ing, and do myself the pleasure of seeing you on my return. I can now add no more, than that I am with great esteem and affection, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

TO ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, GOVERNOR OF

PENNSYLVANIA.

Transactions at Gnadenhutten. Number and Position of the Troops.

SIR,

Fort Allen, at Gnadenhutten, 26 January, 1756.

We left Bethlehem, the 16th instant, with Foulke's company forty-six men, the detachment of McLaughlin's twenty, and seven wagons laden with stores and provisions. We got that night to Hays's quarters, where Wayne's company joined us from Nazareth. The next day we marched cautiously through the gap of the mountain, a very dangerous pass, and got to Uplinger's, twenty-one miles from Bethlehem, the roads being bad, and the wagons moving slowly..

This present Monday we are erecting a third house in the fort to accommodate the garrison. As soon as Captain Hays returns with the convoy of stores and provisions, which I hope may be to-morrow, I purpose to send Arndt and Hays to join Captain Trump in erecting the middle fort there, purposing to remain here between them and Foulke, ready to assist and supply both, as occasion may require; and I hope in a week or ten days, weather favoring, that those two forts may be finished, the line of forts completed and garrisoned, the rangers in motion, and the intermediate guards and watches disbanded, unless they are permitted and encouraged to go after the enemy to the Susquehanna.

At present the expense in this county is prodigious.

We have on foot and in pay the following companies, viz. Trump's, consisting of fifty men; Aston's, fifty; Wayne's, fifty-five; Foulke's, forty-six; Trexler's, forty-eight; and Wetherhold's, forty-four, without the Fork; Arndt's, fifty; Craig's, thirty; and Martin's, thirty, in the Irish settlements; Van Elten's, thirty, at Minisink; Hays's, forty-five; detachment of McLaughlin's, twenty; Parsons's, twenty-four, at Easton; total, five hundred and twenty-two.

This, Sir, is a particular account of our transactions, and the present state of affairs in this county. I am glad to learn, by your favor of the 21st, just received, that you have thoughts of coming to Bethlehem, as I may hope for an opportunity of waiting upon your Honor there, after our works are finished, and of communicating every thing more fully, I now only add, that I am, with dutiful respect, Sir, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.*

He wrote to Mr. Horsefield, January 25th; "Foulke with his company marches this day to build another fort between this and Fort Lebanon in the Forks of the Schuylkill. He is to be assisted by Traxter's company, and a detachment of Wetherhold's, which also leaves us this day. My son, with Hays's company and Arndt's, marches in a few days to Surfass's place, (where Trump is also expected,) to erect another fort between this and Fort Hamilton near Brodhead's. I purpose to remain here between them till both are finished, with Wayne and the detachment of Davis's, that I may be able to supply and assist on either side as occasion requires. This is the present state of our affairs, of which please to inform our friends, as I cannot now write to them"

Again, to Mr. Samuel Rhoads, January 26th. "We have built one pretty strong fort, and by the end of next week, or in ten days, hope to finish two more, one on each side of this, and at fifteen miles distance. These, I suppose, will complete the projected line from Del. aware to the Susquehanna. I then purpose, God willing, to return homewards, and enjoy the pleasures I promise myself, of finding my friends well."

In another letter to Mr. Horsefield, written on the 28th, he said; "I have the pleasure to inform you, that the six wagons are just arrived, and I suppose all right, though I have not yet had time to ex

TO MRS. DEBORAH FRANKLIN.

Fort Allen, at Gnadenhutten, 30 January, 1756.

MY DEAR CHILD,

Every other day, since we have been here, it has rained, more or less, to our no small hindrance. It rained yesterday, and now again to day, which prevented our marching; so I will sit down half an hour to confer a little with you.

All the things you sent me, from time to time, are safely come to hand, and our living grows every day more comfortable; yet there are many things we still want, but do not send for them, as we hope our stay here will not be long.

I thought to have wrote you a long letter, but here comes in a number of people, from different parts, that have business with me, and interrupt me; we have

amine the contents. There are ten Lehigh people buzzing in both ears while I write; so can only add my thanks for your care and readiness to serve the province."

The difficulties and dangers of the march, and the condition of the inhabitants on the frontiers, are well described in a journal kept by Mr. Thomas Lloyd, and contained in a letter dated at Gnadenhutten, on the 31st of January. After giving an account of the progress of the army through the defiles of the mountains, along the Lehigh River, he writes as follows.

"January 17th. This morning we were reinforced by a party of Captain Wetherhold's, about twenty in number. We are now in the country of an enemy, against whom all possible caution is absolutely necessary, and scarce sufficient to prevent surprises. This day, before we marched, the several companies were drawn up on a parade, and attended with ordered firelocks, in the most solemn manner, to an excellent prayer and animating exhortation, delivered by the Reverend Mr. Beatty; and immediately after began their march, which was conducted by Mr. William Franklin with great order and regularity in the following manner. First the scouts ranged the woods and mountains in the front, in a semicircular line. Lieutenant Davis, of MeLaughlin's, led the advanced guard of twenty-two men, the van followed at about two hundred paces' distance, commanded by Wetherhold; Captain Wayne led the centre, where marched the general, the chaplain, and all the wag.

but one room, and that quite public; so I can only add, that I have just received yours, Sally's, and Grace's letters, of the 25th, with one from Mr. Hughes, and one from Mr. Thomson. Present my respects to those gentlemen (and excuse my not writing, as I have nothing material, and am much hurried), and love to all our friends and neighbours. Billy presents his duty to you, and love to his sister; all the gentlemen their compliments; they drink your health at every meal, having always something on the table to put them in mind of you.

I found, among the newspapers, Mr. Shoen's bills of exchange, which should not have been sent up here; I suppose it was by mistake, and mention it, that you need not be troubled to look more for them. I am, dear girl, your loving husband,

B. FRANKLIN.

ons and baggage, which Captain Foulke, with forty-seven men, followed; and the rear guard was brought up by Ensign Sterling, who had besides scouts out, on each flank, and spies on every hill. In this manner our line of march extended a full mile, and made a pretty appearance from the hills. In the night we were alarmed by two sentinels firing at two Indians, who escaped and appeared no more.

"Sunday, 18th. Part of our route, this day, was through the worst country I ever saw. Hills, like Alps, on each side, and a long narrow defile, where the road scarcely admitted a single wagon. At the bottom of it a rapid creek with steep banks, and a bridge made of a single log, so situated that the Indians might with safety to themselves, from the caverns in the rocks, have cut us all off notwithstanding all human precaution. Yet we arrived safe at Gnadenhutten about twelve o'clock, and immediately employed our men in forming a camp, and raising a breastwork to defend it. Here all round appears nothing but one continued scene of horror and destruction. Where lately flourished a happy and peaceful village, it is now all silent and desolate; the houses burnt; the inhabitants butchered in the most shocking manner; their mangled bodies, for want of funerals, exposed to birds and beasts of prey; and all kinds of mischief perpetrated, that wanton cruelty can invent. We have omitted nothing, since our arrival, that can contribute to the happiness and security of the country in general. Mr. Franklin will, at least, deserve a statue for his prudence, justice, humanity, and, above all, for his patience."

TO MRS. DEBORAH FRANKLIN.

MY DEAR,

Fort Allen, 31 January, 1756.

I wrote a line to you yesterday, and, having this opportunity, write another, just to let you know, that we all continue well, and much the better for the refreshments you have sent us; in short, we do very well; for, though there are a great number of things, besides what we have, that used to seem necessary to comfortable living, yet we have learned to do without them.

Mr. Beatty is a very useful man here, and the Doctor another. Besides their services to the public, they are very agreeable companions to me. They, with Captain Clapham, Mr. Edmond, and the rest of our company, present their hearty respects to you for the goodies. Billy presents his duty to you and his grandmother, and love to his sister. Distribute my compliments among our acquaintance, and hearty love to all friends. The bearer waits, so that I cannot write to my dear Sally. I am, dear girl, your loving husband, B. FRANKLIN.

TO MRS. JANE MECOM.

Philadelphia, 12 February, 1756.

DEAR SISTER,

I condole with you on the loss of our dear brother.* As our number grows less, let us love one another proportionably more.

I am just returned from my military expedition, and

* John Franklin, who died at Boston, in January, 1756, at the age of sixty-five.