Some Delaware Indians from Shamokin being come to Town, the Governor sent for them, and having bid them welcome he desir'd to know their business. They said they came from Alomipas their Chief, and had several things to say from him to the Governor, but cou'd not be ready till to-morrow; whereupon the Governor ap pointed 10 O'Clock in the morning to hear what they had to say.

MEMORANDUM.

The 22d July, P. M.

Two Members waited on the Governor to inform him that the House was met in pursuance of his Summons, and ready to receive any thing he might have to lay before them, and desir'd a Copy of the Writts by which the House was Summon'd. The Governor said he wou'd send a Message to the House in the morning, together with the Writts.

At a Council held at Philadelphia the 23d July, 1745.

The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approved. One of the Delaware Chiefs made a Speech, importing that the Delaware Indians had been old Friends and Allies; that they had always taken care to preserve the Road clear between their Brethren and them; that as their Brethren were engaged in War, they came to visit them and to enquire what News; and having heard that they had taken some considerable Place from the French, they were heartily rejoic'd at their good fortune; that tho' they were poor, yet they had brought their Brethren such a Present as they cou'd affor'd, and being in want of Powder and Lead and other necessaries, their King Olomipas, in confidence of finding the same affectionate concern for them as they had always experienced, had sent them to their Brethren to apply for a fresh Supply.

They presented five Bundles of Skins, amounting in value, by Mr. Shippen's Calculation, to £20.

The Governor, in Answer, told the Indians he was glad to see them, he was sensible they were old Friends and Allies; that as the Road between them and their Brethren was at this time free from all obstructions, he did not doubt but they would be careful

to preserve it so; that Providence had so far given Success to the Arms of the English that they had taken from their Enemy a very considerable and strong Fortification built by the French in the Bay of St. Lawrence, which commanded the Navigation to Canada in such a manner cou'd not get there without the leave of the English, and that the French not being able for the future to Supply the Indians with Goods, they wou'd be oblig'd to have recourse to the English. He thank'd them for their Present, and in return wou'd order them some Goods, and when they were ready he would send for them.

The Council took into Consideration the value of the Present to be made to the Indians, and were of Opinion that it should be treble the value of the Goods; and that the Secretary shou'd be charged by his Honour with a Verbal Message to the Assembly to tell the House what the Indians had deliver'd in Council, and the value of their Present, together with the Opinion of the Governor & Council, that they shou'd receive a Present in return treble the value of their Skins.

MEMORANDUM.

The Governor having rec'd a Letter from Mr. Conrad Weiser, relating to his Negotiations at Onandago with the Council of the Six Nations he sent it by the Secretary to the Assembly, with a verbal Message to inform the House that some Delaware Indians were in Town, and had made a present to the Government of Skins to the value of about £20, and that as they had signified that they were in want of Necessaries, and had applyed to this Government for a Supply of Goods, it was his opinion, as well as the Council's, that a Present of Goods shou'd be made of treble the value of their Skins.

At a Council held at Philadelphia the 27th July, 1745.

PRESENT:

The Honoble GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Gover

nor.

Samuel Hasell,

Robert Strethil, Esqrs.

The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approv'd. The Governor laid before the Council a Copy of a minute of Assembly, deliver'd to him the 24 Inst. by two Members, together with a Message from the House, which were read, and are as follows:

"In Assembly, the 24th of the 5th Month, 1745.

"The House resuming the Consideration of the King's Commands, signified by the Duke of Newcastle's Letters to the Gover

nor of the Northern Colonies, and also the other Dispatches, Letters, and Papers laid before them by Order of the Governor, have

"Resolved, that the Sum of Four thousand Pounds be and hereby is given to the King's Use, to be paid into the hands of John Pole and John Mifflin, of the City of Philadelphia, Merchants-One-half part thereof by the Trustees of the General Loan Office, the other half by the Treasurer, under the Directions of the Honoble George Thomas, Esqr., our Governor, to be laid out by them, the said John Pole and John Mifflin, in the Purchase of Bread, Beaf, Pork, Flour, Wheat, or other Grain, or any of them, within this Province, and to be Shipped from hence for the King's Service, as the Governor shall think most fit.

"Copy from the Minutes of Assem

"B. FRANKLIN, Clerk."

A Message from the Assembly to the Governor.

"May it please the Governor

"We think it our indispensable Duty on every Occasion to shew our Loyalty and hearty affection towards our King and the present Government, under whom we not only enjoy our Civil and Religious Liberties in their full Extent, but often meet with peculiar Lenity and Indulgence.

"With these Sentiments we have taken into Consideration the King's Commands, signified by the Duke of Newcastle's circular Letters to the Governors of the Northern Colonies, and also the other Dispatches, Letters, and Papers, which the Governor was pleased to direct should be laid before us; and altho' the peaceable Principles professed by divers Members of the present Assembly do not permit them to join in raising of Men or providing Arms and Ammunition, yet we have ever held it our Duty to render Tribute to Cæsar; and have, therefore, on the present Occasion, come to the Resolution herewith sent, which we hope will give 'Public and substantial Proof of our Zeal for the King's Service, and the common Good of our Fellow-Subjects,' as well as evidence our ready Obedience to his Royal Commands, so far as we can consistently with our Religious Principles."

The Governor inform'd the Board that he told the Two Members who delivered the foregoing Resolve and Message that since the House had particularized what they would have the Money laid out in, he looked upon their putting the Shipping of it under his Directions to be no Compliment to him. The two Members likewise inform'd the Governor of the Intention of the House to adjourn to the time of their former adjournment. To which the Governor had no objection.

The Provincial Treasurer having purchas'd Indian Goods to the Amount of £50, in pursuance of a Resolve of the House on the VOL. IV.-49.

Governor's Message of the 23d July, and having deliver'd a List to the Governor, his Honour sent for the Indians and order'd the Interpreter to read the particulars in the List distinctly to them, and to tell them that the Goods were in the State House ready to be delivered to them. The Indians appear'd well pleas'd, return'd their thanks and took their Leave.

MEMORANDUM.

The 19th August, P. M.

Two Members of Assembly waited on the Governor and acquainted him that the House was met in pursuance of their adjournment, and were ready to receive any thing he might have to lay before them. To which the Governor said he had nothing to lay before the House, but if anything occurr'd he wou'd send a Message to them.

MEMORANDUM.

The 23d August, P. M.

Two Members waited on the Governor and presented him with an Order for £500, the remainder of his Support, and acquainted him that the House was dispos'd to adjourn this Day to the 30th Sept if he had no objection. The Governor made no objection to the adjournment of the House, but was pleas'd to say he expected they wou'd at this time have made some Provision for the payment of his Arrearages.

At a Council held at Philada. the 27th August, 1745.

PRESENT:

The Honoble GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Governor. Thomas Lawrence, Abraham Taylor, Esqrs. Robert Strethill,

The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approv❜d. The Gov laid before the Board a Letter, with some Minutes of the Commissioners of Indian Affairs at Albany, which he had received the Day before by Express from the Governor of New York, informing him of some Transactions between the French Governor of Canada and the United Nations of Indians in a late Treaty at Montreal, and inviting him to send Commissioners to Albany, where he proposed to meet the Indians on the 4th of next Month, with the proper means for retaining them in their fidelity to his Majesty and their Engagements with the several British Colonies. Which

Letter and Minutes being read, and it appearing that there is too much reason to apprehend a defection of the Six Nations through the Intrigues and Artifices of the Enemy, if not timely prevented by the British Colonies, The Board unanimously advised That the Governor do forth with issue his Writts for the Meeting of the Assembly on the 4th of next Month.

MEMORANDUM.

4th Sept P. M.

Two Members of Assembly waited on the Governor and acquainted him that the House was met pursuant to his Summons, and were ready to receive any Business he might have to lay before them. To which the Governor answer'd that he had a Message ready and some Papers of Consequence to lay before them, which should be done as soon as the House shou'd meet next morning.

The Speaker of the Assembly waited upon the Governor from the House and desir'd to Know whether if they should come to a resolution to make a Present to the Indians at their coming down to Albany, he will be pleased to manage the Treaty there in behalf of this Government, which they could not but very much wish, as they are sensible it will be greatly for the Publick Service. To which the Gov' answer'd, that as he is thoroughly disposed to do every thing that may be for the Interest and Security of the People under his Government, it is a very real concern to him that his Health will not permit him to undertake so long a Journey at this Time, but that he would appoint such Commissioners for the purpose as he did not doubt would be very agreeable to the House, and then nominated Thomas Laurence, Esqr., of the Council, the Speaker himself, and Isaac Norris, Esqr., of the Assembly.

MEMORANDUM.

Sept. 7th.

Two Members of Assembly waited on the Governor to acquaint him that the House was dispos'd to adjourn to the time of their former adjournment, to which the Governor made no objection.