USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII > Part 29
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On Consideration,
Ordered, That the Agents for seizing confiscated Estates, be di- racted to restore to the devisees of Samuel Bell & his Daughter
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Mary Parrock, such part of the real Estate devised by them as have been seized by the said Agents as the Estate of John Par- rock, late of this City.
William Hollinshead, Esquire, attended in Council, and répre- sented that the Examination of the Books now in the hands of Mr. Physick was not yet compleated, and requested that the time of delivering them may be postponed untill the twenty-Seventh instant. To which the Council agreed.
The Petition of Mathew Clarkson and Andrew Robeson was read.
Ordered, That Mathew Clarkson be appointed Marshall of the Admiralty, and Andrew Robeson Register of the Admiralty.
A representation of Robert Levers, Esquire, was read, respect- ing two Tons of Iron, Sold by him to Hugh Hughes.
Ordered, That Mr. Levers endeavour to obtain the Money as soon as possible.
The Petition of Deborah Bitting was read and rejected.
The representation of the Field officers of the Pennsylvania line, was read, representing the desertion of the Army, and proposing that some measures be taken to prevent the same ; that recruiting be set on foot, or that an Incorporation of the Regiments may take place, in such manner that the whole Corps of Officers of particular Regiments ordered to be reduced may retire on whole pay, and be on the same footing with those Officers who continue in the field, and be liable to be called into service agreeable to their respective ranks, as soon as vacancies shall happen in the line, and also respecting their pay, &ca.
On Consideration,
Ordered, That the said representation be transmitted to his Excellency General Washington, and that his advice thereon be requested.
Mr. Robert Aitkin & Mr. Pelatiah Webster attended at the door, and requested to confer with the Council ; and thereupon, the Hon'ble the Vice President and Doctor Gardner wore requested to confer with them.
Mr. Vice President and Doctor Gardner report, that Pelatiah Webster acknowledged, in their presence, to have received from Robert Aitkin the sum of one thousand nine hundred and twelve pounds and ten shillings, for sixty-three bushels and three quarters of Salt, at thirty pounds per bushel, but that he refused to give a receipt for the same in full.
Deposition of Lieutenants Bigham & Bevans, respecting the. ill treatment of them by Captain Gardner, was read and referred for further Consideration.
317
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Friday, April 14th, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, esq'r, President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner, and
Mr. Read.
William Barton, esquire, and Mr. Paul Zantzinger, of the same place, having applied to this Board for permission to pass to Elizabeth-Town, to meet his father on private business,
Resolved, That they have the permission as prayed.
A deed was examined and signed by his Excellency the Presi- dent, to Gotlieb Roll, Conveying two brick Messuages or Tene- ments & lott of Ground, situate on the West side of Second Street, between South and Shippen Streets, in the district of Southwark, in the County of Philadelp'a, Containing in breadth on Second Street forty feet, and in depth seventy-seven feet and a half, Bounded Southward by ground of James Barns, Westward by Ground of Peter Mierken, Northward by Isaac Wharton's ground, and Eastward by Second Street aforesaid ; late the Estate of George Ensor, forfeited to the use of the State, and sold agreeable to law to the said Gotlieb Roll, on the twentieth day of September, for the Sum of Eleven thousand four hundred and ninety pounds, who hath paid the same into the hands of Thomas Hale, late Agent for forfeited Estates.
Petition of George Montgomery, praying a pardon, was read, and referred for further Consideration.
The Council took into consideration an application from John Ormsby, praying a renewal of a patent for the ferry over the Rivers Allegany and Monongahela, at the Confluence of the said Rivers ; . & on consideration,
Resolved, That a Patent be granted to the said John Ormsby, for the said ferry, for five years from and after the first day of May next, he paying twenty shillings Sterling # annum on the first of May ; and the same was granted accordingly.
A letter from the Hon'ble Jacob Arndt, Esquire, dated Forks township, April the 11th, and a letter from Peter Kachlein, Esq'r, dated Easton, April 10th, resigning his Office of Lieutenant of the County of Northampton, were read ; And thereupon,
Samuel Rea, Esquire, was appointed Lieutenant of the County of Northampton, and Philip Bahl, Esquire, Sub-lieutenant of the said County.
An application from Benjamin G. Eyre, with an account of the expence of replacing the Bridge at the middle ferry, praying that
V
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MINUTES OF THE
the same, amounting to six thousand four hundred and thirty-two pounds, may be paid him, as he performed that service under the direction of the Council, and cannot obtain the pay from Colonel Mitchell, deputy Quarter-master General, he having no money in his hands to pay it with.
On consideration,
Agreed, that on Major Eyre's obtaining a request from Colonel Mitchell for advancing the said sum to Major Eyre, to be deducted out of the first order of Congress in favour of the Quarter Mas- ter's department, the Council will advance the same immediately.
A letter from Josiah Hewes and Joseph Stansbury, " a Commit- tee appointed by a Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Library Company, to make application to the proper persons or powers for obtaining a safe passport for sundry books, intended for the said Company, and now lying at New York, requesting the favour of the advice and assistance of this Board in compleating the object of their appointment," was read. On consideration, that there is now in force a law of the State against importing any goods, Wares, or Merchandize, the growth or manufacture of Great Britain, and considering that the Characters of the persons employed at New York in obtaining the said Books,
Agreed, that this Council cannot consent to give any order in a business so circumstanced.
An application from Lieutenant W. Huston, a wounded Officer, praying to be allowed the refreshments ordered for the Army by the State. The Council considering the peculiar circumstances of Lieutenant Huston,
Ordered, That Mr. John Carson be directed to supply him with such articles as are necessary for his comfortable subsistence, and charge the same in his account against the State.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Saturday, April 15th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, esq'r, President. Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Read,
Mr. Gardner, & Mr. Hambright.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Sunday, April 16th, 1780.
At a Special meeting at the house of his Excellency the Presi- dent,
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Read, and Mr. Hambright.
A Seditious paper, printed & pasted up at several corners of the Streets, was read ; And the dangerous tendency of the same being evident from the fatal consequences which have heretofore arisen from the disaffected and disorderly; Agreed, that the sum of one thousand pounds be offered and paid to any person or persons who shall discover the Author, Printer, or publisher of the aforesaid paper; and the following proclamation being prepared, was read, agreed to and signed :
By his Excellency Joseph Reed, Esq'r, President, and the Su- preme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania :
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, some ill-disposed persons designing to disturb the peace and good Order of the City and districts, and to promote tu- mults and divisions dangerous to our domestic quiet, as well as to the great and general cause, have printed and published an inflamma- tory paper, containing false and unwarrantable reflections upon the laws and the legislature of the State, kindling discontent & dis- order, and calculated to revive and promote the like tragical Scenes which but a few months involved this City in the greatest distress and Confusion: We, therefore, taking the premisses into our ma- ture and serious consideration, have thought proper, and we do hereby require and enjoin the faithfull inhabitants of this City and districts to support, by their influence, example, and exertions, a peaceable obedience to Law and Government, as the best and surest security, both to their liberties and property, and to aid and assist the Civil officers of the State in putting the Laws in Execution against all disturbers of the publick peace ; And we do, in like man- ner, strictly forbid all meetings and combinations for the Seditious and unlawfull purposes mentioned in the said paper, or any other, as persons so meeting and combining, will answer the same at their peril:
And Whereas, The Militia law of this State has directed that the Militia of the City of Philadelphia, and districts annexed,
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MINUTES OF THE
sball meet in Companies on the two last Mondays in the present Month, the first of which two Mondays will be to-morrow ; and it is provided by the said act, in the last section thercof, that the authorities and duties of the former Militia Officers should be in force untill New appointments are made: We do, therefore, here- by direct and require that the said officers do attend their said com- panies, agreeable to the said Act; And we do further offer a re- ward of one thousand pounds to any person or persons who shall discover the author, Printer or publisher of the said seditious paper, dated "Philadelphia, the fourteenth day of April, 1780," and signed " slow and sure;" so that he or they may be prosecuted and punished in due course of law.
Given by Order of the Council, under the hand of his Excellency
Joseph Read, esquire, President, & the seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty.
JOSEPH REED, President.
Attest-T'Y MATLACK, Sec'y.
GOD SAVE THE PEOPLE.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Monday, Ap'l 17th, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, esquire, President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Hambright.
Mr. Read, and
A deed was examined and signed by his Excellency the Presi- dent, to James Rowan, conveying a certain lot of Ground and frame Tenement, in Second Street, continued in Southwark, containing in front on Second Street, twenty-nine feet and an half, and in depth sixty five feet, bounded as follows, Vizt : West by second Street continued, North by Matthew Potter, East by Samuel Moore, and South by Aaron Musgrave, subject to a ground rent of six pounds four shillings, payable to William Shippen, senior, late the estate of Peter Arthur, Seized for the use of the State, and sold to James Rowan on the twenty sixth of September, for the sum of fifteen hundred pounds, which sum he hath paid into the hand of Thomas Hale, late agent for Confiscated Estates in the County of Phila- delphia ; Deed dated the eighteenth day of April instant.
A letter from Colonel Richard Humpton of the tenth Pennsyl- vania Regiment, respecting his expences in forwarding the State
321
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Cloathing, was read ; And thereupon, an Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Colonel Richard Humpton, for the sum of one thousand and seventy dollars, for the said purpose.
A letter from Colonel Mitchell, dated the fifteenth instant, was read ; and thereupon, an Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Colonel John Mitchell, Deputy Quarter Master General, or his order, for the sum of seven thousand five hundred pounds, to be applied in paying the expences of repairing and replacing the Bridge over Schuylkill, and to be deducted out of the first draft of Congress on this State in favour of the Quarter Master's department. "
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of the Hon'ble James Reed, Esq'r, for the sum of five hundred pounds, in part of his pay as a Member of this Board, for which he is to account.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Captain John McGowan, of the fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, for the sum of three hundred and sixty pounds, in lieu of refreshments to which he was intitled.
Petition of John Hill was read and rejected.
A letter from his excellency General Washington, dated the twelfth instant, directing the following disposition of the Supplies to be furnished to the State, Vizt :
Places of Deposit.
Barrls. flour.'Gals rum .! Hay.
Corn.
Fort Pitt, -
2,400
7,000
150
7,500
Ligonier,
-
300
850
40
2,000
Bedford,
-
300
850
40
2,000
Carlisle,
800
4,000
80
4,000
York Town,
100
280
40
2,000
Estherton, ·-
200
1,000
20
1,000
Sunbury, -
1,000
3,000
60
3,000
Wyoming, -
500
1,500
40
2,000
Lancaster, -
500
1,200
180
14,000
Lebanon, -
200
500
200
10,000
Reading,
-
200
560
180
14,000
Easton,
-
- 20,000
1,000
200
70,000
Philadelphia,
- 13,500
3,083
470
60,000
40,000
24,423| 1700
199,500
-
VOL. XII -21.
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In Council.
PHILAD'A, Tuesday, April 18th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esq'r, President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Reed and Mr. Hambright.
The Board taking into consideration the frequent desertions from the Continental Army, and having just reason to believe that many of the deserters are received and entertained on board letters of Marque and other private Vessels of War, sailing from this Port,
Resolved, That the Owners & Masters of such Vessels be re- quested and directed to discourage a practice so dangerous and det- rimental to the publick good ; that they give all due encouragement and support to Officers of the Army in discovering and detecting deserters ; and it is particularly recommended to the Merchants, Oweners of Vessels, and all agents, not to pay any prize money to any deserter, or to any person justly suspected to be such, untill inquiry can be made into the Case.
The Agent for Northampton County having laid sundry papers and accounts of his transactions before this Board, and also offered a sum of money which had been received by him after the condi- tions of the Sale were broken,
Resolved, That this board will not dispense with the said condi- tions, but that three-fourths of the purchase Money be returned to the purchaser or purchasers who have failed in compliance ; one- fourth forfeited and the lands again Sold for the benefit of the Com- monwealth.
The Petition of Martha Murray, respecting a hogshead of Rum seized by the Collector of Philadelphia, was read ; and on consid- eration,
Resolved, That the Council cannot interfere in that business.
A letter from Major Gen'l Armstrong, dated Carlisle, April 12th, 1780, was read.
The Council resumed the consideration of appointing of a Lieu- tenant and Sub-Lieutenants of the County of Cumberland, and thereupon,
Resolved, That Abraham Smith be appointed Lieutenant, and Benjamin Blythe, James McDowell, Frederick Watts, Arthur Bu- channan, Thomas Buchannan, and John Trindle, Sub-Lieutenants of the County of Cumberland.
A representation from Captain Stiles, respecting the arms of the State, was read ; referred for farther consideration.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
The Council taking consideration that the number of Gallies now in the State service is reduced to three, and the number of men but very small, consequently the surgeons duty is much les- sened ; therefore,
Ordered, That Doctor Hutshinson be allowed pay as heretofore, and one ration for each Galley in the State service.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Wednesday, Ap'l 19th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esq'r, President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner, and
Mr. Hambright.
f
A deed was examined and signed by his Excellency the Presi- dent, to Messrs. John Dunlap and George Henry, conveying four frame Messuages or Tenements, pot-houses, and lot or piece of ground whereon the same are erected, Situate at the North-east Corner of Third and Shippen Streets, in the district of Southwark, in the County of Philadelphia, containing in breadth one hundred feet, and in depth one hundred feet ; Bounded westward by third street ; southward by Shippen Street; Eastward by Joseph Rhoads' ground, and Northward by John Morris's ground; seized as the Estate late of Alexander Bartram, forfeited to the use of the State, and sold on the twenty fifth day of August last, to the said John Dunlap and George Henry, for the sum of seven thousand pounds, who have paid the same into the hands of Thomas Hale, Agent for Confiscated Estates in the said County. Deed dated the twenty- sixth day of August last.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of his Excel- lency the President, for the sum of two thousand pounds, in part of his Salary, for which he is to account.
A Deed was examined and signed by his Excellency the Presi- dent, to Daniel Clymer, of the City of Philadelphia, Esquire, Conveying a certain tract of Land, situate, lying, and being in lower Merion Township, in the county of Philadelphia, with a dwelling house & Barn erected thereon ; Bounded as follows : be- ginning at a Corner of George Crow's land, and extending thence by the same North forty-two degrees West one hundred and fifty-two perches to a Corner of the same land ; thence by Frede- rick Bickings' land South seventy-two degrees West one hun- dred and thirty perches to a Corner ; thence by the same land South forty-four degrees East ninety-three perches to a Corner
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in the line of Margaret Jones' land; thence by the same land North seventy-one degrees East forty perches, to another Corner of the same Margaret Jones' land ; thence by the same South thirty-three degrees East sixty-five perches, to another corner of the same land; thence by the same North sixty-eight degrees East ninety- five perches to the place of beginning; Containing one hundred acres, seized as the Estate of John Roberts, late of the said Coun- ty, deceased, forfeited to the use of the State & Sold agreeable to law, on the twenty-fifth day of August last, to the said Daniel Clymer, for the sum of four thousand pounds, which sum he hath paid into the hands of the Agent of the said County. Deed dated the nineteenth day of April instant.
A letter from James Wilson and William Lewis, Esquires, re- specting John Lynch, was read.
Thereupon, the said Lynch was ordered before the Board for fur- ther Examination.
Colonel Beatty, Commissary of Prisoners, being present, but the account which Mr. Lynch gives us of his Circumstances being inconsistent with the representation of Colonel Beatty, and by no means satisfactory, the said Lynch was remanded to Prison.
Ordered, That the Sheriff of the City and County of Philadel- phia do bring before this Council the body of Thomas Hale, of this City, late Agent for forfeited Estates, to morrow at twelve O'clock.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Thursday, Ap'l. 20th, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esq'r, President.
Hon'bie the Vice President,
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Read, and Mr. Hambright.
A deed was examined and signed by his Excellency the Presi- dent, to Andrew Caldwell, of the City of Philadelphia, Merchant, conveying a certain three story brick Messuage and lott or piece of ground thereunto belonging, Situate on the South side of Chesnut Street, between fourth and fifth streets, in the City of Philadel- phia, containing in breadth on Chesnut Street, one hundred and six feet, and extending in depth two hundred and fifty-five feet ; Bounded East ward by a Messuage and lott late of John Sobers, in tenure of Benjamin Armitage ; Southward by the back ends of Walnut Street lotts; Westward by ground belonging to the Estate of Charles Norris, deceased ; and Northward by Chesnut Street,
325
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
aforesaid ; Seized as the estate late of Peter Campbell, forfeited to the use of the State, and sold agreeable to law, on the twenty-fourth day of August last, to the said Andrew Caldwell, for the sum of thirty-six thousand five hundred pounds, which sum he hath paid into the hands of the Agents of Confiscated Estates in the City of Philadelphia. Deed dated the twentieth day of April instant.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Captain Nathan Boys for the sum of two hundred and twenty-two pounds, seven Shillings and six pence-amount of pay due to the Officers and Men of the Gallies, from the first of March last to the first of April instant.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Captain Nathan Boys, for the sum of four thousand four hundred and fif- teen pounds nineteen Shillings-amount of Money due to the Officers and Men of the Gallies, from the Eleventh day of March last to the eighth day of April instant.
A letter from the United States Treasury Board, dated the fif- teenth instant, inclosing a State of the Taxes apportioned by Con- gress, on Pennsylvania. amounting to twelve Million eight hundred and twenty thousand dollars, and the amount of drafts by Congress on the State, Five Million one hundred and forty-five thousand eight hundred dollars.
The Board taking into consideration the State of the Taxes, and the neglect shown in the Collection of them in some Counties,
Resolved, That the Treasurer of the State be requested to lay before the Board, as soon as may be, a State of the Taxes, specify- ing the Quotas of the Counties, the monies due from each, so as to form a Comparative estimate of the whole since the twenty- second of November, 1777, when the Tax of Six hundred and twenty thousand dollars was due.
William Young, an apprentice of Benjamin Town, Printer, hav- ing been examined by his Excellency the President, on a suspicion of his having been concerned in printing the seditious paper signed " slow and sure," was brought before the Council, and on further examination and consideration,
Ordered, That the said William Young be committed to the Old Goal, untill further order.
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In Council.
PHILAD'A, Friday, April 21st, I780. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esq'r, President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey,
Mr. Read, and
Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Hambright.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Colonel George Smith, for the sum of twelve hundred pounds, to be paid Robert Lollar, Esq'r, for the purpose of paying the Militia of the County of Philadelphia.
A deed was examined and Signed by bis Excellency the Presi- dent, to Jacob Bay, of Germantown, Type founder, conveying a certain Stone Messuage or Tenement and lott or piece of ground thereunto belonging, situate in Germantown, aforesaid ; fronting the South-westerly side of the main Street, in the inhabited part of the said Germantown, containing in breadth on the said main Street Six perches two feet and a half, & at the back or South-West end thereof five perches and fourteen feet, and in length thirty three feet ; Bounded North-eastward by the said Main Street ; South- Eastward by a cross street called Bowman's lane, leading towards Schuylkill falls Ferry ; South Westward with Jacob Hood's land ; and North-Westward with William Clampfer's land; containing one acre and thirty-eight perches ; seized as the Estate late of Christo- pher Saur, forfeited to the use of the State, and sold agreeable to law, on the eighteenth day of September last, to the said Jacob Bay, for the sum of four thousand two hundred pounds, which sum lie hath paid into the Hands of Thomas Hale, late agent for confis- cated Estates in the said county. Deed dated the twentieth day of September last.
Resolved, That the Treasurer be directed to retain in his hands at all times, the sum of thirty thousand pounds, not to be broke in upon but on special order of this Board.
Ordered, That a special commission be granted to Mr Abra- ham Bennett, Pilot, to justify him in repelling and making reprisals on the enemy with an armed Pilot Boat called the Randolph.
A letter from John Vankemp, dated April the thirteenth in- stant, respecting the incursions of the Enemy Indians in the county of Northampton.
A letter from Charles Petit, Esq'r, A. Q. M. General, dated the 20th, inclosing a draft on the State by Congress, for the sum of two hundred and ninety-eight thousand six hundred & four dollars and sixty-ninetieths, in favour of the said Petitt, and an account of Major General Greene, Quarter M. General, was read.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
On Consideration,
Agreed, that the Council having already accepted the drafts of Congress for very considerable sums of Money more than the Treasury is able to pay at present, this Council cannot now accept the said draft.
A letter from Joseph Shippen, Jun'r, Esq'r, dated the 20th in- stant, informing that he had " delivered up all the Records, books and papers belonging to the Office of Secretary of the late Govern- ment, to the Hon'ble John Penn, Esquire," was read ; And there- upon,
Ordered, That the Secretary do wait on the Hon'ble John Penn, Esquire, and in the name of the Council, request him to deliver up the Records, books and papers belonging to the Secretary's Office during the said late Government, into the hands of the Secretary of this Board, for which he will give his receipt, if required.
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