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Digital Paxton: Digital Collection, Critical Edition, and Teaching Platform

Background

The following materials, which span between 1755-1774, serve to frame the debates waged in the pamphlet war. Reference the Friendly Association path for adozens of additional manuscripts authored between 1756-1773.

	We have currently digitized 15 relevant documents, arranged chronologically in the path below "Contents."

Contents of this path:

A brief state of the province of Pennsylvania, : in which the conduct of their assemblies for several years past is impartially examined, and the true cause of the continual encroachments of the French displayed, more especially the secret design of their late unwarrantable invasion and settlement upon the river Ohio. To which is annexed, an easy plan for restoring quiet in the public measures of that province, and defeating the ambitious views of the French in time to come. In a letter from a gentleman who has resided many years in Pennsylvania to his friends in London.
Unanimity and public spirit. : A sermon preached at Carlisle, and some other Episcopal churches, in the counties of York and Cumberland, soon after General Braddock's defeat. Published by particular request. By the Reverend Mr. Thomas Barton, missionary to the said churches. To which is prefixed, a letter from the Reverend Mr. Smith, provost of the College of Philadelphia, concerning the office and duties of a Protestant ministry, especially in times of public calamity and danger.
Sermon preached in the Church of St. Peters in Lewis, in Sussex County on Delaware, on July 8, 1757. Being the day appointed ... to be observed as a day of fasting and humiliation, to implore the blessing of God on His Majesty's arms, especially on the expedition now carrying on under His Excellency John Earl of Loudoun. / By Matthias Harris, officiating minister to the several congregations of the Church of England, in Sussex County on Delaware.
Several conferences between some of the principal people amongst the Quakers in Pennsylvania, and the deputies from the Six Indian Nations, in alliance with Britain; : in order to reclaim their brethren the Delaware Indians from their defection, and put a stop to their barbarities and hostilities. To which is prefix'd (as introductory to the said conferences) two addresses from the said Quakers; one to the Lieutenant-Governor, and the other to the General-Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania; as also the Lieutenant-Governor's declaration of war against the said Delaware Indians, and their adherents. Often attributed to Israel Pemberton, a Philadelphia Quaker who, in April 1756, tried to mediate between the Delaware tribes and the government of Pennsylvania. Signatures: pi_ A-C?. English short title catalogue (ESTC), T111251; Sabin, J. Dictionary of books relating to America from its discovery to the present time, 59612; Howes, W. U.S.iana, 1650-1950 (1962 edition) P192; Smith, J. Descriptive catalogue of Friends' books, II: 280.
Caption title. "Signed on behalf and by appointment of the said trustees and treasurer, by Abel James, clerk. Philadelphia, the 14th of the seventh month, 1757." Ascribed to the press of Benjamin Franklin and David Hall by Evans. The ascription is disputed by Miller, who states that "it appears to be the work of either Anthony Armbruster or Christopher Saur." Evans, C. American bibliography, 8005; English short title catalogue (ESTC), W17836; Hildeburn, C.R. Pennsylvania, 1565; Smith, J. Descriptive catalogue of Friends' books, 2.462; Miller, C.W. Franklin, B75.
As the French and Indian Wars wind down, The Commissioners for Indian Affairs are negotiating to secure the release of the white settlers that are still being held prisoners by the Indians. However even before a general Treaty, Trustees of the Mennonite Church are attempting to accelerate this release by offering the Indians 'presents' if they would escort the white prisoners from their lands to Pittsburgh. This gesture is to be considered payment for the cost and inconvenience to the Indians for this journey, and not as a ransom for releasing the white prisoners...Letter written by Israel Pemberton addressed to the Indian Affairs Commission inquiring about an agreement to instruct agents in Indian towns along the frontier to look into how many captives are in each town, and their physical descriptions. He also implores the commission to ask the agents to make inquiries to the "dispositions" of the Indians holding captives, as well as their readiness to accept ransom in exchange for release of captives.
This manuscript offers a critique of A Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of Pennsylvania (1759). A Historical review was anonymously published, but it has been credited to either Benjamin Franklin or Richard Jackson. Written in the wake of the politically divisive 1750s, the pamphlet attacked the proprietors of Pennsylvania and the proprietary nature of the colonial government and defended the actions of the Assembly and Quaker Party during the Seven Years' War. The manuscript in the APS's vault was written in 1759 or 1760, likely in London. It defends the proprietor and the government in general. Largely unknown to historians, this manuscript provides insight into the deep political divisions within colonial Pennsylvania by offering a clear view into the beliefs of the proprietors and the proprietary party. The anonymous author of the work is almost certainly Thomas Penn. The manuscript was never published.