Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives, 1750-1751 (Philadelphia, 1751), p. 82.
[August 21, 1751]
May it please the Governor,

We have a grateful Sense of the Governor’s Care and Concern in Indian Affairs; the prudent Management of which, is of great Importance to the Peace and Safety of these Colonies, but if it should be agreeable with the Governor’s Sentiments, we would wish, that such as may hereafter be employed on Business with the Indians, might be cautioned against charging themselves with Letters from every inferior French Officer, who shall presume to send down his Threats or pretended Claims to our Governor, in order to give himself an Air of Authority among our Indian Allies.

The Informations of Conrad Weiser, and Andrew Montour, on their Arrival in Town, since the Governor’s Message of the Thirteenth Instant, we suppose have given the Governor, as well as the House, Reason to believe that the Request inserted in George Croghan’s Journal, which the Governor was pleased to lay before the House, as made by the Indians at Ohio to this Government, to erect a strong Trading House in their Country, as well as the Danger ’tis there said, they apprehended from the Attempts of the French, have been misunderstood or misrepresented by the Person in whom the Governor confided for the Management of that Treaty.

We have seriously considered the Offer made by our Proprietaries, of contributing towards building such a House; but as we have always found that sincere, upright Dealing with the Indians, a friendly Treatment of them on all Occasions, and particularly in relieving their Necessities at proper Times by suitable Presents, have been the best Means of securing their Friendship, we could wish our Proprietaries had rather thought fit to join with us in the Expence of those Presents, the Effects of which have at all Times so manifestly advanced their Interest with the Security of our Frontier Settlements.

As it appears from the late notorious Disorders among the Indian Traders, as well as from the Representation of the Magistrates of Cumberland, that some very unfit Persons are at present employed in that Business, we hope the Governor will enjoin the Justices of the County Courts to be more careful for the future whom they recommend for Licences; and whatever is thought further necessary to enforce or amend the Laws now in being, for regulating the Indian Trade and Traders, may be considered by the ensuing Assembly, in the Winter Sitting, when the Members are generally most at Leisure to attend closely to publick Business.

We have paid the Accounts of our Interpreters, as we hope, to their full Satisfaction, and have the other Accounts mentioned by the Governor under our Consideration.

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