USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII > Part 16
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For William Moore, Esqr.
164
MINUTES OF THE
The General Assembly and Council then proceeded to the choice of a Vice President ; And the Votes were as follows, vizt :
For William Moore, Esqr. For James Read, Esqr.
And thereupon it was declared that Joseph Reed, Esquire, was then duly elected to be President; and
William Moore, Esquire, was then duly elected Vice President.
And the following declaration of the said Election being read, was signed by his Excellency Joseph Reed, Esquire, President, and the members of Council then present ; And the same was also signed by the Honourable John Bayard, Esquire, Speaker of the House of General Assembly, and by the Members of the House of General Assembly then present, to Wit :.
Joseph Reed, President, Joseph Gardner,
Jacob Arndt,
William Moore,
James Read,
John Hambright,
John Lacy, Junior,
John Bayard, Speaker,
Joseph McClean, Joseph Serritz,
Edward Heston,
David Thomas,
Jacob Schreiner,
Dan'l Heester, Jun'r, James Boyd,
Char's Wilson Peale,
William Scott,
Joseph Park,
Robert Knox,
Arthur Watts,
William Harris,
John Smilie,
John Whitehill,
Christian Lower, Jr.
John Gilchrist,
James Dickson,
Jonathan Jones,
Christopher Kucher,
David Dunwoody,
John Ralston,
William Browne,
John Orr,
John Burd,
William Porter,
David Kennedy,
Joseph Powell,
James Jacks,
Jonathan Hoge,
Robert Martin,
William Browne,
Sebastian Levan,
Samuel Dale.
And the said Declaration was in the following Words, to wit .:
To all People to whom these presents shall come, or may Con- cern, The General Assembly and Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Send Greeting:
Know Ye, That we, the representatives of the Freemen of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, in the State House at Philadelphia, together with the President and other Members of the Supreme Executive Council of the said Common- wealth, in the same place convened, to elect a President and Vice President of the said. Council, have, agreeable to the direction of the Nineteenth Section of the Constitution of the said Common- wealth, duly and fairly Elected and chosen by Ballott, His Excel lency Joseph Reed, Esquire, President of the said Supreme Exe- cutive Council, and the Honourable William Moore, Esquire, Vice President; And to the end, that due regard and Obedience may be paid to them in the Execution of their respective offices on all occasions, We do hereby make known and declare, that the said
George Bryan,
William Hollingshead,
William Coates, Henry Hayes,
Michael Shubart,
Gerardus Wynkoop, Patrick Anderson,
165
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Joseph Reed, Esquire, is the President, and the said William Moore, Esquire, is the Vice President of the said Supreme Exe- cutive Council.
In Testimony whereof, We have hereunto set our hands and seals, the Eleventh day of November, in the Fourth Year of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine.
And the said Joseph Reed is hereby Proclaimed to be Captain General and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Agreed Unanimously, That the said Declaration of the Election of the President and Vice President of the Supreme Executive Council, be publickly read at the Court house, in the city of Phila- delphia, by the Secretary of the Council, and that the Secretary of the Council do then Proclaim the President in the following words, vizt: And the said Joseph Reed, Esquire, is hereby proclaimed to be the President of the said Supreme Executive Council, Captain General and Commander-in-Chief, in and over the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Agreed, that the Order of the Procession to the Court House be as follows, to Wit :
Constables with their staves.
Sub-Sheriffs with their wands.
Coroner with his wand.
Judge of the Supreme Court.
Prothonotary of the Supreme Court.
Judge of the Admiralty, and Marshall of the Admiralty.
Treasurer of the State, and Attorney General.
Justices of the Peace.
Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas.
Secretary of the Council.
His Excellency the President, and Honour'e the Vice Presi- dent.
Members of the Council, two and two.
Doorkeeper of the Council.
Serjant at Arms with the Mace.
The Honourable the Speaker of the House.
Clerke of the House and his assistant.
Members of the General Assembly, two and two. Citizens.
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MINUTES OF THE
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Friday, November 12th, 1779. PRESENT :
Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Lacy, Mr. Read,
Mr. Hambright, and Doctor Gardner.
The Secretary Reports that the Declaration of the President and Vice President, was read at the Court house yesterday, and the President Proclaimed according to Order of the Council.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of the Honoura- ble Jacob Arndt, Esquire, for the sum of Five hundred pounds, in part of his pay as a Member of this Board, for which he is to ac- count.
Ordered, That the Agents in whose hands the Publick Salt is deposited, be directed to deliver to Robert Campbell, of the county of Lancaster, or his order, seventeen and an half Bushells of salt, and take his receipt for the same, he, the said Campbell, having deliver- ed into the State Store Thirty-five Barrells of Flour.
A return of the General Election of the County of Cumberland being now made, was read, and it appears that the following Gen- tlemen were elected, vizt:
Councellor .- Robert Whitehill.
Represent's .- Colonel's Abraham Smith, Samuel Cuthbertson and Frederick Watt, and Jonathan Hodge, John Harris, William McDowell and Ephraim Steele, Esquires.
Sheriffs .- James Johnston and Thomas Gibson.
Coroners .- William Holmes and John Jordan.
Commissioner .- John Pollock, (Malster.)
Assessors .- John Heap, William Blaine, John Lyon, William Finley, John Carson, and Joseph Junkin.
On consideration,
Ordered, That James Johnston, Esquire, be appointed and com- missioned to be Sheriff of the county of Cumberland, and William Holmes be appointed and commissioned to be Coroner of the said County.
John Johnston, Esquire, now proposes Thomas Johnston, John Johnston, and John Boggs, as sureties for the faithfull per- formance of his office as Sheriff of the county of Cumberland, and the same are approved of.
1
167
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Saturday, November 13th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable Mr. Lacey, Mr. Read
Mr. Gardner, and Mr. Hambright.
The following Message from the Council to the Honourable House of General Assembly being read and considered,
Ordered, That the same be signed by his Excellency the Presi- dent, and the Secretary directed to present the same to the Hon- ourable House of Assembly.
Message from the President and Supreme Executive Council to the Representatives of the Freemen of Pensylvania, in General As- sembly met.
Gentlemen of the General Assembly,
The short space of time which has elapsed since our address to the late assembly has produced but few events sufficiently interest- ing to become objects of your attention. The advanced season of the year seems almost to forbid the hope of any thing more deci- sive ; but when we look back and take a general view of the opera- tions and events of the Campaign, we shall find sufficient cause to acknowledge the favour and goodness of Providence, and to con- gratulate you on the happy state of Publick affairs.
While the efforts of the Enemy have been Feeble, spiritless and indecisive, our defensive system has been supported with firmness and effect in every part of America, and when it has been departed from, the Bravery, discipline and good conduct of our officers and soldiers have been eminently conspicuous.
The seasonable and generous assistance of the Count D'Estaing, and the Gallant force under his command, tho' not attended with all the success which our sanguine expectations suggested, may justly be reckoned among the happy events of the year, as it has disconcerted the Plans of the Enemy, been attended with success in capturing many of their vessels, and is, in every respect, a fresh proof of the Magnanimity and attention of our allies, which will justly endear them to every sincere Lover of his Country.
The expeditions under General Sullivan and Colonel Broadhead, will, we hope, have the happy effects to make the Savages of the wilderness dread the weight of the American arms, and give that safety and security to the distressed Frontiers which were the great objects of the Expedition. But as few marks of submission or hu- miliation have been manifested, and from some late appearances on the frontiers of Bedford and Northumberland, the Inhabitants seem to be under great apprehensions and alarm, we cou'd not think it
168
MINUTES OF THE
prudent to depend so far on the success as to admit the necessary preparation to repel any incursions which distress or revenge may induce the enemy to make, and have, therefore, procured a consid- erable to be stationed in such places as will be most likely to answer this desirable purpose, and ease the minds of the good people in that quarter.
Our domestic tranquility has been interrupted by some unhappy commotions, to which free States have in all ages been subject.
We trust they are rather to be considered as the casual over- flowings of liberty than proceeding from avowed licentiousness, or contempt of Publick authority, and as it is the first, and we hope will be the last instance, where Individuals will take the Vindica- tion of their Zeal, or apprehended injuries, into their own hands, and as the discussions will be painfull to their fellow citizens and open a breach we wish to see closed, we submit it to your consid- eration, whether an act of oblivion and indemnity will not have a happy tendency to compose the minds of the people, and in its effects prove more beneficial to the Publick interests, than a rigor- ous pursuit of legal measures.
The institution of a Court of Errors, and a revisal of the Law respecting clandestine marriages, were formerly recommended to the Assembly of this State, but the Multiplicity and pressure of other objects have hitherto Excluded them from Publick view.
'The time appears to us favourable, and they involve considera- tions so very Interesting to the liberty and happiness of the State, that we wou'd wish so see them meet with a due share of attention.
The Counterfeiting the Currency of the United States, has made such an alarming progress in some parts of the State, as to require a severe and immediate Check. The Counterfeiting the Emissions of an early date is by special Act of Assembly a capital crime, , while the same practice is only punishable at Common Law in the case of late emissions, which has occasioned a distinction of Pun- ishments for the said offence, by no means consonant to the prin- ciples of reason and justice, or the feelings of Mankind; We wou'd therefore, recommend the passing a Law subjecting all offenders to penal and equal Punishments.
The other domestic regulations having been referred specially by your predecessors, your vigilance and zeal for the Publick service and the interests of the State, make it unnecessary for us to enu- merate them.
The supplies of the Army, tho' attended with very heavy ex- pence, we have hitherto been able to compass so as to draw the gratefull acknowledgments of the Troops for this just attention to their necessities.
We shall in a few days forward both to officers and Men, so com- pleat a supply of Cloathing, both in Quantity and Quality, as will enable them to meet the rigours of the approaching season with ease and chearfulness.
169
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
But while we contemplate with gratefull satisfaction the general prospect of Public and domestic affairs, we cannot help expressing our concern and apprehensions on the state of Publick Credit. The depreciation of the Currency and its fatal consequences to the Honour and interest of America, seem now so generally felt and acknowledged, that we trust a safe and sure foundation is laid for the success of any measures which may be adopted to check this growing and alarming evil.
How far any State can safely adopt a separate system on a mat- ter of so great and general concern, we cannot venture to decide, but we can have no doubt the Representatives of the Freemen of Pensylvania will countenance and promote every measure that will tend to establish the Publick ffaith, and fix it upon a solid basis of truth and justice. We shall think our time and labour devoted to the most valuable purposes, if we render the Publick any service on this important point, and in every other shall en- deavour as far as depends on us, to forward the business of the State with dispatch, utility, and mutual satisfaction.
The Secretary will deliver you sundry resolves of the Honoura- ble, the Continental Congress of the United States, on Matters of great importance to the General Interests, and also, several other Publick papers from our Sister States, which we must recommend to your serious consideration.
JOSEPH REED, President.
Council Chamber, Novr. 13th, 1779.
In Council.
PHILADELP'A, Monday, November 15th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Read,
Mr. Arndt, and Mr. Hambright.
His Excellency Joseph Reed, Esquire, President, in consequence of his election to that office on Thursday last, now took the oath of allegiance and the oath of office required by the Constitution of the State. And the Honourable William Moore, Esquire, Vice Presi- dent, elected to that office on Thursday last, took the oath of alle- giance and the oath of office required by the Constitution.
170
MINUTES OF THE
Frederick Watts, Esquire, one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Cumberland, having been elected one of the repre- sentatives of the said county in General Assembly, sent in a re- signation of his said office of Justice of the Peace, dated the thir- teenth day of this present Month, on which day the same was delivered to the Secretary of the Council. The same was now read and accepted.
The Memorial of divers persons, Managers of a Charitable So- ciety, setting forth in Effect the great necessities of the poor of this city for Wood to supply them in the ensuing Winter, that a quan- tity of woodland on Lancaster road, about Four Mile from this City, belonging to some person in England, or elsewhere, now ab- sent, has been entered upon and the Timber thereof cut down by some persons, as they apprehend, not duly authorised so to do, and praying the sanction of this Council to cut down as much of said Wood as may answer the present extreme necessity of the Poor, having the same duly and fairly valued by impartial persons, and the price thereof lodged in the public funds, or in the Hands of such persons as the Council may appoint, being now read and con- sidered,
Resolved, That the Memorialists, to Wit: William Bradford, Tench Francis, James Ashe, Isaac Melchior, William Hall, Andrew Tybout, David Duncan, William Millar, William Forbes, Thomas Shields, and Joseph Copperthawte, have the sanction of this Board to Cut down and apply the Wood on the said Land to the purpose set forth in the Memorial. That they be directed to have the same Valued on Oath, and deposit the amount of the valuation in the hands of the Treasurer of this State, taking his receipt for the same, and report thereon to this Council. And that the said Me- morialists be authorized to prevent any other Persons from Cutting or Carrying away Wood of any kind from the said Land.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Timothy Mat- lack, Esquire, for the sum of one thousand pounds, in part of his Salary, for which he is to account.
A Letter from the Delegates of Pensylvania in Congress, en- closing a resolve of Congress, informing the Council, &c., that the Minister Plenipotentiary of his Most Christian Majesty, the King of France, will receive his audience of Congress on Wednesday next, was read.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Honourable Samuel Atlee, Esquire, for the sum of two hundred and sixty-nine pounds, the ballance of his account, for his attendance in Congress from the Twenty-first day of December, one thousand seven hundred and Seventy-Eight, to the twelfth day of November, one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy-nine.
171
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
The following Proclamation was read and considered, Ordered, That the same be published.
By his Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President, and the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pen- sylvania.
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, The Publick necessities do not admit of a free ex- portation of Provisions ; Wherefore, the said Council do hereby con- tinue the embargo on the Exportation of Wheat, Flour, Rye, Oats, Speltz, Barley, Indian Corn, Beef, Pork, and other Victuals, whe- ther alive or dead, from this State to any parts or places beyond Sea, other than for the necessary use of the Master and Mariners ; and for that purpose do forbid the clearing out or dispatch of any Ship or Vessel on which any such Goods and Victuals shall be laden, of which the Naval Officer and all Merchants, Shippers, Captains of Vessels, and others concerned, are hereby required to take Notice, and Govern themselves accordingly. This Embargo to continue Thirty days from the date of these presents, and no longer, but not to extend to hinder the taking in necessary stores of Ships of War or Merchant Vessels, for the respective Cruizes or Voyages ; nor to prevent the transportation of provisions for the Armies of the United States, or the Fleet of his most Christian Majesty. Such Transportation to be Licenced, in every instance, by the Council.
Given by order of Council, under the hand of his Excellen- cy Joseph Reed, Esquire, President, and the Seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this fifteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine.
JOSEPH REED, President.
Attest-TIM'Y MATLACK, Secret' y.
GOD SAVE THE PEOPLE.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Tuesday, Novem'r 16th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Hambright.
Mr. Read, and
Samuel Cuthbertson, Esquire, Elected a Member of General Assembly, sent in a resignation of his office of Justice of the Peace for the County of Cumberland, and the same was read and accepted.
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MINUTES OF THE
The Honourable House of General Assembly having sent in their Minute of the Election of Delegates of the State to serve in Con- gress, the same was read, by which it appears that the following named gentlemen were Elected, Vizt : John Arzistrong, James Searle, Frederick Mulenberg, James McClean, and Williamt Ship- pen, Esquires.
A representation from Captain Stiles of the low price of Store- age paid him for storing of Gun Powder, was read; and, on con- sideration,
Ordered, That Captain Stiles be allowed and paid by the owners of Gun Powder, stored in the Publick Stores, the sum of Twenty Shillings per Barrell per Month.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of his Excellen- cy the President, for the sum of three thousand pounds, in part of his salary, for which he is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Honourable Frederick Muhlenberg, for the sum of Three thousand dollars, in part of his pay as a member of the Congress, for which he is to account.
The application of the Managers of the House of employment being again considered,
Resolved, That Mr. Turnbull do lend them fifty Barrells of Flour, and that he do also give a certificate in their favour or direction, to the Commissioners for procuring Salt, to Furnish them with Ten Bushells of Salt, they accounting therefor with Mr. Turnbull, as soon as the circumstances of the House of employment will admit.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Wednesday, Novem'r 17th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Read, and Mr. Gardner, Mr Hambright.
WHEREAS, The frequent applications of Persons to go to New York, is attended with many Inconveniences, and delay of Publick business.
Resolved, therefore, That the Secretary do give Notice that all persons desirous to go into the Enemies lines, are to apply within ten days from this date, giving to his office their Names, and those of their Securities, not to return without leave. After which time no applications will be receiv'd untill the first of February next.
173
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
.
The Council having several days ago receiv'd information from Congress, that the Chevalier D'La Luzerne was this day to receive his Publick audience, The Honourable Mr. Searle and Mr. Mahlen- berg weated on the Council, and informed them that the Commit- tee appointed to weat on and introduce into the Congress the Che- valier D'La Luzerne, were gone out to receive him, and that Con- gress had ordered the Bar on the right hand of the Entrance into their room for the reception of the Council and General Assembly. And thereupon, his Excellency the President and Council attended the said audience.
The Council having received the resolve of General Assembly respecting the sale of the ship General Greene,
Ordered, That the Agents of the ship General Greene, and Mr. George Henry, be desired to attend this Board to-Morrow at Twelve O'Clock, when the sale of the ship General Greene will be taken into Consideration.
A resolve of General Assembly, respecting Captain Irwin's com- pany, was read ; and thereupon,
Resolved, That this Board are of opinion that it may be proper to make some allowance in money to Captain Irwin's company, at the expiration of their service, to be paid to such as do faithfully continue in the service to the end of the time of their enlist- ment.
. An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of the Honour- able George Bryan, Esquire, for the sum of Two thousand pounds, on account of his salary as Vice President.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Thursday, November 18th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Read, and
Mr. Arndt.
A Letter from Colonel Broadhead, dated Pittsburgh, was read.
The Honourable Woodbury Langdon, Esquire, delegate in Con- gress from the State of New Hampshire, applied to Council for permission to take with him to the said State, in the Schooner Hannah and Molly, David Lathan, Master, Twelve Barrells of Flour, for his own family use.
On consideration,
Ordered, That the Naval officer be directed to permit twelve Barrells of Flour to be shipped in the said Schooner accordingly.
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MINUTES OF THE
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of James Smith, Esquire, for seventy-four pounds, nine shillings and six pence, the amount of the claim of William Rankin on the Estate of James Rankin, decreed him by the Supreme Court, with interest on the sum of sixty nine pounds thereof from the year 1762.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of James Smith, Esquire, for the sum of three thousand and fifteen pounds, the amount of the claim of John Rankin on the Estate of James Ran- kin, late of the county of York, decreed him, the said John, by the Supreme Court.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of James Smith, Esquire, for the sum of one hundred and twelve pounds, nine shil- lings and six pence, together with interest on the sum of Fifty pounds from the year 1773, the amount of the claim of Anne No- blett on the estate of James Rankin, late of York county, decreed to her by the Supreme Court.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Friday, November 19th, 1779. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH READ, Esquire, President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Read, Mr. Hambright, and Doctor Gardiner.
Christian Wirtz, of the Borough of Lancaster, produced a re- ceipt for the sum of Fourteen thousand and four hundred, signed by Charles Wilson Peale, Agent, the same being the full consider- ation for a house and Lott, situate on the south-Westerly corner of Walnut and Front streets, containing, in Breadth, North and South, about Nineteen feet, and extending east and West eighty feet, late belonging to David Sproat, seized and sold according to Law.
And thereupon, a Deed was executed, according to Law, convey- ing and confirming the said house and lot of ground to the said Christian Wirtz, his heirs and assigns.
WHEREAS, The Honourable the Board of War, at the request of this Board, did, some time ago, deliver Two thousand coats to the commissioner of cloathing of this State, as their quota of the cloathing on hand ; Other deficiencies to be made up by the Ex- ertions of this Board ; And it being now represented that the said delivery has been productive of discontent, tho', in the opinion of this Council, without the least Just reason ; Yet being desirous even to remove groundless uneasiness,
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