278 AUTHENTIC HISTORY 



stall do my utmost endeavours to procure tlie Flour demanded upon as 

 good Terms as possibly may be, Tendering you a Just and true Account 

 with sufficient Vouchers for all expenditures thereon, and flatter myself 

 that my Conduct in this affair will convince your Excellency, that I do 

 not mean to be a mere Agent upon mercenary Principles, but from a 

 desire to have it in my power to serve my Bleeding and distress'd Country. 

 You will be pleased to send me by the Bearer hereof, Mr. Gloninger, 

 (my Assistant,) twenty thousand Pounds to enable me to prosecute this 

 Business expeditiously, for I wish to purchase as much old Wheat as 

 possible, it being much superior to the new, by reason of the heavy 

 mildews. 



I am Your Excellency's 

 most Obedient and 



very humble Servant, 



Philip Marsteller. 

 P. S. If the advance money for the two militia Companies is not yet 

 sent, the Bearer may bring it. 

 Directed, 



Public Service. 



His Excellency Joseph Reed, Esqr., Philada. 



Williarri Henry to President Reed, 1779. 



Lancaster, November 27, 1779. 



Sir: I am informed one John Musser of this Town has lately purchased 

 a Tract of land of about 500 Acres, commonly known by the Name of 

 the Conestoga Mannor, of John Penn, late Governor of Pennsylvania, 

 for nine Pounds the Acre hard Money. At the Time the Lands in this 

 part of the province was purchased of the Delaware Indians this was 

 Reserved and a Deed was made to them and their Heirs, &c. The Indians 

 who resided on it were killed by a Number of People in a former war 

 and the Deed fell into the hands of John Hay, then Sheriff of Lancaster 

 County, who delivered the same to Mr. John Penn. This piece of Land 

 was afterwards claimed by Sir William Johnston in behalf of the Heirs, 

 in Consequence of which the use of the Land was given to Mr. Thomas 

 Barton who is gone over to the Enemy. Mrs. Susana Wright could give 

 I believe a more satisfactory Account of this Affair than I can. It may 

 be proper perhaps to enquire into this Affair. I have therefore thought 

 it my Duty to give all the Information I have been able to collect. 

 I am with due Respect, Sir, your obed't humble Servant, 



William Hexry. 



Directed — His Excellency Joseph Reed, Esq. 



President Reed to Judge Atlee, 1779. 

 Dear Sir : The Letter of which the other side is a Copy, we received 



