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

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

"May it please the Governor,

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

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

Of this the governor took no notice, but proceeded to Newcastle, as he had before intimated he would; and

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the assembly, having at last conquered the difficulties raised among themselves, and passed their bill for regulating the officers and soldiers in the service and pay of the province, adjourned to the 5th of April then next ensuing.

CHAPTER XV.

Sir William Johnson's Treaty with the Six Nations. The Governor appears strongly inclined to involve the Province in a War with the Delawares and Shawanese. He also demands farther Supplies. The Resolutions of the Assembly concerning a Plan of Military Operations. They adjourn and are re-assembled. A Petition of the Association Companies in Philadelphia, concerning the Insufficiency of the Militia Law. The Governor proclaims a Suspension of Arms. The Assembly's Message to him; in which they again press him to pass the Indian-Trade Bill. Six Members desire Leave upon the Adjournment to quit their Seats. Their Resignation accepted, and new Writs issued.

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

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

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

The issues of war and peace, they might probably argue, were solely in the executive; and consequently

the executive was alone to be answerable for the uses made of them.

But, whatever their arguments were, whatever effect they had within doors, the same difference of opinion still remained without. On one hand, some of the people called Quakers, residing in the city of Philadelphia, on behalf of themselves and many others, presented petitions both to the governor and the House, full of exhortations to pursue pacific measures with these savages, and to preserve the province, if possible, from the calamities of an Indian war; and, on the other, the governor informed the House, that a number of people from the back counties had resolved on a meeting, in order to proceed in a body to make some demands of the legislature then sitting; and, after having made a merit of his information, added, "that, by the advice of the council, he should give immediate orders to the provincial and other magistrates to use their utmost endeavours to prevent the mischiefs, which might attend so extraordinary a procedure."

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

It may indeed be collected, that these insurgents

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

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

The same day he also informed them, "that the Indians, who had so long subsisted on the bounty of the province, (instead of taking part in this new war) were on the point of removing with their families (he was fearful, on some discontent, though he knew of no reason,) into the country of the Six Nations; and had demanded of him the necessary conveyances and passports." And he added, "that if they could not be prevailed on to act with the English, which he had directed the interpreter to endeavour, it would be necessary to reward the two partisans amongst them (Scarroyady and Montour) to their satisfaction for their trouble and service, to send the others away well satisfied, and to give those, that should continue, good encouragement."

The House, in answer, signified in substance, "that their late supply of sixty thousand pounds had fully enabled the governor, and the commissioners who were joined with him for the disposition of it, to do all that

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