USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII > Part 23
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The application of Lieutenant James Norris for Cloathing, ber ing Considered, and it appearing that he was returned with the other Officers of Colonel Proctor's Regiment, but his name erased afterwards ; it also appearing that the said Lieutenant Norris ser- ved faithfully during the fatiguing expedition of General Sullivan against the Indians.
Resolved, That Major Swaine, State Clothier, be authorized to receive from Lieutenant Colonel Farmer Cloth and trimmings for a plain Suit of Cloathes, and deliver the same to Mr. Norris, taking his receipt therefor, in the usual manner.
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In Council.
PHILAD'A, Thursday, Feb'ry 10th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, esquire, President. Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Read,
Mr. Arndt, and Mr. Whitehill.
A Committee of the Honourable House of General Assembly, agreeable to the Order of the house, requested a conference with the Council; and being introduced, a free conference was held on the Subject of the defence of the frontiers of the State, against the Enemy and their Savage Allies ; and some further information being necessary, the conference was adjourned 'till to-morrow.
A Resolve of the Honourable House of General Assembly of the third instant, respecting a Petition of divers Inhabitants of Cum- berland County, praying that a reward may be offered for appre- hending certain attrocious Villians named in the said Petition, and referring the same to the Council, was read; and
Ordered, To lie on the Table.
Charles Pettit, esquire, Assistant Quarter Master General, pre- sented to the Council an Order of Congress, in the following words, to wit :
IN CONGRESS, Feb'ry 8th, 1780.
300,000 dollars.
Gentlemen :- Pay to Charles Pettit, Assistant Quarter Master General, or his Order, the Sum of Three hundred thousand dollars, (being part of the Monies raised by the State of Pennsylvania for the use of the United States,) on account of Major General Greene, Quarter Master General, and for the use of his department; for which he is to be accountable.
I am, Gentlemen, Your very humble Serv't, SAMUEL HUNTINGDON, President.
Exam'd C. T.
To his Excellency the President and the Supreme Executive Coun- cil of the State of Pennsylvania.
Entered in the Treasury Office, the eighth of February, 1780. 3
Altho' the State of the Treasury will not admit of the imme- diate payment of this Order, yet as Colonel Pettit agrees to receive the Money as it shall come into the Treasury,
Ordered, That the Treasurer be directed to pay the aforesaid draft of Congress in favour of Charles Pettit, Esquire, and that the
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Order for so doing be endorsed in the following words on the said draft :
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Feb'ry 10th, 1780.
For 300,000 dollars.
Sir :- Pay to Charles Pettit, esquire, Assistant Quarter Master General, or his Order, the Sum of three hundred thousand dollars, agreeable to the within draft, And charge the same to the United States of America.
JOSEPH REED, President.
To David Rittenhouse, Esq'r, Treasurer.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Friday, Feb'ry 11th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, esquire, President. Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Read,
Mr. Hambright, and
Mr. Arndt.
Mr. Whitehill,
The Petition of Isaac Melchor, Adam Melchior, and David Shaf- fer, being again read, wherein they represent that they have ten- dered to the County Treasurer a Sum of Continental Money, in full discharge of a redeemable Ground Rent, payable in Spanish dollars, accruing to the State from a lott of Ground in Second street, for- merly belonging to Andrew Allen, an attainted Traytor, and set- ting forth a Judgment or Decree of the Supreme Court on the same, and also praying that this Board would approve of the said tender, and pass an Extinguishment of the said ground Rent ; Whereupon, the same being Considered,
Resolved, That reasonable legal doubts having arisen to the said tender, as also to the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in the Case of the Commonwealth being a Creditor, and not a Debtor; and upon inquiry, it being found that it has not been the practice upon the Act of Assembly to extinguish redeemable Ground rents, as prayed by this Petition, the same be dismissed, and the parties be left to their remedy at Law.
Petition of Daniel Kennedy, Adjutant of the sixth Pennsylvania Regiment, Setting forth his Circumstances, being a Prisoner on Parole, and in a distressed situation from his want of health, and praying a supply of Cloathing, was read ;
And it appearing that his Case requires immediate attention,
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Ordered, That General Lacey and Captain Hambright be autho- rised to go to the State Store, and deliver to Adjutant Kennedy such Cloathing as his present necessity requires, to be charged to him.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Saturday Feb'ry 12th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, esquire, President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Arndt, Mr. Hambright.
Mr. Whitehill, and
Mr. Bryan, Colonel Proctor, and Mr. Wynkoop, a Committee of the Honourable house of Assembly, having requested a Con- ference with the Council, were introduced.
The Committee stated the Case of Colonel Haller, Waggon Mas- ter of the County of Berks, as represented in his petition to the house; And thereupon, reference was had to the Orders of this Board of April the twenty-second, 1779, which appears fully to answer the Case of Colonel Haller; And thereupon,
Ordered, That a copy of the said Order of the twenty-second of April, 1779, be made out and delivered to the said Committee, with a Certificate of Colonel Haller's appointment as Waggon Mas- ter of the County of Berks.
A letter from the Honourable Samuel Huntingdon, esquire, Pre- sident of Congress, dated the tenth day of February instant, and a resolve of Congress of the ninth day of February instant, therein enclosed, relative to the Troops to be raised for the ensuing Cam- paign, were read.
The Petitions of Robert Matthews and William Rippon, praying for permission to pass into the City of New York, were read and rejected.
Captian Boys and Colonel Nichola presented their Monthly re- turns, and were Ordered to lay over for Consideration on Monday.
A letter from George Wall, esq'r, Sheriff of Bucks County, in- forming that he had served the summons of this Board on Benja- min Yeamans, to attend the Tryal of Mr. Hooper at Morris Town.
Captain Peale and Mr. Blewer, two of the Committee of As- sembly for considering the affairs of Westmoreland, and our dis- pute with Virginia, sent in a Copy of a letter receiv'd from Mr. Griffin, delegate for Virginia, containing some extracts of a letter from Governor Jefferson on that Subject; which was Ordered to be filed.
a
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
A Compleat Set of the laws of the State, and the Constitution or form of Government, were forwarded to the Secretary of Congress, agreeable to his request.
WHEREAS, The frequent applications of Persons to go to New York, is attended with many inconveniences and delay of publick business,
Resolved, That the Secretary do give notice that all persons de- sirous 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 Appli- cation will be received untill the first day of May next.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Monday, Feb'ry 14th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, esquire, President.
Hon'ble Mr. Lacey,
Mr. Whitehill,
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Read,
Mr. Arndt, and Mr. Hambright.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Captain Na- than Boys, for the sum of Four thousand nine hundred and seventy- nine pounds three shillings and seven pence, the amount of Cash due to the Officers and Men of the Gallies, in liew of refreshments and common rations from the fifteenth day of February instant, for which sum he is to account.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Captain Na- than Boys, for the sum of three hundred and ten pounds eight shillings and sixpence, for paying the Officers and Men of the Gal- lies one Month's pay from the first day of January last to the first day of February instant, for which he is to account.
A letter from the Honourable the Chevalier D La Luzerne, Min- ister of France, of the instant, was read.
In Council.
Tuesday, February 15th, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Whitehill,
Mr. Read, and Mr. Hambright.
Ordered, That Mrs. Susanna Papley have a pass to go into New York, with her two daughters, her son and a servant Girl, (two Beds and Cloathing.)
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The Petition of David Kennedy, respecting a tract of land from which the Council have given permission to cut off the wood for the supply of the poor in their extreme distress, to which the said Kennedy lays claim by a late Survey, was read; and thereupon, the Secretary was
Ordered, To enquire whether the said Land had been heretofore surveyed.
The Secretary reports that Mr. John Lukens, late Surveyor General, is confined to his Bed with the Gout, and therefore, can- not furnish a Copy of the Survey ; but that there is an early Sur- vey of the said Lands in the land office in right of one Marsh ; That he will furnish a Copy thereof in a few days, as soon as he is able.
The following three Petitions praying leave to go into New York, were read and rejected, Vizt : James Walsh's, Christopher Cairns' and Samuel Mylon's.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of his Excel- lency Joseph Reed, esquire, President, for the sum of two thou- sand pounds, in part of his salary, to be charged to his account.
A letter from Mr. William Turnbull, dated the Eleventh instant, and sundry accounts of the Commissioners of the County of Bucks, for purchasing wheat and Flour, were read; and thereupon,
Resolved, That the said accounts be transmitted to Mr. Turnbull, and that he inform these Commissioners that this Board cannot accept them as stated ; that the Charges are in many respects im- proper, and that it has been suggested, some of them instead of returning the Wheat as directed, to the Inhabitants, have converted it to their own use, from which they have derived considerable profits. That Mr. Turnbull be authorised to submit the accounts to Arbitration, and that, unless the same be complied with, the ac- counts be sent in to the Assembly with the sense of the Board thereon.
The Petition of Anthony Shoemaker, setting forth that he has a wife and children on Long Island, within the lines of the Enemy; that they are suffering many hardships and insults, and labouring under many difficulties on account of his attachment to the Ameri- can Cause, and praying a pass to Elizabeth town, and a recommen- dation to the Officer commanding on that Station, in order to concert some plan to remove his Wife and Children from the Enemy, was read ; & thereupon,
Ordered, That the same be granted accordingly.
A letter from Colonel Hazen, remonstrating against any partial provision being made for the Officers and Men in his Regiment belonging to Philadelphia ; also, a Copy of a Petition presented by him to General Washington on the same subject, were read.
The letter from the Officers of the said Regiment, being also read a second time ; thereupon,
Resolved, That the papers be transmitted to his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, and that the President request him to fayour
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
this Board with his Opinion, whether the publick service will be prejudiced by compliance with the request of the Officers of Colonel Hazen's Regiment.
1
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Wednesday, Feb'y 16th, 1780. PRESENT :
As yesterday.
The resolution of the Assembly recommending it to this Board to fix the compensation to be made to Mr. Bradford, as Commissary of Prisoners, being again read and considered,
Resolved, That the pay and rations of a Captain of one of the Gallies, amounting to Ninety-one pounds eleven shillings and four pence per week, be allowed from the time of his appointment.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Thursday, Feb'ry 17th, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, esquire, President. Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Read, and Mr. Whitehill.
The Commissioners for procuring of Salt made a return of one thousand three hundred and twenty-eight bushells and a half of Salt, delivered by them to John Chaloner, Deputy Commissary of Purchases, agreeable to contract, with Ephraim Blaine, Commis- sary General ; thereupon,
Ordered, That a draft be made on Ephraim Blaine, esquire, Commissary General of purchases, for the sum of thirty-nine thou- sand eight hundred and fifty-five pounds, amount of the said salt, to be paid on or before the first day of April next, and the same was drawn accordingly.
Petition of Charles Mifflin, praying leave for himself and family to go into New York, was read; and on consideration, the same was agreed to be granted.
. Petition of Susanna McGinnis, praying leave to go to New York, was read, and rejected
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Benjamin Town, for the sum of seven pounds, for fourteen days collecting
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wood in the State of New Jersey, for the use of the Gallies, at ten shillings per day.
WHEREAS, 'The Public necessities require a speedy payment of all Monies collected on account of the State ; & also that all offi- cers who have acted therein, should prepare their accounts for set- tlement, and the agents for confiscated estates, having acted under the immediate appointment of this Board:
Resolved, That the said agents for the City and County of Phil- adelphia do lay before this Board, on or before the tenth day of March next, a particular account of their proceedings in their sev- eral trusts, specifying the several estates by them seized or re- leased for the publick use, the time of Sale, the times of payment of the purchase money, their payments to the Treasurer, the pur- chase money unpaid, and the ballances in their hands, and also specifying what estates remain unsold. That the Agents for Chester and Bucks county make a like return, on or before the twentieth day of March next. That the Agents for Lancaster, York, Cum- berland, Berks and Northampton, do make the like return, on or before the first day of April next; and the Agents of the other Counties by the first day of May next. And that the said Agents, in the farther prosecution of this business, do pay a due regard to the resolution of And that this resolution be published in the several Newspapers.
A letter was wrote to General Washington, with the papers re- specting the application of the officers in Hazen's Regiment.
A letter was received from the Honourable Board of War, in answer to one requesting a return of the Troops of this State, pursuant to a resolve of Congress of the fifteenth of May last.
The following message from the Council to the General Assem- bly being read and considered, was approved and signed, to wit:
Message from the President and Council to the Representatives of the Freemen of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met.
GENTLEMEN-The resolutions of the Honourable Congress for recruiting the Continental Army, having been Communicated to us, we think it necessary to lay them before you, without loss of time. We cannot doubt your concurrence in sentiment with us, that true Wisdom and sound polocy suggest a Vigorous preparation for the ensuing Campaign, as the most effectual means to repel any invasion of the enemy, and compel them to accede to safe and hon- ourable terms of peace.
An account of the Troops furnished by this State to the Federal Army is now laid before you, formed upon the returns made at the close of the last Campaign. And it is so little deficient of the num- ber required from the State for the ensuing Campaign, that we may justly presume (Other States supporting a due proportion) a vigorous and effective army may take the field the approaching sea- son.
.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
The restless ambition and tyranny of that power which has hitherto waged inexpiable War against these States, still urges her to continue the hopeless conflict. But surely we may, without ar- rogance, presume, that if single and umprovided we could success- fully cope with this once inighty power, we may now, with the support of great and powerfull princes, easily crush these last efforts of disappointment and despair. The resources of America are great ; we possess every requisite for War; and can it be doubted, that wisdom or virtue will now be wanting to draw them forth for the public service, and establish our liberty, Sovereignty, and inde- pendence, on the most solid foundation.
The Secretary will also lay before you some sentiments of the Minister of his most Christian Majesty, now residing here, on that article of the Treaty of alliance which establishes the reciprocal rights of French and American subjects in the respective countries, together with the Edict of his most Christian Majesty, Conforma- ble to the Treaty. We are persuaded that your Honourable house will, from duty and inclination, embrace every Occasion to Cherish and strengthen the Bonds of Union and affection, happily subsist- ing between the two Nations, and ripen them into the most solid and permanent friendship, to which a security of property, and mutual communication of rights and privileges, must have a happy and beneficial tendency.
JOSEPH REED, President.
Council Chamber, Philad'a, Feb'ry 17th, 1780.
Thereupon,
Ordered, That the Secretary be directed to present the same to the Honourable house of General Assembly, with the following re- turns :
Return of the Troops of the Pensylvania line, dated the eighteenth of June, 1779.
Of the five Companies of the German Regiment, belonging to Pennsylvania.
Of the Invalid Regiment belonging to do., of the twenty-second of April, 1779.
Of Men enlisted by Colonel Proctor, dated 9th of June last.
Of Colonel Hubley's Regim't, of 15th June last.
Of Colonel Butler's do. of 13th do.
Of Capt'n Isaac Coren's Comp'y, of 2d April last.
Of Capt'n Lee's Company, of 17th August.
Of Gen'l St. Clair's division, October 15th. Of Colonel Hazen's Regim't, of 2d Feb'ry, 1780.
Of the Troops of Pennsylvania attached to the following Corps, to Wit : Nicholas's, Gibbs', Schott's, Lamb's, Crane's, Lees', Living- ston's, and Jackson's, under the resolution of Congress of 15th March, 1779, dated the 14th day of February, 1780.
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MINUTES OF THE
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Friday, Feb'ry 18th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, esquire, President. Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Arndt, and Mr. Whitehill.
The Petition of William Barton was read, praying leave for him- self and Mr. Paul Zantzinger to go to Elizabeth Town, there to confer with Mr. and Mrs. Barton; and on consideration, it was agreed that the said Petition be Granted.
The Petition of Ann Shroudy, praying leave to go to New York, was read; and thereupon, it was agreed that the said Petition be granted.
The Petition of Cornelius Lery, praying leave to go to New York, was read and rejected.
A General uneasiness being evident, on account of an Opinion that Thomas Hale, one of the Agents for forfieted estates, has been concerned in speculation, while it is supposed the Monies of the State are in his hands,
Ordered, That Doctor Gardiner and Mr. Whitehill be appointed to confer with Mr. Hale on that business.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Saturday, Feb'ry 19th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, esquire, President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Reed, and Mr. Whitehill.
A deed to James Budden, John Dunlap, Jacob Morgan, John Mease, Thomas Lieper, Joseph Carson, and John Chaloner, con- veying one hundred & eighty-seven acres and an half of Marsh on Tinicum Island, in Ridley Township, in the county of Chester, late the estate of Joseph Galloway, now forfieted to the use of the State of Pennsylvania, and bounded as follows, Vizt: Beginning at a stake standing in the middle of Bow-creek, being also a corner of land sold to William Kerlin; thence by the same and by land
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
of James Hunter and Philip Price, south twenty-six degrees east to low-Water mark in the River Delaware; thence up the several courses of the said River about two hundred and thirty perches, to the mouth of Bow-Creek aforesaid ; thence up the several courses of the said Creek about three hundred and fifty-two perches and a half, to the place of beginning, containing one hundred and eighty- seven acres and an half of Land and Marsh, part of a larger tract, two hundred and twelve acres : The sum of sixty-three thousand four hundred and eighteen pounds eleven shillings and eight pence, consideration money, having been paid to Thomas Levis, esquire, Agent for the County of Chester, on the twenty-first day of Sep- tember last. Deed dated the nineteenth day of February in- stant.
The Petition of Mary Machbanks, praying permission to go into the City of New York, was read; and on consideration,
Ordered, That the same be granted, on security being given not to return.
An application from Anne Riche, praying leave to go into New York & return again, being read and considered,
Ordered, That Mrs. Anne Riche be permitted to go into New York, she giving security not to return again without leave, and not Otherwise.
A letter was wrote by the President to Edmund Physick, es- quire, late Receiver-General under the late proprietaries of Penn- sylvania, demanding the Books, papers, documents, &ca., of his Office, agreeable to the late Act of Assembly for vesting the es- tates of the late proprietaries in the commonwealth.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Monday, Feb'y 21st, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, esquire, President. Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Read, Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Whitehill, and
Mr. Hambright.
The Petition of Peter Schwoope, of the twenty-first instant, was read and rejected.
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MINUTES OF THE
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Tuesday, Feb'y 22d, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, esquire, President. Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Read, and
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Whitehill.
A Petition of Rebecca Paul, praying to go to New York with two children, or if that cannot be granted, to Elizabeth Town, to send said children to their parents in New York, was read ; and thereupon,
Ordered, That she have a pass to proceed to Elizabeth Town.
The Petition of Jane Evans was read, praying a pass to New York with two Children; and thereupon,
Ordered, That she have leave to proceed thither, giving a secu- rity not to return to this State without leave.
Ordered, That the Secretary write to Charles Hurst, requiring his attendance on this Board at twelve O'clock to-morrow, and that he bring with him the Pass given him last fall from this Board.
Ordered, That the Secretary write to Thomas Story, requiring his attendance on the Board to-morrow at one O'clock.
Sundry resolutions of the Hon'ble house of Assembly, for rais- ing four Companies of Rangers, for defence of the frontiers, was delivered to the Board, read, and
Ordered, To be farther considered.
A letter from Lieutenant Colonel De Hart was read, informing the Board that one Asher Levy, a person of disaffected Character, was in this City, and that there was great reason to believe he was a Spy.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Wednesday, Feb'ry 23d, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, esquire, President.
Honourable the Vice President,
Mr. Lacey,
Mr. Read,
Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Whitehill,and
Mr. Hambright.
The Petition of Mrs. Magdelan Divine, praying a pass to go into the City of New York, was read ; and
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
On consideration,
Ordered, That the same be granted on security being given not to return.
Ordered, That the Secretary write to Charles Cook, requiring his attendance on the Board to-morrow at one O'Clock.
Thomas Story and Charles Hurst attended, agreeable to the Order of yesterday.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Thursday, Feb'ry 24th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, esquire, President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Read, & Mr. Whitehill.
A Representation from the Sheriff and the Commissioners of the County, was read, informing the Board of the insecure state of the Goal, and requested a guard; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the President direct the Sheriff to apply to the Wardens to remove the Watch from the court house to the Prison, and that this Board will defray the extra expences arising from hireing an additional Watchman.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Thursday, Feb'ry 25th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, esquire, President. Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Hambright, and Mr. Whitehill.
A Deed to the Reverend David Telfair, and Elizabeth, his wife, was examined and signed by his Excellency the President, convey- ing a lott or piece of ground, with five Messuages or tenements situate thereon, at the North-east corner of third and Vine Streets, in the Northern liberties aforesaid, containing, in breadth, on vine Street aforesaid, thirty-six feet and an half, and in length, or depth
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