Letters of Thomas WhaHm, 1773-178$. 319

SELECTIONS FEOM THE LETTER-BOOKS OFTHOMAS WHAETON, OF PHILADELPHIA, 1773-1783.

[The Historical Society of Pennsylvania has recently received, by giftof Mrs. Sally Fisher Lewis, a valuable collection of letter-books, docu-ments, and miscellaneous manuscripts, belonging to Thomas Wharton,a prominent merchant of Philadelphia. The letter-books are of especialinterest, for they contain much data that relate to social and politicalaffairs of the Province; to the extensive land enterprises in which Mr.Wharton, his brothers, and his friends were interested; and to somefacts connected with the return of the "Tea Ship " to England.]

PHILADELPHIA NOV. 30, 1773.DEAR BROTHER,

I wrote thee on the 19th Inst: under cover toour friend Strahan via Liverpool, which I hope will comesafe to hand, as it contained some matters I could wish theeto be informed of, since when I have not had the pleasureof receiving any of thy favours. By the Reports herespread, we are told, that the Tea-Ship for this port sailedthe 27th September, and is therefore hourly looked for;this occasions severe speeches and Declarations, that, itnever shall be landed, and threats are throw'd out, ofdestroying the property; to such a pitch of zeal are somepeople rais'd, that I fear the worst. The last Post broughtinformation, that, on Governor Tryon's declaring he hadreceived orders to land and protect it, the inhabitants ofNew York have entered into a resolution not to injure theProperty, but that they will neither buy nor use it, theAgents are all compelled to an absolute Resignation, and Ihave been assured that letters from thence say that, whenKelly's Effigy was carrying about and hung, B. B. stood amost miserable chance of sharing the same &te, but waasaved by the Mayor and some more Magistrates, who went

820 Letters of Thomas Whrnim, 1778-1788.

to his assistance. What will be the issue here I know not,for it does not seem to me that there is resolution enoughin the Executive branch of Government to protect theProperty, I really dread the worst As for J & D theyare in a bad situation and have no chance of saving them-selves but by an absolute Resignation and add to that theyhave lost the affection of their fellow Citizens by their wantof an explicit conduct* I wish thou could learn of Pigonwhat they have from time to time wrote, and if possible getextracts thereof*

Since my last, to secure an habitation for sister I havebought John Malcolm's house and lots for £1550., the deedI expect will be signed tomorrow, and I shall pay a £1000.down, and £250. in 12 months, and £300. in 24 months,this I mean solely for thou knows who; I am assured thehouse cost him £2500 and is better furnished than mosthouses in the city, I hope it will prove an acceptable act.

G. Morgan returned a few days since from fort Pitt, andsay that G. Croghan had held a kind of a treaty with theIndians and was distributing of goods to them, which hesays, he was told by a person who saw the letter, werepurchased in consequence of a letter sent him by you,signed by Ld G., Ld C, T. Walpole, thyself and two others—that the Indians were very peaceable.

J. Dobson is now here having sent for him to take upsome money to G. Oroghan to defray the provisions accountsof thorn Indians, and he having lately seen some verysubstantial persons lately returned from that country, isassured that the country is thickly settled for 150 milesbelow fort Pitt, they have erected two good Grist Mills,and have large quantities of winter grain in the ground*

Some companies have (its said) located large tracts, thePrincipals of which reside in this city.

As I fear much trouble from the surveys which CoLWashington has made about the great Kenhawa, I beg thyparticular attention thereto, and that thou'1 obtain fromGovernment such orders as shall settle clearly his claims

Letters of Thomas Whaaim, 1778-178$. 321

with all others who have lately made their surveys, as beassured many score thousand acres have within these fewmonths been surveyed below the Scales,

As nothing that I know of can so greatly advance thesale of the lands as a Loan Office, it would certainly be ofthe greatest consequence to settle this point with our greatpartners before thou leaves England, that they may givesuch assistance as lays in their power, and if possible obtainleave for the Governor to pass such a law.

Thy family and relations are well, I remainthy affec* Bro:—

To SAMUEL WHARTON. THOMAS WHARTON.

PHILADELPHIA Decem*. 24, 1773.DEAR FRIEND,

The arrival of this days post from K York brought ussuch accounts from Boston as have alarmed the thoughtful,considerate mind, and I am truly sorry that matters havebeen drove to such extremes, as I fear it will tend still fur-ther to widen the unhappy breach between the mothercountry and colonies; it is needless for me to enter into adetail of the facts, as the enclosed paper setts the transac-tion in a clear light. It is positively asserted that the in-habitants of N", York are determined the Tea shall not belanded with them, notwithstanding Gk>v* Tryons intimationthat it shall. You doubtless will know before this canreach you of the conduct of South Carolina, that the agentshave resigned, and that the ship with the tea sailed fromthence for London.

As neither the tea ship for this place or York is yetarrived, nothing certain can be said but the best I expect isthat the Ships will proceed back to England, for I havelong since seen, that, the attempting to land the same, wouldb« the certain loss of the property, And indeed if any thingcould stimulate me to resign in the early manner I did, itwas, a belief, that after I had done my duty to my country,I could with more certainty and effect, serve the Hon*"* the

VOL. xxxnr.—21

822 Letters of Thomas Whmrton, 1773-1788.

East India Company. Should the intelligence now com-municated, not have reached you before this I beg thou'lplease* to take the most early opportunity of informing theHonw* the Director of it.

I remain &c Ac,THOMAS WHARSON,

To THOMAS WALPOLE Esq*.

PHILAD; Dec: 29,1773.RESPECTED FRISK©,

I wrote thee by Campbell on the 25th & 26th inst. who thenreturned with the writ to remove the action against MajorWard into the Supreme Court, and as thou expressed thydesire for money to replace what thou had laid out for pro-visions for those Indians who assembled at Fort Pitt. I sentthee by said Campbell, one hundred and sixty pounds in cashto answer that purpose, which I hope will be safely deliveredto thee with my letters, as therein is said who furnished it.

I have now the pleasure to enclose thee a letter fromBro: Samuel, which came to hand by the November Packetlast night. He informed me in my letter, that they had ob-tained a fresh order of the Privy Council to the AttorneyGeneral for perfecting the grant, and doubted not that itwould be soon done, but as I suppose that he has been prettyfull on this head, I need say no more. He likewise men-tioned that he had given this order, to draw on me for £150,and as I suppose its to repay for the provisions &c: had forthe Indians, the money we sent by Campbell will answerthat end.

I remain thy friendTHOMAS WHARTON.

To GEORGE CROGHAH.

PHILA : January 1, 1774.DEAR BROTHER,

The letters which I have some time since wrote thee, andthose to the Hon**1* T* Walpole must have advised you of

Letters of Thomas Whartm, 177&-1788. 323

the disposition of the inhabitants of these Colonies respect-ing the tea—I sincerely wish, that no blame may fell on mybrother, for the part he has taken in the exportation thereof,the arguments thou has made use of, that the Indian Com-pany pay the duty, especially if it could be settled by billsdrawn on the directors, may look passable to you, but no suchalternative is admissable by the Americans because theycontend, that no power on earth has a right to tax them buttheir own Assemblies and as long as the India Company domake the duty a part of the first cost (which they have indirecting that the Bohea tea shall not be sett up to saleunder 2/ per Sterl'g) the people who purchase at that price orupwards pay the duty; these with other reasons have in-duced the Americans to give this measure the warmest op-position. And although I never could see the justice ofrefusing the tea to be landed, but have in all companies,and on every occasion spoke my sentiments, that everyEnglishman has a right to import his property agreeable tolaw into America, and that, the refusing this plain and justright to the India Company is a violation of their privilegesas English subjects—but its to little purpose to oppose thevoice of the multitude. On the 21st Capt Ayres set sailfrom hence with his ship for London having on board theexact cargo she left London with, and with the ship GkBarkley returns. He will give thee a very particular ac-count how he found matters—I had only him to write ourMend Walpole by that vessel, all being very much hurried,as the vessel staid but two days with us, and as I had not adoubt, if thou should be in London when the ship arrived,that he would communicate the whole to thee. Indeed myhopes for several months past, that thou had left Englandhas caused me to write but little to thee; but as thou'l findby perusal of the letter to T. Walpole my sentiments re-specting some men, and my earnest desire is (should theIndia Company think fit to send this tea to America afterthe duty is taken off) that Willing and Morris should be inthe nomination, that I hope thou'l do all in thy power to

324 Letters of Thomas Wkarim, 1778-178$.

serve them with Jno Brown, Gk Barclay & I & I. W. It hasafforded me a great deal of pain to see that J. & D. could actthe ungrateftdl part they have done, having absolutely agreedwith us to give the answer to the people we did with J. B.instead of which they gave so ambiguous an one, as to renderthem dispised by their fellow Citizens; refuse to unite withus, either in answering the Directors letter or those receivedfrom the other Agents at Boston, unless we would insertthe dates of our respective resignations, from whence mostclearly appears their want of candour both to the public andthe other Agents, as thou'l fully be satisfied with on peru-sal of the papers sent to T. Walpole & GL Brown Esq thatI cannot wish longer to be united with them; I doubt notthey have endeavoured to gloss their conduct over withPigon, but let a dispassionate man read their answer, theCommittees report and J. & D.'s explanation and the Com-mittees reply with their last declaration of Dec. 2ad and de-termine whether its possible those men have acted a candidpart either to the public or their fellow agents. I begthou'l know what they write the Directors, and get a copythereof; thou has no conception of the light in which theirconduct is viewed by the inhabitants; they never so much asoffered Capt Ayres the least assistance. We with J. Brownadvanced him what money he wanted to victual his ship,&c:—and as poor Gilbert returns with the Ship, I leave himto give the ftirther account of matters. My chariot, thoughit might beJU to visit Pine Street meeting in, must once more belanded in Brittain, and thereby share the same fate withevery other article on board the ship. I have enclosed thebill of lading therefor with the receipt for thy box to ourfriend Walpole, should thou be on the spot I doubt notthou*l order them as thou'l think best.

I have now the great satisfaction of acknowledging thereceipt of thy fevor of November 3*d and most sincerelycongratulate thee on surmounting the new difficulty startedby the Attoif General and most ardently wish thou may bein possession of the grant, before the arrival of the fall

Letters of Thomas Whmrton, 1778-1783. 828

accounts respecting the conduct of the Americans touchingthe tea, as I fear it will strengthen our enemies to opposethe completion thereof. I hear the Doet has wrote J. G.(which I shall as soon as I can see him know the truth of)that if the Americans refuse to receive the tea, but send itback, it will more over-sett the ministry than any thing thatcould happen, but if they tamely receive the same andthereby submit to the duty, it only is the beginning of theirtrouble &c:—He does not mention one word to him respect-ing Vandalia, therefore I suppose he had not heard of yourlast move.

I beg thou'l excuse the roughness of this letter, as its notpossible for me to copy it, my present engagements public& private deprive me of suitable time to do i t Thy familyare well & I remain

Thy affee: BrotherTHOMAS WHARTON.

To SAMUEL WHARTON.

PHILA*> January 4, 1774.DEAR BROTHER,

I wrote thee per packet and under cover to the Hon*w*T. Walpole on the I11* instant which will naturally makethis epistle short, yet I thought I could not let the oppor-tunity slip without saying thy connections are well.

By a vessel from Charlestown their appears some reasonto apprehend the people there will receive the tea, notwith-standing the resignation of the Agents & positive agreementof the people who met together to oppose the receipt of it.It here is alledged that the cause of the alteration is, theirfear of losing the bounty on Indigo and that the exports oftheir rice to foreign ports may by Act of Parliament beforbidden. This intelligence is not yet reduced to a cer-tainty, but I fear as they have admitted the vessel to anentry, that, if the opposition to the landing continues, itwill cause the tea to fere the same fate as at Boston. Thetea ship for New York was not arrived when last post left

326 Letters of Thomas Whartm, 1773-178$.

that place; bat there is no reason to believe it will belanded. We have the disagreeable news, that the Gov-onor's hoase within the Port of 1ST York is destroyed byfire, and it was with much difficulty that the family escaped.

I shall be much obliged if thou can bring me over asingle man who understands the care of horses, and that ofdriving a carriage with a box, as I stand in need of one.I would contract with Mm for 5 or 6 years and give him£15. curr7. per anum with his accommodations; I wouldnot have too tall and lusty, but should prefer a light person,I doubt not thou'l attend to his character for honesty andsobriety.

As Oapt Ayres in the tea ship sett sail from hence on the28th ult with his whole cargo a board to return for London,I did myself the pleasure of writing to Tho8 Walpole byher, who I doubt not communicates the contents to thee, Ishall not now enlarge on that subject.

I have seen Geo. Morgan and read to him that part ofthy letter relative to the accounts against the Crown andCol. Wilkin which he has been preparing, but this vesselsailing before it was expected, hinders us now of forward-ing them. But its right for me to mention that GL Morgansaid that those accounts which were delivered to Col.Wilkin and by him (he supposes forwarded to Genri Gage)do not contain by a great deal the amount of your demandon the Crown, it will therefore be right for thee to mentionthis at the proper Office, least when those accountts fromYork should get home, they may be passed to your greatinjury.

I remain thy affec* BrotherTHOMAS WHAETON.

To SAMUIL WHAETGN.

PHILA* January 81,1774.DEAR FRIEND,

I did myself the pleasure on the 27th Dec81 to write theea few lines, since when I am not fevored with any of thy

Letters of Thomas Wharim, 177S-1788. 82T

letters; as I do not think it right to suffer a transaction totake place, which in its nature has some connection withthe country we expect to possess, is the reason of my troub-ling my honoured friend at this time.

About a week since an Express arrived from Port Ligonier(53 miles on this side Pittsburgh) to our Govonor acquaint-ing him that one Dr. Connelly had published an advertise-ment there, requesting all the inhabitants of those parts tomeet him at Fort Pitt on the 25th January in order that hemight muster the people, and enrole the Militia, havingreceived a commission from Lord Dumnore for that purpose,and at which time the inhabitants should be further informedof what was intended. The Express added that it was givenout that Ld Dunmore had appointed Major Ward, Campbelland another person as Magistrates, and that he was deter-mined to keep possession of that country as Virginia. Thisaccount has a good deal alarmed our people; they immedi-ately appointed three more magistrates to strengthen theirparty; but do not know how to view this affair, for theycannot suppose that Ld Dunmore would take this measuresolely at his own risque, and if it be in consequence oforders he has received from home, they conclude a seriousaffair, and that its done by you to keep them frompossessing the country; others say its a maneuvor of L*Hilsborough to grant this part of the country, that, thenew proprietors may not have it. The last suggestiongives us no concern, as we suppose that nobleman hasnothing to do with American affairs; but we find ourproperty officers look on the matter in so serious a light,that an Express went of to Ld Dunmore with letters fromthem, in which its said, they very seriously expostulatewith him on the subject.

We conclude that about this time Capt Ayres is arrivedwith you, with his cargo of tea &c: and be assured thepeople are anxious to know how this transaction will beviewed by our Superiors. A flying report is propogated,that the tea is destroyed at South Carolina but I cannot

S28 Letters of Thomas Wharim, 1778-1788.

credit it. You no doubt will be informed before this canreach you that the tea put on board Capt Lorings Brig'(which vessel was lost on Cape Cod) is safely stored at CastleWilliam; by a letter lately rec* from the Boston agent byus, we find they were still confined at the Castle,

I cannot help being desirous to know how Dr. F. willstand his ground, and support the measure of the Bostonians,as I presume the ministry can never suffer Mm to justify,and he with his son, at the same time to hold two suchlucrative offices under the Crown, and if he does not justifythe measure it may lose him his agency. K some affairshappen, which I think there is a probability of, I doubt hisbeing again appointed for this Province.

I remain with the sincerest desire to render thee anyacceptable service thy real friend

THOMAS WHARTON,

PHILAD* May 2,1774.BEAR FRIEND,

Thy fitvor of the 3rd Feb'7 I had the satisfaction of receiv-ing by the packet for that month, and am glad to find thatmy several letters mentioning the transactions relative to theIndia Compayi tea were got to hand, and that thou hadbeen so obliging as to communicate the necessary parts tothe Directors; my regard to justice and the rights of thatcompany influenced me to be as early as possible in trans-mitting my sentiments, that if possible a stop might havebeen put to the adventure if subject to the payment of aduty on this continent, but as that was not effected, I shouldbe extremely glad, could our Assembly or the inhabitantsof this city be prevailed on to make a tender of such a sumof money as would reimburse the East India Company forthe amount they were subject to for the freight of thoseteas, but notwithstanding I have with some others urgedboth the Justice and Policy of this measure, I can notsee at present a probability of its taking place by a subscrip-tion among the people, and as our Assembly stand adjourned

Letters of Thomas Wkmion, 1778-1783. 329

till September they will scarce have more time (before thenew election comes on) than will be sufficient to settle thepublic accounts; what may be the resolutions of the newHouse in their Winter Sessions time must tell us—but I mayventure to assure thee and every person in administration,that the last resolve which wag entered into by those whomet at the time of Capt Ayre's arrival, was at that period,and has ever since continued to be very inconsistent withthe sentiments of the substantial thinking part of our inhabi-tants. I have been well assured that this same resolve tojustify the conduct of the Bostonians was attempted to becarried in the Committee (appointed to attend the tea con-signment) when 10 Gentlemen out 12 of the Committeeabsolutely refused to have it inserted with the other resolves,but two of their body determining to involve as far as theycould the whole continent in the unjustifiable conduct of theBostonians, concluded that at the general meeting one ofthem should call for such a resolve, and the other shouldboth put it and support the same, thou art too good a judgeof mankind to want any further explanation on this head.A number of men met with a view to determine a measuregenerally esteemed salutary (which the sending back the teawas) are easily led to assent to a 10th resolve, after 9 hadbeen unanimously entered into, without considering theforce & effect of such a resolve, and I really believe this tohave been the real case as to that resolve, because I haveheard almost every man who has conversed with me on thesubject, disapprove thereof and declare that the Bostoniansmust and ought to pay the India Company for the tea;clear I am that had the property on board Capt Ayresbelonged to private merchants instead of the India Com-pany, it would have shared the very fate it did undergo,and that the sending the property back was not occasionedby any primary consideration but that of preserving theirrights and liberties as Englishmen, as the Colonists do con-tend that no man or body of men can take their propertyfrom them, but their own Representatives in Assembly.

830 Letters of Thomas Wharton, 1773-1788.

How long this bone of contention may last its not easy todetermine, but I wish with the utmost degree of good willand sincerity towards Great Britain and the Colonies, thatwe might to the latest day keep up and preserve that unionand happy connection which subsisted before the late un-happy Stamp Act; but who will undertake and adjust thenecessary points I cannot tell; but when its considered howextensive the Colonies are; how different in their variousjurisdictions, and how unhappy a disunion between theparent state and them must render every thing—I couldwish that a Superior Magistrate to that of Governor mightbe appointed by the King to reside on the continent, whoseduty alone it should be to act in Legislation with a certainnumber of members to be appointed out of and by eachHouse of Assembly, composing an Upper house which bodyin conjunction with the King's representatives should havepower to make laws relative to the General Police ofAmerica, this I conceive would have a tendency of checkinga turbulent spirit in any one of the Colonies and give Eng-land as well as the Colonies a greater security than they canotherwise have.—This may be looked upon by our Superiorsat home as granting the Colonists too much, yet I believesome such measure will be found necessary to be adopted.—

About the time this letter will reach thee I suppose theNew York tea ship will be returned with her outward boundcargo of teas, as she sailed from hence about a week since,and its said returned Capt Chambers the late Mr of one ofthe York ships.—The enclosed paper will inform thee rela-tive to the fate of his property (tea) and in some measurejustifies my declaration that, had the East India teas beenprivate property it would have undergone the same or aworse fate; should Parliament conclude to pursue compul-sive measures, I fear in the end you will have to repentthereof; and ardently wish, both for you and us, that it maynot be the case.—The severe attack made upon Dr, FrankT

lin with his conduct on that occasion, has gained him thegreatest number of admirers. Its given out, that notwith-

Letters of Thomas Wharton, 1773-1788. 33t

standing he has resigned his share in the Ohio Colony, yetwhen all's finished he is to be reinstated, you best know howthis affair stands.—

Since I had the pleasure last of writing thee, some veryextraordinary transactions have taken place, founded uponan assertion made by Lord Dunmore that Fort Pitt waswithin the limits of Virginia, and the Penn family alledgingit to be within the line of this province, the proclamationof Jn°. Conolly in January last first gave the public anaccount thereof, tho* the Court of Westmoreland havingexercised jurisdiction about 100 miles below Penn's line,first gave rise to complaints against them, and caused (itssaid) Ld Dunmore to give Conolly a commission.—Aboutthe time appointed for the meeting at Fort Pitt, one Sin-clair a magistrate under Penn, seized J. Conolly and con-fined him in goal—this caused an express to be sent to Ld

Dunmore who returned a very severe and grating answerto our Govornor of which the enclosed is a copy, he at tnesame time wrote to J. Conolly agreeable to the copy here-with.—On Gk>vr Penn's receipt of those letters, orders weresent up for the releasing of Conolly from Westmorelandgoal, which was done on his parole, that he would appearat the next County Court, which he accordingly did, butattended with near 200 armed men, and then told the Mag-istrate, that they had no right to hold a Court in that place(about 35 miles on this side of Fort Pitt) as he said it waswithin the limits of Virginia; and on some altercationseized three of the Magistrates, and has taken them to Fin-castle County where (as far as we know) they yet remain;this has caused so great a ferment with our prop*r people,that its said, they are going to send an Embassy toL* Dunmore on the subject. I have also enclosed a printedadvertisement signed by J. Campbell and J. Conolly for thesettling of lots and establishing a town on the Ohio belowthe line of Vandalia, its said a great number of lots will besold, Is it possible when our great people come to considerthe Annarchy & Confusion that now prevails on our

332 Letters of Thomm Whartm, 1778-17B8.

frontiers, and that increasing numbers will multiply the dis-orders, that they will any longer delay the completion ofthe Ohio grant,—I confess I cannot unravel the conduct ofthe Attory Genrl—but should rather fear its sinister, thanarising from an apprehension that the boundary is not suf-ficient and clearly expressed.—

I am just now assured that James Hamilton, Wm Allenwith others here and in New York have thro' the interven-tion of Sir W, J. purchased of the Indians a tract of coun-try containing its supposed 20 Millions of Acres situateabout the Lakes in New York Government, and its saidthey have Ld Mansfields opinion that such a purchase fromthe Indians is valid.—

I am not able to furnish at this time the vouchers for thei£160. but will do it as soon as I can get it from Col. Crog-han, the money was sent by us for no other end but to payfor the provisions of those Indians who had been summonedin consequence of your directions, and for want of whichCol. Croghan complained to me; If you think right, it maybe settled so as to let Bro. Samuel account to us for it whenhe returns.

I gratefully acknowledge the assurances thou art pleasedto give me, relative to the East India Company's consign-ment

I remain with great respect thy real friend—THOMAS WHARTQN.

To THO- WALPOLE Esqr.

PHILADA May 17th 1774.DEAR BEOTHIR SAMI< WHARTON,

I wrote thee per packet on the 8** and per Capt All onthe 5th inst: to which please to refer. Gk Morgan the otherday returned from viewing your land bought of Budd, andinforms me its a pity they had not been disposed of someyears since, as they have not risen in value, and that theywill scarce now pay more than the interest due to John

Letters of Thomas Wharion, 1778-1783. 333

Trell; he also informed me that as J. Trell lived at no greatdistance from them, he went to him to consult him abouttheir value, and whether it would not be best to dispose ofthem, and he told me he was exceeding glad that he hadseen Trell because he had by his representation put him offfrom sending a power of Attorney to England against thee.Trell assured him that all his friends in F York had con-stantly blamed him for not doing it, as they said he wouldcertainly thereby get his money but Gh M assured me thathe satisfied John Trell of the contrary, and that such a stepmight have the very contrary effect;—On the whole Trellpromised he would wait to see the issue of thy negotiations.— •It does appear to me that GL M. is abundantly altered in hisconduct, perhaps the Doctor's loss of office may convincehim that his dependence is more on thee, than before hewas willing to believe. We were together 4 days sincepressing D. Pranks for payment of the award and judg-ment obtained about 12 months since against him of whichhe has not paid one shilling though the debt is about£10,000. We told him unless he paid a considerable partthis week we should be compelled to take an execution outagainst him. We settled the other account with Rumsay,Murry & Co and got bonds for between £3 & £4000 pay-able some time hence and Qt. Morgan has sold to two othermen the remainder of your property at the Illinois for(I think) about £1500 to be paid this year, a considerablesum in silver—&c; remains with A. James then this ex-tensive affair is near wound up. GL M. the other day askedme if I had received any letter from thee acknowledgingthe receipt of Wilkins papers. He no doubt was desirousof knowing whether his letter had come to hand and whateffects it had—but this matter is kept to ourselves.

I have now enclosed thee a proclamation issued by LordDunmore, the mention he therein makes of the Indians isonly a colour, the whole is levelled against the Penn family,and so very serious an affair it is to them, that they havesent James Tilghman and Andr Allen down to his Lord-

334 Letters of Thomas WhaHon, 1778-1788.

ship to try to mollify Mm and settle matters, but I havegood reason to believe that will not be effected; the Vir-ginians keep possession of Pittsburgh and the copy of theletter Lord Dunmore wrote to J. Penn will satisfy yon inwhat point of light he puts this matter; this "letter I en-closed to Thomas Walpole by Capt All, by which oppor-tunity I also sent thee a letter I had received from CaptCallender.—On the 14th inst the post from N. York broughtus the Act of Parliament which so effectually put a stop tothe trade and commerce of Boston, Capt Cowper by whomit came had but 26 days passage; thou can scarce conceivethe effect it had upon the people, those who wish to havethe union with Great Britain continued, were told todeclare that it was but just and that the Bostonians oughtto pay for the tea, Ac: the other party declaimed against itbut their topsails were much lowered, and they acknowl-edged that it is of such a nature, that it would force its ownway, and its the general opinion among those I conversewith, that, as Hutchison is removed the Bostonians will availthemselves thereof and pay for the tea; I cannot help beingof the same sentiments should General Gage but take aproper method at his first landing, which W. hourly expectsto hear of, but its apprehended among us that if an Act ofParliament should pass to alter their constitution it will beattended with difficulty to execute the same.

As for the loss which the East India Co suffered in thepayment of Capt Ayres freight, it looks to me, that if theywould read the 14* and 20th section of their charter, to Wm

Penn they will find it very easy to obtain it of J. Penn as heis on the spot, and let him if he chooses make application toour Assembly for a reimburse. By Capt. Cowper letters arereceived that mention Col. Dalrymple being appointed tothe Government of New Jersey—should this be true theDelaware crossing gentlemen must go to the plough, andmay rue the day he has treated particulars so unjustly, thereport has thrown the family into great trouble.

I have not heard from R. ]8f about the chariot, if its not

Letters of Thomas Wharton, 1773-1788. 335

shipped I could wish it might be to this port on the bestterms he could get, and if thou'l let me know the cost Ishall be glad.

A report prevails here that the Dean of Bristol hascharged Dr. Franklin with being the original proposer of theStamp Act—should he prove that it will be a cutting stroketo the Doctor's popularity.

Strahan has never had the manner to acknowledge mylast letter informing him of my having secured Reads debt,had it not been for thy recommendation I would not havetaken the abundant pains I did, and I cannot but be sur-prised what has altered his conduct towards me, as no mansletter could be more expressive of regard than his used to be.

Some of our warm politicians talk of again entering into anonimportation agreement, but this I am satisfied they can-not effect, as most of our merchants are dissatisfied with theformer conduct of the Bostonians. Its not improbable thatan attempt will be made to get a Congress established of adeputation from all the Assemblies on the continent Ahopeful figure we shall make for it may be said that ourhouse never was so thin of men of understanding as at thistime.

Since writing the foregoing part of this letter a person hasarrived here and brings us such intelligence from the banksof the Ohio that is of the utmost importance to the futurewell being of not only the new province, but of all theseprovinces, and fully shews the absolute necessity of a Civilestablishment in that Quarter, indeed if its not soon done,these colonies will be involved in the most distressing war;the account says that one Black and others being togetherat his house about 70 miles below Fort Pitt saw someIndians on the opposite side of the river, they gave theman invitation to come over to the house which the Indiansdid, and they soon after killed every one of them, that nextday two Indians were at the house of a son of Col. Cressupand told him, that there was war. He said he did notknow it, they told him it was, and said they would have his

330 Letters of Thomas Wmim, 1778-1783.

Mags, on which he pulled pistols out of his pocket andshot one or both of them, that leaving one man in his house,he took to his canoes with several others and proceededdown the river to an Indian settlement, and then Mlled anumber of men, women and children, so that our accountsay 49 Indians have been massacred, on this occasion. Anaccount was sent up to Fort Pitt when there were twoIndian chiefe with their families there, who were for imme-diately posting off to alarm the nation and spread destruc-tion over our frontiers, but I am told that Col. Croghan haspersuaded them to take a belt with them, and is doing allhe can to restore peace, but its scarce believed he will effectit, and the people are leaving the frontier. Its needless forme to attempt to say anything more on this tragical anddistressing event, sure we are, that if a government is notsoon established on those lands, destruction awaits the inte-rior Colonies. I must close this letter by telling thee thatall thy connections except father are well. He seems muchon the decline and I fear his remaining long with us.

I am thy affec* Brother,THOMAS WHARTON.

PHILA© May 81, 1774.DEAR FEIBND,

On the 2** inst: per Capt All I did myself the pleasureof writing thee, since when thy favor of the 5*h Aprilcame to hand, for which I very sincerely thank thee.—The Act of Parliament (which it contained) relative to Bos-ton has spread such general uneasyness thro' this continentthat I wish the consequences may not be of the most seriouskind, and unhappily tend to widen the breach rather thanconciliate matters. The enclosed newspaper will give theesome idea of the situation of matters. As soon as theBostonians heard of their fate it threw them into a deepconsternation but they soon called a large town meeting,and dispatched an express to BTew York and this place with

Letters of Thomas Wharion, 1778-1788. 8ST

alarming letters, endeavouring to arouse all the Colonies bypointing out that their present suffering was the commoncause of America; some of the warm partisans in this cityimmediately got together, and were for entering intoresolves as pointed out from Boston, that we should neitherexport nor import any commodities to or from Great Brit-tain or the West Indies; this or any other measure was settaside for that time, and a more general meeting was ap-pointed two evenings after, when about 250 or 300 respect-able citizens attended, and after communicating the lettersand papers recd from Boston and M" York two persons verystrenuously insisted that the city should enter into the pro-posals of nonexportation and nonimportation, and that weshould aid and support the Bostonians in every respect, asthey were now suffering in the American common cause.Several persons who had never before met at any of theirmeetings thought it quite time to interpose, and not sufferthose warm and violent men to carry measures as theypleased, attended that evening, among whom I was one, andwe entered the lists and opposed their measures with somuch resolution and firmness, that every step which ap-peared to have a tendency to inflame was entirely set aside;and only two resolves entered into; the first was, that acommittee should be appointed to answer the Boston letter,—the second, that the same committee should wait on theGovornor and request him to call the Assembly that theymight unite with the other Assemblies in a decent but firmapplication to the Crown, for redress of our complaints,thus after the warmest and greatest expectation by particu-lars, we were capable of quickly (for the present) puttingaside any rash resolutions, and we very sincerely hope, thatGovornor Gage will be enabled to accommodate matterswith that people, and that harmony may again be restoredbetween you and us. It does not remain as any doubt withme, that they will tender the money for the tea; and itsnow sincerely wished that the advice T. and L W. gave toout committee, of landing and storing the tea had been

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338 Letters of Thomas Wharton, 1778-1788.

adopted. I have enclosed the copy of our committee's letterto the committee of Boston in answer to theirs by theexpress. The New Yorkers have appointed a committeeconsisting of 50 very respectable men, to attend to this im-portant affair, being determined to support their rights, andat the same time not to suffer a few rash men to involvetheir Colony in difficulties, we shall shortly know the senti-ments of the Virginians, as their Assembly is sitting, theyare certainly a sensible and wealthy people, and the partthey shall take in this affair will have great influence ontheir sister colonies. The committee appointed by the NewJersey Assembly are to meet this day at Brunswick to takethe matter into their deliberation; and it does appear to methat a Congress of the Committees from all the Assemblieson this extensive continent will now take place; I believeyou*! find that some constitutional plan must and will beattended to, and altho' the fears of some with you may fora time obstruct it, yet I do give it as my sentiments, thatnothing I know of can take place which will so long con-tinue you and us as one people, as the establishing an UpperHouse to consist of deputies for every Assembly to act inLegislation with a Lord Lieutenant.

We cannot get to the bottom of the report, relative to thekilling of those Indians on the Ohio, near the Great Ken-hawa, but it does appear to us from every circumstance wecan collect that Michael Cressup was in that quarter locat-ing a large quantity of lands to be confirmed to him eitherby the Government of Vandalia or Virginia, and thatsome altercation happened between his company and someIndians, that he have acted in a manner unwarrantableboth to the laws of nature and natives. I wish that thisstep is taken to hinder the settlement of that Colony,but surely it must have a contrary effect with our Kingand his ministers, as it cannot be supposed they will suffertheir subjects to Mil and destroy those Indians, whomwe are in friendship with, and this certainly will be thecircumstance so long as that extensive frontier is without

Letters of Thomas WhaHon, 1778-178$. 389

the jurisdiction of any Colony, which surely it at presentis, as no laws made in Virginia ia of any effect there,

An account has just reached us that the Charter ofBoston is taken away hy Act of Parliament, hut we as yetknow not how matters will settle.

If my Bro: is with you be pleased to inform him hisfamily and connections are well, & that I beg his excuse fornot writing at this time being extremely engaged. I remainwith the sincerest regard and esteem thy

obliged friendTHOMAS WHARTON.

To THOS WALPOLE Esq.

(To be continued.)