Pages 675-679

Translation of Dutch Printed Papers

Philadelphia, the 29^th 0f Sep’r, 1741

Worthy Friends & Country People:

I of late saw a writing with Conrad Weiser’s name subscribed, wherein he pretends to give you Honest and well intended advise how you ought to proceed in relation to the ensuing election, but from what I can see his intent is rather to cheat and deceive you; therefore, I thought it necessary to discover his mistakes to you and to forwarn you, that you may not be deceived by him to your own, yea, to the ruin of this happy country.

If were to be wished that only such people in all Governments might be put in Commission as adhere faithfully to reighteousness & truth, and it is a pity when such are in commission, who are to be removed whenever they will not do what the Government Commands–then Conrad Weiser is our Countryman, and of late is made a Justice of the Peace, and therefore he ought to have been Carefull in this his first Exercise, and ought to have said nothing but what is the truth; whether it was from want of care or from information that he says a difference arose above a year ago about the question whether it was right to pay tribute to Casar or not, and that the Germans had answered no, (to judge according to our works.)

The people in general of this province, both in the Assembly and out of it, are such obedient subjects to our gracious King that they never put such a question, nor desire to put any such, and the Assembly declared openly in their votes of last year that they thought it their duty to pay tribute to Casar, and they actually pay tribute to Casar, and resolved to pay to the Governor 3,000(pounds) for the use of the King, if he would not send away the servants who, by his encouragement, did inlist for soldiers; but the Governor would not hear to it, chose rather to send the servants away in ye King’s service than to take the money, and the Assembly has paid to their masters above 2,500(pounds), besides what is yet to be paid; and some of the masters have lost a great deal, and were almost ruined by this acting & encouragement of the Governor’s, which was not the intention of the King, as appears now by the officer that inlists soldiers, who declared openly that he will not take any bound servants. It is, therefore, plain that the money that was paid for the servants was for the King’s use, whereby he got so many men for his service, (for these servants are in the King’s service) which is more, in proportion, than all the other provinces have paid.

From this, my dear Countrey people, it is plain that Conrad Weiser is deceived himself (or which is more to be feared), That whereas he is lately made a justice of the peace, he inclines to please the Governor that he may keep him in commission; and certainly how should he do otherwise, for many Honest men who have served their country in a Just & upright manner as Justices of the peace, have been removed in several parts of this province by this present Governor for no other Reason, that is known, but because they would not agree with him in taking the Masters’ servants to the Hurt of their families, & because they, as Honest people ought to do, choose such Assemblymen as would serve their country truly to the best of their knowledge.

Seeing then, Conrad Weiser in this case, which is so plain to every Body, is either deceived himself or otherwise undertakes to deceive & cheat his country people, how can one believe his word any further; he says further, that the Assembly had not given the Governor the usual salary, but the reason why he designedly conceals.

Here my Countrey people we may observe that the most part of the Assembly, which were chosen for these two years past, have been Assembly-men many years, and having given the Governor his usual salary; this present Assembly themselves have last year given the Governor 500(pounds) as a part of his yearly salary, and when they layd but two acts before him for his approbation he would not pass one of them, and so far as we know he complains of the great privilege which the people of this province enjoy, and he would willingly bring them to nothing. How could the Assembly answer it to those that choose them to give him more money (since he makes so ill an use of it) till he drops this design? Therefore, there ought to be no notice taken of this part of Conrad Weiser’s complaints, for without doubt if we choose the present Assembly again, and the Governor will pass the acts that are prepared for the good of this province as the former Governor did, and will no longer use his endeavours to hurt people by his complaints to the great ones in England, then they will give him the same salary that the former Governor had.

It is true that many of our Mother’s Countrey have retired to this for their safety & to enjoy the blessings of this Land, and Conrad Weiser himself must own that we found them ritely here. Why would he then persuade us to make an alteration which would produce no good, but, on ye contrary, might prove very hurtfull to us, and bring upon us such Burdens to escape which we left our own. It is also true that the major part of this present Assembly are Quakers, but was it not so from the beginning, what hurt have we received of them, don’t they appear to be good & peaceable neighbours, and made us partakers of such privileges as they enjoyed themselves, both in Temporal & Religious affairs, before the last act of parliament was made? It is certain that this Act of Parliament is to be looked upon as a Particular favour for which we ought by all opportunity to show our thankfulness to his Brittainick Majesty, whose Subjects we are, but are there no other sorts of thanks than such as are prescribed to us by such men to whom we do not owe the same obligation? For it is to be observed, that before it was known last year whom our Countrey people would choose, all sorts of people were permitted to take their qualification, as well those that were used to swear as those that did not, and were made partakers of the Benefit of that act of Parliament: but since it is known that we will choose our pleasure in the election, like other good subjects, to choose such men to represent us as we thought fit, but did not elect such as were recommended to us by the Governor’s party, then some of them made objections in the Court that those that would, for conscience sake, shwear, should not be partakers with others of his Majesty’s subjects of such privileges; but what can Conrad mean by saying that we should choose an Assembly that will make up the difference with the Governor? If the Governor is willing to make an end of them in a reasonable way, this present Assembly is best able to do it. They know the difference, and from whence they arose, but if the Governor is able to have his will in an unreasonable way the we need no Assembly, and may be further in danger of choosing such superiors over us as may bring the same Slavery upon us, for which we fled from our Native Countrey. If we then will forfeit such valuable privileges it appears that we are not worthy of them, and if we do not beware of such Magistrates, none is safe, either in his estate or privileges; but as for the articles of the danger of a war with France, it is an unnecessary fear, the best and last information say that the ministry are inclined for peace, and if it were not so, then Conrad Weiser speaks not as one that trusts in Divine Providence, by which we have been protected hitherto, and why should we be afraid now. Moreover, he will frighten us with the French, who are but a Handfull to us, and live a great way from us, and have a very troublesome road to us, and must pass through such warlike nations of Indians, which are at peace with us, and of whom they themselves have been afraid always in time of war.

Be therefore Careful, loving Countrey-men that you be not deceived & Misled, one single mistake in your Election is, perhaps, no more to be set to rights. We see the Governor is very Carefull in the smallest matters in the government. If he don’t like the Justices, then he removes them, and since it is the Chief point that the Countrey people have in the Government to keep things in Balance, that unrighteousness may not prevail–that they have the Assemblys and Sheriffs to chose, it becomes us to look out for good men. What the Assembly did last year, shows the Carefully and diligently watched for our good; therefore, we have more reason to choose them again than another of which we have had no experience what they may be willing or able to do for the publick good of the publick; and, whereas, the Sheriff’s office is of great importance in this province, and the very Chief Weight whereby all is moved & turned in the Courts, let us be Carefull in this part also.

I Conclude with a hearty wish that you may be endured with understanding to see the snare that is layd for you, and that you may choose such men whose principles were always to pay tribute to Casar, and have a particular desire that peace & good will may be amongst us, and all men.

 

Pages 679-680

Gov. Thomas’ Order to Capt. Hill, Keeper of the Powder House

25 July, 1745

To Captain William Hill, Keeper of the Powder House:

Whereas, As his Excellency William Shirley, Esquire, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of his Majestie’s Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, has, by his Letter bearing Date at Boston, the 24^th June last, signified to me that the Siege of Louisbourg had quite exhausted all their magazines, and desires that as it might be uncertain what further Demand of Powder there might be for the Majestie’s Service at that Place, I would lay an embargo on all the Powder here and secure it for sometime for the Service of the present Expedition against Cape Breton.

I have, therefore, thought fit, by and with the advice of the Council, to lay such Embargo, and you are hereby ordered and commanded not to deliver out of the Powder House to any person whatsoever within the Space of ten Days, or till my further Order, Hereof fail not at your Peril.

Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms at Philad’a, this Fifth day of July, 1745. GEO. THOMAS

Whereas, The danger to which this Province is exposed make it absolutely necessary to prevent the exportation of any gun powder, and more especially so, as a great quantity of ammunition was taken from the King’s forces in the late defeat, and Col. Dunbar thought it necessary to destroy the most part of what remain’d. I have, therefore, thought fit, by the advice of the Council, to order and direct that no gun powder be suffer’d to be carry’d out of this province by any person, or in any manner whatsoever, and to render the said order more effectuall, you are Hereby required and Commanded not to deliver any gun Powder, or suffer any to be deliver’d out of the powder House to any person whatsoever, without my special order, for that Purpose, Hereof fail not, as you will answer to the Contrary at your Peril.

Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms at Philad’a, this Fifth day of July, 1745. GEO. THOMAS

Indorsed:--I think an order should go to the Custom house to prevent the exportation of gun powder & lead.

 

Pages 680-681

Capt. William Trent to Gov. Thomas

Albany, October ye 21^st, 1746

Sir:--I have made bold to draw a Bill on your Honour in favour of Cornelius Cuyler, Esquire, late Mayor of the City of Albany, for Twenty-four pounds sixteen shillings, bearing date the 21^st of this Instant October, which is for Blanketts Mr. Cuyler supplyed me with for the use of the Company under my Command, which hope that your Honour will be so good as to pay, considering the circumstances we were in, we had received orders to march, the weather very cold, and nothing to cover the men, the consequences of which must have been the desertion of the whole Company. We have loss from the 4 Companys, since our arrival at Albany, between 60 and 70 men; 30 odd from Capt. Shannon, Twenty odd from Capt. Deimer & Perry, & one from myself, and the only reason they give for deserting is the want of Covering; they say they had better perish by trying to make their escape, where a few days will determine their fate than to stay where they are, where they are sure of perishing miserably, which has been the case of one of Capt. Shannon’s men, who in crossing the mountains, trying to make his escape, where the snow was knee deep, one of them go frost bit, and his Companions fearing to undergo the same fate, left him, where he miserably perished. Sir, I have drawn another Bill on you in favour of Mr. James Stevinson, Merchant in Albany, baring the same date, which is for the remaining part of my Blanketts for Fifty-one pounds four shillings, & Capt. Perry desired moe to acquaint your Honour that he has drawn on you for his Blanketts in favour of of Mr. Derick Tenbrooke, present Mayor of Albany, for 64 pounds, & in favour of Mr. John Schyler for 10 pounds 8/0. Our march is put off till the arrival of Coll. Roberts from New York, who set out for there the day before yesterday, and is to be back in a few days. Mr. Cuyler, the late Mayor, desires me to give his humble service to your Honour, and acquaint you that he’ll supply the 4 Penn’a Companys with Bread, if you intend to send them any more, & the hardness of the weather should prevent its coming, providing you’ll let him know in time. I conclude with due submission from the rest of the Officers as well as from,

Sir, Your honor’s most obedient

Humble servant.

WILLIAM TRENT

Pages 681-682

The officers at Albany to Gov. Thomas

Albany, the 12^th November, 1746

Hon’d Sir:--It’s with great reluctance that we trouble yor Honour but as our duty and the good of our country requires it we must make bold to lay before your Honour our Circumstances. We have been making as neer a calculation as possible of our provisions & find, with the utmost frugality, we have not more meat than sufficient to serve till the 19^th January, & as to our Bread & Rum, it falls far short of that time. We are under necessity of making application to your Honour, hoping that your Honour will take it into Consideration, as it will be just in the Dead Winter when our provisions will be expended, & if we han’t more provoded directly it will be impossible for us to keep our men together, as well as to send the Provisions up after the River is froze. We leave it to your Honour, not doubting of success, from the great Zeal your Honour has always shewn for the good of the service, we remain,

Your Honour’s

Most obedient & most

Humble Servants,

WILLIAM TRENT

JNO. SHANNON

JOHN DIEMER

SAMUEL PERRY

Page 682

Proclamation Forbidding Pilots Bringing up any Vessel Carrying Flag of Truce above Marcus Hook

Whereas, The coming of foreign Vessels under Sanction of Flags of Truce into port of Philadelphia without previous examination and a Licence obtained from this Government, may be attended with mischievous consequences, which may be prevented by laying the Pilots using the Bay and River of Delaware under proper Restrictions and Regulations; We have, therefore, thought it necessary to issue this Proclamation hereby in his Majesty’s name, strictly enjoying and commanding all Pilots, Mariners and others, that from henceforth they do not presume in any pretence whatsoever to conduct, Pilot or bring up any foreign Ship or Vessel carryong a Flag of Truce, or pretending to come under a Flag of Truce, from our enemies, to any Port or place within this Province, above that Tract of Land lying in Chester county, commonly called and known by the name of Marcus Hook, without our special licence first had and obtained, as they will answer the contrary at their highest peril.

4^th July, 1747

Page 683

Conrad Weiser to Richard Peters

Heidleberg, Aprile the 28^th, 1749

Sir:--I hope these few lines will prevent the trouble of hearing a long storry, therefore I make Bold to offer them to you, the case is Thuse: Old Heinry Smith, the Indian trader, some years ago Bought a small Improvement of one Hinary Teller and paid for it; soon after he agrees with one John Jones to let it to him for so much a year, and if the said Jones could pay the sum of 25 pound, Smith was to sign over the right he had of Henry Teller by a bill of sale; Jones paid neither rent, Interest nor Capital; Smith sold the place to one Adam Earlywine, the Bearer hereof, whom Jones suffered to take possession; and when Earlywine was busy with plowing, Jones went to Philadelphia to the land office and took out a Warrant for fifty acres and paid part of the consideration money, or perhaps all. Smith had neglected to take out a warrant. The place lies between other survey’d land, and all patented, to about 80, or 90, or 100 acres, which had hitherto been vacant. The Bearer prays the Improvement, with about 40 or 50 acres, might be granted to him in right of Heinry Smith, who has his bond for 31 pounds for the Improvement, or if he must go off again, that Smith might be obliged to give up his bonds and somebody pay something for his trouble in moving to and from the place. This is all at present wherewith I trouble you. I hope you will pardon my freedom, who am,

Sir, Your very obedient,

CONRAD WEISER

 

Pages 683-684

Instructions to Conrad Weiser, Esquire, Indian Interpreter for the Province of Pennsylvania

The Honourable James Hamilton, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor & Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties of New Castle, Kent & Sussex, on Delaware.

To Conrad Weiser, Esquire, Indian Interpreter for the said Province & Counties, Greeting

The Circumstances of the Province requiring that more land should be purchased from the Indians, you are hereby instructed in the most prudent manner possible to sound the three Seneca Chiefs on this important Point, and if they show any favourable Inclination themselves, & give you any reason to believe that the overture will be agreeable to the Council of the Six Nations, you may charge them with a Message to the Council to be conceived in such Terms as by talking with them you shall think will be more likely to obtain success.

As ye whole depends on the Inclinations of the Indians, it is impossible for me to give any other directions than that you proceed with the utmost care & caution, endeavouring in your previous conversation with these Chiefs to apprize them of the necessity & expediency of such a Purchase, so as to make ye first motion come from them, and let * * * * before mentioned to be so in your Message, for should the Indians discover that ye Prop’tys want to buy, & that they are the first movers, they would but be the more adverse, and insist on higher Terms. You should likewise consider that the Lands to be sold should be of a proper Extent, not an insignificant part of ye Country, but such as will answer ye natural increase of ye inhabitants & ye multitude of foreigners w’ch may be expected to come over now as peace is concluded. A regard should likewise be had to the situation of ye new purchase, as Encroachments are daily making by Maryland and Virginia on ye Western Frontiers of this Province and Grants it is said are applied for, w’ch may interfere w’th ye Lands of ye Province in those parts. I should be of Opinion that this new Purchase should extend so far West as to give the Prop’tys an opportunity of running their South & Western Lines, and securing their Lands there by making settlements in proper places. Whatever you do in consequence of this Instruction I enjoin you Immediately to send me an account of it, y’t it may be transmitted to the Prop’tys by ye first Conveyance.

Given under my Hand & Seal at Arms, at Philadelphia, this 7^th Day of July, 1749. JAMES HAMILTON

Pages 685-686

Sir William Johnson to Gov. Hamilton

Mount Johnson, 6^th of April, 1754

Sir:--I can not refuse you my friendly offices, not only in regard to your desire which has all the weight with me it ought, but in compliance also with my own Inclinations, as my Duty & Interest, both conspire to oblidge me to use my utmost endeavour to preserve the peace and tranquility of a Country where my Lott is fallen.

I hear the same distant Fame of you, which you are pleased to Compliment me with, and shall endeavour to preserve that Honour which may recommend me to the esteem of Men of that same character of which number I am convinced you are, and for that reason should be proud of your personal acquaintance.

Doubtless, Sir, I shall employ that influence over the six nations which I have acquired by hard labour, great patience and much expense, both of time & money, to preserve them, and prevent their being imposed upon by any stratagem, whatsoever. I have had some distant application made to me from Connecticut government, but none as yet immediate or of considerable importance. When their Representatives, for I am informed they have appointed Delegates, come to me I shall give them a proper answer, agreeable to ye Proprietary’s Rights, which I understand extend to the beginning of the Latitude of 43. Nay more, our Interests are the same, and involved together, so that any encroachment would be equally detrimental to this Government and to yours, and destructive to the poor Indians, who, I am sure, have little reason to love or choose as Neighbours the Crafty Inhabitants of the N. Jerusalem, whose title to that Place seems rather derived from the subtilety of the Serpent, than the Meekness of the Dove, to which last you Province is universally allowed to have a better claim.

The weakness of my Bretheren, the Indians, I am well aware of, and doubt not by my timely caution to hinder any sett of People not properly authorized to purchase any of their Lands, then they may help to save us from the Invasions of our encroaching neighbors, the French, as well as the sly insinuations of the pretended saints, our Friends & Countrymen.

I am, with ye utmost respect,

Your Honour’s most obedient Humble servant,

WM. JOHNSON

Page 686

Beating Orders–1754

Whereas, His Majesty by his order of the 7^th Day of October, 1754, hath thought fit to raise a Regiment of Foot under the Command of William Shirley, Esquire, for the Service and Defence of His Province in America, and hath authorized him to raise so many Volunteers in any of his Province in America, as shall be wanting to complete the same, and hath required all Magistrates, Justices of the Peace, Constables and other officers, whom it may concern, to be assisting unto him in providing Quarters, impressing Carrages and otherwise, as there shall be owners:

And whereas, Mr.____ Pintard, in the above Regiment, appointed for this service, hath applied to me for my Warrant & assistance in the s’d Province & Counties, I do hereby command all officers, Civil and Military, within the said Province & Counties not to give the said _____ Pintatd any obstruction & Molestation therein, but on the contrary to afford him all necessary Incouragement and assistance in the several Matters required by His Majesty as they shall answer the contrary at their Peril.

Pages 686-689

Address from the German Protestants–1754

To the honourable Robert Hunter Morris, Esq., Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex upon Delaware:

The humble Address of the German Protestants, inhabitants of the County of Philad’a, and the adjacent Counties of the said Province, in Behalf of themselves and their Countrymen.

May it Please your Honour: We, the German Protestants, Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County and Counties aforesaid, of Divers religious Denominations, do beg leave to congratulate you Honour on your Promotion and Safe arrival to the Station of this Government.

Being very sensible of the Privileges and liberties we enjoy under the excellent Constitution of a British Government, we know very well that we cannot give a sufficient thanks to the Almighty for having conveyed us into such a Country and under so mild a Government, where the best Privileges in the known world are established.

The mild Government, the incomparable Privileges, the inestimable Liberty of Conscience and the just Administration of the excellent Laws so happily established, particularly in this Province by our worthy Proprietor, Will’m Penn, Esqr., a Lover and zealous friend of Liberty, of immortal Memory, and continued in his Successors, and so loudly proclaimed over the best Part of Germany, hath Drawn Affection of a considerable number of Germans oppressed by arbitrary Powers and Slavery to transport themselves hither, with the promising hopes to embrace and be made Partakers of the Enjoyment of the famous Privileges aforesaid, who by the kind Reception and the actual and unexceptionable Admission to the Rights of born Brittains has been most firmly and heartily attached to his Majesty and the Crown of Great Brittain; whereby also the Inhabitants of this and adjacent Provinces have been augmented, the Lands cultivated, Trade and Commerce encreased to a flourishing Condition.

In consideration of all this and many other Advantages and Benefactions, we have partaken of the Enjoyment with our fellow Englishmen, always thought ourselves very happy, and at all Times when any public Event happened within the Realm of Great Brittain, or any change of Governours, especially in this our beloved Pennsylvania, we unanimously pray’d for the Blessings of God Almighty for our gracious King George, the Royal Family, and for a continual succession of the Protestant Princes of the same on the Throne of great Brittain, as also for our Honoured Governors arrived amongst us from time to time, although we never as yet attempted to do it in publick in that due Affection towards our Soverign King and Goevernour, which was entirely by reason of that said Nation of Protestants living so far apart, all over the Province, and hardly one cared to appear in publick in behalf of himself & Countrymen, for Fear of being looked upon as Audaciousness. Thus, the Case being stated, we sufficiently contented ourselves without appearing in this Manner to signify our due Loyalty and Affection to our gracious Soverign.

It might be possible that this our due Address would have also been intermitted at this time by reasons aforesaid, and no other, had not some Spirit, we will not determ what Name to give him, 1 Reg. 22, 21, 22, accused us very publickly both here and in England, of a secret Conspirace against our King and Government, which is no small Matter to Charge a Body of People with, and might, perhaps, be detrimental to the s’d nation; a very hard Charge indeed to a number of People against which no such Accusation can be aledged with justice, and against which, in general, not one single Instance can be proved of any Disloyalty, much less of any Conspirace against our beloved King George and Country we live in.

This, your Honour would please to observe, is the only Motive and Reason that moved some of us to act in behalf of ourselves and Countrymen to congratulate your Hon’r publickly on your safe Arrival to the Station of this Government at this Time, and not to any of your hon’rd Predecessors before, as above said. And being very well acquainted with the Sentiments of a considerable number of German Protestants, Inhabitants of this Province, who all unanimously agree to all what is above said, excepting a few ignorant unmannerly People lately come amongst us, it makes us the more free to lay the Case thus open before your Honour.

How, therefore, can any Man of due Reason think, much less say, that this same People were any ways inclined to submit themselves again under a Romish Slavery upheld by a French King? To the Contrary we wish and pray, and the more at this critical Juncture of impending Danger, that God Almighty might rule our gracious King George and Parliament to find lawfull means to defeat and frustrate all unjust Designs of the French King and all other foreign Princes whatever, wherewith they intend to disturb his Majesty’s Rights; and we do hereby renew all true Loyalty and Assistance or Contributions to our King and Government, in such a manner as the Wisdom of your Hon’r and our worthy Assembly in Legislature, by the Constitutions of this Province, will find needful & expedient.

Now, hoping confidently that our gracious King and Parliament is not moved in Displeasure against us by mere false Defamations, we entertain the good Confidence to your Hon’r, as a Lover of Justice and Equity, to assist your humble Servants in defacing such unjust Clamours at home in England, and we hope our Actions and loyal Behaviour in this Province will allways be a sufficient Prooff of our tender Affection to the Realm of Great Brittain.

And that the Almighty God may allways direct your Administration to his own Glory and the publick Welfare, and confer upon your Hon’r’s Person every desirable Blessing here and eternal Happiness hereafter, is the hearty wish and Pray’r of Sir, Your Hon’rs

Most humble and dutifull Servants,

Signed in Behalf of ourselves and Country Men,

Nov’r 20^th, 1754

MICHAEL SCHLATTER	JACOB HEANKE
GEORGE HITNER	JACOB HOGG
MARCUS KUHL	HENRY ANTES
HENRY KEPPELE	GEORGE HUBNER
JACOB BISSEN	CHRISTOPHER SHOLTZE
JOHANNES GAMBER	PETER PENEBACKER
MATTHIAS CLINE	HENRY KECK
CHRISTOPHER RUBER	HENRY MUHLENBERG
PETER BRUNNHOLTZ	MICHAEL WALTHER
GEORGE GRAFT	MATTHIAS HOLLEBACK
JOHANN CASPER RUBEL	PHILIP LIDICK
MATTHIAS ABELL	JOHN SCHRACK
MATTHIAS HEINZELMANN

 

Page 690

Passport to Frederick Yeiser

Friday, 6 June, 1755

The Honourable Robert Hunter Morris, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor; Sheriffs, Justices, Constables and others, his Majesties Liege subjects within this Province:

These are to certify that the Bearer, Frederick Yeiser, is employed to, and to take care of, & carry a large Quantity of Cattle & Sheep for his Majesty’s Service, to his Excellency General Braddock, at Fort Cumberland; and I do strictly charge and require you, each & everyone of you, to be aiding & assisting to him in His journey, and that he may w’th all proper Expedition deliver the Cattle & Sheep at ye Camp where they are wanted.

 

Pages 690-691

Col. James Burd to Richard Peters

Lancaster, 22^nd Septem’r, 1755

Sir:--I begg leave to trouble you with this to lay an affair of myne before you, for your consideration. When the Commiss’rs went out to view the Roads in March last, they aggread to take up five small tracts of land, not to exceed 4 or 500 acres each, provided such came in the course of our survey, which tracts was to ve Ballotted for by the Commiss’rs, each to have one. Mr. Maxwell begged of us to take his son out along with us, (as he pretended, just to Receve the Benefit of our Company). Accordingly we did take up five tracts, & Ballotted for them, and a place Called the Turkey Bottom, lying upon the Forks of Junietto fell to my Lott. Mr. Maxwell’s son mentioned that it was his Inclination to have a place, & the Commiss’rs mentioned a place to him, which he seemed pleased with. I told Mr. John Armstrong that I would take out a Warrant for my place whenever I came home; but as you know I was but a few days at Home before I was ordered out to Cutt the Roads, I had no time to do it. Mr. Maxwell, it seems, took the opportunity of my being engaged in the service of the Roads & applied for a Warrant for said Turkey Bottom, & obtained it. This he did by the information of his son, without ever letting me know anything of the matter. I was informed of it by Mr. Joseph Armstrong on the Top of ye Allegheny Mountain, who expressed his surprise at Mr. Maxwell’s being guilty of such a Low action. I would not have troubled you at this time, knowing how much you must be hurried, but I hope you will excuse me, as I have the opportunity to Refer you for the Truth of what I relate to Messrs. Jos. Armstrong, John Smith, William Buchanan & Adam Hoops, & I shall procure you Mr. John Armstrong likewise, if I thought necessary. Now, sir, what I would begg of you would be to lett me know, with your conveniency, if my said Tract of Land is Recoverable or not, & by so doing you will very much oblige,

Sir, Your Most Obed’t Serv’t,

JAMES BURD

To Richard Peters, Esqr.

 

Pages 691-693

Recruiting Instructions 45^th Regiment

Recruiting Instructions for the Officers of his Majestie’s 45^th Regiment of foot, Commanded by Major General Hugh Warburton.

1^st. Pursuant to his Majestie’s Order, whereof a copy is hereunto annexed, bearing date the 12 day of February, 1755, You are to repair to some Convenient place on the Continent of North America, in order to raise a Number of Volunteers for the above Regiment.

2d. You are to inlist no Irish, or any other Country, unless you are sure that they are Protestants, nor to Inlist any Sailors, nor any one whom you shall have the least cause to suspect of having deserted from any Corps of his Majestie’s Service, or who shall have deserted from any other Prince or State, or if they have served in any other Corps, unless they produce an Honourable discharge from the Regiment they last served in.

3d. All your Recruits must be straight and well made, broad shouldered, strong Limb’d, healthy Complextion, free from all blemishes or bodily Infirmity whatsoever, and such as promise to be able and healthy for his Majesty’s Service.

4^th. You are to Inlist none under Sixteen Years of Age, nor any above the age of Thirty-Five Years.

5^th. You are to Inlist none but shall measure 5 Feet 5 Inches without shoes, from 16 to 20, and 5 Feet 6 from 20 to 35.

6^th. When you have listed 5 or 6 recruits you may dispatch a careful person belonging to your party to embark them in order to Joyn the Regiment, taking a Receipt from the Master of the vessel, which you will Inclose to the Commanding officer of the Regiment, who will, on the delivery of the Recruits, pay for their Passage, & c., and their Attestations and Certificates to be sent also.

7^th. You are to write as often as oppertunitys offers of your successful Recruiting to Major General Wharburton, in London, and to the officer Commanding the Regiment at head Quarters, and these Reports should be made every week to ten days at least, in which you are to specify the Particular Sums you have drawn from the Deputy Pay Master on the Continent from time to time.

8^th. You are to endeavour to make all the Recruits you raise furnish themselves with Shirts, Shoes, Stockings and Knapsacks out of what money you shall give them, and whenever you shall change your station to write the Commanding Officer at head quarters and acquaint him therewith.

9^th. You are to recruit upon Honour, you will have three pounds allowed for each Musketeer, and three pounds for every Grenadier, according to Major General Braddock’s order, and the Regiment will be at the Expence of subsisting you Recruits from the Day of their Inlisting, and also will pay the Expence of their Embarkations. You are nevertheless to apply all the money you have in your hands over and above what the Recruits may cost you towards defraying the Expences of their subsistence and embarkation, and General Braddock’s orders are to remain also in full force according to the Copys you have received for that purpose.

10^th. You are to pay your Non-Commission Officers and Drummers the same as other Regiments do, upon the Continent, vis.: Dunbar’s, Halket’s, Shirley’s, Pepperell,s, &ca., and your recruits are not to be allowed anything extraordinary for Provisions, unless those other Regiments make any allowance to their, but your Non-Commission Officers and Drummers will be allow’d (pence) day, in Lieu of their Provisions, or the agent victualler will account with them on their return from the recruiting service, or Cause it to be delivered to their Family which remain behind them.

11^th. If any Difficulty should arise in the recruiting service, either thro’ neglect or inattention of the Magistrates, you are to apply to the Governor or Commander in each Province, showing him your Recruiting Instructions.

12^th. If the Magistrates should Quarter your Recruits at too great a distance from your Rendezvous you may, in such case, hire Loudgings near at hand and charge it in your account, as also Horse hiring and other expences.

W. WILMOT

Lt. Col. to the 45 Regiment

To Captain Clarke & Lieutenant French, of the 45 Regiment

 

Pages 693-694

Writ to the County Officers to Procure Wagons–1755

By the Hon’ble Robert Hunter Morris:

To the Justice, Sheriff and Constables of the Countys of Philad’a, Chester, Bucks and Berks, Greeting:

Whereas, Sixty wagons are wanted for his majesty’s service to attend the army under the immediate command of gen’l Braddock, now employ’d in the defence of this and the neighbouring Provinces: These are therefore in his Majesty’s name to require you and each of you to use your utmost endeavours within your respective Jurisdictions to prevail on the inhabitants to furnish as many wagons as the can, and for that Purpose to enter themselves with Benjamin Franklin, Esqr., who is empower’d to agree with them upon reasonable terms, on or before the Eighth day of June next; and as his majesty’s troops must not remain inactive for want of the necessary carriages, if this invitation should fail of the desired effert, There will be a necessity of impressing the wagons wanted on this occasion. Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms at Philad’a, this 28 May, 1755.

Pages 694-695

Proclamation to Apprehend Deserters

Whereas, Col. Dunbar, who had ye Command of His Majestie’s Forces, now on their March thro’ this Province, has represented to me w’th many of ye Soldiers duly listed belonging to the s’d Com’y under his Command have deserted, & tho’ all possible diligence has been used to discover & apprehend them; yet, thro’ ye connivance & assistance of divers Inhabitants of this and ye neighbouring Colonies, all Indeavours for ye recovery of such Deserters have hitherto been rendered vain & fruitless, to the very great prejudice of His Ma’tie’s Service. And s’d Encouragement to any person or persons to discover, secure, apprehend such Deserters, s’d Col. Dunbar hath by his engagements for ye purpose hereupon endorsed, promise & engaged to pay to such person or persons who shall apprehend, or cause to be apprehended, any such Deserters from His Ma’tie’s Service, ye____ lawful Money of _____, for every Deserter y’t shall be so apprehended & committed to ye publick Goal within this Province, or delivered us to any of the officers of ye Company to w’ch such Deserter belongs. And also hath thereby promised & engaged y’t if any of ye s’d Deserters shall, w’thin ye space of ____ Months, now next, return to their Duty in ye proper Company’s to w’ch they respectively belong, he or they so returning shall be well received & excused from all Prosecution & Punishment for such Deserter. And as a further means for ye recovery of such Deserters, ye s’d Col. Dunbar desired me to issue my Proclamation to require & command all Magistrates & other civil Officers & Persons whatsoever w’thin this Prov’, to be aiding & assisting therein. I have, therefore, thought proper, by & w’th ye Advice of ye Council, to put this Proclamation, hereby commanding& requiring all P’son & P’sons whatsoever w’thin this Prov’ not to harbour, conceal or assist any Deserter from His Ma’tie’s Service, on pain of incurring ye Penalty of 5 pounds Sterling, for every such offence, & of being proscribed for ye same, according to ye act of Parliament, intitled An Act for punishing Mutiny & Desertion, & for ye better Paym’t of ye Army & their Quarters. And I do hereby strictly charge and enjoin all Magistrates, Sheriffs, Constables & other, His Ma’tie’s Liege Subjects, whatsoever w’thin this Prov’ to be aiding and assisting to ye utmost of their power in ye apprehending & securing as well all such Deserters as ye P’son or P’sons who shall be any way concerned in ye harbouring, concealing or abetting them, or any of them, as they will answer ye contrary at their Peril.

Given, &c.

Pages 695-696

Account of Arms & Amunition and to Whom Delivered

December ye 17^th, 1755 To George Croghan:

200 Guns; 300 w’t powder; 500 w’t Lead; 16 pieces of Blankets, 240; 26 Brass Kettles; 2000 Flints

October ye 29^th, 1755 To Wm. Buchanan & John Armstrong, Esqr’s, at Carlisle:

4 Quarter Casks of powder; 4 Do.; 25 Guns; 150 lbs of Lead; 1 Thousand Flints, sent by Sharp and Long

December 18, 1755 The Reverend John Steel, at Conegochig:

2 Quarter Casks of powder; 2 Cwt. of Lead

November ye 25^th, 1755 To James Burd, Adam Hoops, John Potter and Joseph Armstrong:

Four Swivel Guns; 5 Quarter Casks of Powder; 5 hundred w’t of Lead; 2 Quarter Casks powder; 2 hundred of Lead, for Chambers & & M’Dowell’s Mills

April 6^th, 1756 To William Buchanan, at Carlisle:

4 Barrels of Powder; 2 Barrels of Lead; 2 Swivel Guns, sent by Andrew Cox.

December ye 18^th, 1755 To Capten Jacob Morgan, in Berks County:

50 Guns; 4 Quarter Casks of powder; 2 hundred W’t of Lead; 3 pieces of Match Coat; 500 Flints; 1 Wall piece

April ye 21, 1756 To James Jack & Wm. Tomson, in Hopewell, in Cumberland:

2 Quarter Casks of powder; 3 Quarter of a hundred of Lead

April ye 7^th, 1756 To John Cambel, in Shearman’s Valley:

2 Quarter Casks of powder; 150 lbs. of Lead

April 7^th, 1756 To Samuel Bigher, of Tuscarora Valley:

1 Quarter Cask of powder; 75 lb. of Lead

Jan 1^st, 1756 To George Croghan’s:

One Drum; 3 Casks of 10 p’Nailes; 4c: 2: 2 lb of Lead; 1 Barrel of Powder, sent by Harman Skiles

April 8^th, 1756 To Josh Dreisback, in Lehi Township:

1 Quarter Cask of powder; 1 C w’t Lead; 2 Blunder Bushes

Pages 696-697

Gov. Morris’ Order Y’t the Companies Raised on the 1^st March, 1756 be Regimented

By the Honourable Robert Hunter Morris, Esquire, Lieutenant Governour and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, and counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex, on Delaware.

Whereas, In pursuance of the acts of General Assembly of the said province, intitled, "An act for the better ordering and regulating such as are willing and desirous to be united for Military purposes", divers of the Inhabitants of the city of Philadelphia, and of the several Counties within this Province, have formed themselves into Campanys, and chosen their respective officers, vizt., a Captain, Lieutenant, and Ensign, for each Company, whom I have Commissioned accordingly; and application having been made to me to form them into Regiments agreeable to the directions of the said act, I do, therefore, by and with the advice of the Council, Order and direct that all the several companys formed and to be formed under the said act, within each County of the said Province, on or before the first day of March next, shall be, make and compose one distinct Regiment, and be called by the name of the County in which the Companys forming such Regiments respectively shall reside; and that all the several Companysformed and to be formed under the said Act within the County of _____, on or before the said first day of March next, shall be, make and compose one regiment, and be called by the name of the Regiment of _____, Provided, that no less Companys than eight shal be or are hereby intended to form any Regiment; and as to such of the Counties as on the said first day of March next, shall not have eight Companys formed under the said act, I shall then, by the junction of two contiguous Counties, or otherwise, as shall be most convenient, form and dispose them into as many Regiments as, under the Condition and Regulation aforesaid they shall make.

Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms at Philadelphia the Thirteenth Day of February, in the twenty-ninth year of His Majesty’s Reign, Annoqr. Domini 1756. ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS

Pages 697-698

Orders for Regimenting Ye City Comp’ys

Feb. 13, 1756 Bt the Hono’ble Rob’t Hunter Morris, Esq., Lieut. Gov’r, &c.:

Whereas, In pursuance of the act of General Assembly of the s’d Prov., intitled, "An Act for ye better ordering and regulating such are willing & desirous to be united for military Purposes", divers of the Inhabitants of the City of Philadelphia & of ye several Countys within this Province, have formed themselves into Companys and chosen their respective officers, vizt., a Captain, Lieuten’t & Ensign, for each Company, whom I have commissioned accordingly, And application having been made to me to form them into Regiments, agreeable to the Directions of the s’d Act. I do, Therefore, by and with the Advise of the Council, Order and direct that all the several Companys formed and to be formed under the s’d Act w’thin each County of the s’d Prov., on or before the first day of March next, shall be, make & compose one district Regiment, and be called by the Name of ye County in w’ch the Companys forming such Regiments respectively shall reside; and that all the several Companys formed & to be formed under the s’d act w’thinthe City of Philad’a, on or before the s’d first day of March next, shall be, make & compose one Regiment and be called by the Name of the Regiment of the City of Philad’a, Provided y’t no less Number of Companys than eight shall be or are hereby intended to form any Regiment, and as to such of the Countys as on the s’d first day of March next, shall not have eight Companys formed under ye s’d act, I shall then, by the junction of ye Companys of two contiguous Countys, or otherwise, as shall be most convenient, form and dispose them into as many Regim’ts, under ye Condition and Regulation af’d, they shall make.

Given under my Hand & Seal at Arms at Philad’a, the thirteenth day of February, in the twenty-ninth year of His Ma’tie’s Reign, Anno Domini 1756.

Philad’a Co-----------------------8 Companys

North’n----------------------------9

Bucks------------------------------6 \

                                                                        9

Berks------------------------------3 /

Chester----------------------------7

Lancaster--------------------------10
Cumberland & York

Pages 698-699

Indian Passport to Jagrea, New Castle and Other Indians

April 1756

By the Honourable Robert Hunter Morris, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex, upon Delaware.

Whereas, The Indian Satagaroyies alias Jagrea, Cashunyon alias Newcastle and William Lakquis, with others, whose names are endorsed on the back hereof, have informed me that they have occasion to go to Wyomink and other places on Susquehannahm and thereto request me leave and Permission, & y’t I would grant them good & sufficient Passports & Recommendations, &c., whereby it may be certified that they are friendly Indians and go with my approbation; and I being well assured of their truthfulness, friendship and long attachment to ye English, do by these presents make it known to all, y’t they friendly Indians have rendered many faithful services to this Government, and go, withmy full consent & approbation, this journey; and all Magistrates, Sheriffs, and other Officers, as well Civil as Military, are hereby strictly enjoined and required not to molest, hurt, or in anywise impede or disturb the said Indians in their journey to and from Wyomink, but to consider and treat them as our true friends & faithful allies, and as such afford them all assistance in their Power, and furnish them, if applied to, with whatever Provisions and Necessarys they may want.

Pages 699-700

Gov. Morris’ Passport to Capt. Newcastle and Other Indians–1756

The Honourable Robert Hunter Morris, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex, on Delaware

To all Whom these Presents shall come, Greeting:

These are to certify that the Indians, the Bearers hereof, Captain Newcastle and Sattagarooyes, are our faithful and very good friends, and have undertaken, at my Instance, a second journey to Diahoga, on the River Susquehannah, and are employed by me as publick Messangers to transact Business w’th the Indians, there, and have my orders to take other Indians along w’th them, either in their journey to or from, all officers, civil and military, and all others within this Government are, therefore, required to assist them & such of our friendly Indians as shall accompany them, and render them any service they may stand in need of; and particularly the Officers of the Forts in those parts of the frontiers thro’ which they must pass, are commanded to receive them into their Forts and treat them kindly, and conduct them so far on their journey as to be out of danger from their Sentinels, & Ranging or Scouting Parties, and to send Detachments of their Companies to meet them at such time as they shall declare they expect to be upon the Return to our Borders. And these Indians having received from me an English Flagg, with orders to hoist the same whenever they come near our Forts or Settlements, or shall happen to meet with any English Men, All Officers and Soldiers are further required to take notice of and pay a proper Regard to the said Flagg, and to afford Protection & Safe Guard to the Bearers thereof and the Company with them.

Given under my Hand and the Lesser Seal of the said Province at Philadelphia, this Ninth day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1756. ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS

Pages 700-701

Beating Orders–1756

 

By the Honourable Robert Hunter Morris, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware.

Whereas, His Majesty, for the better Defence of His Colonies in America, hath thought fit to order a Regiment to be raised, which he has been graciously pleased to Name the Royal American Regiment, to consist of Four Battallions of One Thousand Men each, and be composed as well of Foreigners as of his Natural born Subjects:

And whereas, For the more speedy raising the said Regiment and the better training and discipling such Foreigners as shall inlist therein, An Act of Parliament hath lately passed, intitled, "An Act to enable His Majesty to grant Commissions to a certain Number of Foreign Protestants who have served abroad as Officers or Engineers, in America only, under certain restrictions & qualifications;

And whereas, _____ who is appointed and Commissionated by His Majesty to be one of the _____ of the said Regiment, hath applied to me for my Warrant or permission for beating up for Volunteers for the said Regiment within this Province and the Counties aforesaid, I do hereby Command all Officers, Civil & Military, within the said Province & Counties not to give the said_____ _____ any Obstruction or Molestation therein, but on the contrary, to afford him all necessary Encouragement and Assistance.

Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms at Philad’a, this 28^th day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred & fifty-six, in the Thirtieth Year of his Majestie’s Reign.

Page 701

Passport for the Indian Ogaghradarisha & Others

These are to certify that the Bearers hereof, Christian and Sam, two friendly Indians, and under the Protection of the Government, are going to Mr. Weiser’s, & from thence to Col. Clapham on publick Business; All persons are therefore ordered to suffer them to pass without Molestation, Tho’ on a Sunday. Mr. Thos. McKee & James Eunis are appointed to conduct them, and as they are well known there is the less necessity to say any more than to recommend them and the Indians to all good officers where any may be located.

I certify this the 11^th day of July, 1756, by order of the Governor.    RICHARD PETERS

Pages 702-703

Return of Ship Surveyors

 

Pursuant to a warrant from your Honour, to us directed, bearing date, March 15^th, We, whose names are underwritten, have been on board several vessels in this harbour taken up for his Majestie’s service as Transports, and have, according to the best of our skill and judgment, carefully surveyed the rigging, cables, anchors, sails and other tackle & furniture belonging to them, a List of which is underneath.

Vizt. Snow Chance, Nath. Lawrence, Master. Has on board 2 Large anchors; 1 Stream Do.; 1 New best bower cable; 1 small bower & 1 Stream Do.; _ wore; 1 Good suit of sails bent, & spare sails bespoke at New York, which the agent is acquainted of; A hearth for the soldiers.

1 Do. for the sailors, & provisions for 6 month; 1 spare main yard; 1 topsail y’d Do.; 1 Topmast Do.; 2 Good boats, & has flower on board on the King’s Acco’t.

Ship Beulah, James Gibbons, Master. Has on board 3 Large anchors, & 1Hedge Do.; 1 New whole cable; 1 other very good; 1 Stream Do.; 1 haulser, new.

1 Complete suit of sails bent, _ wore; 1 Do.; of which the mainsail, maintopsail & topgallantsail & fore staysail new; 2 Boats; A Hearth for the soldiers.

Do. for the sailors who are all shipt.

Provisions ready in the stores.

1 Spare lower yard & spare topmast.

Ship Culloden, Wm. Hope, Master. Has on board 3 Large anchors; 1 Kedge Do.; Cables to Do. very good.

1 Good suit of sails bent.

2 Spare foretopsails; 1 Mainsail; 1 Maintopsail; 1 foresail Do.; 2 Boats.

A Hearth for the Soldiers.

Do. for the Sailors who are shipt & have provisions for 6 months; 2 Spare topmasts; 1 mainyard & 1 topsail yard Do.

Ship Holderness, Wm. Gardiner, Master. Has on board 3 anchors & 1 Kedge Do.; 3 Cables; 1 New & 1 New haulser; 1 Good suit of sails bent; 1 Do. at the sailmakers, ordinary; 2 boats.

A hearth for the Soldiers.

1 Do. for the Sailors, men ready & provisions for 6 months; 1 spare topmast; 2 Topsail yards Do.; 1 Main yard, Do.

Ship Ann & Elizabeth, Sam’l Chancelor, Mast’r. Has on board 4 anchors; 1 Kedge Do.; Cables to Do. very good, 1 New; 1 Good suit of sails bent, Spare mainsail, maintopsail, foresail & foretopsail, new; 2 Good boats, 1 spare main yard; 1 maintopsail; 1 Topsail yard Do.; Hearth bought for the Soldiers; 1 Do. on board for the sailors, also provisions for 6 months.

The other Vessels taken up by the agent are not yet ready, and therefore, have not made a return to your honor of them. The five above mentioned are now ready to take on board such goods as shall be ordered. JOHN PHILLIPS THO. GLENTWORTH RICH’D BUDDEN Mar. 28^th, 1757

Pages 703-704

Warrant to Capt. Shackerly to Press Brigantine Indian King–1757

By the Hono’ble William Denny, Esqr., Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and the Lower counties of Newcastle, Kent & Sussex on Delaware.

To Wm. Shackerly, Esqr., Agent & Superintendent of ye Transport Ships & Vessels imploy’d in His Ma’ties Service in North America, Greeting.

Whereas, His Ma’ties Service requiring y’t a proper Number of Ships & Vessels be immediately taken up and imploy’d for Transports; And the s’d Coll. having received Orders and Directions from ye Hono’ble ye Earl of London, General & Com’t-in-Chief of all His Ma’ties Forces in America, forthwith to cause a sufficient Number of Ships & Vessels to be taken up & engaged for y’t services in the Port of Philad’a. These are, therefore, in His Ma’tie’s Name to will & require you forthwith to impress & taken into His Ma’tie’s Services, (as a Transport ye Brigantine, called ye Indian King of Philad’a, burthen 155 Tons or thereab’ts, whereof Alex. Fords is Master), and ye same terms & Conditions as ye other ships & vessels are hired & imploy’d in ye s’d services w’thin this Port; And for ye so doing this shall be your suff’t Warr’t.

Given under my Hand & Seal at Arms at Philad’a, ye 13^th day of April, in the 30^th y’r of His Ma’tie’s Reign, Annoq. Domini 1757.

To _____ Stanwix, Esquire, Coll. Commandant of the first Battalion of His Majestie’s Royal American Regiments.

As Many Ships & Vessels as are wanted for the said service.

Pages 704-706

Commission of the Moravian Officers–1757

By the Hon’ble Wm. Denny, Esq’r, Lt. Gov’r, Capt. Gen’l, & Com’t in Chief of ye Prov. of Penn’a, & Co’tes of N., K. & S., upon Delaware.

To George Klein & John Ortlieb, of Bethlehem, in ye Co’ty of Northampton, Greeting:

Whereas, Ye Moravian Brethren, seated w’thin ye Forks of Delaware, have by their address of ye 14^th of this Inst., March, represented to me y’t in ye time of ye late Ravages, Murders & Devastations committed by ye Indians upon ye Inhabitants in ye back parts of this Prov., they, ye s’d Moravian Brethern, were obliged for their Defence & Safety of themselves & many of their neighbours, who resorted thither for y’t purpose, to fortify & secure the several of their settlem’t w’th Stocadoes, & to place & keep therein Military Watches; and being desirous to continue ye same till the apprehensions of further Mischief from ye s’d Indians and our declared enemies ye French are over, they have humbly besought me to grant my Commission (amongst others) to you, ye s’d Geo. Klein & John Ortlieb, to be Overseers or Captain of ye Military Watch, w’ch the s’d Brethren propose, at their own expense, to continue to keep at Bethlehem af’d; and I having, w’th ye Provincial Council, taken into consideration the necessity, utility & advantage of such a Military Watch for ye safety, protection & Defence, as well ye s’d Moravian Brethren as other ye Inhabitants of y’t part of ye Prov’; and Reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Ability, Loyalty, Courage & Fidelity, I have, & by these presents in witness of ye powers in ye behalf to act, do constitute, authorize & appoint you ye s’d Geo. Klien & John Ortlieb, to be ye Captains or Overseers, jointly, or either of you, severally, of ye Military Watch, to be kept & continued by ye s’d Brethren at Bethlehem, af’d; Giving & hereby granting, as well unto you, ye s’d Capt’ns or Overseers, as to ye rest of s’d Military Watch, full power & authority to take & use arms, & by force of arms to repel, pursue, apprehend, seize, take, hold & destroy all such Indian & other Enemies who shall comit or attempt to comit any hostilities w’thin this Prov’.

And you are, by all opportunities & means in you power, to gain all ye Intelligence you can of ye motions, strength & designs of any Indian or other Enemies who shall appear in your part of ye prov’, & upon obtaining any such material Intelligence, immediately to send me full information thereof, from time to time, this Commission to Continue.

Have appointed & Commissioned ye following persons to be Capt’ms or overseers of ye watches to be kept & continued in ye respective places herein after stated, that is to say, Godfried Shwarz, at Christian Brun plant’n, Abram Hestler, at Gnadanthal plant’n, Nich’s Schaffer, at Nazareth plant’n, & Philip Trentson, at Friedensthal plant’n, & Trust & confide in your Ability, Loyalty, Courage & fidelity, & judging you fitly qualified for ye purpose, Have & by these pr’ts to do in virtue of ye power in ye behalf to me given, here by constitute, authorize & appoint you ye s’d Henry Frey to be ye Chief Capt’n or overseer for ye superintending & better ordering of ye Military Watches at ye s’d Several plant’ns of Christian Brun, Gnudanthol Noferetle, Friedensthal, And ye s’d watches & Capt’n thereof are hereby required to be subordinate to & strictly to observe & obey your orders and directions in ye premises, giving full power & authority to take, seize armes w’th ye assistance of ye s’d Military watches or any of y’m, by force or armes to repel.

As you are carefully to obey & observe my Orders & Instructions from time to time, & those of ye Gov’t and Com’t in Chief of ye s’d Prov. for ye time being. Giving &c.

6 Separate Commissions, to wit:

1^st to George Klein & John Ortlieb for Bethlehem

2^nd to Godfried Shwartz, in Christian’s Brun

3^rd to Abraham Hestler, in Gnadenthal

4^th to Nicholas Shaffer, in Nazareth

5^th to Philip Trentson, in Friedensthal

6^th to Henry Frey, to be Chief Captain or overseer of Christian Brun, Gnadenthal, Nazareth and Friedensthal.

Pages 706-707

Lawrence Growdon to Richard Peters

1^st May, 1757

Dear Sir:--After having William Beles’s name in the List of applyers sent up by you to the Govern’r, and having your Brother mark him for a Captain’s Commission by ord’r of the Governor in Council, and your Brother promising me that his Commission and Beating ordr’s should be made out as soon as the Proclamation was published. I admire to hear that he is not in the list of Captains; and that you talk’d of procuring him a Lieutenancy, but that he remains yet in uncertainty. These Difficultys would have made me Quitt all further thoughts of a Commission, but he is so Bent upon the expedition that he now Comes to renew his solicitations. If for reasons I am unacquainted with, it be thought not proper to make him a Captain, I suppose a Lieutenancey’s may be agreeable to him, were that to be granted Imediately, (which I apprehend it Cannot) for his Circumstances will not bear a Long attendance in Town, which must wast the little stock that should be employed to fitt him out, Besides the servise is delayed, the men he expects to list with him will grow Impatient, and one after another go over the River and list in the Jersey’s; So that he may at Last fail of raising his Company in the Time Limited. Forgive, therefore, my pressing you on this account, I am no Stranger to the Fatigues & Hurry attending you, but must nevertheless entreat you to assist him if it is in your Power, & if the Difficultys are not to be got over, that you will advise him to go home & think no more of it.

I am, with perfect Esteem, Sir,

Your affectionate Hum’ble Serv’t

LAWR. GROWDON

Page 707

Passport for James Ennis

The Honourable William Denny, Esquire, & c.

Mr: James Ennis:

These are to certify that the Bearer, James Ennis, is employ’d by me to conduct to Winchester, in Virginia, three Indian deputies of the Nations, who have held a conference with Sir William Johnson, and are now returning to their own Country accompanied with Mohawk _____ Indian & a Squaw. And as they are friendly Indians and going upon Business of great Consequence to which requires the utmost dispatch, all officers, civil and military, and all other persons are hereby required to aid and assist them, and to furnish them with horses they may stand in need of for the performance of their Journey.

Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms at Philad’a the 5^th S’ber, 1757. WILLIAM DENNY

Pages 707-708

Charles Moore to Richard Peters

Phila., 10 Sept., 1757

Sir:--"Tis true the Commissioners had resolved to erect some Publick Buildings on a Lot in the Commons of this City, not taken up; these Buildings were intended for Barracks to secure his Majesty’s Troops from the Enclemency of the weather during the Winter Season. The Commissioners wou’d not have fixt on this Lot cou’d they have procured another, by any means convenient for that Purpose, so that they were, through Necessity, Obliged to fix on it: and they did not doubt, but upon paying the full value thereof to the Proprietataries a regard to the Public welfare and the Health and Conveniency of his Majesty’s Troops, wou’d induce You, Cheerfully, to Consent to deliver up a Lot unimproved, vacant, and for which the Proprietors receive no value or Rent, for so salutary a Purpose. We now make you an offer to pay the full Price of that Lott, such as any three of the Proprietaries’ Council shall think reasonable; and hope, as a Part of the Materials are now on the spot, the season very far advanced, and no other Convenient and Healthy Lot can be had, you will Consent on the Proprietaries’ Behalf to the above terms.

By Order of the Board. CHAS. MOORE,Cl’k

To Richard Peters, Esq’r

Page 708-709

Embargo, 4^th July, 1755

Whereas, I have received certain accounts that a large French Fleet with a considerable number of Land Forces on Board is arrived at Louisburg, and there being reasons to believe they have great Dependance on being supplied with Provisions from the British Colonies in North America; I have, therefore, by and with the advise of the Council, thought Proper to lay an Embargo on all Ships & Vessels, intended to go from any Port or Place within this Province, & ye Counties af’d, till my further Pleasure be made known, whose Cargo or any part thereof shall consist of Provisions, &c., Provisions, Warlike Stores or Ammunition; and I do hereby strictly enjoin and command all and every the officers of his Majestie’s Customs w’thin this Province and the Government of the Counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex, upon Delaware, that they do not under any Pretense whatsoever, permit for the space of one month next, ensuing the Date hereof, without my special Lycence and Permission, signified to them under my hand and Seal-at-Arms, any Ship or Vessel to clear out of their respective offices for any Port or Place whatsoever that shall have on Board any more or greater Quantity of Provisions, Warlike Stores or Ammunition than shall be absolutely necessary for the use of ye several Crews of such Ships or Vessels in the Course of their intended Voyage.

ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS

Second Embargo laid 30^th Aug’t, 1755

Page 709-710

Col. John Armstrong to Gov. Denny

Carlisle, Jan’ry 6, 1758

Honoured Sir:--Messrs Stevenson and Armor, of York County, have warmly requested me to recommend to y’r Hon’r the Bearer, Mr. Geo. Davis, for an ensigncy in my Battalion, his Character in point of sobriety & inoffensive behavior is very good, his education & opportunity’s of life Considerable, being bred to the Profession of the Law, and admitted an Attorney in his Majesty’s Court of Exchequer, in Dublin. On the other hand, duty oblidges me to inform y’r Hon’r, that upon querying this gent’n concerning his Constitution and the effects of a Sedentary life, he was candid enough to inform me he had been three Sundry times taken with fits, I suppose of the Convulsive kind, which I told him wou’d be a great impediment. I pity the man, but dare not recommend him otherwise than a short time on tryal as a volunteer. Mr. Provost Smith or Mr. Peters, I understand, will wait of your hon’r with this young man, and give a more circumstantial acc’t of him; what ever is y’r pleasure in regard of him, will be very agreeable to me.

I inclose a letter lately rec’d from Capt. Hamilton which is all the news we have at present.

I should be glad to see some friends east of Susquehannah this winter if you’ll please to favour me with the Liberty of Absence a few weeks.

And am, Honr’d Sir,

Your Most Obed’t Servant,

JOHN ARMSTRONG

Governor Denny

Page 710

Gov. Hamilton’s Permission to Capt. Sam’l Nelson to Compleat a Company under the Command of Gen. Shirley, at New Providence–1758

By the Honourable James Hamilton, Esquire, Lieu’t Governor & Commander-in-Chief of ye Province of Pennsylvania & Counties of New Castle, Kent & Sussex upon Delaware.

To Captain Samuel Nelson, Greeting:

Whereas, Application hath been made to me by General Shirley for my warrant or permission for beating up for voluntiers within the said Province & Counties to compleat the Company under his Comand, & now doing Duty in New Providence; These are to authorize you by Beat of Drum or otherwise to raise, within the said Province & Counties, as many Voluntiers as well fill up the said Company. And I do hereby require all officers, Civil and Military to give you, the said Sam’l Nelson, all the encouragement and assistance in the said service.

Given under my hand & Seal at Arms, &c. JAMES HAMILTON

Page 711

Messrs. Beatty and Walker to Richard Peters

Warminister, May 6, 1758

Rev’d Sir:--As I understand by Capt. Walker that there was likely to be vacancy yet for an Captaincy in the Provincials, & that you was pleased to offer a preference to such as we should recommend, that was likely to answer the end, we are very sensible of the respect shown us herein, & take the liberty to mention Mr. Hart, who has been mentioned among others before for a Commission, but was then undetermined, but now is clear & very willing to serve his Country, we need say nothing by way of recommendation of him, he is known to be a person of prudence, Conduct & resolution, & doubt not of his filling that place with honour to his Country.

We are, Rev’d Sir, with great respect,

Y’r oblidged Hu’ble Serv’t,

CHARLES BEATTY

RICHARD WALKER

P.S.–You’ll excuse haste.

Pages 711-712

Justice John Miller to Richard Peters

West Caln, 8^th May, 1758

Worthy Sir:--John Montgomery was with me last Saturday and told me that Sundry Young Fellows had been with him expressing their willingness to go out on the present Expedition, provided he would go with them as their Captain, and apprehending that he may be of use to the present cause, is free to leave his Wife and his All behind him, and venture his Life in the Defence of his Country. He is a very sober, honest Man, of a good Character & Estate, and, I believe, will have a good deal of Influence with his Neighbours to go into the service. He was a Captain in our former association way, and behaved to the satisfaction of the People; he will waite on you this week for the purpose aforesaid. David Clark, a son of my Neighbour, Thomas clark, also offers himself to serve in some office in this Campaign. We are like to have officers plenty in these parts. David Clark is a sober young man, and, perhaps, may be of service; he was formerly an Ensign (I hear) in a Company in this county; he now waits on you. I am just setting out to meet some people in Lancaster county, in order to do all I can to get some to enter into the service, and am in haste, D’r S’r.

Your most obliged humble servant,

JOHN MILLER

Pages 712-713

Return of Arms–1758

Philad’a, June ye 8^th, 1758

Return of the out-standing & remaining arms belonging to the Province of Pennsylvania, as Delivered to the Honourable William Denny, Esqr.

Delivered by Mr. Peter Bard–300 Muskits, 400 Fuzeas, 300 Bayonets, 300 Cartooch boxes, 700 Slings, 400 Gun worms, 2 Bullet Moulds, 200 belts.

Delivered by Thos. Janvier to Capt. Newcastle & Chagre–2 Fuzeas, 2 Gun worms

To Mr. John Mears & Mr. Ew’d Croston–2 Fuzeas, 2 Cartooch boxes, 2 Slings, 2 Gun worms

To Col. John Armstrong–50 Muskits, 100 Fuzeas, 50 Bayonets, 150 Cartooch boxes, 150 Slings, 150 Gun worms

To Capt. Thomas Bourn–3 Muskits, 3Bayonets, 3 Cartooch boxes

To Capt. John Deimer–5 Muskits, 4 Bayonets, 5 Cartooch boxes

To Capt. John Sayre–4 Bayonets, 8 Cartooch boxes, 3 Slings

To Major Rutherford–3 Muskits, 3 Bayonets

To Capt. James Patterson–22 Muskits, 22 Fuzeas, 22 Bayonets, 44 Cartooch boxes, 44 Slings, 44 Gun worms

To the Honourable William Denny, Esqr., Doble bar’d–1 Muskit, 1 Fuze, 1 Sling

To Capt. James Young–1 Fuze, 1 Cartooch box, 1 Sling, 1 Gun worm

To Lieut. Henshaw–46 Muskits, 46 Bayonets, 46 Cartooch boxes, 46 Slings, 46 Gun worms

To Mr. John Hughs–30 Muskits, 2 Fuzeas, 30 Bayonets, 30 Cartooch boxes, 32 Slings, 32 Gun worms

To Brigadier General Forbes–214 Fuzeas, 214 Cartooch boxes, 214 Slings, 214 Gun worms, 1Bullet mould

Old arms to Capt. Thomas Lloyd–20 Muskits, 20 Cartooch boxes, 20 Gun worms

To Capt. John Singleton–58 Muskits, 58 Bayonets, 56 Cartooch boxes, 56 Slings, 56 Gun worms

To Capt. John Blackwood–56 Muskits, 56 Bayonets, 56 Cartooch boxes, 56 Slings, 56 Gun worms

To Capt. John Bull–55 Muskits, 55 Bayonets, 55 Cartooch boxes, 55 Slings, 55 Gun worms

To Capt. John Haselet–58 Muskits, 1 Fuze, 58 Bayonets, 56 Cartooch boxes, 56 Slings, 56 Gun worms

To Capt. Robt. Eastburn–56 Muskits, 56 Bayonets, 56 Cartooch boxes, 56 Slings, 56 Gun worms

To the Pennsylvania Frigate–98 Muskits, 2 Fuzeas, 100 Cartooch boxes, 24 Gun worms

To Capt. George Aston–53 Muskits, 53 Bayonets, 53 Cartooch boxes, 53 Slings, 53 Gun worms

To Capt. William Biles–53 Muskits, 53 Bayonets, 53 Cartooch boxes, 53 Slings, 53 Gun worms

To Capt. Paul Jackson–53 Muskits, 53 Bayonets, 53 Cartooch boxes, 53 Slings, 53 Gun worms

To Capt. Samuel Nelson–53 Muskits, 53 Bayonets, 53 Cartooch boxes, 53 Slings, 53 Gun worms

To Col’l John Armstrong–312 Muskits, 312 Bayonets, 489 Cartooch boxes, 312 Slings, 312 Gun worms

To the 2^nd or Augusta Bat’l–250 Muskits, 250 Bayonets, 583 Cartooch boxes, 250 Slings, 250 Gun worms

To Capt. M’Clung–53 Muskits, 53 Bayonets, 53 Cartooch boxes, 53 Slings, 53 Gun worms

To Capt. Richard Walker–54 Muskits, 54 Bayonets, 54 Cartooch boxes, 54 Slings, 54 gun worms

Remaining in the Store, 498 New Arms & 141 Old Do.

To Lanc’r–for Capt. John Montgomery, Capt. Lodowych Stone, Capt. John Clarke, Capt. Adam Read

To Carlisle–Capt. John Byers, _____Macknight, _____Sharpe, Capt. David Hunter, Capt. Robert M’Pherson, Capt. Archibald M’Grew, Capt. thos. Hamilton

Pages 713-714

Protection for Minisink Indians to Attend the Conference at Burlington

Whereas, His Excellency Francis Bernard, Esquire, Captain General and Commander-in-Chief of His Majestie’s Province of New Jersey, has acquainted me that he is now sending Messages to the Minisink and Pumpton Indians, residing in the Seneca Country, on the Waters of river Susquehannah, or wherever else they may be found, inviting them to come thro’ this Province to a Conference at Burlington, and has requested My Passports, safe Conduct and Recommendations, not only to those who are charged w’th the said Invitation, but to those Indians also who shall come in complying therewith; whether they be conducted by the present Messengers or by Teedyuscung or any other known friendly Indians. Now, as I have it much at heart to bring about a general Peace between All the Nations of Indians and the subjects of his Majesty in these Colonies, and have laboured the same with all my might in Conjunction with Teedyuscung, the Delaware Chief, & the Nations associated with him, and I am firmly of opinion that if these Indians will comply with this Invitation, it will be greatly for their Interest as well as tend to promote the General & good work of Peace; I do, in the most Solemn manner, by these presents, promise, engage, and assure to all such of the Minisink & Pumpton Indians, as shall come thro’ this Province to Burlington, the place appointed by Governor Bernard for a Conference, my Protection, Safe Conduct & assistance, so that they shall be safe in their persons & be furnished w’th Provisions in their Journey. And I do hereby strictly charge and require all Commanders of Forts, & all other military officers on the Frontiers to receive & entertain the Bearers of these letters & their Company, as Friends and Brothers, and to accompany them with a good & sufficient Escort by Bethlehem & direct public Road to Burlington, whether they be conducted by Moses Tattamy or Isaac Stille, the present Messengers, or by Teedyuscung, or any other known friendly Indians who may be employ’d by him or them on this occasion, & who will, by their further security, carry a small linen Flagg, w’ch they are to shew when they come near any fort, or stockade; And I do further strictly charge and command all Justices, Sheriffs, & other officers, Civil & Military, & all His Majestie’s other subjects within this Province, not to molest or hinder or in any wise hurt these Indians, but to be kind to them & afford them assistance & every proper thing they may stand in need of.

Given under my Hand & Seal at Arms at Philadelphia, 27^th day of June, 1758.

WILLIAM DENNY

Page 714

Order of Impressment of Men

Whereas, It has been represented to me by His Excellency, General Forbes, that tho’ he has offered a reasonable price & all proper Encouragements for good & able men to drive Carriages & Horses employ’d in transporting Artillery & other Stores belonging to His Majestie’s forces under his command, and yet none will hire themselves except at too high & most unreasonable rates. By means whereof an entire stop is put to ye Transportation by s’d Horses, & has, therefore, requested my warrant to compel as many persons as are wanted to go on this necessary duty; You are, therefore, authorized, empowered & required to press as many able men as to complete the number wanted by General forbes for the King’s forces; you paying the daily hire. Others matters prescribed by the late act of Assembly for ye regulation of Carriages to be duly complied w’th on you part.

27^th June, 1758

Page 715

Commissary James Young to Richard Peters

Camp at Carlisle, 16^th July, 1758

Dear Sir:--When I came here Col’l Armstrong told me he had wrote to you concerning his Brother George, and that all was setled, and to Continue in the Service; I, therefore, gave him his Major’s Commission. Adjutant Anderson chose to be Lieu’t of the Light horse; he has, accordingly, resigned his adjutancy, and is first Lieu’t of Capt. Thompson’s Troop, April 30^th. Lieu’t James Ewing, by order of the Gen’l, is adjutant to the third Batt’n, June 7^th; Dehaas, adj’t to the first, and Kern continues adj’t to the second, by which you may fill up your list.

Some time ago, Capt. stone complain’d of his Ensign, Charles Vanwarnisdorf, for which the Gov’r Superceed him and appointed Sam’l Montgomerie, in Stone’s Comp’y, and by mistake of your Clerk, said Vanwamisdorf stands in the list to Capt. Bull’s Comp’y, whereas it should be Andrew Wekerberg; Stone, finding he cannot get the money which Vanwamisdorf spent for him, but by keeping him in his Comp’y as his Ensign, has apply’d to the Gen’l that he may continue. The Gen’l has taken his part, and says it is unmilitary for the Gov’r to Break off without a court Martial. I had paid Montgomerie three months’ pay, so Vanwamisdorf is a Supernumery and cannot be pay’d. I beg the Gov’r may set this affair to rights, so I may be safe in the payment. Gov’r sharp came here last night. No news, but all well at Reastown; the Artillery is at Shippensburg waiting till we go there. The news from the Northward seems to give a great Damp here; it was indiscreatly told by Robinson, the Express, which the Gen’l was angry at, as there is no certain and distink Acc’t of that affair, which we impatiently wait for; ‘tis said we march on Tuesday.

I am, with much esteem, D’r Sir,

Your most Obed’t humble Serv’t,

JAMES YOUNG

Richard Peters, Esq’r.

Page 716

Capt. John Blackwood to Richard Peters

July ye 19, 1758

S’r:--The Enclosed is the State of my Comp’y as it now is. On thursday last in the afternoon by Ensigne Hughes, I Rec’d orders, when Ensigne Quicksell, with the Remainder of Maj’r Orndts’ Comp’y at fort Henery joined me, after I had left, Ensigne Godfery with four men to Fort Henery, to March Immedetely, (leaving a Serg’t & ten men at Harris’s Ferrey) to Join the Armey at Raystown; I expect Ensigne Quicksell in here to-night or to-morrow, and I shall be Ready to March as soon as his men are fitt; I have my men in good order, Except two that are sick, but I hope I shall be able to take them to Harris’s, and leave them there.

I am, S’r, Your Most Obed’t and Humble serv’t,

JNO. BLACKWOOD

P.S. S.--, I have sent out party three several times with Mr. Hughs after Desarters to no purpose, the Country people Back will not assist as ye ought. The man on furlow is not come up yet. I am at a great loss what to do about it, he has been out of Fort Henery since ye 8^th Instant.

J.B.

The State of Capt. Blackwood’s Comp’s, taken at Reading, July 17^th, 1758

At Reading: 46 men, 48 Musquets, 48 Cartouch Boxes, 48, Bayonets, 48 Blankets, 48 Haversacks 48Canteens, 3 Ammunition received at Phil’a, rounds, 5 Rounds of powder & ball expended at firing at marks, &c.

At Fort Henry: 4 men, 5 Musquets, 5 Cartouch Boxes, 5 Bayonets, 5 Blankets, 5 Haversacks, 1 Camp kettle, 5 Canteens.

On furlow from Fort Henry, granted by Capt. Bussee: 1 man, 1 Musquet, 1 Cartouch box, 1 Bayonet, 1 Blanket, 1 Haversack, 1 Canteen.

Page 717

Warrant for Impressing Waggons

By the Honourable William Denny, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, and the Lower Counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex, on Delaware.

To Atwood Shute, Esquire, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, or any other Justice of the Peace, for the said City and County.

It having been represented to me, by Mr. Thomas Janvier, Provincial storekeeper, that Two or three Waggons are immediately wanted for the Carriage of Warlike Stores, &c., necessary for ye use of Fort Augusta, to Fort Hunter, six miles above Harris’s Ferry. You are hereby ordered and directed to issue your warrant to the proper Cunstable or Cunstables to cause the same to be impressed for the Carriage of Stores & Necessaries according to ye Laws of this Province, lately made and Provided; Hereof not fail.

Given under my Hand & Seal at Arms at Philadelphia, this 20^th day of July, 1758.

WILLIAM DENNY

Pages 717-721

Capt. McClughan to Gov. Denny

To the Honorable William Denny, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex, upon Delaware and Province of Pennsylvania.

The Address and Remonstrance of John McClughan, Captain of a Company of foot, in the service of the said counties, Most humbly Sheweth, that the said John McClugan held the Commission of a Captain of a Company of foot, in the service of the afs’d Counties during the last campaign, & therein behaved himself to the satisfaction of his superior officers and without any just Cause of Complaint for any neglect or Breach of Duty, whatsoever. That after the Bill for raising one hundred and eighty men for the service of this year had passed the House, it was given out your Honor would Commissionate such officers to command the Troops afs’d, as had been in the Pay of the said Counties & behaved well the year preceding, and after them, such persons as should be recommended by the Commissioners & Representatives of the respective Counties, to fill up the Vacancies which should remain, if any. For which Reason your Remonstrant did not apply for any Recommendation to your Honor or for a Commission, hoping he would receive an offer of it as well as the late Major Wells & Captain Gooding. But finding that was not done, he then, and not till then, suggested that his Character had been abused and his Conduct Misrepresented to your Honor, & upon making enquiry, found his surmise too true; Whereupon, on the eighth day of May last, he waited on your Honor with a Recommendation from the Representatives & one of the Commissioners of New Castle County, to beg that a proper enquiry might be made into his Behavior, in every Respect, during the Continuance of his former Commission, but could not have the Happiness of speaking with your Honor at that time. He, therefore, waited upon Colonel Bouquet, under whose immediate Command and Inspection he served the principal part of the Campaign, and afterwards to several other officers & told them his case, and had the Pleasure of perceiving that they all looked upon his Character as greatly abused and his Conduct misrepresented & promised to do him justice as far as lay in their Power, for the regard they had to Truth and to his merit, without any other consideration.

That a few days after, he had the satisfaction of hearing from Mr. Secretary Peters that his Character was cleared from the aspersions it lay under, and that your Honor was so well pleased with his conduct, as to give him the first Commission of a Company of Foot, in the service of the Government of the Lower Counties on Delaware, and he, the next day, received the same accordingly with all due gratitude to your Honor, as well as the pay he might receive from such a Commission, as the great kindness done to his Reputation, thereby.

That your said Remonstrant thereupon immediately returned to New Castle and applied to the Commissioners of New Castle County for money to recruit with, shewing at the same time his beating Orders and commission, but was refused by one of them & told that all the money they had the Power of was dispos’d of or engaged to three other gentlemen who had beating orders in said County; notwithstanding, which Difficulty and many more your Remonstrant laboured under, & which, for the sake of Brevity only, he omits mentioning, he recruited in about eight days twenty-eight good men at his own private Expence, who were received and approved of by Mr. Commissary Young, and that in a Fortnight, or less time from the beginning, he is well assured he could have raised his whole Company had he not receiv’d orders by the s’d Mr. Young, from your Honor, to desist inlisting any more until it was known what numbers were raised.

That your Remonstrant not only paid the af’s’s Recruits, by him raised, the Bounty of Five pounds allow’d by the Government, but also to many of them his own twenty shillings, and to most of them half that sum; and by Way of a further Encouragement, & that the men might be the more speedily raised, he advanced to masters for their Servants and to Creditors for their Debtors, which he inlisted, the Sum of Forty-five pounds and upwards.

That on the 31^st Ult’o, he received a Letter from your Honor, dated the 30^th of the same month, wherein your Honor is pleased to inform him that his late application had thrown everything, with respect to the new Levies, into Confusion, as all the officers had beating Orders a considerable time before his application, & had actually raised their men; And, therefore, your Honor, in the most kind and polite manner, requested him to resign his Commission, as your Honor apprehended it was absolutely necessary for the Service of the Government, and on that Account only agreeable to you.

Your Remonstrant also receiv’d a Letter from Mr. Joseph Shippen, Brigade Major, dated the 9^th Instant, informing him, "The Governor had been pleased to commissionate Messrs. Battle, Vanbebber & Wright, Captains of the Delaware Government Companies, & that it was his Pleasure he should deliver over the men he had raised to the Captain Battle and Vanbebber, so as to complete their Companies, as the Governor had ordered the Commissioners of the said Government to pay him for raising these men–the Bounty, Subsistance, & Inlisting money agreeable to his beating orders."

Upon all which your Remonstrant humbly begs leave to observe, That, as he was a Captain the last year, and behaved well, which is Confirmed by your Honors giving him another Commission; As he is the only Person who held the Rank of Captain, the last Campaign, that applied to go this year, in the Service of this Government, as your Honor was pleased to say such officers who had behaved well should be preferred this year, and provided for before any others and also that the Representatives and Commissioners of each County should be permitted to recommend such Persons for officers as they most approved of, as the Representatives and Commissioners for New Castle County, never recommended any other person for Captain but him, the said John McClughan, as he is advised, as he was the first who had your Honor’s Commission as such, as he had so many Difficulties to encounter, & notwithstanding raised so many men in so short a time, and for which he could have no other Inducement than the Honor of the Government and the hopes of meriting fully the Commission he had obtained from your Honor, and having an opportunity of reimbursing himself again and receiving the Bounty and Pay of a Captain during the Campaign, as the other Gentlemen whom your Honor has appointed Captains, were all subalterns the last year, and Mr. Wright, Lieutenant to the s’d John McClugan, as his late application is fully accounted for, and Commissions in the army have been always granted during good Behavior, your Remonstrant humbly conceives he has a kind of legal Right to your Honor’s Favor and to have the Command of the Troops of said Counties during this Campaign, and that any of the other officers should rather resign than him, and therefore your Remonstrant humbly hopes that your Honor will be pleased to take the Premisses into your serious Consideration, and he makes no doubt but your Honor will still continue your Favor towards him and Do him that Justice your Honor must think he deservedly is intitled to.

And your Remonstrant will pray, &ca.

JNO. MCCLUGHAN

We, the subscribers, members of assembly, for the County of New Castle and Commissioners for the same, do most humbly recommend in the warmest manner, to your Honor, a due Consideration of the foregoing Remonstrance. WM. ARMSTRONG, WM. PATTERSON, EVAN RICE, THOMAS MONTGOMERY, ALEX’R PORTER, GEO MONRO

One of the Commissioners for the County of New Castle.

Pages 721-722

Lieut. Col. Hance Hamilton to Col. John Armstrong

Carlisle, March 22d, 1759

Dear Sir:--I Received yours of the 3d of February Past, wherein was Contain’d your orders for me to take the command at fort Bedford on the 15^th of said month, Provided, that whereby something Extraordinary were the matter with Col’l Work, whereby be Could not Possibly Perform that Duty, and in that Case, he was to send me notice and the reason of his Non-attendance. Now, Sir, the Reason of my not taking on me the command at the said Fort, at the time Appoint’d, was because I never Received the Least Notice from Col’l work, concerning his Not taking on him the aforesaid Command.

I have also received yours of the 16^th instant, wherein you Express your concern that did not go to Bedford, agreeable to the order sent me, which I have answered above. I am also, in this, order’d Imediately to go and take on me the aforesaid command, but do Assure you I have been for some time past in a Low State of health and find my constitution so much Broke, that, notwithstanding my ardent Zeal for his majesty’s service, I am forced to acknowledge my self unfit to endure the fatigue of another Campaign, and therefore, begg the favour of you in my Behalf, Humbly to request Leave of his honour, the Governor, for me to resign my Commission, for no other Cause or Reason, but Inability to be any Longer serviceable to my King or country in that station. Pray, Sir, Represent my Request according to your Better Judgment, and you’l much oblige.

Dear Sir,

Your Most Hum’l Serv’t,

HANCE HAMILTON

P.S.–Mrs. Armstrong & the family are well.

Pages 722-723

Capt. James Patterson to Col. John Armstrong

Harris’s Ferry, March 27^th, 1759

Hon’ble Col’l:--I received the Message which you was pleased to send by Colonel work to me, and am highly obliged to your Honour for the reguard you always retain for me and my Interest–a favour which I shall always with the most humble gratitude acknowledge. I must acquaint your honour that I am in a low state of Health, by reason of the great hardship and fatigue that I underwent the last Campaign, but I am in hopes that I shall oversome it in time, but as the Doctor assures me that if I do not take good Care of myself I shall loose ye use of my Limbs, I am afraid I shall not be Capable for some time of going out upon a new Campaign, but should be willing to continue in the service, if your Honour would think proper to have me Stationed at some fort or Garrison until I Came to my full strength and the use of my Limbs; and as I am acquainted with the ways & Humours of our Indians, I humbly Conceive I could be of service to my Country if I was stationed at Augusta; all which I leave to your Honour’s most wise Consideration, and so remain y’r Hon’rs most

Obedient humble Serv’t,

JAMES PATTERSON

P.S.–Yesterday I received an account from Augusta, that my Son was come in there & has brought with him a lusty, able French prisoner, and that the Indians stood exceeding true & faithful to him. I expect him down as soon as he rested himself after his fatigue.

Pages 723-724

Minutes of Conferences betw’n General Amherst and the Canahaway Deputies at Mr. Griffith’s

At a Conference, on Tuesday the 10^th April, 1759

Present–The General, Brigadier Gen, Stanwix, Col. Montreson, Col. Robinson, Governor Denny, Governor Bernard, Gov’r DeLancey, George Croghan, Esq.

Deputies from Canhawage–Thomas King, Andrew Montour.

Thomas King, Speaker:

He repeated what was said in the Morning in the House, and also delivered by the General, & return thanks for it, said y’t it was agreeable to them, they take the Speeches home & lay them before their Council, and did not doubt but they would be agreeable to them; that they had only in charge further to request of the General, who then had the Command to the Westward, that he would appoint a time & place, when & where he expected to be met by the principal Tribes, & they would wait on him in order to concert further measures for the Campaign.

Thomas King, on behalf of himself & two other Indians who were at Easton, mentioned y’t at that treaty they were promised three Rifle Guns by the Gov. of Penn’a & New Jersey, they have been here a long time & have not seen these Guns, & now that the General is here they hope he will order them the Guns w’th a Little Paint & Horses to ride to S’r Wm. Johnson.

He gave a long white Roll w’ch was returned by the General w’th assurances y’t they should have the Guns if to be got in town, or else y’t S’r Wm. Johnson should deliver them ye Guns, and the Horses should be provided and a little Paint given them.

The General returned them thanks for their speeches, & said they were very agreeable, that a General was marching to the Ohio who would give them notice of the time of meeting as they requested.

Gov. Denny mentioned the answer of Gov’r Fauquar about **** in a full manner, reading Gov’r Fauquar’s letter to ye Indians & making them a small Present with the strings & Balls. Croghan, I think, advanced the Present. Mr. King was desired to communicate all this answer fully to ye Onondago Council.

Page 724

Dr. Richard Wells to Richard Peters

Dover, May 12, 1759

Respected Sir–Yours of the 8^th Instant, I Received by Mr. Battell with your kind offer to serve me, had there been a Major to our three Companies; but as I went out a Field officer last campaign, I cannot Reasonable except of only a Captain’s Comm., this, of w’ch you will please to inform his Hon’r, the Governor. And your interest with him to serve my Friend, Mr. Battell, who best deserves preferment of any Officer under me, last campaign, for his superior knowledge of Military Discipline, his couragious and manly behaviour, rendered him very agreeable to me and much endeared him to all the officers in that Expedition that were acquainted with him. I say your Interest with his Honor for Mr. Battell to be eldest Captain of our three Companies, will be doing me a piece of Friendship that will be ever gratefully acknowledged by,

Sir,

Your Most Humble Serv’t.

RICH. WELLS

P.S.–Mr. Battell is recruiting fast, I will do everything in my power to assist him, he desires his Compliments to you.

As several of my men Deserted last Campaign & is taken up and bound over to ye first court Marshal they shall be called to, please to inform us w’t shall be done with them. Quer: whether they ought not to be sent to ye army to be tried if they will not inlist. R.W.

Page 725

Capt. Charles Garraway to Gov. Denny

Philadelphia, 15^th May, 1759

Honour’d Sir–I most greatfully acknowledge your Honour’s Tender regard for me; But as I am now fitt for Dutty I cannot think of accepting so Great a Favour from your Honour or my Country to Lye unactive. I am hopefull to receive your Honour’s Order to return to Dutty. If not, that your Honour w’d be Pleased to Certefie that the only objection for my not Proceeding on this Campaign, is owing to my Late Indisposition, as my Credit Lyes at stake w’th those Gentlemen whose Interest recommended me into these Services.

I am, Honoure’d Sir,

Your Hon’rs ever ob’t Serv’t,

CHAS. GARRAWAY

To the Honourable Wm. Denny, Esq’r.

Pages 725-726

Capt. John Haslet to Richard Peters

New Castle, May 15^th, 1759

Rev’d Sir–I hope your goodness will excuse this trouble which I give you, from my Desire to serve the Publick; ‘tis in favour of Capt. M’Clughan, a gentleman who served last year to ye Westward, but thro’ the misrepresentations of some to his Honor, ye Governor, has been neglected this year; were he only an honest man, be assured, s’r, I would not imploy your time w’t this, but that he was also a Good Officer I can get attested by all impartial officers of his acquaintance & can safely appeal to Col’l Bouquet in place of all others. I have conversed w’t the sheriff of the County; he assures me, none of their officers is so much liked by the men, nor so likely to raise a Company w’t ye necessary expedition. Sev’l of the Magistrates & members of ye Assembly assure me y’y were ye vote of their house to have any weight ye Majority w’d be of his side. I again beg ye pardon for praying your Frei’dship in behalf of an Honest Man, who merits the place he held last year, & I can safely assert a Better, more than any two of ye Counties in which he served.

I am, Rev’d Sir,

Your most obliged,

Obedient Serv’t

JOHN HASLET

Note–I have ye pleasure to acquaint you I have completed my Company.

Page 726

Capt. William McDowell to Richard Peters

York, June 13, 1759

Rev’d & Worthy Sir–In obedience to the Governor’s beating orders, which I had the Honour to receive from your hands, I have used my utmost endeavours to raise volunteers for the ensuing Campaign, which have not fail’d of success. I have ye Pleasure to Inform you that I have inlisted nine good Recruits, & shall persevere with earnestness and zeal to get as many more as possible. I hope you will pardon the Liberty I have taken to request the Favor of you to order a Commission to be made out for me as soon as possible, that I may know what Company I am to join, which will direct me better in my future duty.

I have the Honour to be,

Rev’d Sir, with great Esteem.

Your most obedient & most Humble Serv’t,

WILLIAM McDOWELL

Rev’d Mr. Peters

Pages 726-727

Capt. Henry Van Bibber to Richard Peters

Noxonton, 15^th of June, 1759

Sir–I Received a Letter from Major Shippen by Captain Battel on his return from Philad’a to Dover, wherein I am ordered to march amediately to Carlisle, & Likewise to Receive from Captain McClughan, at New Castle, as many Recruits as will Compleat my Company; and I also went to Captain McClugan and Inform’d him my orders, yet He does not seem fully determined with himself weather he will deliver up those men or not. Whenever agreeable to orders and the Commissioners desire, I will march with all the convenient speec I Can, though I remain under this Difficulty that Mr. Finney, who is, or at least I understand is my Lieu’t, is in a poor state of Helth at present, he having lately had the Meazles, & my Ensign not yet appointed, which is from,

S’r, your most obedient and Humble Ser’t,

H’R VAN BIBBER

Pages 727-728

Diary of Provincial Frigate

Day of Month, Week, Days, Vessels Names, Masters’ Names, Where belong, From where came, What Passage, Where bound, Lattitude in, Soundings, What News

1759

July 8, Sunday, Samuel Mittchell, Philad’a, Bermudas, a Sloop

July 8, Sunday, Sarah & Catharine Flint, Philad’a, Antigua, a Brigantine

July 8, Sunday, Patty Brown, Philad’a, Hamburg, a Snow

July 8, Sunday, Hester Burt, Philad’a, Antigua, a Schooner

July 9, Monday, 39 degrees, 21’, 34

July 10, Tuesday, 30 degrees, 42’, 20

July 11, Wednesday, 29degrees, 54’, 22

July 12, Thursday, 22

July 13, Friday, Edward Harding, Jamacia, New York, 1 day out, Jamacia, 39 degrees, 38’, 20, a Brigantine

July 14, Saturday, Rabitt Easton, R’d Island, Jamacia, 30 days, R’d Island, a Brigantine

July 15, Sunday, his Majestie’s Ship Rye, Barton Gaurdiloop, New York, 39degrees, 25’, 23, with 10 Sail of Transports under Convoy, who had on Board 1,200 Troops, by whom we Learn Gardeloop Meregeland & Grandtier is taken

July 15, Sunday, Belsey Castoe, Virginia, 2 days, New York, a Schooner

July 16, Monday, Endeavour Newell, Phila., 1 day out, Boston, 39 degrees, 46’, 28, a Sloop

July 17, Tuesday, 38degrees, 8’, 22

July 18, Wednesday, Catharine Surloy, New York, Jamacia, 26 days, New York, 39 degrees, 3’, 17, a

Sloop

July 19, Thursday, Snead, Philad’a, Gilbralter, 5 Weeks, Philad’a, 13, a Ship who gives us an acc’t that Admiral Boscawen, with 3 Sail of men of War of the Line was going to Join 13 Sail of Spanish Men of War, in order to Convoy Don Carlos in his way to Madrid

July 20, Friday, Bohemia, Brice, Philad’a, Providence, 38 degrees, 55’, 30, a Sloop

July 21, Saturday, 38 degrees, 30’, 15

July 22, Sunday, Suckey, Martin, Georgia, 7 days, Philad’a, 38 Degrees, 37’, 15, a Sloop

July 22, Sunday, Two Brothers, Mitchell, So. Carolina, 5 days, Philad’a, a Schooner

July 23, Monday, 20

July 24, Tuesday, 38 degrees, 25’, 20

July 25, Wednesday, 38 degrees, 38’, 20

July 26, Thursday, 38 degrees, 57’, 19

July 28, Saturday, Sally Budden, Philad’a, Philad’a, in the Rhoad, Gibralter, a Schooner

July 28, Saturday, Stewart, Philad’a, Philad’a, in the Rhoad, Rotterdam, a Brigantine

Pages 728-730

Capt. Jacob Orndt to Gov. Denny

Fort Augusta, Sept. 17^th, 1759

May it Plece your Honour:

Sir–By George Doms, Shoamaker, I have Rece’d his patition To your Honour for fourter Residince here, & as your Honour is plese to Requist wherein he has offended, and my Displeshur to him, I must beg your excuess for giving a full Relation of his Conduct since my Recedince here, which was thus:

A short time after mu arrival at Fort Augusta, The Petitionir, George Dom, Came to me and Desired I would permit him to go Down in the Country and purchis some necessaries his wife woutid, as she was near her time, which I permitid him to do, but as the same time possitively forbid him not to bring up any liquer, furter then for his family’s use, as I had your Honour’s orders that no sutler should be permitted to Seal goods or Liquer here without your Honour’s licens; and he as the same Time Solmly promised he should not offer to do any such things, yet, notwithstanding the above orders & his own promise, he went to Tulpehokin, prifitly braught a quantity of liquers and clendestinely sold the same to the Soldiers, and as the same time Contractid with men to bring him about 40 galons more; the person agreable to there agreement braught up the liquer a few days after. Mecommon’s Store was lockt up, but when I got intiligind of there arrifel I order’d the men a halfe hour to Refresh themselfes, & then to Retturn with with there liquer & not to offer to Dispose of it to any body here; nevertheless, the above George Dom again Transgressed my orders by Purchis these liquer, & had them conceled in the woods till he had an opportunyty to convey them to his house; as he lives ousid the fort; and a few Days after these, Joseph Nutimus, an Indian, come to me and complained that the same night a soldier from the quarter guard came with a Cantin full of Wiske to his wife and Daughter to make them Drink and to Debuts them, and if they where used so here, they are obliged to leve there Wifes and Children at home, and not to bring them Down any more; and a few nights after these, again the quarter guart was made Dronk & got a fiting among themselves, and when serch was made for the liquer it was found by the said George Dom and a Soldeir, a beager, which livet in the Beak house besaids George Dom. I ordered the liquer to be braught to the barxde & Store it; a short time after, the s’d George Dom Desired he might go Down and buy some lather, as the Taner had Disapoindit him in Sending it up, when I again ordered him not to bring any liquer up for use. Mr. Clark had the Store and was appoinded, but he Disregartid all orders and the welfare of the community, braught up a quantity of liquer and other goods from Reading. As soon as I was acquanitid of his arrifel and had braught up a quaintity of liquer again, I ordered him to Depart the garrison in Six Days’ time. Before the exparation, a patition was presented to me, signed by some of the Soldiers in his behalf, to which I paid no Regard, as his offince had been so notorious, and when he found he must Depart the garrison he got the Inclosed letter write and was Drapt behind me as I passed to the gardain, by the content I apprehended he intend to force arisedent by Raysing muteny in the garrison, and as soon as I had Read the letter I ordered the whole garrison under armes and told them I had your Honour’s orders to prevent any person selling liquer to the garrison without his honour’s license and asked them if they intended to Raise a Muteny to setle such villain here to abuse the country by selling liquer to the guard to Disable them from there Duty, and said that I was astonised they should pretend to say they must suffer in not having there shoas mentid when there is three shoemakers in the garrison, being soldiers and had materials, & both made & mentid the Shoas for the garrison, and the s’d george Dom had behaved in so base a manner, I ordered him to leve the garrison the next Day, but permited his wife to Stay til she was able to Travel and in these I think I have obaid fuly your Honour’s order and Don my duty.

And as there has been Severil familys here which wer not of the garrison & levet here an had no promission, braught up for there support, and I could not learn that the where any service to the garrison, I have ordered them to leave these, for I have obsearved that they atr more hurt to the countrey than binifet.

I am,

Your Honour’s most

obedient Humble Servent,

JACOB ORNDT

Pages 730-731

Beating Orders–1762

By the Honourable James Hamilton, Lieut. Gov’r, &c., of the Province of Pennsylvania, &ca:

To Captain Samuel Nelson, Greeting:

These are to authorize you, by Beat of Drum or otherwise, to raise, within the said Province & Counties for the Service of His Majesty, as many Voluntiers as are wanted to fill up the Company, under the Command of General Shirley, now doing Duty in New providence. And I do hereby require all officers, Civil & Military, within the said Province, to give you, the said Samuel Nelson, all the encouragement and assistance necessary in the said Service.

Given under my Hand & Seal at Arms at Philadelphia, the _____ day of March, in the second Year of His Majesty’s Reign, And in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred & Sixty-two.

JAMES HAMILTON

By his Honour’s Command,

J. Shippen, Secretary

Pages 731-732

Passport Given to Kayashuta on his Return to the Ohio After Paying a Visit to Sir William Johnson & this Government

(L. S.) The Honourable Richard Penn, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor & Commander-in-Chief, &c., To all to whom these Presents may come, Greeting.

Whereas, the Bearer, Kayashuta, Chief of the Senecas & other Mingoes on the Ohio, hath proved himself a hearty & sincere Friend of His Majesty & the British Colonies, by the many good offices he hath performed for his Majesty’s troops in America, as well as by his other public services for several years past, and being now on his return Home to the Ohio, from a visit which he hath lately paid to Sir William Johnson & this Government, hath requested my Passport for his safe Conduct. These are therefore to require all officers, Civil & Military, and all others, His Majesty’s liege subjects within my Government, to permit the said Indian Chief to pass through the same on his intended Journey without Hindrance or Molestation, And I do also earnestly recommend it to them to be aiding & kind to him, on all occasions, when he may want any necessary assistance.

Given under my Hand & the Lesser seal of the said Province, &ca. R. PENN

By His Honor’s Command,

J. Shippen, Jun’r, Sec’y

Page 732

Gov. Hamilton’s Order of Enlistment to Capt. Work

Phila., June, 1763

By the Hon’ble James Hamilton, Esqr., Lieut. Gov’r & Commander, &c.

To Patrick Work, Esqr., Greeting:

Whereas, His Majesty’s Services requires that an immediate Reinforcement of Troops be sent to the Garrison of fort Augusta; These are, therefore, to authorize you by Beat of drum or otherwise, forthwith to raise as many volunteers as will compose a Company of foot in the pay of ye Province of Penn’a, to consist of three Commissioned officers, three Sergeants, three Corporals, one Drummer and fifty private men, and also to be under your command to raise as many more voluntiers as will compleat Col’l James Burd’s Company now doing Duty at Fort Augusta to the same Complement of officers and men; you will enlist the said voluntiers to serve for the space of six months or upwards, and allow them a Bounty of Five Pounds per man, & the same pay & subsistence which the soldiers now in the pay of the province at Fort augusta receive; you will be careful to enlist only such men as are young, strong, & active, and in every respect capable of doing good service; and for your expence & trouble in raising the men you will be allowed twenty shillings for each Recruit; And I do hereby require all officers, &c.

JAMES HAMILTON

By His Hon’rs Command,

J. Shippen, Sec’ry

Pages 733-736

Memoranda–1763

Memorandum To be inserted in the Governor’s Letter, That he incloses attestation, Articles of War & blank Commissions to be filled up with the names of such Persons as the Commanders shall judge to be most suitable.

To acquaint Mr. elder that Mr. Asher Clayton is appointed one of the Captains for the County of Lancaster, & that 70 pounds/10/0 is sent to him to be delivered to Mr. elder, to be applied as advance money.

To acquaint Mr. Seely that Mr. John Philip DeHaas is appointed Captain of one of the Companies of Berks, & that 70 pounds/10/0 is sent to him, which he is to deliver to Mr. Seely, to be applied as advance money.

To mention to the several Commanders what allowance is to be given to the men for their subsistence till they can draw Provisions.

To mention to them the proportion of men allotted for each County.

To desire them to date the Commission regularly Day after Day, & their pay to commence from the Date of their Beating orders.

(John Burd, of Littleton, recommended for a Company. William Way, of Paquea, applies for a Company having had 30 volunteers to offer themselves.)

To acquaint Col’l Armstrong that Mr. Lindsay is appointed one of the Captains, & has received _____pounds as advance money for his Company.

To recommend to ye Commanders Dispatch, & to take particular Care that the Arms & accoutrements be returned to them, after the service is over.

The officers’ Commissions should be dated regularly, day after Day, to prevent Disputes abo’t Rank, but their pay will commence on the Day they receive their Recruiting Instructions from their respective Commanders.

Quere. If it requires Mr. Young, as Commisary of the Musters, to ride up to Northampton, & proceed along the Frontiers of Berks, & Lancaster, & Cumberland, to muster the Companies as they are raised, & to give his assistance in forwarding the service, & to return along the same Road on the Frontiers.

Quere. If it would not be useful to send Major Clayton with the orders & Commissions to Mr. elder, & to command one of the Companies.

And Capt. DeHaas to Mr. Jonas Sealy for the same purposes.

To print the sextions of the articles of War.

Quere. Col. Armstrong, Mr. Elder, Mr. J. Sealy, & T. Horsefield, to be stiled Commanders.

Money to be sent to them for advance money, 2 Dollars per man.

Quere. If a Dedimus Potestatem to administer the oaths should not be sent to the 4 Counties, or one to Mr. Young to qualify the whole.

The Pay Master to be furnished with Money to pay each Captain 300 pounds on acco’t of their Company’s pay, to enable them to march to their Rendezvous at Carlisle, & for the payment of the Garrison at Augusta, and money for the Recruiting services, vizt:

14 Companies at 300 pounds each–4, 200 pounds/0/0

2 Companies at Fort augusta, their pay to the 1^st June, 7 months–2,240 pounds/0/0

1 Independent Company at Easton, 2 officers & 24 men, 7 months pay, to the 1^st June–560 pounds/0/0

For the Recruiting service, 500 pounds more–500pounds/0/0

Total: 7, 500 pounds/0/0

Orders from the Governor & Commissioners to the Pay Master to proceed on the above service directly.

Armourers to be ready at Carlisle to repair the Arms of the Troops as soon as they arrive there.

Quere. How & where the Recruits are to be supplied with Arms.

Provisions to be laid in at Carlisle for the Troops before they rendezvous there.

The Clothing & Camp Equipage to be sent to Carlisle as fast as they are made.

Memorandum–To propose at the Board of Commissioners, vizt:

To provide a sum of money immediately to pay off the Troops.

To prepare the Cloathing for them.

Quere.–What kind?

To provide Blankets, Haversacks, Powder horns & Pouches, Camp Kettles, Canteens & Tomahawks for about 250 men to be raised, to be sent to Carlisle, A Quantity of spare Blankets, Camp Kettles, Powder horns & Pouches, Haversacks, Canteens & Tomahawks to supply the Companies that are deficient, a few Drums, Money for recruiting the 2 Battalions to the Establishment.

Quere.–Whether a Commissary should not be allowed for taking Charge of the Cloathing & Stores and Delivery of them to the Troops.

Chests of Medicines, &c.

Light Horse.

Col’s Pay allowed to Lieut. Col’s.

Blank Commissions to be given to Col. Bouquet, for

Order for forming the Companies into a Regiment, to consist of two Battalions.

Beating Orders for the Colonels.

Two ensigns to be appointed in the Room of 2 Lieut’s.

21^st July, 1763

Military Stores sent in Leonard Stoneberner’s Waggon for Carlisle & Harris’s Ferry.

For the use of the Troops in Cimberland county, to be delivered to Col’s Armstrong.

2 Boxes containing

32 tin Kettles

80 Tomahawks

244 Powderhorns

_____ Pouches

400 Haversacks

and two Swivel Guns from Mr. John Allen.

For the use of Fort Augusta, to be delivered to the Care of John Harris, at Paxton.

A Box containing

6 Spades

6 Shovels

6 Axes

6 Hoes

_ Faggot Steel & a parcel of Haversacks

2 Grind Stones

1 _ doz. Iron Potts

2 Barrels containing 6 lbs Cotton for Candle weak

12 yards Flannel for Common Cartridge

15 lbs Twine

14 quire Catridge paper

12 Lanthorns

A Hogshead, containing Tackle for 12 pr’s, Cannon, &c., Flagg

For the use of the two Companies raising in Lancaster County, to be delivered to the Care of John Harris’s, at Paxton, for the Rev’d Mr. Elder:

A Box cont’g 100 Haversacks

20 Tomhawks

3 qr. Buck shott

1 cwt. 3 qr. 6lb Bar Lead

2 cwt. more Bar Lead

July 21, 1763

Sent to Mr. Jonas Seely, in Berks county, the following Military Stores, for the use of the two Companies raised for that County–Viz.: to Rowland Evan’s Waggon, William Osman, Driver, 4 Boxes Muskets, 25 in each; 100 Stands. 1 Box containing 16 tin Kettles, 100 Powder Horns, 100 Pouches, 20 Hatchets, 100 Haversacks, 500 Flints, 1 bag of Shott buck, w’th _ C’t; 1 Cag of Lead, 12 quarter Casks of Powder, 1 Bale blankets, q’ly 5 pieces, 20 in. ap’s. Weight of the Lead, 2,250 lbs.

Sent the Quantity of Military Stores in _____ Waggon to Timothy Horsefield, Esq’r, for the use of the two Companies raising in Northampton County,

Page 737

Supplies to Fort Augusta

Philad’a, 12^th June, 1763

A List of necessaries to be provided and sent to Harris’s Ferry for the use of the Garrison at Fort Augusta, vizt:

6 Pieces of Blankets; 90 Stands of arms and their proper Accoutrements, vizt: Bayonets, Cartridge Boxes, or powder horns & pouches; 15 Barrels of powder, part Cannon & part small grained; 5,000 Flints of the best sort; 5 cwt. Buck Shott; 200 Rounds Grape Shott for the Cannon; 4 & 3 pounders; 12 Axes; 12 Hatchets; 20 Tin Kettles, 2 Gallons each; 90 Canteens; 90 Haversacks; a Belt & Strings of Wampum; 15 C. of Ball for small Arms or Barr Lead; Money for the Recruiting Service; a Hhd. of Rum in Barrels or Caggs of 10 Gall’s each.

Pages 737-738

Passport to James Irwine to Take Charge of Two Indians

By the Hon’ble Jas. Hamilton, Esqr., L’t Gov’r, &c.

To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting:

These are to certify that I have committed to the Bearer, Mr. James Irwine, the Charge & Care of two friendly Nanticoke Indians, named John Curtiss and Jemmy Nappeir, who are employed by this Government to carry a message with the utmost dispatch to Papounham, and other friendly Indians living at Wighalousin, on the Susquehanna; I do, therefore, require all officers, civil and military, and all other the Inhabitants of this Province, to suffer the said James Irwine and the said Indians under his Conduct, to pass and repass unmolested to and from Fort Allen, & to permit the said Indians to proceed from thence on their Journey to Wighalousin without giving them the least Interruption, but to afford them all kind of assistance, and all Commanders of forts and other Military officers are hereby commanded and strictly enjoined to receive, protect and assist the said James Irwine and the s’d Indians; both in going and returning from the Indian Country, and, if required, to furnish them with Escorts, provisions, or anything else necessary to enable them with safety to proceed on the Business committed to them, As they shall answer the Contrary at their peril.

Given under my Hand & Seal at Arms at Philad’a, the twenty-second day of October, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three. JAMES HAMILTON

Page 738

Capt. Caleb Graydon to Gov. John Penn

Fort Augusta, the 20^th July, 1764

Sir–I must now begg leave to return you my Thanks for your kind indulgence in stationing me at this Post by the Interposition of my friends. As the unsettled State of my private affairs in Philad’a wou’d not by any means admit of my proceeding on the Campaign at this time, otherwise I shou’d have been very far from requesting to have been left behind.

I have just rec’d a Letter from Philad’a intimating to me the greatest necessity for my immediate Presence there, otherwise I shall be in danger of becoming a considerable sufferer. Therefore I must begg your Honor’s Leave of Absence to go down as soon as it can possibly be thought convenient; And as Mr. Young is particularly acquainted with my presint circumstances, I refer you Honor to that Gentleman for a fuller Explanation of the necessity I am in of your further Indulgence.

Inclosed are the several Returns of this Garrison, and I must lastly begg Leave to inform your Honor, that a Day or two after the Detatchment marched from hence, a Heavy Rain fell and has destroyed almost all our works, which has left us in a very defenceless state, as it is impossible for us to repair them again with so few men.

I am, with greatest Respect,

Your Honor’s Most Obedient Humble Servant.

CALEB GRATDON

The Hon’ble John Penn, Esquire

Page 739

Protection for Two Friendly Indians in Lancaster County

By the Hon’ble John Penn, Esq’r., &c.

To all whom it may concern, Greeting:

Whereas, I am given to understand that the Bearers, Michael & Mary his wife, are friendly Indians of the Delaware Tribe, who formerly resided with other Indians in the Conestago Manor, & have upward of fifteen months last past lived with Christian Hirshey, at his plantation in Warwick Township, Lancaster County, during which time they have constantly behaved in the most friendly & peaceable Manner to all His Majesty’s Subjects; I do, therefore, hereby grant the said Michael & Mary my protection, and do enjoin & require all officers, civil & Military, as well as all other persons whatsoever within this Government, to suffer them to pass and repass on their lawful Business without the least Molestation or Interruption, and they are hereby also desired to treat the said Indians with Civility and to afford them all necessary assistance.

Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms, at Philad’a, the 17^th day of August, 1764.

JOHN PENN

By His Honour’s Command.

J. Shippen, Secretary

Page 739-740

Press Warrant to Mayor Thomas Lawrence

By the Hon’ble John Penn, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor & Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, and Counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex, on Delaware.

To Thomas Lawrence, esquire, Mayor, &ca., & ca., or any other Justice of the said City and Co’ty of Philad’a:

Whereas, Application hath been made to me by His Excell’cy, Major General Gage, to cause Carriages to be provided for the use of six Companies of Royal Americans during their march through this Province from Lancaster towards New York:

And whweras, Capt. Schlosser, commanding that Detachment now in Town, hath represented to me that he shall have immediate Occasion for ____ Waggons, with able Horses & good Drivers, to be employed in the Carriage of the Provisions, Military Stores & Baggage of the said Detachm’t, as far as Trenton; You are, therefore, authorized and required to cause the said number of wagons, with a sufficiency of able Horses & Drivers, to be immediately impressed, and delivered to Capt. Schlosser or his Order, to be employed by him in the service aforesaid.

Given under my hand & Seal at Philadelphia, the 3d May, in the 5^th year of his Maj. reign, Anno Domini, 1765. JOHN PENN

By His Honour’s Command.

J. Shippen, Secretary

Pages 740-742

Visit of Judge Yeates to Braddock’s Field

Pittsburgh, August 21^st, 1776

Dear Sir–We yesterday made a party to visit Braddock’s Field. We went in a large canoe with six oars, fourteen persons in number. A platform was raised on each end for a place to sleep, and then hoop poles bent over about four feet in height on which blankets were stretched to keep off sun or rain. We were well supplied with provisions and refreshments. One of our companions played delightfully on a German flute; our time, therefore, did not pass heavily while we assended the Monongahela. We arrived ast the Field in about 4 hours; we made a hearty dinner not far from the battle ground, near a fine spring–it was wise in eating before we visited the field, for I would have had but little appetite if we had pursued a different course. When we commenced our ramble our hearts sickened; the skulls and bones of our unburied countrymen met our eyes, and we contemplated, in imagination, as an event but recently happened. Any person of common humanity would have experienced pain from the reflection that between five and six hundred brave men fell victims to the merciless savages. The marks of cannon and musket balls are still to be seen on the trees, many of the impressions are twenty feet from the ground. My indignation was greatly excited against the commander of the British army, in suffering so many brave men to perish from an obstinate adherance to European rules of war. The observations I heard Sir Francis Halket make of the disasters of that bloody day, and his filial expressions of affection to the memory of his worthy father, Sir Peter Halket, rushed to my recollection. My feelings were heightened by the warm and glowing narration of that day’s events by Dr. Walker, who was an eye witness. He pointed out the ford where the army crossed the Monongahela, (below Turtle creek, 800 y’ds), a finer sight could not have been beheld, the shining barrels of the muskets, the excellent order of the men, the cleanliness of their appearance, the joy depicted on every face at being so near Fort Du Quesne, the highest object of theur wishes–the music reechoed through the mountains. How brilliant the morning–how melancholy the evening! The savages and French had hardly an idea of victory when they made the attack. Braddock appeared almost to have courted defeat. Against every remonstrance of Sir Peter Halket, Major Washington and others of his officers, he refused to let a man leave his rank; they fired in platoons against no object–how very dispiriting to a gallant soldier, they were shot down in whole ranks. The enemy observing the infatuation of the General, felt assured of victory, redoubled their exertions, and fired with such fatal precision as to cause our men to throw away their guns and run off in the greatest disorder. The officers in vain attempted to arrest their course–they were compelled to follow their example. How differently did they cross the river now–without arms, order or music, the hellish yells of the Indians, and the groans and shrieks of the dying and the wounded falling upon their ears. I will not pain you by a further recital, suffice it that the enemy pursued them no farther than the ford. The dead bodies of our troops were suffered to remain a prey to wolves and crows. When the English took possession in 1758 of fort Pitt, a party was sent out, who buried upwards of four hundred and fifty skulls. Many have since been buried, and many remain as monuments of our shame. That the enemy derived any advantage from the ground, I cannot believe; their real advantage consisted in their mode of fighting and the blunder of Braddock. We returned home late in the evening; the music of the flute was delightful and solemnly impressive.

What a waste of blood and treasure has this little spot cost France, England and America. The prospects around here are most charming on the Allegheny and Monongahela, and the walks pleasant beyond the description. I had often heard of the celebrated Fortress of DuQuesne in my youth–what is it now? A little irregular ground, a few graves, and the fosse of the Fort are only visible. I remarked the grave of Col. Clapham.

Fort Pitt stands 100yards from fort DuQuesne, fronting the junction of the waters. A garrison and guard reminds me that we are still in a state of warfare. May God grant that peace be restored to us, and the Liberty of our country placed beyond the arm of Tyranny to reach.

Yours, &c.,

J. YEATES