The Conduct of the Paxton Men Impartially Represented - 4
‘That a trifling Dispute, between a few English and French Traders upon the Ohio, was neglected; the profer’d Mediation and Assistance of the Indians to end the Quarrel, and the Proprietary-Offer of £.400, for erecting a small Fortification there, together with £.100 yearly, towards the Support of it, were contemptuously rejected, (b) till it kindled the Flames of War, which at last spread and raged over half the Globe.----That from the Neglect of the Legislative Part of this Province, and the horrid Doctrines of Non-Resistance at that Time so strenuously maintain’d, such Calamities ensued, that near one Hundred Miles of as thriving a Settlement as any in Pennsylvania has been reduced to Desolation; many of the Inhabitants murdered or carried into Captivity, and the Rest often drove from their Habitations in the utmost Distress and Want.----And besides these particular Effects of this War, some of the best Blood in Christendom has been spilt in it---whole Kingdoms have been almost depopulated; and Misery and Ruin entail’d upon Millions of their Fellow Creatures.
‘That even in the Midst of this Desolation and Carnage, every publick Measure was clogg’d---the King’s Demands for Men and Money procrastinated---unnecessary, or at least ill-timed Disputes, about Proprietary Instruction and Taxes, were brought upon the Carpet, in Order to divert the Reproach and Dishonour which the Province, thro’ Quaker measures, has incurred, and throw the whole Blame of the War at the Proprietary Doors. (c) And that this villainous Scheme might carry with it a better Face, the late infamous TEDYUSCUNG was treated with, and employed to charge the Proprietaries with having defrauded the Indians of some Lands, and to declare that this was the Occasion of all their Uneasiness and Enmity to the English.---But infamous as TEDYUSCUNG was, he own’d at last that his Complaints were unjust; publickly renounc’d his Claim, and declared in open
(b) See Governor MORRIS”s Message of November 22, 1755.
(c) See the Speeches and Messages between the Governor and Assembly, from the year 1753 to the year 1760.
