The Conduct of the Paxton Men Impartially Represented - 28
In the Year 1746, or 1747, a Spanish Privateer entered the River Delaware, and proceeded almost up to Newcastle: The Crew went on Shore, and plundered two or more Plantations---On their Return they met with, and attacked, an English Ship commanded by Captain Brown, who gallantly defended himself, till being overpowered, he was obliged at last to strike and submit; but the Spanish Officers were so exasperated at the gallant and brave Defence he made, for which a generous and merciful Enemy would have esteedm’d and honour’d him, that they barbarously stabb’d and murder’d him, tho’ an humble Suppliant on his Knees, begging Quarter, and praying them to spare his Life!
What need I adduce any further Instances than these? If killing the Indians in Lancaster County, was a Violation of the Laws of Faith and Hospitality, I must then declare it, as my Opinion, that every Nation under Heaven, have been guilty of this Crime in a much higher Degree than the Paxton People, and with less Provocation.
The Author of the Narrative tells us, that “ONE HUNDRED and FORTY Indians yet remain (he should have said are yet maintained, caressed, and cherish’d) in this Government.”
I do not pretend to know the Motives of the Government for so doing; they perhaps knew little of the true Character of these Savages; perhaps they were hurried into it by the Importunities of a Faction; but this we firmly believe, that no other Colony on this Continent would chuse to follow their Example. The Province of New York, with great good Sense and Policy, and with a proper Spirit of of Indignation against such perfidious Wretches, refus’d them even a Passage through their Territories.-----But the humane, the merciful, the charitable Pennsylvania, can receive these Villains and Murderers into her Bosom, (q) disoblige three
(q) It is well known to some of the Officers now in Philadelphia, that many of those Indians were engag’d against Colonel Bouqet and his brave Men.---The Murderer of Stinton, has been visited and comforted; a warm Bed and Stove have been set up for him, while many of our Fellow-Christians, less criminal than him, have been neglected; and left to
