256 HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. [1747. 



of sloops, shallops, or other craft, to pass through the same," 

 but it was decided to repair the bridge without the draw. It 

 was agreed to pay 16s. per hundred for white oak plank, and 

 10«. for white oak scantlin, delivered, to be used in this work. 



War having been declared by England against France, the 

 Governor issued his proclamation on the 11th of June, ad- 

 vising the people of the Province of this change of relations 

 between the two countries, and enjoining all persons capable of 

 bearing arms, " forthwith to provide themselves, with a good 

 Firelock, Bayonet and Cartouch box, and with a sufficient 

 quantity of powder and ball." The fitting out of privateers 

 was also recommended. The tenor of the proclamation was 

 rather calculated to increase the alarm incident to approaching 

 hostilities; but the Governor had been so successful in his 

 management of Indian affairs, and by joining in a grand treaty 

 held at Lancaster immediately after the publication of the pro- 

 clamation, in which both Virginia and Maryland, and also the 

 Six Nations, were represented, the Province was really secure 

 from any immediate attack, except by sea. This relieved our 

 Quaker population from the dreadful apprehension of Indian 

 hostilities, but not from constant importunities to furnish supplies 

 to carry on the war, till the capture of Louisburg, on the island 

 of Cape Breton, which happened in 1745. Even after this 

 period, both men and money were in great demand by the home 

 Government for some time. 



An act was passed in 1747, granting £5000 for the King's 

 use. This amount was raised by an issue of paper money, but 

 this issue did not increase the amount previously authorized, 

 but supplied the place of old and defaced bills, no longer fit to 

 circulate. 



On the 5th of May, 1747, the Governor advised the As- 

 sembly of the death of John Penn, one of the Proprietors, and, 

 at the same time, announced to that body his intention of re- 

 turning to England, which event soon after followed, leaving 

 the Government in charge of the Council, with Anthony Palmer 

 as President. Mr. Palmer had not been long at the head of the 

 Government, before the Province was thrown into a state of 

 alarm by the arrival of an express from New Castle, bringing 

 news of the presence of a privateer in the bay, with 100 

 French and Spaniards, who had committed sundry depredations 

 along the coast. No laws could be passed in the absence of a 

 Governor; but the Council was willing to risk the responsibility 

 of providing for the defence of the Province, provided they 

 could have the assurance of certain leading members of the 

 Assembly, that, upon the arrival of a Governor, a bill for the 

 payment of the expenses incurred should have their support. 



