to the general assembly of the province with the foregoing letter from
General Gage,--and on the 13th the assembly in the conclusion of a
message to the governor on the subject of Indian complaints, observed,
"To obviate which cause of their discontent, and effectually to
establish between them and his Majesty's subjects a durable peace, we
are of opinion, that a speedy _confirmation_ of the _boundary_, and a
just satisfaction made to them for their lands on this side of it, are
absolutely necessary. By this means all their present complaints of
encroachments will be removed, and the people on our frontiers will
have a sufficient country _to settle or hunt in, without interfering
with them_."
On the 19th of January 1768, Mr. Galloway, the speaker of the assembly
in Pennsylvania, and the committee of correspondence, wrote on the
subject of the Indians disquietude, by order of the house, to their
agents Richard Jackson and Benjamin Franklin, Esquires, in London, and
therein they said, "That the delay of the confirmation of the
_boundary_, the natives have warmly complained of, _and that although
they have received no consideration_ for the _lands agreed to be ceded
to the crown on our_ side of the boundary, _yet that its subjects are
daily settling and occupying those very lands_."
In April 1768, the legislature of Pennsylvania finding that the
expectations of an Indian war were hourly increasing, _occasioned by
the settlement of the lands over the mountains_, not sold by the
natives; and flattering themselves, that orders would soon arrive from
England for the perfection of the boundary line, they voted the sum of
one thousand pounds, to be given as a present, in blankets, strouds,
&c. to the Indians upon the Ohio, with a view of moderating their
resentment, until these orders should arrive:--and the governor of
Pennsylvania being informed, that a treaty was soon to be held at Fort
Pitt by George Croghan, Esq; deputy agent of Indian affairs, by order
of General Gage and Sir William Johnson, he sent his secretary and
another gentleman, as commissioners from the Province, to deliver the
above present to the Indians at Fort Pitt.
On the 2d of May 1768, the Six Nations made the following speech at
that conference:
"BROTHER,
"It is not without grief that we see our country _settled by you_,
without our knowledge or consent; and it is a long time since we
complained to you of this grievance, which we find has not yet been
redressed; but _settlements_ are still _extending further into our
country_: some of them are made directly on our war-path, leading
to our enemies' country, and we do not like it. Brother, you have
_laws among you_ to govern your people by; and it will be the
strongest proof of the sincerity of your friendship, to let us see
that you remove the people from our lands; as we look upon it,
_they will have time enough to settle them, when you have purchased
them, and the country becomes yours_."
The Pennsylvania commissioners, in answer to this speech, informed the
Six Nations, that the governor of that province had sent four gentlemen
with his proclamation and the act of assembly (making it _felony of
death_ without benefit of clergy, to continue on Indian lands) to such
settlers _over_ the mountains as were seated, within the limits of
Pennsylvania, requiring them to vacate their settlements, but all to no
avail:--That the governor of Virginia had likewise, to as little
purpose, issued his proclamations and orders, and that General Gage had
twice _ineffectually_ sent parties of soldiers to remove the settlers
from Red Stone Creek and Monongehela.
As soon as Mr. Jackson and Dr. Franklin received the foregoing
instructions from the general assembly of Pennsylvania, they waited
upon the American minister, and urged the expediency and necessity of
the boundary line being speedily concluded; and in consequence thereof,
additional orders were immediately transmitted to Sir William Johnson
for that purpose.
It is plain therefore, that the proclamation of October 1763 was _not_
designed, as the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations have
suggested, to signify the policy of this kingdom, _against_ settlements
_over_ the Allegany mountains, _after_ the King had actually purchased
the territory; and that the _true_ reasons for purchasing the lands
comprized within that boundary, were to avoid an Indian rupture, and
give an opportunity to the King's subjects, quietly and lawfully to
settle thereon.
V. Whether the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations are well
founded in their declarations, That the lands under consideration "_are
out of all advantageous intercourse with this kingdom_," shall be fully
considered in our observations on the sixth paragraph;--and as to "the
various propositions for erecting new colonies in the _interior parts_,
which their Lordships say, have been, in consequence of the extension
of the boundary line, submitted to the consideration of government,
particularly in _that part of the country_, wherein are situated the
lands now prayed for, and the danger of complying with such proposals
have been so obvious, as to _defeat_ every attempt for carrying them
into execution,"--we shall only observe on this paragraph, that as we
do not know what these propositions were, or upon what principle the
proposers have been _defeated_, it is impossible for us to judge,
whether they are any ways applicable to our case.--Consistent however
with our knowledge, no more than one proposition, for the settlement of
a _part_ of the lands in question, has been presented to government,
and that was from Dr. Lee, 32 other Americans, and two Londoners, in
the year 1768, praying that his Majesty would _grant_ to them, without
_any purchase-money_, 2,500,000 acres of land _in one or more surveys_,
to be located between the 38th and 42d degrees of latitude, _over the
Allegany mountains_, and on condition of their possessing these lands
12 _years_ WITHOUT _the payment of any quit-rent_, (the same _not_ to
begin until the whole 2,500,000 acres were surveyed) and that they
should be obliged to settle only 200 _families in_ 12 _years_.--Surely,
the Lords Commissioners did not mean this proposition as one that was
similar, and would _apply_ to the case now _reported_ upon;--and
especially as Dr. Lee and his associates did not propose, as we do,
either to purchase the lands, or pay the quit-rents to his Majesty,
_neat and clear of all deductions_, or be at the _whole_ expence of
establishing and maintaining the civil government of the country.
VI. In the sixth paragraph the Lords Commissioners observe, That
"_every argument on the subject_, respecting the settlement of the
lands in that part of the country now prayed for, _is collected
together with great force and precision in a representation made to his
Majesty_ by the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, in March
1768."
That it may be clearly understood, what was the occasion of this
_representation_, we shall take the liberty of mentioning, that on the
first of October 1767, and during the time that the Earl of Shelburne
was Secretary of State for the southern department, an idea was
entertained of forming, "_at the expence of the crown_," three _new
governments_ in North America, _viz._ one at _Detroit_ [on the waters
between Lake Huron and Lake Erie]; one in the _Illinois Country_, and
one on the _lower_ part of the River Ohio; and in consequence such
idea, a _reference_ was made by his lordship to the Lords Commissioners
for Trade and Plantations, for their opinion upon these proposed _new_
governments.
Having plainly explained the cause of the _representation_, which is so
very strongly and earnestly insisted upon by the Lords Commissioners
for Trade and Plantations, as containing "_every argument on the
subject_ of the lands which is at present before your lordships;" we
shall now give our reasons for apprehending, _that it_ is so far from
applying against our case, that it actually declares a permission would
be given to settle the very lands in question.
Three principal reasons are assigned in the _representation_, "as
conducive to the great object of colonizing upon the continent of North
America, _viz._"
1st. "Promoting the advantageous fishery carried on upon the _northern
coast_."
2dly. "Encouraging the growth and culture of naval stores, and of _raw
materials_, to be transported hither, in exchange for perfect
manufactures and other merchandize."
3dly. "Securing a supply of lumber, provisions, and other necessaries,
for the support of our establishments in the American islands."
On the first of these reasons, we apprehend, it is not necessary for us
to make many observations; as the provinces of New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, and the colonies _southward_ of
them, have _not_, and from the nature of their situation and commerce
will _not_, promote the _fishery_, more, it is conceived, than the
proposed Ohio colony.--These provinces are, however, beneficial to this
kingdom, in the culture and exportation of different articles;--as it
is humbly presumed the Ohio colony _will_ likewise be, if the
production of _staple commodities_ is allowed to be within that
description.
On the 2d and 3d general reasons of the _Representation_ we shall
observe, that no part of his Majesty's dominions in North America, will
require less _encouragement_ "for the growth and culture of naval
stores and raw materials; and for the supplying the islands with
lumber, provisions," &c. than the solicited colony on the Ohio;--and
for the following reasons:
First, The lands in question are excellent, the climate temperate, the
native grapes, silk-worms, and mulberry trees, are every where; hemp
grows spontaneously in the valleys and low lands; iron-ore is plenty in
the hills; and no soil is better adapted for the culture of tobacco,
flax, and cotton, than that of the Ohio.
Second, The country is well watered by several navigable rivers,
communicating with each other; and by which, and a short land-carriage
of _only 40 miles_, the produce of the lands of the Ohio can, even
_now_, be sent _cheaper_ to the sea-port town of Alexandria, on the
river Potomack (where General Braddoc's transports landed his troops)
than any kind of merchandise is at this time sent _from Northampton to
London_.
Third, The river Ohio is, at _all_ seasons of the year, navigable for
large boats, like the West Country barges, rowed only by four or five
men; and from the month of January to the month of April, large ships
may be built on the Ohio, and sent laden with _hemp_, _iron_, _flax_,
_silk_, &c. to this kingdom.
Fourth, Flour, corn, beef, ship-plank, and other necessaries, can be
sent down the stream of Ohio to West Florida, and from thence to the
islands, much cheaper, and in better order, than from New York or
Philadelphia. Fifth, Hemp, tobacco, iron, and such bulky articles, can
also be sent _down_ the _stream_ of the Ohio to the sea, at least 50
per centum cheaper than these articles were ever carried by a land
carriage, of only 60 miles, in Pennsylvania;--where _waggonage_ is
cheaper than in any other part of North America.
Sixth, The expence of transporting British manufactories from the sea
to the Ohio colony, will _not_ be so much, as is now paid and must ever
be paid, to a great part of the counties of _Pennsylvania_, _Virginia_,
and _Maryland_.
From this state of facts, we apprehend, it is clear, that the lands in
question are altogether capable, and will advantageously admit, from
their fertility, situation, and the small expence attending the
exporting the produce of them to this kingdom,--"of _conducing_ to the
great object of colonizing upon the continent of North America:"--But
that we may more particularly elucidate this important point, we shall
take the freedom of observing,--That it is _not_ disputed, but even
acknowledged, by the very _Report_ now under consideration,--that the
climate and soil of the Ohio are as favourable, as we have described
them;--and as to the native silk worms,--it is a truth, that _above_
10,000 weight of cocoons was, in August 1771, sold at the public
filature in Philadelphia;--and that the silk produced from the _native_
worm is of a good quality, and has been much approved of in this
city.--As to _hemp_, we are ready to make it appear, that it grows, as
we have represented, spontaneously, and of a good texture on the
Ohio,--When, therefore, the _increasing_ dependance of this kingdom
upon _Russia_, for this very article, is considered, and that none has
been exported from the _sea coast American colonies_, as their soil
will not easily produce it,--this dependance must surely be admitted as
a subject of great national consequence, and worthy of the serious
attention of government. Nature has pointed out to us, _where_ any
quantity of hemp can be soon and easily raised, and by that means, not
only a large amount of specie may be retained _yearly_ in this kingdom,
but our own subjects can be employed most advantageously, and paid in
the _manufactures_ of this kingdom. The state of the Russian trade is
briefly thus:
From the year 1722 to 1731,--250 ships were, on a
medium, sent each year to St. Petersburgh, Narva, Riga,
and Archangel, for _hemp_, 250 Ships.
And from the year 1762 to 1771,--500 ships were
also sent for that purpose, 500
----------
_Increase_ in ten years, 250 Ships.
Here then, it is obvious that in the last _ten_ years there was, on a
medium, an increase of 250 ships in the Russian trade. Can it be
consistent with the wisdom and policy of the greatest naval and
commercial nation in the world, to depend wholly on _foreigners_ for
the supply of an article, in which is included the very existence of
her navy and commerce? Surely not; and especially when God has blessed
us with a country yielding _naturally_ the very commodity, which draws
our money from us, and renders us _dependent_ on Russia for it[3].--
[3] "It is in settlements on the Mississippi and Ohio that we
must look for _hemp_ and _flax_, which may in those fertile
tracts be cultivated in such abundance, as to enable us to
_undersell_ all the world, as well as supply our own consumption.
It is on those _high_, _dry_, and _healthy_ lands, that vineyards
would be cultivated to the best advantage, as many of those hills
contain quarries of stone, and not in the _low, unhealthy sea
coasts_ of our present colonies. Of such infinite consequence to
Britain is the _production of staples_ in her colonies, that were
all the people of the _Northern_ settlements, and all of the
_tobacco_ ones (except those actually employed in raising
tobacco) now spread over those parts of our territories to the
Southward and _Westward_, and consequently employed in the same
manner as the few are who do reside therein, Britain, in such a
case, would _export_ to the amount of above _nine millions more_
in manufactures, &c. than she does at present, without reckoning
the infinite _increase in public revenue, freight, and seamen_,
which would accrue. To enlarge upon all the advantages of such a
change, would be _impertinence_ itself."
_Political Essays concerning the British Empire._
As we have only hitherto _generally_ stated the _small_ expence of
carriage between the waters of Potomack and those of the Ohio, we shall
now endeavour to shew how very ill founded the Lords for Trade and
Plantations are, in the fifth paragraph of their _report_, viz. That
the lands in question "_are out of all advantageous intercourse with
this kingdom_." In order however, that a proper opinion may be formed
on this important article, we shall take the liberty of stating the
particular expence of carriage, _even during_ the last _French war_
(when there was no _back_ carriage from the Ohio to Alexandria) as it
will be found, it was even _then_ only about a _halfpenny per_ pound,
as will appear from the following account, the truth of which we shall
fully ascertain, _viz._
From Alexandria to Fort _l._ _s._ _d._
Cumberland, by water. 0 1 7 _per cwt._
From Fort Cumberland to Redstone Creek, at 14
dollars _per_ waggon load; each waggon carrying
15 cwt. 0 4 2
-------------------------
0 5 9
Note, The distance was _then_ 70 miles, but by a _new_ waggon road,
_lately_ made, it is _now_ but forty miles--a saving of course, of
above one half the 5_s._ 9_d._ is _at present_ experienced.
If it is considered that this rate of carriage was _in time of war_,
and _when_ there were no inhabitants on the Ohio, we cannot doubt but
every intelligent mind will be satisfied, that it is now much _less_
than is daily paid in London for the carriage of _coarse woollens_,
_cutlery_, _iron ware_, &c. from several counties in England.
The following is the cost of carriage from Birmingham, &c. _viz._
From Birmingham to London, is 4_s. per_ cwt.
From Walsall in Staffordshire 5_s._
From Sheffield 8_s._
From Warrington 7_s._
If the lands which are at present under consideration are, as the Lords
Commissioners for Trade and Plantations _say, "out of all advantageous
intercourse with this kingdom_," we are at a loss to conceive by
what standard that Board calculates the rate of "advantageous
intercourse."--If the King's subjects, settled over the Allegany
mountains, and on the Ohio, within the _new_-erected county of Bedford,
in the province of Pennsylvania, are altogether cloathed with British
manufacture, as is the case, is that country "out of all advantageous
intercourse with this kingdom?"--If merchants in London are _now_
actually shipping British manufactures for the use _of the very
settlers_ on the lands in question, does that exportation come within
the Lords Commissioners description of what is "out of all advantageous
intercourse with this kingdom?" In short, the Lords Commissioners
admit, upon their own principles, that it is a political and
advantageous intercourse with this kingdom, _when_ the settlements and
settlers are confined to the _Eastern_ side of the Allegany mountains.
Shall then the expence of carriage, even of the very coarsest and
heaviest cloths, or other articles, from the _mountains_ to the Ohio,
only about 70 miles, and which will not, at most, _encrease_ the price
of carriage _above a halfpenny a yard_, convert the trade and connexion
with the settlers on the Ohio, into a predicament "that shall be,
as the Lords Commissioners have said, _out_ of all advantageous
intercourse with this kingdom?"--On the whole, "if the poor Indians in
the remote parts of North America are _now_ able to pay for the linens,
woollens, and iron ware, they are furnished with by English traders,
though Indians have nothing but what they get by hunting, and the goods
are loaded with all the impositions fraud and knavery can contrive, to
_inhance_ their value; will not industrious English farmers," employed
in the culture of hemp, flax, silk, &c. "be able to pay for what shall
be brought to them in the fair way of commerce;" and especially when it
is remembered, that there is _no_ other _allowable_ market for the sale
of these articles than in this kingdom?--And if "the growths of _the_
country find their way out of it, will not the manufactures of this
kingdom, _where_ the hemp, &c. must be sent to, find their way into
it?"
Whether Nova Scotia, and East and West Florida have yielded advantages
and returns equal to the enormous sums expended in founding and
supporting them, or even advantages, such as the Lords Commissioners
for Trade and Plantations, in their _representation_ of 1768, seemed to
expect, it is not our business to investigate:--it is, we presume,
sufficient for us to mention, that those "many principal persons in
Pennsylvania," as is observed in the _representation_, "whose names and
association lie before your Majesty in Council, for the purpose of
making settlements in Nova Scotia," have, several years since, been
convinced of the impracticability of exciting settlers to move from the
_middle colonies_, and settle in that province; and even of those who
were prevailed on to go to Nova Scotia, the greater part of them
returned with great complaints against the severity and length of the
Winters.
As to East and West Florida, it is, we are persuaded, morally
impossible to _force_ the people of the _middle_ provinces, between 37
and 40 degrees North latitude (where there is plenty of vacant land in
their own temperate climate) to remove to the scorching, unwholesome
heats of these provinces[4]. The inhabitants of Montpelier might as
soon and as easily be persuaded to remove to the Northern parts of
Russia, or to Senegal.--In short, it is contending with Nature, and the
experience of all ages, to attempt to compel a people, _born_ and
_living in a temperate climate_, and in the neighbourhood of a rich,
healthful, and uncultivated country, to travel several hundred miles to
a _sea port_ in order to make a _voyage to sea_; and settle either in
extreme hot or cold latitudes. If the county of York was vacant and
uncultivated, and the more _Southern_ inhabitants of this island were
in want of land, would they suffer themselves to be driven to the
_North of Scotland_?--Would they not, in spite of all opposition,
_first_ possess themselves of that fertile country?--Thus much we have
thought necessary to remark, in respect to the general principles laid
down in the _representation_ of 1768; and we hope we have shewn, that
the arguments _therein_ made use of, do _not_ in any degree militate
against the subject in question; but that they were intended, and do
solely apply to "new colonies proposed to be established," as the
_representation_ says, "_at an expence to this kingdom_," at the
distance of "above 1500 miles from the sea, which from their inability
to find returns, _wherewith_ to pay for the manufactures of Great
Britain, will be probably led to manufacture for themselves, _as they
would_," continues the _representation_, "be separated from the _old_
colonies by immense tracts of unpeopled desart."--
[4] "We think of nothing but extending our settlements still
further on these _pestiferous sea coasts_, even to the sunken
lagunes of _East Florida_, and the barren sands of _Mobile_ and
_Pensacola_. The only use of _new settlements in North America_,
is for the people in the _Northern_ and other colonies, who want
lands _to make staple commodities_ for _Britain_, to _remove to
them: but none will ever go to Florida, or thrive in it, more
than_ they have done in _Carolina_ and _Georgia_. The climate of
_Florida_ is _more_ intemperate, the lands _more_ barren, and the
situation _much worse_ in every respect."
_State of Great Britain and America, by Dr._ Mitchel.