The History of Pennsylvania, from its discovery by Europeans to the Declaration of Independence in 1776

Front matter

THE HISTORY Ot PENNSYLVANIA, FROM ITS DISCOVERY BY EUROPEANS TO THE UcTlarsttfon of JJntrcjjrnftc lire IN 1776. BY THOMAS F. GORDON* PHILADELPHIA: CAREY, LEA & CAKEY JESFER HARDING, PRINTER. Eastern District of Pennsylvania, to -wit . BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the fourteenth day of J ; January, in the fifty-third year of the Independence of the J SEAI" ; United States of America, A. D. 1829, Thomas F. Gobdon, of the said district, has deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as author, in the words following, to wit: " The History of Pennsylvania, from its discovery by Europeans to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. By Thomas F. Gordon." In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, intituled, " An act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of sucli copies, during the times therein mentioned."

And also to the act, entitled, " An act supple mentary to an act, entitled, " An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned," and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints." D. CALDWELL, Clerk of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Preface

. In the following pages, an attempt has been made to present a full and accurate history of the colony of Pennsylvania, from its discovery by Europeans to the declaration of independence. The subject is wanting, perhaps, in that vivid interest which arises from frequent vicissitudes — the result of violent concussions in physical and moral nature. Pennsylvania was founded by deeds of peace, and, during many years, was directed by a philanthropic spirit, and sound principles of common sense, which extinguished orcontrolled those passions which create the subjects of ordinary historical interest. Her annals, during that period, contain little else than the suc cessful efforts of a peaceful people to improve their private fortunes and their political happiness. Their progress in the latter only is matter for history.

But, as their efforts were confined to the narrow -theatre of an obscure province, and consisted of long and abstruse discussions, they have slight attractions for ordinary readers, and impose on the historian scarce any other duty than that of accurate and perspicuous narration. In the performance of that duty a due mesne has been sought; avoiding, on the one hand, an extreme of gene ralization, productive of vagueness and dissatisfaction, and on the other, that minuteness of detail which wearies and dis gusts. Still it may be objected, that the extracts from the legislative journals are occasionally too full. But their pro priety will, perhaps, be admitted, when it is considered that the principal arena of public action was the legislative hall; and that in such details alone are to be found the sources of the public measures of the province, and the character of her most distinguished citizens.

PREFACE.

. IV Subsequent to the year 1753, the policy of Pennsylvania assumed a colour analogous to that of other states. Involved in a war resulting from French encroachments, she was com pelled not only to contribute to the general means of offence, but to provide against the inroads of her border savages, who, though long fostered by her kindness, became severe scourges to their benefactors. A detail of their barbarities would have filled many pages of the work; but their sameness would have wearied, and their cruelty have disgusted the reader. Still they could not be entirely passed over, and place has therefore been given, to an account of many instances of their brutal ferocity, in the appendix. From 1753, the knowledge of the history of the British empire in America, becomes necessary to a proper under standing of that of each colony.

But whilst an outline of the former has been given, an effort has been made, perhaps not always successful, to resist the temptation to introduce more of it than was requisite. Full justice has never been done to the magnanimity and ability of the Pennsylvania statesmen and warriors during the revolutionary contest. The quiet and unpretending cha racter of her population, has caused the historian, in a measure, to overlook their merit in the council and in the field. So far as the scope of this volume permitted, an attempt has been made to remedy this injustice, by detailing at length the proceedings of the colony in relation to the tyrannical taxes imposed by Great Britain, and her preliminary steps to independence. And a chief object of the author's labours, should they be continued, will be, to exhibit in full and just relief, the great and efficient part which the people of Penn sylvania had in every stage of the revolution.

Some view of the events leading to the revolution was un avoidable. It would have been no unpleasant task to trace these from their source through all their ramifications; to have exhibited at large the views of Great Britain in relation

PREFACE.

. V to colonization; her system of colonial restrictions, and her principles of colonial taxation, and to have given in detail the reasons, and the course of colonial resistance. But the extent allotted to this volume would not permit this indulgence, and these subjects therefore have been concisely treated. Biographical notices of early settlers in the province will probably be sought in this volume by their descendants, and some disappointment may be occasioned by their omission. It would have been a source of pleasure to me, had I been enabled to add considerably to the collections of this kind made by Proud and Smith; but I had very little that was new to offer: and what can there be interesting to the public in the lives of men, whose chief, and perhaps sole merit, con sisted in the due fulfilment of the duties of private life.

The names of the first settlers are interesting to us only because they were the first settlers. We have no affecting tale to relate of them; no perils by flood or field; no privations in duced by the crimes of others, or their own imprudence. The most that could be said of them is, that they were moral, religious, prudent, quiet people, who, with admirable foresight, made the best advantage of their situation, and who lived in comfort, begat children, and died. All this has been said by Mr. Proud, and I have not deemed it necessary to repeat it. Due attention, however, has been paid to those persons who have distinguished themselves in Pennsylvania History, and such information as I have been able to obtain in relation to public men, has been given in the text, or in the appendix to the work.

The names of the members of assembly, of the council, and of the incumbents of the other offices of the province, have been given from time to time; and as changes in office were not very frequent, it is not probable that the names of many are omitted, who were distinguished by their cotemporaries. To the Society of Friends, by whom the government of Pennsylvania was chiefly administered during the period of seventy years, and by whom the foundations of its prospe- VI

PREFACE.

. rity were laid, I have endeavoured to do full justice. Their firm attachment to liberal political principles; their courage in resisting, by invincible moral force, every encroachment on the rights of conscience; their justice and kindness to the aborigine*; their unostentatious, but efficient charities, have all been noticed. . If some inconsistences between their principles and their practice are discovered, they prove only that our best resolutions are not always proof against the storms of passion or the wiles of expediency. In the compilation of the work, I have industriously con sulted many authorities, and have examined carefully the minutes of the assembly and council, and many files of original papers deposited in the office of the secretary of the com monwealth at Harrisburg. Among which, a copy of the records at New York, relative to the country on the Dela ware, from the year 1664 to the year 1681, was not the least important, since it has enabled me to give an authentic histo ry of that period.

I have also had access to some private correspondence, and manuscript collections, which have shed light upon many subjects, and to which I have given due credit. From the labours of the Historical Society of Penn sylvania, I have received considerable aid; and it is highly probable that their exertions, if zealously continued, will rescue from oblivion all that is valuable in private collections. The two first chapters of the work may be considered pre fatory. The one treats concisely of the history of the shores of the Delaware until the grant to William Penn; and the other gives such a view of the Indian tribes then resident thereon, as the researches of men best acquainted with them could furnish. Both seemed indispensable to the proper un derstanding of the subsequent pages. It would have been easy to extend the work to two volumes.

The greatest difficulty I have had, was its com pression to the present size. In order to which, I have re jected such matters as seemed of minor importance. In my

PREFACE.

. VII choice I may not have employed the best judgment; and may be obnoxious to the reproach of having omitted that which I should have retained. My defence is, that I have exercised an honest, if not a sound discretion; and that should the public approbation encourage me to continue my labours, I will supply, in a subsequent volume, all that I may have impro perly omitted in this. In the language of Doctor Robinson, " I deliver this book to the world with all the diffidence and anxiety natural to an author on publishing his first performance. The time I have employed, and the pains I have taken, in order to render it worthy of the public approbation, it is, perhaps, prudent to conceal, until it be known whether that approbation shall ever ba bestowed upon it." CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Obscurity of the ancient history of America. Abundant sources of its modern history. Common origin of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Discoveries in North America by the Spaniards and Portuguese. Of the French, by Verrazano. Of the English, by Cabot, Gilbert, Raleigh, Gosnold. North and South Virginia companies formed. Voyages of Hudson. Discovery of the Delaware bay and Hudson river. Exploration of New York bay and Hudson river. Intercourse with the natives. Commerce of the Dutch East India company with America. Protection extended by the States General to maritime adventurers. Licensed trading company of Amsterdam. Dutch settlements at New York. Plymouth adventurers. Dutch West India company. Their operations in North America. Settlements on Delaware bay and river. Colony planted by De Vries.

Destroyed by the Indians. Second voyage of De Vries. Swedish West India or South company. Swedish colony under Minuits. Under Printz. English driven from the Delaware by Dutch and Swedes. Swedish settlements. Governor Risingh. War between the Dutch and Swedes. Dutch power established. Dispute with Maryland. English settlements under patent of Sir Edward Ploeyden. New England traders and settlers. Conquest of New Netherlands by the English. Reduction of the Dutch possessions on the Delaware. Government there. Rebellion of the Long Finne. Indian troubles. Incorporation of the town of Newcastle. Dispute with Maryland. New Netherlands recaptured by the Dutch. Western shore of the Delaware divided into three jurisdictions. Indian troubles. Purchases. Laws. Settlements in New Jersey. Government. William Penn becomes interested in New Jersey. Constitution. ..... 1

Chapter II

Of the aborigines. Their origin and progress from the west. War with, and conquest of the Alligewi. Division of the country between the Lenape and Mengwe nations. Settlement of the Lenape upon the sea-coast. Enmity between the Lenape and the Mengwe. Union of the Mengwe or five nations. Their machinations. Lenape become women. Domination of the Mengwe. Indian population, their extensive connexions, their language. Government and laws. Habits and customs. Religion. Revenge. Hospitality and honesty. 43

Chapter III

Claims of the Duke of York. William Penn. His views in purchasing trans-Atlantic territory. Purchase from the crown. Boundaries. Charter. Observations on the charter. Declaration of the king. Measures of Penn to people his province. First adventurers. Conduct of the proprietary towards the Indians. Frame of government. Territories on the Delaware. Purchase from the Duke of York. 53

Chapter IV

Arrival of the proprietary. Takes possession of the territories. Convokes an assembly. Laws. Union of the province and territories. Act of CONTENTS. naturalization. The great law. Remarks. Penn's dispute with lord Baltimore concerning boundaries. Treaty with the Indians. The city of Philadelphia surveyed. Allotments to parchasers. Division of the country into counties. Judiciary. Return of the proprietary to Europe, and settlement of the government preparatory thereto. - - 66

Chapter V

Death of Charles the second. Accession of James. Conduct of Penn. Impeachment of chief justice Moore. Proceedings against captain Robinson. Misconduct in the province. Attempts to convert the Indians. Penn solicited to return to the province. Relations between the proprietary and his people. New executive commission. Extraordinary instruction. Alarm of Indian hostility. John Blackwell appointed deputy-governor. His administration. David Lloyd. Revolution in England. Its effect on Penn. New arrangement of the executive power of the council, jealousy of the territories, and dissolution of the union. Displeasure of the proprietary. Defence of the province. Dispute with Keith. William and Mary assume the province, and appoint Fletcher governor. ..........85

Chapter VI

Fletcher re-unites the province and territories. Demands money from the province to aid in securing the frontiers of New York against the Indians and French. The war between England and France extends to America. Proceedings of the assembly. Markham appointed deputy-governor under Fletcher. Assembly asserts its right to sit upon its own adjournments, and to originate bills. Fletcher demands further pecuniary aid. The province restored to Penn. Death and character of Thomas Lloyd. Administration of governor Markham under Penn. New constitution. State of the province. Buccaneers in the Delaware. The province accused of giving them protection. - - * - - - - - 103

Chapter VII

Penn returns to the province. Yellow fever. Convenes the assembly. Disputes with the territories. Slaves and negroes. Intercourse with the Indians. The king requires the province to grant funds for the fortifications at New York. Attempt to change the proprietary to royal governments. Disputes with assembly relating to the concessions. Incorporation of Philadelphia. New constitution. Appointment of council. Andrew Hamilton deputy-governor. Departure of the proprietary for Europe. Administration of Hamilton. By his death the government devolves on the council. The royal assent made necessary to the appointment of the deputy-governors. ..... n2

Chapter VIII

Appointment of governor Evans. He attempts to re-unite the province and territories. Addresses of the assembly to the queen. Oaths required by order of council. Bill for confirming the charter. Disputes between the governor and assembly. The assembly address the proprietary, and treat him with great indecorum. The province divided into two parties under Logan and Lloyd. Governor applies in vain to the assembly, for a copy of the address to proprietary. Receives the proprietary's opinion of the provincial disputes. Assembly alarmed for their popularity. The proprietary party is inspirited. Biles, a member of the assembly, is prosecuted by the governor. The house interfere. The governor angnly prorogues the assembly. The assembly are intimi- CONTENTS. III dated and divided. The proprietary party triumph in the election of a new assembly.

Labours of the assembly. Evans attempts to establish a militia. Devises a stratagem to test the principles of the Quakers. Conduct of Logan. Fort at Newcastle, and duty imposed for its sup port. Becomes grievous to the province. Enterprise of Richard Hill and others. The governor endeavours to prevail on the house to pass a militia bill. Judiciary. A new assembly favourable to the popular party. Debates on the judiciary bill. The governor threatens to establish courts by his ordinance. Remonstrance of assembly. Conference. Governor takes offence at the manner of Lloyd. The assembly take part with their speaker. Lloyd's apology to the house. The assembly impeach Logan. Governor declines to try the impeachment. The assembly remonstrate with the proprietary on the conduct of Evans, Logan, and the grievances of the province.

Continuance of the disputes. Provincial trade in terrupted by privateers. Efforts of Evans to induce the assembly to defend the province. Unwise proceedings of the assembly. Recall of Evans. 129

Chapter IX

Arrival of governor Gookin. Complaints of the assembly. Call upon the house for military supplies. Penn's instructions to the governor. Logan attacks Lloyd. Proceedings of the assembly. Logan arrested. Governor dissolves the assembly. Produces a change of counsels. Attack and capture of Fort Royal. Enterprise upon Canada'. Assembly grant two thousand pounds. Acts for securing the government, and prohibiting the importation of slaves. Proprietary sells his government to the crown. Address of the governor to the assembly. First edition of the laws. Laws repealed by the privy council. Governor publishes an ordinance re-establishing the courts. Death of queen Anne. Accession of George I. Address of the assembly. Conduct of governor Gookin. Stat. 1. Geo. I. relating to oaths. Governor quarrels with Logan and Norris. His recall. Death and character of William Penn. His will. - 156

Chapter X

Popular principles of Sir William Keith. Favourable disposition of the assembly. Fiscal concerns. Inspection laws. Court of Equity. Militia. Change in the assembly. Increase of foreigners. Indian disputes. An Indian murdered. Servants. Want of a circulating medium. Remedies proposed. Paper currency. Committee of Grievance. Gratitude of the assembly to Keith. Fugitives from justice. Further emission of paper. Counterfeit bills. Impediments by the crown to the passage of private acts of assembly. Indian complaints. Proprietaries disapprove Keith's conduct. Logan divides the council against him. Pretensions of the minority. Logan removed from council. Hannah Penn reprehends Keith. Letters from Gouldney and Gee. Keith's reply. Communicates his instructions and correspondence to the assembly. Is removed. His character. - - - - - - - - 179

Chapter XI

Governor Gordon's address to, and reception by, the assembly. Keith's intrigues. Shad fisheries. Death of George I. Murder by the Indians. Indian expenses. Foreign emigrants. County of Lancaster formed. Paper currency. Fraud in the loan-office. Sugar trade. Provincial agency. Attack on the freedom of the colonies in parliament. Assembly claim the right of appointment to office. Visit of the proprietaries. CONTENTS. Abolition of the court of equity. Death of governor Gordon. His character. His administration. Logan president of council. - 204

Chapter XII

George Thomas governor. Disputes on the Maryland boundary. Andrew Hamilton's address to the assembly. His death and character. Land office. Irregular settlements. War with Spain. Governor Thomas' military efforts. Disputes with the assembly. Forces required from the province. Embarrassment of the assembly. Number of troops furnished. Enlistment of servants. The merchants urge the assembly to contribute to the war. Money granted. Declined by the governor, who sends troops to the West Indies. George Whitfield. Governor recommends armed vessels. Limitation of exports. Departure of Thomas Penn. Election. Governor reproves John Kinsey, speaker of the assembly. Benevolence to the king. Passengers. Lazaretto. Violent disputes between the governor and assembly. John Wright. Election proceedings. Riot.

Reconciliation. War with France. Military association formed by Franklin. Indian skirmish. Murder of Armstrong. Treaty at Lancaster. Enterprise on Louisburg. Shawanese Indians. French intrigues. Measures of governor Thomas. Proposed attempt on Canada. Death of John Penn. Governor Thomas returns to Europe. His character and administration. --..-... 222

Chapter XIII

Presidency of Anthony Palmer. Insults from the enemy in the Delaware bay. Indian transactions. Military efforts. Peace. Disputes between the council and assembly. Governor Hamilton. Indians. Removal of settlers from unpurchased lands. French encroachments. Indian expenses. Dispute with the proprietaries. Death of John Kinsey. Benjamin Franklin member of assembly. Pennsylvania hospital. French proceedings on the Ohio. Assembly refer their consideration to the governor of New York. Paper currency. Imports and exports of Pennsylvania. Disputes between the governor and assembly on the money bills. Washington's journey to Venango. Instructions of the British ministry to the colonies. Conference with the Six nations at Albany. Lands purchased. Confederacy of the colonies proposed. Its fate. Subterfuge of the assembly to avoid military appropriations.

Advance and defeat of colonel AVashington. French remarks on his attack of Jumonville. The governor attempts in vain to obtain funds from the assembly. Resigns. Character of his administration. Laws enacted. 255

Chapter XIV

Robert Hunter Morris governor. Instructions from the ministry. Proceedings of the French and Indians. Proceedings of assembly. Indians Arrival of general Braddock. Claims the assistance of the province Frivolous dispute excited by the governor. Application for assistance from Massachusetts. Conduct of assembly thereon. Non-intercourse law. Convention of governors at Annapolis in Maryland. Plan of the campaign. Expedition against Nova Scotia. Cruelty towards the neutrals. German redemptioners. Braddock's expedition. Proceeding of the assembly. Propose to tax the proprietary estates. Visit from the Indians. New disputes between the governor and assembly. Devastations on the frontiers General defection of the Indians. Causes of this defection. Supply bill Petitions of the people. Donation by the proprietors.

Measures of defence. Plan of the campaign for 1756 Enlistment of servants. Dispute on the renewal of the excise. Proprietary CONTENTS. V instructions. Bill for regulating the soldiers. Declaration of war against the Shawanese and Delawares. Remonstrance of the Quakers. Indians. Suspension of hostilities against them. Declaration of war in Europe. Lord Loudon commander-in-chief. Proposition to continue the embargo. Treaty at Easton with the Indians. Removal of governor Morris. 287

Chapter XV

Favourable reception of Governor Denny. Communicates the proprietary instructions. Excise. Resolutions of the assembly on the proprietary instructions. Franklin's report thereon. Petitions to the king. Hearing before the council. Militia law condemned. The conduct of the Quakers reproved. Their difficulties. Embargo. Quartering of troops. Provincial forces. Attack on Kittanning. Money bill. Disputes. House resolve to send commissioners to England. Franklin and Norris chosen. Instruction to commissioners. Military operations. Grant of money by parliament to New England colonies. Troops raised in Pennsylvania. Council of governors convened by lord Loudon. Plan for the campaign. Failure of the expedition against Louisburg. Montcalm captures Ticonderoga and Crown Point. New levy of troops by the province.

Affair of William Moore. Singular resolutions of the assembly. Thomas Leech elected speaker. Financial estimate and revenue. Apathy of the province. Spiritof Pitt. Plan of campaign. Abercrombie repulsed from Ticonderoga. Captures Frontignac. Treaty with the Indians. Provincial forces. Relaxation of the governor's opposition to tax the proprietary estates. Altercation between the governor and provincial commissioners. Progress of general Forbes. Capture of fort Du Quesne. Provincial measures. Indian treaty. Plan of campaign. Forts and fleet of the French on Champlain captured. Niagara taken. Siege of Quebec. Rejoicings on its capture. Proceedings and success of Mr. Franklin. Re-appointment of James Hamilton deputy-governor. - - 332

Chapter XVI

Reduction of the army. Augmentation. Money bill. Donation to the town of Boston. Grant of parliament to the colonies. War with the Cherokees. Military affairs in Canada. Provincial merits in the war. Cherokees sue for peace. Death of George II. Provincial proceedings. Requisition of troops refused by the assembly. Mohawks. Resignation of Mr. Pitt. New requisitions. Money bill. War with Spain. Measures of assembly. Indians. Peace between Great Britain, France, and Spain. Ministerial rebuke of the assembly. Indian war. Expedition of general Bonquet. Money bills. John Penn, esq. deputy-governor. 385

Chapter XVII

Arrival of John Penn. He convenes the assembly. Measures proposed against the Indians. Disputes between the governor and assembly on the tax bill. The assembly propose to petition for a royal government. Submit the proposition to their constituents. Adopt petitions to the king for a change of government. Opposition to this measure in the province by the presbyterians. Supported by the Quakers. Assembly determine to send an additional agent to Great Britain. - - 413

Chapter XVIII

Cupidity of the British government excited by American prosperity. Mr. Grenville's proposition for taxation. Considerations thereon. Convention of colonial agents. Reception of the proposition in Pennsylvania, VI CONTENTS. &c. Vexatious character of the proposed duties. Unpopular means of enforcing payment. Resolutions and proceedings of the Massachusetts colony. Of Pennsylvania. Resolution of Pennsylvania to send an agent to England. Appointment of Dr. Franklin. Opposition to his appointment. Stamp act passed. Reception in America. Congress of repre sentatives from the colonies proposed. Resolutions of the assembly of Pennsylvania on the stamp act. Western expedition under colonel Bon quet. Submission of the Indians. Treatment and restoration of pri soners by the Indians. Disposition of the army.

Rewards to colonel Bonquet. Treaty with the Indians. Rewards offered by the governor of Pennsylvania for Indian scalps. Stamp officers appointed. Mr. Hughes compelled to decline executing the office. Reception of the stamps. Suspension of newspapers and law business. Resolution of the inhabitants to manufacture. Congress at New York. Efforts against the stamp act in Europe. Change of ministry. Repeal of the stamp act. Mode ration of the colonists' on the repeal. Rejoicings in Pennsylvania. Re monstrance against the act of parliament, concerning paper currency. Obituary notice of Isaac Norris. Issue of notes by association of mer chants. Theatre, remonstrances against it. Injuries to the Indians. Ap prehension of Indian hostility. Measures to avert it. Indian trade. 424

Chapter XIX

Disposition of the English nation towards America. Revenue act proposed and carried by Charles Townsend. Reasons for this measure. Proceedings of the assembly of Pennsylvania in relation to revenue act. Farmer's letters by Mr. Dickenson, effect of. Non-importation agreement resorted to. Repeal of part of the duties. Tax on tea retained. Modification of the non-importation law. Quiescent state of the public mind. Protest of Pennsylvania against the modified duty. Wtomino controversy. Want of precision in the early charters. Extent of territory granted. Pretensions of the Connecticut colony to lands in Pennsylvania considered. Purchase by Connecticut adventurers of the Indians at Albany. Character of that purchase. Susquehannah company of Connecticut formed. Attempt to obtain the sanction of the crown for their proceedings.

Connecticut settlers on the Susquehannah. Their violent expulsion of settlers under Pennsylvania title. Outrages committed by Stewart and Butler. Arrest and escape of Stewart. Renewed intrusion of Stewart and Butler. Their devastations. Inhabitants, under colonel Clayton, retire to a fort. Siege and surrender of the fort. Proceedings of the government of Pennsylvania. Connecticut resolves to sustain the intrusion of their citizens. Remonstrance of the inhabitants. Incorporates a township in Pennsylvania. Overtures to governor Penn rejected. Connecticut claimants endeavour to extend their possessions. Interference of congress invoked by Pennsylvania. Recommendation of congress. Proceedings of Pennsylvania. Attempt by the executive to repel the intruders from Wyoming. Unsuccessful. Conclusion of the controversy.

New alarms of Indian hostility. Atrocious plan charged on lord Dunmore. Improbable and unsupported. Attack on the Indians by Cresap and others. Logan. Proceeding of the government of Pennsylvania on the rumour of Indian war. Fort at Pittsburg seized by Connolly at the command of lord Dunmore. Dunmore claims jurisdiction of the country west of the Alleghany, comprised in the Pennsylvania charter. Seduces the settlers. His proclamation. Conduct of governor Penn in relation to the Indians and Dunmore. Assembly of Pennsylvania employ rangers. Indian war in Virginia. Battle of Kanhawa. Peace with the Indians. Edward Biddle elected speaker of assembly. Judges appointed. CONTENTS. VII

Chapter XX

Political quiet of the colonies again broken. India company encouraged to make shipments of tea. Means adopted to excite opposition in the colonies. Resolutions of the assembly of Pennsylvania. Agents appointed for the sale of the tea compelled to resign. Proceedings in the colonies on the arrival of the tea ships. Committees of correspondence. Indignation of the king and ministry. Ministerial vengeance on Massachusetts. Boston port act. Subversion of the Massachusetts charter. Law for the trial of offences committed in the colonies. Canada act, its character and effect. Spirited conduct of the Bostonians. Sympathy of the colonies with Massachusetts. Prudent policy of Pennsylvania. Town meeting. Provincial convention in Pennsylvania. Resolutions thereof. Frames instructions for the assembly.

Proceedings of the assembly. Delegates to congress. Their instructions. Meeting of congress at Philadelphia. Proceedings. Resolutions relative to non-intercourse. Declaration of rights. Addresses to the king, to the inhabitants of Great Britain, and continental America. Dissolution of congress. Assembly of Pennsylvania approves of the proceedings of congress. Appoints delegates to a new congress. Mr. Galloway declines the appointment of delegate. His opposition to the proceedings of congress. Governor Penn attempts to persuade the assembly to send a separate address to the king. Reply of the assembly. Effect of the proceedings of congress in England. Ministry determine to enforce submission. Massachusetts declared in rebellion. Conciliatory proposition of lord North. Rejected in the colonies.

Supported by governor Penn. Resolutions thereon of the assembly of Pennsylvania. Second convention at Philadelphia. Proceedings. Recommend the encouragement of manufactures. Empower the committee of correspondence to re-assemble the convention. Committee of correspondence adopts measures of defence. Military association formed. Assembly provides a military force on the recommendation of congress. Difficulties arising from the scruples of the Quakers in bearing arms. Their conduct, in relieving the sufferers in New England. Quakers claim exemption from bearing arms. Remonstrances against their claim. Militia system adopted by the assembly. 479

Chapter XXI

State of the dispute with England. Hostilities commenced. Meeting of congress. Desire to fix the commencement of hostilities on the British. Advice to the inhabitants of New York, relative to the reception of British troops. Colouring given to the capture of Ticonderoga. Measures of offence and defence adopted by congress. Address to the army. Selection of a commander-in-chief. George Washington appointed. Address of the congress of New York on his appointment. Appointment of subordinate generals, &c. Last petition to the king. Contemplated rejection thereof. Manifesto of congress. General Washington repairs to the army before Boston. Invasion of Canada. Arnold's expedition to Quebec. Attack on Quebec, under Montgomery and Arnold. Death of Montgomery. Arnold wounded. Americans withdraw from Quebec.

Character of Montgomery. Military preparations of Pennsylvania. Change of the colonial government proposed in congress. Differences of opinion on the change of government in Pennsylvania. New parties formed. Whigs and tories. Town meeting in Philadelphia deny the power of the assembly to new model the government. Measures adopted for calling a provincial conference. Opposition to the change of government. Measures of the committee for the city and county of Philadel- CONTENTS. phia. Provincial conference assembles. Proceedings. Their address to the people. Virginia proposes to congress to declare the colonies independent. Instructions of Pennsylvania delegates in relation thereto. Declaration of independence by the Pennsylvania conference. Mea sures for organizing militia. Independence proposed and debated in congress.