USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VIII > Part 5
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The Governor related to the Board the Insult he had received from the late Commissioners, and their Treatment of the Two Com- missioners who were of the Council, refusing to pay several Matters that were agreed to, ordering Things without his Privity or Con- sent, &ca., and doing Business without giving Notice to the Two Members of Council of their Meetings; On these Representations, which were confirmed by Mr. Lardner and Mr. Miflin, it was unan- imously agreed that their Names should be struck out as Commis- sioners, and the House be told the Reasons of it, and desired to insert other Names. It was further observed that they were mem- bers of the House, and too much employed to do the Publick Busi- ness well; Mr Hugh Davy being nominated in the Tonnage Bill as Collector of the Duties was objected to.
The Bill was committed to Mr. Chew, Mr. Turner, and Mr. Mifflin, to be considered farther and report thereon; And the Sec- retary was ordered to lay it before the Collector, who was desired to let the Governor know if there was any thing therein contrary to the Laws of Trade.
The Governor related to the Council what passed this Forenoon between his Honour and Moses Tatamy, who was sent by Teedyus- cung to let the Governor know he would not deliver any Message unless he might be allowed to bring his Clerk with him.
The Secretary was desired to set this Matter in its true Light to the Indians in private Conversation, and as Mr. Logan was said by one of the Members to be in Town, he was desired to assist in it, or to take it upon himself, as he was better acquainted with these Indians, but it was unanimously agreed that the Clerk should not be permitted to sit in Council. If Teedyuscung desired a publick Conference, and there should not appear any thing against it, after he had related his Message to the Governor in private, or with his Council, he might be indulged with one in the Council Chamber in the State House, and then his Clerk might come, as well as any other Persons Inhabitants of the City.
The Names of the Indians.
Teedyuscung, Samuel Evans, Moses Tatamy, Isaac Stille, Episcaha,
Capt Harrison, Moholieçan, Willemegihany, Gelapamind.
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MINUTES OF THE
At a Conference in the Council Chamber, at the State House in Philadelphia, Wednesday the 15th March, 1758.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
Benjamin Shoemaker, William Logan, Esquires.
Richard Peters,
The Speaker, with several Members of the Assembly, and many of the Inhabitants of the City.
Indians.
Teedyuscung, Tepiscaway,
Willymegahany,
Moses Tatamy,
Mohowliekon, Gillapawmen,
Capt Harrison,
Sundry other Indians.
Isaac Stille, Interpreter.
Teedyuscung's Speeches were taken down by the Secretary, and read, Sentence by Sentence, to the Indians. The whole was after- wards settled by Mr. Logan and the Secretary the same Day, and are as follows :
Teedyuscung, addressing himself to the Governor, said : "Brother :
"I hope your wise men of the Council and Assembly are now present to hear what we have to say." . On which they Governor answered him they was, and told him that he was now ready to hear what he had to say.
Teedyuscung then taking out a Large Calumet Pipe filled it with Tobacco, and rising up said :
" Brother :
"The Governor and all your wise men present, hearken to what I am now going to say: At the Treaty at Easton, you desired me to hear you and publish what passed there to all the Indian Nations. I promised you to do it; I gave the Halloo and published it to all the Indian Nations in this Part of the World, even the most distant have heard me. The Nations to whom I published what passed between us have let me, Teedyuscung, know that they had heard & approved it, and, as I was about so Good a Work, they sent me this Pipe, the same that their Grandfathers used on such Good occasions, and desired it might be filled with the same Good Tobacco, and that I, with my Brother, the Governor, would Smoke it. They further assured me that if at any Time I should perceive any Dark Clouds arise, and would Smoke but two or three Whiffs out of this Pipe, these Clouds would immediately disappear."
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Teedyuscung then lighted the Calumet Pipe that was Sent to them from the Indian Nation, first smoaked out of it himself, then gave to the Governor, who, with the Council and Members of As- sembly, smoked it.
Teedyuscung then proceeded, and taking hold of a Long Belt said : " Brother :
"I desire you would hear me, and I hope all who are present will attend to what I am going to say to the Governor.
" Brother :
"I told you when we Consulted together I would not do as had been done heretofore. I would not hide or conceal any part of it in my Bosom, but would hold it up and Publish it, that all the World may hear and see it, and this I shall ever continue to do.
" Brother :
"You may remember I promised I would Give a Halloo; I have done it, and all the Nations you see represented by this Belt, which I now hold in my Hand, have heard whatever you and I have talked together when we were promoting the Good Work; I have made all these Nations as One Man. All the Indian Nations from the Sun Rise to these beyond the Lakes, as far as the Sun setts, have heard what has passed between you and me and are pleased with it, and they have said to me, 'Now, Brother Teedyuscung, we see that you and your Brothers, the English, have been talking about what is good; We, therefore, send you this Belt to Let you Know that we, the Nations who Live some of us at the Sun Rise, and others at the Sun sett, have taken hold at the two Ends of this Belt, and we desire you and your Brothers, the English, to take hold of the Middle, and always, when you are Consulting about what is Good to hold it fast, as our Lives and Safety will intirely depend upon it.'" As he was giving over the Belt to the Governor, he further said :
"Now Brother, the Governor :
" As Ten Nations joined before, and now Eight more have taken hold of the Covenant Chain, we make, in all, now Eighteen Nations who have hold of this Belt."
Gave a Belt of Ten Rows, which had in the Center of it two figures of Men taking One Another by the Hand, which Teedyus- cung said was represented himself and the Governor; at Each End of the Belt were two figures, representing the Sun Rising and the Sun Sett, and between these figures were Eight figures in White Wampum, representing the Nations who had taken Hold of it.
Then Teedyuscung proceeded and Said :
" Brother :
/
" Hear me, and all that are present take Notice.
" You know I told you at Easton that all the Power was in my VOL. VIII .- 3.
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MINUTES OF THE
Hands, and as I held what was Good in my hand, I told you I would hold it up, and if I saw any that were Willing to Live Quietly and Peaceably, I would deliver it into their Hands, and all the World should see to whom I did deliver it.
"Brother :
" I am heard now by all the Indians, and they are pleased, and have said to me, Brother Teedyuscung, You are now promoting what is Good ; We have looked and Enquired who has been the Cause of the Darkness; There are Three concerned, English, French & Indians. We have found one of these three have been the Cause of it, and he shall die. After a Pause Teedyuscung said Something was forgot, and added That the Man is a Frenchman. " Brother :
" There is a Good Deal of News going backwards and forwards, but tho' it be so, I have stopped his Ears and blinded his Eyes, so that the News runs right before his Breast, he shall Hear Nothing of it, That is, tho' the Indians who have Joined me Live behind the French, must pass by them to come to us, Yet they shall know nothing of what Passes Between us.
" Now, Brother, as I have blinded the Eyes of the French and stopped their Ears, I hope you will do the same."
Gave a Belt of 12 Rows.
" Brother, And all present attend to what I am going to Say :
" You may remember you told me I was so Capable a Man as you were ; I see you tell true, you are really a Greater Man than I, and these Words Encouraged me. I have also received Encour- agement from the Indian Nations. Now, Brother, Press on with all your might in Promoting the Good Work we are engaged in ; Let us beg the God that made us to bless our Endeavours, and I am Sure if you Exert your selves, and God will grant a Blessing, we shall Live."
Gave a Belt of 8 Rows.
" Brother, the Governor, and all present :
" The Indians who Live back Encourage you and me ; they have seen us Hold Councils together, and they press us on to Execute what we have begun. They have said to me : 'Do you, Teedyus- cung, and your Brothers Press on and don't be discouraged. It is a Work of Great Moment which You have undertaken. When you begin a Great Work, you Can't expect to finish it all at Once ; therefore do you and your Brothers Press on, and let nothing Dis- courage you till you have intirely finished what you have begun.'
1 Now, Brother, As for me, I assure you I will Press on, and the Contrary Winds may Blow strong in my face, yet I will go forwards and never will turn back, but Continue to Press forward untill I have finished, & I would have you do the Same.
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
" Brother :
" One Word more ; I earnestly desire you to Press on ; Let us proceed in the Good Road and finish the Work we have undertaken. I desire you Would Open and Clear your Eyes and Look upon our Wives and Children with Pitty and Compassion, and finish the Work as Soon as you can. Tho' you may Hear Birds Singing on this Side and that Side, you must not take Notice of that, but Hear me when I speak to you, and lay it to Heart, for you may always depend that what I say shall be true."
A Belt of 7 Rows.
Then he arose and taking the Governor by the Hand, said : "At Present I have no More to say, but when I hear any News you also shall hear it, for your Ear and mine are One."
The Governor Replied to Teedyuscung and Said:
" Brother Teedyuscung :
"I thank you for what you have now said ; as it is a Matter of Great Consequence, I will take time to Consider, and will Let you when I am ready to return an Answer."
N. B .- The Eight Indian Nations mentioned are-
The Ottawaw's, who Live N. W+ of Fort de Troit.
Twightwees,
Chippewaws,
1209432
Toawaws, live So of Lake Erie.
Caughnawagos,
Mahoowa, live on an Island in One of the Lakes.
Pietoatomaws, live Westward of De Troit.
Nalashawawna, live No. of New England.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Thursday the 16th March, 1758.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
Robert Strettell, John Mifflin
Benjamin Shoemaker, ? Thomas Cadwalader,
Esquires.
A Bill Entituled " An Act for granting a Duty of Tonnage upon Ships and Vessels," &ca., was again read. The Committee having drawn up a Message proper to be sent along with the Bill to the House, and likewise a Paper of Amendments agreeable to what was given them in Instruction the Last Council, the same were read, and some alterations made, and then agreed to.
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MINUTES OF THE
A Message from the Assembly in Answer to the Governor's Mes- sage which Accompanied Secretary Pitt's Letter was read in these Words :
" May it Please Your Honour :
" It was with Hearts filled with Loyalty and Gratitude to our most gracious Sovereign that we received his Royal Orders for the most vigorous and extensive Efforts for the Defence of his American Dominions in general and of this Province in Particular. After the last inactive and unhappy Campaign, as well of the King's regu- lar Troops as of the Military Force of this Province, the vigorous Measures His Royal Wisdom is determined to prosecute against the common enemy cannot but give us the most Sensible Pleasure. This we esteem one among many demonstrative Proofs of his Ma- jesty's royal Care and Paternal Regard for His Subjects in this Part of his Dominions ; and we should think ourselves wanting in our Duty to the best of Kings did we not embrace this Opportunity to return him our most humble and sincere Thanks for the gracious Protection He Hath hitherto afforded us in common with the rest of his American Colonies, and for His mild and paternal Instruc- tions which he hath transmitted to us in His Secretary of State's Letter.
" We are Sensible that Vigour, Unanimity, and Dispatch in the Colonies are absolutely necessary to Crown with Success his Ma- jesty's Measures for their Protection and Defence ; and your Honour may assure yourself that Nothing on our Parts which can be ex- pected from the most loyal, zealous, and faithful Subjects shall be wanting to co-operate with His Majesty's Forces in their offensive Operations in these Parts of His Majesty's Dominions.
"At the time your Honour laid before us the Secretary of State's Letter, of the 30th of December last, we were upon a Bill for granting a Sum of Money to His Majesty's use for fitting out the Provincial Ship of War for protecting our Trade, which now lies before you for your Assent ; and upon His Excellency the Earl of Loudon's Application, had further resolved, by a Land Tax, to furnish the Crown with Seven Hundred Men for the ensuing Cam- paign; besides the Forces we judged necessary to remain in Garri- son on our Frontiers, referring your Honour to your other Govern- ment to compleat of Eight Hundred Men, requested of you by his Lordship; but upon receiving the above mentioned Letter, we are determined to comply with His Majesty's most gracious Demand of this Colony, and to encrease that Number, as far as the present distressed Situation of the Province, and Abilities of its Inhabi- tants will permit; and we are accordingly preparing a Bill to be presented to your Honour for that Purpose, to which we hope you may be at Liberty to give your most hearty Concurrence, not doubting your Honour will think it your Duty to apply to your
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
other Government to exert themselves on this extraordinary Occa- sion.
" Signed By Order of the House.
"THOMAS LEECH, Speaker.
" March 14th, 1758."
The Secretary was ordered by the Governor to deliver to the House a Copy of the Conference held yesterday with Teedyuscung and other Indians in the Council Chamber, which was done accord- ingly.
The Governor after the Council broke up, gave orders to the Secretary not to carry the Bill, Message and Amendments to the House, but to detain them to be considered in a full Council.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Saturday, 18th March, 1758. PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Joseph Turner
Thomas Cadwalader,
John Mifflin, 3 Esquires.
The Governor informed the Board that last Night he received by Express from New York a Letter from General Abercrombie, dated the fifteenth Instant, which was read and ordered to be en- tered; the Council approved of his Honours laying an Embargo on all Shipping in this Port; and the Secretary was ordered to deliver the said Letter to the House with a Verbal Message that "General Abercrombie, His Majesty's Commander-in-Chief in North America, having Signified by his Letter of the fifteenth Instant to the Gov- ernor, received by Express last Night, that his Majesty's Service requires an Embargo to be forthwith Laid on all Ships and Ves- sels in this Port, his Honour has Accordingly done it. And I am Commanded by his Honour to Lay that Letter before you for your immediate Consideration, and he most earnestly recommends it to you to comply with the Demand therein made with the utmost Dispatch."
A Letter from General Abercrombie to Governor Denny. "NEW YORK, March 15th, 1758. " Sir :
" By Circular Letters from Mr. Secretary Pitt (bearing date at Whitehall, December 30th, 1757) to all his Majesty's Governors on the Continent of North America, from Pennsylvania inclusive to the Southward, which Letters arrived here on the 4th Instant, by the Squirrel Ship of War, and were immediately forwarded to
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MINUTES OF THE
you by Express from Lieutenant Governor De Lancey, you will find, Sir, that the King having Judged Proper that the Earl of Loudoun should return to England, His Majesty at the same time was Pleased to appoint me to Succeed his Lordship as Commander- in-Chief of the King's Forces in North America, with the same Powers and Authorities; and you will likewise find that in Pursu- ance of that Appointment it was his Majesty's Pleasure that all the Governors on the Continent should apply to and Correspond with me on all Matters relating to the King's Service ; In conse- quence of which Pleasure so signified to you, and repeated to me, I am to recommend to you to use your utmost endeavours & In- fluence with the Council and Assembly of your Province to induce them to raise with all Possible dispatch at Large a Body of Men within your Government as the Numbers & Situation of its In- habitants may allow, all which has already strongly been recom- mended to you by his Majesty's Secretary of State, as likewise several other Matters contain'd in that same Letter, which for the sake of brevity, I shall avoid repeating & solely refer myself to as it is so full that I do not think it can want any Additions ; so far I will venture to go for your further Guidance as to fix the Number of Provincial Troops that may be wanted for his Majesty's Service in those Quarters to Six Thousand, to be furnished by Virginia, Maryland & Pennsylvania, in such proportions & upon the Terms set forth in the above Quoted Letter of Mr. Secretary Pitt to His Majesty's Governors in North America.
"I am at the same time to acquaint you that as it is absolutely necessary for his Majesty's Service, that an immediate Embargo should be Laid on all Ships in the different Ports of the respective Provinces in North America, and as you have already been fore- warned that whenever such directions should be Transmitted to you by His Majesty's Commander-in-Chief in these Parts, you should without any the least Difficulty comply therewith, I make no doubt that upon receipt thereof, you will forthwith Publish the said Em- bargo, which is to hold Good until such time as you receive Notice from me to take off the same, which you may depend on being transmitted to you as soon as his Majesty's Service will allow of it.
" I have nothing further to add, but to desire that you will give me the Earliest notice Possible, of the Success you meet with in your Application to your Council and Assembly, and what Resolu- tions they are, or are likely to come to, upon the Subject of the Troops to be raised by them, conformable to His Majesty's direc- tions, especially, as the Season is so far advanced, and there is no time to Loose.
"I am with Great regard, Sir, " Your most Obedient Humble Servant, "JAMES ABERCROMBIE.
"P. S .- The Embargo took Place in this Port yesterday."
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
The Governor then issued Orders under his Hand and Seal at Arms, for an Embargo to be laid on all Ships and Vessels, as well to Abraham Taylor, Esqr., Collector of his Majesty's Customs at Philadelphia, as to William Till, Esqr., Collector at New Castle, and to the Collectors of his Majesty's Customs, or the Gentlemen Officiating as Principal officer of the Customs at Lewes.
A Letter was wrote by the Governor to the Commanding Officer of General Otway's Regiment, requiring him without Delay, to reinforce the Guards at the Fort at Wiccacoa, and to use his utmost Endeavours to prevent any outward bound Vessels from Passing the said Fort, until further Orders ; and he was acquainted that the Captain of the Fort, Mr. Samuel Mifflin, had his Honour's Directions to Obey the Officer's Orders on this Occasion. The Governor likewise wrote to the same Effect to Samuel Mifflin, Esqr., Captain of the Fort at Wiccacoa.
The other Business was postponed till a further Council, to be convened on Monday next.
Yesterday Two Members waited on the Governor with the fol- lowing Message :
"May it please your Honour :
"We find, by the Minutes of your Conference with Teedyus- cung, on the fifteenth Instant, which you were pleased to lay before us Yesterday Afternoon, that far Distant Tribes of Indians have freely entered into our Alliance, and waited for nothing but the faithful Performance of the Articles of Peace, stipulated on your Part at the Treaty held at Easton, to Join heartily in the British Interest.
" On this important Occasion, when the Peace of this and the Neighbouring Colonies, and the Success of his Majesty's Arms in the Ensuing Campaign, seem deeply interested in your Delibera- tions, we do assure you, that to Effectuate these Good Purposes, and strengthen your Hands, we will chearfully contribute every thing which can be reasonably expected from us, to confirm the In- dians in their Good Dispositions towards us; and we think it our indispensable Duty to put you in mind of your promises to them, that we may heartily join in demonstrating our good Faith by our Actions, and Making it their true Interest to preserve a Perpetual Intercourse and Peace with us, and all other his Majesty's Subjects in North America.
"Signed by Order of the House. "THOMAS LEECH, Speaker. " March 17th, 1758."
Then was read the Ratification of the Act of Assembly for Striking Thirty Thousand Pounds, and granting the same to the
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MINUTES OF THE
King's use, passed in September, 1756, which was ordered to be entered as follows :
"[L. s. ] At the Court at Kensington, the 8th Day of July, 1757. " PRESENT :
" The King's most Excellent Majesty.
" Lord President.
" Duke of Newcastle, Earl Thomond,
" Earl of Holdernesse,
Viscount Barrington,
" Earl Gower, Mr. Secretary Pitt.
" Whereas, in Pursuance of the Powers granted to the Proprie- taries of the Province of Pennsylvania, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal, the Deputy Governor, Council, and Assembly of the said Province, did, in September, 1756, pass An Act, which hath been transmitted, and is entituled as follows, Vizt:
"' An Act for Striking the Sum of Thirty Thousand Pounds in Bills of Credit, and giving the same to the King's Use, and for providing a Fund to sink the Bills, or to be emitted by laying an Excise upon Wine, Rum, Brandy, and other Spirits.'
" His Majesty this Day took the said Act into his Royal Consid- eration, and having received the Opinion of the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, and Also of a Committee of the Lords of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council thereupon, Is hereby pleased to declare His Approbation of the said Act; And Pursuant to His Majesty's Royal Pleasure thereupon expressed, the said Act is hereby confirmed, finally Enacted, and ratified accordingly, Whereof the Deputy Governor, Council, and Assembly of the said Province of Pennsylvania, and others whom it may concern, are to take Notice, and Govern themselves accordingly.
" W. SHARPE."
- -
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Monday the 20th March, 1758.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
Robert Strettell, Benjamin Shoemaker, )
Joseph Turner, Richard Peters,
Esquires.
Lynford Lardner, Benjamin Chew,
Thomas Cadwalader,
The Secretary acquainted the Governor and Council, that Mr. Logan had Endeavour'd to Learn the Sentiments of the Indians with respect to an Answer to Teedyuscung's Speeches, and to get Intelligence from them of the State of Indian Affairs; but thro'
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Indisposition, had not so much Conversation with them as he de- sired for this purpose, and that he remained still Indisposed, which was the Reason of his Absence.
A Draught of an Answer to Teedyuscung's Speeches was read, and the Secretary was desired to confer with Mr. Logan on the Answer, and they to Consult with Teedyuscung on the same.
The Message and Amendments to the Tonnage Bill were again read, considered, settled, and Ordered to be entered, and sent to the House, by the Secretary, with the Bill.
Amendments to the Bill entituled " An Act for granting to his Majesty a Duty of Tonnage upon Ships and Vessels ; and also cer- tain Duties apon Wine, Rum, Brandy, and other Spirits, and a Duty upon Sugar, for supporting and Maintaining the Provincial Ship of War for protecting the 'Trade of this Province, and other Purposes, for his Majesty's Service."
" Ist Amendt-, Page 16, Line 6. Dele the Words [Hugh Davy ], in whose stead the Governor desires the House will insert some other Person more fit for the Office of Collector.
"2. Page 18, Line 13. Dele the Word [Five] and instead thereof insert the Word [Three].
"3. Page 19, Line 7. Dele the Word [another] and instead thereof insert the words [some other person to be approved of by the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of this Province].
" 4th. Same Page, Line 9. After the Word [who] insert the Words [when so approved of ].
" 5th. Same Page, Line 11, 12. Dele the Words [Hugh Davy].
" 6th. Page 20, Lines 9, 10, 11. Dele the Words [ Joseph Fox, John Hughes, William Masters, Joseph Galloway, and John Bayn- ton], in whose stead the Governor desires the House to Propose Five others, not Members of the House of Assembly.
" Page 21, Line 14. Dele the word [Ten] and insert the Word [Five].
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