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An Address to the Rev. Dr. Alison - 23

Frontiers were then bleeding in every Quarter, the People in the utmost Consternation, and the Country every Day more and more deserted for want of Protection. These Things, I say, led them to think, that if the Indians could be brought to a Conference with the Government, an Explanation of their Aggrievances, if any, might be obtained, and those Aggrievances redressed; that Peace might be restored to the desponding Inhabitants of the Frontiers, and the antient Friends of the Province be taken from their new Allies the French, and restored to the British Interest; which, at that Time, in America, had the most unfavourable Appearance. With this publick spirited Design did a few of the Quakers associate, and subscribe a large Sum of Money, to assist the Government in holding a Treaty with the Natives. Several other Societies of the same peaceable Principles, joined in the Contributions.—They assumed the Name of the Friendly Association, and that with great Propriety, as their View was only to promote Peace, and to restore the lost Friendship of the Indians. Their Measures were made known to the Governor, and afterwards to the Proprietors, † and by them approved.

IN pursuance of this Policy, first thought of, and recommended to the Government by the Quakers. Invitations were sent to the Indians, and the Treaty at Easton held with them. And it is a Truth too notorious to be denied, that from the Arrival of the Messengers from the

†. Extract of a Letter from the Proprietaries, to the Friendly Association, September 5, 1760.

"IN so dangerous and critical a Situation of Affairs, as has fallen to our Lot for several Years past, and which has deeply affected us, on Account of the Distresses of the back Inhabitants of the Province in particular, it is a great Satisfaction to us, to find you have with the Approbation of the Governor, given your Assistance, to endeavour to bring back the Indians to a peaceable Temper of Mind, and a Sense of the good Treatment we had a Right to expect, from the constant kind and brotherly Behaviour of our Government towards them; such a Conduct is very praise-worthy, and demands our best Acknowledgements."

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