bert Morris’s Proclamation of War:“[...] I do hereby declare the said Delaware Indians and all others who, in conjunction with them, have committed hostilities against his Majesty’s subjects within this Province, to be enemies, rebels and traitors [...]; and I do hereby require all his Majesty’s subjects of this Province [...] to embrace all opportunities of pursuing, taking, killing and destroying the said Delaware Indians and all others confederated with them [...].” (Mombert 166-168)I call this piece of evidence to show direct orders for His Majesty’s subjects to kill, maim, or otherwise destroy Delaware Indians and those who help them. If these orders were followed during the first attack on the Conestoga’s village, there would have never been a second attack. However, the Captains were not sure at the time if the unknown Indians were indeed Delaware allied.Next, I call Mr. Felix Donnelly to the stand.Me: Mr. Donnelly, what is your profession?Mr. Donnelly: Call me Felix, please. I am the keeper of the Lancaster Jail.Me: Did you witness the so-called slaughter that took place there on the 27 of December?Felix: Yes.Me: Did the Indians attack the rioters with the billets of wood that they seized? Felix: Yes (Rupp 358)Me: Thank you Felix, there will be no more questions.As you can see, gentlemen of the jury, it was the Indians, once again, who attacked first. Regardless of the good Captains intentions upon entering the jail, he was forced to take up arms in self-defense. Now I know what everyone is thinking, what about the two three year-old Indians. On the surface, their deaths seem brutal indeed. However, one must realize that things such as this do happen. When a full-blown melee breaks out in a small place with vision obscured by gun smoke, it is sometimes difficult to identify your target. The Paxton Boys are very lucky that one of their own wasn’t killed in this chaotic fight.And spe...
