Government, it will become both fruitless and dangerous for them to proceed in the execution of their offices. They presume not to point out the measures proper for settling the present disturbances, but beg leave to recommend the fixing a temporary line, with the utmost expedition, as one step which in all probability will contribute very much towards producing that effect.

For further particulars concerning the situation of this county, I refer you to Colonel Wilson, who is kind enough to go on the present occasion to Philadelphia.

I am Sir, your very humble servant,

W. CRAWFORD.

To the Honorable John Penn, Esquire.

Here follows Doctor Conolly's Address to the Magistrates of Westmoreland County, referred to in the foregoing letter.

GENTLEMEN:

I am come. here to be occasion of no disturbances, but to prevent them. As I am countenanced by Government, .whatever, you may say or conceive, some of the Justices Of this Bench are the cause of this appearance, and not me I have done this to prevent myself from being illegally taken to Philadelphia. My orders from the Government of Virginia not being explicit, but claiming the country about Pittsburg, I have raised the militia to support the civil authority of that Colony, vested in me. I am come here, to free myself of a promise made to Captain Proctor, but have not conceived myself amenable to this Court by any authority from Pennsylvania, upon which account I cannot apprehend that you have any right to remain Kerens Justices of the Peace, constituting a court under that Province; but in order to prevent confusion, I agree that you may continue to act in that capacity in all such matters as may be submitted to your determination by the acquiescence of the people, until I may have instruction to the contrary from Virginia, or until his Majesty's pleasure shall be further known on this subject.

J. CONOLLY.

The Answer, of the Magistrates of Westmoreland County to the foregoing address of Doctor Conolly, viz:

The jurisdiction of the Court and officers of the county of Westmoreland, rests on the legislative authority of the province of Pennsylvania, confirmed by his Majesty in Council. That jurisdiction has been regularly exercised, and the Court and officers will continue to exercise it in the same regular manner. It is far from their intentions to occasion or foment disturbances, and they apprehend that no such intentions can with propriety be inferred from any part of their conduct; on the contrary, they wish, and will do all in their power to preserve the public tranquillity. In order to contribute to this very salutary purpose, they give information that every step will be taken on the part of the Province of Pennsylvania to accommodate any differences that have arisen between it and the Colony of Virginia, by fixing a temporary line betwixt them.

The Deposition of Henry Read, relative to the disturbances made in Westmoreland County by the Virginians, viz:

Westmoreland County, ss:

The deposition of Henry Read, of Pittsburg, yeoman, (He being of full age,) taken before us, two of his Majesty's justices of the Peace for the county aforesaid, on his solemn, oath of the Evangelist of Almighty God, is as follows, viz: That on this day, about eleven o'clock, Doctor John Conolly, at the head of a number of armed men on horseback, came into Pittsburg and alighted near the Houses of John Ormsby and Joseph Spear, Esquire, when said John Conolly came into Mr. Spear's house, and soon after went out again; that this deponent, William Amberson and some others, were tying up Mr. Spear's skins at his door; that Conolly then ordered one Reily to lay hold of that fellow, pointing to said Amberson, who is at Mr. Spear's, and acts for him as storekeeper and clerk; that Reily laid hold of Amberson by the arm; that Amberson then requested he might have liberty to lock up the store, and was endeavouring to go towards the store door, when Mr. Conolly came up and seized Amberson by the breast, and said, let the skins and store go to the devil, if your master was here I would serve him in the same manner; that then Conolly, with several armed men, took said Amberson down to the Fort; that after some time this deponent saw said Amberson and Edward Thompson brought up from the Fort to the town, and guarded by a number of armed men; that after they had drank some toddy at Mr. Ormsby's porch, they took Amberson and Thompson to William Christy's house, and placed several armed men at the door; that in this state this deponent left them, and came off express to give information to Mr. Spear at Westmoreland court; that there was in Mr. Spear's house, a large quantity of goods and skins. And further this deponent saith not.

HENRY READ.

Sworn and subscribed this 7th day of April, 1774.

W. CRAWFORD,

VAN SWEARINGEN.

The Board taking the above Letters and papers into consideration, thought it advisable for the Governor to defer writing an answer thereto, or taking any steps in consequence of the intelligence they contain, till the return of the express from Williamsburg, who was lately despatched by this Government to the Earl Dunmore, on the subject of the above mentioned disturbances.

At a Council held at Philadelphia, on Thursday, 21st April, 1774:

Present, the Honorable John Penn, Esquire, Governor, Richard Peters, Andrew Allen, James Tilghman, Edward Shippen, Jun., Esquires.

The express sent to Williamsburg being returned without any answer from the Government of Virginia, the Governor recommended to the Board the consideration of the subject relative to the disturbances and violences committed by the people of that Colony within the county of Westmoreland, and laid before them three letters he received two days ago by express from Æneas Mackay, Devereux Smith, and Andrew McFarlane, Esquires, Magistrates of that county, each dated the 9th of April instant, which were severally read, and Messrs. Mackay and Smith's letters follow in these words, viz:

Pittsburg, 9th April, 1774

SIR: I have just time to inform your Honor that the Justices, Devereux Smith, Andrew McFarlane, and myself, returned from court late last night to this place; and that we were all three taken prisoners at half an hour past nine o'clock this morning by order of Doctor Conolly; and because we refused giving bail we are ordered to be sent off this afternoon to Staunton, in Virginia, where I suppose we will spend the most of this summer, which gives me no manner of concern so far as it affects my own person, although I cannot but feel for, and lament the distressing situation of my wife and children, left here Exposed to the insults and tyranny of a lawless, mob, whose aim is to subvert government and good order, and enrich themselves with the spoils of their neighbours.

I am, with due respect, sir, your most humble and most obedient servant,

ÆNEAS MACKAY.

Pittsburg, April 9th, 1774.

SIR: When Justices Mackay, McFarlane, and I, returned from attending the court last evening, we were informed that Doctor Conolly was determined to issue King's warrants for us, which were served on the above mentioned gentlemen and myself this day by Mr. Conolly's Sheriff. The crime which we are charged with is for the answer we gave Doctor Conolly in writing by the concurrence of the Court of Westmoreland a copy of which was enclosed to your Honor per favour of Colonel Wilson. Mr. Conolly offered to enlarge us on condition of giving bail to take; our trial at Staunton court in Virginia, which the other gentlemen and I refused, so that we go to jail this day, where we intend to remain till your Honor's pleasure is known, which we make no doubt will be in a