A Looking-Glass for Presbyterians (Inscribed: J. Arbo) - 10
We are told in this same sublime pamphlet, that some of the Indians in the Barracks were well known to have been at the battle against Col. Bouquet, and at the Siege of Fort Pitt by officers who are in town.
If so, these military Gentlemens conduct, upon this occasion, ought to have been a pattern of humanity to these brave Paxton Volunteers? Particularly when we reflect that † one of these very Officers whom we have the honor to reside among us, in an engagement with these Savages, was shot, as I apprehend, through the Lungs, and notwithstanding this took up arms in their defence, when likely to be attack'd at the Barracks.
What was it did honor to the characters of General Amherst and Sir William Johnson upon the total reduction of Canada, but their restaining our Indians and Army from any acts of cruelty upon the Canadians or their Savage Allies, who had been murdering and scalping our frontiers all this war? To kill an enemy in the heat of battle is honorable, but to put him to death when he is disarm'd, tied and bound at your feet, is a cowardly action, and argues a prodigious depravity of Human Nature.
Our Author produces the Revolution as an instance to justify the Paxton-Insurgents. If he thus misapplies the Bible when he preaches, he shall never be my Teacher. But for curiosity sake, let us see how the comparison will hold. The whole People of England headed by two branches of the Legislature, opposes the King for perverting the Government. Therefore about two hundred lawless Banditti of Paxton and Donegall may attempt to overthrow all the parts of the Legislature in Pennsylvania.—A Province containing about 250,000 Inhabitants. Such is the great force of our Author's Logic when reduced to form; but I am almost tired with his absur'd and inconclusive manner of reasoning.
Our Author further tells us, page 6th, the Indians were in great danger of receiving their just deserts; i. e. the Paxton Boys were just at hand with intention to murder them, had not their Friends from the City, who were in League with them, made them acquainted with the regular force in the Barracks: But he forgets himself page 8th, where he informs us,
that their design was nothing else, but that their grievances might have a fair hearing.
Thus he contradicts in one page what he asserts in another, My advice to him is (and I humbly apprehend it is salutary) that he wou'd get some better information of the subject he undertakes to discuss. when he takes up his pen the next time to write, otherwise he will be perpetually liable to mistakes and blunders.
"The Paxton Boys were brave and loyal subjects to his Majesty" says this judicious Pamphleteer. As to their bravery no body will ever dispute it that has heard of their gallant and loyal behaviour at Lancaster where only fifty of them compleatly armed were able to vanquish a numerous company of eight men and women, and seven small children, all
†. Capt. Don.
