Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/230

226 the defence of the province, which was to be disposed of by seven commissioners, Benjamin Franklin, Isaac Norris, James Hamilton, John Mifflin, Joseph Fox, Evan Morgan and John Hughes. Franklin says I had been active in modelling the bill and procuring its passage, and had, at the same time, drawn a bill for establishing and disciplining a voluntary militia, which I carried thro' the House without much difficulty, as care was taken in it to leave the Quakers at their liberty. * * * While the several companies in the city and country were forming, and learning their exercise, the governor prevail' d with me to take charge of our North Western frontier, which was infested by the enemy, and provide for the defense of the inhabitants by raising troops and building a line of forts. I undertook this military business, tho' I did not conceive myself well qualified for it. * * * I had but little difficulty in raising men, having soon five hundred and sixty under my command. * * * The Indians had burned Gnadenhut, a village settled by the Moravians, and massacred the inhabitants. * * * In order to march thither, I assembled the companies at Bethlehem, the chief establishment of those people. He with Hamilton and Fox left Philadelphia on 18 December " for the Frontiers in order to settle Matters for the Defence of the Province." On 15 January, 1756 he writes to his wife I hope in a fortnight or three weeks, God willing, to see the intended line of forts finished, and then I shall make a trip to Philadelphia, and send away the lottery tickets, and pay off the prizes, though you may pay such as come to hand of those sold in Philadelphia of my signing. This reference was to the second class of the Academy Lottery, the drawings for which had been made on 25 December, the first class drawings having been on 28 August. On his return to Philadelphia, early in February, he was commissioned Colonel, William Masters Lieutenant Colonel, and John Ross Major of the Philadelphia Regiment. He writes to his sister on 12 February, I am just returned from my military expedition, and now my time is taken up in the Assembly. Providence seems to require various duties of me. I know not what will be next, but I find, the more I seek for leisure and retirement from business, the more I am engaged in it.