Title: Provincial Commissioners: Orders for Payment, [11 May–16 June 1756]
From: Provincial Commissioners
To:

After Franklin’s return from Virginia he resumed attendance at meetings of the provincial commissioners on May 11 and continued regularly until he left for New York about June 18. The sixty-six orders for money payment signed during this period are listed below in the same form as those signed earlier (see above, pp. 392–6). Orders which Franklin did not sign are indicated by an asterisk (*).

Date
Payee
Purpose
Amount

May

£
s.
d.

11
John Carson of Paxton Township
Rum, planks, etc. for fort at Hunter’s Mills
4
6
0

  11
William Pyewell
15 bbls. of pork
50
12
6

  11
Joseph Richardson
14 half-bbls. of powder
66
10
0

  12
Susanna Cavel
Widow of Richard Cavel killed at Penn’s Creek
5
0
0

  12
William Clinton
Horseshoes and nails
4
10
0

  12
Capt. Edward Croston
Advance for forces going to Shamokin
160
0
0

  12
Caleb Evans
Horseshoes and nails
4
8
4

  12
Mary Haselton
9 blunderbusses
11
5
0

  12
John Hughes
Account with the province
165
16
2

  [12]
Joseph Lycock
Allowance for Indians burning his house and barn
5
0
0

  12
Samuel McCall, Sr.
Balance for cannon, arms, etc.
95
5
0

  12
John Smith
To Wm. Buchanan to be accounted for
543
0
0

  13
George Bryan
757 shirts for provincial troops
391
14
4

  13
Joseph Fox
For wagoners, ship’s carpenters, etc.
300
0
0

  13
Dr. Urban Friebels
Medicine and attendance on those wounded at engagement at Allemängel
12
0
0

  13
William Rush and John Hall
Further payment for guns
50
0
0

  14
William Edmonds
To pay John Hays, John Soltz, Andrew Geering, and Ephriam Colver
36
6
8

14*
Joseph Morris
Ohio road cutters, per I. Norris
16
4
10

  15
Capt. Christian Busse
Pay for co., Apr. 9–May 8
143
5
0

  15
Conrad Weiser
Victualling Capt. Busse’s co.; 53 men, 4 weeks; 5s. 6d. per man per week
57
6
0

  17
Patrick Reynolds
179 logs at 7s. 6d. per log
67
2
6

  [19]
James Ennis and Thomas Apty
Conducting Capt. Newcastle and other Indians to Ft. Allen on way to Wyoming
15
8
6

  19
Barnabas Hughes
Dieting Capt. Shippen’s men and others
6
9
8

  19
Barnabas Hughes
Provisions for troops in Lancaster Co.
198
0
0

  [19]
Hughes & Galbraeth
Wheat for forces going to Shamokin
37
10
0

  19
John Imlay
76 bbls. of pork, I bbl. of beef for troops
277
17
0

  19
John Ord
448 soldiers’ coats and 17 sgts.’ coats
1138
11
6

  19
James Pierson
Pay, Ens. Wm. Johnston’s detachment at Reading
139
11
0

  19
James Sharpe and others
For 31 men of Capt. Culbertson’s co. in Sideling Hill engagement
174
0
0

  19
Capt. Frederick Smith
Pay for self and co. to May 15
143
5
0

20*
Capt. Thomas McKee
Pay and sundries for self and co. in full
257
5
6

  [20]
John Redman
Medicine and surgical instruments for use of Dr. John Morgan of Clapham’s regt.
40
15
11

  22
Capt. George Croghan
In full: purchase of Ft. Shirley, tools delivered to Capt. Mercer, and for a scalp taken by John Baker on the Ohio
200
0
0

[22]*
Capt. Charles Foulk
2 months’ pay for his co.
277
11
9

  22
Henry Keppele
40 bbls. beef and 2 “Waggon skrews”
109
0
0

  22
Richard Peters
Indian expenses
73
13
0

  22
Samuel Powell
200 lbs. swan shot for use of Moravians
5
0
0

  22
Capt. John Welsh
Pay, 21 men he enlisted and stationed at Ft. Granville
114
6
6

  22
William West
For Adam Hoops to be accounted for
500
0
0

  22
William West
For Wm. Buchanan to be accounted for
65
0
0

  27
Ens. Daniel Harry
Pay for Capt. Morgan’s co.
150
0
0

  28
Adam Deshler
Provisions for Capt. Wetterhold’s co.
47
15
2

  28
Capt. John Nicholas Wetterhold
Pay to May 21; allowance for 36 guns found by his men
166
5
6

June

  1
Preserve Brown
40 bbls. of pork
145
0
0

  1
John Correy
214 pr. leather breeches for soldiers
256
8
0

  1
William Henderson
107 pr. buckskin breeches and packing them
128
13
0

  1
Benjamin Loxley
Boards, scantling for guard house at powder magazine
12
12
2¼

  1
Michael Newbold
31 bbls. of pork
112
7
6

  2
Alexander de Rodehan
Administering physick to French Neutrals
15
0
0

  [2]
Conrad Weiser
To pay Newcastle, Jegrai, and Delaware Wm. Lockwis for taking message to Delaware and Shawnee on Susquehanna
46
17
6

  4
Alexander Hudson
14 bbls. of pork for troops
50
15
0

  4
Leonard Melchior
2 rifle guns for use of province
6
0
0

  4
John Smith
To Wm. Buchanan to be accounted for later
159
0
0

  4
Joseph Turner
22 casks of peas for forces
33
4
11

  5
Capt. William Morton
Freight of arms and ammunition from Boston
35
0
0

  5
Samuel Neave
Goods for Indians, delivered to C. Weiser
66
12
9

7*
Capt. Jacob Morgan
Pay and for building blockhouse on Northkill, Bern Twp., Berks Co.
340
18
9

  9
Capt. Samuel Mifflin
Cash advanced to 11 men engaged for King’s Navy and passage of Wm. Fisher and co. to Halifax
79
15
0

  11
Preserve Brown
20 bbls. of pork
72
10
0

  11
Capt. Christian Busse
Pay for co. May 8 to June 7
143
5
0

  11
Michael Newbold
29 bbls. of pork
105
2
6

16*
Capt. Charles Foulk
Subsistance and pay of his co.
189
11
0

  16
Joseph Fox
Sundry small accounts
100
0
0

  16
Christian Spiegel
Medicine and attendance on 3 men wounded Jan. 1756
12
0
0

  16
Jeremiah Warder
Sundries furnished to province
248
6
6

  16
Wharton & Story
2 accounts for sundries
42
8
1


Title: Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 14 May 1756
From: Pennsylvania Assembly
To:

When Franklin returned to Philadelphia from Virginia in early May, he found the province at war with the Delaware Indians and the Assembly summoned two weeks ahead of the date to which it stood adjourned to consider further measures of defense, especially for the counties west of the Susquehanna where continuing Indian attacks had raised a clamor against inaction at Philadelphia. Governor Morris’ message of May 9 from Harris’s Ferry, where he had gone to deal with matters of defense, was read in the Assembly on the 11th and the next day referred to a committee of seven including Franklin for reply. Morris emphasized the distressed condition of the western counties, the failure of the Militia Act to assist materially in their defense, and the necessity of an embargo to prevent badly needed provisions from reaching the considerable French forces gathering for the expected summer assault on the British colonies. The reply printed here was brought in on May 13 and approved the next day; the Assembly ordered it to be carried to the governor at Harris’s Ferry by representatives from York and Cumberland Counties.

May it please the Governor
[May 14, 1756]
Being met in Pursuance of the Governor’s Call, we are concerned that he cannot be at Philadelphia at the Time he appointed, since the transacting Publick Business with him at so great a Distance, must be attended with many Difficulties and Inconveniences.
As by the Care of the Governor and the Commissioners for disposing of the Sixty Thousand Pounds by us granted for His Majesty’s Service, the Frontier of this Province is now in a better State of Defence than that of any other Colony on the Continent, being guarded by a Line of Forts at no great Distance from each other, all strongly garrisoned; and the Soldiery, in Pay of this Government, if they were at first remiss in their Duty, are now reduced to due Obedience and Discipline, by our extending hither at our last Sitting the Act of Parliament for punishing Mutiny and Desertion; we cannot but hope the distressed Inhabitants of the Counties of York and Cumberland, may, by the Blessing of God on those Means, become more secure in their Settlements, and their late Fears and Apprehensions be considerably abated. Especially as we understand there are in the interior Counties many formed Companies, as yet unemployed, who are ready to enter into the Service, and march to the Frontier, whenever the Government shall think fit to call for them, and a considerable Sum is still in the Hands of the Commissioners, wherewith the Expence might be defrayed. The Marching of the Militia to the Frontier on every Alarm we conceive would be less effectual for its Defence, and much more expensive and burdensome to the People, than their Proportion of a Tax for the Maintenance of Standing Guards. We have indeed had little Experience of a Militia in this Province, and a Law for regulating it was a new Thing to us; it is therefore very possible that our first Essay of that Kind may have Defects and Imperfections. But as the Governor did not point them out, when we presented the Bill, and he gave it his Assent, and they have not since occurred to us, all we can say on that Head, at present, is, that whenever he shall think fit to send us down such supplementary Amendments as he conceives will make it a good Law, and effectual to answer its Purposes, we will take them into serious Consideration. This the Governor may possibly be ready to do by the Time to which we stood adjourned, now not far distant.
We have herewith sent a Bill for prohibiting the Exportation of Provisions or Warlike Stores from this Province, which we hope will meet with the Governor’s Concurrence, being in Conformity with the Law lately passed in the Colony of New-York. But as all Restrictions laid upon such Exportations by the Legislature of this Province must be rendered altogether ineffectual, as great Quantities of the Produce thereof may be exported through the Three Lower Counties, not subject to our Laws, unless they are laid under the same Restrictions within that Government, we have referred the Continuance of our Law to such future Act as the Governor and Assembly of those Counties shall pass for that Purpose. We apprehend a strict Compliance with this Law will be of great Service to the British Interest, and therefore earnestly recommend it to the Governor to use his utmost Endeavours, that this Act, when it shall have received his Assent, may be effectually carried into Execution.
As the Season requires the present Attendance of many of the Members at their Plantations, they propose to adjourn this Day to the Time of their former Adjournment, the Twenty-fourth Instant; when they hope the Affairs the Governor is at present engaged in, may be in such a Situation as to permit his Return to meet them in Philadelphia.


Title: Provincial Commissioners to Robert Hunter Morris, 15 May 1756
From: Provincial Commissioners
To: Morris, Robert Hunter

Sir
Philada. May 15. 1756
We are honoured with your several Letters of the 5th. 7th. 8th. 9th. 10th and 13th Instant, and have complied, as far as we are able, with every Request therein contained, excepting the Article of Tents, of which, we cannot be of Opinion that more are necessary, at this fine Season of the Year, than what will suffice for the Officers, and any of the Men that happen to be sick; for both which Purposes, we think the Fifty already sent an ample Provision. The March to Shamokin is but short, and in case of bad Weather, which is not to be expected, it will be an easy Matter for the Men so to shelter themselves with the Bark and Boughs of Trees, as to be very little exposed to the Inconvenience of it. Especially since We have now procur’d and order’d up to you as many new Blankets as with those from Northampton will furnish all your Men. The 100 Fathom of white Rope, you will receive by the first Waggons, and the Stores and Implements for the Cannon shall be got ready as soon as possible, and we hope in good Time, since we do not suppose you will order the Cannon up till the Fort is ready to receive them. Forty Watchcoats are making and will soon be ready. The Lead you will receive at the same Time. Twelve Shipwrights are agreed with and forwarded, we hope they will be with you by the Time you receive this. We have sent 7 Swivel Blunderbusses for the Battoes, which are all now to be had. Croston is gone up with 20 Cattle; and is to take the Commisary’s  Receipt for the neat Beef he delivers. The Muskets already sent up are 525, which we suppose are more than you have Men: Some may be spared to Steel and Potter. The Gunsmiths go up to see the proving of their Work, which they imagine has not Justice done it in the Trials made there. When we see Capt. McKee, who is not yet come to Town, we shall enquire into the Affair between him and his Men, and endeavour to set Things right. We are ready to pay Capt. Mercer’s Men for the Scalps taken; we have paid for one of them; but do not think it right to make any Allowance of Pay to the Persons he mentions as Officers before the Dates of their Commissions. The Wages of the 3 Men for which he demands some Allowance, we leave to you, requesting you would take the Trouble of enquiring into the Matter, and settling it as you shall find reasonable. Pomfret Castle we would chuse to have built where it was first intended; that the Country lost may be recovered, and the People induc’d to return to their Settlements, and reap the ensuing Harvest. We send a Cask of ½ Crown Nails: We send also 175 of the new Muskets, being all of the Sort that are fit for the Woods, and supposing you have prov’d and regulated so many of those before sent up as will compleatly furnish the Regiment, and supply any Deficiencies in Steel’s, Potter’s, and Hamilton’s Companies. A Part only of the Arms we sent for are arriv’d; the Field Pieces not sent by this Ship, the Proprietor expecting to obtain them a Gift from the Crown. We desire you would not fail to return all the Overplus Arms, after your Corps and those Companies are compleated, as the City and the Counties on Delaware are very poorly supply’d, and we know not how soon we may have Occasion to defend ourselves against some Attempt from the Sea Ward. We shall forward the Pay of the Soldiers as regularly as may be; the Cloathing sent up will bring them greatly in Debt to the Publick. We shall do what we can for the Relief of the many Petitioners, but ’tis little we may afford, as our Money grows so low, that unless your Expedition proceeds more expeditiously we fear you will be left in the Midst of it, like a Whale on the Strand, all the Waters being ebb’d away from you. We are sensible you must have an infinite deal of Trouble in the Affair, and are with great Respect. Your Honour’s most obedient humble Servants

James. Hamilton

B Franklin

Jos: Fox

Evan Morgan

John Hughes

Honble Governer Morris

 Endorsed: Commissions. May 15: 1756.


Title: Rise of the Late War, [18 May 1756]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

When and for what purpose Franklin prepared this brief chronology has not been determined; no direct connection between it and any of his other writings has been found. The words “late War” in the endorsement suggest 1763 or a subsequent year for its composition, although he may have added the endorsement some time after compiling the text. While he could not have known about the declaration of war, May 18, 1756, until two months later, the editors have decided to depart from their general chronological rules and print the chronology at this point, to mark an event of major importance in the history of colonial America and in Franklin’s own career.

  Sept.
  1749. French having made Pretensions to a Part of Acadia or Nova Scotia, and erecting a Fort on the River St. John, Orders were sent to Govr. Cornwallis to oppose all Settlements of the French in any Part of the Province.

     In Sept. or October M. le Corne took Post at Chignecto. Govr. Cornwallis sent 500 Troops against it. On which the French abandoned it, after first having burnt the Town. But it seems they returned again, for in
  Sept.
  1750. Governor Cornwallis goes to Chignecto with 1000 regular Forces, attacks the Indians and French, beats them and takes Possession.

  1751.
   French build a Fort near Chignecto, with[in] 1½ Mile of ours, and fire from it at the Dover Sloop. They claim all the Territory without the Peninsula.
  1753.
   Aug. 28. Lord Holderness sends a circular Letter to all the Governors, acquainting them that the King had received Information of the Designs of the French to commit Hostilities on some Parts of his Dominions in America, and directs the Governors to be on their Guard, require the French to retire, and repel Force by Force, but only within the King’s undoubted Dominions.

     Dec. 15. The French had built a Fort at Beef River near the Ohio, and refuse to retire on the Requisition of Govr. Dinwiddie one of the Ohio Company, as appears by the Letter of St. Pierre to that Governor sent by Major Washington. — Jan. 1754. Company’s Fort begun on Ohio.
  1754.
   Virginia Feb. 9. In October last a Messenger sent to enquire whether the French had built Forts on the Back of our Settlements, found that 1500 regular Forces from France had built 3 on the Ohio on some Lands of which several Gentlemen in London and Virginia had a Grant from the King. [In the margin:] July. Congress at Albany.

     March 16. General Assembly vote £10,000 to support British Rights in the interior Parts of America.

     April. French take the Ohio Fort, from the Ohio Company.
  July 9. 1755. Braddock defeated in attempting to retake it.
June 6 — Alcide taken and the Lys. June 16. Beausejour taken by Monckton.

May 18 1756. War declared against France. Declaration gives Encroachments in Nova Scotia as the first Cause.
 Endorsed: Rise of the late War.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [27 May? 1756]
From: Collinson, Peter
To: Franklin, Benjamin

London 1757 [May 27, 1756?]
I have the pleasure to tell thee how much thou art esteemed by many worthy men here: for on the Ballot for thy Election to be a Member of the Royal Society, there was not one negative Ball; an Instance of Unanimity that Lord Macclesfield told me he never before saw. So I wish thee long to enjoy that Honor deservedly and so unanimously conferred on thee. Thy Diploma will be sent when ready.


Title: Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 3 June 1756
From: Pennsylvania Assembly
To:

Governor Morris issued a proclamation, April 14, declaring war on the Delaware and other Indians confederated with them. This action badly undercut Sir William Johnson’s policy of maintaining friendship with the Pennsylvania Indians through their supposed obedience to the great council of the Six Nations at Onondaga. The stakes in Johnson’s delicate negotiations were high—if the traditional friendship of the Iroquois could be retained, and if they in turn could exercise control over the Delaware, Shawnee, and other Indians of the Susquehanna and Ohio valleys, then the frontier would be pacified and French ambitions thwarted. If, on the other hand, Iroquois influence or friendship diminished, French power and Indian attacks were bound to increase. When Johnson heard of the declaration, he was furious: “how shall I behave at the approaching Meeting at Onondaga, not only to those Indians [Delaware and Shawnee], but to the 6 Nations? These Hostile Measures which Mr. Morris has entered into, is throwing all our Schemes into Confusion, and must naturally give the 6 Nations such Impressions and the French such advantages to work on against us, that I tremble for the Consequences.” A copy of this letter reached Philadelphia on May 5 along with letters from Shirley, May 2, and New York Governor Sir Charles Hardy, April 29, likewise urging a suspension of hostilities. Hardy enclosed minutes of a meeting between Johnson and Iroquois delegates reporting Delaware and Shawnee promises to cease hostilities against the English. Meanwhile Morris had sent three friendly Indians to tell the Delaware and Shawnee on the upper Susquehanna that the English would welcome them if they would come to live peaceably within the settled regions. The emissaries reported a favorable reception of these overtures. After the governor’s return to Philadelphia he and the Council agreed to proclaim a suspension of hostilities and on June 2 he forwarded to the Assembly extracts from Hardy’s letters and the minutes of the conference between his messengers and the Indians on the Susquehanna, and told the House of his impending proclamation of a truce. A committee of eight members, including Franklin, was appointed to prepare a reply, which the Assembly approved and sent to Morris the next day.

May it please the Governor
[June 3, 1756]
As it appears by the Letters from Sir Charles Hardy, and the Minutes of Sir William Johnson’s Negotiations with a Deputation from the Onondagoes to the Delaware and Shawanese Indians, as well as by the Account of what has been transacted with the Indians on Sasquehanna, which the Governor has been pleased to lay before us, that the Delaware and Shawanese Indians, by the Authority and Interposition of the Six United Nations, “have promised to cease from further Hostilities, and are disposed to renew and strengthen their Alliance and Friendship with the English,” the Governor will not fail of the necessary Support in the Prosecution of such Measures as may tend to a happy Issue of this good Disposition in the Delaware and Shawanese Tribes; and accordingly we heartily recommend it to the Commissioners appointed by Law to dispose of the Sixty Thousand Pounds lately granted to the King’s Use, to concur with the Governor in furnishing such Supplies of Money as may be necessary for effectuating these good Purposes.
We are of Opinion that the Bill for regulating the Indian Trade, which has lain a considerable Time before the Governor for his Assent, might be of great Service at this Juncture, by bringing such of our Indians as have never joined with, and desire to be distinguished from, those who have been concerned in the Hostilities committed upon the Back Settlements of this and the neighbouring Provinces, under the immediate Inspection and Care of this Government; and as by the Passing this Bill, we apprehend the Necessities of these our Friendly Indians may be supplied, and their Affections secured on the easiest Terms, and those of other Dispositions brought in by their own Interests, we request the Governor would concur with us in passing that Bill.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 7 June 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Williams, Jonathan

Dear Kinsman
Philada. June 7. 1756
I send you per Capt. Morton 20 Reams whited Brown Paper, and 10 of blue. Please to acquaint Mr. Langdon of it; I think that is the Gentleman’s Name who wrote to me for some of both Sorts, but I have mislaid his Letter. He wanted it for Packing Sperma-Ceti Candles. The Price of the brown you know; the blue is 1¼ Dollar per Ream. Credit my Account with the Money he pays you.
Pray let me hear how Germantown Affairs go on. Particularly the Fishery and Glass house. My love to your Wife and Children, I am, Your affectionate Uncle
B Franklin
Coz. Williams


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Parsons, 10 June 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Parsons, William

Dear Friend
Philada. June 10. 1756
It is now a long time since I had the Pleasure of a Line from you; I am now return’d from Virginia, where I was near too Months. I should be glad to learn from you the present State of the Forces in your County, and of the People. If in any Thing I can serve you, command freely your old Friend and most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
Governor Pownall is daily expected at New York, with Lord Loudon.

Major Parsons

 Addressed: To / Major William Parsons / Easton
Endorsed: June 10. 1756. B. Franklin Esqr.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 10 June 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Williams, Jonathan

Dear Cousin,
Philada. June 10. 1756.
I am concern’d that I have not for a long time heard any thing of Sister Douse. Pray inform me how she is. Brothers John, Peter and my self, agreed to contribute towards a small Pension for her Support; I should be glad to know whether it is regularly paid.
Inclos’d is a Receipt for 30 Reams of Paper. I wrote to you per Morton and refer to that.
My Love to your good Wife and Children, I am Your affectionate Unkle
B Franklin
Mr. Williams
 Addressed: To / Mr. Jonathan Williams / Mercht. / Boston / Free / B Franklin


Title: Provincial Commissioners to Robert Hunter Morris, [13 June 1756]
From: Provincial Commissioners
To: Morris, Robert Hunter

May it Please the Governor
[June 13, 1756]
When the Indians first began to Infest our Frontiers, the Commissioners were of Oppinion, that the best means of Securing our Inhabitants, was to Carry the warr into the Enemys Country, and hunt them in all their Fishing, Hunting, Planting and dwelling places: But having sent for Croghan and others, in order to obtain their Oppinion; and they Advising that by a Chain of forts the Frontier should first be in some degree secured before we Acted Offencively, the same was agreed to, and the Building of Forts immediately set about, which took up much more time than was expected. Rewards were then offered to Volunteer Parties who should go out on the Scalping Account in Expectation that Numbers would [be] encouraged by those rewards; but in this we are Disappointed. We shall think however that the Indians ought to be pursued and Hunted, and as the back Inhabitants begin now to request Guards to protect them in getting in their Harvest, we submit it to the Governors Consideration whether the best means of Affording them the Protection will not be to order out parties from all the Forts, to range on the west side of Susquehanna quite to Ohio and the Neighbourhood of fort duquence to Annoy the Enemy, take prisoners, and obtain Intelligence which may be of great use in Case any Attempt on that Fort should be Ordered this summer by Lord Loudon. And the Enemy kept in Continuel Allarm by these parties may Probably be so Employed as to find no Leasure to disturb our Harvest People. If the Governor Approves this measure we request he would Immediately issue the Necessary Orders, before he goes on the Journey that we hear he is about to Undertake.

B: Franklin
Evan Morgan

John Miflin
John Hughes

Jos: Fox


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Shipley, 15 June 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Shipley, William

Sir
Philada. June 15. 1756
The above is a Copy of my Letter sent you last Year, to which having receiv’d no Answer, I imagine it by some means miscarried. I shall write to my good Friend and Correspondent Mr. Collinson to pay the 20 Guineas therein mentioned, to your Treasurer Mr. Goodchild. I am, Sir, Your most humble Servant
B Franklin
My Respectful Compliments to the Members of your Society
 Endorsed: Benjn. Franklin Esqr. Lre [Letter] Phil: 27. Novr. 1755 16. June 1756. Read Augt. 18. 1756


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Hunter, 17 June 1756
From: Hunter, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
New York June the 17th: 1756
I have the pleasure of Advising you of the Safe Arrivall of Genl. Abercrombie, with the Transports, Except Two, who they parted with in a very Dark Night, Not a Man Sick among those that are Arrivd. The Tents &c. being all on Board the ships not Arrivd it is Said the Troops are to be Landed this Day.
The German Officers Came in the Last Pacquett, and are all Coming to your city to Recruit.
The Man of War with the cash is not yet Arrivd which Obliges us to Send the Bearer for as much as our freinds can possibly Supply us with, I have great hopes that you can Send me cash for the Bill I troubled you with by the Bearer Mr. Vincent. Mrs: Hunter Joins me in our Best complyments and I am always Dear Sir Your Obligd and Affectionate humble Servant
Jno. Hunter

If you have Disposd of the Last Bill Be pleasd to Say If more would Sell on the Like Terms.
It was beleivd that Lord Louden would Sail about a Fortnight After this Fleet. If so he may be Expected Every hour.
To Prevent an oppertunity being Lost for want of a Bill I have herewith Inclosd one of two Thousand pounds.

 Addressed: To / Colo: Benjn: Franklin / Philaa / by the Favr. of / Mr. Vincent


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Parsons, 19 June 1756
From: Parsons, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Easton June the 19th. 1756
Your Favour of the 10th. Instant came safe to Hand, but I was not at Home when it came here; being over the Mountains visiting some of the Forts and Companies there. And since my Return have been very busily employed in making out the Returns of the several Companies of the first Battalion of the Pennsylvania Regiment, by Order of his Honour the Governor, and therefore could not possibly answer your Letter sooner. And I think I cant do it so well any other way as by sending you a Copy of the Notes and Observations &c. which I sent to the Governor with the Returns. By which you will perceive that I had not done with the Returns ’till yesterday: it was near Night when I got done.
Perhaps it may, by some, be thought an unnecessary Expence to send a Person from time to time to view the several Forts and Companies in the Pay of the Province. But I do assure you it is my real Opinion, from what I have seen, that the Province would save by it; and probably the Companies would be kept better to their Duty. And I persuade my self when you have read over the Notes you will not think I have been idle. I believe it would have been of use if I had spent more time in that Service, but this being the first time I could not judge so well of what was best as I imagine I can now.
Some People have grac’d the Fort at Allemengel with your Name, and I dont blame them for it; but I am sure it will not grace your Name, till it is put in a much better Condition than it is at present. I am highly obliged to you for your very friendly manner of writing to me, and think with you that it is very long since I received a Line from you. I cant say that I have not heard of you because I omitted no Opportunity of enquiring after you. I congratulate you upon your Virginia Promotion and am Dear Sir Your most humble Servant
Wm: Parsons
B. Franklin Esqr.


Title: William Franklin to Timothy Horsfield, 21 June 1756
From: Franklin, William
To: Horsfield, Timothy

Sir
Philada. June 21. 1756
Capt. Orndt having informed the Commissioners, that there are a Number of the Province Arms at Bethlehem, under your Care, which he thinks are better than those belonging to his Company; they have given him Leave to take his Choice of those Arms, and directed him to return as many of those he now has, in the Room of those he shall take. I am Sir your humble Servant
Wm: Franklin
To Timothy Horsefield, Esqr.


Title: Memorial to James Abercromby, 22 June 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

New York, June 22. 1756.
It has been proposed to keep in constant Readiness a Number of Riders and Horses at different Parts of the Continent, viz. at New York 4, at Philadelphia 3, at  in Connecticut 2, at Boston 2, and some in the intermediate Stages. These to be always ready to go at a Moment’s Warning, with Dispatches for the King’s Service.
This Method will doubtless answer the End, with this Addition, That every Rider be impower’d to press a Horse where his own fails; because he may happen to fail between Stages, in some Place where there are no Horses laid for him.
But as the Men and Horses so to be kept in Readiness to go at a Moment’s Warning, cannot well be imploy’d in any other Business, they must be paid as if always in actual Service, which will make the Expence run very high.
And as Riders and Horses may every where be immediately procur’d, on proper Encouragement, I am of Opinion it would answer as well, and be much less expensive,
To order the Postmasters all along the Continent, to furnish Horses and Riders for the General’s Service whenever Demanded; impowering them to allow 4d. Sterling per Mile to each Rider, and 2d. Sterling per Mile for each Horse, going and returning.
To request the Governors of the several Colonies to furnish each Postmaster in their respective Governments with general Warrants for impressing Horses on Occasion, one of which Warrants each Rider may have with him.
If this Method is approv’d of, I will immediately apply to the several Governors for such Warrants, and give the necessary Orders to the Postmasters. If the other is rather chosen, I will cause Riders and Horses to be hired and retain’d in Readiness for the Service throughout the Continent.
B Franklin, Postmr. Genl.

The above Memorial was presented to General Abercrombie, who consulted Governor Hardy upon it. The latter propos’d Method was thought most eligible, but the Allowance of 6d. Sterling, for each Mile going and each Mile returning, was judg’d too high, and it was suppos’d Expresses might readily be obtain’d on more easy Terms. I agreed to provide several, to be ready at Lord Loudon’s Arrival; and as his Lordship was daily expected, the Determination was left to him, which Method should be follow’d for the future. Three Expresses are accordingly retain’d and ready.
B.F.
July 22, 56


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 28 June 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Mecom, Jane

Dear Sister
New York, June 28. 1756
I received here your Letter of extravagant Thanks, which put me in mind of the Story of the Member of Parliament, who began one of his Speeches with saying, he thank’d God he was born and bred a Presbyterian; on which another took leave to observe, that the Gentleman must needs be of a most grateful Disposition, since he was thankful for such very small Matters.
You desire me to tell you what I know about Benny’s Removal and the Reasons of it. Sometime last Year, when I return’d from a long Journey, I found a Letter from him which had lain some time unanswered; and it was some considerable Time afterwards before I knew of an Opportunity to send an Answer. I should first have told you, that when I set him up at Antigua, he was to have the Use of the Printing House on the same Terms with his Predecessor, Mr. Smith; that is, allowing me one Third Part of the Profits. After this, finding him diligent and careful, for his Encouragement I relinquish’d that Agreement, and let him know that as you were remov’d into a dearer House, if he paid you yearly a certain Sum, I forget what it was, towards discharging your Rent, and another small Sum to me in Sugar and Rum for my Family Use, he need keep no farther Accounts of the Profits, but should enjoy all the Rest to himself. I cannot remember what the whole of both Payments amounted to, but I think they did not exceed £20 a Year. The Truth is, I intended from the first to give him that Printing House; but as he was very young and unexperienc’d in the World, I thought it best not to do it immediately but to keep him a little dependent for a Time, to check the flighty Unsettledness of Temper which on several Occasions he had discovered; and what I receiv’d from him I concluded to lay out in new Letters, that when I gave it him intirely it might be worth his Acceptance. And if I should die first, I put it in my Will, that the Letters should be all new cast for him. This Proposal of paying you and me a certain annual Sum did not please him; and he wrote to desire I would explicitly tell him how long that annual Payment was to continue, whether on Payment of that, all prior Demands I had against him for the Arrears of our first Agreement, were likewise cancel’d, and finally insisted that I would name a certain Sum that I would take for the Printing House, and allow him to pay it off in Parts as he could, and then the Yearly Payments to cease; for tho’ he had a high Esteem for me, yet he lov’d Freedom, and his Spirit could not bear Dependance on any Man, tho’ he were the best Man living. This was the Letter which occasionally remain’d, as I said, so long unanswer’d. At which he took farther Offence, and before I could answer it, I receiv’d another from him, acquainting me, that he had come to a Resolution to remove from that Island; that his Resolution was fix’d, and nothing that could be said to him should move or shake it; and propos’d another Person to me to carry on the Business in his Room. This was immediately follow’d by another and a third Letter to the same purpose, all declaring the inflexibility of his Determination to leave the Island; but without saying where he propos’d to go, or what were his Motives. So I wrote him that I should not attempt to change his Resolution; that I made no Objection to his Quitting, but wish’d he had let me know where he was going: That as to the Person he recommended to succeed, I had kept the Office there after Mr. Smith’s Decease in hopes it might be of use to him (Benny) but since it was not agreable to him to continue in it, I did not incline to be concern’d with any other there. However, if the Person would buy it, I nam’d the Price. If not, I directed it to be pack’d up and sent home. All I desir’d of him, was to discharge what he ow’d to Mr. Strahan, Bookseller in London, one of my Friends who had credited him on my Recommendation. By this Post I receiv’d the enclos’d Letter, and understand the Things are all arrived. I shall be very glad to hear he does better in another Place, but I fear he will not for some Years be cur’d of his Fickleness, and get fix’d to any purpose. However we must hope for the best, as with this Fault he has many good Qualities and Virtues.
My Love to Brother and the Children, and to all that love you. I am, Dear Sister, Your affectionate Brother
B Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Parsons, 28 June 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Parsons, William

Dear Friend
New York, June 28. 1756
I received here your Favour of the 19th Instant, with a Copy of your Remarks in Reviewing the Forts, for which I am much obliged to you; and I hope the Governor and Commissioners will immediately take the necessary Measures to remedy every thing that you found amiss. I think you hazarded your self with too small Escorts, and am glad you got safe through. It appears plainly that it will be of great Use to review the Forts frequently; the Expence must be inconsiderable compar’d to the Advantage and Security that may be deriv’d from it.
Great Part of two British Regiments are arriv’d here; the Men are all in Health and look exceeding well. What will be undertaken this Summer is I believe unknown or uncertain till the General’s Arrival. Some of the Officers think this Year will be chiefly spent in Preparations for the next. Others imagine there will be an Accommodation. For my Part I can make no Judgment. This only I can plainly see, that New York is growing immensely rich, by Money brought into it from all Quarters for the Pay and Subsistence of the Troops. General Shirley, it is said, is to go home in the same Ship that brings Lord Loudon, and to be made one of the Lords of Trade. The Indians continue to scalp now and then a Man or two close to Albany, Oswego, and the Camps. The New England Forces are not yet compleat. Those Colonies have over done themselves, and undertaken too much, more than they are able to bear or perform. With great Esteem, I am, Dear Friend, Affectionately yours,
B Franklin
Major Parsons
 Addressed: To / William Parsons Esquire / Major of the / Pensilvania Regiment / Easton
Endorsed: June 28. 1756  B. Franklin Esquire from New York.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to George Whitefield, 2 July 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Whitefield, George

Dear Sir
New York, July 2. 1756
I received your Favour of the 24th. of February with great Pleasure, as it inform’d me of your Welfare, and express’d your continu’d Regard for me. I thank you for the Pamphlet you enclos’d to me. As we had just observ’d a Provincial Fast on the same Occasion, I thought it very seasonable to be publish’d in Pensilvania, and accordingly reprinted it immediately.
You mention your frequent Wish that you were a Chaplain to an American Army. I sometimes wish, that you and I were jointly employ’d by the Crown to settle a Colony on the Ohio. I imagine we could do it effectually, and without putting the Nation to much Expence. But I fear we shall never be call’d upon for such a Service. What a glorious Thing it would be, to settle in that fine Country a large Strong Body of Religious and Industrious People! What a Security to the other Colonies; and Advantage to Britain, by Increasing her People, Territory, Strength and Commerce. Might it not greatly facilitate the Introduction of pure Religion among the Heathen, if we could, by such a Colony, show them a better Sample of Christians than they commonly see in our Indian Traders, the most vicious and abandoned Wretches of our Nation? Life, like a dramatic Piece, should not only be conducted with Regularity, but methinks it should finish handsomely. Being now in the last Act, I begin to cast about for something fit to end with. Or if mine be more properly compar’d to an Epigram, as some of its few Lines are but barely tolerable, I am very desirous of concluding with a bright Point. In such an Enterprize I could spend the Remainder of Life with Pleasure; and I firmly believe God would bless us with Success, if we undertook it with a sincere Regard to his Honour, the Service of our gracious King, and (which is the same thing) the Publick Good.
I thank you cordially for your generous Benefaction to the German Schools. They go on pretty well, and will do better, when Mr. Smith, who has at present the principal Care of them, shall learn to mind Party-Writing and Party Politicks less and his proper Business more; which I hope time will bring about.
I thank you for your good Wishes and Prayers, and am, with the greatest Esteem and Affection, Dear Sir Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin

   My best Respects to Mrs. Whitefield.
Revd. Mr. Whitefield.
 Addressed in another hand: Mr. Williams / No. 10. Stationers Court / Ludgate Hill / London.
Endorsed: Frankland answerd / B Franklyn / Frankolyn


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 12 July 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Mecom, Jane

Dear Sister,
New York, 12 July, 1756.
I am still here, waiting the arrival of Lord Loudoun. I received yours of the 5th instant, and shall forward the letter to Benny. I would not have you grieve about the affair; perhaps all is for the best. When I get home, I shall send you his letters for your full satisfaction.
My love to brother, and your children. I am, dear sister, Your loving brother,
B. Franklin.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 27 July 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Strahan, William

Dear Sir,
New York July 27. 1756
The above is a Copy of my last. Since which I have received from Philadelphia one of our Newspapers printed on the new Letter you sent us, and find that it is not a Brevier Body, but larger, and is really and truly no other than the Burgeois, No.1. of Caslon’s Specimen now lying before me, which Burgeois is mark’d by a Pen with his own Hand, Price 2s. So that the Charging it as Brevier at 2s. 6d. is an Imposition of 25 per Cent. which is too much to bear, and therefore I do insist on his doing me Justice, and refunding the additional Sixpences; or he will forfeit the Character he always bore with me, that of an honest Man. I inclose you a Piece of the Newspaper for your Satisfaction. Compare it with his Specimen, and you will find what I say precisely true. The Sum to be return’d is £11 15s. 6d. for which when receiv’d please to give my Account Credit.

Lord Loudon arriv’d here last Week. I have had the Honour of several Conferences with him on our American Affairs, and am extreamly pleas’d with him. I think there cannot be a fitter Person for the Service he is engag’d in.
I purpose to return tomorrow to Philadelphia, where I hope things will soon be on a better Footing, as we expect a new Governor of whom we hear a good Character.
My best Compliments to Mrs. Strahan and your Children; I am, Dear Friend, Yours affectionately
B Franklin
P.S. Since my last, I have a Letter from B. Mecom, who writes that he has sent you a £60 Bill. I send a whole Newspaper instead of the Piece, mentioned above as there is some News in it.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Shirley, [July 1756]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Shirley, William

Because of Franklin’s increasing involvement in the bitter political disputes in Pennsylvania during 1755–56, Thomas Penn, Governor Morris, and others tried to deprive him of his lucrative office of deputy postmaster general which he held at the Crown’s pleasure. Early in July 1756, he probably defended himself in a long letter (now lost) to his immediate superior, Sir Everard Fawkener. Shirley arrived in New York on July 4, and while talking with him about military operations Franklin must have concluded that a friendly letter from Shirley might help his cause in England. The two drafts printed below survive among Franklin’s papers and show the use he intended to make of the requested letter, though there is no evidence that he ever even delivered a fair copy of his own letter to Shirley. Franklin may have decided not to do so in view of Shirley’s close connection with the proprietary party; more probably Lord Loudoun’s animosity toward his predecessor and the charges being made against him in England convinced Franklin that endorsement from Shirley might do more harm than good. In any case, Franklin retained his office, receiving only “a gentle admonition” from Fawkener.

I
Sir
[July 1756]
It might be of use to me with my Constituents, the Postmasters General in England, to whom I understand I am misrepresented as disaffected to the King’s Service if your Excellency would be pleased to repeat, in a Letter to me, General Braddock’s Expressions which you mentioned yesterday, relating to the Service I rendered him; and add such Notice as you think proper to take, of my procuring for your Forces, the Grant of £10,000 in Provisions; and afterwards the warm Clothing. I never before claim’d any Regard on these Accounts. But in my present Situation it seems necessary to me to say, (tho’ of my self) what is really true, viz. That I personally solicited the first Affair with every leading Member, advis’d Mr. Quincy what Strings to touch in his Discourses with each of them, drew up for him his Remonstrance to the House, supported and enforc’d it in the House, and when they became willing to give, but were at a Loss where to find the Money, I contriv’d for them a new Method of gaining Credit for the Sum, and carried it into Effect. As to the Clothing, I first propos’d it to the Assembly, and obtain’d a Vote of Approbation; they had no Money but promis’d to pay when they could, if any would advance it; I set on foot a Subscription for the purpose, and my self actually subscrib’d and paid three Tenths of the whole Sum, of which I am not yet reimburs’d one Farthing. Your Excellency’s touching these Points ever so lightly in a Line to me to be made use only as above hinted, I should esteem a great Favour; but if it appears to you on any Account improper, I shall not take your declining it amiss, being with the most perfect Attachment, Your Excellencys

II
Sir
[July 1756]
Your Excellency knows how unhappily we in Pensilvania have been rent into Parties. One almost constant Consequence of Misunderstanding, is Misrepresentation. Of this I have, it seems, my Share. I am represented at home as an Opposer of Government, and disaffected to the King’s Service. This if credited may hurt me with my honourable Constituents, the Postmasters General.
As you are acquainted not only with what Zeal and Disinterestedness I served Gen. Braddock, but also with my Readiness to assist your Forces by effecting the Grant from our Assembly of £10,000 in Provisions, and the warm Wastecoats and Stockings for the Winter Use of your Soldiers, I beg leave to desire you would, if you think it right, take occasion as it were by the by, to mention these Things in a Letter to me, which I may be at Liberty to communicate to Sir Everard Fawkener, in order to remove or prevent any contrary Impressions to my Disadvantage without making any public and other Use of it. If this should not appear to your Excellency a Piece of Justice due to me, I would not request it; tho’ I do not know any other Man on Earth to whom I would more willingly be oblig’d for a Favour; being, with the highest and truest Esteem and Respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most faithful humble Servant
B F
 Endorsed: Rough Draft to Gen. Shirley


Title: Provincial Commissioners to Robert Hunter Morris, 12 August 1756
From: Provincial Commissioners
To: Morris, Robert Hunter

Sir
Philadelphia Augt. 12. 1756
Your Honour having in your Letter of Yesterday to the Commissioners recommended sundry Articles of Expence, and the advancing of Money on several Occasions, they think it necessary to acquaint your Honour, which they hereby do, that the Fifty-five Thousand Pounds put into their Hands by Act of Assembly for the King’s Use, is all expended, together with about Two Thousand Two hundred Pounds, Part of the Five Thousand Pounds given by the Proprietors; But the Proprietors’ Receiver General having this Day acquainted the Commissioners that he has no Money in his Hands to pay the Remainder of that Gift, and does not know when he shall have it, they can proceed no further in advancing Money or giving Orders, till they can see how the same will be repaid or answered.
We are your Honour’s obedient humble Servants

James Hamilton
Jos: Fox

John Mifflin
Evan Morgan

Jon. Hughes
B Franklin

To Honourable R. H. Morris, Esqr.
 Addressed: To / The Honble. Robt. H. Morris, Esqr. / Lieut. Governor, and / Commander in Chief / of the Province of / Pennsylvania.
Endorsed: 12th Augt. 1756. Commissrs. letter to the Govr. that the £55,000 is expended.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from David Colden, 12 August 1756
From: Colden, David
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
August 12th. 1756
You oblidged me very much by communicating your Electrical Experiments made in pursuance of those by Mr. Canton: I shall think myself fully rewarded for my attempts in Electricity if I can thereby procure the notice of one whose Labours always aford agreable instruction to those who are desirous of discovering truth.
Altho’ I have not intirely laid aside Electrical Amusements yet I have not discoverd many effects worth communicating to you, One only has appeard which I do not remember to have seen taken notice of, viz. That when a Glass Tube is Excited the inner Surface of it has the Electric fire as much accumulated on it, as the outer or that which is rubed: this is made evident by lining the Tube with sheet Lead for then every time the outer surface is excited a Spark may be drawn either from the Lining or from the rubed surface; but when taken from one no more appears on the other till the Tube be excited anew. The Electric fire being driven out on one surface when it is accumulated on the other appears similar to the appearances in charging the Lyden Bottle, but there is this difference that when the surcharge on either side of the Tube is taken off the remaining electrical fire is restored to its natural state in the glass, which happens in Charging the Bottle only when the surcharge is taken from that Surface to which it was immediately communicated by the Prime Conductor; when taken from the other the surcharge still remains on the first. Perhaps these appearances may be of use for discovering the causes of the different effects of Globes which are solid having but one surface, and of those which are hollow. I intend as soon as the Weather is suitable to repeat your Experiments and if any thing arises worth notice I shall take the liberty of communicateing it to you. I am affraid that by a long delay of acknowledging the receipt of your Letter it might appear that I had not a due sence of the honour you do me, a continuance of which I shall gladly endeavour to make agreable to you, perhaps this has led me now to trouble you too triflingly; I hope the intention will plead my excuse.
 Endorsed: Copy of Letter to Benjm Franklin August 12th 1756


Title: Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 18 August 1756
From: Pennsylvania Assembly
To:

On August 17 the Assembly received a message from the governor informing it of the capture by French and Indians, July 31, of Fort Granville, about 25 miles west of the Susquehanna on the Juniata River (near present-day Lewiston). The treasury was depleted, and Morris asked for new appropriations: for “timely and vigorous Measures” to protect the frontier inhabitants in their settlements, for barracks near Philadelphia where 1000 recruits of the Royal American Regiment could be housed and trained, and for payments to masters whose indentured servants had been enlisted. Franklin and others were appointed to draft a reply which was reported, approved, and delivered on the 18th.

May it please the Governor,
[August 18, 1756]
The House have repeatedly offered the Governor Bills for granting considerable Sums to the King’s Use, to which he has refused his Assent, being restrained by the Proprietaries, as he says, from passing any Bills in which their Estate is to be taxed towards its Defence. We know of no equitable Way of raising such large Sums as are now necessary, but by a general Tax on all Estates, real and personal. We have voted another Sum of Forty Thousand Pounds, to be raised in that Manner, and are preparing a new Bill to lay before the Governor for that Purpose. But as we are, and must be still, of Opinion, that the Proprietary Estates ought to be taxed in common with those of their Fellow Subjects in all the rest of the King’s Dominions, for their common Defence, we cannot omit a Clause of that Kind in our Bill, without Injustice to the King’s other Subjects, ourselves, our Constituents, and Posterity; and we believe, that an equal Number of Men, of any Sect, Nation, Name or Party among us, will never be chosen to represent the Province, who would be of a different Sentiment in this Particular.
In the mean time, we earnestly request the Governor would use his Influence with the Proprietaries Receiver General, to induce him to pay the remaining Sum of near Three Thousand Pounds, yet behind of their Contribution of Five Thousand Pounds, which by Law was to have been immediately advanced, but is still withheld from the Commissioners, to the Injury of the poor Soldiers, whose Pay is in Arrear for want of that Money, the Fifty-five Thousand Pounds we granted by the said Bill for the King’s Use being expended.
We are sensibly affected with the distressed State of our Frontier Inhabitants; though we apprehend they are in a much better Situation than those of the neighbouring Provinces, who are equally near the Enemy. And we hope they may be rendered still more secure, by a vigorous Exertion of the Force now on Foot for their Protection, and the Annoyance of the Enemy.
The other Matters recommended to us by the Governor, we will take into Consideration, and hope we may be able to do therein, whatever ought to be expected of us.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Pownall, 19 August 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Pownall, Thomas

Sir
Philada. Aug. 19. 1756
I have done my self the Honour to write to you twice since my Return, relating to the propos’d Road; but have as yet had no Line from you.
Inclos’d I send you a Copy of the late Treaty or Conference at Easton, with a Letter from Bishop Spangenberg to Mr. Norris, by which you will see nothing is like to come of that Treaty; that the Indians are preparing to continue the War, and of how little Consequence Sir Wm. Johnson’s Treaty has been on our Behalf. For my own part, I make no doubt but that the Six Nations have privily encourag’d these Indians to fall upon us; they have taken no Step to defend us, as their Allies, nor to prevent the Mischief done us. I look upon it as the most unfortunate Step we ever took, the Application made thro’ Sir William Johnson, to these Nations to procure us Peace. For we tied up the Hands of our People till we heard the Result of that Application; the Affair was drawn out to great Length of Time; and in the mean while our Frontier People were continually butcher’d and at last either dispers’d or dispirited. In short I do not believe we shall ever have a firm Peace with the Indians till we have well drubb’d them. Our Frontiers are greatly distress’d as you will see by the enclosed Letters. The People are also distress’d by the Enlisting of their Servants; but if my Lord would order the Recruits, now near 500 to march up and take Post on the Frontiers, in the Forts there, where they would find good Barracks; and might be of great Use in defending the Inhabitants, it would be a most acceptable thing to the whole Province: in this Mr. Norris joins with me, as well as in respectful Compliments to his Lordship and your self. The Assembly are met, and in a very good Disposition towards the Service; but the old Governor being on tiptoe and a new one hourly expected, nothing can be done till his Arrival. He is we hear on the Road from York. I am, Sir Your most obedient Servant
B F
Honourable T. Pownal Esqr


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 19 August 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philada. Augt. 19. 1756
I have your Favours of July 23. and Aug. 3. but that you mention to have wrote per Mr. Balfour, is not come to hand. I forwarded the Pacquet inclos’d in that of July 23. as directed; and shall readily take care of any other Letters from or for you, that pass thro’ my hands.
The Post between this Place and Winchester was established for the Accommodation of the Army chiefly, by a Vote of our Assembly; they are not willing to continue the Charge, and it must I believe be dropt, unless your Assembly and that of Maryland will contribute to support it, which perhaps is scarce to be expected. I am sorry it should be laid down as I shall my self be a Loser in the Affair of Newspapers: But the Letters per Post, by no means defray the Expence. If you can prevail with your Assembly to pay the Rider from Winchester to Carlisle, I will endeavour to persuade ours to continue Paying the Rider from Carlisle hither: My Agreement with the House was, to carry all publick Dispatches gratis; to keep Account of Postage receiv’d for private Letters; charge the Expence of Riders and Offices, and they were to pay the Ballance. I am, Sir, with great Esteem and Respect, Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
P.S. We have just receiv’d News, that the Delaware Indians with whom we treated lately at Easton, have burnt the Goods they receiv’d as Presents, and resolv’d to continue the War.
Col. Washington
 Endorsed: From Benja. Franklin Esq 19th. Augt. 1756.


Title: Pennsylvania Assembly: Address to William Denny, 23 August 1756
From: Pennsylvania Assembly
To: Denny, William

The Assembly minutes, August 19, record: “The House being informed, that the Gentleman who is appointed to succeed our present Governor, is now on the Road hither from New-York, and will be in Town some Time To-morrow, Adjourned to Five a Clock To-morrow Afternoon.” In the rush to honor Denny and perhaps to be the first to reach his ear, Richard Peters went to New York on August 16, Israel Pemberton and other Quakers met him in Princeton on the 19th, more citizens greeted him in Trenton, and Morris and others escorted him from Bristol on the 20th. Jacob Duché’s Philadelphia County Regiment mustered at the county line, the independent association company greeted him at Frankford, and Franklin’s City Regiment was “Drawn up in Second Street, near the Church.” A celebration followed which brought “Joy [to] the Countenances of People of all Denominations.” Festivities continued with a “genteel” entertainment given by the City Corporation and the next day “a handsome Dinner was provided by the Assembly at the State-House.” Before adjourning for its dinner, the Assembly appointed BF and others to draft an address of welcome, approved on the 23rd, to which Denny responded promptly thanking the Assembly for its “very affectionate Address,” and expressing his desire to promote the security and happiness of the people.

  [August 23, 1756]

To the Honourable William Denny, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania, and of the Counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware,
  The Address of the Representatives of the Freemen of the said Province of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met.
  May it please the Governor,
We are sincerely thankful to Almighty God, that he has been pleased to protect the Governor thro’ the Dangers of the Sea, and bring him in Safety to his Government. We heartily congratulate  him on his Accession; and hope, from the excellent Character we have received of him, his Administration will be as happy for the Province, as we shall endeavour to make it easy and comfortable to himself.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Catharine Ray, 26 August 1756
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Ray, Catharine

Dear [Katy]
Philada. Augt. 26. 1756
I receiv’d your very agreable Line [of] the 2d. Inst. in which you tell me you would write me a long Letter, but that you expect soon to see me in Boston. I know not now when I shall enjoy that Pleasure, being more involv’d in publick Affairs than ever: so that I cannot be so long out of the Province as such a Journey requires; therefore, dear Girl, write me all [your little news, for] it is extremely entertaining to me.
Your Apology for being in Boston, “that [you must] visit that Sister once a Year,” makes me suspect you are there for some other Reason: for why should you think your being there would need an Excuse to me, when you knew that I knew how dearly you lov’d that Sister? Don’t [offer and hide] your Heart from me. You know I can [conjure?].
Give my best Respects to your Sister, and tell [her] and all your other Sisters and Brothers, that they must behave very kindly to you, and love you dearly; or else I’ll send a young Gentleman to steal and run away with you, who shall bring you to a Country from whence they shall never hear [a] Word of you, without paying Postage.
Mrs. Franklin joins in Love to you and sincere Wishes for [your] Welfare, with dear good Girl, Your affectionate Friend
B Franklin
 Addressed: To / Miss Catharine Ray / at Mr. Hubbard’s / Boston / Free / B Franklin


Title: Pennsylvania Assembly: Address to the Governor and Reply to the Governor’s Message, 31 August 1756
From: Pennsylvania Assembly
To: Denny, William

In undertaking his responsibilities as governor, Denny summoned the Assembly to the council chamber on August 24 to hear a speech reminding it of his duty to protect the province, of the special responsibility of Pennsylvania in the war, since it had been declared in consequence of French encroachments within its limits, of the desperate need for new appropriations, and of the need for harmony in the public councils. The next day the Assembly promptly resolved to make an appropriation for the King’s use. The committee which had been appointed on the 17th, before Denny’s arrival, to bring in a bill for £40,000 was now told to leave the amount blank, apparently in order that the grant might be increased if the House should so decide. On August 27 Denny sent a message with an extract of a letter from Lord Loudoun further emphasizing the need for prompt and large-scale war measures. The speech of the 24th and message of the 27th were referred to Franklin and others on the 30th for replies; these were reported, approved, and sent to Denny the next day.

May it please the Governor,
[August 31, 1756]
We look upon the Royal Approbation of the Governor’s Appointment, at this critical Time, as a Mark of the paternal Regard His Majesty has, on all Occasions, extended to His Subjects, whenever their Distresses have been laid before him; and we shall most chearfully contribute our Aid and Assistance to restore the former flourishing State of Pennsylvania.
It gives us great Pleasure to find that the Governor has promised, on every Occasion, to protect this Province from the Designs and Attacks of the Enemy, and to support the People in the Enjoyment of their Civil and Religious Rights; which, from his known Character, and the Experience we have had of his Conduct since his Arrival among us, we are confident the Governor will be led to, as well from his own Inclination as from his Duty.
The extended western Boundary of this Province, which in a great Measure covers the Colonies of Maryland, the Three Lower Counties, on Delaware, and the Province of New-Jersey, and the dispersed Manner of settling the Back Lands in this Colony and Virginia, have exposed both to greater Damage from the Inroads of the Indians; but as our Frontier is now in a better State of Defence than that of any of our Neighbours, equally near the Enemy, we cannot but hope that the Inhabitants, by the Blessing of God on the Means hitherto provided by the Legislature, may become more secure in their Settlements; and as great Unanimity prevails among the Members of our House, we shall, as far as lies in our Power, consistent with our just Rights, enable the Governor to afford the People the Continuance of “that Protection they so much stand in need of;” in full Confidence that the Governor “will deny us nothing that he can grant, consistent with his Duty to His Majesty, and the Rights of the Proprietaries.”

May it please the Governor,
[August 31, 1756]
As soon as we heard and considered the Governor’s Speech, and before we received his Message with the Letter from Lord Loudon, we resolved to give a Sum of Money for His Majesty’s Service; demonstrating, by that Readiness, that we are not insensible of our Duty to the best of Kings, nor of the Necessity of enabling the Governor at this critical Conjuncture to protect the People committed to his Care.
As former Grants of this Kind have been long delayed, or rendered ineffectual, by Means of latent Proprietary Instructions, not communicated to us till we had spent much Time in vain in forming our Bills, we would now humbly request the Governor to lay before us full Copies of such of his Instructions as relate to Money Bills of any Kind, with the Preambles or other Parts that contain the Reasons of such Instructions; that we may, if possible, avoid all Occasions of Delay in Affairs so important, and that our Judgments may be informed of the Equity or Necessity of Rules to which a Conformity is required.
From the Governor’s Candour, and sincere Desire to facilitate and expedite, by every Means in his Power, what is necessary to the publick Welfare, as well as from the Reasonableness of the Thing in itself, we have no Doubt that he will favour us in granting this Request.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Pownall, [August? 1756]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Pownall, Thomas

[August? 1756]
I have some Suspicions that one OFarrel, an Irish Roman Catholick, may possibly be the Writer of those Letters, by the account I remember to have heard of him. I think his Name is O Farrel, but may be mistaken; however he may be known by this Description; He is a tall lusty Man, kept a Tavern at Frederic Town in Maryland, where he ingratiated himself with General Braddock, attended him to Mohungahela as a Kind of Waggon Master; was afterwards employ’d by Gen. Shirley to raise Recruits in this Province and Maryland, where he pretended to have Interest, and, as I heard, was promised an Insignry for his son, in Case he procured a certain Number of Men, which he effected, the greatest Part being Roman Catholick Servants. He was imprison’d here some Days for a Fray he was concern’d in, and abusing a civil Officer at Germantown, employ’d to apprehend one of the Servants. The Papists in Town flock’d to him when in Goal, and one of the Principal requested the Gaoler to use him kindly, for that he was of a good Family, &c. I hear he is still in some Employ relating to the Waggons, with the Forces between Albany and Oswego. It may be well to find him out and watch him, or seize his Papers.
 Endorsed in Lord Loudoun’s hand: Extract of Mr Franklands [?] letter to Mr Pownal about Ferrel


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Shipley, 1 September 1756
From: Shipley, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
London Sepr: 1st. 1756.
I am order’d to acquaint you, that the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce have unanimously elected you a Corresponding Member; and it gives the Society a singular Pleasure to place upon their List a Gentleman whose publick Spirit and uncommon Abilities are so universally known and so deservedly esteemed. They are glad to find their Plan approved by you, and shall always give great Attention to what you shall judge most proper for their Encouragement in America, which they hope from Time to Time you will please to let them know. Their Desire is to make Great Britain and her Colonies mutually dear and serviceable to each other: They know their Interests are the same, and are perfectly convinced, that giving Premiums in America, may, in many Cases, be more Advantageous to the Mother Country than the same Sums bestowed at Home. They detest all narrow minded partiality and unreasonable Jealousies, and hope the Mother Country will always protect and Cherish her Colonies with a Maternal Care and Affection; which, as far as in them lies, they shall always endeavour to promote.
They return you Thanks for your generous Present of 20 Guineas, which their Treasurer has received by the Hands of Mr. Collinson, and for your still greater Generosity in desiring to have it applied to some Improvement in Britain: but they assure themselves of your Pardon, if they keep to their general Resolution, of bestowing every Part of their Fund (with the Utmost Impartiality) to whatever they think may be of most universal Benefit to the whole British Dominions, making no other Difference but between those that want Assistance and those that do not.
They earnestly desire your Correspondence, Information and Advice, and most heartily wish a Speedy Restoration of Peace, that Arts, Manufactures and Commerce may enlarge our Minds, supply all our Wants, and make us a flourishing and an happy people.
I have the Honour to be, Sir Your most Obedient Servant
William Shipley   Secretary


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Clapham, 8 September 1756
From: Clapham, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[September 8, 1756]
This Post which is in my Opinion of the utmost Consequence to the Province is already defensible against all the Power of Musquetry, but as it is from the Nature of its Situation expos’d to a more formidable Descent from the West Branch it ought I think to be render’d still stronger, for which Purpose a greater Number of Horses and Teams are necessary. ’Tis likewise expedient that this Garrison should be supply’d with at least Six Month’s Provisions and Stores equivalent.
 Endorsed: Extract of Coll Claphams Lre of 8 Septr. to B F.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Pownall, [9 September 1756]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Pownall, Thomas

[September 9, 1756]
The circular Letter You show’d me the Draft of, explaining the Particulars of what Assistance was required and expected from the Colonies to the King’s Forces, has not been communicated to the Assembly; Nevertheless, I have now the Pleasure to tell You, that an Act yesterday passed the House, and I believe will receive the Governor’s Assent, in which I procured the following Paragraph to be inserted, Viz. “And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That Ten Thousand Pounds, Part of the Sixty Thousand Pounds hereby given and granted to the King’s Use, be and is hereby appropriated towards a General Fund for the common service and Defence of the Colonies, and subject to the Orders of the Rt. Honourable John Earl of Loudoun, Commander in Chief of all his Majesty’s Forces in North America, to be disposed of and paid in such Manner as he shall think fit to direct for the said service.”
I hope the Example will be follow’d by the other Colonies.
The Clothing sent last Year from this Government was 1339 warm Waistcoats, 1000 Pair mill’d stockings, and 332 Pair knit Mittens. They were intended to be given to such of the Troops as were to garrison the Forts on that cold Frontier, for their Comfort in the Winter. I am told that Major Mathews, who received the Quantity You mention, never distributed them to the Men. Pray enquire into the Truth of that. I write to Mr. Stephenson to deliver the Remainder to Lord Loudoun’s Order.


Title: Documents on the £60,000 Excise Bill, 13–16 September 1756
From:
To:

Under instructions from the Assembly, a committee which included Franklin brought in a bill, September 2, for striking £60,000 in bills of credit; after long consideration and some amendment the House passed the measure and sent it to the governor on the 8th. It provided that the new currency was to be retired by the proceeds of an excise on wine and spirits over a period of twenty years, that £10,000 were to be contributed to “a general American Fund” subject to Loudoun’s orders, that up to £10,000 were to be used to pay off loans incurred for earlier defensive measures, and that an additional unspecified amount should be made available to the commissioners named in the act—five assemblymen, including the speaker and Franklin, and two councilors—to settle any unpaid accounts incurred by the commissioners under the act of the previous November.
Governor Denny’s determination not to engage in paper disputes (“disagreeable contentious papers”) interrupted the familiar pattern of written messages. After conferring with his Council he merely asked for a conference with a committee of the Assembly on “some Difficulties in the Consideration of the Bill.” Speaker Norris, Franklin, and nine others were promptly appointed. Before the committee was admitted to the Council Chamber on the morning of the 13th, Denny and his advisers agreed on strategy: Denny was to make a short introductory speech and then outline his objections to the bill with the reasons previously mentioned by different Council members. This would bring on “a free Conversation, in which many things might be urged to promote peace and a good understanding,” after which Denny would close with an address stressing the dire emergency on the frontiers and urging “an immediate agreement about Supplys.” The governor’s opening speech, his Objections to the bill, and his concluding plea for speedy action, all addressed to the Assembly committee, are reprinted as Numbers I, II, and III below.
This scheme did not work. The committee members were obviously unwilling to discuss matters they and their colleagues had not had time to consider, so they “made no reply, nor spoke anything” except to ask for Denny’s objections in writing to lay before their fellow assemblymen “and take their sense of them.” That afternoon, after spending some time on the committee’s report, the Assembly directed five of the committeemen, including Franklin, “to prepare such Reasons as they may judge proper to be offered in Answer to the Governor’s Objections.” The “Reasons,” reported the same afternoon and entered in the proceedings the next day, were carried to the Council Chamber for another conference on the morning of the 14th. They are printed below as Number IV. This second conference again failed to produce any significant discussion. “The Speaker and Gentlemen of the Committee came into the Council Chamber, and after a small silence the Speaker pulled a Paper out of his Breast, read it very distinctly, and delivered it in a very formal manner to the Governor, and then he and the Committee with drew.” The House then directed the same group that had prepared the “Reasons,” with one change in membership, to consider Denny’s proprietary instructions on money bills, which he had sent to the Assembly at its request, and to report their opinion, and, if they had time before the end of the session, to “draw up a Representation of the present State of this Province.”
“Admiring the formality of the Members of the Committee, and observing that they wou’d not take any the least measures without first consulting the House,” but still refusing to engage in paper disputes, Governor Denny formally rejected the £60,000 appropriation bill in the brief message printed below as Number V. Although not specifically referred to committee, this message, together with the proprietary instructions, clearly formed part of the basis for the Resolutions reported and adopted by the House on September 16, and printed below as Number VI among the documents in this new-style exchange between the governor and the Assembly.

I
Gentlemen:
[September 13, 1756]
I am sorry to say I have some objections to the Bill of supplies, and hope my reasons will have such a Weight with the House as I could wish they shou’d.
It is a Melancholy reflection to think that the first Bill which has been offered to me, might probably be attended with the loss of Publick Credit if it was passed.
I cannot help observing, there is a particular Clause against one of my Instructions which were laid before the House at their own request, and with all the Candor on my part that could be possibly be desired.

II

  [September 13, 1756]
  Objections to the Bill for raising Sixty Thousand Pounds for the King’s Use, &c. &c. &c.
Objection 1st, To the Term of Twenty Years, as too long a Time.

As so long a Term may endanger the entire Loss of the Currency. The Lords of Trade in their Report of April 15, 1756, to the Committee of His Majesty’s Honourable Privy Council for Trade and Plantations on the last Act for granting Sixty Thousand Pounds to the King’s Use, having expresly declared, that the Shortness of the Time was the Reason that induced their Lordships to advise His Majesty to give His Assent to it.
2d, To the Disposition of the Surplus Money to arise on this Bill, by the Assembly alone.
3d, To the Making the Ten Thousand Pounds, given in the Bill as a Contribution to a General Fund, subject to the Order of Lord Loudon only, and not of the Commander in Chief for the Time being, of the King’s Forces in America.
4th, To the Applying any of the Money to be raised by this Bill, to the Discharge of Ten Thousand Pounds given for the Use of the Crown-Point Expedition, and the Interest arising on that Sum.
As the said Sum was issued upon a Fund already established.
5th, Against the Clause subjecting Persons counterfeiting Bills of Credit to Capital Punishment, by a Reference to a former Law, which will expire before the Time limited in the Bill.
As he had taken the Advice of a Lawyer, who was of Opinion that a Punishment could not be inflicted by referring to a Law, after the said Law should be expired.
6th, Against laying Fines on the Court of Quarter-Sessions, &c. &c.
As it was new and unprecedented to fine a Court.
7th, Against Collectors continuing only one Year in Office.
As in so short a Time as one Year the Collectors could not sufficiently learn the Duties of their Office.
8th, Against Treasurer’s giving Bond to the Governor, who in Law has no Succession, not being a Body Politick.
9th, Against taking Treasurer’s Bond in so small a Sum as One Thousand Pounds.
10th, Against applying any Part of the Monies arising from this Bill towards the Discharge of any Part of the Five Thousand Pounds given for the Canada Expedition.
As the same was already provided for in the former Excise Act.

III
Gentlemen:
[September 13, 1756]
It may be needless to remind you, there are some Chosen Messengers in town from the miserable Inhabitants of the Frontiers, who beg protection from their Representatives in the most humble manner.
Tho’ measures that suit these Times shou’d be concerted with the utmost prudence, they ought to be executed with the greatest Vigour, and delays are not only dangerous but fatal.

The safety of the Province, under Almighty God, depends upon a union among ourselves; if we dispute, Gentlemen, let it be, who shall serve the Publick.
As I have the Honour to be sent here by the Crown, it will make me very happy to have an early opportunity of representing the conduct of your House in the most favourable light to his Majesty.
Consider the Eyes of Our Countrymen through’t British America are all fixt upon you; nay more, the Ministry, the Parliament, and the People of England wait with attention to be made acquainted with the Councils and Resolutions of the Assembly of Pennsylvania.

IV

  [September 14, 1756]
Reasons offered to the Governor, by the Committee of Assembly, at a second Conference, in Answer to the Governor’s Objections to the Bill for granting Sixty Thousand Pounds to the King’s Use.

The House are very thankful to the Governor for the Readiness and Candour with which he communicated to them the Proprietary Instructions, relating to Money Bills.
They desire he would be pleased to remember, that they requested the Reasons on which those Instructions were founded, as well as the Instructions themselves; their Design being to comply with the Instructions, if the Reasons should convince their Judgments, but not otherwise, the Proprietary Instructions being by no Means Laws in this Province.
They have the greatest Respect and Esteem for the Governor, and the strongest and most sincere Desire to do every Thing that may be agreeable to him, consistent with the just Rights and Privileges of the People they represent. They beg therefore that he would be pleased to give no Ear to any Insinuations to the contrary. And the Committee having taken the Sense of the House on the Objections made to the Bill for raising Sixty Thousand Pounds for the King’s Use, humbly offer the following Remarks to the Governor on those Objections, in their Order.
1. The House chose, at this Time, an Excise Bill rather than a Land-Tax Bill, to avoid any Dispute about taxing the Proprietary Estate, and because, as it was a Mode of raising Money they were used to and understood, the Bill might more speedily be formed and brought to Effect, so as to answer the present pressing Emergency; and being in the same Form with a Number of preceding Excise Bills, that had been passed by former Governors, gone through the Offices at Home, and received the Royal Assent; they well hoped it might meet with no Objections.
The last Time it passed, the Term was Ten Years. No Inconvenience arose from the Length of that Term. Could we have sunk the Sum we wanted by the Excise in that Term, we should not desire to extend it. But we expect it will not yield more in Twenty Years than the Sixty Thousand Pounds granted. The Act of Parliament made for the Eastern Colonies, is not in Force here. Had the Parliament thought it fit that this Province should be governed by that Act, they would not have excluded Pennsylvania out of the Bill, as they actually did. Governor Hamilton had formerly offered to extend the Excise to any Term, during which we would load it with Three Thousand Pounds per Annum, granted to the Crown. From whence we concluded the Term of Twenty Years would not be objected to, Sixty Thousand Pounds being granted.
Other Taxes or Excises on other Consumptions might possibly be laid, but we have no Experience of them: They will require a Time of more Leisure to be well considered, and Laws for collecting them properly formed, so as to be effectual, and not injurious to our Trade. If this War continues, we may soon want them all; and the succeeding Assembly may take those Matters in Hand immediately after their Meeting, so as to have such new Excises ready before the Money now granted is expended; though we still think a well proportioned Tax on Property, the most equal and just Way of raising Money.
If every Man who received our Bills of Credit in Payment, was obliged to keep them in his Hands till the End of Twenty Years, to be sure the Length of the Term would occasion a proportionable Depreciation. But they being a legal Tender in all Payments, and the Possessor able to exchange them immediately for their Value, it is not Length of Term, but Excess of Quantity, that must occasion their Depreciation; and that Quantity is by this Bill yearly to diminish. Besides, the Eighty Thousand Pounds we have out on Loan, is now to sink in the next six Years, which will greatly lessen our Currency, and consequently lessen the Danger of the Depreciation.
If the Quantity should prove too great, which we believe it will not, a subsequent Act, laying Excise or Duty on other Commodities, encreasing the Duty per Gallon, raising it also from private Consumption, or obtaining Money by any other Means for the publick Service, may be made, and the Money applied to the more speedy Sinking this Sixty Thousand Pounds.
2. There will probably be little or no Surplus left to the Disposition of the Assembly. People now leave the Province faster than they come into it. The Importation of Germans is pretty much over. Many go from us to settle where Land is cheaper. The Danger attending Frontier Settlements will probably be long remembered, even after a Peace may be restored. And if our Inhabitants diminish, the Excise will be lessened instead of being increased. At its best, it produces, communibus Annis, not more than Three Thousand Pounds per Annum.
In former Excise Laws the Assembly have had the Disposition of the Whole. They preserved the publick Credit. Paid all publick Debts punctually every Year—And have not abused the Trust reposed in them.
The Instruction is not a Royal but Proprietary Instruction, calculated to establish arbitrary Government among us, to distress the Assembly and People, and put it out of their Power to support their Complaints at Home. It would moreover deprive us of a just Right and Privilege, enjoyed from the first Settlement of the Country.
3. Lord Loudon is a Nobleman distinguished by the great Trust the Crown hath placed in him. We have likewise received a high Character of his Integrity and Uprightness, which induces us to confide in him. The Chance of War (which Heaven prevent) may, after several Removes, give him a Successor unknown to us. If it should be found necessary and convenient before the Money is expended, the Governor and Assembly can at any Time, by a little Act, subject the Remainder to the Order of his Successor, the Commander in Chief for the Time being.
4. It is true, there was a Fund appropriated to sink the Notes issued for the Grant to the Crown-Point Expedition. That Fund in a great Measure fails by the Loss of one whole County to the Enemy, and the Abandoning considerable Parts of other Counties, where Lands mortgaged to the Loan-Office are situated. The whole Sum was appropriated to the King’s Service. And if those Notes had not been issued, that Assistance could not have been given, as our Affairs were then circumstanced. They cannot be redeemed in due Time by that Fund, without adding to the Distresses of the People, already too great, and the Publick Credit ought to be kept up, as it may be wanted on some future Emergency. Besides, those Notes bear Interest, and at this Time the Province is less able than ever to pay Interest. We should now save Money by all Means in our Power.
5. Though the Law referred to may expire some Years before the Time limited in the Bill, yet as the Punishment is to be inflicted by Virtue of the present Law, and not by Virtue of the Law referred to, which is only referred to for the Description of the Punishment; and as that Law, after its Expiration, will still remain on our Records, we apprehend no Inconveniency can arise from the Reference objected to. If any should arise, a subsequent Act may remedy it.
6. By all former Excise Laws, it was required of the Magistrates not to grant Recommendations till the Certificates of Payment of Excise were produced; but no Penalty was laid for their Non-compliance. A Law without a Penalty is vain. This has proved so; being generally disregarded. As it is for the King, tending to the more effectual Collection of the Excise granted, and by no Means difficult to be complied with by the Magistrates, we think it reasonable to fix a Penalty on that Breach of Duty.
7. If the Clause were, that the Collector should not be capable of being re-appointed after one Year, the Reason would have more Weight. But he may, and probably will, be continued from Year to Year, if he shows himself diligent in Collecting, and punctual in Paying his Collections to the Treasurer. We have found by Experience, that Officers appointed for long Terms, grow negligent of their Duty, and yet are not easily removed. Great Sums have thereby been lost to the Publick. And we have had Instances of Collectors appointed to fill a Vacancy a Year before the Expiration of the Term, being extremely diligent, in order to recommend themselves to a Continuance after the Year should expire, which has proved much to the publick Advantage. Our Sheriffs and Coroners, whose Duty is more hard to learn, are chosen from Year to Year, without any Inconvenience.
8, 9. In these Particulars, the Bill is conformable to former Excise Laws, which have received the Royal Assent, and no Inconvenience has arisen.
10. The Fund appropriated for sinking the Five Thousand Pounds, given for the Canada Expedition, was broke in upon by the late extraordinary Demands for publick Money. Five Thousand Pounds was given in Provisions to General Braddock, and near Four Thousand Pounds more to cut a Road for the King’s Service at the Instance of that General; besides large Sums for the Maintenance of Indians, extraordinary and expensive Treaties, &c. not expected or foreseen when the Fund was laid. It may therefore fall short, and the outstanding Debts not pay the Whole, but however the Publick Credit ought to be supported; and the new laid Excise is the most proper Fund to supply Deficiencies in the Old.
The House cannot be supposed insensible of the Distresses of their Fellow Subjects on the Frontiers. Several of the Members reside there. They hoped they had in this Bill provided for those People the Means of speedy Assistance, and avoided all Objections. They see none now of Importance enough, in their Opinion, to prevent the Passage of the Bill. They grant the Money freely to the King’s Use, and cannot admit of Amendments to a Money Bill: They therefore persuade themselves, that the Governor will consider the present Circumstances of the Province, and the Consequence of dispiriting the Inhabitants, by depriving them at this Time of their Privileges, without which they would think the Country scarce worth defending; and that he will not suffer a Proprietary Instruction, new, unjust, and unseasonable, to deprive His Majesty of a Grant so large, so freely given, and so necessary for His Service; and for the Preservation of the Proprietary Estate, as well as the securing the Lives and Fortunes of the Inhabitants, who promised themselves great Happiness in being placed immediately under his Care and Protection.

V
Sir:
[September 14, 1756]
The Governor returns the Bill entituled “An Act for striking the Sum of Sixty Thousand Pounds in Bills of Credit, and giving the same to the King’s Use, and for providing a Fund to sink the Bills so to be emitted by laying an Excise upon Wine, Rum, Brandy, and other Spirits,” and his Honour commands me to acquaint the House that he will not give his Assent to it; and there being no Person to judge between the Governor and the House in these parts, he will immediately transmit to his Majesty his reasons for so doing.

VI

    Resolved,
  [September 16, 1756]

That the said Proprietary Instructions are arbitrary and unjust, an Infraction of our Charter, a total Subversion of our Constitution, and a manifest Violation of our Rights, as freeborn Subjects of England.

   Resolved,
That the Bill for granting Sixty Thousand Pounds to the King’s Use, to which the Governor has been pleased to refuse his Assent, contains nothing “inconsistent with our Duty to the Crown, or the Proprietary Rights,” and is agreeable to Laws which have been hitherto enacted within this Province, and received the Royal Approbation.
   Resolved,
That the Right of granting Supplies to the Crown is in the Assembly alone, as an essential Part of our Constitution, and the Limitation of all such Grants as to the Matter, Manner, Measure and Time, is only in them.
   Resolved,
That it is the Opinion of this House, that the many frivolous Objections, which our Governors have been advised from Time to Time to make to our Money Bills, were calculated with a View to embarrass and perplex the Representatives of the People, to prevent their doing any Thing effectual for the Defence of their Country, and thereby render them odious to their gracious Sovereign, and to their Fellow Subjects, both at Home and Abroad.
   Resolved,
That the Proprietaries encreasing their Restrictions upon the Governor, beyond what they had ever done before, at a Time when the Province is invaded by the King’s Enemies, and barbarous Tribes of Indians are ravaging the Frontier Settlements, and their forbidding the Passing of any Bills whereby Money may be raised for the Defence of the Inhabitants, unless those Instructions are strictly complied with, is tyrannical, cruel and oppressive, with Regard to the People, and extremely injurious to the King’s Service: Since if the Assembly should adhere to their Rights, as they justly might, the whole Province would be thrown into Confusion, abandoned to the Enemy, and lost to the Crown.
The House therefore, reserving their Rights in their full Extent on all future Occasions, and PROTESTING against the Proprietary Instructions and Prohibitions, do, nevertheless, in Duty to the King, and Compassion for the suffering Inhabitants of their distressed Country, and in humble but full Confidence of the Justice of His Majesty, and a British Parliament, wave their Rights on this present Occasion only; and do further Resolve, That a new Bill be brought in for granting a Sum of Money to the King’s Use, and that the same be made conformable to the said Instructions, &c.