LANCASTER COUNTT. 45 



darkens the chain of friendship, but truth makes it 

 brighter than ever. This is the peace we desire."* 



The Governor and Council having been informed of 

 the treacherous and murderous conduct of Nicole and 

 Francois, in their endeavors to incense the Indians on the 

 Susquelianna, against the EngUsh, it was deemed expe- 

 dient that they should be visited again. 



In the summer season of 1707, Gov. Evans made 

 another journey among the Indians. With what mo- 

 tives he undertook this second journey, is somewhat diffi- 

 cult to decide, if it should be maintained they were pure.- 

 ly patriotic. If historians have not been biased, if they 

 have been accurate, faithful and impartial, in reporting to 

 future ages his actions, he presents to the world a strange 

 character; not worthy of imitation. Governors do act 

 strangely sometimes ! Of him it is recorded : 



" He increased the number of taverns, and ale houses 

 for the sake of license money, which he had doubled : 

 that in his private life he was mdecorous and immoral ; 

 had practised abominations with the Indians at 

 Conestogo; committed at his (y\Y\\ country residence 

 notorious excesses and debaucheries, not fit to be re- 

 hearsed, and had beaten several of the peace officers, 

 who, ignorant of his presence, at a house of ill-fame, 

 had attempted to disperse the company, at ten o'clock in 

 the morning ;t and, though by his example, he weak- 



*Lan. Intel]. & Jour. 



t" WiUiam Penn, Jr., who came with Evans from England, 

 was one of the parties of this night brawl, and was indicted 

 for his conduct in the eity court. He professed the faith of the 

 Church of England, but had worn, it would seem, hitherto in 

 the province a quaker garb. Upon the institution of this 

 prosecution he threw off all disguise, abandoned his quaker 

 connexions, and openly proclaimed his principles." — Logan^ 



