retaliation on the part of a body of Scotch and Irish settlers in Paxton township, Pennsylvania. They attacked a friendly and harmless tribe, living under the guidance of some Moravian missionaries, murdered men, women, and children indiscriminately, forced their way into Lancaster workhouse. where some of the fugitives had taken refuge, and killed them, and then marched down to Philadelphia, in January, 1764, to exterminate a body of Indians who had fled to that city. It was with much difficulty that Franklin succeeded in forming a body of militia, to defend the city, and in compelling the "Paxton boys," as they were called, to retire without further shedding of blood. It was a disgraceful and scandalous outrage, but unhappily, there was no power in the province sufficient to punish these murderers.
General Gage, the new commander-in-chief in America, called for levies of troops to aid in putting an end to this war with the Indians. Two expeditions were sent out, one by way of Pittsburg, and the other along the lakes. The Indians finding themselves thus vigorously pressed, deemed it expedient, soon after, to consent to terms of peace.
| CHAPTER X. |
1764—1766.
ENGLAND BEGINS THE CONTEST.
Progress of settlements—Advances in wealth, learning, and art—Recuperative energies of the colonies—The flame of liberty—How the collision was hastened on—Causes which led to the contest—M. Guizot's philosophical remarks—Policy of the English government in having ten thousand troops in America—Authority of parliament over the colonies—Not quite clear what it was—Walpole's view as to taxation—George Grenville's plan—How the news was received in America—Resolution of the General Court in Massachusetts—Instructions to the Agent in England—Otis's bold pamphlet—Action in the other colonies —Reasons for Grenville's delay in not pressing the passage of the stamp act—View of the colonists on this point—Excitement in regard to it; but urged forward—Ignorance in England of America's true condition—Taxation and Representation inseparable—Townshend's inquiry—Colonel Barre's eloquent rejoinder—The bill passed—Franklin's letter to Thompson—The "Quartering Act"—Patrick Henry and the Virginia Assembly—Resolutions—Violent debate—Henry's speech—Colonial Congress recommended—Popular outbreaks in various places against the stamp tax—Assembling of the Colonial Congress in New York—Its acts—No stamps allowed to be used—Riot in New York—The stamp act treated with general contempt—"Sons of Liberty"—Change in the English ministry—Parliament of 1766—Pitt's great speech—Grenville's speech—Pitt's eloquent reply—Franklin's evidence before the House of Commons—Repeal of the stamp act proposed and carried—Saving clause in regard to its repeal—Camden's views—The king's assent—General joy in England at this result. Appendix to Chapter X.—I. Franklin's Letter to W. Alexander, Esq.—II The Stamp Act.
The subjugation of Canada and the Indian tribes in the north-east, gave a fresh and vigorous impulse to the settlements in Maine, which although among the oldest in North America, had been very seriously retarded by successive wars with the Indians. New settlers began to occupy the Lower Kennebec,
