me to examine them with more care, and I presently found, scattered through a mass of interesting matter, much that related to Wyoming. Communicating some facts which I had discovered, that seemed of particular interest, Gen. William Ross mentioned to me, that a bound volume containing the old Westmoreland Records was in the possession of a person in the Borough, who had used the blank leaves. A treasure to the antiquarian of themselves, they came to me with the increased charm that their contents harmonized with early and cherished studies. Every page opened new views to me. Light broke in upon the deep gloom that had heretofore, in an especial manner, enshrouded the Civil History of Wyoming. From the facts obtained in these precious records, and those elicited by the perusal of the Journals of Congress, I formed the conclusion that the old sufferers had endured grievous and unredressed wrongs, from their own Country as well as from the Briton and Savage. Two or three numbers, setting forth, though very imperfectly, the grounds of their claim to redress, I published in the Wilkesbarre papers, when Chester Butler, Esq., in whose prudence and judgment I had, and have, the utmost confidence, came to me, and said, "Mr. Miner, the case you are stating seems to me a very strong one, indeed almost irresistible;" and he immediately, with the greatest kindness, offered me the use of the papers of Col. Zebulon Butler, his grandfather. Mr. Anderson Dana also placed in my hands some very interesting papers belonging to his father. Thus excited and cheered, I resolved to lose not a moment in obtaining all the facts which obliterating time, and relentless death had spared, relating to the History of Wyoming. To this end I folded up little books of blank paper, for convenient carriage, took pens and ink, and accompanied by my daughter Sarah, (who though blind is, I think it not inappropriate here to say, besides being a most cheerful and agreeable companion, quick to hear, ready to understand, sound to judge, retentive of memory, and like myself, deeply interested in the subject,) we visited thirty or forty of the ancient people, who were here at the time of the expulsion. "We have come to inquire about old Wyoming, pray tell us all you know. We wish an exact picture, such as the valley presented sixty odd years ago. Give us the lights and shadows, its joys and its sorrows." In every instance we were treated with courtesy and kindness-communications, full and free, were made, not only with patience, but cheerfulness. This is said, as many of the statements, being combined of matters within the personal knowledge of the one examined, and things learned from others, our

inquiries were often almost tediously minute. At night on returning home, I read over to Sarah what I had taken down, and carefully corrected any error into which the pen had fallen. If in examining several persons I found a material fact stated differently, they were revisited, the subject considered again, and new sources of information sought until we were satisfied of having arrived at a correct conclusion. This particular care was the more necessary, since, from the cause stated, multitudinous errors prevailed in respect to numerous details, in the minds of many intelligent persons.

With a view at once to communicate and elicit information, I made from time to time, publications of what we had learned, under the name of the "Hazelton Travellers." The title pre-supposed that two gentlemen were traveling from Hazelton through Wyoming. One, perfectly acquainted with the valley, its people and history, the other, eager to learn every thing that concerned them. The communications of one to the other in their passing conversation constituted these numbers which have excited so much public attention, and have been liberally used by Col. Stone in his recent work. I wish here distinctly to say, that the censure cast upon Col. Stone for making use of those materials, because he was aware that I was collecting the facts for my intended history, was wholly unmerited on his part. They were before the world in a newspaper-this would have been sufficient. But moreover, that gentleman had my most full and unreserved assent to his using them at his pleasure.

Interesting as are the incidents growing out of the Revolutionary war, other matters of scarcely less moment will claim the reader's attention. For nine years Wyoming, or Westmoreland, was under the jurisdiction of Connecticut-derived its laws from that Stateand sent Representatives to her Assembly.

For seven years, Civil war prevailed or raged, between Wyoming and Pennsylvania. The events attendant on those unhappy conflicts demand from the historic pen a faithful record.

I have chosen to give the subject the form of familiar letters to my son, because, besides being indebted to him for aid and many valuable suggestions, it must be obvious that a variety of minute details necessary to be preserved to present a perfect picture of life, manners and events, among a plain people, in a new and rude settlement, requires an easier style and freer scope of pencil, than might be deemed fitting to the grave Delineator of the fate of Nations, or to the Historian who records the revolutions, the rise and the fall of Empires.

Thanks are in the first place due to the Hon. Edward Everett, our minister at the Court of St. James: With characteristic kindness, on my soliciting his good offices, he applied to Lord Aberdeen, who gave directions that access should be had to such documents in the State paper office as might with propriety be copied whereupon Col. J. R. Brodhead voluntarily took upon himself the trouble of making the necessary searches, and of transcribing whatever related to Wyoming. I feel very sensibly my indebtedness to Col. Brodhead, and acknowledge it with pleasure.

The Hon. John N. Conyngham with partial kindness has inquired for and obtained for me, while in the northern portion of his circuit, various facts, from old settlers, whom I could not conveniently see, and more especially several ancient manuscripts of much value.

Senator Kidder and Mr. Speaker Wright, for their attention and politeness in obtaining, by vote of the Assembly, the ancient Susquehanna Company's Records, are desired to accept my most respectful thanks.

Wm. S. Derrick, Esq., in the State department, Washington, responded with his accustomed kindness to my inquiries, and furnished me the ancient map, and other valuable papers.

Among the persons visited, and to whom I am indebted for information, are Samuel Carey,* Mrs. Carey, Thomas Williams, Cornelius Courtright, Esq., Mrs. Cooper, Stephen Abbott, Anderson Dana, Rufus Bennett,* Mrs. Bennett, Elisha Blackman,* Eleazer Blackman, Mrs. Blackman, Nathan Beach, Esq., Alexander Jameson, Esq., Mrs. Jenkins, and several members of her family, Mrs. Myers, Rev. Mr. Bidlack, Mrs. Bidlack, Col. John Butler, George M. Hollenback, Joseph Slocum, Col. G. P. Ransom, Jose Rogers, Col. Benjamin Dorrance, Col. Edward Inman, Samuel Finch,* Elisha Harding, Esq., Mrs. Young, David Perkins, Esq., Aaron Perkins, John Carey, Comfort Carey, Mrs. Carey, Rev. Mr. Dana, Gen. Wm. Ross, Wm. Swetland, Esq., Col. Erastus Hill, Mrs. Ives, Mrs. Town, Mrs. Davis. The four whose names are designated by a star were in the battle. With one or two exceptions, the others were inhabitants of Wyoming, at the time of the massacre and expulsion, and most of them of an age to remember distinctly the events that then took place.

To Col. Joseph Kingsbury, I take pleasure in making my ac knowledgments, for anecdotes of Col. Franklin, and more especially, for a journal kept by that gentleman, for several years, during the contest with the Pennsylvania land claimants. In an especial man

ner, I beg leave to make my grateful acknowledgments to C. L. Ward, Esq., That gentleman had been gathering materials for a History of Wyoming, and had copied from the archives at Harrisburg numerous documents bearing on the subject, several of which were new to me, and of great interest. On the unfortunate destruction, by fire, of what he had written, with various papers obtained from Col. Franklin, he sent me those documents, and placed them at my disposal.

To Henry R. Strong, Esq., State Librarian, I am indebted for valuable extracts from books and documents at Harrisburg, furnished with so much promptitude as greatly to enhance the obligation. Thanks are due to Redmond Conyngham, Esq., whose thorough knowledge of our ancient history has enabled him to throw light upon numerous passages regarding the Indians. I cannot but express the hope that he will gather into a volume and publish the garnered treasures of his antiquarian researches: Thomas Elder, Esq., of Harrisburg (whose father the Rev. John Elder, at once a minister of the gospel, and Colonel of a regiment, who used, surrounded by blood seeking savages, to ascend the pulpit with his bible in one hand, and rifle in the other, and fought and prayed with Puritan courage and zeal) with the utmost kindness and confidence, sent me numerous family papers, bearing especially on incidents of the old French and Indian war. Extremely valuable, I cannot withhold my earnest wish that the facts they contain may be embodied in a volume. Few of them come within the scope of a work so local and isolated as this in which I am engaged; but such have been selected with care. Miner S. Blackman, Esq., visiting Harrisburg, with his accustomed politeness copied for my use several valuable documents. Thus prepared with materials, I venture upon the arduous, but pleasing task of writing

THE HISTORY OF WYOMING.

P. S.

Philadelphia, August 2, 1845. To Mr. J. Jordan, Jr., of Philadelphia, Member of the Historical Society, I make, with pleasure, my very best acknowledgments, not only for numerous acts of kindness connected with the publication of this work, but for a number of interesting facts and documents, which his antiquarian researches and taste had enabled him to gather and preserve.

I hardly know how to express my deep sense of the considerate kindness shown, and unremitting aid afforded me by Joseph R. Chandler, Esq., during the protracted and perplexing negotiations for the printing and publishing this History. The generous confidence advanced by a gentleman of his established literary reputation, led the way to a most satisfactory arrangement; and I hope he will pardon me for saying that his efforts, so far transcending the claims of friendship, could only have procecded from his characteristic love of doing good. My most grateful acknowledgments wait upon him.