USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VIII > Part 41
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"I am afraid such Practices will increase among them if some effectual Measures are not taken to prevent these great Violations of the late Peace, and distressing the poor unhappy Sufferers on the Frontiers. I should have taken the Horses from them by force, but I could not find them; and to cover this their base Villany, they raised a Report that some French Indians had been murdering in Tulpihocken, and had taken a prisoner from thence, but as we have had no account to Confirm it from the Settlement, Concluded they have raised it themselves.
"I am your Honour's most Obedient Humble Servant,
"JACOB ORNDT.
"Fort Augusta, Septem". 20th, 1759."
At a Council held at the State House, Saturday the 29th Septem- ber, 1759.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Richard Peters, Secretary.
The Council was summoned but no more attended, Mr. Peters reported that the Four Bills were examined, and agreed with the Originals.
A Message was sent by the Governer to the House that he required the attendance of the Speaker and House, in the Council Chamber, in order to enact into Laws the four Bills that were agreed to, and the
VOL. VIII .- 26.
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Speaker with the whole House accordingly attending, the four Bills respectively Entituled as follows, Viz *:
" A Supplement to the Act entitled 'an Act for re-Emitting the Bills of Credit of this Province heretofore re-Emitted on Loan, and for striking the further Sum of Thirty-Six Thousand Six Hun- dred and Fifty Pounds, to enable the Trustees to lend Fifty Thousand Pounds to Colonel John Hunter, Agent for the Contractors, with the Right Honourable, the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, for His Majesty's Service.' "
" An Act for Appointing an Agent to apply for and receive the distribution, share, and proportion, which shall be assigned to this Province, of the Sum of Money granted by Parliament to His Majesty's Colonies in America."
" A Supplement to the Act entitled 'an Act for Establishing Courts of Judicature in this Province.'"'
" And an Act to Continue an Act Entituled ' An Act for direct- ing the Choice of Inspectors in the Counties of Chester, Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks, and Northampton,' " were enacted into Laws, sealed and lodged in the Recorder's Office.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Thursday the 4th October, 1759.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esq". Lieutenant Gover- nor.
Robert Strettell, Benjamin Shoemaker, r Esquires.
William Logan, Richard Peters,
Benjamin Chew, Thomas Cadwalader,
The Returns for Sheriffs and Coroners were read. The Governor, in some Instances, asked the advice of his Council, and in others he did not, and whether he agreed or disagreed in Sentiment with the Council he ordered Commissions to be made out, for the following Persons, Viz *:
Counties.
Samuel Morris, Sheriff,
Peter Robeson, Coroner, S Philadelphia.
Joseph Thornton, Sheriff,
Bucks.
William Ashburn, Coroner,
Benjamin Davis, Sheriff, Joshua Thompson, Coroner, William Smith, Sheriff,
Chester.
Matthias Slough, Coroner,
Lancaster.
Jacob Weaver, Sheriff, John Warren, Coroner, Berks.
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
John McKinly, Sheriff,
Newcastle.
William Smith, Coroner,
John Moore, Sheriff,
Northampton.
John Venasen, Coroner, S
Afterwards the Governor appointed
Counties.
Peter Shugart, Sheriff, York.
William King, Coroner,
Thomas Parker, Sheriff,
Kent.
William Wells, Coroner, S
Ezekiel Smith, Sheriff,
John Miller, Coroner, S
Cumberland.
Joseph Shankland, Sheriff,
Jabez Fisher, Coroner, Sussex.
Whilst the Council was sitting, Teedyuscung waited on the Gov- ernor to acquaint his Honour that he had some Business to lay be fore him. The Governor sent for Teedyuscung into Council, who accordingly came, and brought with him Abraham Lacquis and Thomas Evans, two Delaware Indians, with Isaac Stille, Inter- preter.
The Governor gave Teedyuscung an hearty welcome, and ac- quainted him that he had called his Council on being informed that he desired to speak to him, and was ready to hear him.
Teedyuscung thanked the Governor, and made his following Speech :
" Brother :
" I would have you listen to me a little while. I have some- thing to tell you. If I happen to speak a word amiss, or any- thing contrary to our Friendship, you must put it by. I am but a little man ; you are a much stronger man. If I make any mis- take, do not take notice of it, as if I mean anything contrary to our Friendship, for I assure You I mean no such thing.
" Brother :
" Almost all the Indians are looking at us ; they all see us both sitting together, and Consider us as the first who began to make & Peace, are glad of it, and desirous we should finish it intirely. I have no more to add on this article than this, seeing you are looked upon in this Light, far and near, by my Countrymen. Let us strive together, and we will finish the good Works ; you are an able man. I am a Weak Man ; but tho' I am weak, I will promote the Peace to the utmost of my power.
A String of four Rows.
"Brother :
" When first I came down to you on this good Errand, there were some foolish Boys that gave you wounds that went deep into
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your Flesh ; our Creator provided some Roots out of the Ground to heal these Wounds ; those I collected and made a Plaister of them. I did not apply it only to the outside of your Flesh, but to your Heart, where you felt the greatest pain. It is customary for all Doctors, when they put Plaisters to Wounds, to come again and see if they be healed or not. Now, all the Indians think that your Wounds are perfectly Cured. Even the Women, and Children, and Grand-Children, know it and say so. I speak on behalf of five Nations, who are all of this Opinion, and think you are quite well."
A Belt of Seven Rows.
" Brother :
" In what we have done, I think we have acted with so much sincerity towards each other, that the Peace will be everlasting. I am a King; you are a King; your People or my People might otherwise say that we had made a false peace, but now that they have been Witnesses of our mutual Sincerity, they must and will acknowledge that we are a good People, and that we have made a good Peace.
" Brother :
"I have no more to say ; this is all the News I bring you. I hear from the outside of the Country, all that is doing in the Back Parts, and I always let you know what I hear, be it great or small ; you know that we agreed to hear from one another ; my Ear was to be open to what was doing on the outside of the Coun- try, and your Ear was to hearken to what was doing in your Parts ; and I assure you that all the Indians, little and big, are well pleased with the Peace.
" Brother :
"I know you feel sorrow, and I know what gives it you; you have not seen your prisoners; do not be out of Patience ; I am now about collecting them, and I will bring them to you this fall, as soon as ever I can. I have done."
Teedyuscung being asked by the Governor what Number of Prisoners are with them, and in what place, he answered that there was not above five prisoners among the Delawares on the Susque- hannah River. The Munsies have a greater number, but they join the Mohocks, and will deliver them together; they are not, there- fore, to be counted among the Delawares. The Mohocks have a great many Prisoners among them; the English hold frequent Con- ferences with the Mohocks, but I never know what passes between the English and the Mohocks.
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Saturday the 6th of October, 1759.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- crmor.
William Logan,
Richard Peters, Esquires.
Teedyuscung,
Abraham Lacquis,
Thomas Evans,
Isaac Stille, Interpreter.
The Governor spoke to Teedyuscung as follows :
" Brother :
" I have considered your Speech of yesterday; I thank you for it; what you have said is very good.
" Brother :
"Nothing shall be wanting on my Part, to bring the good Work of Peace to an happy Conclusion. It pleases me to hear that the Indians are, all of them, so attentive to what we have been doing, and so desirous we should finish it. Providence hath hitherto fa- voured our Councils, and will always, we hope, continue to smile upon us whilst we act with uprightness and Sincerity, and are care- ful to perform our Engagements. This will Secure to both of us the Esteem of our Children and Grand Children, and they will have reason to speak well of us, and Honour our Memories when we are in our Graves."
A String.
" Brother :
"You Judge right of us as to our Flesh and Blood-this is the first and most important matter between us, and you have in the most solemn manner engaged to return all our prisoners, we ex- pect it from you and from all the nations you represent or can have any influence on. If this be not done and that soon, and without keeping any of them from us, we are afraid it will Occasion a Breach between us, notwithstanding all the pains you and I have taken to bring about a Peace."
A Belt.
" Brother :
" You say the Minisinks will deliver their Prisoners along with the Mohocks; I hope they will not fail to collect them and bring them all down.
" Brother :
" We are, as you justly observe, under the Strongest Covenants to use our Eyes and Ears for the benefit of each other; I am glad to find you have your Ear always ready open to what is doing in
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the parts where you Live, and that you have nothing to acquaint me with from those Countries but what is very good.
" Brother :
" I shall now tell you our News. Many Indian Nations have assisted the King's Armies, who have been, thro' the blessing of Heaven, very successful ; the strongest places of the French are conquered and in his Majesty's Possession : Niagara, Crown Point, Ticonderoga, are all in the hands of the English; English Ships are sailing under King George's Colors on Lake Ontario, Lake George, and Lake Champlain; Quebec is almost destroyed by a large fleet and Army in the River St. Lawrence. " Brother :
" Hearken to what I say. My Ear is hurt, and my Heart is grieved very much at something I have lately heard, and am going to relate it out of a Letter I have received from the Commanding Officer at Fort Augusta, Major Orndt, who you know is a very good Friend of the Indians, and one who will write nothing but the truth."
" Extract of a Letter from Major Orndt to Governor Denny, Dated at Fort Augusta, September the 20th, 1759. ·
" Last Week Three Delaware Indians that had been a hunting near Tulpehoccen, stole Six Horses from thenee ; the Persons who lost the Horses fell on the tracks and followed them to the Fort, and acquainted me of their Loss. I immediately inquired what In- dians had been a hunting thereabouts, and charged them with the theft ; they confessed they had the Horses, but said that when the People were murdered and their Creatures taken away two years. since, there was not so much said about it, but now there was a great Noise about a few Horses ; and after I had represented to them the abuse, and that I apprehended it would Introduce fresh Troubles, they after some Impudent Expressions, promised to return the Horses, but they are gone off without bringing them in." " Brother :
"These are very bad things; I expect you will call a Council of all the Delaware Indians, and represent this matter to your Coun- sellors, and make these foolish young men bring back the Horses to Major Orndt, and ask pardon for their rude treatment of him ; the Horses must be returned, and your young men reproved and charged not to do the like again."
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Wednesday, the 17th of Oc- tober 1759.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esq"., Lieutenant Gover- nor.
Robert Strettell, Richard Peters, Esquires.
Lynford Lardner, Benjamin Chew, S
Yesterday Mr. Norris was chosen speaker, presented to the Gov- ernor, and approved.
Mr. Lardner and Mr. Chew, the Committee appointed to review the Minutes of Council, reported that they had perused all the Minutes from the Twentieth of April last, the time when the Gover. and Council first began to differ in Sentiment about the Bills pre- sented by the House, and corrected them, and had desired Mr. Peters to write in separate Papers every thing that was said to each Bill, that all might be read and considered in order as it passed from time to time, on any one subject.
The Minutes of Council relating to the Supply Bill, were read, corrected, and approved, and Friday next was appointed to read and settle the others, and all the Members were desired to give their attendance.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Friday, the 19th of October 1759.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esq'., Lieutenant Gover- nor.
Robert Strettell, Benjamin Shoemaker,
Richard Peters, Lynford Lardner, Esquires.
Benjamin Chew, Thomas Cadwalader,
The Minutes of Council were read to this time, from the Twen- tieth of April last, and unanimously approved.
Whilst the Council was sitting, a Bill was presented to the Gov- ernor for his Concurrence, Entituled " an Act for the further con- tinuance of an Act of Assembly of this Province, Entituled 'a Sup- plementary Act to the Act Entituled 'an Act for preventing the Exportation of Bread and Flour not Merchantable, and for the new appointment of officers to put the said Law in Execution, "'" which was read and returned to the House with a Message that the Gov- ernor gave his assent to it, and it was enacted immediately into & Law by the Governor and the House in the Council Chamber, sealed and lodged in the Roll's Office.
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MEMORANDUM.
On the Twentieth, two Members waited on the Governor, to ac- quaint him the House inclined to adjourn to the third Day of De- eember next, to which adjournment his Honour made no Objec- tion.
MEMORANDUM.
The Ninth of November, 1759, the Governor, being informed that Mr. Hockley, the Keeper of the Great [Seal] was gone into the Country, and that by his Absence a total Stop was put to the Ad- ministration of Justice, for want of Judges of the Common Pleas, thought it necessary to have the matter laid before the Assembly, in order to find a proper Remedy for this great Evil, and therefore sent to the Sheriff of the several Counties Writs to Summons the Representatives to meet him in Assembly on the nineteenth Instant, One of which Writs is as follows :
"[L. S.] By the Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieu- tenant Governor, and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, and Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, upon Delaware :
" WILLIAM DENNY,
" To the Sheriff of the County of Philadelphia, Greeting:
WHEREAS, The Publick Service of this Province is much retarded, and the Government disabled to fill the Courts of Justice in several Counties, with Judges of the Common Pleas, pursuant to a Law now in force, occasioned by the Keeper of the Great Seal of the said Province, absenting himself for Two Weeks past, and upwards, and taking with him, or leaving the Great Seal in some Place un- known, where it cannot be come at, to the manifest Delay of Jus- tice, and Subversion of the Powers of Government, Which requires that the Assembly of the said Province should meet before the time to which they stand adjourned; These are to Command and require you to summon the Representatives of the said County to meet me in general Assembly at Philadelphia, on Monday, the Nineteenth day of this Instant, November; Thereof fail not, at your Peril, and have you then there this Writ.
"Given under my hand and Seal, at Arms, at Philadelphia, the Ninth Day of November, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty- Nine, In the thirty-third year of His Majesty's Reign."
MEMORANDUM :
On Tuesday, the Nineteenth of November, Two Members of the House waited on the Governor, to acquaint him the House were
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met in pursuance of his Summons, and requested to be furnished with a Copy of the Writ by which they were Summoned.
The Honourable Proprietaries having appointed the Honourable James Hamilton, Esquire, who arrived in Philadelphia last Saturday, to succeed Mr. Denny in the Administration, the Secretary was de- sired by Mr. Hamilton, to acquaint the House that he had received Orders from him to lay before them a Copy of the Writ by which they had been summoned, which was done accordingly.
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At a Council held at Philadelphia, Saturday the 17th Novem- ber, 1759.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Robert Strettell,
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Joseph Turner,
William Logan,
Esquires.
Richard Peters,
Lynford Lardner,
Benjamin Chew, Thomas Cadwalader,
The Honourable, the Proprietaries, having again been pleased to appoint James Hamilton, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of the Pro- vince of Pennsylvania, and Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sus- sex, on Delaware, Their Commission bearing date the twenty-first of July last, under the Hands and Seals of the said Proprietaries, and under the Great Seal of the said Province, was read and imme- diately published at the Court House in the presence of a great number of Magistrates, Gentlemen, and Freeholders of the said Province.
The Commission, together with the Minute of the Privy Council, certifying the King's Royal Approbation of Mr. Hamilton, and his having taken the Oath before his Majesty in Council, were ordered to be entered, and follow in these Words :
" THOMAS PENN and RICHARD PENN, true and absolute Proprietaries and Governors-in- Chief of the Province of Penn- sylvania, and Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussx, on Dela- ware,
" To James Hamilton, Esquire, Greeting :
"WHEREAS, the late King Charles the second, by his Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of England, bearing date the fourth day of march, in the Thirty-third year of his Reign, was graciously pleased to grant unto William Penn, Esquire, (late Father of the said Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, since deceased), His Heirs and Assigns, The said Province of Pennsylvania, with large powers, Jurisdictions, and Authorities for the well-Governing, Safety, De- fence, and preservation of the said Province and the People residing
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therein, and more particularly to do and perform sundry mat- ters and things therein mentioned, either by himself and his Heirs, or his or their Deputies or Lieutenants, as by the said Let- ters patent, relation being thereunto had, may more fully appear : And Whereas, the late King James the second, before he came to the Crown, by the name of James Duke of York and Albany, be- ing rightfully possessed of a Certain Tract of Land lying on the West side of the Bay and River of Delaware, more commonly called and known by the name or Names of the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware; and being likewise invested with Sundry Royalty's priviledges, Immunities, powers, Jurisdictions, and authorities, for the defence, safety, preservation, and well-Gov- erning of the said Tract of Land and the Inhabitants thereof, did, by certain Deeds duly executed, and bearing date as therein men- tioned, give and grant unto the said William Penn, his Heirs and Assigns, the said Tract of Land lying on the West side of the Bay and River of Delaware, with all and every the said Royalties, Privileges, Immunities, Powers, Jurisdictions, and Authorities which he the said Duke of York stood then invested with as aforesaid, as by such Deeds relation being thereunto had, may more fully appear : And. Whereas, we did by our Commissions, under our Seals, bearing date the seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and fifty-six, depute, constitute, and appoint William Denny, Esquire, to be Lieutenant Governor of the Said province and Counties, for and during the good pleasure of Us and the Survivor of us, and until further Order: Now Know You, that We have revoked and determined and by these presents Do revoke and de- termine our said recited Commission, and every Clause, article, and Thing therein contained : And further Know You, That we, re- posing Special Trust and confidence in your Tryed and approved Loyalty to the King, and in your prudence, conduct and Integrity, Do, by Virtue of the said Letters patent and Deeds, depute, consti- tute, nominate, and appoint you, the said James Hamilton, to be Lieutenant Governor of the said province and Counties, Giving and hereby granting unto you full power and authority to exercise, execute, and put in practice, in ample manner, All and every the powers, Jurisdictions and Authorities, so granted unto the said William Penn, his Heirs and Assigns, by the said Letters patent and Deeds, as shall be necessary and convenient for the safety, well- being, defence, preservation, and well-Governing the said province and Counties and the people thereof, hereby comitted and entrusted to your care and charge; And generally, at all Times, and upon all Occasions, when proper and convenient, to exercise, do, execute, act and perform all, and all manner of powers, authorities, acts, military, and all other matters and things whatsoever, requisite and necessary for the good order of Government, for the administering, maintaining, and executing of Justice, and for the safety, peace, defence, and preservation of the said province and Counties, and the
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people under your Government and Direction, as fully and amply, to all Intents, Constructions, and purposes, as We ourselves might or coud do by Virtue of the said Letters Patent and Deeds or any otherwise howsoever, were we personally present ; You following and observing such Orders, Instructions, and Directions as you now have, or hereafter, from time to time, shall receive from us or our Heirs, To have, hold, execute, exercise, and enjoy the said Office or post of Lieutenant Governor of the said Province, Jurisdictions and authorities hereinbefore Granted, and all Titles, privileges, pre- eminences, profits, and advantages to a Lieutenant Governor and Commander Chief of the said province and Counties belonging and therewith usually held and enjoyed, unto you, the said JAMES HAMILTON, for and during the good pleasure of Us and the Sur- vivor of Us, and until further Order : Provided Always, that nothing herein contained shall extend or be construed to extend to give you any power or Authority to sett, lett, lease out, Grant, De- mise, receive, posess, Occupy, or dispose of any Manors, Messages, Lands, Tenements, Houses, Gardens, Royalities, Rent, Issues, or profits arising, belonging, or accruing unto us or either of Us, in the province and Counties aforesaid, or otherwise; Nor to inter- meddle or concern yourself therewith, or with any part of the pro- perty thereof, or with any Officer or Officers appointed for the management thereof, ether by placing, displacing, interrupting, or hindering any of them in the just Execution of their Offices ; But in Case your aid and assistance shall be wanted by them, and de- sired for our Service, Then, and in such Case, You are hereby re- quired to assist them by all lawful ways and means to the utmost of your power, any thing hereinbefore contained to the contrary thereof in anywise, notwithstanding. And we do hereby strictly Com- mand, charge, and require all persons within the said province and Counties, of what degree, quality, state or Condition soever, To yield, give, and pay unto you, all Respect, submission, and Obe- dience as Lieutenant Governor of the said province and Counties so appointed as aforesaid, as they will answer the contrary at their peril. Given under our Hands and Seals at Arms, the Nineteenth day of July, in the Thirty-Third year of the Reign of Our Sover- eign Lord George the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Bri- tain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth, and in the Year of our Lord, One thousand seven hundred and fifty-nine.
"THOS. PENN, [L. s.] " RICHD. PENN, [L. s.]"
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" At the Council Chamber, Whitehall, the 10th August, 1759. " PRESENT :
" The. Lords of His Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council. " His Majesty having been pleased to declare his Royal allow- ance and approbation of James Hamilton, Esquire, to be Deputy Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania, without Limitation of time, and of the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware River, in America, during his Majesty's Will and Plea- sure, according to the nomination of Thomas and Richard Penn, Esquires, proprietaries of the said Province and Counties, He this day took the Oaths, in Council, appointed to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and also the Oath required to be taken by the Governors of His Majesty's plantations, for putting in Execution the Acts of Trade and Navigation.
"W. SHARPE."
At a Council held at Philadelphia, the 18th day of November, 1759.
PRESENT :
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire, Lieutenant Governour.
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