USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial Records of Pennsylvania Volume 13 > Part 36
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His Excellency the President.
The Honorable Mr. Irvine, Mr. Levan, and Mr. McDowell, Mr. Wall, (now first returned.) Mr. Potter,
The following orders were drawn on the Treasurer, vist :
In favor of Isaac Anderson, for fifteen pounds, in part of his pay Lieutenant of a company of volunteers raised in Westmoreland
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
nty, pursuant to an order of Council of the 14th of March,. 1 1, for which he is to account.
in favor of William Ralston, for fifteen pounds specie, in part of pay as Ensign of said company, raised as aforesaid, for which is to account.
n favor of John Nicholson, for twenty-five pounds specie, for tingent expences of his Comptroller General's office, agreeably 'esolution of General Assembly of fourteenth instant, for which is to account.
L pass was granted to Catharine Richards to go to New York, way of Dobbs' Ferry, and to return.
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In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, November 20, 1782. .
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
: Honorable Mr. Irvine, Mr. M'Dowell, Mr. Wall,
Mr. Potter, and
Mr. Levan.
Ar. Joseph Montgomery, Mr. William Montgomery and Mr. De, a committee of the General Assembly, attended in Council, requested a conference with the Council, respecting the situa- of the prisoners now confined in the prison ships at New York, ch the Council agreed to ; and after some time spent therein, committee was furnished with a list of clothing and other ne- aries for the present relief of the said unhappy sufferers.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of James Tate, nes Hanna, Patrick Hunter, Ann Strickland, Joshua Vanhorn, coy Taylor, Emon Scott, Thomas Morgan and Zephaniah Lott, one hundred pounds specie, the reward for apprehending and aring John Tomlinson, late of Bucks county, agrecably to procla- tion of Council of the twenty-fifth of October, 1781.
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MINUTES OF THE
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, November 21, 1782
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
The Honorable Mr. Irvine,
Mr. Wall, and
Mr. M'Dowell,
Mr. Potter.
Mr. Levan,
Petitions from Frederick Mourer and Philip Klein, praying xe mission of their fines for non-performance of their tour of milits duty on a late call of militia from the county of Berks, were road; and on consideration,
Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Lieutensat of the said county.
The Honorable Major General Lincoln, Secretary at War, ku before the Board the petition of John Fishel, representing to the Secretary at War, that the said Fishel was a native of It county, in this State, and had been inveigled into the British vice in the year 1771. That he was captured with General Ber- goyne, and returned to his native place, married, and has several children, and prays that he may be restored to the rights and po- vileges of a citizen. And the said Fishel produced a certificate d his good behaviour since his return. General Lincoln informs thi Board that he is ready and willing to discharge the said Fishel, " the Council should think proper to demand him as a citizen; what upon,
Ordered, That the Secretary at War be requested to discherp, John Fishel, and permit him to return to the duties of a citit, on his producing a certificate of his having taken the oath of ale giance to the State required by law.
The petition of Francis Hutchinson, late of the State of Ner Jersey, praying a passport to New York, was read; and then upon,
Ordered, That the petitioner, with his recommendation, be refer red to the Executive of the State of New Jersey.
Ordered, That a pass to New Jersey be granted to the sil Francis Hutchinson.
A pass was granted to Philip Newcomer, to go to the State North Carolina and to return again, with a waggon and for horses.
Two deeds were examined and signed by his Excelloney President, to Joseph Dean, for divers city lots, sold for the redoct tion of the bills of credit of this State of the twenty-ninth day April, 1780, marked in the general plan of city lots remaining the Surveyor General's office, vist :
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
One of them for lots numbered from 1281 to 1286. Considera- tion one hundred and eighty-four pounds.
One other numbered from 1429 to 1434. Consideration one hundred and eighty-one pounds.
Both which sums tho said Joseph Dean hath paid to the Tres- surer.of the State, as appears by his receipts. Deeds dated the twenty first instant.
The President laid before the Board the draft of a proclamation, which being read, was agreed to, and is in the words following, vist :
By the President, and the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
A PROCLAMATION.
As the greatest and best of Beings commanded mankind into existence, with a capacity for happiness, bestowing upon him un- derstanding and many good gifts, so when they by an abuso of the blessings thus intrusted, had involved themselves in guilt and misery, his compassion was extended towards them, and in "bis tender mercies," not only seed time, and harvest, and cold, and heat, and summer, and winter, and day, and night, were continued unto them, but the "eternal purposes" were revealed, and the bee- realy treasuries opened to restore the human race to the transcen- dent privileges from which by transgression they were fallen ; and in "this marvellous work," the laws of righteousness have been with such infinite wisdom adjusted and united in the obligations of nature, that while they jointly tend to promote the filicity of men in a future state, they evidently co-operate, to advance their welfare in the present, and to offend against the sanctions of revolution or the dictates of reason and conscience, is assuredly to betray the joys of this life as well as those of another : Wherefore, we are entirely Persuaded that just impressions of the Deity are the great supports of morality ; and as the experience of ages demonstrates that regu -. Larity of manners is essential to the tranquility and prosperity of woieties, and the assistance of the Almighty, on which we rely to establish the estimable blessings our afflicted country is contending for, cannot be expected without an observance of bis holy laws.
We esteem it our principal and indispensable duty to endeavour, & much as we can, that a sense of these interesting truths may Prevail in the hearts and appear in the lives of the inhabitants of this State, and therefore have thought proper to issue this proola- tastion, sincerely desiring that they, seriously meditating on the may signal and unmerited benefits of public and private import, conferred upon them, the affecting invitations and munificent promises of Divine goodness, and the terrors set in array against the disobe- dient, may be urged to exert themselves in avoiding, discounte- VOL. XIII .- 28.
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MINUTES OF THE
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nanoing, and suppressing all vice, prophaneness, and immorality; and feeling a due gratitude, love, and veneration, for their most gracious, all-wise, and omnipotent Benefactor, Sovereign, and Judge, and a correspondent temper of resignation to the dispensations of bis Sa- preme Government, may become a people " trusting in Him in whom they live and move," and doing good: And to the intent thet these desirable ends may be forwarded, all persons are hereby ex- horted to observe the Lord's day, commonly called Sunday, and thereon constantly to attend the worship of God, as a service pleas- ing to Him " who is a bearer of prayer," and condescends to in- babit the praises of his people, and profitably to themselves-a neglect of which duty has, in a multitude of instances, been the beginning of a deviation into the ways of presumption, that at length have led into the deepest distresses and severest sorrows.
. And as the education of youth is of so much moment to them. selves and to the Commonwealth, which eaunot flourish unless that important point be diligently regarded, the sentiments, dispositions, and habits, being then generally formed that pervade the rest of their lives, all parents, guardians, masters, and tutors, are hereby strene- ously called upon to discharge the high trust committed to them, and for which they must account by a faithful attention, that those under their care may be nurtured in piety, filial reverence, submit- sion to superiors in age or station, modesty, sincerity, benevolence, temperance, industry, consistency of behaviour, and a frugality regulated by an humble reliance on Providence, and a kind respect for others, that their inexperienced minds may be, by wholesome in- structious, fully convinced that whatsoever employment they are de- signed for, virtue will be a chief promotor of success, and irregularity of conduct the greatest obstaole to it; that the intellectual faculties are aided by moral improvement, but wenkoned by illicit courses; and in brief, that religion is the friend of their peace, health, and happiness ; and that to displease their Maker, or to trespass against their neighbours, is inevitably to injure themselves ; and we expect, and hereby require, that all well-disposed persons, and especially those in place of authority, will, by their conversation and de- meanor, encourage and promote piety and virtue, and to contribute to the rendering these qualities truly laudable and honorable, and the contrary practices justly shameful and contemptible; that thus the influence of good men and the dignity of the laws may be com. bined in suppressing the insolencies of scorners and profligates, in directing the weak and thoughtless, and in preserving them from the peruicious contagion of evil examples.
And for further promoting such reformation, it is hereby enjoined that all Magistrates, and others whom it may concern, be very vigi- Jant and exact in discovering, prosecuting, and punisbing ail per- sons who are guilty of proplanation of the Lord's day, commonly cated Sunday, blasphemy, prophane swearing or cursing, drunken- seas, lewdness, or other dissolute or immoral practices; that they
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
suppress all gaming houses and other disorderly houses ; ,that they put in execution the act of General Assembly entitled " An Act for the suppression of vice and immorality," and all other laws now in force for the punishing vice, prophaneness, and immorality : And for the more effectual proceeding herein, all Judges and Jus- tices having cognizance in the premises, are directed to give strict charges at their courts and sessions for the due prosecution and punishment of all who shall presume to offend in any of the kinds aforesaid, and also all such as, contrary to their duty, shall be re- miss or negligent in putting the laws in execution ; and that they do, at their respective courts and sessions, cause this proclamation to be publicly read immediately before the charge is given. And every Minister of the Gospel is requested strongly to inculcate in the respective congregations where they officiate, a love of piety and virtue, and an abhorrence of vice, prophaneness, and immo- rality.
Given in Council, under the hand of the President and the seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this twentieth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty- two.
JOUIN DICKINSON.
Attest-TIMOTHY MATLACK, Secretary. GOD SAVE THE COMMONWEALTH.
Ordered, That the said proclamation be published.
. In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, November 22, 1782. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
The Honorable Mr. Irvine, Mr. Levan, and
Mr. McDowell, Mr. Potter.
On consideration,
Ordered, That David Kennedy, Esquire, Secretary of the Land Office, be authorised and directed to wait on Benjamin Chew and Joseph 'Turner, Esquires, and demand and receive from them, or ither of them, in the name of the State, divers deeds and papers n their possession, or one of them, belonging to the Land Office if the late Province, now State of Pennsylvania, pursuant to act f General Assembly passed the twenty seventh of November, .779, entituled " An Act for vesting the estates of the late Proprio- aries of Pennsylvania in the Commonwealth."
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MINUTES OF THE .
Sundry resolutions of the General Assembly of the twenty-trat instant, were received and read, on the message from Council of the fifteenth, vizt : directing the Comptroller General to settle with the Superintendant of Finance the quantities of specific supplies for which this State is to obtain credit, referring the accounts of the State 'I'reasurer for the current year; together with the Comp- troller General's report thereon, to the Committee of Accounts. That the House approve the order of Council for enlisting the eighteen months' men during the war, and authorising Council to apply sundry balances of accounts respecting the defence of the frontiers to the payment of such accounts as to thema shall sccm expedient.
Ordered, 'That the said resolutions be filed.
The following orders were drawn on the Treasurer, vist :
In favor of Henry Osborne, Esquire, for fifty-one pounds dx ·shillings and six pence, for expences in going to New York and Connecticut States, to procure documents relative to the dispute between the States of Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
In favor of Major General Potter, for eighty-two pounds fine shillings and three pence specie, in full of his service as Major General of the militia from the sixteenth of September till tenth of October, 1782, inclusive.
In favor of the Honorable James Potter, Esquire, for seventy- dix pounds seventeen shillings and two pence specie, in full for his salary as Vice President for the last year, and his mileage.
In favor of Messrs. Daniel Montgomery and Daniel) Rees, for four hundred pounds five shillings and ten pence, for rations furnished to Captain Robinson's company and others stationed in Northumberland county, in July, Au- gust, and September last.
In favor of said Montgomery and Rees, for fifty-one pounds and ten pence, for rations furnished to militia and volunteers stationed in the said county from May to June, 1782, inclusive.
In favor of Captain Joseph Greer, for ten pounds four shillings and nine pence, for pay of himself and his par- ty, employed in defence of Northumberland county, in May last.
the frontiers.
appropriated to the defence of
To be paid out of the 25,000
·
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, November 28, 1782. · PRESENT : .
His Excellency the President.
The Honorable Mr. Irvine, Mr. Potter, and
Mr. Wall, Mr. McDowell,
Mr. Levan.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of William Brown, Esquire, for two hundred and forty pounds ten and eleven pence specie, to be paid out of the five thousand pounds specie appropri -. ated for the frontier defence, being the balance of his account of rations furnished to militia, and others, in Cumberland county.
Also, in favor of Lieutenant Moses Van Camp, of (Captain Thomas Robinson's company of Rangers, in Northumberland county, and lately returned from captivity,) for twenty-five pounds, in part of his pay.
A pass was granted to Rebecca Young to go to New York, by way of Dobbs' ferry, not to return again.
A pass was granted to Ester Ham to go to. New York and to return again.
Ia Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday, November 25, 1782. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
The Honorable Mr. Irvine, . Mr. Potter, and
Mr. Wall,
Mr. McDowell.
Mr. Levan,
A letter from Joseph Reed, Esquire, one of the Agents of the State on the Connecticut claim, was read, giving an account of the state of the trial, and requesting the Indian deeds for land par- chased by the Proprietaries within the State of Pennsylvania. The President informed the Council that the Indian deeds had been delivered up by the Honorable John Penn, Esquire, and that he had examined them, and found all the deeds which could in any wise relate to the controversy between this State and Connecticut. That he had obtained the loan of a duplicate of the charter granted by Charles the Second to William Penn, certified under the Great Seal of England, which he had engaged to return again after the trial ;
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MINUTES OF THE
Ordered, That the Indian deeds be delivered to Mr. Osborne, Solicitor, and that be give bis receipt for the same to the Secretary of the Laud Office ; that Mr. Kennedy do also give a receipt for the same as soon as may be.
Memo. No. 37, wanting
deed of pre- emption 1754 do
A draft of a message from Council to the General Assembly, wu laid before the Board, and read, and is in the following words, vizt :
A Message from the President and Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to the General Assembly of the said Commonwealth :
GENTLEMEN :- Doubts have arisen concerning the powers of the Commissioners for the several counties of the State, to raise and levy the sum of ninety three thousand six hundred and forty pounds ten shillings, in pursuance of the supplement to the act entitled " An Act for funding and redeeming the bills of credit of the United States of America, and providing means to bring the pro- sent war to a happy conclusion," without an assessment made for that purpose. It appears to us that an act should be passed at the present sessions confirming the proceedings of Commissioners, where they have been already had without such assessment, and authorizing others who have not yet acted thereupon, to proceed on the last assess- ment made for raising and levying effective supplies for the year. To prevent future difficulties, it may be proper also to provide that the Commissioners for every county shall in their proceedings to raise and levy the annual sum before mentioned, as long as the same is by law to be raised and levied, be berefter guided by the last pro- ceding assessment that shall have been made for levying, raising, and effecting supplies.
By the letter from the Commissioners of the twenty-second in- stant, and the inclosures, you will perceive that a matter is in agi- tation that may affect the revenue and peace of the State. We can only say that we shall beartily rejoice if the Legislature can possi- bly devive a mode of affording some kind of satisfaction to many worthy fellow citizens in the same situation. We have repeated applications by persons who are sued for debts contracted on the public account. We apprehend that some of them will be very severely and improperly distressed if a law is not soon made for their relief. It appears by the letter from the Treasurer for this county, now sent, that there is no fund for paying the pensions therein mentioned. We trust the peculiar circumstances of the pensioners will recommend their case in the liveliest manner to your Honorable House. The excise law seems to be deficient in
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
not directing the Justices to make any returns of their proceedings for forfeitures and offences immediately after they are had, either to the Treasurer of the county or of the State. JOHN DICKINSON, President. Council Chamber, Philadelphia, November 25, 1782. And the same being considered and approved, Ordered, That the Secretary be directed to present the mid message to the General Assembly.
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In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday, November 26, 1782.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
The Honorable Mr. Irvine, Mr. Levan, and
Mr .. Wall, Mr. Potter.
Mr. McDowell,
The following orders were drawn on the Treasurer, vizt :
In favor of John Nicholson, Esquire, for five hundred pounds, State money of the seventh of April. 1781, for paying one-third of depreciation certificados to officers and soldiers of the Pennsylvania line, for which he is to account
In favor of Lieutenant Moses Van Campen, of Captain Robin- son's company of Rangers in Northumberland county, and lately returned from captivity, for ten pounds specie, in part of his pay, for which he is to account, to be paid out of the five thousand pounds appropriated for the defence of the frontiers.
Petition of Daniel Hoge was read, stating that he had conveyed a piece of land to the Commissioners appointed to build a Court House and Prison in Washington county, &c., and praying the said Commissioners may be ordered to report their proceedings as soon as may be to this Board.
Passes were granted to Jannet Annan to go to New York, by the way of Dobbs' Ferry, and to return again ; and to Frances Mc- Auley and Elibu Briddle, and with permission to return.
Petitions of John Shaw, John Harkins, John Fell, and John Johnston, praying to be allowed for their services in apprebending and securing Levi Dean, of Bucks county, were read ; and
Ordered, That the same be referred to the General Assembly.
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MINUTES OF THE
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, November 27, 1782. PRESENT : .
His Excellency the President.
The Honorable Mr. Irvine, Mr. Potter, and
Mr. M'Dowell, Mr. Levan. Mr. Wall,
His Excellency the President laid before the Board a " Jourd of the Congress at Fort Stanwix, in the year 1768," which Sumed Wharton, Esquire, had this day put into his hands, to be retard to him immediately after the trial between this State and the Sun of Connecticut shall be ended.
Ordered, That the Secretary be directed to give a receipt for the same.
A pass was granted to Mary Goforth to go to New York, by wy of Dobbs' Ferry, and to return again.
`In Council.
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PHILADELPHIA, Friday, November 29, 1782. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
The Honorable Mr. Irvine, Mr. Piper, and
Mr. Wall, Mr. Potter.
The petition of Ralph Williamson, convicted in the county d Bucks, of a misdemeanor, praying remission of his fine, was read; and on consideration,
Ordered, That the fine adjudged to be paid to the use of the State by the said Ralph Williamson, be remitted.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, November 30, 1782. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
The Honorable Mr. Irvine, Mr. Potter, and
Mr. McDowell, Mr. Levan.
A Commission was issued to William Bradford, Junior, Joseph Reed, James Wilson, and Jonathan Dickinson, Sergeant, Kequire,
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
tituting and appointing them Counsellors and Agents, and ry Osborne, Esquire, Solicitor and Agent, in the cause now nding before the lionorable Court appointed by Congress, pur- t to the ninth article of the Confederation of the United States, reon the States of Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
rdered, That David Forst, Esquire, of the county of Bucks, be inted Agent for Forfeited Estates in the said county, to act in unction with the Honorable George Wall, Junior, Esquire, present Agent of that county.
.n erder was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of William dford, Junior, Esq'r, Attorney General, for the sum of one dred pounds specie, for defraying in part the pay of the Com- rioners in the controversy between this State and the State of booticut, and other contingent expences touching the execution be said commission, agreeably to resolution of the General As- bly of the sixth instant.
n favor of David Deshler, Esquire, for the sum of four hun- I pounds specie, on the said Treasurer, to be paid by the Tres- Ir of the county of Northampton, out of monies he may re- e on account of effective supplies for 1781, being in full of his ant for provisions furnished to the militia, and his pay as ommiseary in the year 1777, as settled by the Comptroller Gen- , agreeably to resolution of the General Assembly of this day. . pass was granted to George Rappall, Joseph Swert, Benjamin rell and Samuel Grant, to go to. Newberry Port, in New Eng- , not to return again.
In Council.
. PHILADELPHIA, Monday, December 2, 1782. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Honorable Mr. Irvine, Mr. Piper,
Mr. M'Dowell, Mr. Potter, and
Mr. Wall, Mr. Levan.
rdered, That the Secretary be directed to call upon General Jlair, and request he will make a return to Council with all enient dispatch, of the promotions that ought to take place in line of this State, conformably to the resolution of Congress of :wentieth of last month.
rdered, That David Rittenhouse, Esquire, State Treasurer, be ited to pay to his Excellency John Dickinson, Esquire, Prosi- of this Board, one hundred and fifty pounds for the necessary irs in and about the Government mansion-house, agreeably to
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MINUTES OF THE.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, December 5th, In
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
The Honorable Mr. Irvine, Mr. Wall, Mr. Potter, and
Mr. Lena,
Mr. M'Dowell, Mr. Piper.
A pass was granted to Jacob Kechler and William Jert go to New London and to return again.
A pass was granted to Garret Cottinger, to go to the New York, by the way of Dobbs' ferry, and to return agua.
The following orders were drawn on the Treasurer, vist:
In favor of John Carnaghan, for eight ; pounds ten chilled of the five thousand pounds appropriated for the defend di frontiers, for his expences in conveying fifteen hundred pood! Fort Pitt, and a small deficiency in the money received di Bank.
In favor of Messieurs Hazlewood and Blackston, for tout pounds two shillings and five pence, for rations supplied to officers and seven men of the State Navy, employed at Billi and Mud Island, from the twenty-seventh of September, twenty-first of December, 1781.
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