36 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



his warmest friends strenuously oppose his placing it there ; mentions the 

 chief points they intend to answer. Names of men left out of the Com- 

 mission and one or two put in. After careful reflection, thinks nothing 

 can contribute to their freedom so much as a Legislative Council; rea- 

 sons for this. Has just seen Col. Bouquet's letter to Gov. Penn, dated 

 at the Forks of Muskingham, Nov. 15, 1764; quotes from it the condi- 

 tions of peace, the attitude of the Indians, etc. A. L. S. 3 p. I, ill. 



Printed, in part, in Works (Sparks, VII, 281, Note). 



From Cha[rles] Thomson. 1764. December 18. Philadelphia. 



Urgent business called him away and so prevented him from waiting 

 on Franklin at Chester; hopes ere now he is safe in London. The 

 first day of his journey traveled about thirty-two miles up the Lancaster 

 Road and passed nineteen taverns; thinks to this fact is due the wide- 

 spread debauchery and useless dissipation of time and money; cites the 

 storj^ of Cyrus and the Lydians to prove this; much better if the Gov- 

 ernor could have a handsome fixed annual salary, instead of perquisites 

 arising from tavern licenses. Wm. Moore put at the head of the Com- 

 mission in Chester Co.; other changes made show the effect of party 

 spirit. Reason to fear that the Indian war is not at an end ; six Shaw- 

 anese hostages have made their escape; trouble expected. Before Mr. 

 Hamilton sailed, heard rumors that the Presbyterians had signed a pe- 

 tition to the Proprietaries requesting their influence to prevent a change 

 of Government. A. L. S. 3 p. I, 1 12. 



From Sam[uel] Wharton. 1764. December 19. 



Account of the escape from Pittsburg of the Shawanese hostages; this 

 tribe independent owing to being supplied by French traders with 

 clothing and ammunition; no permanent peace possible until that coun- 

 try is taken and an English garrison established at the Illinois; one, 

 Owens, was sent by Col. Bouquet to invite the hostages to return; an 

 altercation ensued and Owens shot one of them dead on the spot. Dela- 

 wares and Mingos desirous of having the peace confirmed. First di- 

 vision of the Pennsylvania forces to be disbanded, the other on its way 

 to Carlisle. Faction at present in high spirits, declares openly that there 

 is not the least fear of a change of Government; his father praying for 

 that change, which only can restore peace to the distracted province. 

 A. L. S. 7 p. LVIII, 33 and I, 113. 



