owers of Europe, in their ambitious
struggles, cared very little for the savages of North America. Like
the hungry wolf they had lapped blood. Plunder had become as
attractive to them as to the privateersman and the pirate. During the
summer of 1763, the western regions of Pennsylvania were fearfully
ravaged by these fierce bands. Thousands of settlers were driven from
their homes, their buildings laid in ashes, and their farms utterly
desolated.

In all the churches contributions were raised, in behalf of the
victims of this insane and utterly needless war. Christ Church alone
raised between three and four thousand dollars; and sent a missionary
to expend the sum among these starving, woe-stricken families. The
missionary reported seven hundred and fifty farms in Pennsylvania
alone, utterly abandoned. Two hundred and fifty women and children,
destitute and despairing, had fled to Fort Pitt for protection.

In the midst of these awful scenes, Governor Hamilton resigned, and
the weak, haughty John Penn arriving, took his place. The Assembly, as
usual, gave him a courteous reception, wishing, if possible, to avert
a quarrel. There were many fanatics in those days. Some of these
assumed that God was displeased, because the heathen Indians had not
been entirely exterminated. The savages had perpetrated such horrors,
that by them no distinction was made between those friendly to the
English, and those hostile. The very name of Indian was loathed.

In the vicinity of Lancaster, there was the feeble remnant of a once
powerful tribe. The philanthropy of William Penn had won them to love
the English. No one of them had ever been known to lift his hand
against a white man. There were but twenty remaining, seven men, five
women and eight children. They were an industrious, peaceful, harmless
people, having adopted English names, English customs and the
Christian religion.

A vagabond party of Scotch-Irish, from Paxton, set out, in the morning
of the 14th of December, for their destruction. They were well mounted
and well armed. It so happened that there were but six Indians at
home. They made no defence. Parents and children knelt, as in prayer,
and silently received the death blow. Every head was cleft by the
hatchet. These poor creatures were very affectionate, and had greatly
endeared themselves to their neighbors. This deed of infamous
assassination roused the indignation of many of the most worthy people
in the province.