OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 177 



very weak, we hope that you will not send us from your frontiers with- 

 out a walking Stick.^ 



In answer Mr. Croghan acquainted them that the good people of thia 

 Province had provided some kegs for them on the frontiers, which 

 would be given them by the persons employed to conduct them through 

 the settlements. 

 Below are the 

 ^^Instructions from the Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire^ Lieu- 

 tenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsyl- 

 vania and three Lower Counties, to Mr. Thoinas McKee. 

 " You are to conduct such of the Indians as return by the way of the 

 Sasquehannah, as far as Shamokin. I understand there are several spots 

 of land near Fort Augusta, already cleared and fit for planting. I would 

 have you purchase a proper quantity of Indian Corn, and see that it be 

 planted as soon as you get there. I leave it to you to choose a proper 

 place for the Indians to settle at ; you know what will be at first wanted, 

 and are to provide it. You must not leave them till they be commodi- 

 ously settled to their satisfaction. You are to furnish Carriages and 

 Provisions for them in their Journey. You are to apply to Mr. Croston, 

 the Contractor for supplying the Garrison with Provisions, who is hereby 

 ordered to furnish Cattle and Flour for the use of the Indians, not only 

 in their journey, but after they are settled, in such quantities as you shall 

 demand. In case of his not being able to do this at first, you are to 

 apply to Major Burd, who is desired to deliver what is wanted for their 

 imimediate use, till the other Provisions arrive that are to be furnished 

 by the Contractor. You are so well acquainted with the wants of In- 

 dians, that I must leave the whole to your management, in which I must 

 recommend it to you to be as frugal as possible. The more the Indians 

 hunt, the more it will conduce to their health. When their demands are 

 reasonable, and for things absolutely necessary, they are to be granted, 

 but not otherwise. Much depends upon their first setting out; if their 

 Conduct be orderly, and their Expenses light and easy, the better the 

 Province can continue it, and others be encouraged to come and settle 

 there; but if they be too much indulged, and not laid under the Neces- 

 sity of hunting, they will quarrel with one another, and no other Indians 

 join them, or at least not such as will be of service to the cause. You 

 are to draw upon the Commissioners for such sums as you lay out, giving 

 them advice of your draughts, and a just and full account of the par- 

 ticulars, for which the Money has been laid out. 



"All Officers, civil and military, are enjoined to be aiding and assist- 

 ing to you and the friendly Indians under your care, and to do you and 

 them, all the good Offices they shall stand in need of; particularly, it is 



1 Meaning a keg of Rum. 



13 



