and vigorous resolution of dislodging from the neighbourhood of their settlements, [not the settlements themselves, or parts unsettled far within the limits of the province, as before confidently asserted from undoubted assurance] not indeed as principals, but in concurrence with the government of Virginia, when the determinations taken there should be communicated to them-urging, that in the mean while it would be highly expedient to take into consideration the most proper ways and means of raising a supply for this service; and that in doing thereof, they should industriously avoid whatever might be likely to occasion any difference of opinion between him and them, to the detriment of the common cause, &c. That some provision should be made for the support of such Indians as, flying from the enemy, had taken refuge amongst their brethren of Pennsylvania; that the inhabitants on the frontiers, had also by their petitions applied to him for protection; that the defenceless state of the province in general, demanded their special consideration: that it was become his indispensable duty to press it upon them accordingly, &c. And in the close of all he expressed himself as follows: the care he had taken, to obtain the best intelligence he was able of what was proposed to be transacted at the ensuing treaty to be held at Albany, &c. they proceeded as follows: "And as he has been pleased to request our sentiments on the instructions to be given the gentlemen commissioners on the part of this province, to which he will pay the greatest regard,' we can do no less than return him our grateful acknowledgments for his condescension and justice; and would cheerfully comply therewith at this time: but when we consider, that no propositions for an union of the colonies, in Indian affairs, can effectually answer the good purposes, or be binding farther than they are confirmed by laws enacted under the several governments comprised in that union; that we know not what restrictions the governor may lie under in passing our acts; and that we have very little reason to depend upon any assistance in our Indian expenses, whereby a former assembly, it has been respectfully addressed for, and where we think in justice we have a right to expect it; we are, under these circumstances, at a loss to advise him on the important articles he has been pleased to propose to our consideration. Nevertheless, as we have already declared our satisfaction “It is with great satisfaction, that I now in the gentlemen the governor has been communicate to you the proceedings of the pleased to name for this commission, so we commissioners at the late treaty at Albany; confide in their abilities and prudence to an-as, on perusal thereof, you will clearly perswer the ends proposed in the letter from the ceive, that the lands on the river Ohio do yet lords of trade, of the eighteenth of September belong to the Indians of the Six Nations, and last, by renewing at this interview, the cove-have, long since, been by them put under the nant chain with the Six Nations, and by frus-protection of the crown of England. That the trating, as far as lies in their power, any at-proceedings of the French in erecting forts on tempts which have been made to withdraw them from the British interest: and for this purpose, in compliance with the said letter from the lords of trade, we have now granted a present to be made to those Indians on our behalf, however inconvenient we may judge it to hold our treaties at Albany on other occasions." Lastly: the governor also, on his part, desired the members sent with this message to acquaint the house, that as some parts of the minutes of that session might be necessary to be mentioned in the representation, the governor found himself obliged to make to his majesty, in answer to his royal order, in relation to the invasion of his dominions by the French and their Indian allies, he desired the house would order a copy thereof to be delivered to him and an order was thereupon made, that the said minutes might be delivered to him accordingly. Their next meeting was on the 7th of August following, by special summons: upon which occasion, the governor, having sent for the house, acquainted them with Washington's defeat, and in the most solemn manner (his words) recommended to them a cheerful that river, and in the countries adjacent, have never received the countenance or approbation of those nations; but, on the contrary, are expressly declared by them, to have been without their privity or consent. That they are greatly alarmed at the rapid progress of the French, and in severe terms reproach us with supine negligence, and the defenceless state of our possessions; and, in effect, call upon us to fortify our frontiers, as well for the security of their countries as of our own.-That after a due and weighty reflection on these several matters, with many others of equal importance, the commssioners thought it necessary to consider of, and draw up a representation of the present state of the colonies: and from thence, judging that no effectual opposition was like to be made to the destructive measures of the French, but by an union of them all for their mutual defence, devised likewise a general plan for that purpose, to be offered to the consideration of their respective legislatures. "And as both those papers appear to me to contain matters of the utmost consequence to the welfare of the colonies in general, and to have been digested and drawn up with great clearness and strength of judgment, I cannot but express my approbation of them; and do therefore recommend them to you, as well worthy of your closest and most serious attention." The particulars contained in this speech were also enforced by several papers communicated at the same time: and the house taking the premises into consideration, after various debates, divisions, rejections, &c. agreed to a bill for striking the sum of thirtyfive thousand pounds in bills of credit, and for granting fifteen thousand pounds thereof for the king's use, and for applying the remainder to the exchange of torn and ragged bills: which, being presented to the governor, produced the following answer, viz. "The governor promised himself, from the request he made to the house in his speech at the opening of the session, that (considering the importance of the occasion) they would have fallen upon some method of raising money for the king's use to which he might have had no material objection; and could not help therefore being extremely mortified at finding the bill now presented him for that purpose, to be not only formed on the said plan, but to be nearly of the same tenor with that to which he refused his assent at their last meeting. He has nevertheless complied with the proffer he then made them, and has agreed to extend the fund they have chosen to raise the money upon, in the same proportion as they have increased the sum granted to his majesty. But the house is peremptory, and will admit of no alteration in their bill. All then that remains after assuring them that the governor, lest the king's services should suffer, has strained his powers even beyond what he almost dares think consistent with his safety, is, to submit our respective conduct to the judgment of our superiors. But he hopes this also may be rendered unnecessary by the arrival of the gentlemen that is to succeed him in the administration, who may every day be looked for among us: and who may possibly think himself more at liberty with respect to the matter in controversy, than the governor can presume to do. In the mean while it is hoped no considerable detriment may arise to his majesty's affairs in the short interval between this and the time of his actual arrival. This was the last act of Mr. Hamilton's government. Weary of a service, which he found incompatible, if not with his notions of honour, at least with his repose, he had desired to be dismissed; and was succeeded by Robert Hunter Morris, Esq. In the beginning of October, 1754, much about the time of Mr. Morris's arrival at Phi-" ladelphia, a new assembly was to be chosen in the course of the year, and had been chosen accordingly. To these summoned, according to form, up to his council-chamber, the new governor made a short speech; importing, "his persuasion that the proprietaries had nothing more" at heart than the welfare and prosperity of the people his own self-flattery that it was from the opinion that they had entertained of his disposition to promote the general happiness to the utmost of his power, they had made choice of him: the resolution he had taken not to disappoint them: assurance, that he should, upon all occasions, be studious to protect the people committed to his charge in their civil and religious privileges, and careful to maintain the just rights of government, as equally conducive to the public good: a recommendation, in particular, of the state of the frontier both of that and the neighbouring governments; where they would find the French acting with a steady uniformity and avowed resolution to make themselves masters of the country; an interspersion of certain stimulatives, drawn from a contemplation of the miseries they would be exposed to, in case they suffered the enemy to strengthen themselves in their posts; and an earnest call upon them, in his majesty's name, to exert themselves at that critical juncture in defence of their country. And lastly, a declaration, that if they should find any laws wanting for the better government of the province, he should be ready to enter upon the consideration of such as they should propose, and give his consent to such as he should think reasonable." More doubts than confidence, it may be presumed, this speech excited; for the assembly having, upon the report, bestowed some time in the consideration of it, thought fit to call for a copy of the governor's commission, as also of the royal approbation, before they proceeded to answer it. This answer was also as dry, and as cau“So much has already been said upon this tiously worded, as the governor's speech. subject on another occasion, that the governor They echoed back what parts of it they could; declines any farther enlargement thereon, as and they joined issue with the governor in prowell knowing that public disputes of this na-mising with the same sincerity, to contribute ture frequently terminate in private animosi- every thing in their power to support him in ties, which he is very desirous of avoiding; the exertion of the just rights of government, and therefore only expects from the house that conducive to the good ends by him specified. they will do him the same justice he is wil- After which they proceeded in these words: ling to do them, in supposing him to act from "the encroachments of the French on his mahis judgment, when he tells them that he can-jesty's territories, and their hostile proceedings not recede from his amendments." in this time of peace, are truly alarming; and as they have been long since known in Great Britain, we were in hopes, on the governor's arrival, to have received instructions from the crown how to conduct ourselves on this important occasion: but as we have not had any such laid before us, the royal order sent to the several colonies by the earl of Holdernesse, in his letter of the twenty-eighth of August, 1753, appears to be the only rule by which we can now act with safety. And as we find our late assembly did what was most consistent with the trust reposed in them, to comply therewith, the governor may likewise depend upon our doing whatever can be reasonably expected from us for the good of this province, or the general interest of the British colonies on the continent, whenever our assistance can be applied to any valuable purpose. But at present, as we know not where to direct our aid, and as this has not been the usual time of doing business, occasioned by the governor's being obliged to give his attendance elsewhere, we are inclined, if he has no objection, or any thing farther to lay before us, to make a short adjournment; and if, during our recess, any matters of importance should come to his knowledge, we shall cheerfully attend the governor's call of our house, and contribute our assistance for the public good." The result was, that the governor thanked them for their speech, and concurred in their proposition; upon which they adjourned accordingly. In the beginning of December they met again, and then the governor communicated a letter from sir Thomas Robinson, secretary of state, dated July 5, 1754; by which it appears, that for upwards of ten months, the case of the northern colonies, actually invaded by the French, had not been made the foremost point of consideration here at home; and that the Americans were in a sort of disgrace at court for not having broken through all the cautions laid upon them before, and assumed and exercised all the powers of government in taking care of themselves. Let the reader judge for himself. "SIR,-Your letter of the 25th of November last, in answer to the earl of Holdernesse's of the 28th of August, having been received and laid before the king, I am to acquaint you, that it is his majesty's express command, that you should, in obedience thereto, not only act vigorously in the defence of the government under your care, but that you should likewise be aiding and assisting his majesty's other American colonies, to repel any attempts made against them; and it was with great surprise, that the king observed your total silence upon that part of his majesty's orders, which relate to a concert with the other colonies, which, you must be sensible, is now become more essentially necessary for their common defence, since the account received by you from major Washington, with regard to the hostilities committed by the French upon the river Ohio, which verify in fact what was apprehended when the earl of Holdernesse wrote so fully to you in August last, and which might have been, in great measure, if not totally prevented, had every one of his majesty's governments exerted themselves according to those directions, the observance whereof I am now, by the king's command, to enforce to you in the strongest manner.-I am, &c.” with a speech, in which occur the following The governor also accompanied this letter curious particulars, viz. "From the letters and intelligence I have ordered to be laid before you, it will appeal that the French have now, at their fort at Mo nongatula, above a thousand regular troops besides Indians; that they are well supplied with provisions, and that they have lately re ceived an additional number of cannon; tha their upper forts are also well garrisoned and provided; and that they are making a settle ment of three hundred families in the coun try of the Twigtwees, at the south-west em of the lake Erie. "From those papers you will likewise b informed of the use they have made of thei last year's success among the Indians of th Six Nations, having prevailed with many of them to remove to Canada, who will eithe be neuter in the present dispute, or take u arms against us, while such few of the Ind ans, as still retain their attachment to th English, dare not be active for us, till the French; and if that be not soon, they wi see a force in the field superior to that of th certainly give up our cause, and embrace th tempting offers made them by the French. "Gentlemen, it is now several years sinc the French undertook this expedition, and w have long had full intelligence of their de signs, and of the steps they have taken to ca ry them into execution: their progress indee has been very surprising, owing chiefly to th inactivity of the English colonies, who, I a sorry to say, have looked with too much i difference upon an affair that must end their ruin if not timely prevented." [Poor colonies! exposed on one hand! ce sured on the other!]" In a subsequent paragraph he also procee as follows: "These encroachments of the French u on the territories of the crown of Britain America, have turned the eyes of Europe this quarter of the world, as it is uncerta what effects they may produce. The condu therefore, of these colonies, will be more th ever the object of their attention, and ours particular who are most immediately concer ed: for whether the French forts are with the particular limits of this province or not, I look upon to be very immaterial in the present case, though in my opinion they are clearly so: but be that as it may, our situation at present is certainly very alarming: the French on our borders are numerous, strongly fortified, well provided, and daily increasing; the small body of English troops on the frontiers, weakened by desertion from the independent companies, and the want of discipline in the new levies; the Six Nations of Indians, formerly our firm friends, divided among themselves, many of them gone over to the French, and others wavering and in doubt whether to follow their brethren, or continue with us; the neighbouring provinces (except Virginia) though nearly interested in the issue of the present affair, either contributing nothing towards the common cause, or sparingly: and though Virginia has indeed given thirty thousand pounds, yet it will avail but little, unless a considerable body of troops be sent from this province, and kept up till the work is done. "Permit me, therefore, gentlemen, to press this matter upon you: exert yourselves upon the present occasion; dissipate the cloud that hangs over your country, and save her from the threatened destruction. His majesty, ever anxious for the welfare of all his subjects, excites and commands us; the eyes of a British parliament, of the people of our mother country, of the other American colonies; and even of all Europe, are upon us; and the fate of this country, the happiness or misery of your posterity, very much depend on your resolutions." Thus Pennsylvania alone must be put in the front of the battle, must undertake for all, pay for all, &c. and is goaded on so to do by the very proprietaries and their deputy, who should have stood in the gap, and endeared themselves to the province, by endeavouring to have the load laid as equally on the whole continent, and the effort made as generally as possible. It is visible, the governor's name signified nothing, whether Hamilton or Morris, except that the hardest driver was sure to be the best thought of by his employers: and it was but natural, that the assembly should be as resolute to continue the province in such a state as might render it worth preserving, as they were willing to contribute whatsoever they properly could towards its preservation.Pennsylvania was more dear to them for the excellency of its constitution, than the excellency of its soil; and whatever the narrow notions of proprietaries may be, as the liberty of the province is diminished, the value of their possessions in it will diminish in the same proportion. To discharge all duties at once, therefore, they again put the demands for the general 6 service, and those for the particular interest of the province, upon the same footing. by the old expedient of a currency bill, providing for striking the sum of forty thousand pounds in bills of credit; one moiety for the king's use, and the other for replacing damaged bills: which they sent up to the governor for his concurrence, with a written message, of which what follows was the most material part. "Though we hope the number of the French, and their Indian allies, mentioned in George Croghan's letters are full large, yet the uncommon efforts they have made towards obtaining a possession on that part of his majesty's dominions, are truly alarming, and dangerous to the British interest in North America: and we have good reason to believe, the sums granted the king by our late assembly, had the then governor been pleased to pass the bills offered to him for that purpose, might in a great measure, if not totally, have prevented the bad situation of our affairs at present,' and have placed our duty to the best of kings, as we desire it should always appear, among his most loving and loyal subjects. And for this reason, it is with concern we find, by the above mentioned letter from the secretary of state, That it was with great surprise the king had observed, in our late governor's answer to the earl of Holdernesse, he had been totally silent on that part of his majesty's orders, which relate to a concert with the other colonies.' But as we have great confidence in our governor, that he will at all times afford us all good offices and protection, and will be pleased to represent us and our affairs in a favourable light, as we hope he may do with great justice; so, on our part, we shall not fail to contribute every thing in our power to answer all reasonable expectations from so young a colony, so far as is consistent with our civil and religious liberties; beyond which, under so good a king, we are well assured nothing further will be asked or expected from us: and, in return for the governor's justice and protection, it will give us particular pleasure to make his administration in this province easy to himself, and honourable to all." Amazing was the answer by the governor, on the sixth day afterwards returned: for having, at his very outset, taken shelter under the old exploded instruction to governor Thomas, and Ryder the attorney-general's opinion upon governor Hamilton's case, delivered in the following compendious manner: "I am of opinion, it is by no means safe or adviseable, or consistent with his duty, to pass such bills, without a suspending clause ;" and suggested, that he could not by any means agree to the said bill, because forbid by the said instruction, without such a clause. He then proceeded to say, "however, as the act of parliament restraining the four eastern go vernments from emitting paper-currency, to repair to Virginia, there to be completed to gives them a power to strike bills of credit in case of emergency, I hope I shall be justified in thinking the reason holds good as to us who are in the greatest danger, being already invaded by the French, and in immediate expectation of outrage from the Indians in their alliance: I will therefore join with you in any bill for striking what sum you shall think our pressing occasions demand, provided a fund be established for sinking the same in five years. 66 "I am exceedingly obliged to the house for their kind sentiments with regard to me, and shall make it my peculiar care so to act as to merit the continuance of their good opinion; and can truly say it is no small mortification to me to be obliged to differ in opinion from the representatives of the province, who, I am convinced, act from upright motives, and what they esteem to be its true interest; but would willingly hope, when they come to reflect on the obligations I am under to pay obedience to his majesty's instructions, that they will not press me to disobey them; especially when they consider, that, should I disregard my own honour and safety in passing a bill circumstanced as this is, there is great danger of its being disapproved by his majesty; and what loss and confusion such an event would cause in the province, by the paper-bills becoming of no value, I need not particularly mention." From the year 1740, down to the time of this altercation, his majesty's ministers had never once interfered in this dispute; nor in these requisitions from the secretary's office, in the king's name, of aids from his American subjects, is the least trespass on the right of the subject, by any injunction direct or indirect concerning the mode of raising these aids, to be traced and yet this petty proprietary governor dares to make a bugbear of his majesty's disapprobation, at the same time, and in the same breath that he leaves a gap for dispensing with the very instruction he pleads, provided the proprietary turn is served, of reducing the term to five years. seven hundred; as also to send orders to governor Shirley and sir William Pepperell, to raise two regiments of one thousand men each; for which officers were to be appointed, and to repair to America forthwith; all to be commanded in chief by a general officer of rank and capacity, accompanied by a deputy-quarter-master-general, and a commissary of the musters, who were likewise to set out as soon as conveniently might be, in order to prepare every thing for the arrival of the regiments to be sent, and those to be raised. What follows is in the very words of the letter, viz. . "You will receive from that general, and the other officers just mentioned, a full and exact account of the arms, clothing, and other necessaries, to be sent upon this important occasion; as likewise of the ordnance stores, and of the officers and attendants belonging thereto : all which being ordered for this service, are such proofs of his majesty's regard for the security and welfare of his subjects in those parts, as cannot fail to excite you to exert yourself, and those under your care, to take the most vigorous steps to repel your common danger; and to show that the king's orders, which were sent you last year by the earl of Holdernesse, and were renewed to you in my letter of the 5th of July, have at last roused that emulation and spirit which every man owes at this time, to his majesty, the public, and himself. The king will not therefore imagine, that either you, or the rest of his governors, will suffer the least neglect or delay in the performance of the present service, now strongly recommended to you, particularly with regard to the following points, viz. That you should carefully provide a sufficient quantity of fresh victuals, at the expense of your government, to be ready for the use of the troops, at their arrival. That you should likewise furnish the officers, who may have occasion to go from place to place, with all necessaries for travelling by land, in case there are no means of going by sea; and that you should use your utmost diligence and authority in procuring an exact observance of such orders as shall be issued from time to time, by the commander in chief, for quartering the troops, impressing carriages, and providing all necessaries for such forces as shall arrive, or be raised within your government. It is moreover reasonable to think the governor had in his hands at this very time a third letter from the secretary of state, now sir Thomas Robinson, dated October 26, 1754: for on the very next day after this message was delivered, he sent down a copy "As the articles above-mentioned are of a of the said letter to the house, accompanied local and peculiar nature, and arising entirewith another written message so timid and ly within your government, it is almost needconstructed, as to render it as embarrassing as less for me to acquaint you, that his majesty possible. will expect, that the charge thereof be defrayThis third letter imported, that the mi-ed by his subjects belonging to the same. nisters had at last come to a resolution of taking some measures of their own for the defence of America. Amongst others it was said, the king had commanded two regiments of foot, consisting of five hundred men each, But with regard to such other articles, which are of a more general concern, it is the king's pleasure, that the same should be supplied by a common fund, to be established for the be nefit of all the colonies collectively in North |