USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII > Part 43
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The very great deficiencies of some counties in the payment of taxes, will, we hope, become an object of the attention of the House, and some mode fallen upon to guard against future delin- quency. That those counties which were exposed to the devasta- tion of the enemy, and the inhabitants to consequent poverty and temporary distress, should be so far advanced of those whose situa- tion was secure and their business uninterrupted, argues a defect in our civil police that ought to be investigated & remedied without delay. Upon the punctual execution of these laws, Gentlemen, our most valuable and important interests depend, and we hope you will not think time mispent in making a very particular inquiry how far your laws have been obeyed or neglected in this respect.
The bravery of your troops, the skill of your officers, the at- tention of your magistrates, and cares of other civil officers, will be vain, if a regular, fixed and competent revenue cannot be se- cured to answer the publick exigencies. The spirit, wisdom, patience & perseverance of the good people of this State, have been too frequently manifested in this great contest, to admit a doubt the real sincere friends of their country will be wanting to them- selves, or in firmness to compel those of a different character to perform this necessary publick duty.
We lay before you sundry resolutions of the Hon'ble Continen- tal Congress for your consideration, and also, sundry letters from the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal army, conveying more
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perfect information of the requisitions on this State, and of the publick necessities, than any detail in our power could communi- cate.
We have also the satisfaction to lay before your Hon'ble House the determination of the Legislature of Virginia on the disputed boundary between the two States.
The prospect of an amicable termination of this unhappy con- troversy cannot but be acceptable to every good man and faithfull citizen, and we have no doubt this overture will be improved into a full and final accommodation, consistent with the rights of indi- viduals and the honour of the State.
We shall be ready to give every assistance in the line of our duty to make the present sessions useful to the State, and Hon'ble and convenient to the House.
JOSEPH REED, President.
Whereupon, the Hon'ble Mr. Scott & General Lacey, were ap- pointed a committee of this Board, to present the same to the Hon'ble House of General Assembly.
A letter from his Excellency General Washington, dated the 27th ult., having been read, representing, "That the great part of " the army had been without meat for five days, and that he had " no information of more than one hundred and twenty head ex- " pected from Pennsylvania, and 150 from Massachusetts Bay; and "also, that the supplies of flour in camp were so reduced as to " have but one day's provisions on hand, and that unless the most " vigorous exertions were made by the several States to comply " with the requisitions made upon them, the army must disband, " or subsist on the plunder of the country."
The same was taken into the most serious consideration, and in- formation having been given that there was a quantity of salt pro- visions and flour on board a prize in the harbour, not yet appropri- ated to any use, publick, or private,
Resolved, That an order issue to the Commissioner of Purchases for the State, to apply to the Marshall for the same, and forward it with all possible dispatch; and such an order was accordingly is- sued.
477
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Friday, Sept'r 8th, 1780.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey,
Mr. Scott,
Mr. Read,
Mr. Arndt,
Mr. Hambright, and Mr. Thompson.
An application from Mr. Peter Whiteside and Co'y, of this city, to sell by auction forty kegs of figs damaged.
Resolved, That Messrs. William Crispin, Thomas Pryor and Charles Risk, be appointed to view the said goods, and report on oath or affirmation whether the same are really and bona fide dam- aged, agreeable to act of Assembly ; the petitioner to bear the ex- pence thereof.
Mr. McClenachan, a principal owner of the privateers concerned in taking the prize, on board of which is a considerable quantity of flour and salt provisions, which by an order of yesterday was directed to be taken for the immediate supply of the army, having attended this Board and made a representation ; thereupon,
Resolved, 'That this Board will not interfere in any purchases or contracts made for the supply of the army, by any society or indi- viduals.
Secondly. That upon a certificate being given by the owners or parties most interested, that the provisions mentioned in the order of yesterday had been already contracted for by the association of the bank, and that the same is to be forwarded immediately to the use of the army, the execution of the order of yesterday be stayed.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Mr. Benjamin Taylor, for the sum of £3,500, Continental money, to be paid in State money, at the rate of sixty for one, for five head of cattle delivered to Col'l John Hannum, Commissioner for purchasing cattle in Chester county, for the use of the army, agreeable to act of General Assembly passed the first day of June last.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Hon'ble Jacob Arndt, Esq'r, for the sum of £4,000, Continental money, to be paid in State money, at the rate of sixty for one, in part of his pay as a member of this Board, for which he is to account.
Mr. George Meyers attended in Council with his commission appointing him First Lieutenant of the Hancock Galley, and pray- ing leave of this Board to resign the same; whereupon,
Resolved, That the said resignation be accepted.
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In Council :
PHILAD'A, Saturday, Sep'r 9th, 1780.
'PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'be the Vice President.
Mr. Read, Mr. Scott, Mr. Hambright,
Mr. Arndt, and Mr. Thompson.
A committee of the Hon'ble House of Assembly met in confer- ence on the state of publick supplies, when the situation of the State was fully discussed & considered.
A petition from sundry merchants of the city of Philadelphia, against the Marshall of the Admiralty, was read, and a copy ordered to be sent him for his answer.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of the Hon'ble James Reed, 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.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of his Excellency Joseph Reed, Esq'r, President, for the sum of £3,000, in part of his salary, for which he is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Mr. John Parker, for the sum of £222 16, for bricklayer's work done at the President's house.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Colonel Wil- liam Evans, Commiss'r of Purchases in Chester county, for the sum of £2,000, of the money emitted by an act of General Assembly passed the 25th day of March last, the same to be charged to Colo- nel Jacob Morgan, Superintendent, &ca., and to be deducted out of an order granted him the 14th August last.
An application from Elizabeth Harrison, for a pass to New York, was read; and thereupon,
Ordered, That a pass be granted, on condition that she do not return.
Messrs. William Crispin, Thomas Pryor, & Charles Risk, having, agreeable to the order of yesterday, reported the figs mentioned in the application from Peter Whiteside and Co'y, to be damaged,
Resolved, That the city Auctioneer have leave to dispose thereof, agreeable to the act of Assembly, & taking care to advertize the same as damaged goods, sold agreeable to law ; & that a copy of this re- solve be sent to the Auctioneer.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
In Council. '
PHILAD'A, Monday, Sept'r 11th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Lacey, Mr. Reed,
Mr. Thompson, and
Mr. Hambright.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Hon'ble John Lacey, Jun'r, Esq'r, for the sum of 3,771 dollars, Continental money, for his expences in riding to the Lieutenants of the coun- ties of Bucks and Berks, on the late call of militia, and cash paid to sundry persons for riding express.
An application from John & Sarah Holt, for a pass to New York, was read ; and thereupon,
Ordered, That a pass be granted them, not to return again.
A petition from John Maguire, praying a pass to New York, was read, and rejected.
Application being made to this Board, on behalf of a certain Mary Meyre, for a pass to New York, her husband being a prisoner there, and she being recommended by William Scott, Esq'r, Lieutenant of York county ; thereupon,
Ordered, That a pass be granted her, with permission to re- turn.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Tuesday, Sept'r 12th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Thompson,
Mr. Scott, and Mr. Hambright.
A letter from Encas Urquhart, was read ; whereupon,
Resolved, That the said Eneas Urquhart and Alexander Kidd, be brought before this Board to-morrow morning at ten o'clock.
A message from the Hon'ble House of Assembly requesting a conference with the Board this day, on the subject of finances ; whereupon, this Board proceeded to the Assembly Chamber, and the whole morning was spent in the said conference.
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His Excellency General Washington having recommended the following gentlemen as Ensigns in the seventh regiment, vizt :- James Rose, James Gamble, Joseph Lewis, Lawrence Manny, Ebe- nezer Denny.
Resolved, That the same be transmitted to the Board of War, that commissions may issue.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Septem'r 13th, 1780, Wednesday. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Arndt, &
Mr. Thompson.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Major William Armstrong, for the sum of £50, of the money emitted by an act of General Assembly, passed the 20th day of March last, for pay- ing the workmen employed at the fortifications on Mud Island, and purchasing the necessary provisions, for which he is to account.
Eneas Urquhart and Alexander Kidd having been brought before this Board on the act of Assembly entitled, "An Act to empower the Supreme Executive Council and Justices of the Supreme Court to apprehend suspected persons, and to increase the fines to which persons are liable for neglecting to perform their tour of militia duty," and an examination having been had, pursuant to the said act,
Resolved, That the said Eneas Urquhart and Alexander Kidd stand committed, pursuant to the powers vested in this Board by the said act of Assembly, and the Goaler of this city is required to receive and keep them accordingly.
The Council met in conference this morning a committee of the Assembly, on the memorial of the prisoners on Long Island, sta- ting their difficulties & distresses ; and after some time spent thereon,
Resolved, That a conference be desired with the delegates of the State in Congress thereupon, to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock.
A message was received from the Assembly, accompanied with two letters from Colonel Atlee, informing of Bartram Galbraith, the late Lieutenant, refusing to deliver up the papers of his former office, so that the fines thereupon may be collected.
481
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Thursday; Sept'r 14th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Thompson, and
Mr. Hambright,
Mr. Scott,
Mr. Lacey,
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Major Gene- ral John Armstrong, for the sum of £3,212 8, ballance of his ac- count for his attendance in Congress, as a delegate of this State, to the 24th instant.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Captain Jo- seph Stiles, Commissary of Military Stores, for the sum of £10,000, Continental money, for paying the workmen employed in repairing the arms of this State, for which he is to account.
A deed was examined and signed by his Excellency the Presi- dent, to Mr. John Maxwell, conveying a certain tract of land situ- ated in Penn township, bounded as follows, vizt: beginning at a stone, a corner of other land late of William Thomas; thence extending north ten degrees west one hundred and thirty-eight perches, to a post, a corner in the same land; thence by the same north sixty degrees east one hundred and ninety-nine perches to a post, a cor- ner of John Jones's land ; thence by the said Jones's land south ten degrees east 138 perches to a stone, a corner of land supposed to be vacant, being the foot of the Blue mountain ; thence by the samne south-west 115 perches, to a Spanish oak ; thence still by the same land south eighty degrees west 87 perches to the place of beginning; containing 174 acres, be the same more or less : Seized and sold agreeable to law, as the estate late of William Thomas, (an attainted traitor,) to the said John Maxwell, jun'r, for the sum of £5,980 1 3, which sum he hath paid into the hands of the agents of forfeited estates in the said county. Deed dated the fourteenth instant.
Agreeable to the order of yesterday, the Honourable the Dele- gates in Congress met in conference the Council and the com- mittee of the Hon'ble the House of Assembly, on the memorial of the prisoners on Long Island ; and the said memorial being again considered, it was agreed that the same be referred for further con- sideration : in the meantime, the delegates to inform themselves what provision hath been made by Congress for their officers who have been captured by the enemy.
A letter from the Hon'ble Board of Admiralty of the 13th in- stant was read, requesting permission to sell by public vendue a
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MINUTES OF THE
quantity of rum, the property of the United States, lately arrived in a prize Snow, taken by the Continental ship Saratoga ; thereupon,
Resolved, That the same be granted.
A letter from Matthew Clarkson, Esq'r, Marshall of the Court of Admiralty, in answer to a memorial lately presented to this Board from sundry merchants against him, was read, and the same was referred for further consideration.
The petition of Ann Burtles, convicted of felony in stealing the . goods of Samuel Garrigues, at a city Court held in July last, and sentenced by the said court to be whipped twenty-one lashes on her bare back, pay the costs of prosecution, and a fine to the use of the State of ££600, was read, representing that she is unable to pay the said fine, and praying remission of the same.
On consideration,
Ordered, That the said fine be remitted.
Application 'being made to this Board by the Hon'ble, Conti- nental Navy Board for the return of a quantity of pig iron, in part of 20 tons of iron ballast lent to this State at the request of the Council, for the ship General Green, the same being immediately wanted for the Continental ship Saratoga,
Resolved, That Captain Nathan Boys be directed to deliver to the Hon'ble Continental Navy Board, or their order, eight tons of pig iron belonging to the Gallies in the service of the State.
Ordered, That Captain Joseph Stiles, Commissary of military stores, be directed to deliver to Mr. John Donaldson, or his order, the gun powder belonging to him, now in the publick magazine.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Friday, Sept'r 15th, 1780. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
Hon'be the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Hambright, and
Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Thompson.
Mr. Scott,
A return of justices for the district of Tyrone, in the county of Westmoreland, being laid before the Board, by which it appears that Providence Mounts and Edmund Rice were duly elected jus- tices for the said district.
On consideration,
Resolved, That Providence Mounts, Esq'r, be appointed a Jus- tice of the Peace for the county of Westmoreland, and that he be commissioned accordingly.
483
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
A petition from Henry Matthews & others, officers of a company of artificers in the regiment commanded by Colonel Baldwin, was read, and the same was rejected.
His Excellency Gen'l Washington having recommended the fol- lowing gentlemen as Ensigns in the tenth Pennsylvania regiment, vizt: Robert Nesbitt, John Vancourt and James Brooke,
Resolved, That they be appointed Ensigns in the said regiment, & that the Hon'ble Board of War be requested to issue the com- missions accordingly.
General Wayne having recommended Ensign Michael Everly, of the tenth Pennsylvania regiment, to be appointed a Lieutenant in the said regiment, vice Lieuten't Nicholas White having re- signed on the first of April last ; thereupon,
Resolved, That the said Michael Everly be appointed a Lieu- tenant in the said regiment, and that the Hon'ble the Board of War be requested to issue a commission accordingly.
The petition of Jaquelin D Rey, praying that this Board would restore to him that part of his vessel and cargo lately forfeited to the use of the State, he having attempted to carry out flour con- trary to the embargo, was read and rejected.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Saturday, Sept'r 16th, 1780.
PRESENT :
The Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Thompson, and
Mr. Hambright.
Mr. Scott,
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of the Hon'ble James McLene, Esq'r, for the sum of £2,500, in Continental money, in part of his pay as a member of Congress for this State, for which he is to account.
Henry Dogherty, Esq'r, Health Officer, attended in Council, agree- able to notice given him, and being examined touching the arrival of a vessel with prisoners from Carolina, some of whom it is said have the Yellow Fever, represents that Captains of vessels upon their arrival in the port, do not call upon him for examination, as has been done heretofore; whereupon,
Resolved, That the Naval Officer be directed not to enter any vessel arriving in this port, untill the Captain of such vessel shall produce to him a certificate from the Health Officer of his having examined her.
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MINUTES OF THE
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Monday, Septem'r 18th, 1780. PRESENT :
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey,
Mr. Arndt, and
Mr. Scott,
Mr. Thompson.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Christian Wirtz, Esq'r, Commissioner of Purchases in Lancaster county, for the sum of £2,000 of the money emitted by an act of General Assembly, passed the 25th day of March last, for purchasing sup- plies for the use of the army, for which he is to account. The same to be charged to Colonel Jacob Morgan, Jun'r, Superinten- dant, &c , and to be deducted out of an order granted him on the 14th day of August last.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Mr. William McCalla, for £1,000 of the money aforesaid, for purchasing sup- plies for the use of the army, for which he is to account. The same to be charged to Colonel Jacob Morgan, Jun'r, as above.
A letter from his Excellency the President of Congress, dated the 16th instant, inclosing a resolution of Congress of the 15th, requesting from this State a supply of 1,251 beef cattle for the army, was received & read.
Resolved, That the same be sent to the Honourable House of Assembly.
A petition from Abraham Surgert, representing that being bound in recognizance for his appearance at a Court of Oyer and Termi- ner and General Goal Delivery, held at York town, for the county of York, the 18th of October last, he was prevented from attend- ing at that time by sickness, whereby the said recognizance became forfeited, was read, praying that this Board would remit the said forfeiture. A recommendation from divers of the Justices of the said county being also read ; on consideration,
Resolved, That the same be remitted.
The petitions of Andreas Miller & Kilion Devinger, convicted of misprision of treason at a Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, held at the town of York, for the county of York, in July last, and sentenced by the said court to be imprisoned during the present war, and forfeit one half of their goods and chattels, lands and tenements, to the use of the State, were read, praying pardons for their said offences ; and they being recommended to this Board by the Justices of the s'd county ; thereupon,
Resolved, That pardons do issue to them, the said Andreas Mil- ler and Kilion Devinger, under the scal of the State.
485
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Tuesday, Sept'r 19th, 1780. PRESENT :
Hon'ble the Vice President. Mr. Arndt, Mr. Scott, and
Mr. Thompson.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Wednesday, Sept'r 20th, 1780.
PRESENT :
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Arndt, Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Scott.
Mr. Hambright,
A letter of the 17th instant, from Colonel Samuel Rea, Lieuten- ant of the county of Northampton, was read, requesting one class of the militia of the said county to be called for the protection of the frontiers ; thereupon,
Resolved, That Colonel Rea be directed to order out one class of the militia of the said county, for the purpose aforesaid.
Ordered, That Captain Joseph Stiles, Commissary of Military Stores, be directed to deliver to the Hon'ble Jacob Arndt, Esq'r, three hundred weight of gunpowder, to be by him forwarded to Colonel Samuel Rea, Lieutenant of the county of Northampton, for defence of the frontiers.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of the Hon'ble Thomas Scott, Esq'r, for the sum of £719 18 4, the ballance of his account for his attendance in Council. The account is as fol- lows, vizt :
The State of Pennsylvania in acco't with Thos. Scott : To my services in Council, from October the 1st, 1778,
'till March the 2d, 1779, inclusive, at £3, £ 378
From 1st May to 17th June, 1780, inclusive, 68 days, at £16, till 30th May, then at £50, 1,414
From 30th of August to 20th September, -
·both inclusive, 22 days, at £50, 1,100
To three mileages home and abroad, three ? hundred and forty miles,
1,061 13 4
£3,953 13 4
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By cash received of Mr. Rittenhouse, £ 300
By do.,
300
By cloathing rec'd of Colonel Farmer, 233 15
By cash receiv'd of Mr. Rittenhouse, 400
By cash receiv'd of Mr. Rittenhouse, 2,000
3,233 15
Ballance, . -
£ 719 18 4
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Hon'ble James Thompson, Esq'r, for the sum of £750, 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 John Hazle- wood, Esq'r, Commissioner of Purchases for the city of Philadel- phia, for the sum of £100,000, Continental money, for purchasing the supplies for the use of the army.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Thursday, Septem'r 21st, 1780. PRESENT :
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey,
Mr. Arndt, and
Mr. Read, Mr. Thompson.
A committee of the Hon'ble House of Assembly, to wit : Mr. Hoge, Mr. Harris, Mr. Jacks, Mr. Shubart, Mr. Heister, and Mr. Steel, met this Board in conference upon the resolution of the As- sembly of Virginia, respecting the boundary line between that State and Pennsylvania.
A letter from Josiah Crawford, of the 1st instant, inclosing a commission appointing him a Justice of the Peace for the county of Cumberland, and praying leave to resign the same, was read ; & the s'd resignation was accepted.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of David Desh- ler, Esq'r, Commiss'r of Purchases for Northampton county, for the sum of £1,500 of the money emitted by an act of the Gen- eral Assembly, passed the 25th day of March last, for purchasing supplies for the use of the army, for which he is to account : The same to be charged to Colonel Jacob Morgan, jun'r, Superintend't &ca., and deducted out of an order granted him the fourteenth of August last.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of James Loug- head, Paymaster of the militia of the city and liberties of Phila- delphia, for the sum of £68,025, for paying the militia lately called into service from the city and liberties of Philadelphia, for which
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
the said Paymaster is to account : The same to be charged to Co- lonel William Henry, Lieutenant, and to be repaid by him out of the monies arising from militia fines.
Resolved, That a commission issue to Mr. James Rowan, ap- pointed by the Hon'ble House of General Assembly, on the 19th instant, to be Inspector of salt provisions in the city of Philadel- phia.
The petition of John Connelly, convicted of larceny at a city court, held at Philadelphia in April last, and sentenced by the said court to be whipped, pay the costs of prosecution, and pay two several fines to the use of the State, to wit : £450, and £300, was read, praying remission of the said fines : Thereupon,
Resolved, That the said fines be remitted, on condition that the said John Connelly shall enter on board one of the Continental vessels now in this port, free of bounty, and serve during the pre- sent war.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Friday, Septem'r 22d, 1780. PRESENT :
Hon'ble the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Read.
John Shee and Jacob Morris, Esq'rs, appointed auditors of the publick accounts by the Hon'ble House of Assembly, in the room of Samuel Miles & John Purviance, Esq'rs, resigned, appeared in Council and took the oaths necessary to qualify them for the exe- cution of their s'd offices.
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