OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 161 



the mountain at Tolkeo to this side, and had already killed a number of 

 people. We stopt and sent a few men to discover the enemy, but on 

 their return it proved to be a false alarm, occasioned by that Company 

 I had sent that way the day before, whose Guns getting wet they fired 

 them off, which was the case of my Company ; on their returning they 

 fired off their Guns, nat considering the ill consequence, and the whole 

 Township through which we marched were very much alarmed. In 

 going back I met several Messengers from other Townships about Con- 

 estogo, who came for intelligence and to ask me where their assistance 

 was necessary, promising that they would come to the place where I 

 should direct. I met also at Tulpehocon above one hundred men well 

 armed as to Fire arms, ready to follow me, so that there were in the 

 whole about 500 men in Arms that day all marching up towards Sasque- 

 hannah. I and Mr. Adam Read counted those that were with me. We 

 found them 320. 



"I cannot send any further account, being uncommonly fatigued. I 

 should not forget, however, to inform your Honor that Mr. Read has 

 engaged to keep proper persons riding between his house and Sasque- 

 hannah, and if anything material shall occur he will send me tidings at 

 Heidleburgh or here, which I shall take care to dispatch to you. I find 

 that great care has been taken at Reading to get people together, and 

 near two hundred were here yesterday morning ; but upon hearing that 

 the people attending me were discharged, the people from the country 

 went off without consulting what should be done for the future, through 

 the indiscretion of a person who was with them and wanted to go home, 

 and near the Town they met a large Company coming up and gave such 

 accounts as occasioned their turning back. I think most of the inhabit- 

 ants would do their duty, but without some Military Regulations we shall 

 never be able to defend the Province. I am sure we are in great danger, 

 and by an enemy that can travel as Indians do we may be surprised 

 when it would be impossible to collect any number of men together to 

 defend themselves, and then the country would be laid waste. I am quite 

 tired and cannot say more than that 



"I am Your Honor's most Obedient Servant, 



"Conrad Weiser. 



"Reading, October 30th, 1755." 



" This year an expedition w^as undertaken against the French posses- 

 sions in Nova Scotia.^ The territorial claims of the English extended 

 northward to the St. Lawrence ; but the French endeavored to restrict 

 them to the peninsula of Acadie. Whilst the two crowns were fruitlessly 

 discussing their several claims in Europe, the French occupied and pre- 

 pared to defend the disputed territory. Though the enterprise against, 



1 Gordon. 



12 



