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An Address to the Rev. Dr. Alison - 39

he, by the Advice of his Council, had forbid their Entrance into that Province. Being thus disappointed, I am under the Necessity of ordering those poor Creatures to return again to this Government, and am heartily disposed to do every Thing in my Power to afford them that Protection and Security which, under their Circumstances, they have an UNDOUBTED RIGHT to expect and claim from us, and shall be glad of your Opinion and Advice in what Manner this can most effectually be done. I have ordered the Secretary to lay before you Governor Colden's Letter, a Copy of the Minutes of the Council Board of New-York on the Occasion, and a Letter I received from General Gage; the latter of which will shew how much we are obliged to the General for the kind Part he has taken in this Matter.

JOHN PENN."

To which the Assembly answered.

May it please your HONOUR,

WE have taken into our Consideration your Honour's Message of the Sixteenth Instant, with the Letters therein referred to, and are pleased to find the Governor so heartily disposed to afford the Indians he mentions "that Protection and Security which, under their Circumstances, they have an undoubted Right to expect and claim from us." We should be very glad, if it was in our Power, "to point out the Manner in which this can most effectually be done;" but as our "Opinion" must be founded on the Information we have received, we can only mention such Measures as appear to us at present to be most reasonable; submitting our Sentiments to the Judgment your Honour may form from any Intelligence you have since received, or any Circumstances that may hereafter happen.

We observe, with particular Pleasure, "the kind Part General Gage has taken in this Matter,
in protecting these Indians, and directing the Escort, on their Arrival in this City, to receive "such Orders as you shall judge proper to give them."

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