USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
IN COUNCIL, Philad'a, Thursday, June 22d, 1780.
For 250,000 dollars.
Sir :- Pay to Charles Pettit, Ese'r, Assistant Quarter Master Gen- eral, or his order, the sum of 250,000 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, Treasurer.
WHEREAS, It appears to this Board that the sailors belonging to Ships in the service of his most Christian Majesty or his sub-
397
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
jects, frequently desert and go on board American Vessels in this port, or travel to other ports, to the great Injury of the service & loss of their Employers ; For remedy whereof,
Resolved, That the Sheriff and Constables in a special manner, and all other Subjects of this State generally, be directed, and they are hereby directed to examine all French Sailors whom they may find in this city, except on ship board, or travelling in any part of this State ; and in case they are found without passes from their respective Captains, to apprehend and send them to prison, or oth- erwise secure them, untill notice be given to the Consul or vice Consul of his most Christian Majesty, residing in this city, who will take order thereon.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of the Hon'be John Hambright, Esq'r, for the sum of £1,000, in part of his salary as a member of this board, for which he is to account.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, June 23d, 1780, Friday.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Hon'be WILLIAM MOORE, Esq'r, Vice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Arndt, Mr. Thompson.
Mr. Hambright, &
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of his Excel- lency Joseph Reed, Esq'r, President, for the sum of £2000, in part of his salary, for which he is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Colonel Lewis Nichola, for the sum of Eleven hundred and ninety pounds, amount of money due to Colonel Nichola, Captains M'Ilhatton and Woelp- per, and Lieutenants Honeyman, Wood & Pugh, in lieu of their rations and refreshments, from the 8th day of May last to the fourth day of June instant.
A letter from Colonel Brodhead, dated the 4th day of June instant, was read and filed.
Resolved, That the Sheriff of the City and County of Philadel- phia do apprehend Jemima Forrester, alias Biles, the wife of a Refugee at New York, & deliver her to the keeper of the Work- house of this City, there to remain, till she give security to leave the State, and not to return again.
Andrew Doz, Esq'r, having resigned his office of Commissioner of purchases for this City, Capt'n John Hazlewood is appointed in his stead.
398
MINUTES OF THE
A letter was read from Continental Navy Board, praying direc- tion to the auctioneer to sell four Negro slaves, the property of the Continent.
Resolved, That the same be complied with ; but as two of the Negroes mentioned have claimed their Freedom before this Board, nothing herein contained to be deemed as conveying any right by virtue of such authority in point of property.
A letter from General Knox was read, praying that the 250 Waggons requested by the General may be forwarded with all dis- patch.
Also, a letter from the President of Congress, dated the 21st instant, inclosing a request to this State, among others, to be in- formed what measures have been taken in consequence of the fol- lowing resolutions, Vizt :
" 1779, March 9th, Recommendation to the States to compleat " their respective Quotas of the eighty Battalions.
" May 21st, United States called on for a Tax of forty-five mil- " lions, in addition to what was called for the 2d of January, to be " paid by the first of January next.
"Septem'r 13th, Circular letter, among other things stating the " necessity of paying into the Continental Treasury the monies " called for, and of adopting measures to bring their respective "quotas of Troops into the field early next campaign, and provide " the supplies necessary in the course of it.
" October 6 & 7, United States to collect and pay into the Con- "tinental Treasury their respective Quotas of fifteen millions of " dollars monthly, from Jan'y, inclusive, to October.
" October 9th, Circular letter, urging the necessity of a punctual " payment of the Quotas.
" December 11th, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, " New Jersey and Connecticut, certain Quantities of flour and corn " by the first of April.
" 1780, February 9th, United States to furnish their respective " deficiencies of 35,211 Men, on or before the first of April.
"25th, United States to furnish their respective Quotas of spe- " cifick supplies mentioned.
" March 18th, Sundry resolutions for calling in the Bills in " circulation, and emitting new Bills on certain funds.
" May 19th, The States from New Hampshire to Virginia, inclu- " sive, to pay into the Continental Treasury Ten Millions of dol- " lars in thirty days.
"20th, The United States to forward their Quotas of Troops to " join the Continental Army."
A letter from Don Francisco Rendon, was read, praying permis- sion for a vessel to sail with dispatches to the Havannah.
Resolved, That the same be granted to the Schooner Stephen, Captain Vicar.
399
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, June 24th, 1780, Saturday.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'be the Vice President.
Mr. Arndt, Mr. Hambright, &
Mr. Thompson.
The Petition of David Breckley and Stephen Sulgar, convicted of an assault and battery at the last County Court, was read, set- ting forth their enlistment as Pennsylvania Volunteers, praying a remission of their fines. An attested copy of said sentence and recommendation by the Justices, were also read ; Whereupon,
Resolved, That said fines be remitted, provided the s'd Breck- ley and Sulgar do proceed on the said service.
The Board taking into consideration the difficulties arising in in the collection of the Taxes from the different kinds of Money in circulation, directed the following letter to the several Treasurers of counties, to wit :
In Council.
PHILAD'A, June 23d, 1780.
" SIR :- The Board having taken into consideration the difficul- "ties which have occurred in the collection of Taxes, from the " various kinds of Money in circulation, have thought proper to " direct that gold and silver, & the Money issued by the late act of " Assembly, passed at Philadelphia the 25th of March last, usually " called State money, be received in payment of Taxes, at the rate "of sixty Continental dollars for one Spanish milled dollar, or of the " State money, of which you'l please to give notice to the respec- " tive Collectors and Treasurers. At the same time, for obvious " reasons, you will direct them to pay the same money received by " them to you, without suffering any change in their hands."
Mr. Turnbull having acquainted the Board with an opportunity of purchasing a quantity of linnens, to be paid for one half in Bills on Spain, and the other half in Continental money, at the current exchange.
Resolved, That the bargain be closed ; and a letter was wrote ac- cordingly.
A letter was received from the President of Congress, enclosing sundry resolutions respecting the giving out Comissions for cap- ture, which was ordered to be filed.
400
MINUTES OF THE
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Monday, June 26th, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'be the Vice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Hambright,
Mr. Arndt, and Mr. Thompson.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Joseph Wil- son, for the sum of four thousand pounds, to be by him paid to William M'Calla, Commissioner of purchases for the county of Bucks, for expences in purchasing cattle for the use of the army, agreeable to the act of assembly, passed the first of June instant.
A letter from the Hon'be Council of Massachusetts Bay, dated June the 9th, 1780, was read, informing this Board that Samuel Chap- man, an attainted Traitor in this State, lately captured at sea and carried into that State, was closely confined, untill a proper oppor- tunity should offer to send him hither.
A letter from Colonel Nichola, dated this day, was read, inform- ing the Board that forty-two Recruits were sent forward to Camp ; eighty-one remain.
Petition of Martha Johnston, convicted of Larceny and praying remission of her fine, was read, together with a recommendation. Resolved, That the said fine be remitted.
A letter from his Excellency Governor Lee, of Maryland, dated June the 23d, respecting the Embargo, was read.
A letter from the Hon'be Committee of Congress at Camp, dated the 23d instant, inclosing a letter from the Commander in Chief of the same date, renewing their applications for Recruits and Teams, was read & ordered to be filed.
A letter from Colonel Piper, dated the 3d instant, informing, First of Captain Burd's resignation of his Commission.
Second, Of the Indian Incursions.
Third, The receipt of the Money sent him.
A letter from General Knox, requesting a supply of State money to be sent to John Oliver, Esq'r, at Bristol, to pay for Teams, and referring to a letter not received.
401
1
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Tuesday, June 27th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'be the Vice President.
Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Hambright,
Mr. Thompson, &
Mr. Lacey, (now first returned.)
Phineas Paxton, of Bucks county, having appeared before this Board, charged with aiding British Prisoners in their escape, and due enquiry having been made into the circumstances and charac- ter of the said Phineas Paxton, it appears that he keeps a publick house on the road to Newtown ; That he joined the enemy in this city, and has, in his general conduct and character, manifested a disaffection to the American cause, & there is reason to suspect him to be privy to the escape of British Prisoners ; Whereupon,
Resolved, That he be no longer permitted to keep Publick house ; That he give security for his good behaviour before some Justice of the Supreme Court, himself in £20,000, and his securities in £10,000 each, for his good behaviour during the War, & stand committed to the Prison of this City 'till he comply with this re- solve.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Captain Ed- ward Siminson, for the sum of £13,600, to be by him paid to Colonel John Hannum, Commissioner of purchases in the county of Chester, for purchasing cattle for the use of the Army, and for sundry expenses accruing thereon, agreeable to an Act of General Assembly, passed the first day of June instant.
An order was drawn in favor of Gideon Gilpin, for the sum of £2,400, for six cattle purchased by the said John Hannum, agreea- ble to the said act.
An order was drawn in favour of James Hannum, for the sum of £2,000, for five cattle purchased by the said John Hannum, agreeable to the said act,
An order was drawn in favor of Israel Gilpin, for the sum of £700, for twenty sheep purchased by the said John Hannum, agreeable to the said act.
An order was drawn in favour of Caleb Phyle, for the sum of £1,240, for five cattle purchased by the said John Hannum, agreeable to the act aforesaid.
A representation having been made to this Board that the Lots contiguous to the publick Wharf on Sassafrass or Race street, are necessary for the accommodation of the city as a public landing,
VOL. XII .- 26.
402
MINUTES OF THE
and that the inhabitants intend to apply to the Hon'ble house of Assembly at their next sessions for a grant thereof.
Resolved, That the Agents for confiscated estates be directed to postpone the sale of the said lots untill after the next meeting of the Assembly, or the farther order of this Board.
The Lieutenant of the county of Philadelphia having com- plained that one John Dover, charged with a Militia fine of £160, had threatened the life of the Collector, & used divers violent speeches against publick authority,
Resolved, That a warrant issue to apprehend said Dover and' bring him before this Board forthwith.
A letter from the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, inclosing a passport from the Governor of Havanna for Gregory West, a British prisoner, to pass to New York, and praying a passport from this Board, was read ; and
Resolved, That the same be complied with.
Two letters from Mr. Holker, agent of Marine of France, dated 26th instant, thanking this Board for their resolve of the 22d instant; and another praying the return of Mr. Turnbull, now gone out with the light Horse,
Ordered, For farther consideration.
-- -
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Wednesday, June 28th, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'be the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Hambright.
The Board taking into consideration the expediency of proceed- ing in the fortifications at Mud Island,
Resolved, That Major William Armstrong do immediately hire a number of Labourers for the said purpose, repair the banks, and finish the parapet, so as to enclose the whole, & form a compleat Redoubt; that a sum of money issue immediately for this purpose ; and that the Vice President and Docter Gardner be a committee to agree with Major Armstrong upon a compensation for his service on this occasion.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Major Wil- liam Armstrong, for the sum of £6000, for paying the workmen employed at the Fortifications on the Delaware, for which he is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of John Bull, Esq'r, Commissioner of purchases for the county of Philadelphia,
403
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
for the sum of £600, of the Money emitted pursuant to an act of Assembly, passed the twenty-fifth of March last, for procuring supplies of provisions and other necessaries for the use of the Army, for which sum he is to be accountable.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of John Bull, Esq'r, for the sum of £6000, for paying for the transportation of supplies of provisions and other necessaries purchased by him for the use of the Army, for which he is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of James Hutchin- son, Esq'r, for the sum of ££167 8, amount of sundry accounts for necessaries for the sick in the Pennsylvania Hospital, and advanced by him in the year 1779.
Phineas Paxton, Abner Buckman & James Winder, appeared before the Board and entered into Recognizance, agreeable to the resolve of yesterday ; Whereupon,
Ordered, That Phineas Paxton be discharged, paying his fees. A letter from his Excellency the President of Congress, dated the 22d and 23d instant, inclosing sundry papers, Vizt :
First. A letter from General Washington, dated the 20th day of June, 1780. 1st. Urging for information from the States with respect to the supplies to be furnished of men and provisions. Secondly. The destitute state of the Troops for want of shirts and overalls, and officers' cloathing.
Second. A resolve founded upon the above letter urging the for- warding of supplies of Men and provisions, and also an account of the proceedings of the States on former requisitions.
Third. A resolve of Congress, dated 21st instant, requesting the States explicitly, and without the least delay, to inform Con- gress how far they may rely upon their furnishing the several sup- plies of Men, money and provisions, called for by Congress or their committee of Head Quarters ; And also, how far their executive powers are authorized to act, so as to draw out the resources of the State; and that the Executive Magistrate be requested to corres- pond weekly with the Committee of Congress at Camp, advising of the steps taken in pursuance of the above recited requisitions of Congress and their Committee.
404
MINUTES OF THE
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Thursday, June 29th, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
1
Hon'be the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Thompson, and
Mr. Hambright.
A letter from his Excellency Gen'l Washington, dated the 25th day of June instant, informing the Board that the Enemy had evacuated New Jersey, with sundry other particulars, being read, and the circumstances under which the embargo was lately imposed, having materially changed.
Resolved, That the port be again opened, and the Naval officer clear out vessels as usual, having a due regard to the Law prohibit- ing the exportation of provisions, which it is indispensibly neces- sary to observe.
Application having been made by Peter Whiteside and com- pany for leave to sell twenty-nine casks of Nails by publick auc- tion, the same being damaged on the voyage,
Resolved, That the leave be given for this purpose.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Messrs. Steiner and Cist, for the sum of £200, for printing work done for the Council.
Ordered, That Captain Joseph Stiles, Commissary of Military stores, deliver to Colonel Joseph Hart, Lieutenant of Bucks county, five hundred weight of Powder, and five hundred weight of Lead, for the use of the Militia of the said county.
John Dover, of Germantown, having appeared before the Coun- cil, agreeable to the resolution of this Board of the 27th instant, and the facts therein set forth appearing to be well founded,
Resolved, That he give security for his good behaviour before Plunkett Fleeson, Esq'r, or some other Justice of the peace for the city or county of Philadelphia, himself in twenty thousand pounds, and his securities in ten thousand pounds each, for his good behaviour during the present War, and stand committed to the Prison of this city 'till he comply with this resolve, and pay all expences hereon accruing.
405
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Friday, June 30th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'be the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey,
Mr. Thompson, and
Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Hambright.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Timothy Mat- lack, Esq'r, for the sum of £1,000, in part of his salary, for which he is to account.
A transcript of the Record of conviction of Robert Smith and John Smith, convicted of the Murder of William Boyd, at a Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Goal delivery, held at the Bo- rough of Chester, for the county of Chester, the 26th day of June in- stant, and sentenced by the said court to be hanged by their Necks untill they be dead, was read; and thereupon,
Ordered, That execution of the said sentence be made and done upon them, the said Robert Smith and John Smith, on Sat- urday the first day of July next, between the hours of ten of the clock of the forenoon & two of the clock in the afternoon of the same day, at the usual place of Execution, & a Warrant was issued accordingly.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Saturday, July 1st, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Hambright, and Mr. Thompson,
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of John Follwell, for the sum of £1500, in part of a certificate for cattle purchased by Thomas Craig, Commissioner of purchases, for the county of Bucks, for the use of the army, pursuant to an act of Assembly passed the first day of June last.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Joseph Bri- tain, for the sum of 12,882 dollars & sixty ninetieths, for Nine cattle, purchased by William McCalla, Esq'r, (Commissioner of purchases for the county of Bucks,) for the use of the Army, pur- suant to act of Assembly passed the first day of June last.
406
MINUTES OF THE
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Frederick Sneider, for the sum of £738 10, amo't of his account for his wa- ges from the first to the 30th of June last, at 40 dollars per day, and cash paid for sundry articles for the use of the Council.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of John Hazle- wood, Esq'r, Commissioner of purchases for the city of Philadel- phia, for the sum of £2,000 of the money emitted by an act of the General Assembly, passed the 25th day of March last.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Monday, July 3d, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Honb'e the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Hambright, and Mr. Thompson.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Martin Bow- man, Commissioner of purchases for the county of Lancaster, for £2,177 12 6, for expences in purchasing cattle and sheep for the use of the army, agreeable to the act of Assembly passed the 1st of June last.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Mr. John Emmick, for the sum of £1,359 2, to be by him paid to Messrs. Cook and Mercer, Commissioners of purchases for the county of Lancaster, for expences in purchasing cattle for the use of the army, agreeable to act of Assembly passed the first day of June last.
An order was drawn on the Treasury in favour of Colonel Lewis Farmer, for the sum of £20,000, for purchasing Linnen for Shirts and overalls for the Troops of the Pennsylvania line, for which he is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Captain Na- than Boys, for the sum of £201 7 6, amount of pay due to the Officers and Men of the Gallies from the first day of June last to the first of July instant.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Captain Na- than Boys, for £6,175 0 10, amo't of money due to the Officers and Men of the Gallies in lieu of their rations and refreshments, from the 3d day of June last to the first day of July instant, and amount of sundry Bills of expences.
.
407
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Wednesday, July 5th, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Honb'e the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Hambright.
A representation of the Lieutenant of the county of Philadel- phia that persons resident in the city, and who had paid their as- sessment for the hire of volunteers within the district where they lived were again rated in other places to which they occasionally go; Whereupon, this Board having taken the law into consideration,
Resolved, That it appears thereby that the expences attending such service are only leviable " on Taxable inhabitants residing within the limits of the company;" and that, therefore, it is not consistent, either with the spirit or letter of the Law, to repeat the assessment on persons who paid in consequence of their being taxa- ble residents in other places.
An order was drawn on the 'Treasurer in favour of Honb'e Jacob Arndt, Esq'r, for the sum of £1,200, in part of his pay as a Mem- ber of this Board, for which he is to account.
An order was drawnon the Treasurer in favour of Honb'e James Thompson, Esq'r, for the sum of £1,000, in part of his pay as a Member of this Board, for which he is to account.
WHEREAS, John Dover was elected Lieutenant of the Troop of Horse at Germantown, but complaint having been made to this Board that he had been guilty of threatening the lives of the col- lectors of the Militia fines, and other violent and disorderly prac- tices ; Whereupon, the commission of the said Dover was delayed untill farther enquiry could be made; and the said Dover having been brought before the Board, and the said charge being in sub- stance confessed, so that he was bound in securities for his future good behaviour:
Resolved, That it is not consistent with the honour or safety of the State, to grant a commission to a person under such circum- stances, but that the said Troop do proceed, agreeable to law, to the choice of another person as Lieutenant of the said Troop, that he may be commissioned accordingly.
Ordered, That Michael Croll, Esq'r, be appointed a Sub-Lieuten- ant for the county of Philadelphia, and that he be commissioned accordingly.
408
MINUTES OF THE
The following Proclamation being read and considered, Ordered, That the same be published, Vizt:
A PROCLAMATION.
By his Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esq'r, President, and the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl- vania.
WHEREAS, The Honb'e House of Assembly did, in their late Sessions, pass an act entitled "An Act for procuring an immediate supply of provisions for the Federal army in its present exigency," by which Commissioners were appointed in several counties with- in this State to procure Cattle, Sheep, and salted provisions, with all possible dispatch, and it was declared by the same act that it should be lawfull for the President or Vice President, in Council, by Proclamation, to suspend the several powers and authorities therein granted, when the circumstances of the army should, in their judgment, admit thereof.
And Whereas, The supplies of the above articles are now suffi- ciently ample to Justify the suspension of the said purchases, and all farther proceedings under the said act at this time; Where- upon, in pursuance of the powers vested in us, We have thought proper to issue this our proclamation, for the purposes aforesaid, to which the said Commissioners, and all others concerned, are re- quired to conform & govern themselves accordingly; and we do farther require the said Commissioners, with all convenient speed, to make report of their several purchases by them made, under the said act, and to return to the Secretary of our Supreme Executive Council the ungranted certificates remaining in their hands.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.