A Looking-Glass for Presbyterians (Inscribed: J. Arbo) - 9
I come now more particularly to consider the Pamphlet intitled the "Quaker unmask'd" or "Plain Truth" address'd (and that seriously too) to the Freemen of Pennsylvania.
Our Author sets out with advising us, to find out the "Aggressors" that the saddle at last may be put on the right horse. Here I join Issue with him, and do affirm that the reason of all the present Party-Rage was the Presbyterians murdering the Indians at Lancaster, under the Protection of Government; had this not happen'd we shou'd have had none of all this disturbance among us. But how they came to be spirited on to such an inhuman deed, more than the Dutch who are equal sufferers with them on the Frontiers, can be accounted for no otherwise, than because they exceed all other People in acts of brutality. This polite, elegant, witty Pamphleteer condemns the action himself, but wou'd have us consider the alleviating circumstance, "What are they? Why the Massacre of the back Inhabitants." Here one wou'd have expected that the Gentleman wou'd have attempted to prove the Lancaster Indians guilty; but not a word against them; not even a presumption. They had liv'd long 'tis true even from their infancy, in the interior parts of the province; their characters are well known to be inoffensive; but we lost our relations by Indian Barbarians; and therefore we will kill Indians wherever we can find them. A fine way of reasoning! Old King Hendric who died gloriously fighting at the head of his troops for the English, wou'd innevitably have been murder'd, had he met with any of the Paxton-Voluntiers before that time. Those brave Fellows also under Sir William Johnson, wou'd have dyed by the very men, for whom they are going to battle. And not even the blessed Presbyterian Indian Saints under the learned, pious and Rev. Mr. Braynard would have escap'd the Paxton-Boys.
Another alleviating Circumstance our Author mentions, page 6th, is, "that they had long before sent several petitions to the Governor and Assembly, which were conceal'd by ill designing persons." I wish this elegant writer had nam'd the men to whom the Petitions were delivered, that the public might be aware of them. Those in Government who act wrong shou'd undoubtedly be brought to the light, that if members of the House, we may mark them at the next election; and if of the Council, that his Honor may call them to an account for thus bringing him and the Province into distress. This is a Piece of Justice due to the innocent, who are under this indefinite charge? for why shou'd the prudent and just be censur'd for a fault of which they never were guilty; Besides, why was not copies of the petitions publish'd, that the public might judge whether they contain'd any thing worthy the attention of the Legislature.
