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pense for the service of the province both in England and there: that they pay the Indians for the land they purchase: and that they are no more obliged to contribute to the public charges than any other chief governor of any other colony."

to avert the mischiefs that threatened this | fairs; that they had been at considerable exprovince from the passing of the said bill; and I have it in command from them to assure you of their assistance upon all future occasions, wherein the welfare and happiness of the people of this province may be concerned." This had a favourable appearance towards the province, and from hence it might well be supposed, that the issues from this source would never be productive of any deep or lasting strife.

But though the springs had not as yet broke out with any violence, they were working their way under ground. The growing charge of Indian affairs, which lay wholly on the province, and which, on the head of purchases, as before explained, was productive of great advantages to the proprietaries, began to be the subject of public complaint: and by these suggestions of the importance of the proprietaries at home, the people were to be taught the danger of disobliging them.

But if this was their view, it did not answer: the assembly had too much discernment to be diverted from the object before them by the interposition of another, how dextrously soever the trick was performed, and therefore proceeded, notwithstanding, to take this affair into consideration.

It is scarce necessary to intimate, that the governor, and the creatures of the government, did all they could, not only to discourage them in it, but also to convince them, in effect, that, according to the usual current of the world, all advantages are the prerogative of those above, and all burdens the inheritance of those below. This may indeed be agreeable to the usual current of the world: but then as such doctrines are not over palatable anywhere, so in a free government like Pennsylvania, it was not to be thought they would be swallowed at all. They were neither to be convinced nor discouraged it seems: on the contrary, they persevered; they examined; they reported; they resolved; and at last applied to the proprietaries, to do what equity required, by taking a share of the charge upon themselves.

In answer to this, the assembly, May 1751, respectfully represented, "that the preserving a good understanding with the Indians was more for the interest of the proprietary estate than that of any other estate in the province, as it gave the proprietaries an opportunity of purchasing lands on the frontiers at a low price, and selling them at a high one, which would otherwise be impracticable: that, therefore, the obligations of justice and equity being stronger than those of law, they were certainly bound by them to contribute to the expense of those Indian treaties and presents by which the good understanding so beneficial to them was maintained; that though taxes in form, for the immediate support of the proprietaries' substitute, and for defraying the charges of these Indian treaties, had not of late years been imposed on the province, the charge of all (by the interest of the paper-money, which was a virtual tax, the excise, which was a real one, producing about 3000l. per annum, and the tax arising from licenses of various kinds, amounting yearly to a sum not inconsiderable, and appropriated wholly to the governor's support,) was paid by the province that the assembly had always paid the Indian interpreter for his public services to his full satisfaction: that they believed future assemblies would not fail to do whatever could be reasonably expected from them in regard to his son, when he should be qualified to succeed him; as also to discharge all just debts for expenses properly chargeable to the province, whether incurred there or in England, whenever the accounts should be exhibited: that by the act forbidding all but the proprietaries to purchase lands of the Indians, they had obtained a monopoly of the soil, consequently ought to bear the whole charge of every treaty for such purchases, as the profit was to be wholly theirs: that their paying for land (bought as was conceived much cheap

The proprietaries, on the other hand, announced in their reply, "that they did not conceive themselves to be under any such ob-er on account of the provincial presents acligation, even though the people had been taxed for the charges of government: that as not one shilling had been levied on the people for that service, it was so much less reasonable in the people to ask any thing of them: that they had, notwithstanding, charged themselves with paying their interpreter even much more than could be due to him on their account, and were also then at the expense of maintaining his son with a tutor in the Indian country, to learn their language and customs for the service of the country; as well as of sundry other charges on Indian af

companying those treaties) was not a satisfactory reason, why they should not bear a part of the charge of such other treaties as tended to the common welfare and peace of the province: and that upon the whole, as the interests of the proprietaries were so constantly intermixed, more or less, with those of the province, in all Indian treaties, and as it appeared the proprietaries thought they paid more than their share, while the people thought they paid abundantly too much, they apprehended the surest way to prevent dissatisfaction on all sides, would be to fix a certain

proportion of the charge of all future provin- | seem to act too precipitately in an affair of cial treaties with the Indians, to be paid by such importance, they chose to make a short the proprietaries and province respectively adjournment before they took his objection inwhich, not only as a proposal equitable in it-to consideration." self, but conducive also to preserve that union and harmony between the proprietaries and people, so evidently advantageous to both, they hoped, would, on further consideration, be agreed to."

How this was received we shall see in its place.

The assembly proceeded soon after, to take into consideration the growth of the province, and the state of their commerce; and finding both to be such as required an extension of their paper-currency, on the same grounds and for the same ends as at first gave rise to it, unanimously resolved to strike an additional sum of twenty thousand pounds, in order to replace defective bills, and increase the provincial capital, in proportion to the increase of inhabitants; as also to re-emit and continue the sums already in circulation.

Adjourn they did accordingly; and at their next meeting, which was towards the end of May the same year, found themselves earnestly pressed by a message from the governor, on one hand concerning Indian affairs, and on the other by petitions from a considerable number of inhabitants, for a further addition to their paper-money, supported by a variety of allegations of the most interesting and affecting nature.

The governor's message, whether premature or not will best appear from the sequel, prepared the house to expect, "that the country of Alleghany situate on the waters of the Ohio, partly within the limits of Pennsylvania, partly within those of Virginia, already was or soon would be invaded by an army of French and Indians from Canada: in which case the Indians inhabiting there, who were A bill was accordingly prepared in Janu- a mixture of the Six Nations, Shawnese, Deary, 1753, and sent up to the governor (Ha-lawares, and Twigtwees, lately recommended milton) for his concurrence; but though that as allies to the province by the said Six Nagentleman was a native of the province, with tions, would be obliged to leave the country, rather better qualifications for his post, and, and his majesty's subjects trading with them as may be supposed, more affection for the would be cut off, &c. unless timely warned people than is common with governors, he by the messengers sent to them by himself had his reasons for not seeing this provincial for that purpose: that Montour, an interpoint in the same light that the province did,preter, had heard the French declaration deand therefore returned the bill in a day or two, with his negative upon it: qualified indeed with expressions of concern for his so differing in opinion with them, but founded in the dislike raised in Britain by the late too general and undistinguishing complaints against the plantation bills of credit, which rendered the time very unseasonable for any application to the crown concerning the ex-exingencies. tension or re-emission of theirs and fortified And upon the heels of this message, the by a caveat, which sounded so much the more governor also communicated to them the anplausible, as it seemed to be drawn from their swer of the proprietaries to the representation own premises, namely, that the many advan- of the assembly above exhibited; and which tages they derived from the use of paper-mo- if purposely calculated to divide the province ney ought to make them extremely careful, and inflame the animosities already kindled, how they took any step which might possibly could not have been better framed or better endanger it. timed for those fatal purposes.

The assembly, on the other hand, gladly fastened on an acknowledgment so express in favour of the thing; and, from the same sense of it, declared themselves to be equally careful with the governor in the conduct and direction of it: but having so done, they went on to say, "that as they did not think the dislike raised in Britain of the plantation bills, was so general and undistinguishing, or still so warmly subsisted as the governor seemed to apprehend, so neither did they conceive the time to be unseasonable for an application to the crown about theirs: that they were equally concerned with the governor for their difference of opinion, and that they might not VOL. IL... E

livered, and the reply of the Indians, which was firm and resolute, but not to be relied upon as they were in want of all things."So far was matter of intelligence. The rest was a pathetic representation of dangers and mischiefs to be apprehended on their own frontiers, and exhortations to enable him to give the Indians assistance answerable to their

Professions of attachment to the true and real interest of the province, of sparing no cost or pains whenever it should appear to them necessary to advance it, and acting such a part in considering the matter of the representation as all disinterested persons should think just, they set out with: and, having made this ground for themselves, they proceed to charge the assembly with being actuated by ill will to them on one hand, and a desire to ingratiate themselves with the weaker part of the electors on the other. In the next paragraph they say, after we had "ordered our governor to give you the answer which he did, to your former application, we

arising from the excise and the provinci bills: again assert, that the annual expens of government for a series of years, includin Indian charges, amounts to little more tha half that sum: and that of all this revenu about four hundred pounds a year only ha on an average, for twenty years past (an great part of that time during war) been e pended in presents to the Indians and charge on that account, which they could not con ceive to be a large sum, compared with the revenue, the manner of its being raised, an so important a service as that of keeping th "united nations of Indians in the interest o Great Britain.

had no reason to expect a repetition of the application directly to ourselves, as you might well suppose we had considered the matter before we had returned our first answer, and the repeating the request could only produce the repeating the answer, the occasion for which does not appear to us. It is possible, that one purpose may be in order to show more publicly this difference in opinion between us and yourselves; and if that was ever intended, it will be convenient we should set this matter in a clear light (although it may make our answer longer than we could wish) that the true state of the matter may appear." They then urge the authority of the board of trade, in justification of their former assertion, that they were no more obliged to contribute to the public charges, than the chief governor of any other colony: they will not allow that their honoured father had any assistance from the people in making his purchases, or that there is the least colour for pressing them so unseasonably to contribute to the public charge, seeing that the said charge did not much exceed one half of the revenue-and they not only return to their first charge, that the assembly by so doing, could only mean to captivate the weakest of the people, and so by their assistance continue to hold their seats in the assembly, but farther, cite as so many proofs, the time of making their first representation, which was just before an election: their printing the report and most extraordinary resolutions on which the said representation was founded, which seemed to argue it was rather intended as an address to them the said populace, than to the proprietaries, and the solemn repetition of the same request as if it was a matter of great value and importance.

Take the next article in their own words. "Wherefore, on this occasion, it is necessary that we should inform the people, through yourselves their representatives, that, as by the constitution, our consent is necessary to their laws, at the same time that they have an undoubted right to such as are necessary for the defence and real service of the country; so, it will tend the better to facilitate the several matters which must be transacted with us, for their representatives to show a regard to us and our interest: for, considering the rank which the crown has been pleased to give us in Pennsylvania, we shall expect from the people's representatives on all occasions, a treatment suitable thereto; and that whilst we desire to govern the province according to law only, they should be as careful to support our interests, as we shall always be to support theirs."

Recurring again to the revenue, they affected to be truly concerned for being obliged to acquaint the public with a state of it, settle that state at six thousand pounds a year,

They then talk of the taxes paid by the family here at home, as an equivalent to th Indian article; and then proceed in the fo lowing remarkable terms. "And at the sam time that we show you that we do pay a other taxes here, that on land only excepted we must advise you to be very careful not t put people here in mind of that signal exemp tion. Several proposals have been made fo laying taxes on North America, and it is mos easy to foresee, that the self-same act of parlia ment that shall lay them on our, will also la them on your estates, and on those of your cor stituents."

In the next article, having denied that th assembly had always paid the interpreter t his satisfaction, and insisted that they them selves had gratified him when the assembl had refused to pay him what he thought hi services deserved; they add, in a higher tone "however, with respect to any expense of that sort, and many others here, we entere into them without any expectation of being repaid, and should think it far beneath us t send the accounts of them to the house of re

presentatives, as your agents employed by yourselves might do, for the expenses incurre by them."

Proceeding in the same style, they say i the next article, "we do not conceive tha any act of assembly does, or can establis what you call a monopoly in us for the pur chase of lands: we derive no right or proper ty from any such law: it is under the king' royal charter that we have the sole right t make such purchases," &c.

It is fit the last five articles should be in serted entire; and they are verbatim as fol lows, viz.

"12. Your assertion, that treaties for land are made at a less expense to us, on accoun of provincial presents being given at the sam time, does not appear to us to be founded or fact: the last purchase was made on no othe account, but purely to save the province the expense of making another present to som Indians, who come down after the time tha the principle deputation had received the pre sents intended for the whole, and were o

their return back; and the land was bought very dear on that account, other treaties for land have been made when provincial presents have not been given; and we do not or ever did desire that the inhabitants should bear any part of the expense of Indians, who come down solely at our request to consent to the sale of lands, unless they stay on other public business also; and whenever they have come down on both accounts, we are sensible the expense has been divided in a manner very favourable to the public.

not be sensible of the trifle you propose we should contribute to the public expense. We have directed the governor to consent to such a law when you shall think fit to present it to him.

"15. As we shall ever, in the first place, endeavour to promote the real interests of the good people of Pennsylvania, we make no doubt of preserving an union and harmony between us and them, unless men of warm or uneasy spirits should unhappily procure themselves to be elected for representatives, and should, for the supporting of their own private views, or interests, influence their bre

to espouse their cause; in such case indeed, disputes may arise, wherein we shall engage with the utmost reluctance; but even then, as we shall make the general good the rule of our actions, we shall, on all such occasions, if ever they should happen, steadily, and without wavering, pursue measures the most likely to conduce to that good end.

"13. We are far from desiring to avoid contributing to any public expense which it is reasonable we should bear a part of, al-thren, otherwise honest and well-designing, though our estate is not, by law, liable to be taxed. As we have already been, so we doubt not we shall always be, at a far greater expense in attending the affairs of the province, than our estate could be taxed at, if all the estatcs in the province were rated to the public charges, which would be the only fair way of establishing a proportion. If we were willing to consent to any such matter, the value of our estate, and of the estates of all the inhabitants, ought to be considered, and the whole expense proportionably laid upon the whole value; in which case, you will find, that the expense which we voluntarily submit to, out of affection to the inhabitants, is much more than such our proportion so laid would amount to: besides these general expenses, the first of us sent cannon, at his own charge, to the amount of above four hundred pounds sterling, for the defence of our city of Philadelphia, neglected by a late house of representatives; which, alone, is such a sum as the proportion of a tax on our estate would not in many years amount to. And, as this is the case, we are not disposed to enter into any agreement with the house of representatives for payment of any particular proportion of Indian or other public expense, but shall leave it to them (to whom it of right belongs) to provide for such expense, as they shall judge necessary for the public service.

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14. As you desire to appear willing on your parts, to ease your constituents of a small part of the Indian's expense, by throwing it upon us, we shall, on our part, and hereby do recommend it to you to give them a real and far greater relief, by taking off a large share of that only tax which is borne by them. As the general expense amounts to little more than three thousand pounds a year, we conceive it may very well be provided for out of the interest of the paper-money, and one half of the present excise: especially if we shall be induced, from the state of your trade (which we expect soon to receive) to consent to an increase of your paper-currency; this would ease the inhabitants of about fifteen hundred pounds a year, which would be felt by many of them, when they would

"16. The representatives being annually chosen, we are aware that we are not writing now to the same persons who sent the representation to us; the persons most forward to push on a measure (which, from the answer, we directed our governor to give to the former application he was desired to make to us, must be supposed disagreeable) may not now be in the house, but may be succeeded by more prudent persons returned for their places, who would be careful not to press a matter too far, in which the rights of the people are not really concerned: however, the answer we give must be to the representation sent us. And we desire, in any matter of the like nature, that the house will be satisfied with such an answer, as the governor may have orders to give on our behalf.

"THOMAS PENN, RICHARD PENN."

In the temper the assembly was in before the reading of this ungracious paper, it was but natural to expect, that they would have taken fire immediately, and proceeded at once to their own justification.

But, much to the honour of their prudence, they took a different method. They ordered it to lie on the table, together with their own votes, report, representation, &c. alluded to in it; and returning to the two points already before them, resolved to clear their way, by des patching them first.

These, it will be remembered, were the currency-bill, returned to the house by the governor before their adjournment, with a negative, and the governor's message with respect to the resolution of the Indians to withstand the French, in case they should be invaded by them on the Ohio.

They had also under consideration several new despatches from their agent here at home,

and also an account of the value of their im- | to six hundred and forty-seven thousand thre ports from hence; which for the year 1749 hundred and seventeen pounds eight shilling was in all two hundred and thirty-eight thou- and nine pence sterling; and our numbers of sand six hundred and thirty-seven pounds two people, and domestic trade, and the occasion shillings and ten pence. For the year 1750, | for a medium of commerce, are equally in two hundred and seventeen thousand seven creased, there cannot, we think, be any doubt hundred and thirteen pounds and ten pence. but the British merchants will now likewis And for the year 1751, one hundred and be of opinion, that the small addition we a ninety thousand nine hundred and seventeen present propose is absolutely necessary, though pounds five shillings and one penny. Whence they may not think it so suitable to our cir it was apparent, that for want of a sufficient cumstances as a larger sum; one hundre currency, to invigorate the industry, and sup- thousand pounds of paper-currency bearing by ply the wants of the province, the importa- no means the same proportion to our trade now tions from hence were in a gradual course of as eighty thousand pounds did then. And i declension. And after mature deliberation is certain, that, as the money circulating among on the whole matter, they again sent up their us diminishes, so must our trade and useful bill to the governor with the following mes-ness to Great Britain, and our consumption of sage, viz.

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its manufactures, diminish.

"Upon the whole, we entreat the governo to consider the distressing circumstances under which the trade, and in consequence the whole province, must languish, if, contrary to should not be enacted into a law. And we our expectations, the bill we now present him are well assured, that as the governor has been pleased to declare his sentiments of the many advantages we derive from the use of paper-money, his transmitting it home, in a true light, will make our application to the

crown as effectual as it is seasonable."

The governor now demurred in his turn, stand, that, as it was usual for the assembly to and by his secretary gave the house to undermeet again in August to finish the business of the year, he chose for that and some other reasons, to keep the bill under consideration, till

that time.

In this the house acquiesced: and havetaries' paper, and the draught prepared by a ing suspended all resolutions on the propricommittee of their own in answer to it, till their next sitting, proceeded to the Indian thereon, transmitted them also, together with affairs, and having come to proper resolutions the following judicious message to the go

May it please the Governor, "The governor's apprehension, at our last sitting, that the dislike raised in Great Britain of the bills of credit in the plantations, by the late too general and undistinguishing complaints, so warmly subsisted, as to make any application to the crown about our currency at that time unseasonable, induced the house, notwithstanding their different sentiments, to make a short adjournment, to consider farther of the weight of that objection; and also of the sums by that bill proposed to be made, and continued current in this province. when we reflect, that though the complaints And now, against a paper-currency, arising from the excesses of some colonies therein, were indeed at first too general and undistinguishing, so as to occasion the bringing into parliament a bill for restraining the same in all the colonies; yet, as upon strict inquiry (a state of our currency then lying before them) the parliament thought fit to alter the bill, and lay the restraint only on those colonies where that currency had been abused, we cannot but look on this as distinguishing in our favour; especially as we are assured, that no complaints were ever made of our currency by the British merchants trading hither, who only could | vernor, to wit : be affected by it; but that on the contrary they have, whenever called upon for their ، We have, on all occasions, acknowledged opinion, by the parliament or the lords of trade, our grateful sentiments of the governor's reappeared openly and warmly in its favour, and gard and justice towards the Indians, our aldeclared (as they did in 1739, when our act lies; and we now again return our hearty for eighty thousand pounds, the present sum, thanks for his continued care, and for commuwas under consideration) That it was not on- nicating the intelligence he has received conly a reasonable sum, but absolutely necessary cerning their present distresses. In pursufor carrying on the commerce of the country; ance of which, we have resumed the considerwhich appears by the report of the said lords, ation of the letters laid before the house, with made on that occasion to the council. And the message of the 16th of October last, togeas the exports from Britain to this province, ther with the governor's late message and paof which we have authentic accounts, had pers, sent down to us before and since the rethen, in the three preceding years, amounted turn of the expresses despatched to Ohio. We to no more than one hundred and seventy-nine have also carefully examined the messenger thousand six hundred and fifty-four pounds himself, and such Indian traders, and others, nine shillings and two pence sterling; and now who could give us any information of the numin the years 1749, 1750, and 1751, they amount | bers, and designs of the forces, raised by the

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May it please the Governor,

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