USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII > Part 64
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In favour of Mr. Peter Medick, for the sum of one thousand pounds, of the money emitted by act of Assembly passed the seventh of April last, to be forwarded to Honourable John Van Campen, for the purpose of defending the frontiers of
for which sum the said John Van Campen is to account.
In favour of Frederick Sneyder, for the sum of twenty-two pounds fifteen shillings and one penny, ballance of his wages, and cash paid for sundry articles purchased for the use of the Council to the thirtieth of April last.
In favour of William Levis, for the sum of one hundred and thirty-one pounds twelve shillings and six pence, State money, for thirty-nine ream of paper, delivered to Mr. John Dunlap, for print- ing the laws and minutes of the Assembly.
In favour of the Honourable Christopher Hayes, Esquire, for the sum of one thousand pounds, of the money emitted by act of Assembly passed the seventh of April last, to be by him forwarded to Alexander Fowler, and William Amberson, Esquires, Auditors for setling the depreciation of the eighth regiment at Fort Pitt, paying the bounty to recruits lately inlisted, and gratuity allowed
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by the Assembly to the retained soldiers, for which sum the Audi- tors are to account.
On consideration,
Resolved, That Alexander Fowler and William Amberson, Es- quires, be appointed Auditors for setling the depreciation of the pay of the officers and soldiers of the eighth regiment, now at Fort Pitt, and such of the regiment of Artillery at that place, who have not been setled with; and also, for paying the gratuity allowed by the Assembly to the said troops, and bounty to the recruits lately inlisted, if any; and also, for payment of one-third of the said de- preciation.
A petition from John Filby, convicted of horse stealing in the county of York, and sentenced to be publickly whipt, to have both his ears cut off, and to pay a fine to the use of the State of the sum of two hundred pounds, &ca., was read, praying remission of the said fine. On consideration,
Resolved, That the fine adjudged to be paid to the use of the State be remitted.
WHEREAS, By an act of General Assembly, passed the twenty- third day of December last, the Supreme Executive Council are im- powered and required, from and after the first day of this present month, to publish in the several English and German news papers printed in the city of Philadelphia, in the first week in every month, the rate of exchange between specie and Continental money; which exchange, so published in each month, the said act declares shall be the exchange between Continental money and the State money, there- by made legal tender.
Resolved, That the rate of exchange be estimated at one hundred and seventy-five Continental dollars for one dollar in specie.
WHEREAS, The rate of exchange at the commencement of the levy of the last eight monthly and other taxes now due, did not exceed seventy-five for one, and it is not just or reasonable, that any person shou'd receive an advantage from having delayed pay- ment:
WHEREAS, ALSO, The rise of exchange will afford an opportunity to collectors to pay in the taxes, at a less rate than they have been received ; wherefore,
Resolved, That the said Collectors do forbear levying the tax- es outstanding on the duplicates, but from such persons as are willing to pay them at the rate in which they were originally laid, vizt :- Seventy-five for one, untill the General Assembly of the State can take this important subject into consideration, and provide a suitable remedy.
The Council taking into consideration the pressing difficulties arising in our publick affairs, which this Board has not sufficient authority to remedy or prevent ;
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Resolved, That the Assembly be called to meet at this place the twenty-fourth instant, and take into consideration the difficulties under which we now labour.
It being represented to the Board, that the County of Northamp- ton is in very great distress by the incursions of the savages, and that from the terms of enlistment prescribed Captain Shrauder, there is no probability he will complete his company unless some alteration is made ;
Resolved, That Captain Shrauder be permitted to enlist men for the term of three years, unless sooner discharged by the authority of the State, and that such troops be considered as raised for the protection of the frontiers.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Friday, May 4th, 1781.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Lacey,
Mr. Read, and Mr. Whitehill.
The following orders were drawn on the treasurer in favour of the following persons, vizt :
In favour of Lieutenant Richard Fullerton, for the sum of fif- teen hundred pounds, of the money emitted by act of Assembly passed the seventh of April last, to be by him delivered to James Stevenson, Esquire, one of the Auditors appointed to settle the de- preciation with the Pensylvania line, for which he is to account.
In favour of Mr. John Shee, one of the Auditors of the publick Accounts, for the sum of seventy-nine pounds ten shillings, amount of his account for his pay as Auditor, from the first of March to the thirtieth of April, 1781.
In favour of Mr. Jacob Morris, for the sum of seventy-six pounds ten shillings, State money, amount of his account for his pay as one of the Auditors of public Accounts, from the first of March to the thirtieth of April, 1781.
Resolved, That Colonel Lewis Farmer be allowed three State dollars per diem, for bis services in purchasing stores, &ca , for the use of the troops of the Pensylvania line.
Ordered, That the Auditors appointed to settle the depreciation accounts with the Pensylvania line, be directed to settle the same agreeable to the resolves of Congress of the sixteenth of April last, any former order of this Board notwithstanding.
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On consideration,
Resolved, That John Thom and Robert Clark, Esquires, be ap- pointed Auditors for paying to the officers and soldiers of the Pen- sylvania line, in actual service, stationed at Lebanon in the county of Lancaster one-third of their depreciation certificates, agreeable to a late act of Assembly.
And thereupon,
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of James Trim- ble, for the sum of ten thousand pounds, of the money emitted by an act of Assembly passed the seventh of April last, to be forward- ed by Colonel Richard Hampton to the said John Thom and Ro- bert Clark, Esquires, for the purpose of paying one-third of depre- ciation certificates aforesaid, and also for paying the bounty to recruits lately inlisted, and the gratuity allowed by the Assembly to the retained soldiers.
The following orders were drawn on the Treasurer, vizt :
In favour of Captain William Ferguson, or his order, the sum of one hundred pounds, State money, to be charged to his account and deducted out of the one-third of his depreciation certificates.
In favour of Lieutenant Ebenezer Carson, for the sum of one hundred pounds, State money, to be charged to his account, and deducted as aforesaid.
In favour of Captain Lieutenant James Smith, for the sum of one hundred pounds, State money, to be charged to his account, and deducted as aforesaid.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Saturday, May 5th, 1781. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Lacey,
Mr. Read, and Mr. Whitehill.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Lieutenant John Wigton, for the sum of three thousand pounds, State money, emitted by act of Assembly passed the seventh instant, to be by him forwarded to James Stevenson, Esquire, for paying to officers and soldiers in actual service, one-third of their depreciation certi- ficates.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Captain Na- than Boys, for the sum of five hundred pounds, State money, for paying wages to the Guard at Mud Island and Billingsport, and purchasing the necessary provisions.
A recommendation from the Honourable the Judges of the Su- preme Court, in favour of John Donnelly, convicted of being acces-
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
sary to a burglary, was read; and also a recommendation from divers of the Jury ; and a petition from the said John Donnelly, praying a pardon for the said offence ; whereupon,
Resolved, That a pardon be granted to the said Jobn Donnelly.
A letter from his Excellency the President of Congress, of the first instant, was read, inclosing a resolution of the Honourable Congress of the twenty-seventh of April last, recommending to the several States to make up the depreciation of the pay of the officers and privates of Colonel Baldwin's Regiment of Artificers, according to the real value of their wages at the time of their establishment.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Monday, May 7th, 1781. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esq'r, President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Read, and Mr. Whitehill.
Resolved, That General Wayne be requested to furnish this Board with a list of the names of the officers going with the de- tachment to the southward under his command.
On application of Francis Johnston, Esq'r, Receiver General,
Resolved, That the Secretary of this Board deliver up to Mr. Johnston all the books and papers receiv'd by him from Edmund Physick, Esquire, late Receiver General, and now in the possession of this Board, taking his receipt specially therefor.
The Board taking into consideration the great importance of keeping a garrison for the defence of the forts on the river,
Resolved, That a company be immediately raised for the above purpose, under the command of Captain Nathan Boys to consist of, One Captain.
Two Lieutenants.
Three Sergeants.
Three Corporals.
Two drums & fifes.
And twenty-five privates.
Resolved, That the said company be raised on the following terms, vizt :
That they be inlisted for one month, unless sooner discharged by this Board, and receive pay as follows, vizt :
Sergeants, per month.
Corporals 6 10 do.
Drums and fifes, do. do.
Privates, 6 do.
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Rations-vizt : Ten pounds of beef, seven pounds of flour per week, and a gill of rum or whiskey per day.
Resolved, That the privates be liable to fatigue duty in the gari- son, as ordered by the officers, but in that case to receive three shillings per day besides their monthly wages, and half a pint of rum or whiskey, including the above; and that half of the pay of the first month be advanced.
Resolved, That the pay be adjusted on the first day of every month, so as to guard against any inconveniences resulting from the fluctuation of the money.
Resolved, That the Lieutenants of the gallies, now in the pay of the State, vizt : Nicholas Fitzimmons and be ap-
pointed Lieutenants of the said company.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Tuesday, May 8th, 1781.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Whitehill.
Mr. Gardner, and
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Mr. Thomas Nevill, for the sum of three hundred pounds, State money, for the purpose of taking down the part of the State House steeple con- structed of wood, agreeable to the resolution of the House of As- sembly, for which sum he is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Lieutenant William Martin, for the sum of one hundred pounds, State money, to be charged to his account, and deducted out of the third part of his depreciation certificate.
Resolved, That Colonel Joseph Hart, Lieutenant of the county of Bucks, be directed to order an election for officers of militia in the room of certain officers lately tried by court martial, and dis- missed from service.
The petition of Isaac Austin having been read and considered,
Resolved, That this Board cannot comply with the recommenda- tion of the House of Assembly in his case, for the following reasons :
First. That the interference of the House of Assembly appears to us inconsistent with the constitution of the State, which have vested no other powers in the Assembly but such as are Legisla- tive ; that such recommendations in matters merely executive, must have an undue influence, and being yeilded to, endanger the free judgment of the Council, or if denied, create disgust and destroy the harmony of government.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Secondly. That as the debt alluded to in his petition has been settled by a judgment of the Supreme Court, and the estate become private property under positive and established laws of the State, which no resolve of the Assembly or any proceedings of this Board can alter or invalidate, we cannot by any act of ours deprive any person of his property without law, or countenance an idea that the Assembly have power to reverse or annull a regular judgment of the Supreme Court in matter of property.
A letter from John Carothers, of the county of Cumberland, of the fifth instant, was read, inclosing his commission of Captain of the seventh company in the third battalion of militia of the said county, and praying leave to resign the same; thereupon,
Resolved, That the said resignation be accepted.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Wednesday, May 9th, 1781.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Read, and Mr. Whitehill.
The Council, upon re-considering the order of the fourth instant, fixing the pay of Colonel Lewis Farmer, State Clothier,
Resolved, That Colonel Lewis Farmer be allowed three dollars, State money, per diem, for his services in preparing cloathing for the use of the troops of the Pensylvania line.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of John Keep, for the sum of twenty-two pounds, State money, to be by him paid to Samuel Postlewaite of Cumberland county, being money ad- vanced by him on behalf of the Quarter Master of said county, to Ralph Nailor, for his services in riding express with letters to the Commissioners of Bedford and Westmoreland, agreeable to the act of Assembly for compleating the quota of the Federal army as- signed to this State.
Upon the representations of the inhabitants of New Brunswick and Pine Grove township, in the county of Berks,
Resolved, That Colonel Valentine Eckhart, Lieutenant of the county of Berks, be directed to order out one class of Colonel Lindemuth's battalion of militia, for the purpose of defending the frontiers of the said county ; and if the said class shall not amount to sixty, that the said Lieutenant proceed to call out one class from the next battalion in order, so as to make up the said number.
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Resolved, That Nicholas Lutz, Esquire, Commissioner of Pur- chases in the said county, be directed to make suitable provision for the said militia, taking care to make his purchases in the neighbor- hood of the said battalion.
Resolved, That Colonel Eckhart be directed to station the said militia in such a manner as to give the most effectual protection to the inhabitants of New Brunswick and Pine Grove townships, in the said county.
In Council.
PHILAD'A, Thursday, May 10th, 1781. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esq'r, President.
Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Read, and Mr. Whitehill.
A petition of John Lukens, convicted of horse stealing at a Court of General Quarter Sessions in the county of Philadelphia, and sentenced to have both his ears cut off, to stand in the Pillory to be publickly whipt, and to pay to the use of the State a fine of forty pounds, was read, praying remission of the said fine ; there- upon,
Ordered, That the said fine be remitted, on condition that he enter on Board the Continental Frigate Trumbull, and serve during the present war. .
Mary Stump, lately come out of New York, being brought before this Board and examined, it appears that she is a person of suspici- ous character ; thereupon,
Resolved, That the said Mary Stump give security for her good behaviour before one of the Justices of the Peace of the city of Philadelphia, her husband, George Stumps, and herself, in the sum of one hundred pounds, and two sufficient sureties in the sum of fifty pounds each.
WHEREAS, By an order of this Board, dated the fourteenth day of March last, the Lieutenant of Lancaster county was directed to call into service two classes of the militia of said county for the purpose of guarding the prisoners at Lancaster : AND WHEREAS, By the miscarriage of said orders, it happened that the Sub-Lieu- tenants ordered a class from the eighth battalion instead of those directed by this Board :
Resolved, That this Council do confirm such call, and direct that the said class be subject to the usual duties, and the usual penalties be levied on delinquents, and the class of said battalion continue on duty untill regularly relieved.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
A letter from James Smith, Esquire, member of the General Assembly, praying leave to resign his appointment as one of the Judges of the High Court of Errors and Appeals of this State, was read ; and the same being considered,
Resolved, That the said resignation be accepted.
A letter from his Excellency the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, was read, representing that by the laws of France all sailors are registered in the Admiralty of that Kingdom, and bound to render their service to their King when required. That there are sundry French sailors now in this city and on board the vessels in this port, who are indispensably necessary to man the Fleet at Rhode Island, now immediately employed in the protection and for the benefit of this country; sickness, battle, and other accidents, having much diminished the crews of the French Squadron since their arrival on the American station, and requesting the aid of this Board for that purpose : Wherefore,
Resolved, That the Chevalier de la Touche, or such other person as shall be duly authorized for the purpose by the said Minister or the Consul of France, residing in this city, be impowered to collect such French sailors as may be found within this State ; and all Magistrates, Sheriffs, Constables, and other civil officers, and all other the subjects of this State, are required to aid and assist them in the said services.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, May 11th, 1781.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President, Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esq'r, Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Reed, and Mr. Whitehill.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Colonel Ja- cob Morgan, Junior, Superintendant of the Commissioners of Pur- chases in the several counties, for the sum of twenty thousand pounds, of the money emitted by act of Assembly passed by the seventh of April last, for the purpose of procuring supplies for the use of the army, for which he is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of the Honoura- ble Joseph Gardner, for the sum of ten thousand pounds, of the money aforesaid, to be forwarded to Messrs. James Stevenson and John Nicholson, for paying to officers and soldiers of the Pensyl- vania line, one third of their depreciation certificates, for which sum the said Stevenson and Nicholson are to account.
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The Council taking into consideration the present critical situa- tion of publick affairs,
Resolved, That the following proclamation be issued, vizt :
By his Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, and the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pensylvania :
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, The General Assembly of this State, at their last session, "reciting that it was not to be expected during the pre- sent war with Great Britain, that sufficient quantities of gold and silver money cou'd be procured or retain'd in this State for procu- ring and providing sufficient supplys of provisions and other articles for support of the army and the purposes of private dealings," did direct an emission of five hundred thousand pounds in bills of credit, redeemable with the many and large arrearages due to the State for lands heretofore granted within this Commonwealth :
And Whereas, By another act directing the payment of one-third of the depreciation to the officers and soldiers of the Pensylvania line, one hundred and thirty thousand pounds of the said money has been emitted ; and by the act first mentioned, "every person refusing the said bills of eredit, or selling, giving or receiving the same at a less rate than gold or silver, are liable to prosecution in the Courts of Quarter Sessions of the Peace, or, if under five pounds, before a Justice, and on conviction, to forfiet the value of the goods or articles in question :
And Whereas, It is not only an assential, but the indispensible duty of all persons in a well regulated government to make the laws of the country the rules of their conduct, seeking by legal and peaceable modes an alteration of any laws which they apprehend to be grievious or impolitick :
Upon a due consideration, therefore, of the above laws, the spe- cial obligation upon us who are sworn faithfully to execute them, the great difficulties which will result to the well affected, to the industrious poor, who have receiv'd this money in exchange for the old Continental money, and to those who have sold their merchan- dize or produce to the Public Commissioners, if the said bills of credit shou'd not find a free circulation : We do most earnestly recommend to all the citizens of this State, and especially to land- lords and those engaged in trade and dealing of every kind, to re- ceive the said money agreeable to law ; and for their encourage- ment herein, we do assure such persons that no more of the said money shall be issued untill the meeting of the Assembly, when it will be in an especial manner recommended to them to secure the possessors thereof from any possible loss ; and also informing them that, by letters receiv'd from the country, it is the determination of the inhabitants to support the full execution of the law upon this subject, they appearing fully sensible of the necessity of continu-
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
ing the money undepreciated, and resolving to use their utmost efforts to this purpose. And we do in like manner recommend to all persons, and especially to the meritorious militia, both officers and privates, not to be led into tumults and outrages which involve innocent families in distress, sully the dignity of any cause, and will be turned by their enemies to the prejudice of that necessary and honourable service, but to wait with patience the meeting of their Representatives, who alone can afford competent relief under present difficulties.
We likewise enjoin upon all magistrates, sheriffs, and constables, to use their utmost influence and authority to guard against and suppress any irregularities or disorders which are inconsistent with the peace and good order of government; and all other officers, civil and military, and all well disposed citizens, are required to be aiding and assisting them therein.
Given by order of the Council, under the hands of his Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President, and the seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this eleventh day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one.
JOSEPH REED, President.
Attest-TIMOTHY MATLACK, Sec'y. GOD SAVE THE COMMONWEALTH.
In Council.
PHILADELP'A, Saturday, May 12th, 1781. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. .
Honourable WILLIAM MOORE, Esq'r, Vice President.
Mr. Lacey, Mr. Read, and
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Whitehill.
The Board taking into consideration the expence of the post at Newtown, and that there is little probability of more recruits being collected at that post,
Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Board that the farther continuance of that post is not necessary, and that the Honourable Board of War be desired to give the necessary orders to their officers.
The Board taking into consideration the late act of Assembly intitled "An Act for the better support of the publick credit, by "an immediate sale of the lands therein mentioned, and fully se- " curing the purchasers thereof in their titles, and also preserving " the common lands appurtenant to the city of Philadelphia, and
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"other towns of this State, from unwarrantable encroachment ;" and sensible of the importance and necessity of proceeding to a sale of the said lots, agreeable to the said law, in order to redeem the bills of credit dated the twenty-ninth day of April, 1780.
Resolved, That the Wardens of the city be required to perform the duty required of them by the act of Assembly first mentioned, without delay, so that the appropriation and division of the lots may be made for the purposes in the said act expressed.
Resolved, That the Surveyor General do proceed, with all conve- nient expedition, to apportion and set out the said lots, agreeable to the instructions given him by this Board.
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