The Virginia Gazette

BOSTON, October 7.

Wednesday last the Great and General Court or Assembly of this Province met here, to whom His Honour the Lieutenant Governor was pleased to make the following SPEECH, viz.

Gentlemen of the Council and House of Representatives,

IT was my Intention further to have prorogued the General Assembly, but several Things have occurr'd which render it necessary for me to meet you at this Time.

We are still in an unsettled State with the Eastern Indians: Those of the Norridgewock Tribe, after returning the Treaty made with them and the other Tribes by Commissioners at Falmouth, left their usual Place of Residence, and in all Probability have join'd the St. Francois Indians in Acts of Hostility upon the Frontiers.

I was well satisfied from these Proceedings of the Norridgewocks, that they would not meet us at St. George's, and I did not think it necessary for me to go down to attend the Conference, which I had, at your Desire appointed to be held there; but as there was Room to hope, that some of the Penobscuts might be present, I thought it convenient to send down Commissioners, a Copy of whose Instructions and Journal shall be laid before you; by which you will perceive, that a further and more general Conference may soon be expected; when I hope the Differences between us and the St. Francois and Norridgewock Indians may be accommodated, and the whole Tribe will be disposed to renew and confirm the Treaty made at Falmouth in the Year 1749.

I have lately received Advices from the Western Frontiers, That a considerable Number of Indians are come into Stockbridge, and are disposed to settle in this Province, to have their Children educated among the English, and instructed in the Principles of the Christian Religion. This is an Affair of great Importance; and I am very desirous that this Temper and Disposition in them should be cherished and cultivated, and I recommend it to you immediately to consider and determine what is necessary to be done by you for this Purpose.

You will find that you are disappointed in your Expectations of raising by a Lottery a Sum Sufficient for the Supply of the Treasury. Many Persons
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

who have been in the Service of the Government are great Sufferers; their Demands being of long standing: And the publick Affairs must be very much embarrassed, if speedy Care be not taken to prevent it.

I therefore desire you, Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, to consider of Ways and Means for raising Money for the Service of the Province: And I cannot help putting you in Mind, on this Occasion, how earnestly and repeatedly the House of Representatives of the last Year was urged both by me and by his Majesty's Council, to originate a Tax-Act: If such an Act had then passed, the Difficulties you are now under would have been in a great Measure prevented.

Gentlemen of the Council and House of Representatives,

This being a busy Season of the Year, a long Session must be prejudicial to your private Affairs. If you will do what is necessary on your Part to expedite the publick Business, I will not be wanting on mine; and I will readily concur with you in any Thing you may offer for his Majesty's Service, and the Good of the Province.

S. PHIPS.