For what is pain if thou art nigh its bitterness to quell And where death's boasted victory, his last triumphant spell? Oh! Saviour in that hour when mortal strength is naught, When nature's go y comes on, and every anguished thought Springs in the breaking heart a source of darkest woe, Be nigh unto my soul, nor permit the floods o'erflow. To thee! to thee alone? dare I raise my dying eyes; Thou did'st for all atone, by thy wonderous sacrifice; Oh! in thy mercy's richness extend thy smiles on me, And let my soul outspeak thy praise, throughout eternity! Beneath the above stanzas in the manuscript alluded to, is the following note. "Rather more than a year has elapsed since the above was first written. Death is now certainly nearer at hand, but my sentiments remain unchanged, except that my reliance on the Saviour is stronger." This reliance on the mercies of God through Christ Jesus, became indeed the habitual frame of his mind; and imparted to the closing scene of his life a solemnity and a calmness, a sweet serenity and a holy resignation, which robbed death of its sting, and the grave of its victory. It was a melancholy sight to witness the prema ture extinction of such a spirit; yet the dying couch on which genius, and virtue, and learning thus lay prostrat ed, beamed with more hallowed lusture, and taught a more salutary lesson than could have been imparted by the proudest triumphs of intellect. The memory of Dr. Go man, his blighted promise, and his unfinished labours, will long continue to call forth the regrets of men of science and learning. There are those who treasure up in their hearts as a more precious recollection, his humble faith and his triumphant death, and who can meet with an eye of pity, the scornful glance of the scoffer, and the infidel, at being told that if Dr. God man was a philosopher, he was also a Christian. PATRICK LYON, THE BLACKSMITH.-One of the best and most interesting pictures in the present exhibition of the National Academy at the Arcade Baths, is a blacksmith, standing by his anvil, resting his brawny arin and blackened hand upon his hammer, while a youth at the bellows renews the red-heat of the iron his master has been laboring upon. This picture is remarkable both for the execution and subject. Mr. Neagle, of Philadelphia, the painter, has established his claim to a high rank in his profession by the skill and knowledge he has displayed in composing and completing so complicated and difficult a work. The figure stands admirably; the dress is truly appropriate; the expression of the head equally so; and the arm is a masterly performance. The light and indications of heat, are managed with perfect skill. In the back-ground, at a distance, is seen the Philadelphia prison, and thereby 'hangs a tale,' whether true in all its particulars, is perhaps of little moment; I give it as I took it. gling for fame and fortune, to paint his portrait, not as Patrick Lyon, Esq. but as l'at the blacksmith, supported by that hammer and anvil on which he forged his own wealth, and hammered iron bars into bank notes and eagles. Another story is told of the lock smith, which dislpays some humor, and, if known to the visiters of the exhibition, may enable them to see more in the face of Pat than they otherwise might detect. Being sent for to open an iron chest made by himself, lock and all, whose owner had lost the key, Pat dexterously performed the operation, and holding the lid with one hand presented the other with a demand for ten dollars. It was its former hold, and the blacksmith walked off, leaving refused. Pat let fall the lid, the spring lock then took the treasure as fast sealed as before. There was no remedy, and reluctantly the owner of the strong box again sent to Pat. He promptly appeared and the box was quickly opened. The first demand of ten dollars says the operator; and twenty was paid without demur, was instantly offered; but no-'I must have twenty now' for the lid and the lock were still in the hand of the maker. This fine picture, with those of Sully and others, from Philadelphia, are loaned by the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the national academy having established a be benefitted, and the variety offered to the public system of exchange, by which the two institutions will greatly increased. N.Y.Am. LAKE ERIE. It is peculiarly gratifying to notice the annual increase of business upon the waters of Lake Erie. The lake navigation commenced this spring much earlier than usual, and it has already assumed a degree of importance and activity, unequalled by that of any former period. Besides the numerous schooners that crowd our wharves, waiting their several turns to load or unload, seven fine steamboats have full and profitable employment. One of these boats now leaves our harbor every morning, crowded with freight and passengers, destined to the fertile regions of the west. It is impossible to reflect on the almost incredible increase of business upon Lake Erie, for the last five or six years, without indulging in what to some may appear extravagant anticipations of the future. The map of the entire globe does not present another sheet of water so strikingly peculiar as that of Lake Erie. It literally commands the navigable waters of North America. From the South, a steamboat has already ascended the Allegheny to Warren, and a trifling improvement of the Chautaque outlet will enable steamboats from N. Orleans to approach within 8 miles of Portland Harbor. From the North, the vessels of Lake Ontario have already visited Lake Erie, through the Welland Canal and river. The same spirit of enterprize that produced the Welland Canal, it is believ ed, will soon be able to overcome the natural impediments to the navigation of the St. Lawrence, and open an easy and uninterrupted communication from Lake Erie, through Lake Ontario, to Montreal and Quebec. The ease with which a canal of sufficient capacity to pass steamboats, can be opened between Lake Michigan and the navigable waters of the Mississippi, is well known. This enterprize has been long agitated and will it is believed soon be accomplished. But this will not be the only channel of intercourse between Lake Erie and the Gulf of Mexico. From the southern shores of Lake Erie; the Ohio and Pennsylvania Canals will open a communication through the Ohio River to the Mississippi. Pat Lyon, as he is familiarly called in the city of Penn, was the black-mith and locksmith of the Bank of " and the vaults having been entered and a large amount of money carried off, suspicion fell upon the man of locks, bolts, and bars. So strong were the suspicions of the Directors, that Pat was accused, and imprisoned for a long time in the castle, which, by his desire, the painter has introduced into his historical portrait -In process of time, however, the real culprits were found to be the watchinen employed to guard the Lake Erie, therefore, may be regarded as a great bank, and not the locks with who had fashioned its iron central reservoir, from which open in all directions the security Pat, who probably manufactured the locks most extensive channels of inland navigation to be found and bars which held him in the city prison, was released in the world; enabling vessels of the lake to traverse the and made his old employers and recent persecutors pay whole interior of the country, to visit the Atlantic at the handsome damages. He became rich, and with a 1b- North or in the South and collect products, the luxueral spirit engaged Mr. Neagle, a young artist strug-ries, and wealth, of every clime and country.—Buffalo Journal. 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. 343.) 1757-June 6.-Quorum of House, and Governor's message. act. June 16.-Bill for striking £55,000, the remainder of the sum of £100,000 given to the King's use, was agreed to by the Governor. The Governor considering it as a necessary consequence of passing the £100,000 Remonstrance by Assembly to Governor against the embargo which had continued for three months and occasioned immense suffering; and alleging its laying by the Governor, without the concurrence of the Assembly while sitting, illegal, &c. Governor answers-that he had sent the message to Lord Loudoun, the embargo having been laid at his instance, and in consequence of the positive orders of his Majesty. It appeared the embargo had been removed in New England, Maryland, and Virginia. June 17.-Answer of Assembly to Governor's message-long and able review of late measures. June 18-Bill presented enabling the Governor to perform his agreement with the Earl of Loudoun, concerning the part Pennsylvania was to take in the Southern compaign-notwithstanding certain false assertions respecting the Governor's conduct, was agreed to by him. He said he was tired of disputes. Letter from Gov. Denny to the Earl of Loudoun, dated Philadelphia, June 18: "I have the honor, though late, to acknowledge your Lorship's letter of the 6th of May, which came to my hands at Lancaster, amidst the Indian Conferences--an account of which I make no doubt has been already transmitted to you by Mr. Croghan, whose Secretary only was allowed to take the minutes. I immediately issued writs to call the Assembly, and they should have met on the 30th May, but a quorum not attending, an adjournment was made to the 6th inst. when I laid before them your Lordship's letters and those of the Secretary of State; pressing them to yield obedience thereto. They deliberated till yesterday, and then returned me a negative answer, refusing to raise the 500 additional men demanded; assigning their reason for it, on which I need not make any observations. Copies of my message and their answer are inclosed. That rude paper obliges me to detain your Lordship longer than I could wish. 357 message to the House at the latter end of their last session, when some of the members accidentally coming in told me that such a message was unnecessary, for the Commissioners would readily supply what should be wanted on my application. In truth, my Lord, the same obstruction that made it impossible to spare such a number of men out of the provincial forces subsists to this day. Most of the provincials, as I told your Lordship in my last letter, were enl sted only for a year, which expiring about the time these forces were wanted for S. Carolina, I pressed the Commissioners to offer a bounty and to give proper encouragement to the officers who were employed in the recruiting service. But notwithstanding the exigency of the occasion, they obstinately refused to pay any bounty or to pay the officers their recruiting expenses. At last they offered a dollar bounty and since that a pistole; but still refuse to allow the officers their charge. By means whereof, the number of the provincials, as your honor will see by the copy of the inclosed return of the commissioners of the musters, does but now mount to about 900 private men. "Your Lordship will observe how highly the Assembly resent the good advice you was pleased to give them to desist from all further treating with the Indians. "The Assembly in the close of their message complain that parties have not been sent out; which is not true--there being standing orders for constant patroles. And the measures settled by your Lordship with me, in the presence of Col. Clapham, Lt. Cols. Armstrong and Weiser, for the defence of the frontiers and the number of the respective garrisons, having been compl ed with, so far as practicable. Col. Stanwix encamped at Carlisle the 30th of last month, and writes that he sends out frequent scouting parties." June 18.-Message of Governor to Assembly in answer-long. June 19.-8th July fixed for a Fast day, &c. by Governor's proclamation. June 23.-Letter from Thomas McKee, Fort Augus ta, Shamokin, June 16. That he had arrived there; Indians drank much on the road; and had mostly gone on, but few staying. Letter from Col. Stanwix, dated Camp, near Carlisle, June 12: "That he had sent out scouting parties two or three times a week; and found a few of the provincials joined with him on those occasions very useful, as they are really good men and knew the country." Letter from Lt. Col. Armstrong, Fort Norris, June 10. Several soldiers under Lieut. Holliday killed by a party of about 100 Indians in the neighborhood. Letters of 14th and 15th June from Fort Cumberland, giving an account of the return of a party of 20 from near Fort Duquesne, having killed several French officers. Also a report brought by some Cherokees of an army of 2000 French and Indians marching out of Fort Duquesne, with artillery, towards the frontiers, and a great alarm at Fort Cumberland (where Col. Washington commands) and at Fort Loudoun. Governor sends a message thereupon to the Assembly, desiring them to give encouragement to raising recruits, by giving the levy money allowed in England or in the neighboring provinces. "In justice to my other small government, I acquaint your Lordship that last year they raised £2000 for the King's use, and would have made a further grant at their stated annual meeting in October last, had I not been obliged to dismiss them in order to expedite the King's business in this province; where I was in hopes the Assembly would have dispatched the supplies and provided for their defence by a good militia law; having ear- 1 he embargo ordered to be taken off on the 27th. nestly recommended these things to them when they June 24-Letter from Gov. Denny to Col. Stanwix: first met. But instead of doing their duty in these two "What can be done in this infatuated province, whose important articles, they trifled away their time till Jan- Assembly have again presented to me for my concuruary, and then offered such a supply bill as they knew rence the Militia bill which I rejected at their last sesI could not pass; and so continued sitting till your Lord- sion, I cannot tell. The Council have under their conship came here in March. I have the pleasure to in-sideration the state of the province, and nothing shall form your Lordship, that out of their small funds they have begun to build a battery and barracks at New Castle, and I shall call them together as soon as this Assembly rises. "As to the Assembly's attempting to lay on me the blame of not sending the detachment stipulated for the defence of South Carolina, I must, in my vindication, set forth to your Lordship that I was actually writing a be omitted in my power to rouse the inhabitants out of their lethargy, and put them under arms. May success attend you wherever you march; and the news of your gaining any advantage over the enemy will give infinite joy to me. I heartily wish myself with you, and am, &c.' Long inessage from the House of Assembly to Governor, justifying their complaints of him. Message from Governor, requiring provision to be وو made for defence in case of the expected attack on this lay some time in sight of the fort; but could not discoyprovince. Instead of an answer the Governor received by two members of the House the following resolutions, viz— 1. That the House are desirous to pass, and have repeatedly presented to the Governor a bill for regulating the Militia of this province, which had he thought proper to have given his assent to, would have enabled him to have protected the people; and that a refusal of the said bill is a denial of that protection which they have a right to demand, and was his incumbent duty to have granted. 2. That this House having passed a law for granting £100,000 for the King's use; for the raising and maintaining 1450 men for the defence of the province; had the Governor taken proper care in recruiting the provincial regiments would have been sufficient at this time, with the assistance of the King's forces now on our frontiers, to have defended the province against any number of the enemy we have reason to expect are coming against us. 3. That the said supply bill has invested the provincial commissioners with power to dispose of the said £100,000 for the defence of the people, with the assent of the Governor; and the House doubt not but they will cheerfully defray the expense of such prudent measures as to them shall appear necessary for the protection of the province. 4. That it appears to us that the Governor is determined to withhold that protection from the people of this province which a proper militia will afford them; unless we will present him with such a bill as will ena ble certain designing men to subvert the constitution, and deprive the inhabitants of every liberty they think worth enjoying.' The House adjourned to the 8th August. er either wagons or horses, and but few men. Another letter from Capt. Dagworthy, dated Fort Cumberland. June 20. The ensign of my company has been out with two men as far as the Great Crossing of the Yoxhiogeni, which place he left yesterday morning and could discover no signs of the enemy. The Governor observed to the Council that matters of government grew worse every day, and it appearing to him they could not be carried on without the presence of one of the Proprietors, he desired the members to consider if it was not proper immediately to address them to come over. Some of the members were of opinion that the affairs now depending between the Proprietaries and the Assembly, would require their presence and personal attendance in England at least this year; and that if it was at all proper for the Council to give them this advice, it might without any inconve nience be deferred to the fall or till such time as it might be seen what would be the end of the matters now in dispute between them and the Assembly. Mr. Shoemaker was of opinion that it would be better to let the proprietors know immediately the sentiments of the Governor and Council on this point, and they would the better judge at what time their affairs would let one of them come over. The members observed that it might be inconvenient for the proprietaries to come over, and perhaps, would they consent to relax their instructions, the presence of one of them might not be so immediately necessary; but as it was a matter of importanee and required to be well considered, they thought it would be best to take further time. The Governor said he could not but think it would be better the sooner the proprietaries were told that the presence of one of them was absolutely necessary and that therefore he would immediately let them know that these were his sentiAnd likewise the Secretary of State, to whom he proposed to write by a ship that was ready to sail June 27.-Letter from Major Burd, 16th June, inform-ments. ing that some of the Six Nations who were at the Lancaster treaty and were returning home had shot at the for Ireland. Bullock guard and killed one of the centries. The Governor informed the Council that he had re It was the unanimous opinion of Council that no In-ceived a le ter from the Proprietaries of the 10th of dians should be admitted into any fort, nor any more ammunition given to them. Those who should settle near the fort only excepted, to whom powder and lead might be sold at a reasonable price for the skins they should get in hunting. Deposition of a young man taken prisoner by a party of fifteen French Indians in May, in an attack in which several persons of that country were killed. He was taken to near Diahoga and escaped. Also a letter from Major Parsons, 26th inst. giving an account that a large body of Indians had attacked and burnt Broadhead's house, which is about a mile from and in sight of Fort Hamilton; had killed and scalped one Tidd, besides killing a great number of creatures. Letter from Lt. Col. Weiser, dated June 24th, wherein he mentions that one Peter Geninger was shot and scalped behind his plough between Fort Henry and the Fort at Mortkill. July 7-Col. Stanwix to Gov. Denny, Camp near Carlisle, June 28: "I am of opinion that a large party of French and indians did leave Fort Duquesne the 10th inst. but without artillery or waggons; but what has become of them I cannot learn." Indian murders committed in June, about Fort Littleton, Fort Loudoun, Winchester, &c. Letter from Capt. Dagworthy, dated Fort Cumberland, June 17. Yesterday in the even ng 6 Ind ans from Fort Duquesne, who left that place last Sunday, and brought with them two scalps which they took within 100 yards of the fort. I learn from them that the firing of the cannon and small arms which I mentioned in my last was occasioned by a large scouting party leaving that place to come this way. They say the Indians who came in before, made a false report as to their bringing wagons and artillery, and account for it by their being young warriors and much frightened. This last party March, purporting “that the Earl of Halifax had communicated to them, with very strong expressions of dissatisfaction, a treaty held with the Indians at Philadel phia, by the people called Quakers, which his Lordship was pleased to think the most extraordinary procedure he had ever seen, in persons who were on the same footing only with all others of the King's private subjects, to presume to treat with foreign princes. And further, that as the suffering any one part of the King's subjects, whether of a different profession of religion or however else distinguished, to treat as mediators between a province in which they live and any independent people, is the highest invasion of his Majesty's prerogative-royal, and of the worst consequences, as it must tend to divide the King's subjects into different parties and interests; and by how much more these or any body of people are suffered to attach the Indians to their own particular interest, by so much less must their regard to people of other professions be, and that the proprietaries had therefore directed him not to suffer these people or any other particular body or society in Pennsylvania, to concern themselves in any treaty with the Indians; or on any pretence to suffer presents from such persons to be given to the Indians, or to be joined with the public present at any such treaty." And that as he (the Governor) expected that the Quakers would incline to make presents to the Indians at the ensuing treaty with Tedyuscung, and would apply to have them joined with the public present, and delivered in the same manner as was done by Gov. Morris and himself at the late treaties at Easton and Lancaster, he thought it proper to consult the Council on the proprietaries letter, that he might be prepared with an answer in case of their renewing their application. The matter was taken into consideration, and it was the unanimous opinion of the Council that if application 1830.] RECORDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. should be made by them as heretofore, their offers should be refused; and such an answer g ven to them as denoted by the proprietaries in their letter. 359 "During the following winter the frequent melancholy accounts of the barbarous murders committed by the Indians on the western and northern frontiers of this province, filled the minds of the people in general with spirit of indignation and resentment against them, and no opportunity presented of publicly manifesting the earnest concern we had to use our utmost endeavors, a July 13.-In pursuance of an order of the Assembly a committee of six waited on the Governor with a leter requesting an inspection of the minutes of Council res pecting Indian purchases. They were desirous of seeing and having fair transcripts of all the minutes respect-in a manner consistent with our peaceable principles, to ing the purchase made by William Penn about the year 1700, of the lands in Tohiccon, Neshaminy, the Lehigh and the forks of Delaware, or any of them; of the confirmatory purchase in 1737; of the lands on Brandy. wine; of the Juniata and Conedogwinet lands; and at Albany. Governor answered (by Mr. Peter's, Sec.) That he would not permit then to inspect the Council books; that he is too much engaged about his journey to Easton, to search for those they applied for; but on his return he would give fair transcripts of them. prevent the impending desolation. The calamity became general, and every one was deeply interested in the measures taken for inquiring into the causes which had induced our ancient steady friends to become our enemies. Yet this being the proper business of those then concerned in the administration of the government, we waited the event of their proceedings; having just grounds to hope, that the knowledge some of them had of several matters which might probably have contributed to this unhappy rupture, together with the repeated applications of the Assembly of the province, would have incited them to pursue every rational method of making such an inquiry and obtaining an amicable ad July 15.-On the 11th, Mr. Isaac Pemberton, Wm. Callender, Jos. Morris, and Jeremiah Warder, waited on the Governor, in the name of the Friendly Associa-justment of all differences with these Indians, and theretion, desiring they might be allowed as in some former treaties to make presents to the Indians, and attend the ensuing treaty at Easton. And the Governor gave them an answer-reciting what was written him by the Proprietaries and their directions. These directions I shall conform to, and my regard for you as well as Messrs. Penn's instructions lead me to observe that your attendance at treaties as a distinct society having given great offence to the Ministers, it would be prudent in you to decline going in a body. by averting the melancholy consequences of continuing to expose them immediately to the artifices of the French, who would not fail to take advantage of our misunderstandings with them. But the spring of anoth er year returned, and the public remained unacquainted with such measures being pursued. Great military preparations were indeed made, and forts erected in many parts of the frontiers, but the desolation and distress of the province increased, and the sanguine expectations of the people who had hoped by these means to defend themselves, were remarkably disappointed. "Gov. Morris, nevertheless, determined to issue a declaration of war against the Delawares and Shawanese. Many of the people called Quakers met together, and presented an address to him earnestly beseeching that every measure which had been pursued and whatever remained possible to be done to prevent so lamentable an extremity might be strictly and impartially reviewed and considered; that full inquiry might be made, whether some apprehensions these Indians had conceived of a deviation from the integrity of conduct towards them, conspicuous in the first establishment, might not unhappily have contributed in some degree to the alterations of their conduct towards us; that full time might be allow On the 13th, he received the following address: "The address of the Trustees and Treasurer of the Friendly Association for regaining and preserving peace with the Indians by pacific measures, Respectfully sheweth-That on consideration of the answer given by the Governor to our offer of contributing towards the expenses of the ensuing treaty with the Indians, we apprehend it to be necessary to lay before him a true state of the motives which induce us to use our endeavors to promote a reconciliation with them; of the manner in which we proceeded before and since the Governor's arrival in this province, and of some reasons we have for desiring to see that the grounds of their complaints are carefully and impartially inquired into and consider-ed for those Indians who remained well affected towards ed, and such measures pursued for satisfying them as the present melancholy circumstances of this province immediately require. And we doubt not if the Gov. will be pleased to attend to and impartially consider what we shall offer, he will be fully convinced our conduct hath been consistent with the profession we make of acting on these principles, of fearing God, honoring the King, and promoting Peace among men. "We, therefore, beg leave to inform the Governor, that soon after the first accounts were brought of the mischief done by the Indians on the frontiers of Vir ginia, some of the people called Quakers residing in Philadelphia, seriously considering the fatal consequences of losing that interest and friendship our predecessors had obtained by their upright dealing and hospitable treatment of the Indians in the first settlement of this province; and apprehending the too general neglect of them which had for some time been obvious, would terminate to the public disadvantage, determined to improve every future opportunity of manifesting some regard to them. And with several companies of Indians, coming to this city on divers occasions, they were visited by some of us and invited to our houses, and on their going away, presented with some small matters necessary for them in their way of living. And the grateful manner in which they received these instances of regard, and the lively remembrance they appeared to retain of the friendship which subsisted between their ancestors and the first settlers of this province, afforded us real satisfaction, and some grounds to hope our good intentions would not be disappointed. us, to use and report the effect of their endeavors to reconcile our enemies to us; and that by the Governor's care to guard against involving the innocent with the guilty, such clear demonstrations of Christian tenderness might be given,as might tend to the engaging other neighboring Indians to assist in the desirable work of retoring peace&tranquility; and at the same time offering, though a much larger part of their estates should be necessary than the heaviest taxes of a war could be expected to require, by voluntary grants, cheerfully to contribute towards the obtaining peace, in the same manner as the unhappy experience of several of the most martial neighbouring colonies had after long and bloody wars testified it must at last, if ever, be obtained.' "Gov. Morris was pleased to give a civil answer to this address, but thought it necessary to proceed immediately to a declaration of war. A few days after which, some of us having the opportunity of a free conference with Conrad Weiser, who had, as provincial interpreter, been long concerned in public transactions with the Indians, we were thereby confirmed in our apprehensions that some dissatisfaction respecting their lands, had tended to the alienating their friendship from us, and that he thought the only method to save the province from ruin, was to endeavour for a peace with them by pacific measures. And the next day a Delaware Indian from the Jerseys, was sent to one of us with a letter from C. Weiser, recommending him as a person worthy of some notice from us, and fit to be employed on a message to any offers of peace from him would be unreasonable, and that the method first proposed, of the messengers going with such instructions as they had received from their own chiefs was most fit to be pursued. "The next day the Indian chiefs setting out in the stage boat for New York. After they were gone, the messengers refused to perform the service they had undertaken; and the day following, the Governor in consequence of some intelligence received from the Governor of New York, concluded to send messengers in his own name. the Delawares, when an opportunity of sending one could be obtained. And there being at that time a number of the chiefs of the Six Nations Indians in town, some of us thought it necessary to take some friendly notice of them; but being determined to avoid any occasion of giving offence before we had any conversation with them, two of us waited on Gov. Morris, and informed him that as he had issued his declaration of war we thought it our duty to acquiesce therewith, but as there were some friendly Indians in town we were disposed to take some notice of them and to endeavour by a friendly conversation to manifest our good disposition towards them, and engage their good offices on any occasion which might be improved for the public welfare. And we at the same time assured the Governor that if any thing should occur, which had a prospect of tending to the public interest or might be worthy of his notice, he should be fully acquainted therewith. The Governor expressed his approbation of our design, and gave us full liberty to prosecute our intentions; and the next day some of these Indian chiefs, with C. Weiser and Andrew Montour, the provincial Interpreters, and D. Claus, Gen. Johnson's Secretary, dined at one of our houses, and after dinner had some conversation on the happy state of the first settlers of this province, and the unhappy rupture which had lately happened. The free and hearty acknowledgments of pleasure and gratitude from these Indians, fully evidenced their good disposi-apprehend that our intention was approved of; and the tions towards us; and induced C. Weiser to declare he had not lately heard them express themselves with so much openness and earnestness, to urge our improving the opportunity; and in order to it, he advised the cal ling together as many of our ancient men of the survivors of the first settlers as we could collect, and to give the Indians another meeting, in which the substance of that conversation might be repeated and enforced on their minds by presenting them with a belt of wampum. "To prevent any misrepresentation of our conduct, as well as to engage the friendship of gentlemen from whom we hoped to receive more hearty assistance than we had from those on whom we had hitherto depended, copies of the minutes of our conversation with the Inlians and of their answer were immediately sent to the Governor of New York and to Gen. Johnson, and an earnest application for their assistance in engaging the Indians of the Six Nations to promote the restoration of peace, with an offer of cheerfully defraying the expenses thereof. Gov. Hardy was so kind as to send such an answer as evidenced his hearty concern for the publie welfare, and layed us under sensible obligationsand we have never received the least hint from General Johnson of his disapprobation of any part of our conduct therein. Under these circumstances we had reason to speedy return of the messengers, with an agreeable answer, confirmed us in a resolution to continue our endeavors to engage as many of our fellow subjects as possible to concur with us therein. "The messengers being sent a second time, on their return brought with them the Indian King, Tedyuscung, and some of his people; and repeatedly informed us of the necessity of our attending there, and manifesting thereby, and by contributing towards the expenses of a suitable present, the sincerity of our professions of our regard to them, and were not willing to go back to the Indians without us. "Gov. Morris was immediately informed of what had passed; and as there appeared some prospect of improving this disposition of the Indians to the public benefit, "We, therefore, being informed that Gov. Morris had he was assured if he would advise and direct the man- agreed to meet them at Easton, that the provincial ner of proceeding, nothing more was desired by us than treasury was exhausted, and that the proprietary's under his direction to proceed therein, in such manner agents refused to contribute towards the necessary exas would be most agreeable to him, most effectually an-penses, and appeared averse to the promotion of these swer the purpose intended, and demonstrate that we pacific measures, a considerable number of us thought did not act from views of private advantage thereby.-it necessary to enter into a subscription towards raising And least the differences then subsisting between him and the Assembly about the raising money for public services, should discourage or retard his proceeding therein, he was told that whatever sum of money should be wanting,even to the amount of £2000, he should be immediately supplied with, and by every part of our conduct should find our hearty concern for the public welfare, to be our principal motives. a fund to supply the deficiency of what ought, in justice, to be contributed by the proprietaries on this occasion; and a considerable sum was immediately subscribed, and Gov. Morris informed of our inclination to attend the treaty and to make some addition to the present provided at the public expense. "From the time of the first messengers ariving at Teasgon, the hostilities on our northern frontiers ceased; and a stop being put to the cruel devastations that had been committed, an acceptable respite was obtained for our distressed fellow-subjects, which afforded us real pleasure and satisfaction; so that the malicious calumnies and aspersions which then were uttered, were not sufficient to divert us from the steady prosecution of our purpose. "Our purposes appearing acceptable to the Governor, about 20 of us, with the same interpreters, had two conferences with the Indians, and the most material parts of what they said were immediately communicated to the Governor; and the proposal of sending three messengers to the Delawares and Shawanese, being approved of by him, the necessary provision was made for their setting out and proper company provided for "Gov. Morris being at Easton some time before us, their safe conduct through the improved part of the pro- immediately after our arrival there some of us waited on vince, and when they were ready to proceed on their him to repeat our desires of promoting the public interjourney, the Governor being waited on for the passes, est, and contributing any assistance in our power in such and requested to direct what signal they should give on manner as might be most agreeable to him. He receiv their return, to distinguish them from their enemies-ed us civilly & expressed his approbation of our design. while the passes lay before him and ready to be signed, he suddenly appeared to change his intentions, and signified his resolution to consult the Council on the oc casion. "The minutes of our convention with these Indians being examined and signed by the three interpreters, were immediately after this delivered to the Governor, and his Council being summoned, we were informed they soon agreed that as he had so lately declared war At the Governor's lodgings we first saw Tedyuscung, the Delaware chief, to whom we were before utterly strangers. On our coming in, he immediately expressed his regard for and confidence in the Quakers, and declared he would not proceed to any business unless we were present; and confirmed it so evidently by his subquent conduct at that and the ensuing treaty, that we could not without an unjustifiable neglect of our duty decline contributing our utmost endeavors to improve |