Letter from Arthur St. Clair, to Governour Penn

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Ligonier, May 29, 1774.

SIR: The panic that has struck this country, threatening an entire depopulation thereof, induced me a few days ago to make an excursion to Pittsburgh to see if it can be removed, and the desertion prevented.

The only probable remedy that offered was to afford the people the appearance of some protection. Accordingly Mr˙ Smith, Mr˙ Mackay, Mr˙ Butler, and some others of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh, with Colonel Croghan and myself, entered into an association for the immediate raising an hundred men, to be employed as a ranging company, to cover the inhabitants in case of danger, to which association several of the Magistrates and other inhabitants have acceded and in a very few days they will be on foot.

We have undertaken to maintain them for one month, at the rate of one shilling and six pence a man per diem; this we will cheerfully discharge, at the same time we flatter ourselves that your Honour will approve the measure, and that the Government will not only relieve private persons from the burthen, but take effectual measures for the safety of this frontier, and this I am desired by the people in general to request of your Honour.

I am, sir, your most obedient, most humble servant,

AR˙ ST˙ CLAIR.