USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII > Part 17
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Resolved, That the said two thousand coats be deemed to be- long to the United States, and be under the direction of their clo- thier, as if no such delivery had been ever made to the clothier of this State. But the same being now cased and Packed, they go forward, and to be under the direction of the commander-in-chief, who will order in this matter with his usual prudence and Justice to the State.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Mr. Benja- min Crofts, for one hundred and twenty pounds, for forty pound weight of candles, at eight Dollars per pound.
WHEREAS, This Board has made all possible Inquiry into the circumstances of the sale of the ship General Greene, and endea- voured as much as possible to prevent the loss which, it has been agreed by both branches of the Legislature, the State has sus- tained on the Occasion, but the same not having had the desired effect,
Resolved, That the Agents receive the purchase money, and de- liver the ship, without further loss of time.
The following Message from the Council to the General Assem- bly, being read and considered,
Ordered, That the same be signed by his Excellency the Presi- dent, and the Secretary directed to deliver the same to the Honour- able the Speaker of the Assembly.
Message from the Council to the General Assembly.
Gentlemen,
The Justices of the Peace of this City have represented that there are at present great abuses on the Publick Wharves, with respect to Wood, which will soon affect the citizens in General, and the poor in particular. The regulations by which these abuses were heretofore restrain'd having been formed upon bye-laws of the cor- poration, which have now ceased, we wou'd recommend to your Honourable House the enacting a law for vesting sufficient powers in the Justices of the peace of the city, or some other Publick Body, for correcting the abuses complained of.
JOSEPH REED, President.
Council Chamber, Nov'r 19th, 1779.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Joseph Rhoads, for the sum of Fifty-five pounds six shillings, amount of his claim against the estate of Alexander Bartram, decreed him by the Su- preme Court.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Mrs. Mary Moore, for the sum of Five hundred and Nineteen pounds twelve shillings and ten pence, the amount of her claim on the estate of Oswald Eve, decreed her by the Supreme Court.
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In Council.
PHILAD'A, Saturday, November 20th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Read, and
Mr. Hambright, Doctor Gardner.
The following Message from the Council to the General Assem- bły being read,
Ordered, That the same be signed by his Excellency the Presi- dent, and the Secretary directed to deliver the same to the Honour- able Speaker of the General Assembly.
Message from the Council to the General Assembly :
Gentlemen,
The Secretary waits on you with sundry Publick papers, which it is our duty to lay before you for your consideration. JOSEPH REED, President.
Council Chamber, Nov'r 20th, 1779.
List of papers sent into the House of Assembly with the fore- going Message.
Letter from the Auditor General of accounts, of the Twelfth of November, 1779, enclosing the order of the Treasury Board, of October 21st, and the state of the accounts between Congress and the State of Pensylvania.
Letter from the President of Congress, of the 18th of Novem- ber, 1779, enclosing two acts of Congress of the Twelfth and Six- teenth of November instant ; one respecting the companies of Ar- tificers, and the other on the subject of Courts Martial.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Monday, November 22d, 1779. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner, and Mr. Read.
The Town Major brought before the Council Patrick Keane, Lieu- tenant of the Roman Catholic Regiment of Volunteers in the Bri- tish Service, and he being examined,
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Ordered, That Colonel Nichola be desired to observe closely the conduct of Lieutenant Keane.
Petition of Samuel Emlen and Thomas Fisher, requesting per- mission for William Portsmouth Logan, a child of about seven or eight years old, to pass into New York, to go from thence to Eng- land, was read.
A resolve of General Assembly of the Nineteenth Instant, re- specting the bounds between this State and the State of Virginia, and also one respecting the claim of Connecticut to lands within this State, were read.
Ordered, That the same be forwarded to the Executive autho- · rities of the said States respectively.
Resolved, That the Captains of the Gallies make return of the names of the several Commissioned and Non-Commissioned officers and Privates under their command, that the same be made as is usual in the Army, under oath, and then be sent to Colonel Far- mer, Commissary of Cloathing and Stores, and that on Wednesday, or as soon after as convenient, the Men attend, agreeable to the re- turns, at the Store in Race street, under their officers, there to re- ceive their cloathing, and that Colonel Farmer send to the Council the said returns, and an account of their cloathing delivered.
Passes to Mary Cassan, Margery Fair, aad Amie Mitchell, to go into the City of New York, were signed, they having respectively given security not to return again.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Tuesday, November 23d, 1779. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esq'r, the President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Read, Mr. Hambright.
Mr. Lacey, and
A resolve of Congress of the Nineteenth of November Instant, respecting the regulations of prices, being now read,
Ordered, That the same be laid before the Honourable House of General Assembly by the Secretary.
The Honourable House of General Assembly having sent into the Council a resolve of the Twenty-second Inst., the same was read, and is as follows, vizt :
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA, Monday, 22d November, 1779.
On Motion,
· Resolved, That Mr. Bryan, Mr. Peale, and Mr. Coates, be a com- mittee to wait upon the President and Council, and desire them to VOL. XII .- 12.
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take proper and Efficacious Methods to secure the great seal of the late Province of Pensylvania.
And thereupon,
Ordered, That the Secretary of the Council do call on the keeper of the Great Seal of the late province of Pensylvania, and demand and receive the said great Seal.
The record of Conviction of Thomas Peadly, found guilty of Felony at a Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Goal delivery, held at York Town, for the county of York, on the Eleventh day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, and then and there sentenced to be hanged by the Neck untill he be dead, being now read; the Petition of the said Thomas Peadly being also read, together with the recommen- dation of divers persons of the said Peadly for Mercy, and the same being duly considered,
Ordered, That a Warrant be issued under the less Seal of the said State for execution of the said sentence, on Wednesday the eighth day of December next, and that a Pardon be issued under the Great Seal.
A Transcript of the record of Conviction of James Boyd, found guilty of Highway Robbery; and the sentence passed upon him that he be hanged by the Neck untill he be dead, being read and con- sidered,
Ordered, That the said Sentence be executed on Wednesday the eighth day of December next, and that a Warrant be accordingly issued under the less Seal of the State.
A Transcript of the record of Conviction of Henry Trout, found guilty of Felony, in uttering, &ca., at the said Court, and the sen- tence passed upon him that he be hanged by the Neck untill he be dead, being read and considered,
Ordered, That the said Sentence be executed on Wednesday the eighth day of December next, and that a Warrant be according- ly issued, under the less Seal of the State.
A Transcript of the record of conviction of Nathaniel Patton, found guilty of passing Counterfeit Money, at the said Court, and the Sentence passed upon him that he be Hanged by the Neck un- till he be dead, being now read, the Petition of the said Nathaniel Patton, and the same being duly considered,
Ordered, That the said sentence be executed on Wednesday the eighth day of December next, and that a Warrant be accordingly issued, under the less Seal of the State.
A Transcript of the record of Conviction of George Fletzer, found guilty of Murder, at the said Court, and the sentence passed upon him, that he be hanged by the Neck untill he be dead, being now read; the Petition of Ann Elizabeth Fletzer being also read, together with the Petition of the said Ann, and recommendation of the Jury to the Judges of the Supreme Court, and being duly considered,
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Ordered, That a Warrant be issued, under the less Seal of the State, for Execution of the said sentence on Wednesday the eight day of December next; And that a reprieve be issued for Thirty days, under the said Seal.
A Transcript of the record of Conviction of Robert Story, found guilty of Murder, at a Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Goal delivery, held at the Town of Carlisle, for the County of Cumberland, the eighteenth day of October last, and then and there sentenced to be hanged by the neck untill he be dead, being now read;
The Petition of Sundry inhabitants in and near the said Town of Carlisle, being also read, and the same being duly considered,
Ordered, That a Warrant be issued, under the less Seal of the State, for Execution of the said sentence on Saturday the Eleventh day of December next.
A Transcript of the record of Conviction of Christopher Shocky, found guilty of uttering counterfeit Money, at the said Court, and the sentence passed upon him that he be Hanged by the Neck 'till he be dead, being now read,
Ordered, That the sentence be executed on Saturday the Elev- enth day of December next, and that a Warrant be accordingly issued, under the less Seal of the State.
A Transcript of the record of Conviction of Thomas Madden, found guilty of Highway Robbery, at the said Court, and the sen- tence passed upon him that he be Hanged by the Neck untill he be dead, Being now read,
Ordered, That the said sentence be executed on Saturday the Eleventh day of December next, and that a Warrant be according- ly issued, under the less Seal of the State.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, November 24th, 1779, Wednesday. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Lacey,
Mr. Read, and Mr. Hambright.
An order was drawn in favour of Mr. Robert Aitkin, for the sum of Sixty-two dollars, for Eleven quires of Paper purchased for the use of the Council.
A manifest of the Cargo of the Schooner Hannah and Molly, David Latham, commander, Bound to Boston, certified by Joseph Pennel, was read, by which it appears that eighty Barrells of Bread, one hundred and Twenty-six Barrs of Iron, Two hundred and twenty Barrells of Tar, and twenty Barrells of Turpentine, are shipped in her, on account of the United States; Whereupon,
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Ordered, That the Naval Officer be directed to clear out the said Schooner Hannah and Molly, with her said Cargo.
The Honourable the Chevalier de La Luzerne, Minister Pleni- potentiary of his most Christian Majesty, attended by Monsieur Marbois, paid his Compliments to the President and Council, in the Council Chamber.
The following orders were drawn on the Treasurer, Vizt :
In favour of Mr. William Crispin, Commissary, or his order, for the sum of Fifteen thousand pounds, for purchasing the Enumerated articles for the use of the officers and Men of the State Fleet, and also for paying the Butcher, for which sum he is to account.
And in favour of Colonel John Bull, or his order, the sum of Four thousand pounds, for paying the Workmen employed at the President's House, and for the Necessary Materials, for which sum he is to account.
WHEREAS, It is represented to the Council that divers Persons belonging to the Gallies in the State Service, are desirous of being discharged; and the present situation of Publick affairs being such as may, without great inconveniency, admit of a compliance with their desires ; therefore,
Resolved, That such persons as are desirous of being discharged from any of the Gallies, do give in their names to the commanding officer of the Gallies, and to the Secretary of the Council, immedi- ately ; Whereupon, they will be discharged, unless some good and sufficient reason shall appear to prevent the same being done.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Colonel John Bull, or his order, for the sum of seven thousand and seven hun- dred Dollars, for his services at Billingsport and Mud Island, ending the Twenty-sixth of the present Month.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of the Hon- ourable Jacob Arndt, Esquire, for the sum of Four hundred and sixty-four pounds ten shillings, the ballance of his account for his attendance in Council, as follows, vizt :
From the first day of February, to the sixth day of
March last, inclusive, thirty-four days, at £3, - Mileage going and coming 60 Miles, at 2-6 + mile, From the Nineteenth day of April, to the 5th day of
£102 00 0 15 0
June last, inclusive, forty-eight days, at £7 10 0, Mileage gcing and coming 60 Miles, at 5s,
360 00 0
30 00 0
From the twenty-eighth day of September last, to the Twenty-third day of November, instant, in- clusive, 57 days, at £7 10, -
427 10 0
Mileage going and coming 60 Miles, at 5s, - -
30 00 0
1779, November 12th, Received in part of the above
964 10 0
500 00 0
£464 10 0
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, November 25th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esq'r, the President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esq'r, Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Hambright.
Mr. Read, and
The Council resumed the consideration of the case of Robert Story, ordered on Tuesday last to be executed according to the sentence of the Court, and having consulted the Honourable Mr. McClean, and such other persons now present, as were best ac- quainted with all the circumstances of his case,
Resolved unanimously, That it is the opinion of this Council, that he be executed, agreeable to the said sentence.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Friday, November 26th, 1779. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Read, and
Mr. Hambright.
Passes to John Saxton, Mary Browne, Mary Barber, and Mary Philips, to go into the City of New York, were signed, they having respectively given security not to return again.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Saturday, November 27th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Read, Mr. Lacey,
Mr. Hambright, and Doctor Gardner.
A return of the General Election of the County of Westmore- land was now receiv'd and read, by which it appears that the fol-
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lowing named Gentlemen were chosen, vizt: The Honourable Thomas Scott, Esquire, was elected Councellor; Samuel Sloan, John Proctor, and Isaac Mason, Esquires, Members of Assembly ; William Perry and Moses Watson, Esquires, Sheriffs; William Waddle and Michael Rugh, Esquires, Coroners; William. Love, Henry Wisby and William Latta, Commissioners; and Jacob Mech- len, John Shepperd, John Wright, William Jack, John Carnahan and Samuel Adams, Assessors.
And on consideration,
Ordered, That William Perry be appointed and commissioned to be Sheriff of the county of Westmoreland, and William Waddle, Coroner of the said county.
William Perry, now appointed Sheriff of the county of Westmore- land, offered John Perry and Charles Forman, Esquire, of the said county, as surety for the due performance of the said office, which the Council approve of.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of his Excellency the President, for the sum of eight thousand pounds, balance of his salary for the last year.
The application of George Lesher respecting the Pay of the Waggons, called forth under the late Warrant of this Board, be- ing considered, and the Law of the State inspected,
Resolved, That full Pay is not allowed by Law 'till the Brigade is formed, which, in this case, was the Twenty-ninth day of Octo- ber, but that it is the opinion of this Board, half-pay shou'd be allowed to the Waggons which were collected, and necessarily de- tained from their owners untill the Brigade was compleated, and that it be recommended to the Quarter Master General to make allowance accordingly.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Monday, November 29th, 1779. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Doctor Gardner,.
Mr. Read, and Mr. Hambright.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Colonel John . Proctor, paymaster of the County of Westmoreland, for the sum of Three thousand pounds, for paying the Militia of the said Coun- ty, for which sum he is to account.
Whereas, In the last return of the Election of the County of Bedford, John Piper, Esquire, was returned as a Member of this
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Board, but no resignation having been made to this Board by the Honourable Thomas Urie, Esquire, who is by the Constitution entitled to hold his seat for one year longer, nor hath it appeared to this Board that the said seat in Council is otherwise vacated,
Resolved, That this Board cannot, agreeable to the Constitution and Laws of the State, receive the said Mr. Piper as a Member of the Supreme Executive Council.
Resolved, That Colonel Piper be requested to proceed in the duties of his office of Lieutenant of the County, the above Elec- tion Notwithstanding.
The Council taking into their consideration a Certificate from the Honourable Mr. Holker, Consul of France, setting forth that the ship General Greene is chartered for the purpose of lading Nine hundred Barrells of Flour, one hundred and fifty Barrells of Pork, one hundred Barrells of Beef, and to compleate her Cargo with Barrells of Biscuit, if any shou'd be wanted, the whole to be shipped for Martinico, for the sole account and risk of his most Christian Majesty, and for the use of the Royal Navy.
Ordered, That the Naval officer be directed to permit the said ship to receive the said lading, and to clear her out accordingly.
On Consideration,
Ordered, That a Proclamation be issued, agreeable to the re- commendation of Congress of the Twentieth day of October last, for a day of Thanksgiving and prayer, which as follows, vizt:
By his Excellency Joseph Reed, Esquire, President, and the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
A PROCLAMATION.
"WHEREAS, the Honourable the Congress of the United States of America, by their resolve of the Twentieth day of October last, did recommend in the following words, to wit :
" WHEREAS, it becomes us humbly to approach the Throne of Al- mighty God with Gratitude and Praise, for the wonders which his Goodness has wrought in conducting our Forefathers to this Wes- tern World; for his protection to them and to their Posterity amid difficulties and dangers ; for raising us their Children from deep distress to be numbered among the Nations of the Earth; and for arming the hands of Just and Mighty Princes in our deliverance; and especially for that He hath been pleased to Grant us the en- joyment of Health, and so to alter the revolving Seasons that the Earth hath produced her increase in abundance, blessing the la- bours of the Husbandman, and spreading plenty thro' the land ; that He hath prospered Our Arms and those of our Ally, been a Shield to our Troops in the hour of danger, pointed their Swords to Victory, and led them in Triumph Over the Bulwarks of the Foe ; that He hath gone with them that went out into the Wil- derness against the Savage Tribes ; That He hath stayed the hands
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of the spoiler, and turned back his Meditated destruction; that ne hath prospered our Commerce, and Given Success to those who sought the Enemy on the face of the deep, and above all, that He hath diffused the Glorious light of the Gospel, whereby, thro' the Meritts of our Gracious Redeemer, we may become the Heirs of his Eternal Glory; therefore,
" Resolved, That it be recommended to the several States to ap- point Thursday, the Ninth day of December next, to be a day of Publick and Solemn Thanksgiving to Almighty God for his Mer- cies, and of prayer for the Continuance of his favour and protec- tion to these United States; to beseech him that He wou'd be Graciously pleased to influence our Publick Councils, and bless them with Wisdom from on High, with Unanimity, firmness and success ; that He wou'd go forth with our Hosts and Crown our Arms with Victory; that He wou'd Grant to his Church the plen- tifull effusions of divine Grace, and pour out his holy spirit on all Ministers of the Gospel; that He wou'd bless and prosper the means of Education, and spread the light of Christian Knowledge thro' the remotest Corners of the Earth; that He wou'd smile upon the labours of his People, and cause the Earth to bring forth her fruits in abundance, that we may, with Gratitude and Gladness, enjoy them; that He wou'd take into his Holy Protection our illus- trious Ally, Give him Victory over his Enemies, and render him signally Great as the Father of his People and the protector of the rights of Mankind; that he wou'd Graciously be pleased to turn the hearts of Our Enemies, and to dispense the blessings of Peace to Contending Nations ; that He wou'd in Mercy look down upon us, Pardon all our sins, and receive us into his favour; and, finally, that He wou'd establish the Independence of these United States upon the Basis of Religion and Virtue, and support and protect them in the enjoyment of Peace, liberty and safety."
Wherefore, as well in respect of the said recommendation of Con- gress as the plain dictates of duty to acknowledge the favour and goodness of Providence, and implore its further protection, We do hereby earnestly recommend to the good People of Pensylvania to set apart Thursday, the Ninth day of December next, for the Pious purposes expressed in the said resolve, and that they abstain from all labour on that day.
Given under the hand of his Excellency Joseph Reed, Esquire, President, and the seal of the State at Philadelphia, this Twenty- ninth day of November, in the Year of Our Lord One thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, and in the fourth Year of the Independence of the United States of America.
JOSEPH REED, President.
Attest-TIM'Y MATLACK, Secret'y.
GOD SAVE THE COMMONWEALTH.
-
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Tuesday, November 30th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Lacey,
Mr. Read, and Mr. Hambright.
The Council took into Consideration the appointing of a Vendue Master, or Auctioneer, for the City of Philadelphia ; and the Pe- titions of the following named Persons being read, vizt: William Harris, John Gill, James Stephenson, William Bradford, Mathias Bush, William Browne, and Charles Young; the same being bal- loted for, William Browne, of the City of Philadelphia, was elected ; and thereupon,
Ordered, That the said William Browne be appointed and Com- missioned Vendue Master, or Auctioneer, of the City of Phila- delphia, during pleasure.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Frederick Sneider, for the sum of Forty-two pounds, ten shillings and ten pence, advanced by him for Fire Wood for the use of the Council, over and beside the sum of six hundred and Seventy-two pounds drawn by him, the Twenty-Ninth of October last, for that purpose.
A Certificate, dated the Twenty-third day of November instant, signed by William Will and Robert Smith, Agents for Confis- cated Estates in the City of Philad'a, of payment of Thirty-nine thousand one hundred pounds, by George Haynes, (by James Crawford, his agent on that behalf,) being the full Consideration Money for an House and Lott of Ground, situate on the North side of Mulberry Street, in the said City, between Front and Second Streets, the Lott beginning at Mulberry Street aforesaid ; thence extending by ground of John Gillingham, North one hundred and two feet; thence by Front street lotts West two feet three Inches ; thence North forty-two feet six Inches ; thence East two Feet six Inches ; thence North twenty-seven feet six Inches; thence by a ten feet alley leading into Front street East fifteen feet; thence North seventeen feet six Inches; thence by Ground late of Da- maris Chick West sixty feet ; thence by Second street lotts south forty-five feet ; thence West Twenty-four feet six Inches; thence south Twenty feet; thence East thirty-four feet seven Inches; thence south forty-two feet six Inches; thence east two feet eight Inches; thence south One hundred and two feet to Mulberry Street afore- said ; thence along said street East Twenty-four feet eight Inches to the place of beginning ; late the Estate of Samuel Shoemaker, confiscated and sold to the said George Haynes, on the Tenth day
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