USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII > Part 7
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Thirdly, That the said Lieutenants, and also those of Westmore- land and Bedford, be directed to send off the companies of Rangers stationed in their respective counties immediately ; The accounts from fort Pitt affording the utmost reason to believe they may be spared from their present station.
In Council.
Tuesday, August 3d, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Hart, Mr. Mackey, and
Mr. Urie.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Colonel Jacob Morgan, junior, for the sum of Twelve thousand pounds, for the purpose of Purchasing Flour for the use of the State, for which he is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Major William Armstrong, Paymaster, for the sum of five thousand pounds for paying the Workmen employed at Mud Island and Billingsport, for which he is to account.
A Letter from Mr. Holker, Consul of France, in answer to one wrote on the Thirty-first of July, was read; and
Ordered, To be farther considered
A Letter from the President of Congress, accompanied with sun- dry Papers and a resolve, importing that the Law of Nations had been violated in the Capture of a Portuguese Ship, named the Nostra Senora de Nomel and Sr. Antonio, by one Joseph Cunning- ham, commander of the Privateer Phoenix, owned by Carter, Brax- ton, and others, and recommending to this state, to that of Virgi- nia and Massachusetts Bay, to take the most effectual Measures for
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the apprehending and bringing to condign Punishment the said Joseph Cunningham, Carter, Braxton, and others, who may be justly deemed guilty of the seizure and capture of the said snow, commanded by John Goucia Duarte.
Resolved, That the same be considered to-morrow.
A Letter was wrote to Colonel Galbraith, of Lancaster county, inclosing the orders for calling out a class of his Militia, if it amounted to three hundred Men; if not, to proceed to another, and so on.
Advices having been also received from Northampton county of the Incursions by the Indians at Minisink, Letters were wrote to Colonel Wietzle, Lieutenant of the county, recommending the ut- most exertions for their defence ; to Colonel Jacob Stroud, disap- proving bis opposition to the Lieutenants in the discharge of their duty ; to the Colonels and Field officers of the several Battalions, recommending and enjoining obedience, alacrity and dispatch in their several duties at this critical juncture; all which were for- warded by Colonel Chambers.
A Letter was read from his Excellency Governor Clinton, in- closing copies of the Laws which have passed in that State since the revolution, and praying a like return from this State.
Which request being very acceptable to this Board, was complied with, and the President desired to write Governor Clinton accord- ingly.
Captain Ziegler laid before the Board an account of the Expen- ditures to the Fifteenth of August, instant, which was ordered to be filed.
A second Petition from the Invalid Corps was read, praying to be admitted to the benefit of the Soldier in the line.
Ordered, That the Secretary do acquaint them they are not in- cluded in the resolutions of the Assembly, and therefore, not within the power of the Board to grant their request.
0
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, August 4th, 1779. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Hart, Mr. Mackey,
Mr. Read, and Mr. Urie.
The Board taking into consideration the state of the Forfeited Estates in York County, and it appearing that Mr. Stephenson, one of the Agents, is dead, Mr. Nailer sick and incapable of Business, so that Mr. Chesney only remains.
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Resolved, That William Mitchel, Esquire, be appointed Agent of Forfeited Estates in the county of York.
Complaint having been made against Jacob Stroud, Colonel of the Sixth Battalion of Northampton County Militia, that He in- cites the People to oppose the authority of the Lieutenants of the County, and in other respects obstructs the Execution of the Law : Whereupon, it was resolved, that Colonel Stroud do attend this Board on the Tenth of September next, to Answer the said com- plaint; and that a Copy of this resolution be served upon Him, at least Ten days before, and that Colonel Wetzle do give Notice to the Sub-Lieutenants of this resolve, that they may be ready to support the said complaint.
A Complaint having been made against Jonathan Lodge, Esquire, High Sheriff of Northumberland, that by his neglect of duty and misconduct, Three Notorious Traytors and villains who were Ap- prehended on a charge of the most atrocious kind, were suffered to Escape from the Goal of Northumberland,
Resolved, That the said Jonathan Lodge, Esquire, do attend this Board on the fifteenth of September next, to Answer to the said complaint, and that He have Ten days notice of this resolve.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Mr. William Crispin, for the sum of Ten thousand pounds, for purchasing Rum, Sugar, Tea, &c., for the supply of the Fleet and Men employed at Mud Island and Billingsport, for which he is to account.
Application being made by Captain Campbell, of the Invalid Corps, setting forth that He is a Native of this State, served first in Colonel Miles's Regiment, then in Colonel Hazen's, and praying to be allowed the privileges of the officers of the line.
Ordered, That the Secretary do inform Captain Campbell, that the resolution of the Assembly is limited to officers in the line of Pennsylvania, and that the resolve of Congress does not in the least affect the said resolve of Assembly.
Colonel Hart and Mr. Mackey having reported that the Allega- tions set forth in the Petition of Margaret Crohon, on the Twenty- fourth ult., which was committed to them, are true.
Resolved, That this Board do agree therewith, and that a Pro- clamation do Issue, superceding the former Proclamation, so far as respects the said Dennis Crohon.
Sundry Citizens of Philadelphia, vizt : Daniel Roberdeau, Wil- liam Bradford, William Henry, Thomas Paine, James Hutchinson and Owen Biddle, having laid before the Board a plan for the Res- toration of Publick Credit, and praying that this Board will coun- tenance and support it, if they shall judge it conducive to the Interests of the Community,
Ordered, To lay for consideration ..
Colonel Hubley having recommended Mr. Samuel Reed to be an Ensign in the Eleventh Regiment,
Resolved, That He be appointed accordingly.
. VOL. XII .- 5.
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A Letter from his Excellency the President of Congress, was read, inclosing sundry resolves of that Body respecting Mr. Hol- ker's affairs, and that particularly the Publications therein are In- jurious to the servants of his Most Christian Majesty's, and that Congress do disapprove of the same. Also, that if any Prosecu- tions shall be deemed expedient, the United States will defray the Expences thereof.
Also, a Letter from Monssieur Gerard, alluding to the said re- solve, and signifying that it being His wish to cement the Union and Friendship between the two Countries, and to seek redress, not vengeance, the magnanimity wou'd not permit him to insist upon the Prosecution, all which are ordered to be filed.
It appearing that a mistake had been made by the Honourable Vice President, who signed a Warrant to Colonel Nichola, on the 'Thirty-first ultimo, the order being for Fifteen thousand Dollars, instead of Fifteen hundred. A Letter was wrote to Colonel Nich- ola, informing him of the mistake, that it might be rectified.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, August 6th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Hart, Mr. Mackey,
Mr. Hambright, and Mr. Urie.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Mr. Ebenezer Cowell, for the sum of Two Hundred and fifty pounds, for making Bayonets and Ramrods for the State of Pennsylvania.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Colonel John Bull, for the sum of Twelve hundred Dollars, in part of his Pay for superintending the Works at Mud Island and Billingsport, for which He is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Colonel Lewis Nichola, for the sum of two thousand eight hundred and sixteen Dollars and two-thirds, for the recruiting service, for which He is to account ..
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Honourable John Mackey, a member of this Board for Chester county, for the sum of Four hundred Dollars, in part of his Pay, for which he is to account.
A Letter from Colonel Nichola, advising that he had spent of the Fifteen thousand Dollars issued by mistake, to the amount of Two thousand eight hundred and sixteen Dollars and two-thirds,
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for which an order was drawn, and the other to be recalled. See entry before of this day.
A Paper from Congress, signed Gerard, to the same import as that addressed to this Board yesterday; which was read and ordered to be filed.
A Letter from Captain Duffey, of the Artillery, requesting to draw the enumerated articles, and representing that He is left by Colonel Proctor to superintend the Hospital at Valley Forge.
Resolved, That the Board of War be requested to inform this Board of the nature and necessity of this service, it being a rule of the Board not to allow draught by officers absent from ordinary duty, and a Letter was wrote accordingly.
A Petition from John Young, for Pardon for giving a Challenge, but no record of the Conviction being sent therewith, the same was not farther considered.
The Board resumed the consideration of the Plan recommended by sundry Citizens, for restoring publick credit; Whereupon,
Resolved, That this Board doth approve of the General System for that purpose, but that it appears to be necessary to Explain the nature of the Taxes to be advanced, it appearing to this Board that the same shou'd be confined to Taxes for Continental purposes only, it being at all times necessary notwithstanding, to support the Poor, repair Highways, and raise some Taxes for the local and internal uses of Government.
Resolved, That the zeal and Publick spirit shewn by the Citi- zens of Philadelphia, and their laudable endeavours to restore Publick Credit, are highly acceptable to this Board, and merit our utmost countenance and encouragement.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, August 7th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esq'r, President. Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Hart, Mr. Mackey,
Mr. Reed, and Mr. Urie.
Ordered, That John Lukens, Esquire, late Surveyor General, under the Proprietaries, be desired and directed to furnish the Agents for forfeited Estates on their application, with Copies of all such Papers in the said office as may be necessary for them.
The Petition of Elizabeth Condor, praying permission to go into New York, was read.
.
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Ordered, That she have a pass, giving Security in the sum of Five hundred pounds, not to return again without special permis- sion.
The Petition of Mary Atwood, praying permission to go into New York, was read.
Ordered, That she have a pass, giving Security in the sum of Five hundred pounds, not to return again without special permis- sion.
A Letter from Mrs. Sarah Yard, requesting permission to go into New York.
Ordered, That she have a pass, giving Security in the sum of Fifteen hundred pounds, not to return again without special per- mission.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday, August 9th, 1779. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Mackey, Mr. Reed, Mr. Hambright, and Mr. Urie.
A Letter from Colonel Lewis Nichola, Town Major, enclosing the draft on the Treasurer in his favour for Fifteen thousand Dol- lars, dated July thirty-first, 1779, in compliance with the order of this Board on the 6th Instant.
Ordered, That the same be cancelled.
The referrence of the Honourable the Congress, on the complaint of Mr. Holker being again resumed, and this Board having delib- erately and carefully perused the several Papers touching the Flour purchased at Wilmington ; and also, the several Publications made in the several News Papers respecting Mr. Holker, and duly con- sidered the same, do agree to the following resolutions :
First, That the Flour in Question and now in the possession of this Board, be delivered to Mr. Holker, or his Order, or in case Mr. Holker declines accepting thereof, this Board to be accountable therefor.
Secondly, That this Board highly disapproves of all Publica- tions tending to injure the Characters and impede the Officers of his Most Christian Majesty in the faithfull discharge of their Pub- lick Functions, in which we will support them with the whole Ex- ecutive authority of the State.
Thirdly. That upon a carefull perusal of the several affidavits, certificates and papers transmitted to this Board, on each side of the Question, it does not appear that any clandestine private Trade has
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
been carried on, to the prejudice of the said embargo, by the autho- rity or orders of the said Mr. Holker, or with his privity or con- currence. And Mr. Holker in his representation of the Twenty- fourth, ult., having disavowed any such Transactions, we deem and consider it as perfectly satisfactory.
Fourthly. That it be recommended to Mr. Holker, if he shou'd make any farther Purchases by way of private commerce, to em- ploy none but Persons of Fair and Unsuspected characters, as an Effectual means to prevent any farther difficulties or obstructions, and preserve publick and personal Tranquility.
Ordered, That the same be published.
-
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, August 10th, 1779. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPHI REED, Esquire, President. Honb'l GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Mackey, Mr. Read,
Mr. Hambright, and Mr. Urie.
A Petition of Edward Lee, a Youth of Thirteen years of age, lately convicted at the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the county of Cumberland, of Felony, in stealing a quantity of Beef and Salt, the Property of the United States, for which he has been sentenced to pay a Fine and receive Corporal Punishment, and the justices having recommended him as a proper object of Mercy,
Resolved, That a free and general pardon do Issue for the said Offence.
A Representation having been made by the Honourable William Atlee, Esquire, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court, that an aged infirm Woman, the Mother-in-law of Michael Witman, had a Claim upon the Estate of the said Michael, which thro' her poverty and infirmity she had not been able to present to the Supreme Court in due season; that the sale of the said Lands is advertised for the Twenty-fifth Instant, and sundry papers having been laid be- fore the Board by which there appears to be a reasonable ground for said claim.
Resolved, That the Agents for Forfieted Estates for Lancaster county do sell the forfieted Estate of Michael Witman, subject to the Claim of the said Widow Screidt, who is hereby directed to lay the same before the next Supreme Court, that due order may be taken therein.
A pass granted to Mary Buckley to go to New York, giving se- curity in the sum of Five hundred pounds, not to return again without special permission.
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Colonel Piper, Lieutenant of Bedford county, having made a re- turn of officers to be commissioned for the first Battalion of Mili- tia of the said county, vizt :
Thomas Smith, Colonel ; William Tissue and Oliver Drake, Cap- tains ; Christy Agency and William Nicholls, First Lieutenants ; George Bruner and Henry Abrams, Second Lieutenants ; George Shaver and David Standiford, Ensigns.
In the second Battalion, John Galloway, Captain ; and in the Third Battalion, Samuel Thompson, Captain.
Resolved, That the said commissions do issue.
An order issued to Lieutenant Colonel Edward Heeston for Two hundred Dollars, for services done to General Potter, from the four- teenth of November, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven, to the Third of January, one thousand seven hundred and seventy- eight, as certified by the said General, at four dollars + day.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, August 11th, 1779.
PRESENT : His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esq'r, President. .
Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Read, Mr. Mackey, Mr. Urie.
Mr. Hambright, and
Council observing that the Agents of Forfieted Estates for Ches- ter county have, in an advertisement of the Lands of David Daw- son, (inter alia,) inserted the words following, vizt: "Mrs. Dawson having her Thirds of these Premises during life,"
Ordered, That the Secretary write immediately to the said Agents for information of the Nature of Mrs. Dawson's estate in the said Lands, that he acquaint them that dower at Common Law is Forfieted by the attainder of the Husband, and that the profits of a Married Woman's real estate are also vested in such case in the State, du- ring the natural life of the Husband.
'The Board taking into consideration the Commercial Interests of the State, and that the Embargo imposed by the Law of this State will expire, by its own limitation, on the first of September next,
Resolved, That the delegates of this State be requested to lay this matter before the Honourable the Congress of the United States, in order to obtaining the sense of that Honourable Body, how far the same may be necessary and convenient for the advancement of the General Interest, it being the intention of this Board to be go- verned thereby in the exercise of the power of continuing the Em- bargo vested in them by the Constitution of this State; and as an
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early decision will be convenient to the Trading Interests, this Board request Congress to favour them in that particular.
The Tour of duty of the Militia now in the Garrison at Billings- port and Mud Island, expiring on the Instant, and this Board taking into consideration that a Call on the Militia of the county wou'd draw off the People during seed time, and also that a continuance of the Artillery alone wou'd be to seperate them from the Battalions in a course of duty, if they shou'd be called to take the Field,
Resolved, That the Lieutenant of the city of Philadelphia be directed to call out a Class of Militia of the City and Liberties, to take the charge of the Forts at Mud Island and Billingsport, and that a Number of the Artillery proportioned to one Class, be like- wise called out for said service, all of whom are to do the same duty, and be entitled to the same privileges as the Troops they relieve.
Council being informed that divers Persons, late Inhabitants of this State, have been taken in Arms at Sea against the United States, on Board of Vessels commissioned by the Enemy to make Prizes of the Ships of this and the other Confederate States, and that there are now in confinement, either for Tryal and Punishment or to be exchanged,
Resolved, That the Chief Justice be requested to take into his consideration the case of the said Prisoners, and give his Opinion how far they are liable as Traitors or Pirates, and by what means they may be brought to Justice, distinguishing, if necessary, be- tween the predicament of such as Joined the Enemy before the Declaration of Independence, the New Establishment of Civil Government, or any other Era he may judge material.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, August 12th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Mackey, Mr. Hambright, and Mr. Reed, Mr. Urie.
A Letter from Monssieur Gerard was read, expressive of his per- fect satisfaction with the steps taken by this Board in the Affair of Mr. Holker.
Resolved, That all the Papers and Letters which have passed between this Board, Mr. Gerard, and Mr. Holker, be transmitted
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to the Delagates of this State in Congress, for the Inspection of such of the Members of that Honourable Body as may think pro- per to Examine them.
Which was done accordingly.
Sundry Letters from the Honourable Colonel Smith and Colonel Hunter, dated Sunbury, August the third, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, were read, giving a particular account of the late devastations of the Enemy in that Quarter.
Ordered, That the same be forwarded to the Board of War, with the sense of this Board on the necessity of supporting a Body of Troops to keep up the communication with General Sullivan's Army ; also taking notice of the complaints against this State and Neglect of the frontiers.
Which was accordingly done.
A Petition was presented by Charles Hurst, setting forth that for sundry reasons therein set forth, he was desirous to proceed to England, by the way of the West Indies or France, to settle his Private Affairs, and praying the permission and countenance of this Board therein.
Resolved, That he have permission accordingly.
A Letter from Mr. Dougherty, a Member of Assembly for Bed- ford County, setting forth the Necessity of attending to the road of communication to Fort Pitt, as a matter of Publick benefit.
Ordered, That the same be filed, and farther considered.
An address by sundry Gentlemen of Northampton County, to the President and Board, Expressive of their Satisfaction in the Administration of Government.
The President informed the Board that Michael Hillegas, Es- quire, Continental Treasurer, had, pursuant to a resolution of Con- gress of the Fourteenth of January, delivered him three hundred Proof Sheets of the New Money to be dispersed thro' the State, for the better detection of Counterfiets. Which were brought into Council and ordered to be distributed, agreeable to the direction of Congress.
The President laid before the Board Orders he was about to Is- sue to the Lieutenant of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, to have the Militia practised in the common Evolutions, and particu- larly Loading and Firing; and prayed that Mr. Stiles might be directed to Issue for that purpose ; whereupon,
Ordered, That Mr. Stiles, Commissary of Military Stores, do Issue ammunition to the Battalions of this City and Liberties, for the above purpose, not exceeding thirty rounds each Man.
The President having represented that the Baron Steuben, In- spector of the Armies of these United States, had compiled a Trea- tise of Military discipline, which has been approved by Congress, and is now Practised in the Continental Army; That some parts thereof are well adapted to the use of the Militia ; that he has
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
made extracts of such parts, with a design to have the same Printed for the use of the Militia, if approved by this Board.
Resolved, That one thousand copies thereof be Printed imme- diately.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Colonel Lewis Farmer, for twenty thousand pounds, for Purchasing the Enumer- ated articles for the Troops of the Pennsylvania line, for which he is to account.
On application of Daniel Gomez, on behalf of Daniel Gomez, Jun'r, for a pass to go into the City of New York, and also for leave to return,
Ordered, That his request be granted.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, August 14th, 1779. PRESENT :
The Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Vice President.
Mr. Mackey, Mr. Hart,
Mr. Hambright, and
Mr. Urie.
The Petition of Augustine Willet, of Bucks County, setting forth that he has filed a claim to the Fee of an House and Lott, advertised for sale by the Agents for forfieted Estates in Bucks County, as forfieted by Gilbert Hicks, and praying an Order to ad- journ the said sale ; and a certificate of the Chief Justice of the same being read,
Ordered, That Mr. Wall, Agent for Forfieted Estates in Bucks county, do adjourn the said sale 'till after the next Supreme Court.
A Letter from Archibald Lochry, Esq'r, of Westmoreland, dated Hanna's Town, July 24th, 1779, and the same being read,
Ordered, That John Jameson be appointed First Lieutenant of the company of Rangers commanded by Captain Erwin, and that Henry Armstrong be appointed Second Lieutenant of the said com- pany, the said offices having become vacant by resignations ; and that report of the said appointments be made to the Board of War.
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In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday, August 16th, 1779.
PRESENT :
Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Hart,
Mr. Mackey,
Mr. Hambright, and Mr. Urie.
Sundry Muster rolls were laid before the Board by Mr. John Thompson, Commissary of Musters for the companies of Rangers and Militia on the Western Frontiers, of the following companies of Rangers and companies of Militia, to wit : Captains Joseph Ir- win and Thomas Campbell, of the Rangers, And William Love, William Lochry, William Sanderson, James Floyd, Samuel Patton and Noah Abraham, of the Militia; And the same being read,
Ordered, That they be filed.
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Honourable George Bryan, Esquire, Vice President, for the sum of three hun- dred pounds, in part of his salary, for which he is to account.
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