The Proclamation of 1763 was, in part at least, a British response to Pontiac's "Rebellion." But one response to the Native American uprising was a retaliatory raid by a group of whites in western Pennsylvania known as the Paxton Boys. Following their raid, a number of frontiersmen came east to Philadelphia, bringing the following, "Remonstrance of the Distressed and Bleeding Frontier Inhabitants of the Province," and addressed to the Pennsylvania Assembly.

We Matthew Smith and James Gibson, in behalf of ourselves and His Majesty’s faithful and loyal subjects, the Inhabitants of the Frontier Counties of Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks and Northhampton, humbly beg leave to remonstrate and to lay before you the following Grievances, which we submit to your Wisdom for Redress.

First. We apprehend that as Freemen and English Subjects, we have an indisputable Title to the same Privileges & immunities with His Majesty’s other Subjects who reside in the interior Counties of Philadelphia, Chester, and Bucks, and therefore ought not to be excluded from an equal share with them in the very important Privilege of Legislation; nevertheless, contrary to the Proprietor’s Charter and the acknowledged principles of common Justice & Equity, our five counties are restrained from electing more than ten Representative, while the other three Counties and City of Philadelphia elect twenty six. This we humbly conceive is oppressive, unequal, and unjust, the cause of many of our Grievances, and an infringement of our Natural privileges of Freedom & Equality…

Thirdly. During the late and present Indian War, the Frontiers of this Province have been repeatedly attacked and ravaged by Skulking parties of the Indians, who have with the most Savage Cruelty murdered Men, Women, and Children without distinction, and have reduced near a thousand Families to the most extream distress…

Fourthly. We humbly conceive that it is contrary to the maxims of good Policy, extreamely dangerous to our Frontiers, to suffer any Indians of what tribe soever to live within the Inhabited parts of this Province while we are engaged in an Indian War, as Experience has taught us that they are all perfidious, and their claim to Freedom & Independency, puts it in their power to act as Spies, to entertain & give intelligence to our Enemies, and to furnish them with Provisions and Warlike Stores. We therefore pray that this grievance be taken under consideration and remedied.

Fifthly. We cannot help lamenting that no Provision has been hitherto made, that such of our Frontier Inhabitants as have been wounded in defence of the Province, their Lives and Liberties, may be taken care of and cured of their Wounds at the publick Expence. We therefore pray that this Grievance may be redressed.

Sixthly. In the late Indian war this Province, with others of His Majesty’s Colonies, gave rewards for Indian Scalps, to encourage the seeking them in their own Country, as the most likely means of destroying or reducing them to reason; but no such Encouragement has been given in this War, which has damped the Spirits of many brave Men who are willing to venture their Lives in parties against the Enemy. We therefore pray that public rewards may be proposed for Indian Scalps, which may be adequate to the Dangers attending Enterprizes of this nature.

Signed on behalf of ourselves, and by appointment of a great number of the Frontier Inhabitants.

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