USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VII > Part 76
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
" To Conclude, Gentlemen, the Reason that at first weighed with me to make the Amendts. to the Bill for regulating the Indian Trade still Prevails, and I cannot recede from them, and you may assure yourselves that in this and every other part of my Conduct, while I Continue in this Government, no abuse from you shall in- duce me to deviate from the Principles of Duty and Honour, or act a part that I cannot Justify to the King, to the People com- mitted to my Care, and to my Conscience.
" WILLIAM DENNY.
" September 29, 1757."
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Friday, 30th September, 1757. PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
Robert Strettell,
Joseph Turner,
James Hamilton, Richard Peters, John Mifflin,
Esquires.
Benjamin Chew,
Thomas Cadwalader,
The Governor asked the advice of his Council with respect to the Assembly's Address against William Moore, Esqr-, and the follow-
751
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
ing message was agreed to, and sent to the House by the Se- certary :
" Gentlemen :
" As Common Justice requires that no man should be condemned unheard in any matter that affects his Life, Fortune, or Character, I cannot think myself Justified in removing Mr. Moore from his Publick Employment till I have made him Acquainted with the Complaints and Evidence exhibited against him, and given him an Opportunity of Making his Defence ; I therefore desire you will furnish me with Copies of the Petitions and Proofs on which your Application to me against him is grounded, and you may assure yourselves that on a full Hearing of the Matters, strict Justice shall be done both to him and the Publick.
" September 30th, 1757."
"WILLIAM DENNY.
His Honour observing the Assembly had not published their Minutes since last February, a Message was sent to the House by the Secretary, in these words :
" Gentlemen :
" As you have not Published your Minutes since last February, I desire you will, with all convenient Dispatch, furnish me with the Copies of them since that time ; and Likewise of the publick Ac- counts of the Loan Office and Excise, as settled this Year. If the Duplicates of the Assessments of this and the Last Year are returned to the House, I also desire to have Copies of them as soon as con- veniently may be.
" September 30th, 1757."
"WILLIAM DENNY.
While the Council was sitting Two Members waited on the Gov- ernor with the following Message :
"May it please the Governor :
" Time will not permit us to give a full answer to your Message of this afternoon; But we cannot help remarking the facts asserted in your Message are of such Notoriety that in this Province they cannot want proof. Have we not given to the King's use the Sum therein mentioned ? Is not that sum nearly expended ? Has there been a single Indian killed by all the Troops since that sum was granted ? Are not Eleven Hundd. Men Sufficient to make at least one Incur- sion into the Enemy's Country ? Has the Province received that Protection from them it ought to have received ? Have not our News Papers been filled with Accounts of the Bleeding and distressed Situation of our Frontiers ? Have we not tendered you many Militia Bills, equitable and Constitutional? Are not the Designs of the Proprietaries and their Party known to a Cloud of Witnesses
752
MINUTES OF THE
among the People ? Have not the ill Effects of Proprietary Instruc- tions been Long experienced and Manifested in the Province ? Has not your Honour declared you are Obliged to Obey these Instruc- tions? If so, are not those Instructions of the Nature of Laws to us, as no Laws can be made but agreable to them ? Have we not tendered a Bill to you for promoting a Peace with the Indians, and securing them to his Majesty's Interest ? Have you not rejected that Bill because we nominated Commissioners therein, agreable to the Practice and indubitable Right of the House of Commons ? And have you not more than once declared that you were but a Pas- senger in the Province ? These are facts well known, and we confide in the Justice of our Superiors, before whom these Proceedings will be Laid for their Determination, where we can depend an injured and bleeding People will meet with Redress.
"The thirst after Power, and a fondness to Monopolize Offices, were no Inducements to us in nominating Commissioners for Indian Affairs ; it was our undoubted Right, which your Honour cannot invade without violating our Charters; and by Virtue of that Right we might nominate them out of the Members of this House, agreable to the practice of Parliament, where no Such dangerous Consequences to the Publick as are Pointed out by the Governor were ever appre- hended. Those Gentlemen had assented to accept of the Trust, had been present at the several Late Treaties, and were acquainted with the Importance of the Indian Alliance to his Majesty's Interest and this Province, and we believe of as unexceptionable Characters as those of your Nomination, without any disparagement to them. But the Men your Honour appointed, or at Least a Majority of them, were never consulted; and several of them have declared they would not have accepted of the Office. What, then, could induce the Governor to nominate them? Could it be with a Design that the Good Effects of the Bill should not take place, had it passed into Law.
"The Absurdity of empowering the Provincial Commissioners to draw Orders payable to the Commissioners for Indian Affairs, is not so glaring as the Governor has represented it. There were two per- sons, added to five of the seven Provincial Commissioners, who were to be the Commissioners for Indian Affairs, and consequently the Commissioners for Indian affairs and the Provincial Commissioners were not the same Persons.
"We have no Views but his Majesty's Interest and the good of the People we represent; nor had we any design in delaying to answer your Speech. We should have answered it Sooner, had the Buisness you recommended therein been finished before. The Charge, there- fore, against us is as groundless as the Excuse for not pointing out the Falsehoods you are pleased to say it contains, is evasive ; two Days being a Time very sufficient to have replied, and shown one
753
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
of our Assertions at least to be (as the Governor is pleased to call them) false, which you have not thought fit to do.
" Signed by Order of the House.
" ISAAC NORRIS, Speaker.
"September 30th, 1757."
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Tuesday the 4th October, 1757.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esq"., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Robert Strettell, Benjamin Chew, Esquires. Richard Peters,
The Returns of Sheriffs and Coroners for the Several Counties in the Province and Lower Counties, were taken into Consideration, and the following Persons Commissionated.
-
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Monday, 10th October, 1757. PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Robert Strettell,
Joseph Turner, Esquires,
Richard Peters,
John Mifflin,
The Governor informed the Council that on Thursday last the Cherokee Deputies, with some Mohocks, arrived here from Sir Wil- liam Johnson, under a Guide, who delivered his Honour the follow- ing Letter from Sir William Johnson :
ALBANY, 25th September, 1757.
Sir :
"Four Deputies from the Cherokee Indians, who were sent by their Chiefs on a Visit of Friendship, to the Six Nations, with whom they have had a Meeting at my House, and by whom they are charged with a Message and invitation in conjunction with me to their Nation, and others to the Southward, in our Alliance, to hold a Congress at my House in Order to renew an Strengthen their Mutual Alliance and Friendship. These Deputies are now setting off from hence for their own Country, accompanied by some Indians of the Six Nations. They will pass thro' your Province and City, and as their speedily delivering the Message they are charged with, may be a point of considerable Moment to his Majesty's Interest and Service, I beg VOL. VII .- 48.
754
MINUTES OF THE
Leave to recommend it to you to do what Lays in your Power to forward their Journey, to prevent them and the Indians who accom- pany them from being delayed by any interfering Conduct of your Schemeing Quakers, or by any imprudent Quantity of Liquor being given them, as these things may overset the Advantages hoped for from their Journey.
" I am, with the Greatest Esteem, " Sir, Your Most Humble Servant, "WILLIAM JOHNSON."
The Governor added, that he had demanded of the Commissioners to make Provision for a Guide and Horses to Conduct the Indians to Winchester, which they had done, and that he had dispatched the Deputies with Passports and Letters to the Commanding Officers at Carlisle and Winchester.
The Governor inform'd the Council, that agreable. to their Advice, he had prepared a Commission to Mr. Hughs, Mr. Shippen, and Mr. Galbreath, a Draught of which was delivered to them for their Examination ; That Mr. Hughs had waited on Him, after perusing it, made no Objections to it, but insisted that the Forces and Workmen should be put under his Command, and if they were not made Obedient to his Orders, he would not accept the Commission. It was the unanimous Opinion of the Council the Demand should be rejected as being insolvent and Unreasonable. Mr. Hughs had mentioned the Reverend Mr. Charles Beaty as a proper Person to assist, in which the Council entirely agrecd, and he was added to the Commission, which follows in these words :
" The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Penn- sylvania, and Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, on Dela- ware,
" To John Hughs, Edward Shippen, and James Galbreath, Esquires, and Charles Beaty, Clerk :
" Whereas, at a Late Treaty of Easton, Teedyuscung, on behalf of the Delaware Indians and the Ten Indian Nations, considered with them, signified a desire to come and settle Wyomink, and among other things they requested that this Government would be pleased to build a small Indian Fort, and some convenient Houses for their Protection and comfortable Habitation, which was readily promised them; And Whereas, the speedy performance thereof may confirm them in their present Good dispositions, and induce others to join them, and become our hearty Friends, And you having offered your Services in this Work, so beneficial to the Pub- lick Safety and Interest; Know ye, therefore, that, reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Integrity, and Care, I have commissionated and authorized, and by the Advice of Council do commissionate, authorize, and impower you, the said John Hughs,
t P
t t y y
a
755
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Edward Shippen, James Galbreath, and Charles Beaty, Agents and Commissioners, on the part of this Province, to Construct such a Fort, and build as many Houses as shall be necessary for the present residence, security, and Protection of the said Indians from their enemies, and in such form, place, and Manner as shall be most agreeable to Teedyuscung and the other Indians, who shall be present on this occasion. In doing this, it will be most advisable for you to Consult with them, and to contrive and accomodate matters to their Satisfaction, as near as may be to the Promises and Assurances made them on that head at the several late Treaties between them and this Government. And as a Number of the Provincial Forces will be ordered, as well to escort you to Wyomink as when there to aid and Assist in carrying on the said Works, The Commanding Officer of that Detachment shall receive my orders to be Obedient to You in the Execution of the Premises. You will receive herewith an Order on the Trustees of the Loan Office for
the Sum of - -, for which you are to be accountable. You will therefore enter into a Book or Books, to be provided and kept for that Purpose, all and every Sum or Sums that you shall Expend on this Occasion, specifying the particular uses for which each article is disbursed. It may be in Your Power, in such a Concourse of Indians as this may occasion, make Good Impressions on their Minds, and to gain from them considerable Intelligence of the Designs and Motions of the Enemy. Therefore, I particularly recommend it to you to use your utmost Care and skill in this affair, and if any thing of moment shall be communicated to you, you will not fail to dispatch one or more of the Men or Indians with you, as you shall judge best; Express to me with such Intelligence, and Likewise if any attack should be intended against any of the Forts. You are at the same time to send Intelligence thereof to the Com- manding Officer of such Fort or Place as shall be threatened or in Danger of an attack.
" In the Conducting and carrying on this important Affair, great Reliance is had on your Prudence and Discretion, and I trust that in every Part of your conduct you will by all Means in Your Power endeavour to Promote and Strengthen the Alliance and Good Agree- ment at present subsisting between his Majesty and the Indians; and in Particular, give them the Strongest Assurances and Proofs of the Good Disposition of his Liege Subjects in this Province towards them; I must recommend it to you to acquaint me by all Oppor- tunities from Time to Time with your Proceedings, and desire that you will be frugal of the Publick Money on this Occasion put into your Hands, and Execute the Buisness of your Commission with as Little Charge and Expence as Possible.
"In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Caused the Great Seal of the said Province to be hereunto Affixed, At Philadelphia, the fifth Day of October, Anno Dom., 1757.
"WILLIAM DENNY."
1 e 0
756
MINUTES OF THE
The Governor informed the Council that Teedyuscung came to him on Saturday, along with Philip, the Indian, and Mr. Edmunds, to acquaint him that not having received an Answer about the Black Belt and the Rewards for Scalps, he came on Purpose to Town, and that upon a further and more full Consideration of his Messages, he had altered his Sentiments and now thought it would be better not to send a Black Belt to the Indians, but to wait till the Spring to see what Effect his Peace Belt would have on the several Indian Nations to which it was sent; That if the Black Belt should now be sent it might create Confusion in the Minds of the Indians, and do more Harm than Good; The Governor agreeing with Teedyus- cung in Sentiments, he thanked him for the Trouble of undertaking this Journey, and was satisfied with his Change of Sentiments , The Governor informed him that he had then under Consideration a Commission to build the Indian Fort and Houses at Wyomink, and desired to know at what Time it would be best for them to go up to do the Business; Teedyuscung said directly, on which he acquainted him that Mr. Hughs, Mr. Shippen, Mr. Galbreath and Mr. Beaty would have a Commission for that Purpose, and it might be well for Teedyuscung to confer with those Gentlemen on the Subject.
The Secretary acquainted the Governor, that Yesterday Teedy- uscung applied to him for Wampum and some Money to pay his Reckoning, and that he had given him Three Belts, Ten Strings, and Two Pieces of Eight.
A Letter from Lord Loudoun by Lieutenant Meyer was read, respecting the Construction of the Barracks and the Repair of the Roads, on which the Governor wrote to the Commissioners inform- ing them that his Lordship had sent Mr. Meyer, who would give his Assistance in relation to the Construction of the Barraeks, and desired they would direct the Undertakers of the Barracks might be obedient to the Orders of Lieutenant Meyer, And it was agreed that the Demand relating to the Roads should be laid before the Assembly immediately at this Meeting.
The Council again took into Consideration Mr. John Hughs having insisted on the sole Command of the Workmen and Detach- ment which should be ordered to guard the Commissioners to Wyo- mink, and his Honour agreed with the Council that it was by no means to be complied with. As the Season advanced fast, the Gov- ernor was desired to press the Provincial Commissioners to provide the Tools, Provisions, and other Necessaries, that the Commissioners might set out before it was too late. The Secretary was ordered to let Mr. Hughs know that the Governor could not believe, when he came coolly to consider, that he would have persisted in such an un- reasonable and absurd Demand, and that he should not be ap- pointed.
757
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
1
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Saturday the 15th October, 1757.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant
Governor.
Robert Strettell,
Benjamin Chew,
Richard Peters, Esquires.
The House having met late last night sent the Governor a Mes- sage by Eight Members that they had met and chose their Speaker, and desired to know when and where they should wait on the Gov- ernor in order to present him. His Honour appointed them to wait on him in the Council Room at One a'Clock to-day. The Governor desired the Council to consider what it would be proper for him to say to them on their Meeting. He was reminded of the Charges made against him as to the Disposition of the Provincial Forces, and asked if his Honour had drawn up a State of Facts, which was absolutely necessary to be done, and no one could do it but himself. It was the Opinion of the Members that this should be done, and the Assembly's Message fully and clearly answered. The Governor was likewise desired to recommend to this new Assembly to prepare a good Militia Bill, an Indian Trade Bill, a Supply Bill, and, if necessary, a Bill for repairing the High Roads ; that an Extract should be made of that Part of Lord Loudoun's Letter and sent to the House relative to the Roads. The Governor was of Opinion that Opportunities enough would offer for refuting the false Charges made by the Assembly against him and the Provincial Troops, and setting forth his and their Conduct in a true Light, that he would put some things together on this Subject, but did not think it proper at this Time. Mr. Chew and Mr. Peters were appointed a Com- mittee to draw a Message' on the several Matters above mentioned, and to mention in the Close the Governor's Intention of going to Newcastle on Thursday next.
The Petition of Inhabitants of Lehigh Township, in Northamp- ton County, was read, setting forth that the Petitioners having returned to their respective Places of Abode since the late Peace with the Indians, were obliged again to desert them, by means of the late Murders committed, and, therefore, pray the Governor will be pleased to grant them Protection. It was agreed that the several Matters mentioned in the Petition should be laid before the House.
MEMORANDUM.
The Draught of the Message being approved by the Governor, it
758
MINUTES OF THE
was transcribed fair and delivered by the Secretary to the House on the Seventeenth, at Night, in these Words :
A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.
" Gentlemen :
" Though in Times of Publick Peace and Tranquility, it has not been usual for the Representatives of the People to Proceed to Business at this Season of the Year, Yet I hope you will be of opinion with me, that at this critical Conjuncture, and Time of Pub- lick Calamity, when his Majesty's Enemies are dailly committing the most Cruel Ravages on our Frontiers, and carrying on Designs which threaten this and the neighbouring Colonies with total Ruin, a Moment's Time ought not to be Lost. Surely every Measure in our Power should be vigorously Executed, that may tend to the Se- curity of this valuable Province, and the Protection of its Inhabi- tants. Give me Leave, therefore, at this your first Meeting, to recommend to your immediate Consideration such matters as appear to me the most Likely to answer the above Purposes, so much de- sired by every Loyal Subject and well wisher to his Country.
"A well framed constitutional Militia Law deserves your first Attention. Experience, and the Wisdom of all States shew, that a well regulated Militia is the best Security to every Country. By a constitutional Militia Law, I mean such a one as is founded on the Principles of an English constitution, and preserves equally the legal prerogatives of the Crown, and the just Rights of the People. The Several Militia Bills presented to me by the last Assembly, were formed on the same Plan with the late Militia Law of this Province, repealed by our Royal Sovereign in Council, particularly in that part respecting the Election of Officers, which, among other matters, is objected to, was assigned as one of the principle Causes for repealing it. How Consistent such a Conduct was with the Duty and Obedience due from Loyal Subjects to the best of Kings, I shall not take upon me to determine. As to my part,. I shall on all oc- casions think my self indispensably obliged to conform to the Royal Determination, which principles then did, and ever will, induce me to refuse my Assent to a Bill of the same Import with one his Ma- jesty has been pleased to reject. These Considerations, I hope, Gentlemen, will prevail with you to prepare a New Militia Bill, free from the Objections that proved fatal to the former Law.
" A Bill for regulating the Indian Trade, and preventing the Abuses formerly practised on the Natives, is also of the utmost Im- portance to this Province, as well to attach firmly the Indians to his Majesty's Interest, as to enable this Government to fulfil the Several Engagements that have been made With them in the Late Trea- ties.
" As I am informed that the Supplies given to his Majesty's use, for the Defence and Protection of the Province, are near expended,
759
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
I must recommend it to you to think, in time, of proper Ways and Means to raise further Supplies, by an equal and just Taxation of the Estates of the Inhabitants, or such other Methods as you may Judge will be the least burthensome to them.
" I lay before you an Extract of a Letter I lately received from the Earl of Loudoun, wherein his Lordship requires that the Pub- lick Roads throughout this Province should immediately be put into Good Repair, and several New ones Cut; without which it will be impossible to defend and relieve the Province in case of an Attack from the Enemy, or to act Offensively against them. His Lord- ship's Demands are so just, reasonable, and absolutely Necessary, that I am persuaded you will, without Hesitation, enable me to carry them into Execution.
" I propose going to my other Government on Thursday next. I shall press that Assembly to make all Possible Dispatch, with regard to the Publick Business ; and hope, on my return, to find the Sev- eral Bills recommended to you ready to be Laid before me.
The Affair of the Roads not admitting of the least Delay, I de- sire this may be finished before I set out.
"WILLIAM DENNY.
" October 17th, 1757."
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Wednesday, October the 19th, 1757.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Robert Strettell,
Joseph Turner,
Richard Peters,
Benjamin Chew, Esquires.
John Mifflin,
Thomas Cadwalader,
The Minutes of the preceding Councils were read and approved.
The Governor informed the Council, that at noon, A Bill Enti- tuled " an Act for preventing Abuses in the Indian Trade, for sup- plying the Indians, Friends and Allies of Great Brittain, with Goods at more easy Rates, and for restoring and confirming the Peace of Friendship heretofore subsisting between this Province and the Indians inhabiting the Northern and Western Frontiers thereof," was presented to his Honour for his concurrence, with a verbal Message, in Writing, by Mr. Plumsted and Mr. Walker, which follows in these Words, vizt:
"The House taking into their Consideration your Message, of the Seventeenth Instant, and conceiving the Establishment and regulation of the Indian Trade to be at present a Matter of the Last importance to the Welfare of this Province, and to his Ma-
760
MINUTES OF THE
jesty's American Interest in General, have prepared a Bill for that Purpose; and now present it to your Honour for your Assent.
"The House apprehends there can be no use in Offering Argu- ments to prevail on the Governor to pass a Bill so indispensibly necessary for his Majesty's Service, and the Defence of this Colony, especially as the Governor's Solemn Engagements, and the Pub- lick Faith, are staked for the performance of those things, for which the Bill is immediately calculated.
"They were induced to prefer this Bill to the other Matters re- commended in your Message, by an information they have received, that the Natives have frequently come down to Fort Augusta with their Peltry, under an expectation of being supplied with Goods, agreeable to the Governor's Engagements with them, and have re- turned much dissatisfied at the Disappointment.
"Therefore, as the Postponing of this necessary Bill may be attended with a total Alienation of the Indians from the British Interest, and Consequently, not only affect this, but all the other Colonies, they entreat the Governor to take it into his serious Consideration, and give it Dispatch, before he proceeds to the Busi- , ness of his other Government."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.