Letter from William Thompson, Cumberland County, to Governour Penn

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Cumberland County, June 19, 1774.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR: By Janes Caveat, Esquire, who is just come down from Westmoreland, there is a certain account of a number of people being killed by the Indians, on the west side of the Monongahela river. Mr˙ Caveat was on his way to Philadelphia, (believing the Assembly was setting,) to lay the indifferent situation of the people of Westmoreland before your Honour, and the Assembly, and to pray the aid of Government in said country, otherwise, it must be entirely evacuated.

They have at their own risk raised two hundred men, which are stationed in the best manner that number will admit of, to guard their frontier; but they are only raised for one month; and indeed these poor people are not able to pay that expense, much less are they in a condition to support troops for any length of time.

I took the earliest opportunity of acquainting the people over the hills of your friendship towards them, in procuring without loss of time, a quantity of arms and ammunition, which was now on the way up for their use, and also assured them that you would do every thing on your part for their preservation, and hoped the like disposition would be found in the Assembly if called on for assistance.

As that part of the country was entirely without ammunition, Mr˙ Montgomery and myself purchased and sent off, about ten days since, all the powder and lead we could get in Carlisle, which I expect is safe up before this.

It is said the Indians have fixed a boundary betwixt the Virginians and us, and say, that they will not kill or touch a Pennsylvanian. But it will be best not to trust them, and I am doubtful, a short time will show to the contrary.

I am your Honour' s most obedient, and very humble servant,

WILLIAM THOMPSON.

To the Honourable John Penn, Esquire.