Letter from Philadelphia (January 19, 1764) - 1
Dear Sir,
I wrote to you by [M Brogham] who took his postage to London in
the Britannia, Captain Tillet, and sail'd from our [Cape] the 30th last month to
which please be referred. Since then the Conestoga Indians were all killed,
of which affair [for mil me] to give you Details.
About 40 of the Inhabitants of
Paxton, on some assurance, they had received that the Conestoga Indians tho
under protection of Pennsylvania had from time to time, since the Commen
cement of the present war with the savages, not only carryed them all the news
they could collect, but also great Quantities of Ammunition, did not arm themselves
and go down to the Mannor and there killed 6 of the said Indians. This was looked
upon by the government as a most horrid action and not only a violation of the
Laws of Government and security but of humanity. Therefore the Governor issued his
proclamation offering a reward for apprehension of any of the murderers and
bringing them to justice.
The Magistrates of Lancaster on the Commission
of the above affair for the more effectively protecting the 14 Surviving
Indians of the Conestoga gang from
work House of that Burrough. But no sooner had the above proclamation
appeared then the arrayed Inhabitants from all [parts] of the Frontiers collected
together and agreed on going to Lancaster to Finis] the 14 Indians, which they
accordingly did.
All this tho' infact committed by the persons of various countries
and denominations. They Quakers alledge' was done by the Irish, whome they call
Rebels, murderers, & disturbers of the peace; recounting the Irish Massacres
which they say
threaten them with all the Vengeance of Justice. Those Discriminations are
veary disagreeable to the Irish in the City and in apprehensive will produce
very inveterate parties in the Government. The Presbyterians are [holding] fast and
considering themselves as the only people at whom those invectives are aimed;
are determined to lay aside the Religious Animosities subsisting between themselves,
and now unite to make the government is Disagreeable to the Quakers as possi-
bly can, and in order [threats] will the next Election Day, Choose their Clergy to
represent them; athing that I believe will prove very dissatisfactory to the Friends.
Every person that regards the right of society should condemn those rioters
as Violations of the peace and quite in the Community; and because we
know not, where or how such may end; every body ought to endeavor to suppress
them: But the meathod we take to preserve Peace and administer Justice in the
present affairs, only tends to inflame the minds of the People and beget
a civil war. – And tho' the manner of killing those Indians appears dastard-
ly and savage, yet upon a Recollection of the Following facts I think the
Horror of the crime will be much extenuated. –
1st That the government upon the Commencement of this War did not afford to the
people that [succor] and protection that was due to them & their Condition then
required, is well known.
[Transcribed by Ethan M Reczka.]
