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。
Thesepublicquarrelswereallatbottomowingtotheproprietaries，ourhereditarygovernors，who，whenanyexpensewastobeincurredforthedefenseoftheirprovince，withincrediblemeannessinstructedtheirdeputiestopassnoactforlevyingthenecessarytaxes，unlesstheirvastestateswereinthesameactexpresslyexcused；
andtheyhadeventakenbondsofthesedeputiestoobservesuchinstructions。TheAssembliesforthreeyearsheldoutagainstthisinjustice，tho’constrainedtobendatlast。AtlengthCaptainDenny，whowasGovernorMorris’ssuccessor，venturedtodisobeythoseinstructions；howthatwasbroughtaboutIshallshowhereafter。
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，statingandansweringalltheobjectionsIcouldthinkoftosuchamilitia，whichwasprinted，andhad，asIthought，greateffect。
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。