their lieutenant, refuse to contribute any part towards resisting an invasion of the King's colony committed to their care, or to submit their claim of exemption to the decision of their sovereign.

"In fine, we have the most sensible concern for the poor distressed inhabitants of the frontiers. We have taken every step in our power, consistent with the just rights of the freemen of Pennsylvania, for their relief; and we have reason to believe, that in the midst of their distresses they themselves do not wish us to go farther. Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Such as were inclined to defend themselves, but, unable to purchase arms and ammunition, have, as we are informed, been supplied with both, as far as arms could be procured, out of moneys given by the last assembly for the King's use; and the large supply of money offered by this bill might enable the governor to do every thing else that should be judged necessary for their further security, if he shall think fit to accept it. Whether he could, as he supposes, 'if his hands had been properly strengthened, have put the province into such a posture of defence, as might have prevented the present mischiefs,' seems to us uncertain; since late experience in our neighbouring colony of Virginia (which had every advantage for that purpose that could be desired) shows clearly, that it is next to impossible to guard effectually an extended frontier, settled by scattered single families at two or three miles' distance, so as to secure them from the insidious attacks of small parties of skulking murderers; but thus much is certain, that, by refusing our bills from time to time, by which great sums were seasonably offered, he has rejected all the strength that money could afford him; and, if his hands are still weak or

unable, he ought only to blame himself, or those who have tied them.

"If the governor proceeds on his journey, and takes a quorum of his council with him, we hope, since he retains our bill, that it will be seriously and duly considered by them; and that the same regard for the public welfare which induced them unanimously to advise his intended journey, will induce them as unanimously to advise his assent. We agree therefore to his keeping the bill, earnestly requesting he would reconsider it attentively; and shall be ready at any time to meet him for the purpose of enacting it into a law."

There is not in any volume, the sacred writings excepted, a passage to be found better worth the veneration of freemen than this, "Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety;" nor could a lesson of more utility have been laid at that crisis before the Pennsylvanians.

And as to the other message of the assembly, which was sent up together with this, it was so solid and concise that it will not bear an abridgment.

"May it please the Governor,

"We have considered the governor's message of yesterday, relating to the application and pressing instances of the Indians, and are glad to find, that he is at length prevailed on to declare himself 'ready and desirous to do any thing, consistent with his duty to the crown, for the protection and assistance, as well of our allies as of the inhabitants of this province in general.' We never have, and we hope never shall, desire him to do any thing inconsistent with that duty. He has it now in his power to do what he may think the exigence requires, for the service of the crown, the

protection of our allies, and of the inhabitants of the province. As captain-general, he has, by the royal charter, full authority to raise men; and the bill now in his hands, granting sixty thousand pounds, will enable him to pay the expenses. We grant the money cheerfully, though the tax to sink it will be a heavy one; and we hope the bill will receive his assent immediately."

With both, a bill was sent up for supplying the western and northern Indians, friends and allies of Great Britain, with goods at more easy rates, supporting an agent or agents among them, and preventing abuses in the Indian trade, to which the governor's assent was desired.

The governor's answer was, "that he would take the same into consideration, and give it all the despatch in his power." But whatever he was pleased to say, both his head and his heart were at this time taken up with other purposes; how just in themselves, how agreeable to his commission, and how salutary to the province, the sequel will most properly explain.

CHAPTER XIII.

A Demand on the Assembly to constitute a Militia.

A Petition of Quakers for peaceable Measures. Message from the Governor concerning another Indian Massacre. A Militia Bill. A Discussion of Indian Affairs. A Remonstrance from the Mayor of Philadelphia. The Assembly's Reply to the Governor's Invective. Parley between the Speaker and twenty-nine Petitioners. Unanimous Resolutions concerning the Right of granting Supplies to the Crown.

In the course of this long and manifold controversy, the proceedings of Parliament had been frequently referred to; and the rights of the House of Commons as frequently urged, by way of sanction for the claims of the assembly. And now the proprietary party, or governor's men, (for wherever there is influence, there such creatures will always be found,) being desirous also in their turn to avail themselves of their reading, had recourse, it may be presumed, to the famous Kentish petition in the year 1701, as a proper precedent for them to proceed upon, in hectoring the assembly into such measures as they could not be prevailed upon to adopt by any other means.

Willing, however, to give their copy the air of an original, they chose to represent to their representatives, rather than to petition; and whereas the Kentish petition humbly implored, these came with a positive and immediate demand.

The mayor of Philadelphia took the lead in this turbulent transaction, and found one hundred and thirtythree inconsiderates to follow him, under the name of several of the principal inhabitants of that city.

To the assembly it was presented, the very day after the two messages, just recited, were left with the

ernor.

gov

"At a time when a bold and barbarous enemy

has advanced within about one hundred miles of this metropolis, [the governor had said eighty,] carrying murder and desolation along with them," (thus pompously it began,) "we should think ourselves greatly wanting, &c., if we did not thus publicly join our names to the number of those who are requesting you to pass a law in order to put the province into a posture of defence," &c.

A militia by law is the measure they afterwards contend for; and to show how men differ from themselves according to circumstances and situations, the government doctrine here was, "that the proper and natural force of every country was its militia, without which no government could ever subsist itself; that no sums of money, however great, could answer the purposes of defence without such a law," &c.

And it was in these very words, they had the temerity to enforce their point.

"We hope we shall always be enabled to preserve that respect to you, which we would willingly pay to those who are the faithful representatives of the freemen of this province. But, on the present occasion, you will forgive us, Gentlemen, if we assume characters something higher than that of humble suitors, praying for the defence of our lives and properties, as a matter of grace and favor on your side; you will permit us to make a positive and immediate demand of it, as a matter of perfect and unalienable right on our own parts, both by the laws of God and man."

As also again afterwards.

"Upon the whole, Gentlemen, we must be permitted to repeat our demand, that you will immediately frame and offer a law for the defence of the province, in such a manner as the present exigency requires. The time does not permit many hands to be put to this repre

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