USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII > Part 20
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Gibbs Jones, who stiles himself Chief Barrack Master, and on the ration return, draws also as Captain of Artillery.
Christian Shaffer, assistant Barrack Master and Superintendant of the Carpenters. Note. We found no Carpenters at Work there, nor heard of there having been any for some time past.
John Fauntz, assistant Barrack Master.
Mankey, do Superintendant of Waggoners and Wood Cutters.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
David Flickart, Issuer of the Wood.
Christian Wink, Clerk.
Hevelman, do
Frederick Molineux, at Bristol, where they say he is employed in Superintending Wood Cutting.
Jacob Working, Waggon Master, has twelve Teams at Bristol.
At the Barracks now, twenty-one Teams, of which two Teams we met near the Barracks, having in both about half a cord of Wood, which is halled near ten Miles from Town.
We cou'd not get any information of the Number of Wood Cutters.
Besides Colonel Melchior's riding Horses, and those of his assis- tants, each having one, there are four spare Horses; we cou'd not find out for what use.
It appears to us, upon cur own view, and the best information we cou'd get, that the following officers, and no more, are necessary :
One Barrack Master.
One Assistant.
One Clerk.
One Issuer.
One Waggon Master.
And, as the Wood for the use of the barracks is now to be cut, there not being any store laid in, one Superintendant over the Wood Cutters, 'till a sufficiency is procured and may be necessary.
That upon a speciall enquiry, what Wood had been served out, and what prospects there are, it appears to the Committee that great part of the fall and Winter there has been only half allow- ance, and that very irregularly served.
That they have been occasionally two days without Wood, even to cook their victuals, by which means the Buildings and Fences in the Neighbourhood had suffered, which had occasioned great dis- turbance amongst the inhabitants, so as not only to break the peace, but endanger the lives of both soldiers and citizens; That there is not at present any stock of Wood or other supply than from day to day, and that so insufficient, that unless there is some effectual re- form, in case of bad roads or bad weather, which may be expected at this season, they will be destitute, and the like abuses on the Buildings and in the Neighborhood probably renewed.
That upon the whole, it appears to the Committee that the Gen- eral Interests, as well as those of the State, by whom that Building was Erected, and has been maintained at a great expence, will be materially injured, unless some effectual remedy be applied.
JOUIN LACEY, Jun'r, MATHEW SMITH, JAMES THOMPSON, JAMES READ, JOHN HAMBRIGHT.
VOL. XII .- 14.
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Resolved, That & copy of the said report be sent to the delegates of the State.
A Letter was read from Colonel Smith, acquainting the Board that the Militia called out in October last, made some difficulty in receiving the Bounty, as directed by Councill, and that they would Petition Council thereon.
The Treasurer of the State reports one hundred and forty five thousand Dollars in the Treasury, subject to the order of Con- gress.
A Letter from William Semple, Esquire, resigning his office of Sub-Lieutenant, alledging that his services are no longer neces- sary.
Resolved, That his resignation be accepted, with thanks for his services.
A Letter from the Board of War, dated the twenty-third instant, inclosing an extract of a letter from General Washington, about annexing Captain Lee's and Captain Porter's company's to Colonel Proctor's regiment.
A Letter from Major Lee, dated the twenty-third of December, requesting to know whether his officers were entitled to the supplies of this State,
Letters sent to Cumberland to quicken the collection of Taxes- and payment of Publick debts.
uno -
In Council:
PHILAD'A, Monday, December 27th, 1779 ..
PRESENT :.
His Excellency the President:
Honourable the Vice President ..
Mr. Gardner,, Colonel Smith,
Mr. Read, and Colonel Thompson ..
An application from Samuel Morris and Mathew Irwin, for per -- mission to sell goods imported in the Neptune, as being damaged by the Icc ..
Resolved, That the applicants be directed to the court of Admi- ralty, for a survey, and. regular proceedings herein, as heretofore used.
Mr. Searle, delegate in Congress, attended with a proceeding of that Body, dated the twenty-seventh inst., in. the following words, to Wit :.
In Congress, December 27th, 1779.
WHEREAS, It appears to Congress from the representation of the- delegates of the State of Pensylvania, that disputes had arisen be-
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
tween the States of Pensylvania and Virginia relative to the extent of their Boundaries, which may probably be productive of serious evils to both States, and tend to Lessen their exertions in the com- mon defence ; therefore,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the contending parties not to grant any part of the disputed Land, or to disturb the posses- sion of any persons living thereon, and to avoid every appearance of force untill the dispute can be amicably adjusted by both States, or brought to a just decision by the intervention of Congress :: That possessions forcibly taken be restored to the original possessors, and things be placed in the situation in which they were at the com- mencement of the present War, without prejudice to the claims of either party.
Extract from the Minutes.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Sec'y.
Resolved, That a Proclamation be drawn, in which the said re- solve to be inserted, and such farther declaration of this Board as may be proper on the occasion.
A letter was wrote to the delegates in Congress, enclosing the report of the Committee respecting the state of the Barracks.
The Council took into consideration the Account of the late Vice President, as follows, vizt :
State of Pensylvania in Account with George Bryan, Esquire, late Vice President.
His Salary from 3d of June to the 3d of Septem- ber, 1779, at £2500 per Annum, - 625,
His salary from Septem'r 3d to Octo'r 3d, One Month, at £2500 per Ann. 208 6 8
Difference between the sum of £2500, former salary,
and the sum of _10,000 voted by Assembly on the 9th of October, 1779, is 7,500
His salary from 3d of October to the 15th, at which
time he left the Council, being 12 days, at £10,000 per Annum, -
333 6 8
8,666 13 4
1779, August 14th, By order on the Trea- surer, €300
Sept'r 18th, By Do.
250
Octo'r 15th, By Do.
3,000
Nov'r 18th, By Do.
2,000
Decem'r 4th, By Do.
1,500
16th, By Do. 500
£7,550 7,550
Balance due,
£1,116 13 4
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And the same appearing to be just,
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in his favour, for the said sum of One thousand one hundred and sixteen Pounds thirteen Shillings and eight pence, ballance due to him.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Tuesday, December 28th, 1779. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable the Vice President,
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Read,
Colonel Smith, Mr. Thompson, and
Mr. Hambright,
Mr. Whitehill.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Colonel Lewis Farmer, for the sum of Twelve thousand pounds, for purchasing the enumerated articles for the use of the Troops of the Pensylva- nia line, for which he is to account.
Robert Whitehill, Esquire, Councellor-elect, for the county of Cumberland, now attending, took the oaths, agreeable to the Con- stitution, and his seat at this Board.
William Wood attended in Council, pursuant to the order of Sat- urday last, and being interrogated respecting his taking the wood of the lands on the West side of the Schuylkill, made some ac- knowledgements of his error therein, and being reprimanded, was dismissed.
Mr. Ogden, the present Tenant of the Middle Ferry on Schuyl- kill, also attended, and after some conference respecting the Terms of holding the same, was directed to make enquiry of the Quarter Masters in what manner the Continental teams are to pass in future, and then to meet this board again on the said subject.
The President, agrecable to the resolve of yesterday, having laid before the Board a draught of a Proclamation touching the late proceedings on the disputed Territory between this State and Vir- ginia, the same was read and approved; and
Ordered, to be Printed, and is as follows, to Wit:
By his Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President, and the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pensyl vania.
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, The unhappy disputes which have subsisted betweer this State and that of Virginia, touching the Western Boundary
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
have been hitherto suspended, so as to afford a just and reasonable expectation that they might be terminated in perfect consistency with the General Interests of the Common Union, and the Mutual Friendship between the contending States : For the attainment of this desirable end, propositions were heretofore made on the part of this State to appoint Commissioners to adjust the said Boundary line, which were acceded to on the part of Virginia, and the said Commissioners having met on the thirty-first day of August last, entered into the following agreement: " Wee, George Bryan, John Ewing and David Rittenhouse, Commissioners from the State of Pensylvania, And We, James Maddison, and Robert Andrews, Commissioners for the State of Virginia, do hereby mutually, in behalf of our respective States, ratify and confirm the following agreement, Vizt : to extend Mason and Dixon's line due West five degrees of Longitude, to be computed from the River Delaware, for the Southern Boundary of Pensylvania, and that a Meridian drawn from the Western extremity thereof to the Northern Limit of the said State, be the Western boundary of Pensylvania for ever."
Which agreement, signed by the Commissioners respectively, was on the nineteenth of November last, solemnly and unanimously ratified and confirmed by the General Assembly of this State, and the ratification duly transmitted to the Government of Virginia. Since which it has been represented to us, that divers persons de- riving authority, or pretending so to do, under the Government of Vir- ginia, have proceeded to Fort Burd, in the county of Westmoreland, thirty miles at least within the said line so agreed by the said Com- missioners, and upon lands originally settled under Pensylvania, and long held as within its unquestionable jurisdiction, and that such persons are proceeding to Exercise a summary and arbitrary jurisdiction, tending to the dispossession of the Grantees under this State, and greatly vexing and disturbing them in the peaceable pos- sessions honestly purchased and industriously cultivated for a long course of years :
And Whereas, There is great reason to believe that these mea- sures have originated from Misrepresentations, and other artifices of some wicked and designing persons, who are seeking to involve these States in enmity and Hostility to each other, without regard to the great and Common interests of America, which can only be preserved by perfect harmony and concord between its several members; and that the authority of Virginia, upon a due consid- eration of the circumstances above recited, in which are compre- hended those obligations of Honour, Good faith and duty, which are held most sacred amongst States, as well as individuals, will disavow or recall the offensive powers now exercised within the disputed Territory, or otherwise suppress all further proceeding therein, and in all respects pay due regard and obedience to the
1
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following, the recommendation of the Honourable the Congress, in this behalf:
In Congress, December 27th, 1779.
WHEREAS, It appears to Congress from the representation of the delegates of the State of Pensylvania, that disputes have arisen between the States of Pensylvania and Virginia, relative to the extent of their Boundaries, which may probably be productive of serious evils to both States, and tend to lessen their exertions in the common defence; Therefore,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the contending parties, not to grant any part of the disputed Land, or to disturb the possession of any person living thereon, and to avoid every appearance of force untill the dispute can be amicably settled by both States, or brought to a just decision by the Intervention of Congress; that possessions forceably taken be restored to the original possessors, and things be placed in the situation at which they were at the commencement of the present War, without prejudice to the claims of either party.
Extract from the Minutes.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary.
We have, therefore, thought proper to issue this our Proclama- tion, hereby requiring all officers, civil & military, and others subjects of this State, to pay due obedience and respect to the above resolution and direction of Congress, and also, hereby encouraging the several Grantees claiming under this State, to continue in the cultivation and improvement of their several Estates, and improve- ments, as well as their allegiance and fidelity to the State, notwith- standing any claims or pretences set up by the State of Virginia, or any other foreign jurisdiction, and assuring them of the protec- tion and support of this State while so continuing in duty and obe- dience to its Laws and Government, of which all persons concerned are required to take notice and govern themselves accordingly.
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 Twenty eighth day of December, 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.
PHILADELPHIA, December 29th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excelleney JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable the WVice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Whitehill,
Mr. Thompson, and
Mr. Hambright.
Mr. Read,
A Letter from Colonel Broadhead, dated Pittsburgh, December the thirteenth, was read.
A recommendation of Doctor William Adams, to be Surgeon of Colonel Proctor's Regiment, was read ; and
Ordered, That he be recommended to the Board of War for the above Commission, to be dated first of October, 1779.
A Letter from the Board of War, dated December the twenty- fourth, enclosing a Copy of a Letter from Colonel Wiltner, with an account of his posting the Troops in Northumberland.
A Letter from the Pensylvania officers, in Colonel Hazen's Regi- ment, requesting to be considered as of the line of this State, and informing the Board there are one hundred and fifty-three {officers included) in said Regiment belonging to this State,
Resolved, That the Gentlemen be informed that their request cannot be complied with, untill this Board are authorised so to do by the House of Assembly ..
General St. Clair having through the President, laid before the Board a direction of his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, to represent Garret Stediford and Henry Bicker, as entitled to Cap- tain's Commissions in the fourth Regiment in the Pensylvania line; The Commission of the former to be dated the Twelfth day of October, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven, and the latter the sixteenth day of November, 1776.
Resolved, That they be appointed accordingly, and that all the papers respecting the same be sent to the Board of War, with a copy of this resolve.
Hillary Baker, Junior, Esquire, Clerke of the Sessions of the County of Philadelphia, laid before the Board an account of Fines receiv'd in his office, commencing September Term, 1777, and De- «cember term, 1779, and amounting to two hundred and sixty-one pounds, and praying the direction of the Council therein.
Resolved, That he pay the same to the State Treasurer, and take this receipt therefor.
Resolved. That the Sheriff of the City and County of Philadel- phia do in like manner lay before this Board an account of the Fines by him receiv'd, in the same time, and pay the same as above.
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WHEREAS, The discharge of the Galley men in the Service, has made the continuance of a staff on their account unnecessary:
Resolved, therefore, That the Vice President, Colonel Smith and Mr. Whitebill, be a committee to consider what Subsistence money be allowed to the officers and men yet retained, in the lieu of ra- tions, and to employ one of the officers as paymaster thereof.
Resolved, That Captain Boys be directed to make a return of the officers and Men now remaining in the Galley Service.
In Council.
PHILADELP'A, Thursday, Decem'r 30th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable the Vice President.
Mr. Whitehill, Mr. Read,
Mr. Smith,
Mr. Thompson, and
Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Hambright.
An account having been laid before the Board by James Thomp- son, Inn-Keeper, for the Expences of Andrew Linn, an express from Westmoreland, in which the charges appear to be extravagant. and unreasonable,
Ordered, That the same be transmitted to the Justices of the Sessions, that they may enquire into the rates now taken by Tavern Keepers, and form a reasonable Bill of rates; That they suppress all combinations for the purpose of enhancing prices.
And as besides the present instance James Thompson has been heretofore complained of for unreasonable charges, his Licence be recalled.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of James 'Thomp- son, for four hundred and six pounds ten shillings, amount of ex- pences of Mr. Andrew Linn, express from Westmoreland County.
The Petition of Francis Lally and others, claiming a farther allowance, being read, and the circumstances considered,
Resolved, That the mode of paying the Twenty pounds now claimed, being by the Special terms of the orders fixed to be paid to the Almoner during the absence of the Militia, which meant their absense on the Tour of duty, in which time their families might want some assistance, and no such absence having happened, but on the other hand, the Petitioners have receiv'd thirty pounds. and whole pay, and satisfied their Tour of duty by a few Day's ser- vice, their demand does not appear reasonable, and therefore the Council adhere to their former determination ; that the said Peti-
217
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
tioners also be informed that such demands have not been made in any other places, Notwithstanding in some other counties they wou'd have been equally entitled.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Friday, December 31st, 1779. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esq'r, Vice President.
Mr. Read,
Mr. Whitehill,
Mr. Hambright,
Mr. Lacey, Colonel Smith, and Mr. Thompson.
WHEREAS, The Barrack Master of this City has represented that a Body of Continental Troops is now marching into this City, which are unprovided with Barracks or other Cover, and prays the assistance of this Board to procure them suitable Quarters:
Resolved, That the Justices of Peace of the City and Liberties do give the Barrack Master the desired assistance, by Billiting the Troops in the Publick Houses, as heretofore done, proportioning them according to the size of the Houses ; And where Wood is not provided by the Barrack Master, and the Troops are constrained to use the Wood of the Inhabitants, the Barrack Master do replace it in the following proportion, vizt : For twenty men, one-eight of a cord of wood for every twenty-four hours, and so on in propor- tion for a greater or lesser number of men.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Messrs Van- uxem and Clark, for the sum of Eighteen hundred and fifteen pounds, for sixty Bushells and an half of Salt receiv'd in the Publick Store.
A Petition from Elinor Quinn, who being bound to appear as a Witness at the City Court, forfieted her recognizance, and she being recommended to the Board by the Justices as having incurred the said delinquency by Illness,
Resolved, That the forfieture be remitted, on satisfying the offi- cers to whom fees may be due thereon.
Captain Schott, who now commands the Corps formerly called Armands, having petitioned this Board to be permitted to draw the benefits allowed by this State to the Troops in the line, and. having laid a return of their strength before the Board, it appears: there are four companies in the said corps, the whole amounting to thirty-five men, Vizt : first company, one serjeant and nine privates ; second company, five Serjeants and sixteen non-commissioned offi- cers and privates ; third company, one serjeant and six privates ; fourth company, three privates.
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Resolved, That if the Continental Board of War, or other .com- petent authority, shall think proper to organize the said Corps, and annex it as a company to the German Battalion, or any other Regi- ment in the Line of the State, this Board will direct them to be supplied in the same manner that the other Troops are, and that the same return be forwarded to the Board of War, with this re- salve, for their consideration.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, Jan'ry 1st, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable the Vice President, Mr. Lasey,
Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Thompson, and
Mr. Whitehill,
Mr. Hambright.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Frederick Sneider, for the sum of Six hundred and ninety-two pounds thirteen Shillings and four pence, for his wages for attendance at the Door of the Council-room, from the first day of October last to the thirty-first day of December, inclusive, at twenty dollars per day, and sundry small expenses.
The Petitions of William Williamson, Mary James and Sarah Vankirk, convicted of Larceny, and adjudged to pay three several fines to the use of the State, to wit: William Williamson, the sum of Forty pounds; Mary James, the Sum of One hundred pounds; and Sarah Vankirk, the Sum of one hundred and thirty-eight pounds, were read, setting forth that they are unable to pay the said fines, and praying remission of the same ; thereupon,
Ordered, That the fines adjudged to be paid to the use of the State by the said William Williamson, Mary James and Sarah Vankirk, be remitted.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Henry Wal- ter, for the Sum of two hundred and sixty-six pounds three shil- lings and six pence, with Interest on the same from the Second day of August, 1777, the amount of his claim on the Estate of James Rankin, late of York County, attainted of Treason, decreed to him by the Supreme Court, together with five pounds nine Shillings and Six pence costs.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Henry Wal- ter, for the Sum of twenty-three pounds ten shillings, the amount of the claim of Jacob Welshantz, on the estate of James Rankin, late of York County, attainted of Treason, with interest on the samne from the twenty-eighth day of February, 1770, decreed him,
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
the said Jacob Welhantz, by the Supreme Court, together with five pounds nine shillings and six pence Costs, to be paid to said Jacob.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Henry Wal- ter, for the Sum of Six pounds five shillings and eleven pence, the amount of the claim of Michael Wyder, on the Estate of James Rankin, late of York County, attainted of Treason, decreed him, the said Michael Wyder, by the Supreme Court, together with five pounds nine shillings and six pence costs, to be paid by the said Henry Walter to the said Michael Wyder.
Resolved, That Mr. Govett and Mr. Geddis, Auditors of publick accounts, and Mr. Nicholson, Clerk of the said Board, be requested to meet this Board in the Council Chamber at the State House, on Monday at twelve o'clock.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday, Jan'ry 3d, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esor., President.
Hononrable the Vice President.
Mr. Whitehill, Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Hambright.
A letter was received from the Auditors of the Publick accounts, excusing their attendance on the Council on account of the bad- ness of the Weather, and referring to Mr. Nicholson, Clerk of their Board, for satisfaction, and he attending, a Memorandum was made of the particulars of enquiry, and sent by him to the Au- ditors.
A petition from James Pottenger, late a Dragoon in James's light Horse, who left his Mistress and joined the Enemy, and upon their leaving Philadelphia, deserted to General Washington.
Resolved, That the Consideration thereof be Postponed "till after the next court of Oyer and Terminer.
A representation of an abuse in the weight of Flour having been made by a member of the Board, a letter was wrote thereupon to the Board of War.
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In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday, January 4th, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Honourable Mr. Whitehill,
Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Smith,
Mr. Thompson, and
Mr. Read,
Mr. Lacey.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Mr. Thomas Pringle, for the Sum of three hundred and sixty-five dollars and a half, the amount of his expenses in going to Trenton, in the State of New Jersey, with dispatches to Governor Livingston.
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