12016-08-20T12:18:25-07:00Will Fenton82bf9011a953584cd702d069a30cbdb6ef90650a72002Correspondence, Israel Pemberton captive inquirygallery2018-02-13T02:31:14-08:001760Pemberton, Israel, 1685-1754.Contained in the "Simon Gratz Collection" at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.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.Historical Society of Pennsylvania.Will Fenton82bf9011a953584cd702d069a30cbdb6ef90650a