[Franklin, Benjamin]

A Narrative of the Late Massacres, in Lancaster County, of a Number of Indians, Friends of the province, by Persons Unknown.  With some Observations on the same.  [Philadelphia: Printed by Benjamin Franklin and David Hall], 1764



8vo (8 x 4  5/8 in.; 203 x 118 mm).  Some light soiling to title-page. Full maroon morocco by Riviere, gilt-lettered spine, top edges gilt, gilt dentelles, marbled endpapers; minor rubbing at joints.  Half red morocco gilt slipcase and chemise. 

Evans 9667; Field 1116; Hildeburn 1992; Howes F327; Sabin 25557; Streeter sale 2:968; Vail 556

First edition of a Pennsylvania rarity.  Benjamin Franklin's scathing condemnation of the Conestoga massacre allegedly deterred the killing of more unarmed natives and helped to quell the hysteria of Pennsylvania frontiersman brought on by the Pontiac War, which began in 1763.  The Indians who had lived under French rule rebelled against the British, refusing to accept their sovereignty, and, in the spring of 1763, attacked and conquered all but three British posts scattered over 1,000 miles, thus terrifying most white settlers.  The present pamphlet "is another story of the method in which the cowards of the frontiers revenged upon innocent and helpless old men, and young children, the outrages of Indian warriors whom they dared not meet" (Field, p. 288).