USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VII > Part 74
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The Governor sent for Teedyuscung, and having prepared an Answer to his of the 'Thirtieth of August ; before his Honour had delivered it, Teedyuscung, in Conversation, demanded a Copy of the Indian Deed of Release in 1718; and in a very sower Manner asked why the Treaty was not printed. He was told that Decency re- quired it should not be published before it had been delivered to Sir William Johnson, and that it was Sir William's Buisness to direct the publication thereof; and that Mr. Croghan had desired this in a Letter the Governer had received from him. Teedyus-
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cung was not satisfied; he said Croghan was a Rogue, and that he would have nothing to do with him or Johnson, and insisted on the Deed and on the Treatys being published immediately ; in short, he was very rude.
The Governor made him the following Speech :
" Brother Teedyuscung :
"I am always glad to see you, and particularly so at this time ; I return you thanks for the Trouble you have taken in bringing to us the good News you have received in your Return Home.
" Brother :
"The Messages sent by Menatochyand and Netawatquelemond, give me much Satisfaction; I am pleased with your Answers to them and Conduct upon the Occasion.
" As they so frankly acknowledge that they were deluded by the French, and desire to be forgiven for what is past, and you have sollicited me on their behalf, I desire you to tell them that I am well disposed to receive your Sollicitations in their Favour, and to forgive them and their Friends ; Encourage them and all others on. the Ohio to desist from warring against the English; invite them to come to you to Diahogo, and join with you in the good work you have so successfully accomplished ; Assure them that under your Guidance the Road is open for them to this Government, and if they come with good Dispositions they shall have Protection and a good Reception.
"This String and Belt, which I join to those you have brought, confirm my Words.
" Brother :
"I have communicated all you have said to me to my Assembly, who were fortunately sitting, and as they have promised to enable me to send and employ proper persons forthwith to build a Fort for your Protection, and some Houses to live in, I now tell you that this shall be done with all the dispatch possible.
" I give you now the Deed you have asked me for, tho' I have already given one to Mr. Croghan for your Use, and the Treaty shall be published with all convenient Speed."
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At a Council held at Philadelphia, Monday the 12th Septem- ber, 1757.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
Robert Strettell, Richard Peters, John Mifflin,
Joseph Turner,
Benjamin Chew, Esquires.
A Letter from Lord Loudoun of the Seventh Instant was read, acquainting the Governor that he had ordered Col. Dusseau with the Second Battalion of the Royal Americans, to march directly to Carlisle, to join Col. Stanwix, in order to cover the back Settle- ments, and desiring to borrow Two of our light brass Cannon ; that Part of the Letter relating to the Two Brass Cannon was extracted for the Use of the Commissioners and delivered to Mr. Mifflin.
A Letter from Mr. Horsfield of the Eighth Instant, with one enclosed from Capt Ordnt of the Day before were read, giving an Account of a Party of French and Indians being met with above Diahogo, coming to Minesink, with intent to go all along the Fron- tiers to spy the Strength of the Forts, and to take some of the In- habitants Prisoners, from whom they might receive an Account of the State of the Forts and Force employed on the Frontiers; that this Advice being imparted to Teedyuscung, he advised Mr. Hors- field to write to the Governor to ascertain the Rewards to be given for Scalps and Prisoners, and to urge the Governor to give a posi- tive Answer, and that tho' he did not insist on this at the Treaty, he now saw the Necessity of such a positive Answer.
The Governor imformed the Council that he received this Letter of Mr. Horsfield on Friday last after it was dark, and the next morning, at his Desire, the Commissioners met, to whom he sent the Letters by Mr. Peters, his Honour being indisposed, and Mr. Peters was ordered to acquaint the Commissioners, that the Governor could take no Measures till he knew what Resolutions they should come to as to Rewards for Scalps and Prisoners. The Governor then wrote an Answer to Mr. Horsfield.
Then were read the Governor's Letter to the Commissioners of the Seventh of August, and their Answer of that day, to which Reference was made in their Letter of Saturday. On considering that the late Proclamation ceased on the Accession of the present Governor ; that the Governor and Commissioners had laid out, or contracted for the greatest Part of the One Hundred Thousand Pounds, and that the giving a Reward for Scalps and Prisoners, was a proper Act of Government; it was the Opinion of all present, that the Matter should be laid before the Assembly, with a proper
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Message on the Occasion, which was Draughted at the Table, and agreed to as follows :
A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.
" Gentlemen :
" On Friday last, in the Evening, an Express brought me a Letter from Justice Horsfield, dated the Eighth Instant, in which was in- closed one wrote the Day before from the Commanding Officer at Fort Allen, informing him that Two Indians were arrived there in Six Days from Diahogo, with Advice of their having met with five French Men and Five French Indians, who told them they expected to be joined by Twenty more French Indians, and would go to Mini- sink, and from thence to all the Forts on the Frontiers, to Spy them, and try to get Prisoners, that they might see and enquire which would be the most convenient Way to fall, with the French, on this Province.
" Mr. Horsfield acquaints me, that on this Letter being commu- nicated to Teedyuscung, he gave it as his Advice, that this Govern- ment should immediately fix what Rewards they would allow for Scalps and Prisoners, and send him a Belt of black Wampum, with an Account of it. He added, that tho' he did not at the Treaty urge for a positive Answer to this Point, which he remembers to have been then mentioned by him, yet now he saw a Necessity for it, and hoped I would dispatch the Messenger with it.
" The Provincial Commissioners, at my Instance, met early on Saturday morning, and on laying the Letters before them, referred me to one of theirs, wrote upon the Subject at Easton, and though I then concurred with them in Opinion, that it was not expedient at that Time to promise any Rewards for Scalps, yet as the French Indians are now renewing their Ravages on the Frontiers, and our Friendly Indians do not incline to act, even defensively, for us, without fixing the Rewards for Scalps, I think the Cruelty of our Enemies, and the pressing Necessity of the present Occasion, loudly Demand a Compliance with their Request. I need not observe to you of what Importance it is to this Province to secure the Friend- ship of the Indians, and engage them heartily to join us in opposing the Designs of the Enemy; and as it is not reasonable to expect that this can be done without making them ample Satisfaction for their Services, I most earnestly recommend it to you to take this Matter into your serious Consideration, and enable me immediately to return a satisfactory Answer to the Indian Chief, at Bethlehem, by the Express who is detained by me for that Purpose.
"WILLIAM DENNY.
" September 12, 1757."
The Militia Bill was then read, with a Draught of Amendments prepared by the Committee, and after some Alterations they were
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settled and agreed to, and the Secretary was ordered to make a fair Copy and deliver them, with the Bill, to the House, at their Meet- ing, and likewise the above Message, with the Letters that occa- sioned it.
The Governor and Council held a long Conversation on the As- sembly's last Message about building a Fort and Houses for the Delawares at Wyomink. It was urged that, as Mr. Hughes had offered his Service, and was recommended by the House, in case of refusing his Tender, the Business would be clogged if put under the Care of any other Person, and on the other Hand, as he was known to be a violent Partizan, to have uncommon Bitterness against the Proprietaries and the present Administration, it was not doubted but he would give unfavourable Impressions of both to the Indians and set them against them. It was, therefore, recommended to the Governor to engage Col. Weiser to go and take the Management of this Affair.
The Secretary informed the Board that he had waited till past Seven o'Clock at the House, but a Quorum of Members did not appear.
MEMORANDUM.
On the Thirteenth a Quorum of the Members of the Assembly not appearing at Eight a'Clock at night, Two Members waited on the Governor to acquaint him of it, and that they were inclined to adjourn till Monday next. The Governor said he did not think they had Power to adjourn, and that he would send Mr. Norris, as a private Person, the Message and Papers ready to be sent to the House, which he did the next Morning by the Secretary. The House adjourned on the Fourteenth.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Monday the 19th September, 1757.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Robert Strettell,
John Mifflin,
Richard Peters,
Thomas Cadwalader.
Benjamin .Chew, S Esquires.
The Minutes of the preceding Councils were read and approved.
A Letter from Major Burd, of the Eighth of September, inform- ing that Thirty Delaware Indians were come with Skins, expecting to Trade, and finding no Goods, went away dissatisfied, complaining of a Breach of Faith in the Government; Another Letter to the
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same Effect was read from Thomas McKee, with this particular, that an Indian was sent Express to see if the English intended to comply with their Promises in having an Assortment of Goods always at Fort Augusta.
A Letter of the Seventeenth Instant, with an Affidavit of Joseph Keller, was read, who deposed, that three Indians took away his Wife and Three of his Sons, one aged Fourteen, another Five, and the other Three Years. They left a child of half a Year old lying in the Cradle, without doing any Damage to it, or to anything in the House. The Affidavit being interpreted to Teedyuscung, Pack- sinosa's Son, lately arrived from Diahogo, and another Indian, who came with him, the Delaware Chief said he would send some Indians to the Place to inquire into the Truth of the Matter, and if it proved true he would send to the Ten Nations a Belt of Wampum by Two Messengers, and have the Prisoners sent down directly.
On reading and considering these Letters, Mr. Weiser was sent for and desired to give his Sentiments, first, about the Request of Teedyuscung for fixing a certain Price for Scalps, and that the Gov- ernor would send him a Black Belt to give to the Delawares and the ten confederated Nations to go to War against the French, and, secondly, on the building an Indian Fort and Houses for the Dela- wares, and appointing a proper Person to direct and superintend the Works. Mr. Weiser put his Sentiments in writing, as follows : " May it please your Honour :
" I have weighed the Discourse about Indian Affairs at this Time passed in your Honour presence ; it is my humble Opinion that no Encouragements should be given to the Indians for Scalps, for fear we must then pay for our own Scalps, and those of our Fellow Sub- jects, as will certainly be the case ; Allow as much for Prisoners as you please, rather more than was intended.
" Great Caution should be used in requiring the Indians to be settled on Wyomink, to take up the Hatchet against the French and their Indian Allies, for fear they will have it to say that we made Peace with them in order to make them fight our Battle, and to make them a Barrier and throw away their Lives by setting them on against the French and their numerous Allies. The Ohio Indians will say ' we will rather stay where we are; we are on the strongest Side now, and will not hazard our Lives and Families in breaking with the French in favour of the English, who have been beat several Times, and are not likely to do any for themselves.'
" I am in a very low State of Health, and cannot, without great Hazard, undertake any Journey ; besides, if the Six Nations should not be pleased with the building of a Fort at Wyomink, they would blame me more than any body else, because they would have it to say that I knew their Rights, &cª", tho' I believe if the building a
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Fort at Wyomink is cautiously carried on, merely for the Use of the Indians, and left to them when finished, all will be well.
" A Trading House at Fort Augusta should immediately be erected, else our Indian Interest, what little we may yet have; will be entirely lost. If the Government cannot agree about the Condition, some well disposed Men should be appointed to keep Stores at Fort Augusta, and furnish the Indians with what they want ; Cloathing especially, as they must be, for the most Part, naked at this Time. This Article requires all possible Care and Speed.
" Rum should not be allowed to be sold or given by any licensed Trader: A little, or just a Dram, might be given by the Com- manding Officer of Fort Augusta, and he to deny obstinately and absolutely a second, and the Indians will like it better when they judge of the thing coolly, and by themselves.
" Sir William Johnson, or rather the Six Nations by means of Sir William, should be made acquainted with this, and be told it was done at the Request of our Brethren, the Delaware Indians ; and that we claim no Right, by means of that Fort, to the Lands of Wyomink, but leave the Fort to be possessed and defended by the Indians.
" CONRAD WEISER.
" September, 19th, 1757."
The Reasons assigned by Mr. Weiser why he was not a proper Person to go to Wyomink, were held to be good. After long Con- sideration, no other way could be thought of better than to let Mr. Hughes, the Commissioner, go there, and try if Mr. Edward Ship- pen and Mr. James Galbraith could be persuaded to undertake the Journey, and joint care with him of this important Business.
This being the Day to which the Adjournment was made by a few Members of the House not making a Quorum, it was thought adviseable that Major Burd's, Mr. McKee's, and Mr. Horsfield's Letters shou'd be communicated to the House with the following Message :
" Gentlemen :
"You well know, that at the earnest Request of the Indians, Promises have been made them on the Part of the Government that a Trading House shou'd be established at Fort Augusta, within this Province, well furnished with a suitable Assortment of Goods, where they might vend their Skins and Peltry, and be reasonably supplied with such Necessaries as they might want. You will see by the Letters herewith sent you, that thirty Delaware Indians lately came down to the Fort, in consequence of these Promises, with Skins, in order to trade with us, but finding no Goods there, some of them are gone away very much dissatisfied. As, therefore, it is not in my Power to take any Steps in this Matter, which is a
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very important and interesting one to the People of this Province, without your Aid and Assistance, I must earnestly recommend it to you, without Loss of Time, to prepare a Bill for regulating the Indian Trade, and enable me to keep the Public Faith with them.
"WILLIAM DENNY.
" September 19th, 1757."
The Petition of Artificers and Shipwrights, taken at Oswego, was read, and recommended to the Assembly.
The Governor informed the Council, that upon the Letter of the Seventh Instant from Lord Loudoun, Col. Haldyman, who com- manded the Second Battallion of the Royal Americans, as he. halted here in his March to Carlisle, had, at his Instance, viewed the Cannon, Twelve Pounders, and finding no Shot, and that some other necessary Articles were wanting, he chose to consult Col. Stanwix about them, and, if Judged necessary, he would order a Party to bring them up to the Camp at Carlisle.
The Governor likewise related to the Council the strange Conduct of the Commissioners, with respect to Barracks; that they had made Choice of the Ground, dug the Foundation, entered into Con- tracts with Workmen, agreed upon a Plan, then changed their Minds, chose another Place, altered the Plan, purchased a Quantity of Ground, and were at Work with many Hands, without so much as consulting him upon any one Article ; that these Things came to his Knowledge by Accident ; whereupon he had sent for the intended Plan, which was in the Hands of Mr. Loxley, who came with it, and after shewing it to Col. Haldyman, and considering it, they were both of Opinion it was defective, and many Objections lay against it, on which his Honour had wrote the. Commissioners a Letter, to Stop the Work till he should approve the Plan and know if it was an healthy Spot, and that he proposed to desire Lord Loudoun by the Post to spare him an Engineer to view the Situa- tion, and concert with him a proper Plan; That three Physicians had, at his Instance, viewed it, and reported there was no reasonable Objection to it on the Account of Health; That notwithstanding this Injunction, the Commissioners still went on with the Work, and had the Imprudence never to give him an Answer to his Letter ; That he had detained his Letter to Lord Loudoun till he should receive their Answer, but believing they would not give any, he would send his Letter by the Post.
The Amendments to the Militia Bill were again examined, and the Secretary ordered to deliver the Bill, with the Amendments, to the House, whenever a Quorum should meet, either this evening or to-morrow morning.
The Governor having received, by the Packet, a Letter from the VOL. VII .- 47.
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Secretary of the Lords of Trade, of the Third of June last, wherein he is directed by their Lordships to send him an inclosed Copy of Resolutions of the House of Comons, of the twenty-third of May last, upon certain Resolutions of the Assembly of the Island of Jamaica, the same was read, and the Governor advised, not now, but at some other time, perhaps on a suitable Occasion, to lay it before the House.
Likewise, the Governor communicated to the Council a Letter from the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, of the Ninth of June, desiring an Account of the Quantity of Iron made in this Colony from Christmas, 1749, to the Fifth January, 1756, distinguishing each year. The Council were desired to consider of the best way of coming to the Knowledge of the Quantity of Iron made, and report it at the next Meeting of Council; and the Two Letters were ordered to be entered.
A Letter to the Governor from the Secretary of the Lords of Trade.
"WHITEHALL, June 3d, 1757.
"Sir :
" I am directed by the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to send you the inclosed Copy of Resolutions of the House of Commons, of the 23d May last, upon certain Resolutiong . of the Assembly of the Island of Jamaica, on the 29 of October, 1753, to the End that his Majesty's Subjects in the Province under your Government may be fully apprized of the Sense of that House upon such extraordinary Claims.
"I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant, "JOHN POWNALL.
" WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieut. Gov" of Pennsylvania."
--
A Letter from the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations to the Governor.
"WHITEHALL, June 9, 1757.
" Sir :
" His Majesty having, in pursuance of an Address of the House of Comons, of the 25th of last Month, commanded us to lay before that House, in the next Session of Parliament, an Account of the Quantity of Iron made in his Majesty's Colonies in America, from Christinas, 1749, to 5th of January, 1756, distinguishing each year, we desire you will forthwith, upon the Receit of this Letter, take the proper and most effectual Method for obtaining the said
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Account, so far as relates to the Colony under your Government, and transmit the same to us with all possible Expedition.
" We are, Sir, your most obedient humble Servants,
" DUNK HALLIFAX,
"JAMES OSWALD,
"W. G. HAMILTON,
"W. SLOPER,
"SOAME JENYNS."
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Friday, September the 23d, 1757.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Robert Strettell,
James Hamilton,
Joseph Turner,
Benjamin Chew, Richard Peters, Thomas Cadwalader, 1 Esquires. John Mifflin,
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
A Bill, Entituled "an Act for prohibiting Abuses in the Indian Trade, for supplying the Indians, Friends and Allies of Great Brit- tain, with Goods at more easy Rates, and for restoring and con- firming the Peace and Friendship heretofore subsisting between this Province and the Indians inhabiting the Northern and Western Frontiers of the said Province," which was presented to the Gov- ernor for his concurrence by Two Members of Assembly, late at night, on the Twenty-First Instant, was read, first entirely, and then Paragraph by Paragraph, and Amendments made to it, and sent to the House.
A Bill, Entituled " A Supplement to an Act Entituled ‘ An Act for binding out and settling such of the Inhabitants of Nova Scotia imported into this Province as are under Age, and for maintaining the aged, sick, and maimed at the charge of the Province,'" which was presented to the Governor last night for his Concurrence, was read, and agreed to; And a Bill Entituled " An Act to enable Richard Hill and Samuel Preston Moore, and Hannah, his Wife, to comply with, establish, ratify, and confirm certain Agreements made between the said Samuel Preston Moore and Richard Hill, late of the City of Philadelphia, jointly, of the one Part, and divers other Person of the other Part, and also between the said Richard Hill, deceased, separately, of the one Part, and divers Persons of the other Part, which were entered into by them in the Life Time of the said Richard Hill, deceased, some of whose Heirs and Devisees are under Age," which was last night presented to the Governor
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1 1
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for his Concurrence, was read and agreed to, and the Secretary was sent to the House with a verbal Message that the Governor was ready to pass the said Bills into Laws whenever the House presented them to him for that Purpose.
The Letter from Mr. Pownal, Secretary of the Lords of Trade, was ordered to be laid before the House, with the Resolutions of the House of Commons, which was accordingly taken by the Secre- tary with the above Bills to the House, together with the following Message :
" Gentlemen :
"In Consequence of Directions I have received from the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, I lay before you a Copy of Resolutions of the House of Commons, of the Twenty-Third of May, 1757, upon certain Resolutions of the Assembly of the Island of Jamaica, of the twenty-ninth of October, 1753, with the Letter on that Occasion.
" September 23, 1757."
"WILLIAM DENNY.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Tuesday the 27th September, 1757.
PRESENT :
James Hamilton, Joseph Turner, John Mifflin,
Robert Strettell, Richard Peters, Esquires.
The Secretary was ordered to acquaint the House that the Gov- ernor required the Attendance of the Speaker and the House in the Council Chamber, and the Speaker, with the House, attending with Two Bills, One Entituled " A Supplement to the Act intituled 'An Act for binding and settling such of the Inhabitants of Nova Scotia imported into this Province as are under Age, and for maintaining the aged, sick, and maimed at the Charge of the Province ;'" the other intituled " An Act to enable Richard Hill and Samuel Preston Moore and Hannah, his Wife, to comply with, establish, ratify, and confirm certain Agreements made between the said Samuel Preston Moore and Richard Hill, late of the City of Philadelphia, jointly, of the one Part, and divers other Persons of the other Part, and also between the said Richard Hill, deceased, separately, of the one Part, and divers Persons of the other Part, which were entered into by them in the Life Time of the said Richard Hill, deceased, some of whose Heirs and Devisees are under Age;" the Governor was pleased to enact the same into Laws.
S
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At a Council held at Philadelphia, Thursday, the 29th Septem- ber, 1757.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
James Hamilton,
Joseph Turner,
Richard Peters,
John Mifflin,
Robert Strettell, - Esquires.
The Governor produced a Certificate of his having received on the first Sunday in September, 1756, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper in Christ Church in this City, signed by the Reverend Mr. Robert Jenny, Rector, and Mr. William Sturgeon, Assistant, and took the Oaths, and took and subscribed the Declaration.
An Address to the Governor from the Assembly was read in these Words, against William Moore, Esquire, presented last night by Two Members, who returned the Indian Trade Bill with some Amendments to the Governor, and delivered to his Honour the fol- lowing Message :
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