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LUMBER.

An immense quantity of lumber has descended the Susquehanna the present season; more, it is estimated, by one-third, than descended any previous season. The same is said of the lumber trade on the Delaware, and the article may be purchased as low at Philadelphia as at Harrisburg, Middletown or Columbia.

For the last twenty-five years, at least, we have heard that timber was becoming scarce at the head waters of the Susquehanna; and boards, shingles, &c. must, the ensuing year, be scarcer and dearer. It turns out, however, that lumber in all its shapes descends the river year after year in increased abundance. Why? Because there is more skill employed in getting the timber out of the forest to the saw mill, and consequently it is delivered there cheaper-because saw mills are placed upon water courses; remote from the main stream, which were formerly considered unfit for navigation, but are now descended by rafts-and because the immense forests of pine stand upon soil of excellent quality, which the settlers are anxious to cultivate. No person can form an accurate idea of the quantity of timber standing in a pine forest, without actually seeing it. These forests, however, are not exhaustless, and the time will come, albeit that cannot be the case in our day, when they will be exhausted.

buildings which have been erected. And yet the improvements are not equal to the increase of inhabitants and the business of the place, as will be seen by an advertisement of Messrs. Miller & Evans, two of our most enterprising builders, who wish to employ five or six workmen immediately. Five handsome buildings are now being erected on Market street, together with others in other parts of the town.”

Inland Trade.-The following articles, with some the Eastern Gate of the Chambersburg Turnpike Road others not stated, passed Eastward in waggons through Company, in one month, from the 2d of March to the 2d of April, to Baltimore and Philadelphia, of which an account was kept by Jacob Shober, Gatekeeper. Flour, bbls. 3,450 | Rags, Whiskey, Clover seed, Butter,

do

364 Feathers,

lbs. 21,000

do

7,420

bush.

365 Paper,

ცი

9,800

lbs

25,007 | Iron castings do

5,000

doz. 3,415

Blooms do

51,400

[blocks in formation]

Eggs, Hemp, Wool, Bees wax, Hogs lard, Bacon, Since the Union and Schuylkill canals have been fin With the exception of the articles of hemp, wool, ished, the lumber trade has taken a new direction. A beeswax, bacon, rags, feathers, glass, the other articles great proportion of the lumber that formerly descended were, it is believed, from Franklin county, and chiefly the Susquehanna, run on to tide, and then to Baltimore, from Chambersburg and its vicinity; which, also furnishWashington, &c. A considerable supply for the adja-ed part of the several items excepted-with the excep cent country was purchased at Columbia, Middletown, tion only of Glass. More Flour passes, it is believed, Harrisburg, and New Cumberland. But Middletown at through this gate to market in each of the months of this time far surpasses all the other points in the amount December, January, and February, than in March. It of her lumber trade. It is said that three hundred hou- is also considered that one third at least of the agricul ses are to be erected at Pottsville during the ensuing tural products of Franklin county passes to market by summer, the lumber for which is laid in at Middletown, the Waynesburg and Emmittsburg Turnpike Road and and conveyed to its destination by the Union and by Hagerstown. Schuylkill canals. It was formerly a serious matter for farmers in the eastern end of Dauphin, in Lebanon or Berks, to build a house, barn, or the most insignificant A panther was shot in Drinker's settlement on the 3d tenement, because they were obliged to carry the inst. by Daniel Scott. You will please publish the folboards and shingles in wagons from ten to forty miles.lowing account of it, which is as near as may be in the But since the canals have been in operation, lumber is hunter's language. distributed along the whole line, from Middletown to Lebanon, to Berks and down to the eastern part of Montgomery, and sold at an immense reduction in the cost. The consequence is, this country every where exhibits cheering evidences of improvement. Lebanon and Berks have always been anti-canal counties, and a majority of their people yet labour under the apprehension that the canals will answer no good purpose, while they are strongly possessed of the presage that they will be ruined by taxes; when it can be demonstrated by figures and facts, that the price paid for lumber in those At length he came near enough to see the creatur, who Counties before the Union Canal was constructed was sot on a little knoll, moving his tail about, and wrigso much higher than it is now, that the difference, or sa-gling like a cat, with his head near the ground.-Scott ving, to the purchasers will be more than sufficient to pay all the taxes that may be assessed upon those counties for canal and rail road purposes, even assuming the highest estimate of those opposed to the canal and rail road system to be the true one.-Harrisburg Chron.

The following paragraph is extracted from the Lewis burg Journal. Similar notices of improvement are observed in papers from other internal towns in this state, and we should judge the present to be a time of as much general prosperity as Pennsylvania has known for a number of years. We could desire, indeed, to quote grain at about 25 per cent. higher:

"This borough has for the last two or three years undergone the most rapid improvement of any along the Susquehanna, possessing no greater advantage for trade or manufactures than it does. Indeed, so great has been the change, that persons who have not visited it for three or four years, on their return universally express their surprise at the number and elegance of the

He says he was sauntering along with his rifle not far from his residence thinking it probable he might get a chance at some wolves, whose track he had seen some days previous, when he heard a great fuss in a swamp a short distance from him, and immediately after, his dog came running towards him evidently very much alarmed, but his courage being raised by his master's presence, he returned to the swamp-Scott followed at double quick time, pecking round pretty sharp to see what

was up.

guesses he was about four rods from him but the tarnal fellow did not perceive his approach, (having his eyes on the dog, and preparing to spring) until he gave a whistle, when he raised himself up and showed his breast, at which the hunter took deliberate aim, and shot him through the heart and livers. He was a fine fellow, in the prime of life, six feet and a half from tail to snout. No doubt he had feasted well on venison during the winter, as he was in such good case that Mrs. Scott got fat enough from him to make half a barrel of Soap.

Printed every SATURDAY MORNING by WILLIAM F GEDDES, No. 59 Locust Street, Philadelphia; where, and at 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.

VOL. V.-NO. 22.

EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD.

PHILADELPHIA, MAY 29, 1830.

BENJAMIN WEST.

The interest which the public have felt, and still feel, in what has been justly stiled "the magnificent picture" of Christ Rejected, since its exhibition in this city, leads us to imagine, that a brief memoir of the artist cannot but prove interesting; the more so, seeing that he was not only an American, and a Pennsylvanian, but almost a Philadelphian.

The ancestors of the West family were of English origin, and emigrated to this country with William Penn, on his second visit hither. They had embraced Quaker principles, and this was probably the reason of their quitting their native land, and seeking an asylum, where no previous religious establishments viewed a difference of opinion from the majority as visionary or encroaching

sectarianism.

NO. 126.

of his parents to pursue painting as a profession in Phil-
adelphia, and several of his landscapes executed on
pannels over mantel-pieces are preserved in the room
where his splendid picture of Christ healing the sick is
now exhibited, in the hospital in Spruce street.
sign of the Bull's head is Strawberry alley, which
still hangs at the door of a small tavern, is also shown as
one of these early productions.

The

He practised his art successfully in Philadelphia, Lancaster, New York, and other places, both in portrait and history, till the year 1759, when the same unextinguishable love of the art which had influenced his childhood, led him to visit the classic shores of Italy, to study those masterly performances, without having seen which it is hardly possible to conceive what the arts can achieve. He embarked at Philadelphia on his twentyfirst birth-day, and landed at Leghorn, whence he proceeded to Rome, and for a time enthusiastically revelstrength became unequal to sustain his mental excitement. He more than once, though originally of a hearty and robust constitution, lost his health, and reluctantly quitted, for a time, his study of Michael Angelo and Raphael and Poussin, and returned to Leghorn and the seacoast for relaxation. He soon, however, resumed his delightful task, which he pursued with the devotedness of a martyr, making himself familiarly acquainted with the chefs d'œuvres, at Parma, Florence, Venice, and other principal places in Italy.

BENJAMIN WEST was the youngest of a family of ten children of John West, who married Sarah Pearson.-led there in his darling pursuit, until his corporeal Benjamin was born on the 10th of October, 1738, in Springfield township, Chester county, in this state, where he was brought up in the faith and profession of his ancestors; a profession, to his honour be it said, from which he never swerved, when his genius commanded the flattery of courts and honour from kings and princes. At the time of West's birth, the fine arts had scarcely an admirer in this country, much less professed disciples. Under these circumstances, and brought up too in prin- | ciples by no means favourable to a taste for painting, the innate bent of our youthful artist's disposition looked forth, and nature and genius triumphed over every impediment.

Mr. West spent about four years in this useful and cheering manner, and finally quitted Italian studies and journied to London, by way of Paris, in which latter It is recorded of him by one of his biographers [Galt] place he remained long enough to examine all the galthat at the age of seven he made a drawing in red and leries and museums, and reached London in the month black ink, of an infant neice, of whose cradle he had the of August, 1763. Blenheim, Oxford, Stourhead, Foncharge, and whose sweet smile in her sleep excited his thill, Windsor, Hampton Court, and other collections, imitative powers, though he had never seen a picture received his speedy and eager attention, and the attracor engraving! With this precocious sign of inherent tions of England in the treasures of art, with other reastalent, the boy's mother was so much charmed that it ons, perhaps, led him soon after his arrival to give up may readily be believed her admiration and encourage- his purpose of returning to America, and to resolve on ment confirmed his taste. He was now sent to school, settling in London; and it was a fortunate hour both for where even before he had learned to write, pen and ink himself and the arts when he adopted such a determinbecame his cherished favourites, and birds, flowers and ation. A new era had arisen. The Association of Artanimals were rapidly added to his juvenile port folio.ists, in 1760, paved the way to an exhibition in Spring His father, it is said, being admonished by some of the Garden in 1764, to which Mr. West sent two pictures elders of the society, did all he could to repress the ar- he had painted at Rome, and a portrait, which obtained dour of his son in his favourite pursuit, and earnestly for him a very prominent share of public notice and dissought to direct his attention to what he thought a more tinction. The artists were incorporated in 1765, on the useful object of study and attention. 2d of September, in which year Mr. West married a lady to whom he was engaged before leaving Philadelphia, and who was accompanied across the Atlantic by his approving father. Mr. West continued to pursue his profession with incessant assiduity and great success.

At length a remarkable circumstance befel him; and the painter, who was in after years to gain the applause and admiration of the civilized world, was strangely indebted to a party of savage Indians for, to him, a stupendous advance in his yet rude and untaught pursuit. They showed him how to prepare red and yellow colours, such as they employed in chequering their bodies and ornamenting their belts and weapons; and a piece of indigo from his fond mother completed his now resplendent pallet; while the tail of a black cat, in the absence of camel-hair, furnished brushes to our young and irrepressible artist! His was an ardour which nothing could repel; difficulties vanished before him; his whole soul was wrapped up in his favourite pursuit.

At about the age of sixteen he obtained the consent
VOL. V.
43

In 1768 the late king George the Third established the Royal Academy, under his especial protection, for the avowed encouragement of historical painting; in forming which Mr. West was much consulted, being one of the four artists commanded to attend the king on that occasion.

Amongst the earliest of Mr. West's productions in London was the subject of Agrippina landing at Brundusium with the ashes of Germanicus, the painting of which originated from a conversation which took place at the table of Drummond, Archbishop of York, where

our artist was a guest. This painting stamped the fame of Mr. West with the king, who immediately afterwards ordered Regulus to be painted for the royal collection. This picture, in which the painter was eminently successful, was the first of his productions exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1769, and it procured for him not only popular applause, but the countenance and friendship of the king, which continued increasingly thenceforward as long as mental consciousness remained in

him.

But we must be brief, and shall conclude by giving a rapid sketch of the artist's professional progress.

From the year 1764, to the end of his life, he never, we believe, missed one year in exhibiting his works; the bare list of which would occupy more space than we have written.

In 1772 he was appointed historical painter to the king; in 1790, surveyor to the royal pictures.

In 1791, on the death of Sir Joshua Reynolds, he was unanimously elected president of the Royal Academy, an office which he held, with a slight interruption of that honor occasioned by an absence in France during the peace of Amiens, from that time until his death. In 1792,he became a member of the Society of Antiquaries, and of the Society of Arts.

In 1807, he was chosen Governor of the Foundling Hospital; in 1804, a member of the Royal Institution. In short, honors and distinctions were heaped upon him not only in England, but by eminent foreign bodies and princes; and by means of one of the most eminent in the English court--eminent for his moral virtues we mean the preferment of knighthood was offered him, which he respectfully declined. The offer came of course from the king, and the intimate associate and friend of our artist, the Duke of Gloucester, the king's brother, delivered the message. The declination of this evident mark of royal distinction only served to knit the two friends closer together, perhaps no man in existence is more capable of separating and estimating mere hereditary distinctions from intrinsic worth than the Duke of Gloucester.

"Christ healing the sick" and "Christ rejected" are now to be seen in this city. The first is stationary; the other will probably soon leave us. It has been, and still is, a matter of regret, with every lover of the fine arts, that some proposition had not been made to the present possessor of this picture, to purchase it, and make this city its home. The first picture, it is understood, was made a present of, by its highly gifted author many years ago, to the Pennsylvania Hospital, from the exhibition of which a constant revenue has been, and will as long as the canvass holds together, be accruing to the funds of that benevolent institution, "rivalling in annual amount the proceeds of the most munificent bequest ever made to a charitable institution in this country!"

There is another consideration which ought to influence them. They have seen the character which Philadelphia has obtained with every lover of taste from the possessor of the picture of Christ "healing the sick." What other city in the union can boast of such a prize? Now much would the character of our city be heightened could it point to every inhabitant, and to every stranger, the place where the last and brightest efforts of one of its ever honored citizens could be always seen and admired?

We have already said, that it would exceed the limits we have prescribed to ourselves, to go through a list of the numerous splendid productions of Benjamin West. We shall attempt a short, and certainly an imperfect, sketch of his personal character, and conclude.

In society, and in domestic privacy, Mr. West was always calm and cheerful. Whilst he was far removed from austerity, there was always such a calmness, placidity, and even gravity about his manners, that in the courts of princes, as well as in the social circle, he never failed to command respect. His conversation, like his paintings, never admitted of what is called the comic. Of this feeling, there is not a solitary instance in his numerous works. His appearance was mild, and a strict simplicity marked all his habits, expressions and principles. His memory was said to be so wonderfully retentive, that not many years before his death, recollecting the long gone-by days of his youthful ardor and admiration, he restored with amazing fidelity several pictures of the old masters, which, at a very early period of his life he had seen in Italy.

In December, 1817, Mr. West lost the partner of his hopes, cares, anxieties and triumphs for more than half a century. We forgot to say in its proper place, that the maiden name of this lady, who was herself a Philadelphian, was Shewell.

Mr. West breathed his last as camly, as placidly, as he had lived, on the 10th of March, 1820, at the good

In Mr. West's discourses delivered as the president of the Royal Academy, his leading object continually was to emancipate art from the mere mannerism of imitating preceding masters. Few of his cotemporaries went like him to the fountain head of of nature. He, like a master spirit, added example to precept, not only introducing reforms, but, spurning the beaten path, followed his own daring conceptions, until he attained the strictest accuracy of judgment, and acquired what has been so justly denominated the "philosophy of taste." When his picture of the Death of General Wolfe appeared, the taste of the day was to treat subjects in a way somewhat simply called the "classic style,” in oth-old age of eighty-one. er words, to dress all the individuals in Greek or Roman costume, and to fill every space in the picture with deities and allegorical figures. This, it was supposed, imparted a kind of supernatural dignity to the composition. Mr. West had genius and firmness enough to resist this popular contagion, and the sight of the Death of Wolfe abolished this silly taste forever. His celebrated picture of William Penn's Treaty, under the Oak, at Kensington, tended, perhaps, as much as any thing, to confirm the practice of his new school, which all English artists thereafter adopted, and to this day, nature only is considered as the point of excellence.

His remains were, by his sons, interred with more pomp and ceremony perhaps than he would himself have chosen, in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, amongst the "mighty dead," none of whose names can survive his.

Till within a short period of his decease, he painted with his wonted vigor, and entertained and cherished comprehensive plans of new works with which his ever active mind was always occupied. Death alone could quell his enthusiasm. The resistless destroyer of all that is mortal, could alone quench and obliterate his grand conceptions, his unfinished plans.

Death interposed, and arrested those efforts, every one of which tended not only to improve the taste of mankind, but to promote the cause of virtue, morality and religion.

Thus lived and died, BENJAMIN WEST.

M.

Mr. West's vast conceptions, as well as his powers of execution, appear to have grown and strengthened, as in the usual course of things, both mind and body would relax. His old age displayed the vigor and imagination of youth, combined with the skill of an age of experi ence. Witness his "Christ healing the sick," and his "Christ rejected," which latter was begun when he was seventy-four. And who can forget the prodigious effect A gentleman of Germantown, presented us, on Friof his "Death on the pale horse?" For the Christ reject- day last, with a musket Flint, which had been ploughed ten thousand pounds sterling were offered and re-ed up that day, and found upon the Germantown battle fused in London.

ground.-Village Telegraph.

[Inquirer.

1830.]

RECORDS OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RECORDS OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Abstract of the state records at Harrisburg, made by Thomas Sergeant, Esq. when Secretary of the Commonwealth, and by him presented to the Historical Committee of the American Philosophical Society, Nov. 3, 1819.- -1748 to 1758.

(Continued from p. 329.)

1757-Jan. 13. Hostilities against the Indians suspended for 50 days more.

Jan. 21. William Callender and Js. Pemberton wrote a letter to Mr. Peters, desiring leave to search the minutes of the Governor and Council, to satisfy themselves and their friends (by whom they are deputed) of

the true state of the Indian claims on the lands in this province.

Bill for granting £100,000 presented by the House. Jan. 25-Governor returns it on account of its mode of taxing the proprietary.

Answer to the request of Messrs. Callender and Pemberton. "Gentlemen: I laid your application with regard to the inspection of the Council Books before his honour the Governor, and in answer thereto I am commanded to acquaint you that as those books contain the most important affairs of government, many of which require the greatest secrecy, he cannot allow the perusal of them to any but those concerned in the administration; and further, that he looks upon the transacting of business with the Indians in this province, to be a matter so entirely pertaining to himself, that he cannot permit any but such as are immediately empowered by the King's authority or by his own, to treat with or intermeddle in the affairs of that people. That they might have a copy of what concerned affairs of property."

339

Differences.continued between the Governor and Assembly about the several bills.

Feb. 11.-Letter from William Pitt, announcing his appointment of Secretary of the Southern Department in the room of Mr. Fox, and enclosing the King's speech..

Number of Roman Catholics in Pennsylvania.-English and Irish in Philadelphia, 139, viz: 77 males, 62 females. In Chester county, 40-25 males and 15 females: the Governor's request. as given by Mr. Harding, the Roman Catholic priest, at And that including all (viz. vania does not exceed 2000. Germans, &c.) men, women, and children in Pennsyl

Lord Loudoun (now in Philadelphia) desiring to be made acquainted with the nature of the Constitution and the matters in difference between the Governor and Assembly.

The following was drawn up by Mr. PetersNumber of Inhabitants.-"The inhabitants have never been numbered, but it is believed by good judges that they amount to 200,000 in the province and counties-30,000 of which may be capable of bearing arms.

"No militia is established by law, owing to the Quakers, who it is thought make one-eighth of the province; and as they are against defence, those who would otherwise cheerfully defend their country are displeased, and decline to form associations, as they did in the last war, for their protection.

"On the first attacks of the Indians, the back inhabitants having no arms nor order, were struck with a panic and deserted their plantations-on which a range of forts was built along the frontiers, and 1400 men raised for garrisons and patroles, which are still kept up.Each soldier has 18 pence currency a day and his victuals found. These 1400 men, with their officers, cost the province about £70,000 currency, annually. They Boundaries ascertained by Walking.--Nicholas Scull, are only enlisted for a year, which is either expired or Surveyor General, on his oath, says—“That he was pre-near it, and five months pay in arrear. sent when James Yeates and Edward Marshal, together with some Indians, walked one day and an half back in the woods pursuant to a grant of land made by the Delaware Indians to William Penn. That the said day and an half's walk was begun at a place near Wrightstown in the county of Bucks, sometime in September 1737, and continued from the place aforesaid to some distance beyond the Kittanning mountains; that he believes the whole distance walked to be not more than 55 statute miles; that Benjamin Eastburn, Surveyor General, Timothy Smith, Sheriff of the said county of Bucks, and he, this affirmant, attended at the said day and an half's walk, from the beginning until the same was ended; that he well remembers that particular care was taken not to exceed the time of the day and an half or 18 hours; that he, this affirmant, then thought and still thinks the said walk to be fairly performed, and believes that the said walkers did not run or go out of a walk at any time, nor does he remember that those Indans who were present made any complaint of unfair practice.That Benjamin Eastburn and this affirmant, with some others, lodged the night after the said walk was completed at an Indian town called Polkopophunk, where there were many of the Delawares, among whom he well remembers there was one called Capt. Harrison, a noted man among the Indians-neither he nor any of the Indians made complaint or shewed the least uneasiness at any thing done relating to the said walk; if there had he would have heard of it."

Jan. 28.-Assembly remonstrate against the Governor's refusing to pass the Money Bill; and desire him to assent to it without amendment.

He adheres to his determination.

The Quakers on behalf of their brethren inhabiting the three lower counties, presented an address to the Governor, complaining of the militia law enacted there, and of the oppressive conduct of a Magistrate and Constable-as contrary to Charter, and their rights and privileges.

"The Assembly have sat five months without raising supplies. Last year an act passed granting £60,000 to the King, and a supplement to that act granting £100,000 is now before the Governor, with respect to which he is under this difficulty: that tho' the proprietary estate be exempted, yet the bill is framed on a plan very unjust, unequal, and oppressive; on which account the proprietaries in instructions given after the act to which this is a supplement, had received the Royal assent, have restrained their Governor from passing such a one as this by advice of the Lords of Trade--and if it be not passed just as it is, with many things in it which are acknowledged by Mr. Franklin to be unjust, no supplies, it is said, will be raised. It is to be observed that neither in this nor the other supply bill is any money giv en for the general service of America; and that all monies raised and not particularly appropriated are at the disposal of the Assembly, so that the Governor is obliged to make particular applications for every article of expense, be it ever so trifling, or advance it out of his own pocket.

"The Assembly withholds the Governor's support, which used to be £10,000 currency per annum; and the perquisites, which amount one year with another to £10,000, are chiefly paid at the close of the year.

"The Assembly have of late very much encroached on the rights of government in this particular, viz. that when any office is created by act of Assembly, the officers are inserted in the bill, with a clause giving the Assembly the right of nomination in case of death; and they will not suffer amendments to their bills in these particulars.

"The people, by the Proprietary Charters, choose the Sheriffs and Coroners. And all officers concerned in the raising, assessing, and collecting public monies, by express laws are chosen by the people annually, or nominated by the Assembly, and only accountable to them.

"The Assembly say they cannot be prorogued nor

dissolved, and have a right to adjourn when, and for as long a time as they please, without the Governor's consent. In fact, they sometimes by message acquaint the Governor with their intention, and ask if he has no objection; sometimes they adjourn without giving the Governor notice; and sometimes contrary to his express

order.

"The Assembly never send the Governor their minutes, & have even refused them when he has demanded them; so that except what is contained in their messages, the Governor knows nothing of their daily proccedings till they are printed, which is once or twice a year. "The Assembly, by a Bill now before the Governor, for the regulation of the Indian trade, have excluded him and his Council from any share in the choice of officers or approbation of their proceedings, or even in the disposal of the presents that are proposed to be made to the Indians out of the profits arising from the sale of goods. "In short the powers of Governor are almost all taken out of the hands of the Governor and lodged in the Assembly; and as to what little remains, scarce a Bill comes up without an attempt to lessen them.

"A flood of paper currency will finish the ruin of the province-and the Assembly does not seem disposed to offer any bill without increasing the quantity of paper

money.

The Assembly have not as yet made any regular complaint against the proprietors, which they might and ought to have done any time these two years. So that it is their fault that the matters in dispute are not brought to an issue which the proprietors desire of all things may be done.

further promises to use all possible diligence in collect-
ing the arrears of Quit Rent, and discharge the remain-
der out of that fund as soon as possible, and before the
term proposed. As this will render the bill less neces-
sary the Governor returns it, being unwilling to make
any addition to the paper currency which is already too
large."
And that the bill was sent back to him with a
verbal message, viz. that the proprietaries gift of £5,-
000 was made in consideration of their being exempted
from paying their reasonable proportion of a necessary
sum of money, long since expended in the service of the
province; and by the act entitled an act for granting
£60,000 to the King's use, &c. the money was to be
paid immediately by their Receiver General into the
hands of the Provincial Commissioners for that purpose.
The Commissioners have repeatedly called on him for
money, with so little success, that they have not to this
day received one half of the sum given-the payment
having been evaded by answers that the ReceiverGen']
could not collect sufficient sums of money from the ar-
rearages of the Proprietaries Quit Rents to discharge
their gift-whether this be so or not we shall not posi-
tively determine, but are credibly informed that consid-
erable sums of money have been lately paid to the Re-
ceiver General by the people in discharge of their Quit
Rents. The Governor is pleased to say in his last mes-
sage "that the Receiver General promises to use all pos-
sible diligence in collecting the arrears of Quit Rents
and discharge the remainder out of this fund as soon as
possible and before the term proposed." It is not ma-
terial to us out of what fund the money is to arise nor
have we any thing to do with the collection of the Quit
Rents; and we conceive the proprietaries are in honour
bound to discharge the remainder immediately, should
their Quit Rents never be collected, especially as the
public have been and still are in want of the money.—
The term proposed was not for the payment of the mo-
ing it; therefore, the Receiver General's promise of dis
charging it before the term proposed is unintelligible,
and by no means satisfactory to us. Nor do we appre
hend the striking of so small a sum as £2000 can be of
any ill consequences, as exchange is now lower than it
has been for several years past. The bill was calcula-
ted to make the payment easy to the proprietaries, and
to give the public the immediate use of the money by
striking it though at their own expence, without the
the least design of depriving the public of the present
benefit of a sum of money to which they have an un-
doubted right. We therefore beg leave to return the
Bill to your honour and desire you would pass it into a
Law.""

"The Post-office of America is executed by Mr. Franklin, and Mr. Hunter, of Virginia. It extends from Georgia to New Hampshire. And they have each £300 sterling per annum, payable out of their own offices. Besides the salary, they have the disposal of the Depu-ney into the hands of the Commissioners, but for sinkty Post-masters, 12 in number, said to be one with another above £100 sterling per annum. Mr. Franklin has, in particular, the great advantage of circulating his papers free, and receiving intelligence, which he may make the best or the worst use of, in the present situation of affairs. Sir Charles Hardie wrote to the late Gov. Morris and Gov. Denny to prevent the publication of improper intelligence in newspapers, which (says Gov. D.) it is impossible for me to do, unless your Lordship (Earl of Loudoun) lays your commands on the Post-master to be extremely cautious in that particular; and perhaps it may even be thought necessary for his Majesty's service that the articles of intelligence should receive my approbation and not be published without leave."

The new road for Gen. Braddock's use was through Raystown.

March 21.-In consequence of intelligence that 800 French were preparing to descend the west branch of the Susquehanna, to attack Fort Augusta, and that the garrison refused to do duty for want of pay, and there was a scarcity of ammunition and provisions, the Governor, at the instance of Lord Loudoun, assented to the £100,000.

N.B. Lord Loudoun concludes his letter on this subject thus-"I do most sincerely wish such measures may be taken at home before next winter as may prevent any difficulty of this nature ever happening again, as the consequences are very bad and may prove fatal.'

April 9.-Assembly adjourned to the 8th August.Militia bill not passed.

The same day the Governor likewise returned to the House the Militia Bill, with the amendments as agreed to by the Council on the 4th inst. which was sent back to him on the next day with a verbal message "that the House desired him to reconsider it and to pass into a law as it then stood."

And he had again sent to the House both Bills with a message, viz: "that as to the former he would not pass it, and as to the Militia Bill he adbered to all his amendments thereon."

That on his signifying to the House his desire that some of their members should attend him at the Treaty to be held with the Indians, now at Conestogo, they had nominated the Speaker, Mr. Fox, Mr. Hughes and Mr. West. After which they adjourned to the 8th of August, with his approbation.

Minutes taken at a meeting of the Governors of North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, with the Earl of Loudoun, commander-in-chief, &c. began at Philadelphia, March 15th, and continued by adjourn. ments to March 24th.

April 25-The Governor informed the Council, that Mr. Hockley being of opinion that the Bill for striking money on account of what was unpaid of the proprietarys £5000 was unnecessary, he returned it on the 7th inst. to the House with a verbal message, acquainting them The meeting having been informed by the Earl of that "the Receiver General will pay as much to the Loudoun that there was a plan approved of by his MaCommissioners, for the proprietaries, at their next meet-jesty of employing the greatest part of the troops this ing, as will reduce the sum to £2000. The Receiver campaign to the northward; and that he had invited

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