CHAPTER XXV. 



1764. 

 THE RIOTERS MARCH ON PHILADELPHIA. 



The Conestoga murders did not take place until 

 some weeks after the removal of the Moravian 

 converts to Philadelphia ; and the rioters, as they 

 rode, flushed with success, out of Lancaster, after 

 the achievement of their exploit, were heard to 

 boast that they would soon visit the city and finish 

 their work, by killing the Indians whom it had 

 taken under its protection. It was soon but too 

 apparent that this design was seriously entertained 

 by the people of the frontier. They had tasted 

 blood, and they craved more. It seemed to them 

 intolerable, that, while their suff'erings were un- 

 heeded, and their wounded and destitute friends 

 uncared for, they should be taxed to support those 

 whom they regarded as authors of their calamities, 

 or, in their own angry words, " to maintain them 

 through the winter, that they may scalp and butcher 

 us in the spring." ^ In their blind rage, they would 



1 Remonstrance of the Frontier People to the Governor and Assem- 

 bly. See Votes of Assembly, V. 313. 



The " Declaration/' which accompanied the " Remonstrance," contains 

 the following passage : " To protect and maintain these Indians at the 

 pubUc expense, while our suffering brethren on the frontiers are almost 



