LANCASTER COUNTr. 335 



whose cruelty was stimulated by the French promising 

 ** to restore their lands." They committed gross atroci- 

 ties upon the provincialists — perpetrated cruel and cold- 

 blooded murders. At this time the Six Nations, a 

 numerous people, were seated on the western waters — 

 they were cold towards the English cause — "divided 

 among themselves, and barely maintained their neutrality. 

 Some of them had moved to Canada — those who re- 

 mained were only kept pacific by the liberality of the 

 province. The French were making preparations to 

 subdue the country, and while thus preparing, England 

 determined to oppose '' their growing power. ^^ General 

 Braddock, Adjutant General St. Clair, and the regiments 

 of Dunbar and Halkett, arrived from Europe, in March, 

 1755, at Alexandria, Virginia. 



To oppose a formidable obstacle to the invasion of the 

 French, Franklin was commissioned on " liberal terms to 

 procure one hundred fifty wagons, and fifteen hundred 

 pack-horses. In a few weeks all the wagons, and two 

 hundred and fifty pack-horses were obtained in Lan- 

 caster, York, and Cumberland county. The wagons and 

 pack-horses, with the necessary provisions, met General 

 Braddock on Will's creek, Fort Cumberland. Braddock 

 being amply furnished with all the necessaries, and re-in- 

 forced by a numerous body of Americans and Indians, 



this very ground, that is under me;" striking it with his foot; 

 *' was my land and inheritance ; and is taken from me by 

 fraud: when I say this ground, I mean all the land lying be- 

 tween Tohiccon creek and Wyoming, on the river Susque- 

 hanna. * * * I have been served so in this province." — 

 Minutes of Conference at Easton. 



The Delawares and Shawanese, who had emigrated from the 

 south, and by mere permission to settle in 1698, had no title to 

 land, yet they claimed some by the permission from the 

 proper owners. 



