Benjamin Franklin Part 60

The universal Concern of the neighbouring White People on hearing of this Event, and the Lamentations of the younger _Indians_, when they returned and saw the Desolation, and the butchered half-burnt Bodies of their murdered Parents and other Relations, cannot well be expressed.

Notwithstanding this Proclamation [by the Governor], those cruel men again a.s.sembled themselves, and hearing that the remaining fourteen _Indians_ were in the Workhouse at _Lancaster_, they suddenly appeared in that Town, on the 27th of _December_. Fifty of them, armed as before, dismounting, went directly to the Workhouse, and by Violence broke open the Door, and entered with the utmost Fury in their Countenances. When the poor Wretches saw they had _no Protection_ nigh, nor could possibly escape, and being without the least Weapon for Defence, they divided into their little Families, the Children clinging to the Parents; they fell on their Knees, protested their Innocence, declared their Love to the _English_, and that, in their whole Lives, they had never done them Injury; and in this Posture they all received the Hatchet! Men, Women and little Children were every one inhumanly murdered!--in cold Blood!

The barbarous Men who committed the atrocious Fact, in defiance of Government, of all Laws human and divine, and to the eternal Disgrace of their Country and Colour, then mounted their Horses, huzza'd in Triumph, as if they had gained a Victory, and rode off--_unmolested_!

The Bodies of the Murdered were then brought out and exposed in the Street, till a Hole could be made in the Earth to receive and cover them.

But the Wickedness cannot be covered, the Guilt will lie on the whole Land, till Justice is done on the Murderers. THE BLOOD OF THE INNOCENT WILL CRY TO HEAVEN FOR VENGEANCE.

If an _Indian_ injures me, does it follow that I may revenge that Injury on all _Indians_? It is well known, that _Indians_ are of different Tribes, Nations and Languages, as well as the White People. In _Europe_ if the _French_, who are White People, should injure the _Dutch_, are they to revenge it on the _English_, because they too are White People?

The only Crime of these poor Wretches seems to have been, that they had a reddish-brown Skin, and black Hair; and some People of that Sort, it seems, had murdered some of our Relations. If it be right to kill Men for such a Reason, then, should any Man, with a freckled Face and red Hair, kill a Wife or Child of mine, it would be right for me to revenge it, by killing all the freckled red-haired Men, Women and Children, I could afterwards anywhere meet with.

But it seems these People think they have a better Justification; nothing less than the _Word of G.o.d_. With the Scriptures in their Hands and Mouths, they can set at nought that express Command, _Thou shalt do no Murder_; and justify their Wickedness by the Command given _Joshua_ to destroy the Heathen. Horrid Perversion of Scripture and of Religion!

To father the worst of Crimes on the G.o.d of Peace and Love! Even the _Jews_, to whom that particular Commission was directed, spared the _Gibeonites_, on Account of their Faith once given. The Faith of this Government has been frequently given to those _Indians_; but that did not avail them with People who despise Government.

We pretend to be _Christians_, and, from the superior Light we enjoy, ought to exceed _Heathens_, _Turks_, _Saracens_, _Moors_, _Negroes_ and _Indians_, in the Knowledge and Practice of what is right. I will endeavour to show, by a few Examples from Books and History, the Sense those People have had of such Actions.

Homer wrote his Poem, called the _Odyssey_, some Hundred Years before the Birth of Christ. He frequently speaks of what he calls not only _the Duties_, but _the Sacred Rites of Hospitality_, (exercised towards Strangers, while in our House or Territory) as including, besides all the common Circ.u.mstances of Entertainment, full Safety and Protection of Person, from all Danger of Life, from all Injuries, and even Insults.

The Rites of Hospitality were called _sacred_, because the Stranger, the Poor, and the Weak, when they applied for Protection and Relief, were, from the Religion of those Times, supposed to be sent by the Deity to try the Goodness of Men, and that he would avenge the Injuries they might receive, where they ought to have been protected. These Sentiments therefore influenced the Manners of all Ranks of People, even the meanest; for we find that when _Ulysses_ came, as a poor Stranger, to the Hut of Eumaeus, the Swineherd, and his great Dogs ran out to tear the ragged Man, _Eumaeus_ drave them away with Stones; and

"'Unhappy Stranger!' (thus the faithful Swain Began, with Accent gracious and humane,) 'What Sorrow had been mine, if at _my_ Gate Thy rev'rend Age had met a shameful Fate!

But enter this my homely Roof, and see Our Woods not void of Hospitality.'

He said, and seconding the kind Request, With friendly Step precedes the unknown Guest, A s.h.a.ggy Goat's soft Hide beneath him spread, And with fresh Rushes heap'd an ample Bed.

Joy touch'd the Hero's tender Soul, to find So just Reception from a Heart so kind: And [']Oh, ye G.o.ds! with all your Blessings grace'

(He thus broke forth) 'this Friend of human Race![']

The Swain reply'd. [']It never was our guise To slight the Poor, or aught humane despise.

For Jove unfolds the hospitable Door, 'Tis Jove that sends the Stranger and the Poor.[']"[69]

These Heathen People thought, that after a Breach of the Rites of Hospitality, a Curse from Heaven would attend them in every thing they did, and even their honest Industry in their Callings would fail of Success. Thus when _Ulysses_ tells _Eumaeus_, who doubted the Truth of what he related, "If I deceive you in this, I should deserve Death, and I consent that you should put me to Death," _Eumaeus_ rejects the Proposal, as what would be attended with both Infamy and Misfortune, saying ironically,

"Doubtless, O Guest! great Laud and Praise were mine, If, after social Rites and Gifts bestow'd, I stain'd my Hospitable Hearth with Blood.

How would the G.o.ds my righteous Toils succeed, And bless the Hand that made a Stranger bleed?

No more."--

Even an open Enemy, in the Heat of Battle, throwing down his Arms, submitting to his Foe, and asking Life and Protection, was supposed to acquire an immediate Right to that Protection. Thus one describes his being saved, when his Party was defeated;

"We turn'd to Flight; the gath'ring Vengeance spread On all Parts round, and Heaps on Heaps lie dead.

The radiant Helmet from my Brows unlac'd, And lo, on Earth my s.h.i.+eld and Javelin cast, I meet the Monarch with a Suppliant's Face, Approach his Chariot, and his Knees embrace.

He heard, he sav'd, he plac'd me at his Side; My State he pity'd, and my Tears he dry'd; Restrain'd the Rage the vengeful Foe express'd, And turn'd the deadly Weapons from my Breast.

Pious to guard the Hospitable Rite, And fearing Jove, whom Mercy's Works delight."

The Suitors of _Penelope_ are by the same ancient Poet described as a sett of lawless Men, who were _regardless of the sacred Rites of Hospitality_. And therefore when the Queen was informed they were slain, and that by _Ulysses_, she, not believing that _Ulysses_ was returned, says,

"Ah no! some G.o.d the Suitors Deaths decreed, Some G.o.d descends, and by his Hand they bleed: Blind, to contemn the Stranger's righteous Cause, And violate all hospitable Laws!

... The Powers they defy'd; But Heav'n is just, and by a G.o.d they dy'd."

Now I am about to mention something of _Indians_, I beg that I may not be understood as framing Apologies for _all Indians_. I am far from desiring to lessen the laudable Spirit of Resentment in my Countrymen against those now at War with us, so far as it is justified by their Perfidy and Inhumanity. I would only observe, that the _Six Nations_, as a Body, have kept Faith with the _English_ ever since we knew them, now near an Hundred Years; and that the governing Part of those People have had Notions of Honour, whatever may be the Case with the Rum-debauched, Trader-corrupted Vagabonds and Thieves on the _Sasquehannah_ and _Ohio_, at present in Arms against us.

Unhappy People! to have lived in such Times, and by such Neighbours! We have seen, that they would have been safer among the ancient _Heathens_, with whom the Rites of Hospitality were _sacred_. They would have been considered as _Guests_ of the Publick, and the Religion of the Country would have operated in their Favour. But our Frontier People call themselves _Christians_! They would have been safer, if they had submitted to the _Turks_; for ever since _Mahomet's_ Reproof to _Khaled_, even the cruel _Turks_ never kill Prisoners in cold Blood.

These were not even Prisoners. But what is the Example of _Turks_ to Scripture _Christians_? They would have been safer, though they had been taken in actual War against the _Saracens_, if they had once drank Water with them. These were not taken in War against us, and have drank with us, and we with them, for Fourscore Years. But shall we compare _Saracens_ to _Christians_?

They would have been safer among the _Moors_ in _Spain_, though they had been Murderers of Sons; if Faith had once been pledged to them, and a Promise of Protection given. But these have had the Faith of the _English_ given to them many Times by the Government, and, in Reliance on that Faith, they lived among us, and gave us the Opportunity of murdering them. However, what was honourable in _Moors_, may not be a Rule to us; for we are _Christians_! They would have been safer it seems among _Popish Spaniards_, even if Enemies, and delivered into their Hands by a Tempest. These were not Enemies; they were born among us, and yet we have killed them all. But shall we imitate _idolatrous Papists_, we that are _enlightened Protestants_? They would have even been safer among the _Negroes_ of _Africa_, where at least one manly Soul would have been found, with Sense, Spirit and Humanity enough, to stand in their Defence. But shall _Whitemen_ and _Christians_ act like a _Pagan Negroe_? In short it appears, that they would have been safe in any Part of the known World, except in the Neighbourhood of the CHRISTIAN WHITE SAVAGES of _Peckstang_ and _Donesgall_!

O, ye unhappy Perpetrators of this horrid Wickedness! reflect a Moment on the Mischief ye have done, the Disgrace ye have brought on your Country, on your Religion, and your Bible, on your Families and Children! Think on the Destruction of your captivated Country-folks (now among the wild _Indians_) which probably may follow, in Resentment of your Barbarity! Think on the Wrath of the United _Five Nations_, hitherto our Friends, but now provoked by your murdering one of their Tribes, in Danger of becoming our bitter Enemies. Think of the mild and good Government you have so audaciously insulted; the Laws of your King, your Country, and your G.o.d, that you have broken; the infamous Death that hangs over your Heads; for Justice, though slow, will come at last.

All good People everywhere detest your Actions. You have imbrued your Hands in innocent Blood; how will you make them clean? The dying Shrieks and Groans of the Murdered, will often sound in your Ears: Their Spectres will sometimes attend you, and affright even your innocent Children! Fly where you will, your Consciences will go with you. Talking in your Sleep shall betray you, in the Delirium of a Fever you yourselves shall make your own Wickedness known.

Let us rouze ourselves, for Shame, and redeem the Honour of our Province from the Contempt of its Neighbours; let all good Men join heartily and unanimously in Support of the Laws, and in strengthening the Hands of Government; that JUSTICE may be done, the Wicked punished, and the Innocent protected; otherwise we can, as a People, expect no Blessing from Heaven; there will be no Security for our Persons or Properties; Anarchy and Confusion will prevail over all; and Violence without Judgment, dispose of every Thing.

TO THE EDITOR OF A NEWSPAPER

Monday, May 20, [1765].

SIR,

In your Paper of Wednesday last, an ingenious Correspondent that calls himself THE SPECTATOR, and dates from _Pimlico_, under the Guise of Good Will to the News-writers, whom he calls an "useful Body of Men in this great City," has, in my Opinion, artfully attempted to turn them & their Works into Ridicule, wherein if he could succeed, great Injury might be done to the Public as well as to those good People.

Supposing, Sir, that the "_We hears_" they give us of this & t'other intended Voyage or Tour of this & t'other great Personage, were mere Inventions, yet they at least offer us an innocent Amus.e.m.e.nt while we read, and useful Matter of Conversation when we are dispos'd to converse.

Englishmen, Sir, are too apt to be silent when they have nothing to say; too apt to be sullen when they are silent; and, when they are sullen, to hang themselves. But, by these _We hears_, we are supplied with abundant funds of Discourse, we discuss the Motives for such Voyages, the Probability of their being undertaken, and the Practicability of their Execution. Here we display our Judgment in Politics, our Knowledge of the Interests of Princes, and our Skill in Geography, and (if we have it) show our Dexterity moreover in Argumentation. In the mean time, the tedious Hour is kill'd, we go home pleas'd with the Applauses we have receiv'd from others, or at least with those we secretly give to ourselves: We sleep soundly, & live on, to the Comfort of our Families.

But, Sir, I beg leave to say, that all the Articles of News that seem improbable are not mere Inventions. Some of them, I can a.s.sure you on the Faith of a Traveller, are serious Truths. And here, quitting Mr.

Spectator of Pimlico, give me leave to instance the various numberless Accounts the Newswriters have given us, with so much honest Zeal for the welfare of _Poor Old England_, of the establis.h.i.+ng Manufactures in the Colonies to the Prejudice of those of this Kingdom. It is objected by superficial Readers, who yet pretend to some Knowledge of those Countries, that such Establishments are not only improbable, but impossible, for that their Sheep have but little Wooll, not in the whole sufficient for a Pair of Stockings a Year to each Inhabitant; and that, from the Universal Dearness of Labour among them, the Working of Iron and other Materials, except in some few coa.r.s.e Instances, is impracticable to any Advantage.

Dear Sir, do not let us suffer ourselves to be amus'd with such groundless Objections. The very Tails of the American Sheep are so laden with Wooll, that each has a little Car or Waggon on four little Wheels, to support & keep it from trailing on the Ground.[70] Would they caulk their s.h.i.+ps, would they fill their Beds, would they even litter their Horses with Wooll, if it were not both plenty and cheap? And what signifies Dearness of Labour, when an English s.h.i.+lling pa.s.ses for five and Twenty? Their engaging 300 Silk Throwsters here in one Week, for New York, was treated as a Fable, because, forsooth, they have "no Silk there to throw." Those, who made this Objection, perhaps did not know, that at the same time the Agents from the King of Spain were at Quebec to contract for 1000 Pieces of Cannon to be made there for the Fortification of Mexico, and at N York engaging the annual Supply of woven Floor-Carpets for their West India Houses, other Agents from the Emperor of China were at Boston treating about an Exchange of raw Silk for Wooll, to be carried in Chinese Junks through the Straits of Magellan.

And yet all this is as certainly true, as the Account said to be from Quebec, in all the Papers of last Week, that the Inhabitants of Canada are making Preparations for a Cod and Whale Fishery this "Summer in the upper Lakes." Ignorant People may object that the upper Lakes are fresh, and that Cod and Whale are Salt Water Fish: But let them know, Sir, that Cod, like other Fish when attack'd by their Enemies, fly into any Water where they can be safest; that Whales, when they have a mind to eat Cod, pursue them wherever they fly; and that the grand Leap of the Whale in that Chase up the Fall of Niagara is esteemed, by all who have seen it, as one of the finest Spectacles in Nature. Really, Sir, the World is grown too incredulous. It is like the Pendulum ever swinging from one Extream to another. Formerly every thing printed was believed, because it was in print. Now Things seem to be disbelieved for just the very same Reason. Wise Men wonder at the present Growth of Infidelity. They should have consider'd, when they taught People to doubt the Authority of Newspapers and the Truth of Predictions in Almanacks, that the next Step might be a Disbelief in the well vouch'd Accts of Ghosts Witches, and Doubts even of the Truths of the Creed!

Thus much I thought it necessary to say in favour of an honest Set of Writers, whose comfortable Living depends on collecting & supplying the Printers with News at the small Price of Sixpence an Article, and who always show their Regard to Truth, by contradicting in a subsequent Article such as are wrong,--for another Sixpence,--to the great Satisfaction & Improvement of us Coffee-house Students in History & Politics, and the infinite Advantage of all future Livies, Rapins, Robertsons, Humes, and McAulays, who may be sincerely inclin'd to furnish the World with that _rara Avis_, a true History.

I am, Sir, your humble Servant, A TRAVELLER.

TO LORD KAMES

Craven Street, London, June 2, 1765.