USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VII > Part 26
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" That about thirty days ago he saw several of the Indians going away, with an Intention (as he was informed) to know of the Gov- ernor of Pennsylvania whether the English wou'd agree to make peace, but that he was told by Makomesy, they were only gone to see whether the English were strong and get Provisions from them.
"That on the ninth of August he left Diahogo, and came down the River in a Canoe with Makomesy to Gnahay, to get some Corn that was left under Ground, and that in the Morning after he ar- rived there, The Indians having gone out to hunt, he made his Escape on the 14 August last, and came to Fort Augusta at Six O'Clock in the Evening."
The Poor Boy was extreamly reduced, had dangerous Swellings on his Body, and was in a Sickly Condition. The Governor, there- fore, ordered him lodging and the attendance of a Docter.
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Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Hoops withdrew, and the Council took into Consideration the state of the County of Cumberland ;. but when they were informed by the Commissioners that the £60,- 000 was expended, knowing that the Assembly only had the Dis- posal of all other Publick Money, they cou'd give no other advice than for the Governor to lay the Petitions before the House, and recommend the miserable case of the Petitioners to them.
John Shickcalamy coming to Bethleham from Diahogo, he was examined there by David Zeisberger, a Moravian Brother, who Speaks the Indian Language well, in the presence of Mr. Hors- field, and gave this account of himself, viz" :
" That he received the String of Wampum which the Governor had sent him, and another String and Belt from Colonel Weiser, by which he was invited to come down ; and that after receiving the Message he immediately set of for this Province to see the Gover- nor.
" That the reason of his going away last Winter from the Fort near John Harris' was because the Irish People did not use him well and threatned to kill him; therefore went away, left his Guns, Cloaths, and all that he had. That to-day, fifteen days ago, he came away from the Cayuga Lake where he had been all the time, and met King Teedyuscung about Thirty or Forty Miles above Wio- ming, on his Journey to Diahogo and the Six Nations. That all the Delawares and Shawonese which had lived on Susquahannah River, was for Peace and joined with Col. Johnson, and a great many intended to come and live again where they lived before. That last winter the Six Nations had sent many Belts to the Dela- wares and Shawonese, and desired them to leave of doing Mischief, that at last they was obedient to them. That Teedyuscung was the only Person who set up the Indians against the English, and that the Six Nations was much displeased at him ; but that now he had altered his mind, and spoke very much to the English Interest to- wards the Indians.
"That the Delawares had made a Chief last Winter, but the he (Shickcalamy), knew nothing about that he was King amongst them, for they had more Chiefs besides him ; and also, that it was not true that the Six Nations had Chosen a King amongst them. That he (Shick Calamy) had two Prisoners at his House, a Young Man and Woman, which the Delawares, after they had brought them Captive from Juniata, gave to him ; that He told them he was going to Philadelphia, and desired them to go along with him, but that they would not go and rather chose to stay. That he was at the Treaty at Onondago, and that Col. Johnson had made the Six Nations take up the Hatchet against the French, which he had sharpen'd for them to make use of, and that he had already seen Three Scalps there of French Indians, which they have killed near Oswego. That the French Indians came sometimes to Oswego in
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great Numbers to get Liquors, and keep drinking and don't pre- tend to do any mischief but go away in peace again; but that sometimes they come in Company with the French and skulk about to kill people.
" That he heard no particular News from the French in Canada ; that there had been a Chief and another Indian of the Six Na- tions, and as he was going away, he could not hear what News they brought; but that the Governor in Canada had presented the Hatchet to the Six Nations against the English, and that they re- fused to take it, and had throw'd it away. That he had seen an Indian coming from Ohio, who told that there was a thousand In- dians of several Nations, but that none had yet done any mischief to the English but the Delawares and Shawonese ; that they had been out sometimes, but have not had good success, and had not yet brought in one Scalp. That those who lived far back would soon return home again, and some of them was gone already."
As he was almost starved, he staid sometime at Bethleham to refresh himself, and then proceeded here under the care of Two Brethren, and waited on the Governor in Council to acquaint his Honor that he had received a String of Wampum from him, and a Belt from Mr. Weiser, with Invitations to come and Speak with the Governor. He was kindly received, and at his Instance the Governor dispatched an Express for Mr. Weiser.
The Governor laid before the Council a Letter from Mr. Weiser, informing him that the minds of the People were extreamly set against the Proprietaries and Governor by Insinuations thrown out from time to time in Sowers' News Paper, and particularly in those of the 16 and 29 August, wherein was given a false Rc- presentation of the late Transactions of this Government with the Indians, and a suggestion as if their Hostilities were owing to Pro- priety Covetousness in not paying them to their Satisfaction for their Lands ; and further that the back Inhabitants, not only Ger- mans, but those of other Nations, in their discourses with one another expressed themselves in a very disaffected manner, intimat- ing that it would be ye most prudent measure they could take, in case the French and Indians shou'd continue to have so great suc- cess, to propose an accommodation on condition of being rendered secure in their Possessions. But no proof having been sent by Mr. Weiser to the Governor on which Prosecutions cou'd be founded, he was desired to recommend to him to be very attentive to what was passing in the Back Counties, and if possible to fix the disaffected Speeches on particular Persons, in order that they might be legally presented.
As to what was said about the Printer at German Town, it was refurred to further Consideration at some other time.
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At a Council held at Philadelphia, Thursday, 9 Septem"., 1756. PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
William Till,
Robert Strettell,
James Hamilton,
Joseph Turner,
Richard Peters,
Lynford Lardner, Esquires.
Benjamin Chew,
Thomas Cadwallader,
John Mifflin,
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
Last Night a Bill was presented to the Governor for his concur- rance, Entituled " An Act for striking the Sum of Sixty Thousand Pounds in Bills of Credit and giving the same to the King's Use, . and for providing a Fund to sink the Bills, so to be Emitted, by laying an Excise upon Wine, Rum, Brandy, and other Spirits."
The Governor and Council cou'd not help expressing their Sur- prize at finding it framed in direct opposition, as well to Royal and Proprietary Instructions, as to the Equitable Construction of the Limitation of Five Years, put by Parliament to the Emissions in the Eastern Colonies.
The Council, for the Governor's Information, related the material parts of what had passed between Governor and Assembly, in rela- tion. to Bills of this Tenor, both in Mr. Hamilton's and Mr. Mor- ris' Administration ; and the Objections appearing forcible and strong to the Governor, and what he shou'd be obliged to make to it, He desired some of the Members wou'd take the Bill and pre- pare Amendments to it, saying, he wou'd only observe that as to the Royal Instructions he was advised by the Proprietaries who had consulted the Ministers and other Lords and Gentlemen on this point, not to insist on it, if in other respects the Money Bills shou'd be free from just Objections.
The Proprietary Instructions were read and then Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Chew, and Mr. Peters, were appointed a Committee to Amend the Bill.
Two Members of Assembly, whilst the Council was sitting, presented the Watch Bill to the Governor that had been agreed to by Governor Morris, but was detained by the House, who did not incline to proceed further upon it, and with the Bill, the following Message was delivered :
A Message to the Governor from the Assembly.
" May it please the Governor :
" We herewith send up to the Governor a Bill intituled ' An Act for Regulating and continuing the Nightly Watch, and enlightning
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the Streets, Lanes, and Alleys, of the City of Philadelphia, and for raising of Money on the Inhabitants and Estates of the said City for defraying the necessary Expences thereof.'
" This Bill was framed and sent up to our late Governor near the End of his Administration, and after several Amendments was agreed to by both Parts of the Legislature, and ingrossed by Order of the House. In this Situation it lay ready to be enacted into a Law when the Governor arrived among us. We have, therefore, by special Order, inserted his Name into the enacting Clause, and now send up the ingrossed Bill together with the one which had been considered by Our late Governor.
" If the Governor shall think fit to pass this Bill, we will, when- ever it may suit him, appoint two of our Members to join such of the Council as he may be pleased to nominate for comparing the same, in order to its being enacted into a Law.
" Signed by Order of the House.
"ISAAC NORRIS, Speaker."
-
Sepr. 9, 1756. P. M.
The Second Proclamation for Suspension of Hostilities expiring to-morrow, it was thought proper to continue it for another Month, and one of the same Tenor having passed the Seals, the same was ordered to be published in the Gazette.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Saturday the 11th September, 1756.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
William Till,
Robert Strettell,
James Hamilton,
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Joseph Turner,
Richard Peters,
Esquires.
William Logan,
Benjamin Chew,
Lynford Lardner,
Thomas Cadwallader,
John Mifflin,
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
The Gentlemen to whom it was referred to amend the Bill for granting £60,000 to the King's Use, reported that they had con- sidered the several objectionable parts thereof, but the most material Amendments depending on the length of the Continuance of the Excise, it was necessary before they proceeded further that they should know the Governor's determination on that point. The
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Question being put by the Governor to the Council, for what Term of Years it wou'd be proper to lay the Excise, It was their Unanimous Opinion that neither this nor any other Fund provided to sink the Currency, shou'd exceed the Term of Five Years, and that as the sum proposed cou'd not be paid off by the Excise in that 'Time, the Governor might recommend it to the Assembly to lay a general Excise on all Spirituous Liquors used in private Houses as well as publick ones, and also to lay Duties on such other things as wou'd raise the Sum within that time, and the Governor agreeing in Judgement with the Council, he then desired to know in what manner he could best lay this matter before the Assembly, so as not to draw on a long debate nor enter into such disagreeable conten- tious papers as has already passed between the two branches of the Legislature. It being forseen that the canvassing this matter wou'd take up sometime, the Secretary was sent to the House by the Governor to request they wou'd only adjourn to the After- noon and then they should hear the Governor's result on the Bill before him.
After some time spent in Consultation, it was thought if the Governor wou'd request a free Conference with some of the Members of the House, it might be the likeliest way to induce the Assembly to alter the Bill and make it agreeable to Justice, Reason, and the Proprietary Instructions ; on which the following Message was sent by the Secretary to the House :
A Message from the Governor by the Secretary. " Sir :
"The Governor meeting with some difficulties in the Considera- tion of the Bill for granting Sixty Thousand Pounds to the King's use, desires a Conference with a Committee of the House thereupon in the Council Chamber on Monday next at ten a'Clock in the Morning, if that time be agreeable to the House."
The House sent two of their Members to the Governor to acquaint him that they had appointed a Committee to confer with him according to his Request.
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At a Council held at Philadelphia, Monday the 13th Sepr-, 1756. PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
William Till,
Robert Strettell,
James Hamilton,
Joseph Turner,
Benjamin Shoemaker, Richard Peters,
Esquires.
William Logan,
Benjamin Chew,
Lynford Lardner,
Thomas Cadwallader,
John Mifflin,
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read & approved.
The mode of proceeding in the Conference with the Assembly came under Consideration, and it was agreed that the Governor shou'd open it with a short Introductory Speech, and then propose his Objections to the Bill, supporting them with such reasons as had in the course of the Consultation on this subject been particu- larly mentioned by one or other Member of the Council. This, it was thought, wou'd bring on a free Conversation, in which many things might be urged to promote peace and a good understanding, and the avoidance of all diffirencies, and that the Governor shou'd close all with an Address, setting forth the miseries of the back Inhabitants, and pressing an immediate agreement about Supplys.
Then the Governor and Council went to the Council Chamber, and soon After came the Speaker, Joseph Fox, John Hughes, Thomas Leech, Daniel Roberdeau, Benjamin Franklin, William Masters, Calvin Cooper, Joseph Armstrong, John Potts, and William Edmunds, Esqrs.
The Governor opened the Conference, saying :
" Gentlemen :
"I am sorry to say I have some objections to the Bill of supplies, and hope my reasons will have such a Weight with the House as I could wish they shou'd.
" It is a Melancholy reflection to think that the first Bill which has been offered to me, might probably be attended with the loss of Publick Credit if it was passed.
"I cannot help observing, there is a particular Clause against one of my Instructions which were laid before the House at their own request, and with all the Candor on my part that could be possibly be desired."
And then he made the Objections to the Bill.
" 1st. To the Term of Twenty Years as too long a time.
" 2d. To the disposition of the Surplus Money to arise on this Bill, by the Assembly alone.
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"3d. To the making the Ten Thousand Pounds, given in the Bill as a Contribution to a General Fund, subject to the order of Lord Loudon only, and no't of the Commander-in-Chief, for the time being, of the King's Forces in America.
"4th. To the applying any of the Money to be raised by this Bill to the discharge of Ten Thousand Pounds given for the use of the Crown Point Expedition, and the Interest arising on that Sum.
" 5th. Against the Clause Subjecting Persons counterfeiting Bills of Credit to Capital Punishment, by a reference to a former Law, which will expire before the Time limitted in the Bill.
" 6th. Against laying fines on the Court of Quarter Sessions, &ca.
" 7th. Against Collectors continuing only one year in Office. .
" 8th. Against Treasurer's giving Bond to the Governor, who in Law has no Succession, not being a Body Politick.
" 9th. Against taking Treasurer's Bond in so small a Sum as One Thousand Pounds.
" 10th. Against applying any part of the Monies arising from this Bill towards the Discharge of any part of the Five Thousand Pounds given for the Canada Expedition."
Each of which objections the Governor supported by a short and plain reason, and then concluded with this address : " Gentlemen :
" It may be needless to remind you, there are some Chosen Mes- sengers in town from the miserable Inhabitants of the Frontiers, who beg protection from their Representatives in the most humble manner.
" Tho' measures that suit these Times shou'd be concerted with the utmost prudence, they ought to be executed with the greatest Vigour, and delays are not only dangerous but fatal.
" The safety of the Province, under Almighty God, depends upon a union among ourselves ; if we dispute, Gentlemen, let it be, who shall serve the Publick.
" As I have the Honour to be sent here by the Crown, it will make me very happy to have an early opportunity of representing the conduct of your House in the most favourable light to his Ma- jesty.
" Consider the Eyes of Our Countrymen through't British America are all fixt upon you; nay more, the Ministry, the Par- liament, and the People of England wait with attention to be made acquainted with the Councils and Resolutions of the Assembly of Pennsylvania."
The Members made no reply, nor spoke anything. They only desired that the Governor would favour them with the Objections
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he had made to the Bill in Writing that they might lay them be- fore the House, which was to meet in the afternoon, and take their sense of them.
The Governor finding them thus disposed agreed to another Con- ference, and sent them his Objections by the Secretary in the after- noon.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Tuesday the 14th Septem"., 1756.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
William Till,
Robert Strettell, 1
James Hamilton,
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Joseph Turner,
Richard Peters,
Esquires.
William Logan,
Benjamin Chew,
Lynford Lardner,
Thomas Cadwallader,
John Mifflin,
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
The Speaker and Gentlemen of the Committee came into the Council Chamber, and after a small silence the Speaker pulled a Paper out of his Breast, read it very distinctly, and delivered it in a very formal manner to the Governor, and then he and the Committee with drew.
" Reasons offered to the Governor, by the Committee of Assembly, at a Second Conference, in Answer to the Governor's Objections to the Bill for granting Sixty Thousand Pounds to the King's Use.
" The House are very thankful to the Governor for the readiness and Candour with which he communicated to them the Proprietary Instructions relating to Money Bills.
" They desire he would be pleased to remember that they requested the Reasons on which those Instructions were founded, as well as the Instructions themselves; their design being to comply with the Instructions, if the reasons shou'd convince their Judgements, but not otherwise; the Proprietary Instructions being by no means Laws in this Province.
"They have the greatest respect and esteem for the Governor, and the strongest and most sincere desire to do every thing that may be agreeable to him, consistent with the just rights and privi- leges of the People they represent. They beg, therefore, that he would be pleased to give no Ear to any Insinuations to the Contrary. And the Committee having taken the Sense of the House on the Objections made to the Bill for raising Sixty Thousand Pounds for
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the King's Use, humbly offer the following remarks to the Governor on those Objections, in their order :
" 1st. The House chose, at this Time, an Excise Bill, rather than a Land-Tax Bill, to avoid any dispute about Taxing the Proprietary Estate, and because it was a Mode of raising Money they were used to and understood; the Bill might more spedily be formed and brought to Effect, so as to answer the present pressing Emergency, and being in the same form with a number of preceding Excise Bills that had been passed by former Governors, gone thro' the Ofices at home, and received the Royal Assent, they well hoped it might meet with no objections.
"The last time it passed, the Term was Ten Years; No incon- convenience arose from the length of that Term. Could we have sunk the Sum we wanted by the Excise in that Term, we should not desire to extend it; But we expect it will not Yield more in Twenty Years than the Sixty Thousand Pounds granted. The Act of Parliament made for the Eastern Colonies is not in force here ; Had the Parliament thought it fit that this Province shou'd be gov- erned by that Act, they wou'd not have excluded Pennsylvania out of the Bill, as they actually did. Governor Hamilton had formerly offered to extend the Excise to any Term during which we would load it, with Three Thousand Pounds annum granted to the Crown, from whence we concluded the Term of Twenty Years would not be objected to, Sixty Thousand Pounds being granted.
"Other Taxes or Excises on other Consumptions might possibly be laid, but we have no Experience of them; They will require a Time of more leasure to be well considered, and Laws for collecting them properly formed, so as to be effectual, and not injurious to our Trade; if this War continues, we may soon want them all, and the succeeding Assembly may take those matters in hand immedi- ately after their Meeting, so as to have such new Excises ready be- fore the Money now granted is Expended; Tho' we still think a well proportioned Tax on Property the most equal and just way of raising Money.
" If every Man who received our Bills of Credit in Payment, was obliged to keep them in his Hands till the end of Twenty Years, to be sure the length of the Term would occasion appropor- tionable Depreciation; But they being a legal Tender in all pay- ments, and the possessor able to exchange them immediately for their Value, it is not length of Term, but excess of Quantity that must occasion their Depreciation ; And that Quantity is by this Bill Yearly to diminish, Besides the Eighty Thousand Pounds we have out upon Loan, is now to Sink in the next Six Years, which will greatly lessen Our Currency, and consequently lessen the Dan- ger of the Depreciation.
" If the Quantity should prove to great, which we believe it will not, a subsequent Act laying Excise or Duty on other Comodities,
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encreasing the Duty + Gallon, raising it also from private Con- sumption, or obtaining Money by any other means for the Publick service may be made, and the Money applied to the more Speedy Sinking this Sixty Thousand Pounds.
"2d. There will probably be little or no surplus left to the dis- position of the Assembly. People now leave the Province faster than they come into it. The importation of Germans is pretty much over; Many go from us to settle where Land is more cheaper. The Danger attending Frontier Settlements will probably be long remembered, even after a peace may be restored. And if our In- habitants diminish, the Excise will be lessened instead of being in- creased. At its best, it produced, communibus Annis, nor more than Three thousand Pounds # Annum.
" In former Excise Laws the Assembly have had the Disposition of the whole ; They preserved the Publick Credit, Paid all pub- lick Debts punctually every Year, And have not abused the Trust reposed in them.
" The Instruction is not a Royal but Proprietary. Instruction, calculated to establish arbitrary Government among us, to distress the Assembly and People, and put it out of their power to support their Complaints at Home. It would, more over, deprive us of a just right and privilege enjoyed from the first Settlement of the Country.
"3d. Lord Loudon is a Nobleman, distinguished by the great Trust the Crown hath placed in him; we have likewise received a high Character of his Integrity and Uprightness, which induces us to confide in him. The Chance of War (which Heaven prevent) may, after several removes, give him a Successor unknown to us. If it shou'd be found necessary and convenient before the Money is expended, the Governor and Assembly can at any time, by a little Act, subject the remainder to the order of his Successor, the Commander-in-Chief for the time being.
"4th. It is true there was a fund appropriated to sink the Notes issued for the grant of the Crown Point Expedition. That fund in a great measure fails by the loss of one whole County to the Enemy, and the Abandoning considerable parts of other Counties where Lands Mortgaged to the Loan Office are Situated. The whole Sum was appropriated to the King's Service; And if these Notes had not been issued that Assistance could not have been given, as our Affairs were then Circumstanced. The cannot be re- deemed in due time by that fund without adding to the distresses of the People, already to great; and the Publick Credit ought to be kept up, as it may be wanted on some future Emergency. Be- sides, those Notes bear Interest, and at this time the Province is less able than ever to pay Interest. We should now save Money by all means in our Power.
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