OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 279 



from a Gentleman of Character, in the County of Lancaster ; as it seems 

 to be a Matter of some Consequence, the Council request you to take the 

 Trouble of making Inquiry, and in Case the Facts are as stated, to fore- 

 warn Musser proceeding, as the Lands are unqestionably the Property of 

 the State, having been reserved, not for Proprietary Use, but that of some 

 Indians, who appear to have forsaken them. Mr, Ilall, the Agent for 

 confiscated Estates, will follow such Directions as you may please to give 

 in the Matter. 



I had promised myself the Pleasure of seeing you before you left Town, 

 as I wish'd to have had your Opinion and Advice on some Matters of a 

 public Nature — but your close Attendance upon Court deprives your. 

 Friends of the Pleasure of seeing you so often as tliey wish. 



This Opportunity going immediately, I must beg if you see your 

 Brother soon, to present him my Kegard, and acquaint him that I have 

 received his Letter, which I shall answer in a short Time, and am, with 

 Compliments to Mrs, Atlee and Family, with much Esteem, 



Dear Sir, Your most obed't and very humble Servant. 



Joseph Eeed, President. 



The Hon. Wm. Atlee, Esq'r, One of the Justices of the Supreme Court. 



Charles Hall to President Reed, 1780. 



Lancaster, February 26th, 1780. 



Sir : Yesterday I made Seizure of the tract of Land in Mannor Town- 

 ship known by the Name of the Indian Town, said to contain about five 

 hundred Acres; the Roads having been very bad prevented my doing it 

 sooner. This Morning Mr. John Musser of this Town came to me seem- 

 ingly much displeased that private Property should be Struck at, and 

 drew a paper out of his pocket, which he said was an Abstract from the 

 Original Deed from the Chief Sachims to Mr. Penn for the Lands pur- 

 chased from them at the treaty at Fort Stanwix, wherein this tract is 

 particularly Described and Conveyed to Mr. Penn. lie said he was much 

 Amazed I had not Received orders not to Proceed, as he had shewn the 

 aforesaid paper to your Excellency and the Honourable Council, who, 

 he said, was satisfied. The Land is now in the Hands of tenants who 

 have worked it on Shares and have lived there since the Year 1771, and 

 say they have made Sundry improvements in Buildings and fences, 

 which they hope they will be Allowed for. As the season is now ap- 

 proaching that the Land should be prepared for Spring Grain, I shall be 

 glad if Council will send me instructions, if Possible by the Bearer of 

 this, how I am to proceed with the tenants; but if the Land is to be 

 Rented at a Certain Rent I shall be exceedingly obliged to Council to 

 Name the Rent and Let me have the first Offer. 



I have Settled my Accompt with the Commissioners Appointed by 



