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The Plain Dealer, Numb. I - 11

7200
such an action would rather recommend us to his Majesty; unless perhaps he might think that while we were acting wisely, we had no occasion for new Governors. For my part, I can see but one objection to passing the Supply Bill, under these circumstances, and that is, the extraordinary expence to which it will put the province.---If the Proprietor’s located uncultivated lands be taxed at only £. 5 per hundred acres, it will reduce his share of the present supply about £.110 lower than it should be, according to the Assembly’s plan: That whole sum will fall upon the inhabitants of the province, which will be almost the third part of a farthing for every inhabitant, and all we should get in return for this great expence, would be protecting the lives and fortunes of the frontier inhabitants: For, suppose we should grant no supplies during the season, we may compute that the Indians would kill about 900; make slaves of about 1100; and, would, banish, and reduce to beggary about 13000:---So you see all that we get by the extra expence of £. 110, is the prospect of saving fifteen thousand of his Majesty’s subjects from beggary, captivity and death; which would make each one of them cost us about seven farthings. But it may be a question with some, whether the life of a Dutch or Irish man, be worth so much?------

But if you will not urge the Assembly to pass the Supply Bill, I beg that you would at least send another messenger to the Indians; acquaint

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  1. The Plain Dealer, Numb. I - 11