that a Legislature who passed the law should not repeal it, when it concerns the people under their government only and proves hurtful. This happens to be just the case An act for relief of insolvent debtors has been much abused. The Council and Assembly have sent up a repeal,

now.

but he scruples to pass it. The Jersey did so the very last year, finding the same law inconvenient. And according to this doctrine as we cant draw the nail we must not drive it, but from year to year which will create much confusion and besides by the same instruction, the 11th or 13th if I remember right, he is forbid to pass any law for less than two years. At this rate we shall have no laws. Good Lord, what will the world come to. God send you happy whatever it me I shall be always so in su om

comes to, and believe myself

Dear Sir

Y: afft no' serv

JNO. WATTS.

Honble Gen! MONCKTON.

nds I have the pleasure to

My regards to Gen! Bu Col' Barré Col! Hale, Mr Boone, and all the other know of your visitors. Col' Martin is here, the Speaker I mean of Antigo clever veteran as can be, and through Mr Warners the Gen', a Doctor, and the provost marshall, they have quired after you frequently. I forgot to tell you the .embly have chosen Lot their clerk Treasurer, who giv thirty thousand pounds good security -Simmons a me r's son succeeds Lot.

The Assembly have Molden's pamphlet under consideration 'tis a wicked representation of facts. He says the Council who w to advise him, laid snares for him, 'twas just the revers they were always obliged to be upon their guard, how id they lay snares for him, he was to propose, they on answer.

:

WATTS TO MONCKTON.

NEW YORK 4th Feb' 1769.

DEAR SIR,

Your favour of 3 Nov" was highly welcome to me, as every thing of the kind is I have the honour to receive from you.

The affairs between the mother country and this have been strangely conducted indeed, though I believe it scarcely possible they could have been conducted worse than the affairs of Britain itself has been, all instability and confusion; what will her end of these things, time must bs discover, the prospect is very enchanting.

Our Ascand

sembly were laith

tions similar to the other C thought to change for the his disappointment must ones were returned holle

issolved for coming to resolujes. His Ex-it is imagined, er but if that was the case,

eat, not only three of the old to ut Livingston the last

Speaker was thrown out fri taking the other side, and your friend John Cruger (Oldr Mayor) put in his room. Jamey De Lancey took tha and so must continue to Att ommon wisdom, his father's do as long as he manages en ur present ruler has manmemory is so much rever aged his matters in such Ass as not to have gained the confidence, it is thought, es ny, particularly those you would have chose to be wmbch. Whether it is his fault or theirs, I shant say, bu! C think he inclines to the meeting folks, and the diff mis has been carried so high by the late offensive writireret the parties will not be easily brought to draw tee; The Presbyterians or Independents as the Churccours call them, at the late election, strove eagerly in ly publications, particularly in an offensive one, styled

ilorious Combination, to

unite all the dissenting congregations against the Church, under the general term of Episcopalians and Non-Episcopalians. But it would not do, they stuck to their old friends and formed a great majority, especially of the more substantial people.

I shall pay the proper respect due to your recommendation of Mr Blackbourne, our town is become so full of strangers, those who want a good connection, stand now in need of introductions, which was otherwise, but a very little while ago.

We have lost our friend Gen' Burton, I see so we drop off one after another and mix with the rest of the race of Adam, forgetting and forgot. Mr Walton and Jamey Mc Evers are the only two of our acquaintance that I can recollect have dropt since you left the Government. Father Colden holds it as well as ever, never comes to town, but father Franks has been obliged to bow to four score years and better and is just gone. The Assembly the last sessions allowed Mr Colden the salary from 1st Sept. to 13th Nov!, which before had been refused, but they could not be prevailed on to pay for the burnt chariot. The Gov set out yesterday for an interview with the Indians at Sir W. Johnson's. Col! Morris and his Dutchers headed him two days to see the curiosity. The business is about the general boundary which it seems has not been distinctly enough settled before.

My compliments to the family and believe me with the greatest truth

Dr Sir

Y most aff. humb' Sert

JNO. WATTS.

Mr Blackburn I find to be a virtuoso, he is often out of town and is now so.

Honb! Gen! MONCKTON.

ADAM HOOPS TO MONCKTON.

1

SIR,

PHILADELPHIA 22 February 1769.

In my last I had the pleasure of acknowledging your Excellencies much Esteem'd present, p Captain Hay, for which I again beg leave to give you my Hearty thanks. The great willingness that you have always shewed to Oblige, and the many favours I have rec at your Hands ; have encouraged me once more to bespeak your Excellencies Frienship and Assistance.

Nothing could have prevailed on me to take the liberty of giving you so much trouble at present, less than the grevious complaint of a poor, and distress'd Woman, and Family of Children. I am sure that such an object will Ever meet with your compassionate regard, and with her too I shall take the liberty of recommending to your favour, the case of a Gentleman, whom if you are so kind as to serve, I shall Ever reckon the kindness, as done to myself.

The woman I mean, was formerly the wife of Anth Thompson, who Erected a Tan Yard, and sundry Offices near Fort Pitt, while that Garrison was under your Excellencies Command, for the particulars I shall take the liberty of refering you to the Copy of her account, and Deposition, which is herewith Inclosed. As I was particularly requested by the Widow, and was also a particular Creditor, I took on me the Administration of her late Husband Thompson's Estate.

The Gentleman I refer'd to is M William Buchanan formerly a Resident in Carlisle Cumberland County, but now in Frederick County, Maryland, he is one of the first who after the reduction of Fort Du Quence, sent out goods under the care of M: William Galbreath, to the Indian

Towns down the River Ohio, as well by the approbation of His Majesty's Commanding Officer in that Department, and his Majesty's Agent for Indians Affairs, as by an Invitation with a promise of protection from those very Indians who afterwards rob' him, with sundry other Traders of that time in their Country, of all their goods, and Effects. The Attornies of these Sufferers, to whom the Necessary Accounts are sent, will wait upon your Excellency therewith, that they may receive such advice, and Instruction, as you shall think best to give them.—

I cannot readily describe what kind of restitution we have reason now to Expect, for a certain Junto, in this place, who are concerned in these losses, have lately pursued such Indirect, Fraudulent, and Selfish Schemes, and have so Embarrassed and confounded the whole matter, that 'tis hard to tell, on what footing it now stands, I must beg your Patience, while I try to explain this subject, by a short relation of Facts.

In the year 1765, it was reported here, that the losses sustained in America by Indian Robberies, coud not be repaid out of the French prizes, taken before the Declaration of War, yet there was reason to hope, that restitution. woud be made in Land, as soon as the Six Nations shoud cede to his Majesty, enough of their Country, to answer that purpose.

In the latter End of that year, it was slightly Intimated to some of the Sufferers, by some of the above mentioned Schemers, that the Indians had agreed to give up to his Majesty, in Consideration of the Injuries they had done, all their Claim to the Country, from the Head of the River Ohio, down said River to the Mouth of the Cherokee River, and bounded on the East by the Allegeheny (sic) Mountains.

In March following Cap William Trent, began to make proposals, of buying up the Claims of Indian Traders for losses weh they had suffered. He offer'd, Thirty, and to