PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL.

At a Council held at Philadelphia, on Thursday, July 14, 1774:

Present, the Honourable John Penn, Esq., Governour, Rich. Peters, Benj. Chew, and James Tilghman, Esqrs.

The Governour laid before the Board several late Letters from Arthur St. Clair, Esq., at Ligonier, containing very favourable accounts of the disposition and temper of the Indians, as also an Extract of Mr. Alexander M'Kee, the Deputy Indian Agent's Journal, of all the transactions with the Indians at Pittsburgh, since the first of May last.

The Governour then acquainted the Board, that the Assembly being to meet, by summons, on Monday next, on occasion of the late Indian disturbances, he thought it would be necessary that a Message should be prepared to be sent them immediately on their meeting. Whereupon, Mr. Chew, Mr. Tilghman, and Mr. Shippen, were appointed a Committee to prepare a draught of the same

CORRESPONDENCE LAID BEFORE THE COUNCIL.

At a Meeting held with the Indians at Pittsburgh, the 29th of June, 1774:

Present, Captain Aston, Major McCullock, Captain Crawford, Mr. Valen. Crawford, Captain Nevill, Mr. Edward Cook, Mr. John Stevenson, Captain Hogeland, Mr. David Shepherd, Rev. Mr. Whiteaker, Mr. Joseph Wells, Mr. James Innis, Mr. Æneas Mackay, Mr. Joseph Simons; with a number of the Inhabitants and Traders.

Indians—Captain White Eyes, Weyandahila, Captain Johnny; with sundry other young men.

Captain White Eyes first informed us that he was returned from transacting the business which he had been sent upon by his brethren, the English, and that he now had the satisfaction to tell us that he had succeeded in his negotiations with all those tribes of the several Nations of Indians whom he had since seen and conferred with upon the unhappy disturbances which unfortunately arose this Spring between the foolish people of both parties; and that he had found all Nations fully disposed to adhere to their ancient friendship, and the advice of their wise men.

Here he delivered a paper from the Chiefs of the Delawares, containing as follows:

"New Comer's Town, June 21st, 1774.

"BROTHERS: When the late unhappy disturbances happened, you desired us to be strong, and to speak to the other tribes of the Indians to hold fast the chain of friendship subsisting between the English and them. I now inform you that we sent for our uncles, the Wyandots, and our grandchildren, the Shawanese, and also the Cherokees, and we have desired them to be strong, and to inform all other Nations, and hold fast the chain which our grandfathers made, and you may depend our King still continues to go on in that good work.

"As things now seem to have a good prospect, and peace likely to be restored again, Brothers, we desire you to be strong, and also on your parts to hold fast the chain of friendship, as you may remember when it was made it was agreed that even the loss of ten men's lives on any side should not weaken it. If, for the future, we are all strong and brighten the chain of friendship, our foolish young men will not have it in their power to disturb it. We cannot inform you any more of our grandchildren the Shawanese, than that they are gone home, and intend soon going to Fort Pitt, to hear of the disturbances which have happened between your foolish people and theirs, when you will then hear from their own mouths what they have to say.

"Brothers: As things now seem to be easy, and all the Nations have now agreed to hold fast the chain of friendship, and make their young men sit quiet, we desire you to consider of what you have to say when our grandchildren the Shawanese come to speak to you. The bead men of the Shawanese are gone to Wagetomica, and intend to send their King up to Fort Pitt, that he may himself hear what his brothers the English have to say.

"To Geo. Croghan, Alex. McKee, and J.Conolly, Esqrs.

White Eyes again addressed the People:

"BRETHREN: It was with pleasure I heard you when you first desired me not to look towards the mischief that had been committed by foolish men, and I looked upon it as a convincing proof of your desire to preserve that chain of friendship which has so long subsisted between us. Be strong, brethren, and let us both be strong in continuing so to do, and not only overlook the indiscretion and folly of our rash inconsiderate men, but take pity of them, that our young people, as they grow up, may hereafter enjoy the blessings of that peace and friendship established between us; and to this end let us call to our remembrance the amity made by our forefathers and their wise people, which is no doubt still impressed upon the hearts of our great men, to whom let us apply to reconcile our uneasiness, as this is the sure way to prevent our friendship from being destroyed, or contracting rust. Therefore, brethren, let us rely upon them for our future welfare. Every thing is so far now settled upon our parts, that it only requires a meeting of our prudent men to restore that peace and tranquillity to our country we so much wish for. Brethren, we desire that no imprudent action may now destroy the agreeable prospect of this desirable event. (A Belt.)

"I have to inform you that the Chiefs of all Nations still continue to hold by that chain of friendship which has been put into their hands by Sir William Johnson, in the name of their father, the King of Great Britain, and that it was only the actions of a few individuals, contrary to their Chiefs' intentions, that had bred this confusion amongst them; who have, in the violence of their grief and passion, taken revenge for the loss of their friends; but the Chiefs of all Nations assured me, that as soon as those bad people, who were yet scattered amongst them, were in their power, they would secure them from doing further evil, and that those they have seen are sorry for what they have done, begging the pity of their Chiefs, and I have reason to expect that you will see them shortly upon this occasion."

A true copy,                                                                                         ALEXANDER MCKEE.

JOHN MONTGOMERY TO GOVERNOUR PENN.

Carlisle, June 30, 1774.

SIR, MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR: I received your two letters, as also the arms, ammunition, &c, for the use of the back inhabitants, which I have forwarded to Captain St. Clair; shall settle for the carriage when I go down in September next; our accounts from Fort Pitt are favourable. The traders who were at the Lower Towns are on their way to (and some of them are arrived at) Pittsburgh, with all their property. They are guarded by a number of Shawanese and Delawares. The Mingoes attempted to cut off the traders at the Canoe place, but were prevented by the Shawanese, who told the Mingoes that the traders were under their protection, and if they struck them they would resent it and punish them for it. The Shawanese seem well disposed and inclinable for peace, and will continue so unless provoked by the Virginians. The Delawares are all for peace. Logan's party was returned, and had thirteen scalps and one prisoner. Logan says he is now satisfied for the loss of his relations, and will sit still until he hears what the Long Knife (the Virginians) will say. I am in hopes that the storm will blow over, and that peace and tranquillity will be restored to the back inhabitants.

I am, honourable sir, your Honour's most obedient and humble servant,                         JOHN MONTGOMERY.

To the Honourable John Penn, Governour and Commander-in-chief of the Province of Pennsylvania.

RICHARD LEE, PRESIDENT OF THE MARYLAND COUNCIL, TO GOVERNOUR PENN.

Maryland, 2d July, 1774.

SIR: The enclosed depositions will show that some disorders have happened, and the subject which has been the occasion of them. The Proprietary of this Province being a minor, is under the care of guardians, deriving their authority from the appointment of the Lord High Chancellor of England, and is under the especial protection of his Lordship; and as the guardians have declined doing any act