1829.] PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATURE. 351 other states on the same subject, be referred to a selectined the report of the canal commissioners, which had committee. The following resolution offered by Mr. Read, was twice read and adopted: Resolved, That the committee on the militia system be instructed to enquire into the expediency of so al ering the militia law that no more than one day's duty shall be required in each year. The following resolution offered by Mr. Moore (of Beaver,) was twice read, considered and adopted: Whereas the Westmoreland Bank of Pennsylvania has ceased regular banking operations, and its paper has depreciated from 25 to 30 per cent. and whereas several of the county treasurers in the western counties of this commonwealth have received the paper of said bank whilst current, for store and tavern licences; and the same will not be received from them by the state treasurer: Therefore, Resolved, That the committee of ways and means be instructed to inquire into the expediency and justice of reporting a bill, authorising the state treasurer to receive the paper of said bank from the county treasurers who have received the same whilst current, and to adopt such means as may be deemed proper to compel the said Bank to redeem the paper belonging to the commonwealth. The committee of the whole had under consideration a bill, entitled an act for the furtherance of justice between obligors and obligees, and other creditors and debtors; and after some time rose, reported progress and obtained leave to sit again to-morrow. The following bill was passed through committee. A further supplement to an act, entitled an act to au thorise the governor to incorporate a company to make a lock navigation on the river Schuylkill. Remarks, of Mr. Fetterman, in the House of Representatives, on the bill granting relief to Abraham Shaffer, of Bedford county, for the loss of an ark and its freight, in attempting to cross a canal dam in the Juni ata river. been furnished him, and was satisfied therewith that he would be secure from danger in that way. He proceeded with his ark down the river as far as Lewistown, and there employed the most experienced pilot he could find from thence to the dam, at which place he took out part of his load, and having thus used more than common prudence to render his passage safe. The sluice being too narrow he attempted to pass over the dam; the ark rubbed, and sank, together with its load a short distance below it-attended not only with the loss of the property, but also in great danger of their lives. He stated the policy that had led to the obstruction of that river by means of dams, he would not stop to question-was unnecessary and foreign to the subject. But he would say, had not Mr. Shaffer used common care, or could any neglect be ascribed to him, that the present application would never have been made. But he thought his proof was conclusive, that more than usual care had been used, and that he had been extremely precautious in doing every thing necessary to secure a safe passage for his ark; and that even then the application would not have been persisted in, were it not for the extreme embarrassment occasioned him by the loss of his ark-were it not for the fond wish to save to himself the remainder of his property, and secure his family from poverty. He said that the fact stated in the petition came within his own knowledge. That Mr. Shaffer was a poor man, who by the industry and economy of many years, had succeeded in saving a small sum of money. That two or three years since he contracted for the purchase of a farm in Bedford county; the money he had saved was applied to the first ment-that the second and the last payment became due last spring; to meet which he had prepared the ark he had lost and its load. Had he arrived at market, his property would unquestionably have been secured; but so soon as it was known that he had been unfortunate, his creditors pushed him for payment, and unless the legislature would interfere, his property must all be sacrificed. Mr. Fetterman said, that from the documents that He stated that the question to be determined by the had just been read, he conceived a case had been made committee was, whether the house would interfere and out, well worthy the attention of the committee. That grant relief! That it was certain that the loss sustained prior to the commencement of our system of internal by Mr. Shaffer, was alone to be attributed to the interimprovement, the Juniata river so high as its source invention of a public act, or the act of a public agent.— the mountains, was declared by an act of the Legisla- He considered that whenever an injury of the kind was ture, a public highway, and as such, had been used by occasioned to an individual, it would be the true policy our enterprising citizens living adjacent to it, until of the State to remedy it. That it was true there was within two or three years. Since then it has been ne- no legislative enactment upon the subject by which cessary for canal purposes, that dams should be erected they might be governed-yet that would be no sound across it. The act granting authority to the canal com- objection; for the want of it might be owing to the exmissioners to construct them, states expressly, that the treme improbability of any such cases occurring. Here navigation should be preserved as formerly. The dam the legislature had directed the preservation of the na at the head of the long narrows was erected under the vigation and had no reason to doubt but that their agents superintendance of Mr. Clark, acting commissioner would be obedient. upon that line, who in his report at the last session stated, that the dam had not only been built with a sluice or lock sufficient, not only to preserve the navigation, but had even rendered it better than it was before. How far he was correct, the house would judge. They had before them the fact of the loss of an ark and its freight in attempting to pass it--and they had before them the deposition of a very respectable man, one of the most experienced pilots upon that river, who states, that in a common stage of water an ark cannot pass over the dam, because it is too high-that they could not pass through the sluice or lock, because it is too narrow. He observed, that Mr. Shaffer not knowing of the obstruction in the river, according to the custom of the people living nigh to it, built an ark and prepared a load of hoop-poles. However, before he started with them, he understood he might run great hazard if he proceeded. To remove any doubt of the safety of the navigation, he was referred to the act of Assembly which authorised the construction of those dams, and which required that it should be preserved. He exam- [ But there were other causes wherein damages had been granted as compensation for injuries received in the prosecution of the system of Internal Improvement. That it was provided by an act of Assembly, that when any damage is done to land or other property by means of the canal, that compensation for damages should be given. And how many had been the instances wherein the real value of the property instead of being diminished, had been enhanced by a line of canal passing through. And if in those cases compensation had been awarded, how much greater the reason for granting relief to Abraham Shaffer, who was made an innocent sufferer, and whose loss was absolute; and from an unfortunate chain of circumstances, unless the Legislature interfered, would cause him to lose the reinainder of his property. He said, that the amount mentioned was not the full value of the ark, and its freight. That there was a risk to be run in the distance that intervened from the place where he was so unfortunate as to lose his ark and the place of destination, but that the sum had been reda ced in a proportion greater than any hazard or expense he would have had to encounter, and that believing the claim to be a just one, and one that would warrant the house in granting relief-he hoped it would be granted. Remarks of Mr. Craft, in the House of Representatives, on the act respecting the right of voting by sons of qualified voters between the ages of 21 and 22 years, when the fathers of such persons have been dead for a longer period than two years. tack of mania a potu, the health of the patient was completely reinstated. There is no doubt that in this case the violent inflammation from so slight a cause is to be attributed solely to the irritable state of the patient's constitution arising from his habits of intemperance. There is no reason for believing that any poison was communicated by the an imal found on the arm-or if it really was a lizard, that even a bite was inflicted. Nov. 26, 1829. The above facts were communicated to the Editor by the physician who had charge of the case. Mr. Craft remarked that he would add an observation, in corroboration of the views entertained by the gentleChambersburg, Pa. Nov. 17. man from Washington. He was decidedly of opinion, The Court of Quarter Sessions of this county, were that young men, between the ages of 21 and 22 had occupied beween three and four days last week, trying the right of voting, if their fathers were qualified vo- an indictment against sundry Journeyman Shoemakers ters, and that although the father had died or removed of this borough, for a conspiracy to raise their wages, from the state. The privilege of voting is conferred on and prejudice such as were not members of their assothe son by the privilege of the father, and is not divest- ciation. The written constitution and by-laws of the ed by the death or removal of such father. But this society were in general of a benevolent character, proprivilege is vested beyond the power of the Legisla-viding for the support and comfort of its sick and disature, and can neither be diminished nor increased by bled members. The prosecution was in the main susthis body. It is guaranteed by higher author ty, viz: tained by proof of other rules that were unwritten but by the constitution itself, and this House has no power acknowledged and practised by the Society. The jury to limit or extend the right by construction. after being out from Friday evening to Saturday fore noon, found the society guilty of conspiring to raise their wages, and on the afternoon of that day, the court sentenced the principal of the society to pay a fine of ten dollars-three others named in the indictment, each a fine of five dollars, and costs of prosecution. This House exceeds its legitimate authority in exercising any power to construe laws, unless perhaps by amendment or exposition of their own laws. The constitution distributes the powers of this government into three departments, legislative, executive, and judiciary. The first makes the laws, subject always to the constitution-the second executes and the third expounds or construes them.-While each operates within its sphere, we are safe. When either assumes to itself the powers of the rest, it is tyranny. It is the duty of a good citizen to resist the judiciary in the exercise of the powers of legislation, it is as much bis duty to resist the legislator in any attempt to assume the office of the Judge. To show his sincerity in defending the rights of young men, (he stated) that the proper course of any who were illegally deprived of the right of suffrage, would be to bring a suit against the Inspector or Judge refus ing his vote, and to carry the question up to the Supreme Court, where the true construction of the constitution might be solemnly established, and a uniform rule pervading the state, might be settled, as the law of the land. This was the true constitutional course, and as the voter had this remedy and means of redress, (and on decision by the proper tribunal would be suffi cient) he was not of opinion that the Legislature should exceed their powers to give the voter any new rights. This House is a Legislature of limited powers, not a convention. MISCELLANEOUS. CURIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE. 19 29 4 29 3 29 2 59 62 62 21 22 24 An individual of intemperate habits, engaged in unloading a shallop of wood at one of our wharves felt something pass up his sleeve to which he paid no attention until a sensation of violent burning induced him to examine his arm. On stripping up his sleeve he dis-23 covered an animal resembling a lizard, which, from the existence of three small pimples near the shoulder, he concluded had bitten him. The arm immediately swelled up to an enormous size-became of a bright red colour, and intensely painful. No medical attendance was procured for five days. The arm from the shoulder to the elbow was then fully as thick as the thigh of an ordinary sized man-painful to the touch-an evident fluctuation of matter was detected throughout the whole circumference of the arm, and upon an incision being made through the skin and cellular membrane nearly half a gallon of well conditioned matter was evacuated-after this the swelling, pain and inflammation rapidly declined, and with the exception of a slight at 29 8 29 8 29 8 35 44 47 60 63 26 29 6 29 6 29 6 54 52 54 Printed every SATURDAY MORNING by WILLIAM F. 59 Locust Street, Philadelphia; where, and at GEDDES, No. the PUBLICATION OFFICE, IN FRANKLIN PLACE, second door back of the Post Office, (back room) subscriptions will be thankfully received. Price FIVE DOLLARS per annum, payable annually by subscribers residing in or near the city, or where there is an agent. Other subscribers pay in advance. THE REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE. RECORDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. NO. 101. to the Delegates on Ohio & Susqa. in answer to one of Abstract of the state records at Harrisburg, made by theirs, confirming the old alliance with Willian Penn. Dec. 17. Bill presented for raising £20,000 for the Thomas Sergeant, Esq. when Secretary of the Common- king's use; Governor sends it back as contrary to Royal wealth, and by him presented to the Historical Com-instructions, not to pass any money Bill without a susmittee of the American Philosophical Society, Nov. 3, 1819.-1748 to 1758. Continued from page 330. pending clause that it should not take effect till his majesty's pleasure be known. Dec. 19. Scarooyady an Oneida who succeeded the Half King in the direction of Indian affairs at Aughwick, December 3, 1754. Letter of Sir Thomas Robinson, came with 2 others to Philadelphia and made speeches. July 5th, Whitehall. Sir your letter of the 25 Nov. last Scarooyady mentioned Col. Washington's first engagein answer to the Earl of Holdernesse of the 28th Au- ment with the French division,the inturpreter said he was gust having been received and laid before the King, I am in the action and there were but 8 warriors who did most to acquaint you that it is his Majesty's express command of the execution that was done. Col. Washington and the that you should in obedience thereto, not only act vigor- Half King differed much in judgment, and on the Col. ously in the defence of the Government under your care refusing to take his advice the E. and I. separated.but that you should likewise be aiding and assisting his After which the Indians discovered the French in a holMajesty's other American Colonies to repel any hostile low and hid themselves, lying on their bellies behind a attempt.made against them: and it was with great sur-hill-afterwards they discovered Col. Washington on the prise the King observed your total silence upon that opposite side of the hollow in the gray of the morning part of his Majesty's orders which relate to a concert and when the English fired, which they did in great with other colonies which you must be sensible is now confusion, the Indians came out of their cover and closed become more essentially necessary for their common de- with the French and killed them with their tomahawks: fence since the account received by you from Major on which the Fort surrendered. 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 accordingly to those directions, the observance whereof I am now by the King's commands to enforce (on) you in the strongest manner. I am now Dec. 19. Letter from Sir Thomas Robinson, Whitehall Oct. 26, 1755. Sir, Having informed you in my letter of July 5, that the King had under his Royal consideration the state of affairs in North America. to acquaint you that amongst others measures, that are thought proper for the defence of his majesties just right and dominions in those parts; the king has not only been pleased to order 2 regiments of foot consisting of 500 men each, besides commissioned and non commissioned officers, commanded by Sir Peter Halkett and Accounts of the death of the Half King, at Harris'Ferry Colonel Dunbar, to repair to Virginia, and to be there in the beginning of October. Mess. of Gov. to Ass'ly. augmented to the number of 700 each; but likewise to "Many things have happened since the retreat from send orders to Governor Shirley and Sir William Pep. the forks of Monongialo that have put our affairs upon perell, to raise 2 regiments, whereof they are respecthe frontiers in a very bad situation: much worse than tively appointed Colonels, of 1000 men each, and also his majesty and his ministers have any knowledge of, or to sign commissions for a number of officers to serve than they can possibly imagine:" It appears that in the said 2 regiments and who will forthwith repair to "the French have now at Monongialo about 1000 regu- North America for that purpose. Whereas there will lar troops besides Indians:-are well supplied with pro-be wanting a considerable number of men to make up visions:--and lately received an additional number of can- the designed complements of the said 4 regiments-it is non-that their upper forts are also well garrisoned and his majesty's pleasure that you should be taking the provided-and that they are making a settlement of 300 previous steps, towards contributing, as far as you car, families in the country of the Twightwees at the S. W. to have about three thousand men in readiness to be inend of Lake Erie." "Our situation at present is cer- listed, and it is his Majesty's intention that a General oftainly very alarming. The French on our borders are ficer of rank and capacity to be appointed to command numerous, strongly fortified, well provided, and daily in chief all the king's forces in North America, a Deputy increasing. The small body of English troops on the Quarter Master General, and a Commissary of the Musfrontiers weakened by the desertion from the Indepen- ters shall set out as soon as conveniently may be in order dent Companies, and the want of discipline in the new to provide every thing for the arrival of the forces alevies. The six nations of Indians formerly our firm bove mentioned from Europe, and for the raising of the friends, divided among themselves, many of them gone others in America. You will receive from that General over to the French, and others wavering and in doubt and the other officers just mentioned a full and exact whether to follow their brethren or continue with us.- account of the arms, clothing and other necessaries to The neighboring Prov's. (except Virginia)though nearly be sent upon this important occasion, as likewise of ordinterested in the issue of the present affair, either con- nance stores and of the officers and attendants belongtributing nothing towards the common cause or sparing-ing thereto; all which being ordered for this service are ly; and though Virginia has indeed given £3000 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, urging them to give supplies &c. Message sent VOL. IV. 45 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 yourselves and those under your care to take the most vigorous steps to repel your com That you should carefully provide a sufficient quantity of fresh vituals at the expense of your Gov. to be ready for the use of the troops at their arrival. mon danger, and to show, that the king's orders, which remarkably indulged both by the Crown and Proprietawere sent you last year by the Earl of Holdernesse, and¦ries, and are granted to enjoy power unknown to any were renewed to you in my letter of the 5th July have other Assembly upon the continent, and even such as may at last roused that emulation and spirit which every man render them a very dangerous body hereafter. But not owes at this time to his majesty, the public and himself. content with the privileges granted them by charter, The king will not therefore imagine that either you or they lay claim to many more, and among others an abthe rest of his governors will suffer the least neglect or solute exemption from the force of Royal and Proprietadelay in the performance of the present service now ry instructions, and have been indiscreet enough to destrongly recommended to you, particularly with regard clare such instructions destructive of the liberties of the to the following points viz: people, and infractions of their charter, though given for the Governor and intended to be binding on him alone. I would feign have persuaded them that it was an improper time to enter upon the consideration of an affair That you should likewise furnish the officers, who about which we could never agree; and from time to time may have occasion to go from place to place with all ne-entreated them to consider the danger they were in and cessaries for travelling by land, in case there are no make the necessary provision. But neither the incroachmeans of going by sea-and that you should use your ments of the French; the increase of their numbers; the utmost diligence and authority in procuring an exact defenceless state of the Province; nor his Majesty's comobservance of such orders as shall be issued from time mands had any effect upon them: for on the 10th Jan. to time by the commander-in-chief for quartering the they adjourned themselves without doing any thing to troops, impressing carriages, and providing all necessa- the purpose. Indeed they did by a resolve of the house ries for such forces as shall arrive or be raised within without my knowledge or consent, empower a commityour Government. As the articles above mentioned are tee to borrow £5000 upon the credit of the House, and of a local and peculiar nature and arising entirely with- to dispose of it as they thought fit to some of the uses in your Government it is almost needless for me to ac- mentioned in Sr. Tho. Robinson's letter of 26th Oct. quaint you that his majesty will expect that the charge To this committee, I have applied, but do not expect thereof be defrayed by his subjects belonging to the they will lay out any part of that money to purchase same. But with regard to such other articles which provisions to be sent to Will's creek or indeed to any are of a more general concern it is the king's pleasure good purpose." A duplicate with this--"In answer to that the same should be supplied by a common fund to my application to the Committee of our Assembly, the be established for the benefit of all the colonies collec- Speaker who is one of them, sent me the enclosed lettively in North America, for which purpose you will use ler; by which you will observe they do not think themyour utmost endeavours to induce the Assembly of your selves obliged to furnish any provisions till the troops province to raise forthwith, as large a sum as can be come into the Province." Gov. M. to Gov. D. Feb. 26. affordeds as their contribution to this common fund to be "The Committee of Assembly have agreed to deliver employed provisionally for the general service of North the flour of 14,000 bushels of wheat at the mouth of America, (particularly for paying the charge of levying Conegochege, immediately on your notifying the arthe troops to make up the complement of the regiment rival of the troops." Sir John St. Clair, Williamsburg, above mentioned) until such time as a plan of general | Jan. 14, announcing his arrival as D. Q. M. General of union of his Majesty's northern colonies, for their com- the troops to be sent, and those to be levied. Two remon defence can be perfected. You will carefully con- giments were to embark at Cork. Pressing a commufer or correspond with the said Gen.Sir William Pepper-nication to be opened by cutting or repairing the roads ell and Gen. Shirley or either of them, and as it is the king's intention to give all proper encouragement to such persons in the king's name, that they will receive arms and clothing from hence and that they shall be sent back (if desired) to their respective habitations when the service in America shall be over. As the several governors in all the king's provinces and colonies in N. America will receive by this conveyance a letter to the same effect with this which I now send you they will be prepared at the same time to obey his Majesty's commands-and I am to direct you to correspond with all or either of them occasionally as you shall find it expedient for the general service." Sent to Legislature with a message. Dec. 24. Long answer of house to Gov.on money bill -message in reply. Jan. 1. House applies for the Governor's instructions-He declines Jan. 3. Votes and very long message of assembly a gainst the instructions, Jan. 7. Answer by Governor, Jan. 10. House adjourned. towards the head of the Youhieghany, as "no General will advance without having a communication to the Provinces in his rear." Letter from Mr. John Rutherford to the Governor. Annapolis, Feb. 26. Announcing that Gen. Braddock had arrived at Williamsburg. March 10. Letter from Gen. Braddock to Gov. M. Williamsburg, Feb. 28. "Sir, Your answer to Sir John St. Clair's first letter is just arrived. I waited for the return of the message, or would have informed you sooner of my being at Williamsburg, with his Majesty's commission to command all the forces in North America. I cannot help expressing the greatest surprise to find such pusillanimous and improper behaviour in the Assembly, and to hear of faction and opposition, when liberty and property are invaded, and an absolute refusal to supply either men, money, or provision for their own defence; while they furnish the enemy with provision which his majesty has been informed of, and has ordered all suspected vessels to be stopped and forfeited. But to provide more effectually against this unnatural proceeding, I think it very advisable to put an Embargo upon all provision, and I should be more obliged to you, if you It Jan. 14. Letters and papers in the Connecticut pur- would proceed immediately to issue such an order. chase of the Indians at Wyoming (by Lydius.) is astonishing to see one of the principal colonies preMonday, March 3, 1755. Letter from Gov. Dinwid-serving a neutrality, when his Majesty's dominions are die, Williamsburg, Jan. 15, inquiring if Gov. M. could invaded; when the enemy is upon the frontier; nay, supply 600,000 lbs. of flour, to be delivered at Will's when it is undetermined if the Fort Du Quesne is not creek [Cumberland], and if salt beef could be purcha- in the Province of Pennsylvania. His Majesty to drive sed in Philadelphia. "If your assembly votes a proper the French from their encroachments, and out of the supply, the amount of the above may be paid from that. great regard to his subjects in these parts, has ordered If not, as the service is not to be hurt for want of provi- two regiments and a train of artillery from England. No sions, I will engage to pay the amount thereof." An- measures are taken to repair roads, to provide stores and swer, 4th Feb. "I am sorry the assembly of this Prov- carriages, to transport the stores, nor were subsistence ince has not put it in my power to supply the provisions for those troops who are come to restore and preserve for the troops. You are sensible they have been most that property which their factious councils have suffered 1829.] RECORDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 355 to be invaded. My commission empowers me to settle the winter as I shall think proper. You may assure your Assembly I shall have regard to the different behaviour of the several Colonies, and shall regulate their quARTERS UCcordingly, and that I will repair by UNPLEASANT METHODS, what for the character and honor of the Assemblies I should be much happier to see cheerfully supplied. 1 hope you will not impute any part of this letter as being addressed or directed to you. I am thoroughly satisfied of your good intentions and the means you have used to obtain the necessary assistance, nor do I doubt your continuance of them. I must desire you to establish a post, with good horses, at convenient distances,between Philadelphia and Winchester, for the forwarding your's, and receiving my dispatches, which may be of great importance during the operation of the campaign, and I desire you will inform me of the places appointed. On considering Sir John St. Clair's letter, the committee judged it would be absolutely necessary to open a road from Shippensburg to intercept the road of the army from Will's creek to Fort Du Quesne, through Ray's town: and a commission for that purpose was issued by George Croghan, John Armstrong, James Burd, Wm. Buchanan, and Adam Hoops, Esq'rs, of the county of Cumberland, to explore and view the ground W. and N. of the Kittochtinny or blue hills, and of the great Virginia road leading from Harris' ferry; to survey and lay out such roads as they should think proper, and re-vise and assist his several Governors upon the present turn to the Gov. drafts, with an estimate of the charge of opening; dated 12th March. Gov. undertook to pay the expenses immediately. Collector prohibited by Province from clearing out vessels having surplus provisions, till bond in £1000, given not to go to a French port in N. America government, but am persuaded they are not sufficient to discourage you from continuing your most earnest endeavors for reclaiming them to a reasonable conduct in this important juncture." Williamsburg, March 10th, 1755. "Sir-As it must be attributed principally to a want of a proper union among the Colonies that the French have had it in their power to make so great incroachments upon the King's territories in America, as they have lately done; it ought to be considered as a very strong instance of his Majesty's care and regard for them that he has sent a considerable force from England to their assistance, in order to repair those losses which their own misconduct has occasioned. As it is highly reasonable, he has declared that he expects the several colonies in proportion to their respective abilities, should furnish the forces with supplies of provisions and all necessaries, and likewise raise such additional numbers of men as shall be requisite for the purposes now intended upon. This occasion the Province of Pennsylvania, by far the most populous, and most opulent of any upon the continent, as well as most nearly interested in the event of the expedition, instead of making the earliest and largest contributions is endeavoring to take advantage of the common danger, in order to encroach upon his Majesty's prerogative in the administration of his government. In what light such conduct must appear to his Majesty may easily be conceived. As I am directed by him to adoccasion, I would propose to you, Sir, to call your Assembly together, and to endeavour once more to bring them to a sense of their duty to his Majesty and their own interest, by representing to them in the strongest light the consequences which must attend their neglec of it. With the assistance required of the Colonies I March 18. Assembly met according to writs. Gov- shall have good of answering his Majesty's expectations ernor by message acquaints them with Gen. Braddock's from me, by securing his dominions and the possessions arrival. That they might provide the men, provisions, of his subjects in these parts. Without their assistance it and money expected from this Province, and recom- may not be in my power; and, in such case, it may be mending provisions for opening the road; to establish a worth their while, particularly the Province under your post and provide their quota of the common fund to be government, to consider, whether it may not be presumlodged in the hands of a Treasurer. Governor repr-ed that the government at home will take some method to mands Assembly for printing in the minutes Sir T. Ro- oblige them, to act for the future as becomes the duty of binson's letter of July 5, and 26th Oct. last, and that he his Majesty's subjects. I must represent to you, Sir, would not communicate other state papers without their what I have already mentioned in a former letter, that I assurance that their contents should remain secret.- am directed by his Majesty to propose to the several Gov. message stating he expected their clerk to attend colonies to make one common stock of the money they him every night with the minutes of the day: as they shall severally raise, in order to serve as a provisional had previously kept them secret. fund for the present service. Such a measure would March 20. Answer of Assembly to Governor's mes- greatly promote our success. But if it should be objecsages, vindicating themselves against the first, and stated to, I must at least desire, that what is raised may ting the custom for 30 years, not to give a copy of the not be particularly appropriated, but granted in general minutes till revised at the rising of the house. Gover- sums for the service of the expedition, I doubt not, sir, nor wrote a letter to Messrs. Franklin and Hall, prohib. you will continue to exert your utmost endeavours for iting them from printing in the minutes Sir Thos. Rob- the present service, particularly by punishing according inson's letters. Messrs. F. and H. intreated Mr. Peters to their deserts all, if any such shall be found who are that it might not be insisted on; and the Council also ad-guilty of carrying on a traitorous correspondence with vised, at the present pressing juncture of affairs, but that these matters might be postponed. Governor persisted, and said also he would send his Secretary to the house to inspect the minutes. The Council earnestly pressed a postponement for the present. March 21. Mr. Quincy came as commissioner from Gov. Shirley to seek assistance for building a fort near Crown Point. Gov. recommended it to the Assembly. Gov, sent his Secretary to inspect the journals of the house from the 17th to 20th inst. The Gov. sent a second message to the same effect. The house promised an answer to-morrow. March 25. Letter from Gen. Braddock, Williamsb'g, March 10. "Sir-The enclosed is calculated to be laid before your Assembly if you should think it may be of any service towards bringing them to a state of their duty to his Majesty and their own interest upon the present occasion, for which purpose I would propose to you the calling them together once more as soon as possible. I am sensible of the difficulties you have in the management of so factious a people as those under your the enemy, by supplying them with provisions. I shall only add, that as I am to give a faithful account to his Majesty's ministers, of the behaviour of each Colony at this important juncture, I am still in hopes that the Province under your government will put it in my power to represent them as becomes their ability, their interest, and their duty to his majesty." Message from Governor, that by express from Maryland he was informed of the safe arrival of the transports in Virginia, with the troops and train of artillery, destined for American service, recommending raising supplies, &c. "I earnestly beseech you, Gentlemen, well to consider what may be the consequence of your now refusing to grant the necessary supplies, as we may be assured his Majesty will not condescend repeatedly to recommend to you, in vain, the making provision for your own defence; but will doubtless, upon your refusal, be enabled by his Parliament to oblige those who reap the immediate benefit of such a chargeable protection to contribute their proportion of it; and if by a disappointment in the articles expected to be supplied by you, the great expense that |