USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII > Part 12
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from one Person, and two hundred weight in each Barrell, to de- liver Salt in the above proportion, and to pay the difference, as the same shall be, having respect to the Current prices of the re- spective articles on delivery thereof. The same to Continue untill the whole Salt now in hand shall be expended, or the farther order of this Board.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Friday, October 1st, 1779. PRESENT : His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Hart, Mr. Mackey,
Mr. Reed, Colonel Smith.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Frederick Sneider, door-Keeper, for the Sum of Four hundred and sixty- three pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence, the amount of his account for his pay from the second day of May last, to the Thir- tieth day of September last, at eight dollars per day, and sundry other expenses.
Resolved, That the State Commissary be directed to supply Cap- tain McGowan with the enumerated articles of Rum, Tea, Sugar, &c., as he wou'd be entitled thereto if in Camp.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, October 2d, 1779. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Hart, Mr. Mackey, Mr. Read,
Mr. Orndt, and Colonel Smith.
Ordered, That Mr. Jacob Barge and Mr. Charles Lyng be ap- pointed to deliver out to Persons bringing in Flour, the Salt in the hands of the Council, according to the resolves of the Council and General Assembly of the thirtieth of September last, and that this Council will make them a reasonable allowance for their trouble therein.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of William Clarke, Paymaster of Cumberland County, for the sum of Four thousand
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pounds, for the purpose of paying the Militia of the said County, for which he is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Major Wil- liam Armstrong, Paymaster, for the sum of six thousand pounds, for the purpose of paying the Workmen employed at Mud Island and Billingsport, for which he is to account.
Mr. Dougherty, Mr. Chambers and others, a Committee of the House, attended in Council, and Conferred with Council on the Situation of the defence of Northumberland County and other Frontier Counties; and after spending some time thereon, His Ex- cellency the President proposed writing to his Excellency General Washington thereupon, which Answer would be Communicated to the said Committee.
Ordered, That the Secretary Write to Henry Fisher respecting the Dragon look out Boat, say'd to be on shore, near Lewes Town, and also request the said Fisher to give Intelligence of the Ap- proach of the Fleet, under the Command of Count D. Estaing, to the President, and also to the Commanders of the Provision Boats weating to supply him.
The Petition of Hannah Hudson, a helpless Widow, whose Hus- band died in the State service on board the Fleet, and the Peti- tion of William Richley, who lost his eye-sight in the same ser- vice, were read; And thereupon,
Ordered, That the said Hannah Hudson and William Ritchey be recommended to the Justices of the Peace, as proper objects of the Care of the overscers of the Poor, and do also recommend that a regard in the said Cases be had to the service in which they have suffered.
The petition of Mary Humphreys, wife of James Humphreys, Printer, praying leave to go to her Husband in New York, was read, and thereupon,
Ordered, That Mary Humphreys be permitted to go into New York, she giving Bond, with security, in Five hundred pounds, not to return again to this City without leave.
A letter from Mr. Thomas Willing, praying leave for his Brother, Charles Willing, now in New York, to come to this City on a visit to his daughters, and to return thither again in the Spring, &c., was read ; on consideration,
Ordered, That Mr. Charles Willing be permitted to come from New York, but that as to the time of his return, it must depend on circumstances which may hereafter happen.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Monday, October 4th, 1779. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Hart, Mr. Mackey,
Mr. Orndt, and Colonel Smith.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Major General John Armstrong, Esquire, for the sum of Eleven hundred and Ninety-Six pounds, the amount of his Pay as a Member of Con- gress for this State, vizt: From the eighteenth day of February to the second day of March last, twelve days, at three pounds per day; and from the said Second day of March to the Twentieth day of October instant, (when he intends to return home,) two hundred and thirty-two days, at five pounds per day.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Tuesday, October 5th, 1779. PRESENT :
The Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Vice President.
Mr. Hart, Mr. Mackey,
Mr. Orndt, and Colonel Smith.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Wednesday, October 6th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Vice President.
Mr. Hart, Mr. Mackey,
Mr. Orndt, and Colonel Smith.
The Council being informed that a very dangerous riot had hap- pened on Monday last, in Walnut street, near the House of James
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Wilson, Esquire, in which several People had lost their lives, and others dangerously wounded,
Ordered, That the following Proclamation be issued, to wit :
By his Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President, and the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Penn- sylvania.
A PROCLAMATION.
The late melancholy events in this city must fill the mind of every good Man and Virtuous Citizen with the deepest regret and concern. They must impress every one with the necessity of obedience and respect to Publick authority, as the only sure foun- dation of Tranquility and peace. The undue Countenance and Encouragement which has been shewn to persons disaffected to the Liberty and Independence of America, by some, whose rank and character in other respects gave weight to their conduct, has been the principal cause of the present Commotion. The unwearied opposition and the contempt manifested, in many instances, to the Laws and Publick authority of the State, have also contributed, and Justice also requires us to declare that some licentious and unworthy characters, taking advantage of the unhappy tumult, artfully kindled by themselves, have led many innocent and other- wise well-disposed persons, into outrages and insults, which it is hoped, on cool reflection, they will condemn. But as it is become highly necessary that all further tumult shou'd cease, and the Laws and good order prevail : We think proper to declare that all those who were immediately Concerned in the Unhappy Transac- tions of the Fourth Instant, without distinction, shall, as far as possible, be amenable to Justice ; and for that purpose do require all those who Marched down from the Commons, in Hostile array, to the House of James Wilson, Esquire, and also all those who had previously assembled in the said House, with Arms or other- wise, immediately to surrender themselves to the Sheriff of the City and County of Philadelphia, or to some Justice of the peace, who is directed to commit them to prison, there to remain untill Examination can be had, and they be delivered in due course of Law. And we do also enjoin and require all officers, both Civil and Military, and all others, the faithfull inhabitants, to support and Maintain the Peace, tranquility and good order of the City, as they wou'd approve themselves Friends to Government and to American liberty, and as they will answer the Contrary at their Peril.
Given by order of the Council, under the hand of his Excellency Joseph Reed, Esquire, President, and the seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this Sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy-nine.
JOSEPH REED, President.
Attest-TIMOTHY MATLACK, Secretary.
GOD SAVE THE PEOPLE.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Thursday, October 7th, 1779. 1
PRESENT :
Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Mackey,
Mr. Hart,
Mr. Reed, and Colonel Smith.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Messrs. Wil- liam Will, Mathew Irwin and Adam Foulke, Commissioners ap- pointed for collecting Salt, for the sum of Fifteen thousand pounds, for which sum they are to account.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, October 8th, 1779. 4
1
PRESENT :
Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Vice President.
Mr. Mackey,
Mr. Hart,
Mr. Reed,
· Mr. Orndt, Colonel Smith, and Mr. Thompson.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of his Excellen- cy the President, for the sum of Five hundred pounds, in part of his salary, for which he is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of John Shelds, Esquire, Member of Assembly, for the sum of Six thousand pounds, to be paid to Colonel John Proctor, Paymaster, for the purpose of paying the Militia of the said county, and for which he is to ao- count.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Bernard Dougherty, Esquire, Member of Assembly for Bedford County,, the sum of Three thousand pounds, to be paid to Mr. William Hol- liday, paymaster, for the purpose of paying the Militia of the said County, for which he is to account.
A Letter from his Excellency General Washington, dated West- point, the fourth day of October, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, calling on the State for Fifteen hundred Militia, to serve for three months from the time of their Joining the Army,, to co-operate with the Army and the Fleet, and Army of our allies,. in an attack upon the Enemy at New York, &c , being read and considered.
Ordered, That the same be immediately laid before the Honour- able House of General Assembly, for their advice and assistance on the subject of it.
.
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And the following Message being read, was agreed to, signed by the Vice President, and
Ordered, to be presented by the Secretary, vizt :
A Message from the Council to the General Assembly.
IN COUNCIL, Philad'a, October 8th, 1779.
His Excellency the President having this morning receiv'd the enclosed Letter from his Excellency General Washington, dated West Point, the fourth day of October, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, the Council hath thought it proper to lay before you, for your advice and assistance, fully confiding that the Magni- tude and importance of the object of it will engage the immedi- ate and most serious attention of your Honourable House.
By order of the Council.
GEORGE BRYAN, Vice President. To the Hon'e the Speaker of the Hon'e House of General Assem. bly.
The Secretary return'd, and reported that the Message and letter were presented to the Speaker ef the House according to order.
A Committee of the House, Colonel Clymer, Mr. Hartley, Gen- eral Lacey and Mr. Thomas Smith, attended in Council in Confer- ence on the subject of his Excellency the General's Letter, and Major General Armstrong attended also, by desire of the Council, and a free conference thereon being held, the sense of the Council was fully expressed to the Committee.
General Lacy, Mr. Clymer, Mr. Thomas Smith and Doctor Gardner, attended in Council and informed the Board that they were appointed a committee of the Honourable House of Assembly, to meet and confer with a committee to be appointed by the Coun- cil, on the subject of an address of thanks to General Wayne, and the Troops of the Pennsylvania Line, for their important services during the Campaign ; Whereupon,
Resolved, That Colonel Smith and Mr. Read be a committee to meet the said committee of the House, for the purpose aforesaid.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Saturday, October 9th, 1779.
PRESENT :
The Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Hart, Mr. Orndt,
Mr. Mackey, Mr. Read, and
Colonel.Smith, Mr. Thompson.
The Petition af John Patterson, of Philadelphia, praying that Walter Smith, a relation of the Petitioner, taken on Board a Bri-
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
tish Ship by the General Greene, and now confined in the new Goal, may be discharged, &c., was read and considered ; and there- upon,
Ordered, That Mr. Thomas Bradford, Commissary of Prisoners, be directed to enlarge the said Walter Smith, on receiving sufficient surety for his appearance when called for.
Ordered, That the Secretary do present the following Message to the Honourable House of General Assembly, vizt :
A Message from the Council to the General Assembly.
IN COUNCIL, Philadelphia, October 9th, 1779.
SIR, His Excellency the President having expressed to the Council his apprehensions of great distresses among poor bouse- keepers in this city, from the high price of Flour, and proposed the taking measures, in concert with your Honourable House, for their relief, by distributing among them one hundred Barrells of Flour, giving a preference to such Families as have performed Militia duty; and also to take some effectual Measures to obtain a supply of Wood to the city by giving a Bounty to such Persons as shall bring the greatest quantity to this Market within a limited time, or other- wise. The Council Concurring in opinion with his Excellency, beg leave torecommend to the Honourable House to take the same into their consideration, and if they approve thereof, to express their approbation by a vote or resolve of the House.
By order of the Council.
GEORGE BRYAN, Vice President. Honb'e the Speaker of the House of Gen'l Assembly.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Monday, October 11th, 1779. . PRESENT :
Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Vice President.
Mr. Hart, Mr. Reed,
Mr. Mackey,
Mr. Thompson, Mr. Orndt, and Colonel Smith.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Doctor Jo -- seph Gardner, for the sum of one thousand pounds, to be paid to. Samuel Cunningham, Esquire, late one of the Commissioners of Cloathing for the county of Chester, to be charged to the account of said Cunningham.
On Consideration,
Ordered, That an embargo be now laid on Provisions of all kinds, to continue for Thirty days, and that a Proclamation do now issue
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for that purpose accordingly. And the following Proclamation being read, was agreed to, and signed by the Vice President, to wit :
By the Honourl. GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President, and the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, The Exportation of victuals and provisions from the United States of America hath occasioned difficulties in procuring supplies for the American Armies and for the Fleet of his most Christian Majesty, our illustrious Ally:
And Whereas, It is become necessary to take Effectual Measures for obtaining a present supply for the said purposes: wherefore, we do hereby lay an Embargo on the exportation of Wheat, Flour, Rye, Oats, Speltz, Barley, Indian Corn, Beef, Pork, and other victuals, whether alive or dead, from this State to any parts or places beyond sea ; and for that purpose do forbid the clearing out and dispatch of any ship or other vessel on which any such goods and victuals shall be laden ; of which the Naval officer and all others concerned are hereby required to take notice, and govern themselves accord- ingly. This Embargo to be continued Thirty days from the date of these presents, and no longer ; But not to extend to hinder the taking in of necessary stores of ships of War or Merchant Vessels for their respective Cruises or Voyages, nor to prevent the Trans- portation of Provisions for the Armies of the said United States, or the Fleet of his most Christian Majesty-such Transporta tionto be licenced in every Instance by Us.
Given, by order of the Council, under the Hand of the Honour-
able George Bryan, Esquire, Vice President, and the seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this Eleventh day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine.
GEORGE BRYAN, Vice President. Attest-T'Y MATLACK, Sec'ry.
GOD SAVE THE PEOPLE.
Adjourned to the House of bis Excellency the President, at four o'clock this afternoon.
127
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
The Council met pursuant to adjournment.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Mackey, Colonel Smith, and Colonel Hart, Mr. Thompson.
The Honourable George Bryan, Esquire, presented a resignation of his office of Vice President, in the following words; to wit :
I, George Bryan, who for upwards of two years last past have held and enjoyed the office of Vice President of the Supreme Ex- ecutive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do, on this Eleventh day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine, resign the said office.
As Witness my hand. GEORGE BRYAN.
Acknowledged as the writing and act of Mr. Bryan, before TIMOTHY MATLACK, Sec'ry.
And the same was accepted ; whereupon,
Resolved, That a Vice President be now chosen by Ballot.
And the Ballots being taken and read by the Secretary, it ap- peared that the Honourable Mathew Smith, Esquire, was Elected to be Vice President.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Tuesday, October 12th, 1779.
PRESENT :
The Honourable MATHEW SMITH, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Bryan, Mr. Hart, Mr. Orndt, and
Mr. Read,
Mr. Mackey, Captain Hambright.
Ordered, That the clothier General of the United States, or his deputy, be requested immediately to forward to the sub-clothier at Camp, two thousand suits of Cloaths for the Troops of the Penn -. sylvania line.
And a letter was written accordingly.
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In Council.
PHILADEL'A, Wednesday, October 13th, 1779.
PRESENT :
The Honourable MATHEW SMITH, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Bryan, Mr. Hart,
Mr. Hambright,
Mr Orndt, and
Mr. Mackey,
Mr. Thompson.
Mr. Read,
Daniel Clymer, Esquire, one of the Persons who were in the house of James Wilson, Esquire, on the fourth day of October in- stant, at the time when the riot happened there, surrendered him- self, and offered surety for his appearance.
Ordered, That Daniel Clymer do give security for his appear- ance at the next Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Goal delivery, to be holden for the City and County of Philada., there to answer such charges as shall be brought against him, and not de- part the court without leave.
Whereupon, he became bound in the sum of five thousand pounds, and John Chaliner and Ephraim Blaine each in the sum of two thousand five hundred, as his sureties, accordingly.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of his Excel- lency the President, for the sum of three thousand pounds, to be charged to his account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer, in favour of the Honour- able John Mackey, for the sum of one thousand two hundred and thirty five pounds and five shillings, the Ballance of his account, for his attendance in Council, to wit :
From the Eighth day of October, 1778, to the first day of February, 1779, 115 days, at six dollars # day, £258 15
From the first day of February to the fifth day of April last, 63 days, at 8 dollars + day, - 189 00
From the fifth day of April last to the fourteenth day of Octo'r Inst., 192, at 20 dollars # day, -
1,440 00
£1,887 15
CR.
1778. Dec'r 24th, Draft on the Treasurer, _112 10
1779, Jan'ry 19th,
do
75 00
April 20th, do
150 00
Aug'st 3d,
do
150 00
30th, do
187 10
675 00
£1,212 15
129
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
The Letter of his Excellency General Washington of the Instant, being again considered,
Ordered, That two classes of the Militia of the City of Phila- delphia, two classes of the County of Philadelphia, Two Classes of the County of Bucks, Three Classes of the County of Chester, and three Classes of the County of York, be now called into service. And that in order to encourage the Freemen to do their duty on this occasion, the sum of eighty dollars be paid to each Man, both officers and Privates, who turns out on this occasion, in addition to the sum of twenty pounds allowed by Law, twenty pounds to be paid in hand, twenty pounds to be paid by the Almoner to the Family of such Militia Man in his absence, and the remainder, with the Continental Monthly pay, to be paid him on the Expira- tion of his service.
And as it is the earnest desire of his Excellency General Wash- ington, to have the Militia now called to serve for the Term of three Months; that each able-bodied Man who shall engage in writing to serve one Month more than he is oblig'd by law to serve, shall be paid, in addition to the bounty above mentioned, the further sum of Fifty pounds, making in the whole the sum of one hundred pounds; forty pounds to be paid in hand, Forty pounds to be paid to his family in his absence, and the remainder at the expiration of the said Term of three Months.
A Transcript of the record of Conviction of Dennis Dunn, late of the County of Lancaster, Yeoman, of Burglary and larceny, at a Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Goal delivery, held at Lancaster, for the County of Lancaster, on the fifth day of Octo- ber Instant, before the Judges of the Supreme Court, by which it appears that said Dennis Dunn was Sentenced to be Hanged by the Neck till he be dead, was read and Considered.
Ordered, That a Writt of Execution of said sentence be Issued forthwith, ordering the same to be done on Saturday the Twenty- third Instant, between the Hours of Ten of the Clock in the fore- noon, and two of the Clock in the afternoon, of the same day.
A return of the Election for the City of Philadelphia, held at the State House, on Saturday the Twelfth instant, being now made, so far as relates to a Councellor and Assembly Man, it appears
That William Moore was elected Councellor, and that George Bryan, Michael Shubart, William Hollingshead, Jacob Shriner, and Charles Wilson Peale, were Elected representatives in General Assembly for the said City.
VOL. XII .- 9.
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MINUTES OF THE
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Thursday, October 14th, 1779. PRESENT :
The Honourable MATHEW SMITH, Esquire, Vice President.
Colonel Hart, Mr. Mackey, Mr. Reed,
Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Hambright ; also
Mr. Orndt,
Mr. Bryan.
A Letter from the Commercial Committee of Congress, request- ing, in effect, permission to export to Saint Eustatia, in the Packet boat Eagle, Captain Ashmead, Two hundred Barrells of salted Pork, Fifty Barrells of Bread, for the purpose of procuring Cloath- ing for the Army, was read; and thereupon,
Ordered, That the Naval officer be directed to Clear out the said Vessell and Cargo.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Major Gen- eral John Armstrong, Esquire, for the Sum of Seven hundred and Ninety-two Pounds, his additional Wages as a Member of Con- gress for this State, agrecable to a resolve of the General As- sembly of the Ninth day of October Instant, from the fifth day of April last to the Twentieth day of October instant.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Friday, October 15th, 1779. PRESENT :
The Honourable MATHEW SMITH, Esquire, Vice President.
· Colonel Hart, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Read,
Mr. Ornd:, and Mr. Hambright.
William Bell, of the City of Philadelphia, trader, one of the Persons who were in the House of James Wilson, Esquire, at the time of the riot on the fourth of October instant, appeared ; And thereupon,
Ordered, That William Bell do give security for his appearance at the next Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Goal de- livery, to be holden for the City and County of Philadelphia, there to answer such Charges as shall be brought against him, and not depart the Court without leave; Whereupon, he became bound in the sum of Ten thousand pounds, and John Pringle and Jacob S. Howell, each of them in the Sum of Five thousand pounds, for his appearance accordingly.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
A return of the General Election for the County of Berks being now read, it appears that the following named persons were duly elected, to Wit:
Representatives, Gabriel Heister, Sebastian Swan, Valentine Eck- art, Christian Laur, George Egee, and Jonathan Jones; Sheriffs, Henry Haffa and Philip Kramer ; Coroners, John Spohn and James Whitehead.
A return of the General Election for the County of Philadelphia being now read, it appears that the following Named Persons were duly elected, to wit :
Councellor, Joseph Reed, Esquire; Representatives, Robert Knox, Robert Lollar, Edward Heston, Daniel Heister, John Bayard, Joseph McLean, William Coates, Samuel Mechlin, and Archibald Thomp- son ; Sheriffs, James Claypole and Christopher Ludwig; Coroners, Robert Jewell and William Moulder.
A return of the General Election for the County of Chester being now read, it appears that David Thomas, Henry Hayes, John Fulton, James Boyd, Patrick Anderson, Joseph Parke, William Harris, were highest in vote; and Sketchly Morton, John Cul- bertson, and John Fleming, were next highest, and equal in vote, to serve as Representatives in General Assembly; That Joseph Gard- ner was elected and chosen Councellor, David Mackey and John Gardner were chosen for the offices of Sheriff, and David Denny and Allen Cunningham were chosen to the office of Coroner.
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