(French and Indian War) — John Harris

Autograph letter signed ("John Harris"), 2 pages folio (12 1/4 x 7 5/8 in.; 313 x 190 mm) with integral address leaf, Paxton, Pennsylvania, 14 August 1756, to Pennsylvania Governor Hunter Morris, requesting clothing and pay for his militia as well as additional men to help reinforce his fort; several closed tears along center fold costing some text and part of Harris's signature, some staining along center fold. Black linen folding case, green morocco spine lettered gilt.  

Protecting the stronghold of the Pennsylvania frontier. "Susquehannah is at present become of the utmost consequence to this Province to keep Possession of."  In addition to requesting clothing and pay for the men in his provincial militia, Harris also hopes "yr. Honour will be pleased to ... order me some more assistance of men wch. if I had and sd. men allowed to assist me in makeing some little alteration in my fort ... to keep off a number of the enemy in case of an attach wch. we daily expect as there was Indians seen near my barn lately ... "

Harris wrote repeatedly to provincial officials urging defense against Indian raids, almost invariably warning that failure to protect the frontier would lead to the abandonment or annihilation of the white settlements. Here he writes: "In case of no assistance I must be under the disagreeable necessity of removing my family ... I rely on yr. goodness to grant me some more assistance ... wch. may perhaps be a means of preventing this place from falling a sacrifice & perhaps my little babeys & others here captivated by cruel savages."  He recruited men, fortified his house, built a stockade, and held frequent conferences with the Indians whose confidence he eventually gained.