51Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 11 November 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1756 (Philadelphia, 1756), pp. 19–21. Upon learning of Indian attacks at Penn’s Creek and other places in the Susquehanna Valley, Governor Morris summoned the Assembly for Nov. 3, 1755. He urged them to pass a militia law and provide funds for defense, although he cautioned them to “not waste your Time in offering me such...
52Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 18 November 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1756 (Philadelphia, 1756), pp. 26–8. Replying to the Assembly’s message of November 11 six days later, Governor Morris agreed that the dispute over exemption of proprietary lands from taxation “must in the end be determined by His Majesty.” His message dealt entirely with the manner of presenting the question to the King...
53Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 16 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives, 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 101. Calling on the neighboring colonies for supplies, General Braddock, who was about to begin his march westward from Fort Cumberland, asked Governor Morris on May 24, 1755, to forward “with all Diligence” Pennsylvania’s share of the artillery, ammunition, stores, and provisions he would need...
54Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 9 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 87. Scaroyady, the Oneida chief who represented the Six Nations in their dealings with the Ohio Indians, after reporting to Governor Morris at Philadelphia on March 31, complained bitterly that the English were niggardly in making presents, compared with the French, who gave the Indians fine...
55The Pennsylvania Assembly: Instructions to Its Delegates in Congress, 9 November 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania ..., VI (Philadelphia, 1776), 647; AD (draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania. In May the Pennsylvania Assembly had committed its delegates to military resistance, colonial union, and a continued search for compromise. After the elections in October the new Assembly chose a new Congressional delegation, again...
56Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 18 August 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1756 (Philadelphia, 1756), p. 128. On August 17 the Assembly received a message from the governor informing it of the capture by French and Indians, July 31, of Fort Granville, about 25 miles west of the Susquehanna on the Juniata River (near present-day Lewiston). The treasury was depleted, and Morris asked for new...
57Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 14 May 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1756 (Philadelphia, 1756), p. 92. When Franklin returned to Philadelphia from Virginia in early May, he found the province at war with the Delaware Indians and the Assembly summoned two weeks ahead of the date to which it stood adjourned to consider further measures of defense, especially for the counties west of the...
58Pennsylvania Assembly: Proposed Reply to the Governor, 25 November 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1756 (Philadelphia, 1756), appendix pp. i–iii between pp. 54 and 55. After agreeing to the Committee Report immediately above in lieu of making a direct answer to Governor Morris’ message of November 22, the Assembly resolved that the reply which the same committee had drafted “be at present laid aside.” Thus, the reply...
59Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, [26 May 1764] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1763–1764 (Philadelphia, 1764), p. 85. The Assembly had reconvened on May 14 after a seven-week recess, and on the 17th Governor Penn sent down a long message in reply to that of the House on March 24 concerning the £55,000 supply bill. He reviewed the circumstances leading to the order in council of Sept. 2, 1760 , and argued...
60Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 3 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1756 (Philadelphia, 1756), p. 99. Governor Morris issued a proclamation, April 14, declaring war on the Delaware and other Indians confederated with them. This action badly undercut Sir William Johnson’s policy of maintaining friendship with the Pennsylvania Indians through their supposed obedience to the great council of...
61Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 19 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755, pp. 144–52. The Assembly’s long message of August 8 to Governor Morris had been the first heavy salvo in the battle over taxation of the proprietary estates. Words, however, could scarcely effect the settlement of the issue, since the governor insisted he was enjoined from approving such bills by the terms of his...
62Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 29 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 169–76. The final session of the 1754–55 Assembly, September 15–30, was utterly fruitless. Governor Morris made plain his contempt by delaying his attention to the most trifling matters and by withholding his principal message for nine days. In turn the Assembly sent him a series of nagging...