第7章

Anaccidentaloccurrencehadinstructedmehowmuchsweepingmightbedoneinalittletime。IfoundatmydoorinCraven—street，onemorning，apoorwomansweepingmypavementwithabirchbroom；

sheappearedverypaleandfeeble，asjustcomeoutofafitofsickness。Iask’dwhoemploy’dhertosweepthere；shesaid，"Nobody，butIamverypoorandindistress，andIsweepsbeforegentlefolksesdoors，andhopestheywillgivemesomething。"Ibidhersweepthewholestreetclean，andIwouldgiveherashilling；

thiswasatnineo’clock；at12shecamefortheshilling。

FromtheslownessIsawatfirstinherworking，Icouldscarcebelievethattheworkwasdonesosoon，andsentmyservanttoexamineit，whoreportedthatthewholestreetwassweptperfectlyclean，andallthedustplac’dinthegutter，whichwasinthemiddle；

andthenextrainwash’ditquiteaway，sothatthepavementandeventhekennelwereperfectlyclean。

Ithenjudg’dthat，ifthatfeeblewomancouldsweepsuchastreetinthreehours，astrong，activemanmighthavedoneitinhalfthetime。

Andhereletmeremarktheconvenienceofhavingbutonegutterinsuchanarrowstreet，runningdownitsmiddle，insteadoftwo，oneoneachside，nearthefootway；forwherealltherainthatfallsonastreetrunsfromthesidesandmeetsinthemiddle，itformsthereacurrentstrongenoughtowashawayallthemuditmeetswith；butwhendividedintotwochannels，itisoftentooweaktocleanseeither，andonlymakesthemuditfindsmorefluid，sothatthewheelsofcarriagesandfeetofhorsesthrowanddashituponthefoot—pavement，whichistherebyrenderedfoulandslippery，andsometimessplashituponthosewhoarewalking。Myproposal，communicatedtothegooddoctor，wasasfollows：

"ForthemoreeffectualcleaningandkeepingcleanthestreetsofLondonandWestminster，itisproposedthattheseveralwatchmenbecontractedwithtohavethedustsweptupindryseasons，andthemudrak’dupatothertimes，eachintheseveralstreetsandlanesofhisround；thattheybefurnish’dwithbroomsandotherproperinstrumentsforthesepurposes，tobekeptattheirrespectivestands，readytofurnishthepoorpeopletheymayemployintheservice。

"Thatinthedrysummermonthsthedustbeallsweptupintoheapsatproperdistances，beforetheshopsandwindowsofhousesareusuallyopened，whenthescavengers，withclose—coveredcarts，shallalsocarryitallaway。

"Thatthemud，whenrak’dup，benotleftinheapstobespreadabroadagainbythewheelsofcarriagesandtramplingofhorses，butthatthescavengersbeprovidedwithbodiesofcarts，notplac’dhighuponwheels，butlowuponsliders，withlatticebottoms，which，beingcover’dwithstraw，willretainthemudthrownintothem，andpermitthewatertodrainfromit，wherebyitwillbecomemuchlighter，watermakingthegreatestpartofitsweight；

thesebodiesofcartstobeplac’datconvenientdistances，andthemudbroughttotheminwheel—barrows；theyremainingwhereplac’dtillthemudisdrain’d，andthenhorsesbroughttodrawthemaway。"

Ihavesincehaddoubtsofthepracticabilityofthelatterpartofthisproposal，onaccountofthenarrownessofsomestreets，andthedifficultyofplacingthedraining—sledssoasnottoencumbertoomuchthepassage；butIamstillofopinionthattheformer，requiringthedusttobesweptupandcarry’dawaybeforetheshopsareopen，isverypracticableinthesummer，whenthedaysarelong；

for，inwalkingthro’theStrandandFleet—streetonemorningatseveno’clock，Iobserv’dtherewasnotoneshopopen，tho’ithadbeendaylightandthesunupabovethreehours；theinhabitantsofLondonchusingvoluntarilytolivemuchbycandle—light，andsleepbysunshine，andyetoftencomplain，alittleabsurdly，ofthedutyoncandlesandthehighpriceoftallow。

Somemaythinkthesetriflingmattersnotworthmindingorrelating；

butwhentheyconsiderthattho’dustblownintotheeyesofasingleperson，orintoasingleshoponawindyday，isbutofsmallimportance，yetthegreatnumberoftheinstancesinapopulouscity，anditsfrequentrepetitionsgiveitweightandconsequence，perhapstheywillnotcensureveryseverelythosewhobestowsomeattentiontoaffairsofthisseeminglylownature。

Humanfelicityisproduc’dnotsomuchbygreatpiecesofgoodfortunethatseldomhappen，asbylittleadvantagesthatoccureveryday。Thus，ifyouteachapooryoungmantoshavehimself，andkeephisrazorinorder，youmaycontributemoretothehappinessofhislifethaningivinghimathousandguineas。Themoneymaybesoonspent，theregretonlyremainingofhavingfoolishlyconsumedit；

butintheothercase，heescapesthefrequentvexationofwaitingforbarbers，andoftheirsometimesdirtyfingers，offensivebreaths，anddullrazors；heshaveswhenmostconvenienttohim，andenjoysdailythepleasureofitsbeingdonewithagoodinstrument。

WiththesesentimentsIhavehazardedthefewprecedingpages，hopingtheymayaffordhintswhichsometimeorothermaybeusefultoacityIlove，havinglivedmanyyearsinitveryhappily，andperhapstosomeofourtownsinAmerica。

Havingbeenforsometimeemployedbythepostmaster—generalofAmericaashiscomptrollerinregulatingseveraloffices，andbringingtheofficerstoaccount，Iwas，uponhisdeathin1753，appointed，jointlywithMr。WilliamHunter，tosucceedhim，byacommissionfromthepostmaster—generalinEngland。TheAmericanofficeneverhadhithertopaidanythingtothatofBritain。

Weweretohavesixhundredpoundsayearbetweenus，ifwecouldmakethatsumoutoftheprofitsoftheoffice。Todothis，avarietyofimprovementswerenecessary；someofthesewereinevitablyatfirstexpensive，sothatinthefirstfouryearstheofficebecameaboveninehundredpoundsindebttous。Butitsoonafterbegantorepayus；andbeforeIwasdisplac’dbyafreakoftheministers，ofwhichIshallspeakhereafter，wehadbroughtittoyieldthreetimesasmuchclearrevenuetothecrownasthepostofficeofIreland。

Sincethatimprudenttransaction，theyhavereceiv’dfromit——

notonefarthing！

Thebusinessofthepostofficeoccasion’dmytakingajourneythisyeartoNewEngland，wheretheCollegeofCambridge，oftheirownmotion，presentedmewiththedegreeofMasterofArts。

YaleCollege，inConnecticut，hadbeforemademeasimilarcompliment。

Thus，withoutstudyinginanycollege，Icametopartakeoftheirhonours。Theywereconferr’dinconsiderationofmyimprovementsanddiscoveriesintheelectricbranchofnaturalphilosophy。

In1754，warwithFrancebeingagainapprehended，acongressofcommissionersfromthedifferentcolonieswas，byanorderoftheLordsofTrade，tobeassembledatAlbany，theretoconferwiththechiefsoftheSixNationsconcerningthemeansofdefendingboththeircountryandours。GovernorHamilton，havingreceiv’dthisorder，acquaintedtheHousewithit，requestingtheywouldfurnishproperpresentsfortheIndians，tobegivenonthisoccasion；

andnamingthespeaker（Mr。Norris）andmyselftojoinMr。ThomasPennandMr。SecretaryPetersascommissionerstoactforPennsylvania。

TheHouseapprov’dthenomination，andprovidedthegoodsforthepresent，andtho’theydidnotmuchliketreatingoutoftheprovinces；

andwemettheothercommissionersatAlbanyaboutthemiddleofJune。

Inourwaythither，Iprojectedanddrewaplanfortheunionofallthecoloniesunderonegovernment，sofarasmightbenecessaryfordefense，andotherimportantgeneralpurposes。

Aswepass’dthro’NewYork，IhadthereshownmyprojecttoMr。JamesAlexanderandMr。Kennedy，twogentlemenofgreatknowledgeinpublicaffairs，and，beingfortifiedbytheirapprobation，Iventur’dtolayitbeforetheCongress。Itthenappearedthatseveralofthecommissionershadform’dplansofthesamekind。

Apreviousquestionwasfirsttaken，whetheraunionshouldbeestablished，whichpass’dintheaffirmativeunanimously。

Acommitteewasthenappointed，onememberfromeachcolony，toconsidertheseveralplansandreport。Minehappen’dtobepreferr’d，and，withafewamendments，wasaccordinglyreported。

Bythisplanthegeneralgovernmentwastobeadministeredbyapresident—general，appointedandsupportedbythecrown，andagrandcouncilwastobechosenbytherepresentativesofthepeopleoftheseveralcolonies，metintheirrespectiveassemblies。

ThedebatesuponitinCongresswentondaily，handinhandwiththeIndianbusiness。Manyobjectionsanddifficultieswerestarted，butatlengththeywereallovercome，andtheplanwasunanimouslyagreedto，andcopiesorderedtobetransmittedtotheBoardofTradeandtotheassembliesoftheseveralprovinces。

Itsfatewassingular：theassembliesdidnotadoptit，astheyallthoughttherewastoomuchprerogativeinit，andinEnglanditwasjudg’dtohavetoomuchofthedemocratic。

TheBoardofTradethereforedidnotapproveofit，norrecommenditfortheapprobationofhismajesty；butanotherschemewasform’d，supposedtoanswerthesamepurposebetter，wherebythegovernorsoftheprovinces，withsomemembersoftheirrespectivecouncils，weretomeetandordertheraisingoftroops，buildingofforts，etc。，andtodrawonthetreasuryofGreatBritainfortheexpense，whichwasafterwardstoberefundedbyanactofParliamentlayingataxonAmerica。Myplan，withmyreasonsinsupportofit，istobefoundamongmypoliticalpapersthatareprinted。

BeingthewinterfollowinginBoston，IhadmuchconversationwithGovernorShirleyuponboththeplans。Partofwhatpassedbetweenusontheoccasionmayalsobeseenamongthosepapers。Thedifferentandcontraryreasonsofdisliketomyplanmakesmesuspectthatitwasreallythetruemedium；andIamstillofopinionitwouldhavebeenhappyforbothsidesthewaterifithadbeenadopted。

Thecolonies，sounited，wouldhavebeensufficientlystrongtohavedefendedthemselves；therewouldthenhavebeennoneedoftroopsfromEngland；ofcourse，thesubsequentpretencefortaxingAmerica，andthebloodycontestitoccasioned，wouldhavebeenavoided。

Butsuchmistakesarenotnew；historyisfulloftheerrorsofstatesandprinces。

Lookroundthehabitableworld，howfewKnowtheirowngood，or，knowingit，pursue！

Thosewhogovern，havingmuchbusinessontheirhands，donotgenerallyliketotakethetroubleofconsideringandcarryingintoexecutionnewprojects。Thebestpublicmeasuresarethereforeseldomadoptedfrompreviouswisdom，butforc’dbytheoccasion。

TheGovernorofPennsylvania，insendingitdowntotheAssembly，express’dhisapprobationoftheplan，"asappearingtohimtobedrawnupwithgreatclearnessandstrengthofjudgment，andthereforerecommendeditaswellworthyoftheirclosestandmostseriousattention。"TheHouse，however，bythemanagementofacertainmember，tookitupwhenIhappen’dtobeabsent，whichIthoughtnotveryfair，andreprobateditwithoutpayinganyattentiontoitatall，tomynosmallmortification。

InmyjourneytoBostonthisyear，ImetatNewYorkwithournewgovernor，Mr。Morris，justarriv’dtherefromEngland，withwhomIhadbeenbeforeintimatelyacquainted。HebroughtacommissiontosupersedeMr。Hamilton，who，tir’dwiththedisputeshisproprietaryinstructionssubjectedhimto，hadresign’d。Mr。Morrisask’dmeifIthoughthemustexpectasuncomfortableanadministration。

Isaid，"No；youmay，onthecontrary，haveaverycomfortableone，ifyouwillonlytakecarenottoenterintoanydisputewiththeAssembly。""Mydearfriend，"sayshe，pleasantly，"howcanyouadvisemyavoidingdisputes？YouknowIlovedisputing；

itisoneofmygreatestpleasures；however，toshowtheregardIhaveforyourcounsel，IpromiseyouIwill，ifpossible，avoidthem。"Hehadsomereasonforlovingtodispute，beingeloquent，anacutesophister，and，therefore，generallysuccessfulinargumentativeconversation。Hehadbeenbroughtuptoitfromaboy，hisfather，asIhaveheard，accustominghischildrentodisputewithoneanotherforhisdiversion，whilesittingattableafterdinner；

butIthinkthepracticewasnotwise；for，inthecourseofmyobservation，thesedisputing，contradicting，andconfutingpeoplearegenerallyunfortunateintheiraffairs。Theygetvictorysometimes，buttheynevergetgoodwill，whichwouldbeofmoreusetothem。

Weparted，hegoingtoPhiladelphia，andItoBoston。

Inreturning，ImetatNewYorkwiththevotesoftheAssembly，bywhichitappear’dthat，notwithstandinghispromisetome，heandtheHousewerealreadyinhighcontention；anditwasacontinualbattlebetweenthemaslongasheretain’dthegovernment。

Ihadmyshareofit；for，assoonasIgotbacktomyseatintheAssembly，Iwasputoneverycommitteeforansweringhisspeechesandmessages，andbythecommitteesalwaysdesiredtomakethedrafts。

Ouranswers，aswellashismessages，wereoftentart，andsometimesindecentlyabusive；and，asheknewIwrotefortheAssembly，onemighthaveimaginedthat，whenwemet，wecouldhardlyavoidcuttingthroats；buthewassogood—natur’damanthatnopersonaldifferencebetweenhimandmewasoccasion’dbythecontest，andweoftendin’dtogether。

Oneafternoon，intheheightofthispublicquarrel，wemetinthestreet。"Franklin，"sayshe，"youmustgohomewithmeandspendtheevening；Iamtohavesomecompanythatyouwilllike；"and，takingmebythearm，heledmetohishouse。Ingayconversationoverourwine，aftersupper，hetoldus，jokingly，thathemuchadmir’dtheideaofSanchoPanza，who，whenitwasproposedtogivehimagovernment，requesteditmightbeagovernmentofblacks，asthen，ifhecouldnotagreewithhispeople，hemightsellthem。

Oneofhisfriends，whosatnexttome，says，"Franklin，whydoyoucontinuetosidewiththesedamn’dQuakers？Hadnotyoubettersellthem？Theproprietorwouldgiveyouagoodprice。"

"Thegovernor，"saysI，"hasnotyetblackedthemenough。"

He，indeed，hadlaboredhardtoblackentheAssemblyinallhismessages，buttheywip’doffhiscoloringasfastashelaiditon，andplac’dit，inreturn，thickuponhisownface；

sothat，findinghewaslikelytobenegrofiedhimself，he，aswellasMr。Hamilton，grewtir’dofthecontest，andquittedthegovernment。

<13>Thesepublicquarrelswereallatbottomowingtotheproprietaries，ourhereditarygovernors，who，whenanyexpensewastobeincurredforthedefenseoftheirprovince，withincrediblemeannessinstructedtheirdeputiestopassnoactforlevyingthenecessarytaxes，unlesstheirvastestateswereinthesameactexpresslyexcused；

andtheyhadeventakenbondsofthesedeputiestoobservesuchinstructions。TheAssembliesforthreeyearsheldoutagainstthisinjustice，tho’constrainedtobendatlast。AtlengthCaptainDenny，whowasGovernorMorris’ssuccessor，venturedtodisobeythoseinstructions；howthatwasbroughtaboutIshallshowhereafter。

<13>MyactsinMorris’stime，military，etc。——[Marg。note。]

ButIamgotforwardtoofastwithmystory：therearestillsometransactionstobemention’dthathappenedduringtheadministrationofGovernorMorris。

WarbeinginamannercommencedwithFrance，thegovernmentofMassachusettsBayprojectedanattackuponCrownPoint，andsentMr。QuincytoPennsylvania，andMr。Pownall，afterwardGovernorPownall，toNewYork，tosolicitassistance。AsIwasintheAssembly，knewitstemper，andwasMr。Quincy’scountryman，heappli’dtomeformyinfluenceandassistance。Idictatedhisaddresstothem，whichwaswellreceiv’d。Theyvotedanaidoftenthousandpounds，tobelaidoutinprovisions。Butthegovernorrefusinghisassenttotheirbill（whichincludedthiswithothersumsgrantedfortheuseofthecrown），unlessaclausewereinsertedexemptingtheproprietaryestatefrombearinganypartofthetaxthatwouldbenecessary，theAssembly，tho’verydesirousofmakingtheirgranttoNewEnglandeffectual，wereatalosshowtoaccomplishit。

Mr。Quincylaboredhardwiththegovernortoobtainhisassent，buthewasobstinate。

Ithensuggestedamethodofdoingthebusinesswithoutthegovernor，byordersonthetrusteesoftheLoanOffice，which，bylaw，theAssemblyhadtherightofdrawing。Therewas，indeed，littleornomoneyatthattimeintheoffice，andthereforeIpropos’dthattheordersshouldbepayableinayear，andtobearaninterestoffivepercent。WiththeseordersIsuppos’dtheprovisionsmighteasilybepurchas’d。TheAssembly，withverylittlehesitation，adoptedtheproposal。Theorderswereimmediatelyprinted，andI

wasoneofthecommitteedirectedtosignanddisposeofthem。

Thefundforpayingthemwastheinterestofallthepapercurrencythenextantintheprovinceuponloan，togetherwiththerevenuearisingfromtheexcise，whichbeingknowntobemorethansufficient，theyobtain’dinstantcredit，andwerenotonlyreceiv’dinpaymentfortheprovisions，butmanymoney’dpeople，whohadcashlyingbythem，vesteditinthoseorders，whichtheyfoundadvantageous，astheyboreinterestwhileuponhand，andmightonanyoccasionbeusedasmoney；

sothattheywereeagerlyallboughtup，andinafewweeksnoneofthemweretobeseen。Thusthisimportantaffairwasbymymeanscompleated。

MyQuincyreturn’dthankstotheAssemblyinahandsomememorial，wenthomehighlypleas’dwiththesuccessofhisembassy，andeverafterboreformethemostcordialandaffectionatefriendship。

TheBritishgovernment，notchusingtopermittheunionofthecoloniesaspropos’datAlbany，andtotrustthatunionwiththeirdefense，lesttheyshouldtherebygrowtoomilitary，andfeeltheirownstrength，suspicionsandjealousiesatthistimebeingentertain’dofthem，sentoverGeneralBraddockwithtworegimentsofregularEnglishtroopsforthatpurpose。HelandedatAlexandria，inVirginia，andthencemarch’dtoFrederictown，inMaryland，wherehehaltedforcarriages。OurAssemblyapprehending，fromsomeinformation，thathehadconceivedviolentprejudicesagainstthem，asaversetotheservice，wish’dmetowaituponhim，notasfromthem，butaspostmaster—general，undertheguiseofproposingtosettlewithhimthemodeofconductingwithmostcelerityandcertaintythedespatchesbetweenhimandthegovernorsoftheseveralprovinces，withwhomhemustnecessarilyhavecontinualcorrespondence，andofwhichtheypropos’dtopaytheexpense。Mysonaccompaniedmeonthisjourney。

WefoundthegeneralatFrederictown，waitingimpatientlyforthereturnofthosehehadsentthro’thebackpartsofMarylandandVirginiatocollectwaggons。Istayedwithhimseveraldays，din’dwithhimdaily，andhadfullopportunityofremovingallhisprejudices，bytheinformationofwhattheAssemblyhadbeforehisarrivalactuallydone，andwerestillwillingtodo，tofacilitatehisoperations。WhenIwasabouttodepart，thereturnsofwaggonstobeobtainedwerebroughtin，bywhichitappear’dthattheyamountedonlytotwenty—five，andnotallofthosewereinserviceablecondition。Thegeneralandalltheofficersweresurpris’d，declar’dtheexpeditionwasthenatanend，beingimpossible，andexclaim’dagainsttheministersforignorantlylandingtheminacountrydestituteofthemeansofconveyingtheirstores，baggage，etc。，notlessthanonehundredandfiftywaggonsbeingnecessary。

IhappenedtosayIthoughtitwasapitytheyhadnotbeenlandedratherinPennsylvania，asinthatcountryalmosteveryfarmerhadhiswaggon。Thegeneraleagerlylaidholdofmywords，andsaid，"Thenyou，sir，whoareamanofinterestthere，canprobablyprocurethemforus；andIbegyouwillundertakeit。"Iask’dwhattermsweretobeoffer’dtheownersofthewaggons；andIwasdesir’dtoputonpaperthetermsthatappearedtomenecessary。

ThisIdid，andtheywereagreedto，andacommissionandinstructionsaccordinglyprepar’dimmediately。WhatthosetermswerewillappearintheadvertisementIpublish’dassoonasIarriv’datLancaster，whichbeing，fromthegreatandsuddeneffectitproduc’d，apieceofsomecuriosity，Ishallinsertitatlength，asfollows：

"ADVERTISEMENT。

"LANCASTER，April26，1755。

"Whereas，onehundredandfiftywaggons，withfourhorsestoeachwaggon，andfifteenhundredsaddleorpackhorses，arewantedfortheserviceofhismajesty’sforcesnowabouttorendezvousatWill’sCreek，andhisexcellencyGeneralBraddockhavingbeenpleasedtoempowermetocontractforthehireofthesame，IherebygivenoticethatIshallattendforthatpurposeatLancasterfromthisdaytonextWednesdayevening，andatYorkfromnextThursdaymorningtillFridayevening，whereIshallbereadytoagreeforwaggonsandteams，orsinglehorses，onthefollowingterms，viz。：I。Thatthereshallbepaidforeachwaggon，withfourgoodhorsesandadriver，fifteenshillingsperdiem；andforeachablehorsewithapack—saddle，orothersaddleandfurniture，twoshillingsperdiem；andforeachablehorsewithoutasaddle，eighteenpenceperdiem。2。ThatthepaycommencefromthetimeoftheirjoiningtheforcesatWill’sCreek，whichmustbeonorbeforethe20thofMayensuing，andthatareasonableallowancebepaidoverandaboveforthetimenecessaryfortheirtravellingtoWill’sCreekandhomeagainaftertheirdischarge。3。Eachwaggonandteam，andeverysaddleorpackhorse，istobevaluedbyindifferentpersonschosenbetweenmeandtheowner；andincaseofthelossofanywaggon，team，orotherhorseintheservice，thepriceaccordingtosuchvaluationistobeallowedandpaid。4。Sevendays’

payistobeadvancedandpaidinhandbymetotheownerofeachwaggonandteam，orhorse，atthetimeofcontracting，ifrequired，andtheremaindertobepaidbyGeneralBraddock，orbythepaymasterofthearmy，atthetimeoftheirdischarge，orfromtimetotime，asitshallbedemanded。5。Nodriversofwaggons，orpersonstakingcareofthehiredhorses，areonanyaccounttobecalledupontodothedutyofsoldiers，orbeotherwiseemployedthaninconductingortakingcareoftheircarriagesorhorses。6。Alloats，Indiancorn，orotherforagethatwaggonsorhorsesbringtothecamp，morethanisnecessaryforthesubsistenceofthehorses，istobetakenfortheuseofthearmy，andareasonablepricepaidforthesame。

"Note。——Myson，WilliamFranklin，isempoweredtoenterintolikecontractswithanypersoninCumberlandcounty。

"B。FRANKLIN。"

"TotheinhabitantsoftheCountiesofLancaster，YorkandCumberland。

"FriendsandCountrymen，"BeingoccasionallyatthecampatFredericafewdayssince，Ifoundthegeneralandofficersextremelyexasperatedonaccountoftheirnotbeingsuppliedwithhorsesandcarriages，whichhadbeenexpectedfromthisprovince，asmostabletofurnishthem；

but，throughthedissensionsbetweenourgovernorandAssembly，moneyhadnotbeenprovided，noranystepstakenforthatpurpose。

"Itwasproposedtosendanarmedforceimmediatelyintothesecounties，toseizeasmanyofthebestcarriagesandhorsesasshouldbewanted，andcompelasmanypersonsintotheserviceaswouldbenecessarytodriveandtakecareofthem。

"IapprehendedthattheprogressofBritishsoldiersthroughthesecountiesonsuchanoccasion，especiallyconsideringthetempertheyarein，andtheirresentmentagainstus，wouldbeattendedwithmanyandgreatinconveniencestotheinhabitants，andthereforemorewillinglytookthetroubleoftryingfirstwhatmightbedonebyfairandequitablemeans。ThepeopleofthesebackcountieshavelatelycomplainedtotheAssemblythatasufficientcurrencywaswanting；youhaveanopportunityofreceivinganddividingamongyouaveryconsiderablesum；for，iftheserviceofthisexpeditionshouldcontinue，asitismorethanprobableitwill，foronehundredandtwentydays，thehireofthesewaggonsandhorseswillamounttoupwardofthirtythousandpounds，whichwillbepaidyouinsilverandgoldoftheking’smoney。

"Theservicewillbelightandeasy，forthearmywillscarcemarchabovetwelvemilesperday，andthewaggonsandbaggage—horses，astheycarrythosethingsthatareabsolutelynecessarytothewelfareofthearmy，mustmarchwiththearmy，andnofaster；andare，forthearmy’ssake，alwaysplacedwheretheycanbemostsecure，whetherinamarchorinacamp。

"Ifyouarereally，asIbelieveyouare，goodandloyalsubjectstohismajesty，youmaynowdoamostacceptableservice，andmakeiteasytoyourselves；forthreeorfourofsuchascannotseparatelysparefromthebusinessoftheirplantationsawaggonandfourhorsesandadriver，maydoittogether，onefurnishingthewaggon，anotheroneortwohorses，andanotherthedriver，anddividethepayproportionatelybetweenyou；butifyoudonotthisservicetoyourkingandcountryvoluntarily，whensuchgoodpayandreasonabletermsareofferedtoyou，yourloyaltywillbestronglysuspected。

Theking’sbusinessmustbedone；somanybravetroops，comesofarforyourdefense，mustnotstandidlethroughyourbackwardnesstodowhatmaybereasonablyexpectedfromyou；waggonsandhorsesmustbehad；violentmeasureswillprobablybeused，andyouwillbelefttoseekforarecompensewhereyoucanfindit，andyourcase，perhaps，belittlepitiedorregarded。

"Ihavenoparticularinterestinthisaffair，as，exceptthesatisfactionofendeavoringtodogood，Ishallhaveonlymylabourformypains。Ifthismethodofobtainingthewaggonsandhorsesisnotlikelytosucceed，Iamobligedtosendwordtothegeneralinfourteendays；andIsupposeSirJohnSt。Clair，thehussar，withabodyofsoldiers，willimmediatelyentertheprovinceforthepurpose，whichIshallbesorrytohear，becauseI

amverysincerelyandtrulyyourfriendandwell—wisher，B。FRANKLIN。"

Ireceivedofthegeneralabouteighthundredpounds，tobedisbursedinadvance—moneytothewaggonowners，etc。；but，thatsumbeinginsufficient，Iadvanc’dupwardoftwohundredpoundsmore，andintwoweekstheonehundredandfiftywaggons，withtwohundredandfifty—ninecarryinghorses，wereontheirmarchforthecamp。

Theadvertisementpromisedpaymentaccordingtothevaluation，incaseanywaggonorhorseshouldbelost。Theowners，however，allegingtheydidnotknowGeneralBraddock，orwhatdependencemightbehadonhispromise，insistedonmybondfortheperformance，whichIaccordinglygavethem。

WhileIwasatthecamp，suppingoneeveningwiththeofficersofColonelDunbar’sregiment，herepresentedtomehisconcernforthesubalterns，who，hesaid，weregenerallynotinaffluence，andcouldillafford，inthisdearcountry，tolayinthestoresthatmightbenecessaryinsolongamarch，thro’awilderness，wherenothingwastobepurchas’d。Icommiseratedtheircase，andresolvedtoendeavorprocuringthemsomerelief。Isaidnothing，however，tohimofmyintention，butwrotethenextmorningtothecommitteeoftheAssembly，whohadthedispositionofsomepublicmoney，warmlyrecommendingthecaseoftheseofficerstotheirconsideration，andproposingthatapresentshouldbesentthemofnecessariesandrefreshments。Myson，whohadsomeexperienceofacamplife，andofitswants，drewupalistforme，whichIenclos’dinmyletter。

Thecommitteeapprov’d，andusedsuchdiligencethat，conductedbymyson，thestoresarrivedatthecampassoonasthewaggons。

Theyconsistedoftwentyparcels，eachcontaining6lbs。loafsugar。1Gloucestercheese。

6lbs。goodMuscovadodo。1keggcontaining20lbs。good1lb。goodgreentea。butter。

1lb。goodboheado。2doz。oldMadeirawine。

6lbs。goodgroundcoffee。2gallonsJamaicaspirits。

6lbs。chocolate。1bottleflourofmustard。

1—2cwt。bestwhitebiscuit。2well—cur’dhams。

1—2lb。pepper。1—2dozendry’dtongues。

1quartbestwhitewinevinegar6lbs。rice。

6lbs。raisins。

Thesetwentyparcels，wellpack’d，wereplacedonasmanyhorses，eachparcel，withthehorse，beingintendedasapresentforoneofficer。Theywereverythankfullyreceiv’d，andthekindnessacknowledg’dbyletterstomefromthecolonelsofbothregiments，inthemostgratefulterms。Thegeneral，too，washighlysatisfiedwithmyconductinprocuringhimthewaggons，etc。，andreadilypaidmyaccountofdisbursements，thankingmerepeatedly，andrequestingmyfartherassistanceinsendingprovisionsafterhim。

Iundertookthisalso，andwasbusilyemploy’dinittillweheardofhisdefeat，advancingfortheserviceofmyownmoney，upwardsofonethousandpoundssterling，ofwhichIsenthimanaccount。

Itcametohishands，luckilyforme，afewdaysbeforethebattle，andhereturn’dmeimmediatelyanorderonthepaymasterfortheroundsumofonethousandpounds，leavingtheremaindertothenextaccount。

Iconsiderthispaymentasgoodluck，havingneverbeenabletoobtainthatremainder，ofwhichmorehereafter。

Thisgeneralwas，Ithink，abraveman，andmightprobablyhavemadeafigureasagoodofficerinsomeEuropeanwar。Buthehadtoomuchself—confidence，toohighanopinionofthevalidityofregulartroops，andtoomeanaoneofbothAmericansandIndians。

GeorgeCroghan，ourIndianinterpreter，join’dhimonhismarchwithonehundredofthosepeople，whomighthavebeenofgreatusetohisarmyasguides，scouts，etc。，ifhehadtreatedthemkindly；

butheslightedandneglectedthem，andtheygraduallylefthim。

Inconversationwithhimoneday，hewasgivingmesomeaccountofhisintendedprogress。"AftertakingFortDuquesne，"sayshe，"IamtoproceedtoNiagara；and，havingtakenthat，toFrontenac，iftheseasonwillallowtime；andIsupposeitwill，forDuquesnecanhardlydetainmeabovethreeorfourdays；andthenIseenothingthatcanobstructmymarchtoNiagara。"Havingbeforerevolv’dinmymindthelonglinehisarmymustmakeintheirmarchbyaverynarrowroad，tobecutforthemthro’thewoodsandbushes，andalsowhatIhadreadofaformerdefeatoffifteenhundredFrench，whoinvadedtheIroquoiscountry，Ihadconceiv’dsomedoubtsandsomefearsfortheeventofthecampaign。ButIventur’donlytosay，"Tobesure，sir，ifyouarrivewellbeforeDuquesne，withthesefinetroops，sowellprovidedwithartillery，thatplacenotyetcompleatlyfortified，andaswehearwithnoverystronggarrison，canprobablymakebutashortresistance。TheonlydangerIapprehendofobstructiontoyourmarchisfromambuscadesofIndians，who，byconstantpractice，aredexterousinlayingandexecutingthem；

andtheslenderline，nearfourmileslong，whichyourarmymustmake，mayexposeittobeattack’dbysurpriseinitsflanks，andtobecutlikeathreadintoseveralpieces，which，fromtheirdistance，cannotcomeupintimetosupporteachother。"

Hesmil’datmyignorance，andreply’d，"Thesesavagesmay，indeed，beaformidableenemytoyourrawAmericanmilitia，butupontheking’sregularanddisciplin’dtroops，sir，itisimpossibletheyshouldmakeanyimpression。"Iwasconsciousofanimproprietyinmydisputingwithamilitarymaninmattersofhisprofession，andsaidnomore。Theenemy，however，didnottaketheadvantageofhisarmywhichIapprehendeditslonglineofmarchexpos’ditto，butletitadvancewithoutinterruptiontillwithinninemilesoftheplace；andthen，whenmoreinabody（forithadjustpassedariver，wherethefronthadhaltedtillallwerecomeover），andinamoreopenpartofthewoodsthananyithadpass’d，attack’ditsadvancedguardbyaheavyfirefrombehindtreesandbushes，whichwasthefirstintelligencethegeneralhadofanenemy’sbeingnearhim。Thisguardbeingdisordered，thegeneralhurriedthetroopsuptotheirassistance，whichwasdoneingreatconfusion，thro’waggons，baggage，andcattle；andpresentlythefirecameupontheirflank：theofficers，beingonhorseback，weremoreeasilydistinguish’d，pick’doutasmarks，andfellveryfast；andthesoldierswerecrowdedtogetherinahuddle，havingorhearingnoorders，andstandingtobeshotattilltwo—thirdsofthemwerekilled；

andthen，beingseiz’dwithapanick，thewholefledwithprecipitation。

Thewaggonerstookeachahorseoutofhisteamandscamper’d；

theirexamplewasimmediatelyfollowedbyothers；sothatallthewaggons，provisions，artillery，andstoreswerelefttotheenemy。

Thegeneral，beingwounded，wasbroughtoffwithdifficulty；

hissecretary，Mr。Shirley，waskilledbyhisside；andoutofeighty—sixofficers，sixty—threewerekilledorwounded，andsevenhundredandfourteenmenkilledoutofelevenhundred。

Theseelevenhundredhadbeenpickedmenfromthewholearmy；

theresthadbeenleftbehindwithColonelDunbar，whowastofollowwiththeheavierpartofthestores，provisions，andbaggage。

Theflyers，notbeingpursu’d，arriv’datDunbar’scamp，andthepanicktheybroughtwiththeminstantlyseiz’dhimandallhispeople；and，tho’hehadnowaboveonethousandmen，andtheenemywhobadbeatenBraddockdidnotatmostexceedfourhundredIndiansandFrenchtogether，insteadofproceeding，andendeavoringtorecoversomeofthelosthonour，heorderedallthestores，ammunition，etc。，tobedestroy’d，thathemighthavemorehorsestoassisthisflighttowardsthesettlements，andlesslumbertoremove。HewastheremetwithrequestsfromthegovernorsofVirginia，Maryland，andPennsylvania，thathewouldposthistroopsonthefrontiers，soastoaffordsomeprotectiontotheinhabitants；buthecontinu’dhishastymarchthro’

allthecountry，notthinkinghimselfsafetillhearriv’datPhiladelphia，wheretheinhabitantscouldprotecthim。ThiswholetransactiongaveusAmericansthefirstsuspicionthatourexaltedideasoftheprowessofBritishregularshadnotbeenwellfounded。

Intheirfirstmarch，too，fromtheirlandingtilltheygotbeyondthesettlements，theyhadplunderedandstrippedtheinhabitants，totallyruiningsomepoorfamilies，besidesinsulting，abusing，andconfiningthepeopleiftheyremonstrated。Thiswasenoughtoputusoutofconceitofsuchdefenders，ifwehadreallywantedany。HowdifferentwastheconductofourFrenchfriendsin1781，who，duringamarchthro’themostinhabitedpartofourcountryfromRhodeIslandtoVirginia，nearsevenhundredmiles，occasionednotthesmallestcomplaintforthelossofapig，achicken，orevenanapple。

CaptainOrme，whowasoneofthegeneral’saids—de—camp，and，beinggrievouslywounded，wasbroughtoffwithhim，andcontinu’dwithhimtohisdeath，whichhappen’dinafewdays，toldmethathewastotallysilentallthefirstday，andatnightonlysaid，"Whowouldhavethoughtit？"Thathewassilentagainthefollowingday，sayingonlyatlast，"Weshallbetterknowhowtodealwiththemanothertime；"anddy’dinafewminutesafter。

Thesecretary’spapers，withallthegeneral’sorders，instructions，andcorrespondence，fallingintotheenemy’shands，theyselectedandtranslatedintoFrenchanumberofthearticles，whichtheyprinted，toprovethehostileintentionsoftheBritishcourtbeforethedeclarationofwar。AmongtheseIsawsomelettersofthegeneraltotheministry，speakinghighlyofthegreatserviceIhadrenderedthearmy，andrecommendingmetotheirnotice。

DavidHume，too，whowassomeyearsaftersecretarytoLordHertford，whenministerinFrance，andafterwardtoGeneralConway，whensecretaryofstate，toldmehehadseenamongthepapersinthatoffice，lettersfromBraddockhighlyrecommendingme。But，theexpeditionhavingbeenunfortunate，myservice，itseems，wasnotthoughtofmuchvalue，forthoserecommendationswereneverofanyusetome。

Astorewardsfromhimself，Iask’donlyone，whichwas，thathewouldgiveorderstohisofficersnottoenlistanymoreofourboughtservants，andthathewoulddischargesuchashadbeenalreadyenlisted。

Thishereadilygranted，andseveralwereaccordinglyreturn’dtotheirmasters，onmyapplication。Dunbar，whenthecommanddevolv’donhim，wasnotsogenerous。HebeingatPhiladelphia，onhisretreat，orratherflight，Iapply’dtohimforthedischargeoftheservantsofthreepoorfarmersofLancastercountythathehadenlisted，remindinghimofthelategeneral’sordersonthatbead。

Hepromisedmethat，ifthemasterswouldcometohimatTrenton，whereheshouldbeinafewdaysonhismarchtoNewYork，hewouldtheredelivertheirmentothem。TheyaccordinglywereattheexpenseandtroubleofgoingtoTrenton，andthereherefus’dtoperformhispromise，totheirgreatlossanddisappointment。

Assoonasthelossofthewaggonsandhorseswasgenerallyknown，alltheownerscameuponmeforthevaluationwhichIhadgivenbondtopay。Theirdemandsgavemeagreatdealoftrouble，myacquaintingthemthatthemoneywasreadyinthepaymaster’shands，butthatordersforpayingitmustfirstbeobtainedfromGeneralShirley，andmyassuringthemthatIhadapply’dtothatgeneralbyletter；

but，hebeingatadistance，ananswercouldnotsoonbereceiv’d，andtheymusthavepatience，allthiswasnotsufficienttosatisfy，andsomebegantosueme。GeneralShirleyatlengthrelievedmefromthisterriblesituationbyappointingcommissionerstoexaminetheclaims，andorderingpayment。Theyamountedtoneartwentythousandpound，whichtopaywouldhaveruinedme。

Beforewehadthenewsofthisdefeat，thetwoDoctorsBondcametomewithasubscriptionpaperforraisingmoneytodefraytheexpenseofagrandfirework，whichitwasintendedtoexhibitatarejoicingonreceiptofthenewsofourtakingFortDuquesne。

Ilookedgrave，andsaiditwould，Ithought，betimeenoughtopreparefortherejoicingwhenweknewweshouldhaveoccasiontorejoice。Theyseem’dsurpris’dthatIdidnotimmediatelycomplywiththeirproposal。"Whythed——l！"saysoneofthem，"yousurelydon’tsupposethatthefortwillnotbetaken？"

"Idon’tknowthatitwillnotbetaken，butIknowthattheeventsofwararesubjecttogreatuncertainty。"Igavethemthereasonsofmydoubting；thesubscriptionwasdropt，andtheprojectorstherebymissedthemortificationtheywouldhaveundergoneifthefireworkhadbeenprepared。Dr。Bond，onsomeotheroccasionafterward，saidthathedidnotlikeFranklin’sforebodings。

GovernorMorris，whohadcontinuallyworriedtheAssemblywithmessageaftermessagebeforethedefeatofBraddock，tobeatthemintothemakingofactstoraisemoneyforthedefenseoftheprovince，withouttaxing，amongothers，theproprietaryestates，andhadrejectedalltheirbillsfornothavingsuchanexemptingclause，nowredoubledhisattackswithmorehopeofsuccess，thedangerandnecessitybeinggreater。TheAssembly，however，continu’dfirm，believingtheyhadjusticeontheirside，andthatitwouldbegivingupanessentialrightiftheysufferedthegovernortoamendtheirmoney—bills。Inoneofthelast，indeed，whichwasforgrantingfiftythousandpounds，hispropos’damendmentwasonlyofasingleword。Thebillexpressed"thatallestates，realandpersonal，weretobetaxed，thoseoftheproprietariesnotexcepted。"Hisamendmentwas，fornotreadonly：asmall，butverymaterialalteration。However，whenthenewsofthisdisasterreachedEngland，ourfriendsthere，whomwehadtakencaretofurnishwithalltheAssembly’sanswerstothegovernor’smessages，rais’daclamoragainsttheproprietariesfortheirmeannessandinjusticeingivingtheirgovernorsuchinstructions；somegoingsofarastosaythat，byobstructingthedefenseoftheirprovince，theyforfeitedtheirrighttoit。Theywereintimidatedbythis，andsentorderstotheirreceiver—generaltoaddfivethousandpoundsoftheirmoneytowhateversummightbegivenbytheAssemblyforsuchpurpose。

This，beingnotifiedtotheHouse，wasacceptedinlieuoftheirshareofageneraltax，andanewbillwasform’d，withanexemptingclause，whichpassedaccordingly。BythisactIwasappointedoneofthecommissionersfordisposingofthemoney，sixtythousandpounds。

Ihadbeenactiveinmodellingthebillandprocuringitspassage，andhad，atthesametime，drawnabillforestablishinganddiscipliningofavoluntarymilitia，whichIcarriedthro’

theHousewithoutmuchdifficulty，ascarewastakeninittoleavetheQuakersattheirliberty。Topromotetheassociationnecessarytoformthemilitia，Iwroteadialogue，<14>statingandansweringalltheobjectionsIcouldthinkoftosuchamilitia，whichwasprinted，andhad，asIthought，greateffect。

<14>Thisdialogueandthemilitiaactareinthe"Gentleman’sMagazine"forFebruaryandMarch，1756。

——[Marg。note。]

Whiletheseveralcompaniesinthecityandcountrywereformingandlearningtheirexercise，thegovernorprevail’dwithmetotakechargeofourNorth—westernfrontier，whichwasinfestedbytheenemy，andprovideforthedefenseoftheinhabitantsbyraisingtroopsandbuildingalineofforts。Iundertookthismilitarybusiness，tho’Ididnotconceivemyselfwellqualifiedforit。Hegavemeacommissionwithfullpowers，andaparcelofblankcommissionsforofficers，tobegiventowhomIthoughtfit。Ihadbutlittledifficultyinraisingmen，havingsoonfivehundredandsixtyundermycommand。

Myson，whohadintheprecedingwarbeenanofficerinthearmyrais’dagainstCanada，wasmyaid—de—camp，andofgreatusetome。

TheIndianshadburnedGnadenhut，avillagesettledbytheMoravians，andmassacredtheinhabitants；buttheplacewasthoughtagoodsituationforoneoftheforts。

Inordertomarchthither，IassembledthecompaniesatBethlehem，thechiefestablishmentofthosepeople。Iwassurprisedtofinditinsogoodapostureofdefense；thedestructionofGnadenhuthadmadethemapprehenddanger。Theprincipalbuildingsweredefendedbyastockade；theyhadpurchasedaquantityofarmsandammunitionfromNewYork，andhadevenplac’dquantitiesofsmallpavingstonesbetweenthewindowsoftheirhighstonehouses，fortheirwomentothrowdownupontheheadsofanyIndiansthatshouldattempttoforceintothem。Thearmedbrethren，too，keptwatch，andreliev’dasmethodicallyasinanygarrisontown。

Inconversationwiththebishop，Spangenberg，Imention’dthismysurprise；for，knowingtheyhadobtainedanactofParliamentexemptingthemfrommilitarydutiesinthecolonies，Ihadsuppos’dtheywereconscientiouslyscrupulousofbearingarms。

Heanswer’dmethatitwasnotoneoftheirestablishedprinciples，butthat，atthetimeoftheirobtainingthatact，itwasthoughttobeaprinciplewithmanyoftheirpeople。Onthisoccasion，however，they，totheirsurprise，founditadoptedbybutafew。

Itseemstheywereeitherdeceiv’dinthemselves，ordeceiv’dtheParliament；butcommonsense，aidedbypresentdanger，willsometimesbetoostrongforwhimsicalopinions。

ItwasthebeginningofJanuarywhenwesetoutuponthisbusinessofbuildingforts。IsentonedetachmenttowardtheMinisink，withinstructionstoerectoneforthesecurityofthatupperpartofthecountry，andanothertothelowerpart，withsimilarinstructions；

andIconcludedtogomyselfwiththerestofmyforcetoGnadenhut，whereafortwastho’tmoreimmediatelynecessary。TheMoraviansprocur’dmefivewaggonsforourtools，stores，baggage，etc。

JustbeforeweleftBethlehem，elevenfarmers，whohadbeendrivenfromtheirplantationsbytheIndians，cametomerequestingasupplyoffirearms，thattheymightgobackandfetchofftheircattle。

Igavethemeachagunwithsuitableammunition。Wehadnotmarch’dmanymilesbeforeitbegantorain，anditcontinuedrainingallday；

therewerenohabitationsontheroadtoshelterus，tillwearriv’dnearnightatthehouseofaGerman，where，andinhisbarn，wewereallhuddledtogether，aswetaswatercouldmakeus。

Itwaswellwewerenotattack’dinourmarch，forourarmswereofthemostordinarysort，andourmencouldnotkeeptheirgunlocksdry。

TheIndiansaredextrousincontrivancesforthatpurpose，whichwehadnot。Theymetthatdaytheelevenpoorfarmersabovementioned，andkilledtenofthem。Theonewhoescap’dinform’dthathisandhiscompanions’gunswouldnotgooff，theprimingbeingwetwiththerain。

Thenextdaybeingfair，wecontinu’dourmarch，andarriv’datthedesolatedGnadenhut。Therewasasaw—millnear，roundwhichwereleftseveralpilesofboards，withwhichwesoonhuttedourselves；

anoperationthemorenecessaryatthatinclementseason，aswehadnotents。Ourfirstworkwastoburymoreeffectuallythedeadwefoundthere，whohadbeenhalfinterr’dbythecountrypeople。

Thenextmorningourfortwasplann’dandmark’dout，thecircumferencemeasuringfourhundredandfifty—fivefeet，whichwouldrequireasmanypalisadestobemadeoftrees，onewithanother，ofafootdiametereach。Ouraxes，ofwhichwehadseventy，wereimmediatelysettoworktocutdowntrees，and，ourmenbeingdextrousintheuseofthem，greatdespatchwasmade。

Seeingthetreesfallsofast，Ihadthecuriositytolookatmywatchwhentwomenbegantocutatapine；insixminutestheyhaditupontheground，andIfounditoffourteeninchesdiameter。Eachpinemadethreepalisadesofeighteenfeetlong，pointedatoneend。

Whilethesewerepreparing，ourothermendugatrenchallround，ofthreefeetdeep，inwhichthepalisadesweretobeplanted；

and，ourwaggons，thebodysbeingtakenoff，andtheforeandhindwheelsseparatedbytakingoutthepinwhichunitedthetwopartsoftheperch，wehadtencarriages，withtwohorseseach，tobringthepalisadesfromthewoodstothespot。Whentheyweresetup，ourcarpentersbuiltastageofboardsallroundwithin，aboutsixfeethigh，forthementostandonwhentofirethro’theloopholes。

Wehadoneswivelgun，whichwemountedononeoftheangles，andfir’ditassoonasfix’d，tolettheIndiansknow，ifanywerewithinhearing，thatwehadsuchpieces；andthusourfort，ifsuchamagnificentnamemaybegiventosomiserableastockade，wasfinish’dinaweek，thoughitrain’dsohardeveryotherdaythatthemencouldnotwork。

Thisgavemeoccasiontoobserve，that，whenmenareemploy’d，theyarebestcontent’d；foronthedaystheyworkedtheyweregood—natur’dandcheerful，and，withtheconsciousnessofhavingdoneagoodday’swork，theyspenttheeveningjollily；butonouridledaystheyweremutinousandquarrelsome，findingfaultwiththeirpork，thebread，etc。，andincontinualill—humor，whichputmeinmindofasea—captain，whoseruleitwastokeephismenconstantlyatwork；and，whenhismateoncetoldhimthattheyhaddoneeverything，andtherewasnothingfurthertoemploythemabout，"Oh，"sayshe，"Makethemscourtheanchor。"

Thiskindoffort，howevercontemptible，isasufficientdefenseagainstIndians，whohavenocannon。Findingourselvesnowpostedsecurely，andhavingaplacetoretreattoonoccasion，weventur’doutinpartiestoscourtheadjacentcountry。WemetwithnoIndians，butwefoundtheplacesontheneighboringhillswheretheyhadlaintowatchourproceedings。Therewasanartintheircontrivanceofthoseplaces，thatseemsworthmention。Itbeingwinter，afirewasnecessaryforthem；butacommonfireonthesurfaceofthegroundwouldbyitslighthavediscoveredtheirpositionatadistance。

Theyhadthereforedugholesinthegroundaboutthreefeetdiameter，andsomewhatdeeper；wesawwheretheyhadwiththeirhatchetscutoffthecharcoalfromthesidesofburntlogslyinginthewoods。

Withthesecoalstheyhadmadesmallfiresinthebottomoftheholes，andweobserv’damongtheweedsandgrasstheprintsoftheirbodies，madebytheirlayingallround，withtheirlegshangingdownintheholestokeeptheirfeetwarm，which，withthem，isanessentialpoint。Thiskindoffire，somanag’d，couldnotdiscoverthem，eitherbyitslight，flame，sparks，orevensmoke：

itappear’dthattheirnumberwasnotgreat，anditseemstheysawweweretoomanytobeattackedbythemwithprospectofadvantage。

WehadforourchaplainazealousPresbyterianminister，Mr。Beatty，whocomplainedtomethatthemendidnotgenerallyattendhisprayersandexhortations。Whentheyenlisted，theywerepromised，besidespayandprovisions，agillofrumaday，whichwaspunctuallyserv’douttothem，halfinthemorning，andtheotherhalfintheevening；

andIobserv’dtheywereaspunctualinattendingtoreceiveit；

uponwhichIsaidtoMr。Beatty，"Itis，perhaps，belowthedignityofyourprofessiontoactasstewardoftherum，butifyouweretodealitoutandonlyjustafterprayers，youwouldhavethemallaboutyou。"

Helikedthetho’t，undertooktheoffice，and，withthehelpofafewhandstomeasureouttheliquor，executedittosatisfaction，andneverwereprayersmoregenerallyandmorepunctuallyattended；

sothatIthoughtthismethodpreferabletothepunishmentinflictedbysomemilitarylawsfornon—attendanceondivineservice。

Ihadhardlyfinish’dthisbusiness，andgotmyfortwellstor’dwithprovisions，whenIreceiv’daletterfromthegovernor，acquaintingmethathehadcall’dtheAssembly，andwishedmyattendancethere，ifthepostureofaffairsonthefrontierswassuchthatmyremainingtherewasnolongernecessary。

Myfriends，too，oftheAssembly，pressingmebytheirletterstobe，ifpossible，atthemeeting，andmythreeintendedfortsbeingnowcompleated，andtheinhabitantscontentedtoremainontheirfarmsunderthatprotection，Iresolvedtoreturn；themorewillingly，asaNewEnglandofficer，ColonelClapham，experiencedinIndianwar，beingonavisittoourestablishment，consentedtoacceptthecommand。

Igavehimacommission，and，paradingthegarrison，haditreadbeforethem，andintroduc’dhimtothemasanofficerwho，fromhisskillinmilitaryaffairs，wasmuchmorefittocommandthemthanmyself；and，givingthemalittleexhortation，tookmyleave。

IwasescortedasfarasBethlehem，whereIrestedafewdaystorecoverfromthefatigueIhadundergone。Thefirstnight，beinginagoodbed，Icouldhardlysleep，itwassodifferentfrommyhardlodgingonthefloorofourhutatGnadenwraptonlyinablanketortwo。

WhileatBethlehem，Iinquir’dalittleintothepracticeoftheMoravians：someofthemhadaccompaniedme，andallwereverykindtome。Ifoundtheywork’dforacommonstock，eatatcommontables，andsleptincommondormitories，greatnumberstogether。

InthedormitoriesIobservedloopholes，atcertaindistancesallalongjustundertheceiling，whichIthoughtjudiciouslyplacedforchangeofair。Iwasattheirchurch，whereIwasentertain’dwithgoodmusick，theorganbeingaccompaniedwithviolins，hautboys，flutes，clarinets，etc。Iunderstoodthattheirsermonswerenotusuallypreachedtomixedcongregationsofmen，women，andchildren，asisourcommonpractice，butthattheyassembledsometimesthemarriedmen，atothertimestheirwives，thentheyoungmen，theyoungwomen，andthelittlechildren，eachdivisionbyitself。

ThesermonIheardwastothelatter，whocameinandwereplac’dinrowsonbenches；theboysundertheconductofayoungman，theirtutor，andthegirlsconductedbyayoungwoman。Thediscourseseem’dwelladaptedtotheircapacities，andwasdeliver’dinapleasing，familiarmanner，coaxingthem，asitwere，tobegood。Theybehav’dveryorderly，butlookedpaleandunhealthy，whichmademesuspecttheywerekepttoomuchwithindoors，ornotallow’dsufficientexercise。

Iinquir’dconcerningtheMoravianmarriages，whetherthereportwastruethattheywerebylot。Iwastoldthatlotswereus’donlyinparticularcases；thatgenerally，whenayoungmanfoundhimselfdispos’dtomarry，heinform’dtheeldersofhisclass，whoconsultedtheelderladiesthatgovern’dtheyoungwomen。