them; that their numbers were increasing with the most amazing rapidity, &c., &c. These debates ensued upon a motion of the House to consider the Governour's Message relative to a Petition to the King; on a division, I think there were nineteen for taking the matter into consideration ten days hence, and eighteen for throwing it out. Before this division, the Pennsylvania's oracle proved, to the conviction of every Member, that no Petition from America had ever been rejected, when couched in such terms that it could be received with dignity. Should our Assembly agree to petition, it will be done in a very dutiful style, without retrospect on their own conduct.

PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL.

At a Council held at Philadelphia, on Saturday, 25th February, 1775: Present, the Honourable John Penn, Esquire, Governour, Benjamin Chew, James Tilghman, Edward Shippen, Junior, Esquires.

The Governour laid before the Board several Letters he had this day received by expresses from the Magistrates of Westmoreland County, complaining of further violences in breaking open the Jail of that County, and discharging the prisoners, and other outrages lately committed by the Militia and people of Virginia and enclosing sundry Depositions supporting those complaints; which were severally read, and follow in these words, viz:

ROBERT HANNA TO GOVERNOUR PENN.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR: On Tuesday, the 7th instant, came a number of armed men to this Town, who demanded entrance in the Jail of this County.—On the Jailer's refusing to admit them, they in a violent manner broke said Jail with a sledge, which they took out of the Smithshop without leave. One William M'Geery came to me about daybreak, to inform me of the affair, on which I as soon as possible went to the Jail, and demanded of them what they were about. Benjamin Harrison (one of the company) answered, "what they had done, they did by the authority from Virginia." They had before this broke the Jail doors, and released the prisoners I then commanded silence, and read the Riot Act, and Immediately the Sheriff of this County came up, and demanded by what authority they broke the Jail They said they had authority, which they could show if they pleased. The Sheriff replied, a civil question demanded a civil answer. Then they produced a paper which they read as their order from William Crawford, Esquire, President of our Court, which will further appear from the Sheriff's Deposition, (and I believe the Sheriff does every thing in his power in the execution of his office.) After reading the Riot Act, they remained together upwards of one hour. They took three prisoners with them, and what they were committed for, your Honour will know by the enclosed Depositions. One Samuel Wilson presented his gun at me; at the same time, which I catched hold of to prevent his shooting me; he also used very bad language. There will, it is thought, (unless your Honour does something respecting this affair,) be few Pennsylvanians here, as the chief of the people are taking out orders from Virginia. They are in so confused a situation, that they seem not to know what they are about. I have it from good authority, that David Vance, one of the above company, damned the Pennsylvania Magistrates, and also their authority.

I am your Honour's most humble servant,

ROBERT HANNA.

To the Honourable John Penn, Esquire, Governour-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, &c.

February 8, 1775.

JOHN CARNAGHAN TO GOVERNOUR PENN.

Hanna's Town, February 8, 1775.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR: Enclosed you have four Depositions, by which your Honour may see the proceedings of the Virginians against this Province.

I am at a loss how to proceed in matters, as I am daily threatened of my life and property, if I proceed to execute my office, which I have to the utmost of my power endeavoured to do, (having likewise seen a gun presented at Mr. Hanna, Esquire, by one of the Virginia party, Samuel Wilson by name, after reading the Riot Act to a party of them.) It is still my desire to go on accordingly, but should be glad your Honour would give me such directions as you in your wisdom shall think fit.

I am your Honour's most humble servant,

JOHN CARNAGHAN,

DEPOSITION OF JOHN CARNAGHAN.

WESTMORELAND County, ss:

Personally appeared before me, the subscriber, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County afore said, John Carnaghan, Esquire, High Sheriff for the County aforesaid, who being duly sworn upon the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, doth depose and say, that, yesterday morning, he hearing that there were a number of armed men breaking the Jail, he went to see whether it was so, and coming up to the Jail, he saw a number of armed men, (by name, as the party themselves gave them in,) Benjamin Harrison, David Vance, Samuel Newal, Robert Newal, James People, Thomas Bays, Joseph Marshall, Charles Clark, Isaac Justice, David M'Kaw, John M'Kaw, William Bays, Charles Kyle, Hugh Newal, (Samuel Warden, Samuel Wilson, John Neil, the three prisoners,) George Watt, who having broke two of the Jail doors, (both being locked,) upon which he, the said Carnaghan, demanded to know by what authority they broke those doors, they made answers, and told him that they had their authority, upon which he demanded to see it, when one Benjamin Harrison, who appeared to be their commander, told him they had their orders from Major William Crawford, and that he could shew them, if he pleased, upon which he told him, (the said Harrison,) that a civil question deserved a civil answer, upon which the said Harrison, shewed him, the said Carnaghan, a paper, and read to this effect, or near to this substance: For them, the party aforesaid, to press horses, and what was necessary, and to go to Hanna's Town, and to open the Jail, and let the prisoners go out; and signed by William Crawford. And the said John Carnaghan further saith, that the party aforesaid shewed a warrant signed by one Dorsey Penticost, as they told him, who acts as a Magistrate under the Colony of Virginia, to take one Captain James Smith, and one Edward Murray, for executing warrants, and taking one of the people, which the party aforesaid took out of Jail, (for committing a riot, and throwing down a man's house, and almost killing a woman,) and acting as Constables, under the Province of Pennsylvania, and upon which warrant, signed by Dorjey Penticost, (as they said,) they took the aforesaid James Smith and Edward Murray along with them to answer for the crime aforesaid, (as they called it,) and the said John Carnaghan further saith, that one of the aforesaid party, (David Vance by name,) told him that he would be taken soon, and that he, the said Vance, had positive orders, that if any Pennsylvania officer would offer to take him, or any of them, with precepts under the Government of Pennsylvania, to shoot them, and that he would do it; and further this deponent saith not.

JOHN CARNAGHAN

Sworn and subscribed before me, this 8th day of February, 1775.

ROBERT HANNA.

DEPOSITION OF JAMES KINKAID.

WESTMORELAND County, ss:

Personally appeared before me, William Lochey, one of his Majesty's Justices for the County aforesaid, James KinKaid, Coroner for said County, who, on his solemn oath on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, deposeth and saith, that on Tuesday morning, the 7th instant, about twilight, he heard some person or persons striking with a sledge on the Jail door, as he looked out of the window in a room of Robert Hanna, Esquire, and then went to the Jail, found the doors broken off the hinges, and hanging on the locks, and Stephen and a number of men armed present. Mr. Hanna says, boys, you are early up to buy a rope to hang yourselves. Benjamin Harrison answered, (one of the men under arms,) what we have done, we have done by authority, and we are not afraid of damage. Mr. Hanna brought the Riot Act, and called silence, and read the