142 EIOTERS MARCH ON PHILADELPHIA. [1764, Jan. 



racks within the city; the soldiers, forgetful of 

 former prejudice, no longer refusing them entrance. 

 The return of the Indians, banishing the hope 

 of repose with which the citizens had flattered 

 themselves, and the tidings of danger coming in 

 quick succession from the country, made it appar- 

 ent that no time must be lost ; and the Assembly, 

 laying aside their scruples, unanimously passed a 

 bill providing means for the public defence. The 

 pacific city displayed a scene of unwonted bustle. 

 All who held property, or regarded the public 

 order, might, it should seem, have felt a deep 

 interest in the issue ; yet a numerous and highly 

 respectable class stood idle spectators, or showed 

 at best but a lukewarm zeal. These were the Pres- 

 byterians, who had naturally felt a strong sympathy 

 with their sufl'ering brethren of the frontier. To 

 this they added a deep bitterness against the Quak- 

 ers, greatly increased by a charge, most uncharitably 

 brought by the latter against the whole Presbyterian 

 sect, of conniving at and abetting the murders at 

 Conestoga and Lancaster. They regarded the 

 Paxton men as victims of Quaker neglect and 

 injustice, and showed a strong disposition to pal- 

 liate, or excuse altogether, the violence of which 

 they had been guilty. Many of them, indeed, were 

 secretly inclined to favor the designs of the advan- 

 cing rioters ; hoping that by their means the public 

 grievances would be redressed, the Quaker faction 

 put do^vn, and the social and political balance of 

 the state restored.^ 



1 For indications of the state of feeling among the Presbyterians, see 

 the numerous partisan pamplilets of the day. See also Appendix, E. 



