USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII > Part 35
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An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Allen Cath- cart, for the sum of £4,488 7 6, amount of his account for work done on board the Sloop Speedwell, belonging to this State.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Messrs. Jones and Ash, for the sum of £6,312, for six Bullocks purchased agreeable to the late order of this Board, the same to be charged to the United States of America.
Ordered, That Captain Joseph Stiles, Commissary of Military Stores for this State, do deliver to William Campbell, of the County of Westmoreland, six hundred weight of Powder, six hun- dred weight of Lead, & three thousand Flints, to be forwarded to Archibald Lockrey, Esq'r, Lieuten't of Westmoreland County, for the use of the Militia of the s'd County.
The petition of Captain William Barber being resumed, and Captain Weeks having attested the truth of the facts by him set forth,
Resolved, That the Commissary of prisoners permit Mr. Barber to remain here, discharged from his parole, taking the oath of al- legiance to this State.
Mr. Mitchell, Deputy Quarter Master Gen'l, paid in seven hun- dred pounds, one month's rent of the Ferry at Schuylkill.
VOL. XII .- 25.
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The Board taking into consideration the arrears of Militia fines under the former law, in the county of Lancaster, and the neces- sity of a speedy and regular collection,
Resolved, That the Lieutenant do, in pursuance of the act of Assembly, authorize and empower Adam Ort, of Lebanon Town- ship, to collect all the outstanding fines and forfeitures in the said county ; and that the former Lieutenant and Sub-Lieutenants do, as the law directs, deliver to the present Lieutenant an account, on oath, of all monies uncollected and outstanding on account of fines and forfeitures, in order that the said Adam Ort may be fully in- structed in the premises; And it is also
Resolved, That the said Adam Ort be entitled to a commission of ten per cent. for his trouble on all Monies paid in by him to the Treasurer pursuant hereto, in lieu of all other charges.
Resolved, That Colonel Davis, deputy quarter master General at Carlisle, or his deputies, be requested to provide Horses for the transportation of the ammunition ordered this Morning to West- moreland county.
A letter from Governor Livingston, dated Trenton, the 11th day of June instant, informing of the progress of the Enemy, and that re-inforcements were wanting, thereupon praying the aid of the Militia of this State, was read ; soon after Messrs. Armstrong, Searle & Matlack, delegates of this State, attending with other letters on the same subject,
Resolved, That four classes of the Militia of the city and county of Philadelphia, and the counties of Bucks and Chester, be ordered to hold themselves in readiness to march to the support of the Continental Army, if farther advice should make it necessary.
A letter from Mrs. Ferguson, praying indulgence to stay in the country, notwithstanding the late resolve, was read, and laid over for consideration.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Tuesday, June 13th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
. Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Arndt, Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Hambright, and Mr. Scott.
A petition in favour of the Nugents, under sentence of death at Carlisle, was read and rejected.
An attestation by Doctor McIlvane, that the health of Mrs. Sa- rah Allen did not admit her travelling without immediate and mani- fest danger of her life, was read ; and on consideration,
Resolved, That she be indulged with a farther delay.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
A petition by sundry Officers, Prisoners on long Island, praying their rank may be preserved to them, was read and filed.
Information being given that Mr. Tench Francis could inform the Board of sundry frauds & abuses in the Transportation of pub- lick stores to Trenton; and the said Mr. Francis attending, pur- suant to notice, he was sworn to answer such questions as should be put to him thereupon; and after some time spent, the farther consideration thereof was postponed until this afternoon at six o'clock.
Ordered, That passes be granted to the following named persons to go into the City of New York, agreeable to the order of this Board of the sixth instant, Vizt: Mary Ferguson, Ann Kirk, Sarah Hopkins, Mary Arnold, Elizabeth Loosely, Jane Gallagher & Rachel Sanders.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Wednesday, June 14th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Hambright, and Mr. Scott.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of his Excel- lency Joseph Reed, Esq'r, President, for the sum of £3000, in part of his salary, & place the same to his account.
The two following orders were drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Messrs. Steyner and Cist, Printers, Vizt : one of them for the sum of £58 5 9, and the other for the sum of £225 for printing work done for the Council.
William Richards attending according to order, was examined touching sundry frauds in the Quarter Master's department, and dismissed ; after which a Warrant issued to apprehend James Sut- ter, Superintendant of the Transportation on Delaware.
Two letters, dated the 12th instant, from the Committee of Con- gress at Camp, enclosing letters from Gen'l Washington, pressing in earnest terms the forwarding recruits, &ca., were read, and Let- ters in consequence wrote to the Lieutenants.
The Board taking into consideration the very interesting and critical State of the Army under the Command of his Excellency Gen'l Washington, & being deeply sensible of the necessity of calling the attention of the people to the publick safety, and pro- curing immediate supplies of Men, ammunition and provisions, Do hereby lay an Embargo on all outward bound Vessels except such as are in the immediate service of the subjects of his most Chris- tian Majesty, who will on application receive special permission.
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In Council.
PHILAD'A, Thursday, June 15th, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'ble the Vice Presid't.
Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Arndt, and
Mr. Scott.
WHEREAS, The regular and punctual collection of the fines for neglect of Militia duty is not only indispensibly necessary to en- courage the brave and well affected to turn out in the service of their country, but as a present fund to defray certain unavoidable expences which attend actual cervices. The several Captains or commanding Officers of companies are therefore hereby required, agreeable to law, to make an immediate return of all delinquents on the several Muster days, to the Lieutenants, Colonels, or com- manding Officers, who, together with the Lieutenants and Sub- Lieutenants, are directed to proceed immediately to the recovery thereof, as by law directed.
A representation by the Justices in favour of William Vano- civer, convicted of Larceny, was read, recommending him to the Mercy of this Board ; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the corporal punishment directed by the judg- ment of the Court be remitted, and the Prisoner dismissed, on pay- ment of the fines and charges ; provided the said William Vanoci- ver shall enter as a soldier in the Continental service, under the late Act of Assembly.
The following orders were drawn on the Treasurer, Vizt :
In favour of Timothy Matlack, Esq'r, for the sum of ££1000, in part of his salary as Secretary of this Board, for which he is to account.
In favour of the Hon'ble William Moore, Esq'r, Vice President, for the sum of £1,500, in part of his salary ; the same to be placed to his account.
In favour of the Hon'ble Thomas Scott, Esq'r, for the sum of £225 9 9, to be by him paid to Mr. Andrew Linn, Waggon Mas- ter of the county of Westmoreland, for services performed by him under the Waggon Law of this State.
The Board taking into consideration the proposals made by Mr. Ryan,
Resolved, That the Lieutenant of the City of Philadelphia be authorized to engage him as Inspector of the Militia of this State ; and that he be allowed ten shillings per day, or the exchange in full of rations and forage, while on duty in the State. But that in case his service is required in the field, rations and forage be allowed
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
equal to his rank, and seven shillings and six pence per day, as above. That as the Militia, when not in actual service, cannot be expected to meet for instruction frequently, the days of duty shall be fixed certainly at one hundred & four, and if Mr. Ryan is called to farther State service, he be permitted to charge at the above rate.
Resolved, That Mr. Ryan have the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of Militia, and that Colonel Henry report to this Board the result.
The Board taking into consideration the several letters received from his Excellency General Washington and from the Hon'be the Committee of Congress at Camp, advising of the movement of the enemy, and their probable intentions to penetrate the Country,
Resolved, That the Lieutenants of the city and county of Phila- delphia, and counties of Bucks and Chester, do give positive and peremptory orders to the officers to collect all the publick arms and accoutrements, and make returns. That no arms fit for service be suffered to remain in the hands of the disaffected on any pretence, but the same be taken by virtue hereof, agreeable to the powers lodged in this Board.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Captain Joseph Wade, for the sum of £1450, amount of pay due to the Officers and Men of the Schooner Delaware, for services performed from the 14th of May last to the Eleventh day of June instant, in- clusive.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Mess'rs Hamlett and Wood, for the sum of five hundred and ten pounds seventeen shillings & six pence, amount of their account for Smith's work done for the Sloop Speedwell, in the service of this State.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Friday, June 16th, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Hambright, and
Mr. Scott.
The petition of sundry officers, lately presented, was again taken up; Whereupon,
Resolved, That this Board are highly sensible of the spirit and patriotism shown by the Gentlemen on this occasion ; But that it ap- pears the Board is not by law vested with power to dispence with the Militia law, so as to excuse those Gentlemen from their fines, which, in case of their actual service in the field, would be reason-
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ably expected; and that there is also reason to fear, if the powers of the Board did admit such Establishment, it would occa- sion Jealousies & discontents dangerous to the Militia service : That this Board are also of opinion, a contrary determination would bé inconsistent with that of the Legislature, in as much as a clause exempting Oficers who had served one year in the Continental service, was in the law as published for consideration, but omitted in the act after debate; and that a petition of similar nature was also laid before the Assembly at their late session, but not granted.
The following orders were drawn on the Treasurer, Vizt: In favour of William Bradford, Jun'r, Esq'r, for the sum of £100, for his late services in the county of Chester.
In favour of Frederick A. Muhlenberg, Esq'r, for the sum of 8000 dollars, in part of his pay as a Member of Congress for this State, for which he is to account.
In favour of Captain Joseph Stiles, Commissary of Military Stores, for the sum of £10,000, for the use of his department, for which he is to account.
An attestation by Doctor Redman, that the health of Mrs. Sarah Coxe did not admit her travelling without immediate and mani- fest danger of her life, was read ; And on consideration,
Resolved, That she be indulged with a farther day, to wit : the 3d of July next.
The Board taking into consideration the appointment of a Wag- gon Master for the county of York, the following persons were recommended : John Eddy, James Dill, Frank Jones, and Baltzer Spangler; and the same was referred for further consideration and information.
Joseph Alexander, lately commissioned to be a Lieutenant of a Company of Rangers in Northumberland county, having resigned his commission,
Resolved, That John Faulkner, Esq'r, be appointed in his stead.
The Petition of David Dawson, attainted as a Traitor, and also confined for passing counterfeit money, being read, was dismissed.
The petition of Danial Zieber, convicted at the Court of Oyer and Terminer of Lancaster county for passing Counterfeit money, being read, together with the record of conviction, and the recom- mendation of the Judges of the Supreme Court in his favour,
Resolved, That he be pardoned.
The petition of William Richardson, convicted at a Court of Oyer Terminer, lately held at Carlisle, of passing counterfeit money, being read, and the Court having recommended him for Mercy,
Resolved, That he be pardoned, on condition that he enter into the Continental Army without a bounty, to serve during the War, and that he give security by two reputable Freeholders, in ten thousand pounds cach, for his coming up to Philadelphia, and de-
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
livering himself to Colonel Nichola at the Barracks in Philadel- phia, by the first of July, in which the pardon to be effectual, & he released from his confinement.
The petition of Benjamin Rue, to form an independent com- pany of Artillery, was read and dismissed, for the reasons assigned in the officer's petition, also considered this day.
Ordered, That passes to go into the city of New York be granted to the following persons, agreeable to the order of this Board of the sixth instant, Vizt : Hannah Fairland, Sarah Knight, Marga- ret Fowler, Catherine Ferguson, Jane Boswell, Mary Scandlen, Elinor Jauncy, Ann Eve, Margaret Delaney, and Sarah Gill.
Ordered, That John Allen & James Terrans, Esquires, be ap- pointed and commissioned to be Justices of the peace for the county of Westmoreland.
In Council. -
PHILAD'A, Saturday, June 17th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'be the Vice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Hambright, &
Mr. Scott.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of the Hon'be Thomas Scott, for the sum of £300, in part of his pay as a Mem- ber of this Board, for which he is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Nathaniel Browne, for £337 10, amount of his account for overseeing the replacing the Bridge on the River Schuylkill.
Resolved, That for special reasons appearing to this Board, the sale of Lot No. 8 of the Durham tract, and of the plantation of Tho's West, be postponed untill farther enquiry can be made & order given.
A letter from John Chambers, Esq'r, Sub Lieutenant of North- ampton county, (and acting for Colonel Rea during his sick- ness,) requesting Arms and ammunition for the voluntary com- pany.
Whereupon,
Resolved, That Mr. Hambright be desired to direct Captain Stiles to furnish as many rifles as he can; and in case there are none to be procured, that he send fifty Musquets, one hundred weight of powder, four hundred weight of lead, & six hundred Flints.
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Resolved, That as an encouragment to the volunteers to furnish their own arms, every one be allowed 40 dollars for the use of them; that an appraisement be made, as the Lieutenant shall direct, to be paid in case of loss in Battle or unavoidable accident.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Monday, June 19th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'be the Vice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Hambright, and Mr. Thompson, (now first returned from his family.)
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Andrew Doz, Esq'r, Commissioner of purchases for the city of Philadelphia, for £5000 of the money emitted in pursuance of an act of Assembly, passed the 25th day of March last, entitled "An Act for raising the sum of one hundred thousand pounds, &ca."
An order to Captain Isaac Roach, for the sum of 4000 dollars, for apprehending Thomas James, John Robinson, John Farris, and William Han, four refugees from New York, taken in Delaware Bay; agreeable to the late order of this Board.
A letter was read from his Excellency General Washington, dated the sixteenth instant, requesting that the light horse of this City be ordered to proceed to camp with all possible expedition.
A letter from Colonel Clement Biddle, Forage master, request- ing the aid of this State in his department.
A letter from Colonel Marsteller, dated the 16th inst't, respect- ing the purchase of cattle, was read, and an order was drawn in his favour for the sum of six thousand three hundred & seventy- two pounds ten shillings, for the purpose aforesaid.
A letter from Christopher Kucher, recommend'g Adam Orth to collect the outstanding fines on the Militia law, and inclosing a list of the officers of his Battalion.
A letter from the Hon'be Board of Admiralty Congress, praying that two or three armed Boats of this State may attend the Mer- cury Packett ordered to cruise in the bay of Delaware.
Resolved, That the same be complied with, and that Captain Boys do furnish two of the best of said Boats for said purpose. 'The Captain of the Mercury, it is expected, will return the same in good condition, accidents only excepted.
A letter from his Excellency the President of Congress, dated the 16th instant, renewing his application for Men and supplies.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Resolved, That a commission be made out for Michael Ryan, Esquire, to be Inspector General of the Militia of this State, with the rank of a Lieut't Colonel.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Tuesday, June 20th, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'be the Vice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Hambright.
Ordered, That a special commission be granted to Joseph Ja- quies, Esquire, to justify him in repelling and making reprisals on the enemy with an armed Whale Boat called the Hell-Cat, but not to authorise him, or any officers under him, to claim any of the advantages or Emoluments allowed by Act of the General Assem- bly, to the officers and privates in the Naval service of this State.
The conviction of John Lemons & Andrew Connor for Horse stealing, being laid before the Board, and it appearing they had suf- fered corporal punishment,
Resolved, That their fines be remitted, and that they be deliv- ered to their proper officers, they appearing to be deserters from the Continental Army.
There being a vacancy in the office of Waggon Master in the county of York; thereupon,
Resolved, That Major James Chamberlaine be appointed Wag- gon Master of the county of York.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of James Mer- cer, for the sum of £1197 10, for paying for cattle purchased by him as commissioner of purchases in the county of Lancaster, agreeable to an act of General Assembly, passed the first of June instant; for which sum he is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Mr. John Crozer for the sum of 6000 dollars, in part of a certificate for five head of cattle purchased by John Crosby, Jun'r, Commissioner of purchases in the county of Chester, agreeable to act of Assembly, passed the first of June instant.
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In Council.
PHILAD'A, Wednesday, June 21st, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the Presid't.
Hon'be the Vice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Hambright, and
Mr. Thompson.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Nicholas Lutz, Esq'r, Commissioner of purchases for the county of Berks, for the sum of £1000 for expenses in purchasing cattle for the use of the army, agreeable to act of assembly, passed the first of June inst., for which he is to account.
A letter from his Excellency Gen'l Washington, dated June the 19th, was read, requesting an immediate supply of 250 Waggons ; those from Philadelphia, Bucks and Chester, to proceed imme- diately to Trenton to the direction of Moore Furman, Esquire ; those procured in the upper counties to take in loads of Flour, & proceed by way of Easton to the North river. The said letter also contained a very alarming and distressing account of the state of the Army for want of Teams; Whereupon,
Resolved, That the said requisition be complied with, and that orders do issue accordingly to the several Waggon Masters of Phila- delphia, Bucks, Chester, Lancaster, Berks and Northampton coun- ties, and that they be directed to exert themselves in the most vig- orous manner to comply with the said resolution, in the following proportion's, Vizt :
Philad'a county, 20 Waggons.
Lancaster, 80 Waggons.
Bucks do. 30 do. Berks, 40 do.
Chester do. 40 do.
Northampton, 30 do.
Resolved, That in case of difficulty or delay in making up the said Teams, the said Waggon Masters and their deputies do apply to any officer of the Militia for their assistance, and that they im- press any Horses, Waggons or Gears, distinguishing between such as have taken the oaths or affirmations of allegiance, and those who have not, and saving always to every plantation, at least two working Horses ; That the said Horses, Waggons and Gears, be ap- praised on oath, by two persons to be appointed as the Waggon law directs, and a certificate given.
That the Waggon Master do also, within one Month, make a true return to this Board of all Horses, Waggons and Gears so taken, and also the prices affixed.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Augustine Willett, Commissioner of purchases for the county of Bucks, for 2000 dollars, for expenses in purchasing cattle for the use of the
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Army, agreeable to an act of Assembly, passed the first of June instant, for which he is to account.
Ordered, That Robert Good, Esq'r, be appointed as Sub-Lieu- tenant in the county of Lancaster, in the room of Mr. Carpenter, who has resigned, and that he be commissioned accordingly.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Thursday, June 22nd, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esq'r, President.
Hon'be WILLIAM MOORE, Esq'r, Vice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Hambright, and Mr. Thompson.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Isaac Sorrell, for the sum of £112 10 of the money emitted pursuant to an Act of Assembly, passed the 25th day of March last, in part of a cer- tificate for Eleven cattle, purchased by Messrs. Bull and Arm- strong for the use of the Army, agreeable to an act of Assembly, passed the first of June instant.
Charles Petitt, Esq'r, presented to the Council an order of Con- gress in the following words, to wit :
IN CONGRESS, April 24th, 1780.
200,000 dol's.
Gentlemen :- Pay to Charles Petitt, Esquire, Assistant Quarter Master General, or his order, the sum of 200,000 dollars, on ac- count of Major General Green, Quarter Master Gen'l, part of the monies raised in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the use of the United States, to be applied in the department of the said Quar- ter Master Gen'l, & for which he is to be accountable.
By order of Congress.
SAMUEL HUNTINGDON, Presid't. To his Excellency the President and the Hon'be the Supreme Exe- cutive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Entered in the Auditor Gen'ls Office, the 27th of April, 1780. JAMES MILLIGAN, A. Gen'l.
Although 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, Esq'r, and that the
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order for so doing be endorsed on the said draft in the following words, to wit :
IN COUNCIL, Philad'a, Thursday, June 22d, 1780.
200,000 dollars.
Sir :- Pay to Charles Pettit, Esq'r, Assistant Quarter Master Gen'l, or his order, the sum of 200,000 dollars, agreeable to the within draft of Congress, and charge the same to the United States of America.
JOSEPH REED, President.
To David Rittenhouse, Esq'r, Treas'r.
Charles Pettit, Esq'r, presented to the Council one other order of Congress in the following words, to wit :
IN CONGRESS, June 17th, 1780.
For 250,000 dollars.
Gentlemen :- Pay to Charles Pettit, Esq'r, Assistant Quarter Mas- ter Gen'l, or his order; the sum of 250,000 dollars, on account of Nathaniel Greene, Esq'r, Quarter Master General, (part of the Monies raised in the Commonwealth of Pennsylv'a for the use of the United States,) to enable John Davis, Esq'r, Deputy Quarter Master Gen'l, to comply with certain contracts, and for which the said Nathaniel Greene is to be accountable.
By order of Congress. SAMUEL HUNTINGDON, Presid't. To His Excellency the President & the Hon'ble the Supreme Execu- tive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Entered in the Auditor Genl's Office, June 19th, 1780.
JAMES MILLIGAN, A. Gen'l.
Although 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, Esq'r, and that the order for so doing be endorsed in the following words, to wit :
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