make my acknowlegments to the assembly for this second instance of their public spirit and zeal for his majesty's service, and the general good of these colonies, given by them in the expedition against Crown-point.

'I cannot but hope that so laudable an example will inspire the other colonies with the like spirit, so necessary at this critical conjuncture for putting a stop to the invasions and devastations of the French and their Indians within our borders, and placing the British northern colonies in a state of security against the attempts which, from the armament sent the last year from France, and their Inown designs, we have the utmost reason to expect they will push this year; and that it will continue to animate the government of Pennsylvania in the common cause, as it hath hitherto done, so highly to their advantage.

Be pleased likewise, to assure them, sir, that I shall not be wanting in making a just representation to his majesty of these marks of their zeal for the service of their king and country, and doing every thing in my pover for the service of the province.'

It is indeed remarkable of Pennsylvania, that though represented and treated by its enemies, as if it was the barren fig-tree, applications were continually made to it on all sides, as if it was capable of furnishing all demands and incapable of refusing any.

His majesty having graciously ordered a considerable present to be sent to New York for the Six Nations; and sir Charles Hardy, governor of that province, being soon to hold a meeting with them, in order to the distribution, Pennsylvania was called upon to follow the example of New York in making some addition to it: and governor Morris was prevailed upon by governor Hardy to make the demand accordingly.

Nor was the assembly averse to it: the province had agents at that very time with sir William Johnson, to sound the disposition of those nations towards them, and as sir Charles Hardy's meeting was not to take place till towards the end of March, and the governor's message was dated

February 16, they apprehended that no inconveniencies could ensue from their not giving a determinate answer till the return of those agents, which was very soon expected.

And in the mean time, as the governor could not mention Indian affairs, to them, without putting them in mind of the bill, which had been so long in his hands for regulating the Indian trade, they again called upon him to take it into consideration.

They had now at a full month; and had received a message from him, recommending a stop to be put to the exportation of provisions from some ill-grounded apprehensions of a scarcity, which they had under consideration; they were also deeply engaged in a bill for the better regulation of their forces, and they had sent up another for continuing the excise, when he governor was pleased to return both that and the Indian trade bill, with several proposed amendments, and a notce, "That his majesty's service requiring his presence at Newcastle, he intended to set out for that place on the morrow, or next day after."

To redeem time, therefore, the said amendments were immediately discussed, and upon the question rejected; of which they apprized him in the following brief and sensible

manner.

'May it pease the Governor,

'The excise bil now offered the governor for his assent, being free of all objections as to royal instructions, or act of parliament, and the same that has heretofore repeatedly received the royal assent; and no reason appearing to the house why the change should be made that is proposed by the governor's amendment, they therefore unanimously adhere to the bill, and desire it my receive his assent as it now stands.

'The bill for regulating the Indian trade, being an imitation of the law for the same purpose, found so beneficial by long practice and experience in the province of the Massachusetts, the house do also adhere to that bill as it stands; and request the governor would be pleased to reconsider his amendments.'

Of this the governor took no notice, but proceeded to Newcastle, as he had before intimated he would; and the assembly having at last conquered the difficulties raised among themselves, and passed their bill for regulating the officers and soldiers in the service and pay of the province, adjourned to the 5th of April then next ensuing.

As this adjournment was so very short, the members were permitted to have the full benefit of it; but when they met again new troubles arose ; not to say were prepared for them.

Sir William Johnson's treaty with the Six Nations was laid before them; and they found the governor strongly determined to involve the province in an Indian war with the Delawares and Shawanese; which a very considerable part of the province, from principles of prudence, as well as scruples of conscience, most earnestly desired to avoid.

The affair was soon taken into consideration; and the house appeared to be far from unanimous upon it: some from the papers laid before them, finding reason to believe, that an accommodation might still be effected, were for addressing the governor to suspend his purpose for some time longer; and others had influence enough to postpone the debate, and thereby prevent their coming to any conclusion upon the question at all.

The issues of war and peace, they might probably argue, were solely in the executive; and consequently the executive was alone to be answerable for the uses made of them.

But whatever their arguments were, whatever effect they had within doors, the same difference of opinion still remained without. On one hand, some of the people called Quakers, residing in the city of Philadelphia, on behalf of themselves and many others, presented petitions both to the governor and the house, full of exhortations to pursue pacific measures with these savages, and to preserve the province, if possible, from the calamities of an Indian war; and, on the other, the governor informed the house, that a number of people from the back counties had resolved on a meeting, in order to proceed in a body to make some demands of the legislature then sitting; and, after having made a merit of

his information, added, "that, by the advice of the council, he should give immediate orders to the provincial and other magistrates, to use their utmost endeavors to prevent the mischiefs which might attend so extraordinary a procedure."

The house, however, preserved their equanimity on this occasion; surprize they did express, that, having in all respects demonstrated so much care and concern for the security of the province, any of the people should meditate mischief against them; but, instead of discovering any fear, they announced the laws of the province against rioters, and accompanied their thanks to the governor for his intelligence, with a request, that he would lay before them what informations he had received concerning their views or designs, or wherein they had apprehended themselves to be either neglected or aggrieved: which request he never thought fit to comply with.

It may indeed be collected, that these insurgents were as strenuous for war, as the quietists were for peace; and that the governor took advantage of this very incident to declare war against the Delawares and Shawanese, and offer rewards for taking prisoners and scalps, which he did immediately thereon. He also gave notice, in form, of the same to the assembly, urging the many and great cruelties on his majesty's subjects within the province, as the cause; and concluded his message in the following terms:

'But as great part of the sixty thousand pounds is already expended, and what remains will very soon be consumed in maintaining the troops posted on the frontiers, and other necessary services, I recommend it to you, gentlemen, to grant such further supplies, as may be necessary to carry on the war with vigor, upon the success of which the future peace and safety of the inhabitants of this province will very much depend.'

The same day he also informed them, "that the Indians which had so long subsisted on the bounty of the province. (instead of taking part in this new war) were on the point of removing with their families (he was fearful, on some discontent, though he knew of no reason,) into the country of

the Six Nations; and had demanded of him the necessary conveyance and passports." And he added, "that if they could not be prevailed on to act with the English, which he had directed the interpreter to endeavour, it would be necessary to reward the two partizans amongst them (Scarroyady and Montour) to their satisfaction for their trouble and service, to send the others away well satisfied, and to give those that should continue good encouragement."

The house, in answer, signified in substance, "that their late supply of sixty thousand pounds had fully enabled the governor, and the commissioners who were joined with him for the disposition of it, to do all that was desired, or necessary to be done; that if great part of that supply, so lately granted, was already expended, and the rest would soon be so, they knew of no remedy; but that as the assessment for sinking the bills of credit issued in pursuance of the said act had not as yet been laid or levied, as a great part of the money was still in hand, and as they were soon to meet again upon the adjournment, then so necessary to their private affairs, having waited long for the governor's answer to their bills, they could not think it would be of use at that time to lay an additional load of taxes on the inhabitants; they concluded with an earnest recommendation of the bill for regulating the Indian trade, as a bill of great importance for conciliating the minds of the Indians yet unfixed in their resolutions, and confirming those already in alliance with them, by supplying them with such goods and other things they might have occasion for, on the easiest terms, at the charge and under the inspection of the government." And, in a separate message, sent at the same time, they farther gave him to understand, "that, having seriously deliberated on his message for putting a stop to the exportation of provisions, ever since they had received it, and made a full enquiry into the circumstances of the country, they had reason to hope that, under the common course of God's good providence, no considerable danger or inconvenience could arise from continuing to leave their ports still open till their next

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