Edward Shippen to John Elder, December 16, 1763 - 1
Dear Sir
I have received your favour of the 13th Instant in Relation to [the]
Person likely to be recommended to his Honor the Governor for
magistrates not qualified in your Judgement for Such a Trust; But
with a Commission as a Justice of the Peace is much wanted in, or
near Middletown,- In a Private Concern, I should willingly take
your opinion; but where the Publick is to be Considered I must
Say nothing but of my own knowledge; and indeed, it is very
observable, People Commonly put on their best faces in the
Presence of their Ministers; however this I shall do, send [down]
your Letter to my son Joe for his prudent use, with a Copy
of this; and if MrRennicks should not be appointed, neither
may either of the others meet with the Governor’s approbation,
as I could Say nothing in their Praise, in Case his Honor
Should direct his Secretary to write to me on the Subject.
But Dear Sir, can you learn how it Came to [to] pass that
above 50 or 60 of the Frontier People (as it is said) Came
Down this week, and Murdered a great many of the Cones-
-togo Indians, whom Every body must have known were
under the Protection of the Government, and Supported by
the Province. Surely such a riotous behavior of flying
in the Face of the Government is most impolitic, and un-
justifiable; and will, they may Depend upon it, be very
strictly inquired into, and resented according to the
[unctuousness] of the offense. I am…Convinced, if you
had had the least knowledge of such wicked Design, you
would have done all in your Power to have Prevented its
being carried into Execution. I beg my Compliments
Mr Elder and am,
Dr and Sr
Your most obedt
Humble Servant
[The Revd Mr Elder]
