Holdernesse's letter concerning _undoubted limits_, to decline taking
any part in the broil, till the government of Virginia, as first
concerned, should set the first example.
The governor revives the old controversy concerning the paper-money
instruction.
Declares in another paper he had _undoubted assurance_, that part
of his majesty's dominions _within_ his government was at that time
invaded, and demands supplies to arm the province, &c.
The assembly demur, and desire a short adjournment.
The governor not only persists in his former declaration, but
maintains, that the case was the same, whether the invasion of the
enemy was made in Virginia or Pensylvania.
The assembly adjourn to May 6, and are assembled by the governor
April 2, in order to lay before them papers from governor Dinwiddie;
and demand a supply.
Debates in the assembly on the _quantum_, and a new adjournment.
Another session, and a message from the governor, accompanied with
intelligence, that the French were before the fort built by the
Virginians on the Ohio; with dispatches and a proposition from the
governors of Boston and New York, for an union of the colonies, &c.
A joint bill for granting an aid of 10,000_l._ to the king, and
20,000_l._ for replacing torn and ragged bills, offered.
Amendments proposed by the governor.
Unanimously rejected by the assembly, and for what reasons.
The governor's reply.
A reflection thereon.
Resolutions of the assembly.
And message to the governor before their adjournment.
They are re-convened by special summons on the occasion of
Washington's defeat, and required to form chearful and vigorous
resolutions for dislodging the enemy, in concurrence with Virginia.
The proceedings of the commissioners at Albany laid before them.
They prepare and present a bill for striking 35,000_l._ in bills of
credit, and the rest for replacing defective bills.
Which the governor evades for want of sufficient powers to pass it.
Governor Morris's arrival at Philadelphia, and first speech to a new
assembly.
The assembly's answer and adjournment.
Being assembled again, a letter from Sir Thomas Robinson, secretary
of state, is laid before them; and the governor in his speech
requires them to raise and keep up a considerable body of troops.
They present a bill for raising 40,000_l._ on the former plan; half
of this sum for the public service; with a message, expressing their
concern at a paragraph in the secretary of state's letter, by which
it appeared their conduct had not been fairly represented at home.
The old instruction, and an opinion of the attorney-general's,
pleaded by the governor in bar of his assent, unless the money was
raised in a five-years fund.
A letter from Sir Thomas Robinson to the governor of Pensylvania,
dispatched at the same time with others of similar tendency to the
other governors of the northern colonies.
Which the governor, in his comment upon it, endeavours to narrow the
application of, to Pensylvania only.
A message from the assembly, fully demonstrating, that Pensylvania
was not comprehended in the instruction insisted upon; and that in
case it was, the present emergency was one of those, which, according
to the very letter of that instruction, might be provided for
notwithstanding: also desiring a sight of the instructions he himself
had received from his principals.
A second message, in which they call upon the governor to give his
assent to the bill, as what would answer all the purposes recommended
to them in Sir Thomas Robinson's letter.
The governor's reply, declining the bill as before; because the
supply might be otherwise raised, and evading the communication of
his instructions.
The assembly's rejoinder, justifying the requisition they made of his
instructions; and intimating, that an appeal to the crown was the
only method left them of being continued in the use and benefit of
their birthright, and charter liberties.
The governor questions their right to have these instructions laid
before them, and endeavours to put them beside their point, by
magnifying the preparations of the French, &c.
The assembly order the papers which had passed between the
proprietaries and them to be printed, which till then they had
avoided.
Their unanimous resolutions concerning the proprietary instructions,
in which they declare it as their opinion, that the said instructions
were the principal if not the sole obstruction to their bill: also
the most essential points contained in their reply to the governor's
charges against them.
A brief of the governor's sur-rejoinder.
Some general remarks.
The assembly make their appeal to the crown, inform the governor
thereof, signify their inclination to adjourn till May, and give his
instructions the _coup de grace_.
The governor's expostulatory message thereon.
He demands a copy of their minutes; they order him one when the
printed copies were _finished_, and adjourn.
Upon Braddock's arrival in Virginia, they are re-assembled by special
summons: the demands made by message on that occasion.
The governor reprimands them for having published Sir Thomas
Robinson's letter in their minutes, and for not delivering him a copy
of those minutes so soon as he had required them.
The assembly's answer thereto.
Orders and counter-orders to the printer of these minutes.
Two messages from the governor; one communicating a design of
general Shirley to build a fort _within the limits_ of his majesty's
territories near _Crown Point_, to which the assembly is required
to contribute; and the other, notifying first the arrival of
Braddock's forces, and then the expectations entertained at home,
that the colonies would raise an additional number of forces,
furnish provisions, &c. all terminated with a kind of menace of
the resentment of his majesty and the parliament, in case of a
disappointment.
_Twenty five thousand pounds_ granted to the king's use, to be raised
by an emission of paper-bills to the same amount, and to be sunk by
an extension of the excise for ten years.
Refused by the governor, on the old pretence of a contrary
instruction.
A provision demanded for the expence of an Indian treaty.
A memorial to the assembly from Mr. Quincy, a commissioner from the
government of Massachusett's Bay, expressing both his concern, that
the governor could not be induced to pass the said money-bill, and
his acknowledgments of the _chearfulness_ shown by them in granting
10,000_l._ for victualling the forces to be employed in New England;
being part of the money so granted; and urging them to find out some
other means of rendering their purpose effectual.
The assembly resolve to raise the said sum on the credit of the
province.
Another paper of acknowledgment from the said Mr. Quincy.
The governor refuses to return the said bill to the assembly; informs
them the French had fitted out fifteen sail of the line, with six
thousand land forces, and calls upon them to put the province into a
state of defence, as the enemy could not be ignorant how plentiful
and defenceless it was; yet advises a short adjournment.
They meet again, and a squabble arising between them about a bill
merely provincial, he revives the former controversy.
The assembly's spirited answer to this captious message.
A remark thereon.
They are re-assembled.
A hardy assertion, concerning the paper-money act passed by governor
Thomas, refuted by a fact.
An acknowledgment from the officers of the regular forces of certain
presents made to them by the assembly.
The governor's message to the assembly, said to be founded on a
representation of general Braddock's, requiring them to enable him to
furnish the said general with provisions under proper convoys, &c. &c.
The assembly desire to have the general's letter laid before them,
which the governor declines, and thereby occasions a new controversy.
The assembly send up two other bills; one of 10,000_l._ for
exchanging old bills, and one of 15,000_l._ for the king's use, on
the model of that formerly passed by governor Thomas, and confirmed
at home by the royal authority, since the instruction so often cited
had been sent to the said governor.
Such amendments offered to it by the governor, as he could not but be
pre-convinced would not be allowed.
The assembly adjourn till September; but are again convoked in July,
on occasion of Braddock's defeat.
The governor's speech.
The assembly vote an aid of 50,000_l._ by a tax on all real and
personal estates.
The governor makes a pompous offer in the proprietary's name, of
certain lands west of Allegheny mountains, to such adventurers as
would fight for them, and calls upon the assembly to afford some
assistance to such as should accept the same.
A remonstrance which certain inhabitants of certain places were
induced to present to the assembly.
The address of the assembly to the governor.
Their 50,000_l._ money-bill returned, with an amendment, by which the
WHOLE _proprietary estate_ was to be _exempted_ from tax.
The message of the assembly to the governor on that occasion,
desiring his reasons for that exemption.
The governor's reply, containing four curious reasons.
The assembly's rejoinder, refuting those reasons.
Other papers which passed between them at the same crisis.
The residue of Braddock's troops being recalled from the frontiers,
notwithstanding an application of the assembly to the governor
requesting their continuance, he calls upon the house to provide for
the security of the Back-inhabitants.
A remark thereon.
The governor alarms and embarrasses them with petitions from certain
persons requiring to be armed; _intelligence_ of Indians actually
set out, to fall upon their frontiers; recommendations to provide
by law against exporting provisions to the enemy, as a requisite to
facilitate the reduction of Louisburgh; and _demands_ of all manner
of _things_ for the assistance of colonel Dunbar, who, by orders from
general Shirley, was again to proceed towards Fort Duquesne.
A proposal from certain gentlemen of Philadelphia to subscribe
500_l._ in lieu of the proprietary proportion of the tax in question,
and upon a presumption that the proprietaries would honourably
reimburse them.
The assembly send up their bill to the governor again, together with
the said proposal, as containing by implication an acknowledgment
that the tax was founded in equity, and also a farther security to
the governor, in case he should give his assent to the bill.
Their message to the governor, correcting his manner of stating the
Louisburgh point, and observing, that all required of them from New
England was to prolong the excellent laws they had already made.
Some seasonable remarks.
The governor's verbal answer to the assembly's message concerning the
money-bill, adhering to his amendment.
He contends for a militia.
The assembly order 1,000_l._ if so much remain in their treasury, to
arm the Back-inhabitants.
They signify their purpose to adjourn, and refer the affair of a
militia-bill to a new assembly.
Their proceedings at the next meeting: the governor demands an
additional supply of provision to be sent to Albany, at the
requisition of governor Phipps, for the use of the forces of
Massachusett's Bay: and another supply for the provisional troops of
Connecticut and Rhode Island, which he was _informed_ were raised in
addition to those already employed in the reduction of Crown-Point.
The assembly apply for a sight of Phipps's letter, which is refused.
The old controversy renewed.
A new one concerning the roads opened at the expence of the province
for the convenience of the king's forces, which is carried on with
much acrimony on both sides.
As a last effort for the public service the assembly authorize by
vote a loan, or voluntary subscription, of 10,000_l._ to be raised in
a fortnight, and refer the lenders to the next assembly for payment.
An apology for the length of this treatise; and a brief state of the
province at this period.
The new assembly, after a session of four days, suffered to adjourn
themselves without proceeding to business, for want of having the
intelligence then in the governor's hands in due form imparted to
them.
Being re-convoked, the governor informs them, that a party of French
and Indians had passed the mountains, and were encamped within
eight miles of the capital, and, after a liberal intermixture of
upbraidings and self-sufficiencies, demands a supply; premising, that
it might be raised by an emission of any sum in paper, provided funds
were found for sinking it in five years, &c.
A reference to the only act of parliament extant, and that an
ineffectual one, to prevent the oppressions practised by provincial
governors.
Politics of various kinds, and from various quarters, presented to
the assembly.
The assembly reduce and rectify the matter of alarm communicated by
the governor; and advise such measures as might reclaim the Indians,
&c.
A new message concerning the depredations of the Indians.
_Sixty thousand pounds_ granted, to be struck in bills of credit,
which were to be sunk by a tax of _six-pence_ in the pound; and a
poll-tax of _ten shillings_ a head, yearly, for four years; which the
governor refuses, and talks of _setting off_ for the back counties.
A new message, reporting, that the Susquehanna Indians had offered
their service to the province, provided it was accepted without delay.
Two messages from the assembly to the governor; the first concerning
peace with the Indians, and the money bill; the other an answer to
his concerning the Susquehanna Indians.
They send up a bill for regulating the Indian trade.
The famous Kentish petition to the house of commons, in 1701, outdone
by the mayor of Philadelphia, and one hundred and thirty three other
inconsiderates, in a demand on their assembly to constitute a militia
forthwith.
A petition of certain of the people called Quakers, for peaceable
measures.
Progress of the controversy concerning the bill, which the governor
offers to pass with a suspending clause.
Resolutions of the assembly hereupon.
Message from the governor concerning another Indian massacre, and
demanding an immediate supply, &c.
Another from the assembly to him, justifying their bill both in
matter and manner.
They send him up a militia bill.
The governor's invective against their whole conduct.
He passes the militia bill, under the specific declaration that it
was an improper one.
He communicates to the assembly a discussion of Indian affairs, as
prepared by his council; calls upon them to provide for a swarm
of French banished out of Nova Scotia; and signifies, that the
proprietaries had sent an order upon their receiver-general, for
5000_l._ as a free gift to the public.
Another remonstrance from the mayor of Philadelphia and his posse.
The assembly's reply to the governor's invective, which for the
present they declined making use of.
The answer they did make use of.
Parley between the speaker and twenty-nine petitioners, or rather
prescribers to the assembly.
Unanimous resolutions concerning the right of granting supplies to
the crown; and a new money bill, out of which the proprietary estate
was excepted, in consideration of the late grant of 5000_l._
The assembly's message to the governor, explaining the use and
pressing the dispatch of the Indian trade bill.
The governor's evasive answer.
His message desiring the advice of the house.
The assembly's answer.
Their message relative to the complaint of the Shawanese Indians.
Their resolution concerning the Indian trade bill; also concerning
irregular and improper petitions.
They adjourn; and two months after re-assemble by special summons.
The governor's message on that occasion.
The message of the assembly in regard to the inlisting purchased
servants.
General Shirley's letter of acknowledgment for a voluntary present of
clothing sent by the province to his troops.
The assembly remind the governor of the Indian trade bill.
He returns it with amendments; as also their bill for extending the
excise.
They adhere to their bills and assign their reasons.
The governor goes to Newcastle and the assembly adjourn.
Sir William Johnson's treaty with the six nations laid before them at
their next meeting.
The governor appearing strongly inclined to involve the province in
a war with the Delawares and Shawanese, some of the people called
Quakers petition for specific measures.
The governor on the other hand alarms the house with an account of a
number of people coming in a body to make _demands_ upon them.
Their unanimity on that occasion.
The governor takes advantage of this incident to declare war against
the said two Indian nations.
He also demands farther supplies, and intimates, that certain
Indians, long subsisted by the province, were retiring in discontent,
&c.
The assembly's answer.
The return made by the governor.
The resolutions of the assembly concerning a plan of military
operations communicated to them by the governor.
They adjourn and are re-assembled.
The governor's message to them from a place called _Harris's Ferry_.
A petition of the association companies in Philadelphia, concerning
the insufficiency of the militia law.
The reply of the assembly to the governor's message, accompanied with
a bill for prohibiting provisions.
Another session, and two other messages from the governor, who was
still posted at Harris's Ferry.
A money bill ordered, but postponed on the receipt of intelligence
from Sir Charles Hardy and Sir William Johnson, that the Delawares
and Shawanese were disposed to renew their alliance.
The governor proclaims a suspension of arms.
The assemblies' message to him, in which they again press him to pass
the Indian trade bill; he promises to reconsider it; and a second
time calls upon them to make some (additional) provision for his
support.
Six members desire leave upon the adjournment to quit their seats,
and at the next session present a written paper to the house as a
testimonial thereof.
The resignation accepted and new writs issued.
The governor's message notifying the appointment of Lord Loudoun to
be commander in chief in America; as also the act of parliament for
raising a regiment of foreigners; recommending particularly, that the
masters of such indented servants as should engage in the service
might be indemnified; and that, as by the expiration of an act passed
in the Lower Counties, the Pensylvanian act, lately passed, would
expire also, they would prepare a proper bill for continuing the
embargo, &c.
The assembly's reply; in which they show, the governor had
invalidated the acts of all the other colonies by the law he had
passed in the Lower Counties.
Their message concerning the excise and Indian trade bills; and his
answer, that he would not recede from his amendments because of his
proprietary instruction.
The instruction itself.
A remark; and the resolution of the house on the said instruction.
An act for emitting 4000_l._ in bills of credit, on behalf of the
proprietaries, to supply so far the public occasions, till their
receiver-general should be enabled by his receipts to make good their
order.
An act, for striking and issuing the sum of 40,000_l._ for the king's
use, sent up to the governor.
His message concerning an attack to be apprehended from the Indians
about harvest time.
The assembly's answer.
A bill to permit the exportation of provisions for the king's
service, notwithstanding the act of prohibition.
The governor's evasive conduct in relation thereto.
The assembly apprise him, July 5, of their intention to adjourn till
August 2; and are told that he has no objection.
Notwithstanding which, he re-assembles them a fortnight afterwards,
in the midst of their harvest, under the pretence of continuing the
prohibition act.
Petition of the merchants in relation to the embargo.
The assembly's answer to the governor's message.
Another message to him concerning the preamble to the 4000_l._ bill
on behalf of the proprietaries.
The governor's answer.
He sends down another preamble, which is not relished; refuses to
pass the excise bill, and expunges the clause in the 40,000_l._ bill
for taxing the proprietary estate.
His message concerning Indian affairs, and the expence of conducting
them.
The assembly's answer.
The governor's reply.
A parting compliment from general Shirley to the province.
A new session, and the governor's message thereon.
The assembly's answer.
Governor Morris is superseded by governor Denny.
The governor complimented on his arrival.
The first speech a continuation of the old system.
The business of the assembly at a stand for a few days.
Their address; and message, requesting copies of his proprietary
instructions.
Certain of the said instructions communicated.
A short comment upon them.
A message to the governor.
The governor's answer.
A bill prepared for striking the sum of 60,000_l._ for the king's
use, to be sunk by an excise.
A conference on the said bill.
The assembly's answer to the governor's objections.
The governor's answer, signifying, that he _would not_ give his
assent to it.
Resolutions of the assembly after a _protest_ against the
_instructions_, and a _salvo_ for their own _rights_, to prepare a
new bill.
A new bill prepared and passed.
A brief apology for the conduct of the assembly on this occasion.
A remonstrance voted.
Conclusion; with a testimonial of commodore Sprag in behalf of the
assembly.
AN APPENDIX, containing sundry original papers relative to the
several points in controversy between the governors and assemblies of
Pensylvania, viz.
1. The representation of the assembly to the proprietaries,
requesting them to bear a proportionable part of Indian expences.
2. The proprietaries' answer; and assembly's remarks thereon.
3. A message from governor Morris, containing his additional
arguments to show the _unreasonableness_ of taxing the proprietary
estate for its defence, and in support of the restrictions he was
under in that respect.
4. The assembly's answer thereto.
5. The governor's reply.
6. The assembly's rejoinder.
[Note. _In the above four messages great part of the points in
dispute between the proprietaries and people of the province are
fully litigated; and the perusal of them is necessary to those who
would have a thorough knowledge of the controversy._]
7. The speaker of the Pensylvanian assembly's paper of authorities
relating to the rights of the commons over money-bills, and in
support of the 50,000_l._ bills passed by the assembly, so far as it
relates to the taxing the proprietary estate within that province.
8. Report of a committee of assembly on the proprietary
_instructions_ relative to _money-bills_; clearly demonstrating, that
though the proprietaries would at length appear to be willing to
have their estates taxed in common with other estates, yet that were
laws passed pursuant to these instructions, much the greatest part
of their estate would be exempted, and that the sums necessary to be
granted for his majesty's service in that province could not possibly
be raised thereby, &c. &c. _A paper of importance._
9. Mr. Thomas Penn's estimate of the _value_ of the proprietary
estate in Pensylvania, upwards of twenty years ago; with remarks
thereon, showing its prodigious increase since that time, the profits
arising to the HOUSE OF PENN from their Indian purchases, and the
huckstering manner in which they dispose of lands to the king's
subjects in that province.
10. A specimen of the anonymous abuses continually published against
the inhabitants of Pensylvania, by the proprietaries and their
agents, with Mr. W. Franklin's refutation thereof.