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rences which have happened, from time to time, since the first act pf hostility committed, but I refer you for more particular information therein to the Letters and Papers I have ordered the Secretary to lay before you. You will thereby perceive that the Delawares and Shawanese have repeatedly made the strongest professions of a pacifick disposition, and their desire that matters should be accommodated; and as an earnest desire of their sincerity, they not only protected the persons and goods of our traders among them from the violence of some of their young warriors, but actually escorted many of them back to their friends near Pittsburgh, at the risk of their own lives. Hence, we had great reason to believe, that by a just and discreet conduct a rupture with them might have been avoided. But I am sorry to inform you that I have received intelligence, that the very Indians, who thus generously escorted our traders home, were, contrary to all faith, pursued on their return, attacked, and one of them wounded by a party of Virginians, sent out for the purpose by one Conolly, a Militia Captain, appointed by the Government of Virginia, at Pittsburgh, who has lately taken possession of that place under the pretence of its being out of the bounds of the Province of Pennsylvania, and within the Colony of Virginia. By this unhappy step there is great reason to apprehend that it will be difficult to persuade the Indians further to confide in any overtures that can be made, or assurances given them, and that we shall be involved in the calamities of an Indian war. Nothing in my power has been neglected which I thought might have a tendency to avert so great an evil. I have wrote to Sir William, Johnson, requesting him he would interest himself on the occasion, and use his influence with the Six Nations, to assist in healing the breach with their Western brethren; and have despatched a letter to Lord Dunmore, representing the misconduct of Conolly, and the dangerous consequences of his unjust and violent proceedings. What will be the event time only can discover; but in this dark and uncertain state of things, I think it my duty most earnestly to recommend it to you, to make timely and effectual provision for the security of our frontier settlements, that, in case of a war with the savages, they may have that immediate protection and assistance which they look for, and have a right to expect, from the Government under which they live; and that you will also provide for the discharging such expenses as have hitherto arisen by my orders for their defence, in which I shall readily concur with you. "Could you devise any other probable method, by which this unhappy difference with the Indians could be accommodated, it would give me infinite satisfaction; and nothing could afford me more pleasure than the being instrumental in accomplishing so desirable an end. John Penn." July 18, 1774. Ordered, That the foregoing Message, and the Papers attending it, be referred to further consideration tomorrow morning. July 19, 1774.—The House met pursuant to adjournment, and resumed the consideration of the Letters and Petitions sent down with the Governour's Message of last night, which were severally read, and ordered to lie on the table. Province of Massachusetts Bay, June 17, 1774. SIR: Agreeable to the directions of the House of Representatives of this Province, I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of certain Resolves they entered into in their present session,* by which you will perceive that it is their opinion that a meeting of Committees from the several Colonies on this Continent is highly expedient and necessary, and that they propose that such a meeting be at the City of Philadelphia, on the first day of September next; and that for the purposes mentioned in said Resolves they have appointed a Committee of five, on the part of this Province, whom they have directed to repair to Philadelphia, at the time above mentioned. As this appears to be a measure absolutely necessary for the establishment of the rights and liberties of the Colonies upon a just and solid foundation, and for the restoration of union and harmony between both countries; it is not doubted but it will be agreed to in your Colony; if it should, it is desired that as early notice as possible might be transmitted to, Your most obedient humble servant, THOMAS CUSHING, Speaker. To the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania. New-Port, June 20,1774. Sir: Agreeable to the directions of the General Assembly, I have the honour to enclose you a copy of certain Resolutions entered into by them, respecting the very alarming situation of the Colonies.* METCALF BOWLER. Speaker. To the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Province of Pennsylvania. Williamsburg, Virginia, May 28, 1774. GENTLEMEN: The enclosed papers will explain to you our present political state here, with respect to our unhappy dispute with our mother country. The propriety of appointing Deputies from the several Colonies of British America, to meet annually in general Congress, appears to be a measure extremely important and extensively useful, as it tends so effectually to obtain the united wisdom of the whole in every case of general concern. We are desired to obtain your sentiments on this subject, which you will be pleased to furnish us with. Being very desirous of communicating to you the opinions and conduct of the late Representatives on the present posture of American affairs, as quickly as possible, we beg leave to refer you to a future letter, in which we shall more fully express our sentiments oil those subjects. PEYTON RANDOLPH, To the Committee of Correspondence for Pennsylvania.
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