USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VIII > Part 31
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The Proprietaries' Message to the Assembly of the Twenty- Eighth of November, 1758, And the Papers inclosed, viz : Heads of Complaints by Benjamin Franklin, and Mr. Paris' Answer to it, entered in Minutes of Council of the Twenty-Sixth of February last were read. Mr. Franklin's Letter on receiving the Answer was now likewise read, ordered to be entered, and follows in these Words :
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" Gentlemen :
" I yesterday received a Paper from Mr. Paris, containing your Answer to the Heads of Complaint, wherein I am informed that the Proprietaries, to take off all pretence of Clamour, are very ready to have the annual Income of their Estate enquired into, and are ready to contribute whatever the said sum {Viz' : Five thousand Pounds, by them formerly ordered to be paid] shall fall short of their pro- portion of what has been laid on the Inhabitants in general, for every part of their Estate that is in its nature Taxable ; but as an Equality is contended for, they do expect, if they have contributed more than the Proportions (which they believe they have very greatly), that the Overplus shall be returned to them. And as the House of Representatives contend for their Right in disposing of their Property, and do not represent the Proprietaries, so the Pro- prietaries conceive, and are advised, they themselves, and they only, have a Right to Judge when and how to dispose of their Estates and Properties.
" As the Money granted last year is probably expended before this Time, and a New Supply Bill must come under Consideration in the Ensuing Winter Session, it seems necessary for preventing Delays prejudicial to His Majesty's Service, that this proposal should be clearly understood by the Assembly. I therefore beg to be in- formed more explicitely of the following particulars :
" First. In what Manner you are willing the annual Income of your Estate should be enquired into, and whether you will consent to a Law that shall direct such enquiry, and the mode of it.
" Secondly. What parts of your Estate you look upon to be in their Nature Taxable, and what parts not Taxable.
" Thirdly. Whether the proportion you propose to Contribute is to relate only to the Taxes that have been heretofore laid on the Inhabitants, and the Sums already raised and spent, or to those also that shall hereafter be found necessary to be laid and raised for the Defence of the Province in the ensuing and future years.
"Fourthly. Whether it is proposed that the Assembly for the future do dispose of what the People pay for His Majesty's Service and the Proprietaries separately dispose of their Proportion, and that otherwise they will not contribute; or what is the plain Inten- tion of those Expressions that relate to the Disposition of the Mo- ney.
" As a Ship is just departing for Pennsylvania, I request as speedy an Answer as may be to these Points, they being of imme- diate Importance. The rest of the Matters contained in the Paper may be considered at another Time. Meanwhile, with due respect, "1 am, Gentlemen, " Your most obedt and most hume Serv"-,
" B. FRANKLIN,
" Agent for the Assembly of Pennsylvania." " LONDON, NOV". 28th, 1758."
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Several Observations were made upon the Obscurity of the Bill in many Essential Parts, and upon the Confusion arising from the Multitude References to former Tax Acts. Instructions were given to Mr. Chew and Mr. Peters to amend the Bill, and to Draught a Message, making therein an Offer of the Quit-Rents and appropriate Tracts, to be taxed on a fair and equal Taxation, and that a sepe- rate Bill be prepared for that purpose.
The Governor laid before the Board a Petition Frederick Post had presented to him, setting forth bis desire of going with some others of the Unitas Fratrum on the other side of the Allegheny Mountains, in the Service of the Gospel among the Indians, and praying His Honour to grant them Letters of Passport. The Council expressed a great Regard for Mr. Post, and agreed unanimously to grant his Petition.
MEMORANDUM.
On the Twenty-Eighth Mr. Croghan, in Conference with the Gov- ernor, gave it as his Opinion, that there should no invitation be sent fixing the Time of meeting for the Ohio Indians. If any further Invitation was necessary, it should be general, intimating that we expected to see them, and leave the particular time to themselves, not knowing what time would suit the Indians who were so far dis- tant One from another. Mr. Croghan said further, that the Indians in Town were exceeding uneasy, and desired an Audience of Gene- ral Stanwix, on which the Governor wrote a Letter to the General, desiring him to give the Indians an Audience, and to make them presents to their Satisfaction.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Thursday the 29th of March, 1759.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Robert Strettell,
Lynford Lardner,
Joseph Turner,
Thomas Cadwalader, Esquires.
Richard Peters,
The Amendments, and the Governor's Message to the Assembly, respecting the Supply Bill, were read, agreed to, and ordered to be entered, and the Secretary was directed to deliver them to the House this afternoon.
Amendments to the Bill intituled "An Act for granting to His Majesty the Sum of One Hundred Thousand Pounds, and for striking the same in Bills of Credit, in the manner herein after directed,
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and for providing a Fund for sinking the said Bills of Credit by a Tax on all Estates, real and personal, and Taxables within this Province :"
" 1st Amendment.
" Page 4, Line 3. Dele the Words [so as aforesaid].
"2d Amendment.
" Page 4, 5. Dele the word [that], in the 11th Line of the 4th Page, to the Word [and], exclusive, in the 9th Line of the 5th Page, and instead thereof insert as follows, Viz: The Sum of Eighteen Pence in the Pound shall be levied on the clear yearly Value of the Estate, real and personal, within this Province, of all and every Per- son and persons (the Estates of the Proprietaries only excepted); that is to say, on the Clear yearly Rents of all such Lands as are leased, or set to Farm, and on the clear annual Income and profitts of all such improved Lands as are in the Cultivation and Possession of the Owners Thereof, and on the Interest of the whole personal Estate of every Person in this Province, to be estimated and Computed by the Assessors according to the best Information and Judgment therein : And Whereas, many valuable Tracts of Land in this Province, and Lots of Ground within the City of Philadelphia and the Several Towns and Burroughs within the Province, remain al- together unimproved, and in other Tracts of Land that are settled and have Plantations on them, there are, nevertheless, adjoining to such Settlements great Quantities of rough, unimproved Lands, which o ght to be charged with a proportionable and reasonable Share of the heavy Taxes laid on the Inhabitants.
" Be it therefore enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all such unimproved Tracts of Land and unimproved Parts and Parcels of Land and Lots of Ground, shall be valued by the respective Asses- sors at the Price or sum of Money they in their Consciences shall Judge them to be worth, due regard being had to their Situation and Quality, and the Sum of Eighteen Pence in the Pound shall be levied yearly on the Interest of the Value of such unimproved Tracts and Parts or Parcels of Land and Lots of Ground, any thing in any former Law contained to the Contrary Notwithstanding.
" The Governor conceives that the House, in that Part of the Para- graph proposed to be altered, which relates to the Taxing improved Lands and Personal Estates, intends the same thing as he does ; that is, to lay the Tax only on the Clear yearly Rents, Income, and Interest; and proposes the foregoing Amendment only as a more full and Expressive for the direction of the Assessors, that they may not mistake the sense and meaning of the Act, but may do equal Justice to the People and go by one Rule throughout the Province, which he is well informed they do not now do.
" He is also induced to Propose the Amendment, with regard to unimproved Lands, for the sake of Equality in the Taxation.
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"3d Amendment.
" Page 14, Lines 9, 10, 11. Dele the Words [and what Quit- Rents they respectively are liable to pay to the Proprietaries within this Province].
"4th Amendment.
" Pa. 16, Lines 2, 3, 4, 5. Dele the Words [and also an Account of all such Located Lands as belong to the Honourable the Proprie- taries of this Province, or either of them].
" 5th Amendment.
"Pages 21, 22. Dele from the Word [and], in the Antipenult Line of Page 21, to the Word [notwithstanding], in the 10th and 11th Lines of Page 22, inclusive.
" WILLIAM DENNY.
" March 29th, 1759."
A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.
" Gentlemen :
"I have carefully considered the Bill intituled 'An Act for granting to His Majesty the Sum of One Hundred Thousand Pounds, and for striking the same in Bills of Credit in the manner herein after directed, and for providing a Fund for Sinking the said Bills of Credit by a Tax on all Estates, real and Personal, and Taxables within this Province,' and now return it to you with a few amendments, which I hope will receive your approbation.
"I would willingly avoid any Dispute that might arise between us, and retard a Bill so necessary at this Juncture for his Majesty's Service, as well as the safety and Benefit of this Province; where- fore I think it proper to inform you that the Proprietaries are ready and willing to Contribute their full proportion of the Sums already granted, or hereafter to be granted to His Majesty's Use, if, on a fair and equal Taxation of their Quit-Rents and appropriated Tracts, their former order for the Sum of Five Thousand Pounds shall be found to fall Short of such proportion. If you approve of this Offer, and will prepare a Separate Bill for that Purpose, I will heartily concur with you in it, and shall be glad to put a final pe- riod to this Contest.
" March 29th, 1759."
" WILLIAM DENNY.
A Bill intituled "a Supplement to an Act intituled ' An Act for preventing Abuses in the Indian Trade,' " presented Yesterday to the Governor by Two Members for his Concurrence, was read, and referred to further Consideration.
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A Letter from Mr. Spangenburg of the Twenty-Sixth Instant, was read in these Words:
"May it please your Honour :
" Your Honour hath shewn us so many favours that I need no Excuse for this my Letter, wherein I am humbly to acquaint your Honour that Mr. William Edmonds is going to bring in a Petition in the House of the Representatives of this Province, in behalf of the United Brethren, residing in Bethlehem, Nazareth, &ca -; Re- questing the said House's leave to bring in a Bill for regulating the Tax, which the said Brethren are to Pay. Your honour may hear the Particulars thereof by the said Mr. William Edmonds. If Mr. Edmonds does succeed, and the said bill meets with your Honour's Approbation (which I hope it will, and pray it may), it will ex- tremely oblige us. May our good Lord Bless your Honour with Health and Prosperity, is the Humble Prayer of
" Your Honour's most Hume, and most Obedt Servant, " SPANGENBERG.
" March 26th, 1759."
Two Members waited on the Governor with a Bill for preventing the Exportation of bad or unmerchantable Staves, Heading, &cª., for his Concurrence, which was read in Council.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Saturday the 31st of March, 1759.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esq"., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Robert Strettell,
Joseph Turner, Lynford Lardner, ? Esquires.
Richard Peters,
Thomas Cadwalader,
The Governor informed the Council that the Supply Bill was re- turned to him by two Members in half an Hour after it had been delivered by the Secretary with his Message and Amendments, and that the Members delivered with the Bill a Message that the House adhered to their Bill.
The Council was unanimous that the Bill should be immediately sent to the Assembly, with the following verbal Message by the Secretary :
" The Governor returns the Supply Bill, and Commands me to acquaint the House that he cannot give his Assent to it. He is, however, willing to Pass a Bill of the same Tenor with the one passed the last year, for granting to His Majesty the Sum of One Hundred Thousand Pounds."
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Then was read a Letter from Lieutenant Colonel Mercer to the Secretary, enclosing some Minutes of Conferences with Indians, both which were read and ordered to be entered as follows :
A Letter to Mr. Richard Peters from Colonel Mercer.
" PITTSBURGH, the 1st March, 1759.
" Dear Sir :
" This goes by Isaac Stille, who, together with the King Beaver, is returned from the Neighbouring Tribes with good Accounts of their readiness to accept our offers of Peace.
" Some Conferences held with the Beaver and with two Taway Indians, I have enclosed for the Governor's perusal, in Compliance with Stille's request, for I should not otherwise have given his Hon- our the Trouble of reading such trifles.
" My principal aim in all transactions with Indians is to convince them of the Sincerity of the Friendship we offer, and at the same time of our Ability to Command what we now put it in their Power to accept. It is pitty the goods have been so long detained, many Indians kave carried hack the Skins they brought to trade with, and now the Beaver is here, I am put to the necessity of letting the Ped- lars supply him with Sundry Articles ; this, tho' an illicit affair, there is no avoiding, as very little of the King's Goods suited him. The fewer present are made these people, the better encouraging a spirit of Industry appears to be the likelyest means of breaking them off from War, and closely connecting them with us, who can at the cheapest rate supply their Wants.
"The Intelligence brought me is so various and Contradictory that I begin to 'be ashamed of sending it further. It is, however, the General Opinion of the Indians that this Place will soon be attempted by the Enemy. A Train of Artillery and Considerable re-inforce- ment from Niagara having crossed the Lake this Winter, as they say, if any Confidence is to be put in the Miagoes, I shall in a few Days know their Strength.
"The Delawares at the Mouth of Beaver Creek intend to move to Kuskusky, they pretend, at our request ; but rather in my Opin- ion, thro' Diffidence of us, or to get out of the Way of Blows, if any are going, for depend upon it they are desirous of fighting neither on the side of the English nor French, but would gladly see both dislodged from this Place. It is true the Old thinking part of the Tribe incline to us, while the young Villains who have swilled so much of our Blood, and grown rich by the plunder of the Fron- tiers, have still some French Poison lurking in their Veins, that might perhaps break out at a Convenient Opportunity.
"These Circumstances demand our Pitty as well as Resentment, and whatever Mollifying Methods lie in my Power, while it is . thought proper to Honour me with the Command here, I shall not be wanting. It may not be amiss to inform the Commissioners for VOL. VIII .- 20.
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Indian Trade that good Saddles, about Three Pounds in Philadel- pbia, Wampum, and Silver Truck are frequently called for ; One fellow from Muskingham engaged me to write for two Negro Girls and a Boy about fourteen years old, to be paid for in furr; if the Gentlemen think it necessary to look out for such and mention to their Agent the Price, the Furr will be brought here.
" I cannot omit this opportunity of Signifying to you the Diffi- culties I am under of a Surgeon to attend our Sick ; Mr. Johnson of the Virginia Regiment has been kind enough to attend them hitherto. I hope the Governor and Commissioners will enable me to make him a Retaliation, as Two Hundred of our People are now here. One of the Surgeons in Pay of the Province should be ordered up.
" As my knowledge of Publick Affairs scarcely extend without the Limits of Pittsburg, Whatever you are pleased to favour me with will be highly agreeable to,
"Sir, Your most Obedient Humble Servant,
" HUGH MERCER.
" Please to offer my Compliments to his Honour the Governor."
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" Minutes of Conferences held with Indians at Pittsburgh, Febuary 24th, 1759.
" To-day Isaac Stille and a number of Delaware Indians came here and told me the Beaver, their King, would see me to-morrow.
" Sunday the 25th, the Beaver, Delaware George, and Isaac Stille, with several other Indians, and the Gentlemen of the Garrison, being present, the Beaver spoke as follows :
"'' Brother :
" ' I am come to see you ; I hope you have had your Health as I have had mine, and that you retain the same Sentiments of Friend- ship as heretofore.
"' I have brought some of my young Men along with me, with their Skins and Furrs, in hopes that the Goods which you promised to send to trade with us are come.
" ' You told us last Fall that Goods should be brought here to Trade with us, and that you were willing to make up all the Differ- ences which had unhappily fallen out between us.
" ' We look back to that strong Chain of Friendship which we and our Brothers held fast long ago; it was not our faults that it slipt out of our hands; we are glad that you have laid hold on it once more, and we are resolved to Hold it fast.
"' All I have at present to say is that your Speeches and Treaty of Peace are gone to distant Nations; they are passing from one to another, and I cannot tell how far they have gone yet. The
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Taways having heard of your intentions of making Peace with us, and with all the Indians, have sent two of their Nation to see you and to hear your Words.'
" Then producing a String of Wampum, he proceeded :
"' Brother, be attentive ;
"'You have stayed here this Winter, and you may possibly have heard something that has displeased you. Whatever ill has gone in your Ears and down to your Breasts, I intirely remove and put away by this String.
"' It is possible you have heard some Words that have made you of another mind. I now make you of the same mind as when you first made the Treaty of Peace.
" ' Brother :
" You must be in earnest in your Treaty of Peace, for I shall do every thing in my Power among the Delawares to render it Effectual.'
" Gave a String.
" Then producing another String, Proceeded :
"' Brother :
"" " Listen a little to what I say. Your Nation and my Uncles, the Six Nations, came here together to make a Treaty of Peace.
" ' Brothers :
"'' The Six Nations and you desired that I would sit down and . smoak my Pipe at Kuskusky; what they desired me I intend to do, and shall remove from Sacunk to Kuskusky. I tell you this that you may think no ill of my removing from Sacunk to Kus- kusky, for it is at the great desire of my Brothers, the English, and my Uncles, the Six Nations, and there I shall always hear your Words.'
" Gave the String."
" Monday the 26th.
" The Two Taways told me they wanted to go Home, upon which I told them that their coming here was extremely agreeable, as it testified their Desire of making Peace with the English. Then taking out Some strings of Wampum, I desired them to be attentive, For what I was to say was addressed to their Chief Men, and to all the Taway Nation.
" 'Brothers :
' 'I am come to this Place with a Friendly Disposition and hearty Desire to make Peace with all Nations of Indians. A great,
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while ago the English lived in the strongest Friendship with all the Indians. At Length the French came, and parted us from our good Friends. But now they are drove off ; we put out of our Minds every ill Sentiment, and intirely Bury in Oblivion what has happened between us and the Indians during these few Years.
"' All we desire of the Indians is to deliver up our People, now living among them, and to break off from assisting and fighting with the French. We do not offer Peace to the Indians thro' any apprehensions of their Power joined to the French, for we have this last Year defeated their United Forces in different Places; but know- ing the Indians have been deceived and many ill Impressions of us made upon them by our Common Enemy, We, therefore, out of pitty to them, and from the Remembrance of our Antient Friendship are now willing and ready to renew our former Friendship in the most Sincere and ample manner. The Speeches and Peace Belts of our great Men will arrive in your Nation by the time you get Home, & I hope your People will readily and joyfully accept of the Kind Offers their Brothers make them. Your great Men are to Consider that their Brothers, the English, from a few that came into America, are become a great People, every Day increasing in Numbers of Men and Warriors; so they should Weigh well whether it is their Interest to make us their E'nemies for Ever, or now Joyfully accept the Peace we Offer them.'
" Gave the String.
"They appeared well satisfied, telling me that my Words should be conveyed safe to their Great Men."
" Thursday the 28th.
"King Beaver, Kill Buck, Isaac Stille, and several Delaware Indians being present, with the Officers of the Garrison, I spoke to the Beaver :
"'Brother :
"'I am very glad to see you returned safe to your People; while you have been spreading the good News of Peace among the neigh- bouring Nations, I have been employed in Establishing and Con- firming it with the Delawares and all other Indians who came here. As soon as I understood that your People had dropt off from the French, that moment I put out of my mind every ill impression conceived against them, and have ever since retained the most Friendly Sentiments, and regard you as my Brother. The Goods for opening a Trade with the Indians are upon the Road, and will be up as soon as the Waggons can come along. This and every other Engagement your Brothers, the English, have come under will be fulfilled in the most sacred manner, to your ample Satisfaction ; For our Friendship remains as strong as ever; nothing we have heard or seen has in the least lessened it.
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"'' Brother :
""'It is not the Desire of the English that you should move from Sacunk to Kuskusky. General Forbes, in his Letter, mentioned your sitting down & Smoaking your Pipe at Kuskusky, because he had heard of no other Great Delaware Town. Your Brothers, the English, desire to see you live in Peace and Happiness, either at Sacunk, Kuskusky, or wherever you think proper, and by no means intend to Limit you to one Place or another.'
" Gave four Strings of Wampum.
"' Brother :
"' I am determined to Cultivate a Friendship with you and your People by a mutual Exchange of Good Offices. Whatever I hear that may be to your Advantage to know, I shall Communicate Freely, and Expect and Desire you will do the same by me. We have a Common Enemy to watch against. Observe and inform me of his Motions, and of your People who bring Intelligence that Concerns my Interest shall be well Rewarded.'
" Gave Four Strings of Wampum. "' Brother :
"' Now the Country People are bringing up Rum and Whisky. It is very likely that the Indians will Drink too Much, and falling out with their Brothers here, may Occasion our Quarrelling, which I should be very Sorry for, and therefore I desire you would tell your People not to come in the Fort on these Occasions, or if they do, to Behave Civilly, and then they may depend on being treated as Friends and Brothers. None of my People shall begin a Quarrel, but you are to Consider that we are Warriors, and will not take any abusive Language or Behaviour. If such is given by the Indians when in Liquor, I cannot Protect them from being ill treated.'
" Then I made the Beaver a Present of Sundry Sorts of Goods. He Expressed great Satisfaction, and told me he was immediately to set off to the Indian Nations over the Lake, and would use his utmost Endeavours to Establish the Peace every where.
"HUGH MERCER."
Another Letter from Colonel Mercer, of the Eighteenth of March, to the Secretary, enclosing some Indian Intelligence received at Pittsburgh the Seventeenth of March, with a return of the Garrison at Pittsburgh, were read and ordered to be entered.
A Letter to Mr. Richard Peters from Colonel Mercer.
" PITTSBURGH, the 18th March, 1759.
" Sir :
"I had the pleasure to receive your Favour of the Twentieth of February, some days since, but deferred answering it till the return
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of Teedyuscung's Son, who set off the Second Instant to stay at Prisque Isle.
" He arrived yesterday with full and particular Intelligence, widely different from what I received a month ago, and had con- firmed since by Sundrie Indians, who pretended doing me a mighty favour in Communicating it.
" How far this or the former Story come near the Truth, a few Weeks will discover. In the Mean Time, it is our Business to prepare for the worst, conscious we have to do with a Vigilant and active Enemy. Several French Officers and Traders have lived this Winter in the neighbouring Towns, and no Doubt endeavor to keep alive the Indian Interest by exagerated Accounts of their Force and Intentions. These will prove more useful to us probably than they intended, by giving Vigour to our Measures, which cannot be too soon entered upon. Inclosed for the governor's Perusal is the Intelligence by both, Shingas' Speech on his coming here a few Days since, and a return of the Garrison of Pittsburgh.
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