ARTHUR ST. CLAIR TO GOVERNOUR PENN.

Laurel Hill, June 7, 1774.

SIR: When I had last the honour to write to you, I acquainted you with a plan that had been fallen upon to raise some men for the defence of this country. The day before yesterday about forty marched from Hanna's Town to Turtle Creek, where they would be joined by another party. The number I do not exactly know, but it is intended that that post should be sixty men strong; and a number were, at the same time, engaged for the other necessary posts, so as that the whole will form a chain of rangers on our frontier. The subscribers requested me to take them under my direction, and in consequence I did give them orders which I will send to your Honour by the first opportunity—now I have not time to copy them; and, as I know the gentleman who carries this, I came here on purpose to see him, for should this matter go farther, he has connections in town that have weight with the House. Mr. Croghan's views I do not pretend to see, but this you may be assured of, he is at present a friend to this country, and if it depends on him we snail yet have no war; hitherto it has been my opinion we would have no war; I now begin to think otherwise; but my reasons for thinking so depend on such circumstances as can scarce be communicated. The most alarming one, however, is the retreat of the Moravian Minister. A great town of the Delawares has been, in some measure, civilized by these people, and spiritual guides in all countries have ways of knowing the intentions of their flocks; another is, that on Sunday last a Council was intended with the Delawares and Six Nations at Mr. Croghan's, but the day before they went off to prevent a party of Shawanese, as they say, from falling on the white people. A little time will show whether that was their design or not. Mr. Jennings, the late Sheriff of Northampton, who is now here, will, I believe, be in town. It is not improbable he knows more than he discovers to me. He is engaged in the Indian trade, and his partner is beloved by all the Indians. Your Honour will judge if you should see him.

I will not give your Honour any more trouble at present; and in truth I am so fatigued with riding that I doubt much if what I write is legible; but it is necessary your Honour should be acquainted with what is passing here, and I am not fond of sending expresses.

I am, sir, your Honour's most obedient and most humble servant,

AR. ST. CLAIR.

P. S. In a very particular manner our soldiers are directed to avoid every occasion of dispute with the people in the service of Virginia.

ARTHUR ST. CLAIR TO GOVERNOUR PENN.

Ligonier, June 8, 1774.

SIR: Since I wrote to you yesterday I have received two letters from Mr. Croghan, which I now enclose. Though he seems to say that peace may be continued, I believe it is not his sentiments; and the circumstance of his going to Williamsburg, whatever design he may avow, is to be out of the way of danger; for he dare neither trust the white people nor the Indians.

We have a certain account of some mischief having been done up Cheat river. Eight or nine people are killed; but whether it is only designed as revenge, or is really the beginning of a war, we cannot yet judge; I shall, however, take the earliest opportunity to inform you of what passes, and am, sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

AR. ST. CLAIR.

Hon. John Penn, Esq.

GEORGE CROGHAN TO ARTHUR ST. CLAIR.

June 4, 1774.

SIR: The frequent reports brought from Hanna's Town, of two hundred men being raising there, has alarmed Captain Conolly very much, and though I told Mr. Jo Campbell the whole reason and intention was no more than to have a number of men to scout between the river Ohio and of inhabitants down to Ligonier, in order to prevent the flight of that part of said country; and in case of great necessity that those men would be offered to act with the Virginians for the general defence of the country.

Now, as both Conolly and Campbell know this measure is the only one to stay the people from flying, and see that the country will condemn Conolly and his officers for not pursuing the same measure, they want to make it appear in another light, and that the intention is to invade the rights of Virginia.

Now, the greatest caution and prudence is necessary, and I request that you will station those parties to scout back of the settlements between Turtle Creek and Ligonier, which was our intention of having them, and take care that no threats against Virginia be made use of by any person concerned, as, since Mr. Jo Campbell came up, I see the design is to create a fresh difference between Governour Penn and Lord Dunmore, which ought to be avoided with the greatest care. Since Campbell came up affidavits are taken of every information that is brought up, and spies employed; though when he was informed of the murders committed on the Indians, he never took any measures to apprehend them. He has made two attacks on me, by letters sent by a Sergeant and twelve men, which letters I answered, but would not gratify him to send them by his party.

The truth is, they found this difference likely to be made up by the Indians, and find that nothing but misrepresenting our measures, and drawing on a fresh dispute between the Government of Pennsylvania and Virginia, can keep this man in command; wherefore I have determined to go to Williamsburg myself, and represent the state of the country, as soon as I hear the event of our last messages to the Indians, by the Deputies, which I believe will be in five or six days, and I flatter myself entirely satisfactory to every well-wisher of the peace and tranquillity of his country.

Before I go you and I must have a meeting, that you may be able to inform the Governour what I am going about; but I would have you settle the scouting party so as to act with prudence, and give no cause for suspicion of any design against Virginia, before you come up.

I am, sir, your most humble servant,

GEORGE CROGHAN.

To Arthur St. Clair, Esq.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM ALEXANDER M'KEE, ESQ., AGENT FOR INDIAN AFFAIRS AT FORT PITT, DATED JUNE 10, 1774.

You must, ere this, be acquainted with the critical situation of this country; the unhappy disturbances which have lately arose between the Virginians and the Natives, the event of which still continues doubtful whether matters will be brought to a general rupture or accommodation. Hostilities, however, have been committed on both sides, but at present there seems to be a cessation. Some wise interposition of Government is truly necessary, and would undoubtedly restore peace; without it it is impossible, and thousands of the inhabitants must be involved in misery and distress. But to do the Indians justice, they have given great proofs of their pacific disposition, and have acted with more moderation than those who ought to have been more rational, a few Mingoes and Shawanese excepted, who have been long refractory. There are more effectual means of chastising them for their insolence and perfidy, than by involving the defenceless country in a war, which there is too much reason to fear, at this time, will become general, and which must inevitably be the destruction of this country.

ARTHUR ST. CLAIR TO GOVERNOUR PENN.

Ligonier, June 12, 1774.

SIR: In my last letter I had the honour to inform you, that in consequence of the ranging company which had been raised here, there was reason to hope the people would return to their plantations and pursue their labours; and for some time, that is, a few days, it had that effect; but an idle report of Indians having been seen within the party, has drove them every one into some little fort or other, and many hundreds out of the country altogether. This has obliged me to call in the parties from where they were posted, and have stationed them, twenty men at the Bullock Pens, twenty men at Turtle Creek, thirty at Hanna's Town, twenty at Proctor's, and twenty at Ligonier: as these places are now the frontier towards the Alleghany,