resolved to apply for protection, and a memorial and petition was accordingly presented, setting forth their complaints, and requesting that measures might be adopted to preserve peace and tranquility in their settlements. On the 4th of November the congress took this memorial into consideration, and on motion, came to the following resolution:

"The congress, considering that the most perfect union between all the Colonies is essentially necessary for the preservation of the just rights of North America, and being apprehensive that there is great danger of hostilities being commenced at or near Wyoming between the inhabitants of the Colony of Pennsylvania and those of Connecticut:

"Resolved, That the Assemblies of the said Colonies be requested to take the most speedy and effectual steps to prevent such hostilities.

Ordered, That Mr. M'Kean and Mr. Dean, wait upon the honorable house of Assembly of Pennsylvania now sitting with a copy of the above resolution.

"Ordered, That a copy of the said resolution be transmitted by express to the magistrates and people of Pennsylvania and Connecticut on the waters of the Susquehanna."*

This resolution, however, produced very little effect upon the Government of Pennsylvania, and although notified by express to the state authorities. at Sunbury, still the settlers who had been taken

*Sce Journals of congress, vol. I. p. 215.

prisoners upon the West Branch were not set at liberty, but more closely confined than before, and many of the inhabitants of that town became much alarmed lest a detachment from Wyoming should at an unguarded moment set fire to the town and break open the prison. A representation of these fears was made to the Governor by William Plunket and others, who had shared the plunder upon the West Branch, setting forth that the settlements at Wyoming were daily increasing in strength, that a competent force could probably be raised at that time to subdue them, but that in another year they would probably be too strong, that the prison was full and continually in danger, and that should his honor be disposed to direct it, they were willing to undertake an expedition against Wyoming.* Orders were immediately issued by the Governor to Plunket, directing the Posse" of the county to be raised, and conducted by the Sheriff to Wyoming to expel the Connecticut settlers from the country, but as the form of the proceedings was to be of a civil and not of a military character, the orders were to "restore peace and good order in the county." In pursuance of these orders, a force of about seven hundred men was raised for the expedition ; and a sufficient quantity of arms, provisions and military stores having been procured, and placed on board of a large boat, the little army commenced its march from Fort

*See Plunket's letter on file in the Secretary's office, Harrisburg.

Augusta near Sunbury, about the beginning of December. Plunket, who, to his authority as civil magistrate, added that of colonel of militia, had command of the expedition, but to preserve appearances it was thought proper that William Cook, Sheriff, should accompany the troops to Wyoming. Information of Plunket's march having been received in Philadelphia, where the American congress was then sitting, produced considerable sensation, as it was expected the resolution of congress would have prevented further proceedings against the Wyoming settlements. This effect not having been produced, the congress, on the 20th of December, passed the following preamble and resolution:

"The congress taking into consideration the dispute between the people of Pennsylvania and Connecticut on the waters of the Susquehanna, came to the following resolution:

"Whereas a dispute subsists between some of the inhabitants of the Colony of Connecticut, settled under the claim of the said Colony on land near Wyoming on the Susquehanna river and in the Delaware country and the inhabitants settled under the claim of the Proprietors of Pennsylvania, which dispute it is apprehended will, if not sus pended during the present troubles in the Colonies, be productive of pernicious consequences, which may be very prejudicial to the common interest of the United Colonies, therefore,

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this congress, and it is accordingly recommended, that the con

tending parties immediately cease all hostilities, and avoid every appearance of force until the dispute can be legally decided; That all property taken and detained be immediately restored to the original owners; That no interruption be given to either party to the free passing and re-passing of persons behaving themselves peaceably through the disputed territory, as well by land as by water without molestation of either persons or property; That all persons seized and detained on account of said dispute on either side, be dismissed and permitted to go to their respective homes, and that things being put in the same situation they were before the late unhappy contest, they continue to behave themselves peaceably on their respective possessions and improvements until a legal decision can be had on said dispute, or this congress shall take further order thereon, and nothing herein done shall be construed in prejudice of the claim of either party."*

Notice of this resolution was immediately given to the respective parties, but it produced very little effect; no counter orders were sent to Colonel Plunket, who continued his march very slowly up the Susquehanna. The provisions for the troops could be conveyed only by the boat, and as the march of the troops along the shore was necessarily regulated by its progress, and its ascent against the current very much impeded by floating ice, the expedition did not arrive at the foot of Nanticoke

*See Journal of congress, vol. I. p. 279.

falls until the 24th. of December. At this place Plunket found the river so full of ice as to render the ascent of the falls impracticable; and it was accordingly concluded to leave the boat at that place, to supply the men with provisions for a few days in their knapsacks, and to proceed with all possible expedition to the attack upon Wyoming Fort. Accordingly a small guard was left for the defence of the boat, and the troops commenced their march along the road leading through the gap of the mountain into Wyoming Valley. On the West side of the river, at the point of the Shawanese mountain a short distance above Nanticoke falls, is a projecting rock, which lies in the form of an inclined plane descending towards the Valley, and extending its point towards the river. This rock presents down the river an abrupt precipitous front; and has the road winding around the point of it. As Plunket advanced through the defile, this brow of the rock suddenly presented to his view a long rampart constructed by the Wyoming settlers, who had received notice of his approach, and who, rising from behind it, discharged a volley of musketry at his troops, which, on account of the distance, took little effect. Plunket's troops were thrown into great confusion, and immediately retreated behind the point of the mountain, where he again collected them to consult on what further measures should be pursued. With their boat they had brought a batteau for the greater convenience of crossing the river in difficult places, and it was now resolved to bring the batteau