethel- hem the 26 June, 1756.
" At a Solemn Meeting with Capt. Newcastle and his Company, and Jo. Pepy, &c., First, a String of Wampum was presented to Jo. Pepy that he and Company were welcome among us; then they were told that his Honour, the Governor, has given Orders to pro- vide them necessary Refreshments, &c., and that he wants to know what Persons and Families are come, and what Families are still at Diahoga that perhaps might come among us.
" The taking of a Copy of the Governor's Proclamation for sus- pending all Actions of Hostilities, &c., with them, was recommended, and we found they had one.
" The Governor's Pass was read, explained, and then delivered to them. They were spoke to about the Flag, it being the King's, which by no means should be violated, and great Care thereof was recommended to them.
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" The additional Message sent by the Governor was read and in- terpreted to Newcastle, and two Strings belonging to it delivered to him, and the Writing itself also, that he may peruse it whenever Occasions requires.
"The building of a Fort at Shamokin, and the great necessity for it, was strongly represented to Newcastle, vist., that the Five Na- tions had pressed it very much, and Scarroyady urged also very much the finishing of it when he was at Philadelphia, and this Matter must be represented in its real Light to the Indians at Dia- hoga. It is for the safety of our friendly Indians along the Sasque- hannah.
" They were told further, that Ogaghradarisha was at Shamokin, and very glad of the Fort which they are building there ; that he was called to the Governor to Philadelphia, and would not be de- tained longer than needful. Newcastle was desired to relate this to the Indians at Diahoga.
" Newcastle was also informed that it would be agreeable to the Governor's Mind, if one or two of those Indians, who lately came from Diahoga, should go along with them.
" Newcastle's Journey was urged that it might not be delayed, and he promised to go as soon as his Health wou'd permit; he being as yet a little indisposed, by reason of some Boils.
" A String of Wampum was sent to John Shickcalamy, signifying that the Governor invited him to come to him, and, if possible, in company with Capt. Newcastle.
" At last a String of Wampum was delivered to Newcastle, which is sent by the Governor to the friendly Indians, signifying that as Sir William Johnston hath invited the Six Nations and all the Western Indians to Oswego, it was left entirely to their own Choice, either to go to the Treaty at Oswego, or come to the Go- vernor at Philadelphia ; Sir William and the Governor being of one and the Same Interest-both Friends to the Indians, and Ser- vants to the Same King.
" After we were Just going to break up, Jo. Pepy declared openly in the Delaware Language, which was interpreted by Pomshire, that he was very sorry that he had taken such a Mistep as to leave his English Brethren, when he should have come nearer to. them.
" He said further, that he, since then, had been so excessively troubled in his mind about it, and not being able to live any longer under such Oppression and Uneasiness of mind, he at last resolved to venture liis Life, and so returned with all his family to the Eng- lish again. Now he begs very much to be forgiven, and surrenders himself intirely to the Mercy of the Government, to do with him as they pleased.
" He farther, said, that he knew Ten or Twelve Families more which would be glad to come down again to the English, but he
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did not think proper to acquaint them of his Resolution when he went himself, and so left them behind.
" Then he was told what his Honour, the Governor, had wrote con- cerning them, vist., that they were welcome among us, and that he expected to hear who they were, and their names ; and then he would appoint for them, accordingly, a Place of Safety. In the meantime, they were to stay among us, and for their Security we will give them Two of our white Brethren to be their Guard, that none shall hurt them ; and in case any white Man should come and offer to speak with them, he shall be refused, except he have an Order from our Magistrate ; and in this Situation they are to re- main till farther Orders from his Honour, the Governor.
" Testis :
WM. EDMOMDS."
Two Members waited on the Governor to acquaint him that the House were met pursuant to their adjournment, and ready to receive any thing he might have to lay before them. His Honour was pleased to inform the members that he would send a Message to the House to-morrow morning.
The Bill for continuing the Excise was then read with the Amendments, after which the Governor communicated to the Council that Part of the Proprietary Instructions to him relating to Bills of that nature, being the latter clause of the eleventh Instruction ; whereupon the said Bill was amended according to that Instruction, and the Proprietor in his Letters to the Governor and Secretary, expressing his Desire that this Instruction should be laid before the Assembly, the Council advised the Governor to send a Copy of the said Instruction, with the said amendments, to the House, which follows in these Words :
" You shall not give your assent to any Law for prolonging the present Excise, or laying any other Excise, or raising any money on the Inhabitants of the said Province of Pennsylvania, unless there be an enacting Clause, that all Money arising from the said Excise or other Duties shall be disposed of only as we, or either of us, exercising the office of Governor, or the Lieutenant Governor, or in case of his Death or absence, the President of the Council and the House of Representatives, for the Time being, shall direct, and not otherwise."
The Bill Entituled "An Act for supplying the Western and Northern Indians, Friends and allies of Great Britain, with Goods at more easy Rates, supporting an Agent or Agents among them and preventing abuses in the Indian Trade," with the former amendments, were read and reconsidered, and the Council advised the Governor to send the said Bill, with the same amendments, to the House.
The Bill Entituled " An Act for regulating and continuing the Nightly Watch and enlightening the Streets, Lanes, and Alleys of VOL. VII .- 12.
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the City of Philadelphia, and for raising of Money on the Inhabi- tants and Estates of the said City for defraying the necessary Expences thereof," was read with the amendments, referred to those gentlemen of the Council who are members of the Corporation to reconsider it, settle the amendments, and make their report at the next Council.
The Governor having received Two letters of the Thirteenth of . March last, from Mr. Fox, one of his Majesty's principal Secre- tary's of State, the same were read and Ordered to be entered, and the following Message was thereupon drawn up by the Governor and agreed to, and the Secretary was directed to carry it to the House in the Morning :
" Gentlemen :
" His Majesty having been Pleased to Appoint the Earl of Lou- don Commander-in-Chief of all his Forces in North America, and ordered two Regiments of foot, a Train of Artillery, and a sufficient Quantity of Warlike Stores for the Service & defence of these Colo- nies, he has Commanded me to give his Lordship and the Troops all the Assistance in my Power; and Particularly to recommend it to you to appropriate such part of the funds already raised, or which shall be raised for the Publick Service, to be Issued and applied to the General service in such manner as the Commander-in-Chief shall direct.
" His Majesty, Enabled by act of Parliament, has been pleased to appoint a number of German, Swiss, and Dutch Protestants to be Officers of a Regiment which he has called the Royal American Regiment, and it being of great Importance to his Majesty's Service that Proper Encouragement be given to such Persons as may be Inclined to Inlist in the King's Troops, he has Ordered me particu- larly to recommend it to you to make Provision out of such funds as Already Exist, or may hereafter be raised for the King's Service, for repaying the masters of such Indented Servants as shall Engage in his Majesty's Service the money paid by the said Masters upon the Original Contract, in Proportion to the Time such Indented Servants have to serve.
"His Majesty has further Commanded me to recommend it to you to pass Effectual Laws for prohibiting all trade and Commerce with the French, and to prevent their being Supplied with Provisions ; and as the Law lately passed here for an Embargo will, by the Ex- piration of the act for that purpose passed in the Lower Counties, end on the Seventh of July, I hope You will prepare a proper Bill for Continuing an Embargo so necessary for his Majesty's Service and the Safety of these Colonies for some time Longer.
"The Secretary will lay before you Extracts of the Secretary's of States Letter to me relating to the Matters now recommended, and
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I hope you will, without delay, enter upon Consideration of them, and Comply with his Majesty's Expectations.
" The money heretofore given for the King's use will be very soon expended, and I shall in that case be under a necessity of Dis- banding the troops raised for the defence of the Province, and of Destroying or abandoning the several forts erected upon our Fron- tiers. I must, therefore, desire you will grant such further supplies as the present situation of our affairs require.
"ROBT. H. MORRIS.
"Philadelphia, June 29th, 1756."
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A Letter from Secretary Fox to Governor Morris. " WHITE HALL, 13th of March, 1756. " Sir :
" The Earl of Loudon, whom the King has appointed Comman- der-in-Chief of all his forces whatsoever in North America, being prepared to set out with all Expedition, together with two Regi- ments of foot, a train of Artillery, & a Sufficient Quantity of War- like Stores, which his Majesty has been pleased to order for the Publick Service in those parts, I am Commanded to signify to you the King's Pleasure that you should be ready to Give his Lordship, and the troops from England, all the Assistance in your Power on their Arrival in America, agreeable to the Orders sent you in Sir Thomas Robinson's Letter of October 26th, 1754; and you will Correspond with and apply to the Earl of Loudon on all Occasions, in the same manner as you were directed to do with the late Gen- eral Braddock and Major General Shirley.
" It being of great Importance to the King's Service that all possible facilities should be granted for the Encouragement of Such Persons as may be inclined to Inlist in the King's Troops, it is his Majesty's Pleasure that you recommend it to your Assembly to make Provision out of such funds as already exist, or may here- after be raised for the King's Service, for repaying the masters of such Indented Servants as shall engage in his majesty's Service, the Money paid by the said Masters upon the Original Contract, in Proportion to the time such Indented Servants have to serve; & you will at all times Discourage the Harbouring, concealing, or assisting such as shall desert the Service, & also use all means for discovering & apprehending such deserters. You will likewise use your best En- deavour to prevail on your assembly to appropriate such part of the funds now raised or which shall be raised for the public Service, to be Issued and applied to the General Service in such manner as the Commander-in-Chief shall direct.
"The King would have you recommend it in the Strongest man-
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ner to your Council and assembly to pass Effectual Laws for pro- hibiting all trade and Commerce with the French, and for preventing the Exportation of Provisions of all Kinds to any of their Islands or Colonies.
"I am, Sir, Your most Obedient humble Servant,
"H. FOX."
A Letter from Secretary Fox to Governor Morris. "WHITEHALL, 13th March, 1756. “ Sir :
" I have acquainted you in my Letter of this date with the King's having appointed the Earl of Loudon to be Commander-in-Chief of all his Majesty's Forces in North America; but as it will be some time before his Lordship or Major General Abercrombie (who is to be next in Command to him) can set out from hence, the King has directed Colonel Webb (who will follard this Letter to you) to Em- bark Immediately for North America, and to take upon him the Command of the Forces there till the arrival of Lord Loudon or Major General Abercrombie. You will, therefore, correspond with Colonel Webb, and give him all necessary Lights and assistance in the same manner you were directed to do to the late General Braddock.
" It having been represented that a Number of the Foreign Set- tlers in America might be more willing to enter in the King's Service if they were Commanded by Officers of their own Country, an Act of Parliament has been passed, of which I send you, In- closed, a Printed Copy, enabling His Majesty to grant Commissions to a certain Number of Germain, Swiss, and Dutch Protestants, who have served as Officers or Engineers ; and as they have already engaged, they will embark with all Expedition in order to assist in raising and Commanding such of the Foreign Protestants in North America, as shall be able and willing to serve with the rest of the Forces upon this Occasion; and it is the King's Pleasure that you should give any of the said Officers who may enter into your Gov- ernment, all the Assistance in your Power in the Execution of this Service.
" It being of the Greatest Importance that his Majesty should in the present situation of Affairs be truly and Exactly informed of the real state of defence of all his Colonies in America, as well in relation to the Ordnance and Stores of warr which are in each Col- ony, respectively, as to the Forts & fortifications, and the Number of their Inhabitants, It is the King's Pleasure that you should prepare and transmit to the Earl of Loudon, or the Commander- in-Chief of his Majesty's Forces for the time being, an Exact and Particular account thereof with respect to the Colony under Your
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Government, in which you are to express the Present actual state & Quantity of the Cannon, Small Arms, Amunition, and other Ord- nance & military Stores belonging to the said Colony, either in the Publick Magazines or in the Possession of the Militia, or other Private Persons, together with the true state of all Places, either already fortified, or which you judge forthwith necessary to be for- tified, with your Opinion at large in what manner His Majesty may farther Contribute to the Security & Defence of the said Colony, & also as exact Account as you can obtain of what Number the Militia is Composed, and how armed, mustered, and trained.
"I am, Sir, Your most Obedient kumble Servant,
"H. FOX.
"P. S .- Your Letters of Sept. 24th, Oct. 27th & 28th, Dec. 22nd, & one without date, have been received."
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Wednesday the 30th June, 1756.
PRESENT :
The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieu- tenant Governor.
Robert Strettle,
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Richard Peters, - Esquires.
John Mifflin,
The Governor sent the following Message to the House with the two Bills, one for continuing the Excise, the other for regulating the Indian Trade, with the Amendments as agreed to in Council on the twenty-eighth Instant, and a Copy of the Proprietary Instruc- tions relating to the Appropriation of Publick Money :
"' Gentlemen :
" The Secretary will lay before you the Bill intituled 'An Act for the Continuing ' An Act for laying an Excise on wine, Rum, Brandy, and other Spirits,'' to which I have added a Clause : 'that the money arising thereby shall be disposed off in such a manner as the Governor and Commander-in-Chief, and in Case of his Death or Absence, the President of the Council and the House of Repre- sentatives shal direct and appoint ;' this manner of disposing of the Public Money appears to me most Conducive to the General Interest, and you will observe by an article in the Proprietary Instructions to me, which I send you herewith, that I am restrained from passing any Bill of that nature without such an appropriating Clause.
"I have Considered the Bill Intitled, ' An Act for supplying the western and Northern Indians, and allies of Great Britain, with Goods at more easy rates, supporting an agent or agents among them, and Preventing abuses in the Indian trade,' and the amend-
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ments I heretofore made to it, & am Still of Opinion that they are Just & reasonable, and I cannot therefore recede from them.
"ROBERT H. MORRIS.
" Philadelphia, June 30th, 1756."
The Indian Ogaghradarisha mentioned in the former Council, having come to town with William Lacquis, they attended the Council, and acquainted the Governor with the Business they came upon, Conrad Weiser and Thomas Mckee interpreting what they said, which in Substance was as follows: that the Indians at Diahoga had applied to Sir William Johnson for a supply of necessaries ; and that he had answered them that he was too far distant to fur- nish such supply, and advised them to apply to the Governor of Pennsylvania, and that thereupon they came here and desired they might be favoured with such a supply.
Then the Letter and Indian Speech inclosed therein, from Col. Clapham as entered in a former Minute, was interpreted to him by Conrad Weiser; and after all was delivered to him, he declared that Col. Clapham had taken down what he said truly, except in one article, relating to Diahogo, in which he said, that when the English should have built the Fort at Adjouquay all the Indians would come with their Families and live there. Some Difficulties arising about this application for a Fort, the Land not being pur- chased, the Governor and Council chose to consult with Mr. Weiser, and therefore the Indian was told that an answer would be given to this Matter to-morrow.
And then the Council conferred with Mr. Weiser about it, and it appeared plain to the Council that the Six Nations could know nothing of this application; that it came only from some Indians at Diahoga, that the Place is not purchased of the Indians by the Proprietaries. They desired Mr. Weiser to give them his Senti- ments of what was best to be done under these Difficulties, and Mr. Weiser, after taking some Time to consider, was of Opinion that the Request should be communicated to the Six Nations, that it might be known in what Light they should see it, and whether they would chuse these Indians should be gratified in it.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Thursday the 8th July, 1756.
PRESENT :
The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
Robert Strettle,
John Mifflin, Esquires.
The Governor Informed the Council that Yesterday he received
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the following message from the House by two members, relating to the Embargo, which was ordered to be entered.
A Message to the Governor from the Assembly.
" May it please the Governor :
" In answer to that part of the Governor's Message of the twenty- ninth Instant wherein he has been Pleased to Signify his Majesty's Commands, that he should recommend our passing Effectual Laws for prohibiting all trade and Commerce with the French, and to prevent their being supplied with Provisions, the Governor must know, that at the request of Sir Charles Hardy, and in pursuance of his own recommendation in a Message of the twenty-third of May last, we passed an act for the more effectual Obstructing the Exporta- tion of Provisions and Warlike Stores from this Province, which is yet in Force, & would have Continued so till the Fourth of August next, the time limited by the Law of New York for like purposes, provided the three Lower Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex had passed a Law for prohibiting the Exportation from thence during the same Term.
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