Devereux Smith to Governour Penn

v1:1274

Hanna' s Town, February 14, 1775.

SIR: The situation of this County, at present, is really distressing. Every man who has the least feeling, must pity the poor inhabitants, who, after returning to their places when the disturbances with the Indians subsided, are now daily plundered of what little provisions they had to support their families, by a party of men kept up by order of Lord Dunmore, for what reason I am not able to judge. The Indians were never more peaceable than at present; it is true they have nine Mingoes prisoners in the Garrison; but they have other places of confinement that might answer as well, and save the expense of keeping seventy-five men in pay, and robbing the country to support them with provisions.

A set of people who call themselves Virginians, have taken possession of most of the lands here, and say they have rights from the Virginia offices, two of which are held here, one by Captain William Crawford, and the other by D˙ Penticost.

The obstructions to the proceedings of our Court, prevents us from recovering our just debts; unless some speedy steps be taken to prevent their outrageous proceedings, this County must be inevitably ruined.

Mr˙ Connolly and Mr˙ John Campbell left Pittsburgh about fifteen days ago, and are gone for Williamsburgh. They had a petition handed about, which was signed by some people disaffected to this Government, praying the House of Burgesses that a Town might be laid out near Pittsburgh.

I send you the enclosed Depositions, that your Honour may see the many difficulties we labour under, and the unhappy situation of the inhabitants of this County. I am, with the greatest respect, your very humble servant,

DEVEREUX SMITH.