USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII > Part 9
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
Andrew Darcus, Roger Kennedy, Joseph Browne, John Kennedy,
Larceny.
John Moore, John Williams,
John McGomery, Philip Prosser,
Grand Larceny.
Fran's Mclaughlin, Highway Robbery. Abraham Fielding, John Hunt,
Petit Larceny.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, August 27th, 1779. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable Mr. Hart, Mr. Read, and
Mr. Mackey,
Mr. Urie.
Mr. Hambright,
Petition from Michael Reinhard, of Lancaster, praying to be paid for a Horse which met with an accident in the service of this Board.
Ordered, That the Consideration thereof be deferred 'till the Vice President returns to Council.
A Petition of John Haynes, an Englishman, praying to be per- mitted to pass to New York, and to return to England with his family.
Resolved, That the said pass cannot be granted, but that he be recommended to go by way of the West Indies.
An application was made by the Honourable Mr. Holker, re- questing that this Board wou'd endeavour to procure him two thousand Barrells of good Merchantable Flour.
Ordered, That the same be further considered.
86
MINUTES OF THE
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, August 28th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable Mr. Hart,
Mr. Hambright, and
Mr. Mackey,
Mr. Urie.
Mr. Read,
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Mr. James Loughead, Paymaster, or his order, the sum of four thousand pounds, for paying the Militia late at Mud Island and Billingsport, for which he is to account.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday, August 30th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable Mr. Mackey, Mr. Hambright, and
Mr. Read, Mr. Urie.
A Letter was read from Captain Montgomery in Answer to Mr. Holker's application, representing that there is no such Person as Vincent De Ford in the State Ship; That Francis Fluery has been long discharged, and receiv'd his share of Prize Money; which answer was transmitted to Mr. Holker.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Mr. William Crispin for the Sum of Twelve thousand pounds, for purchasing Rum, Tea, Sugar, &c., for the State Fleet and the Militia stationed at Mud Island and Billingsport, for which he is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of the Honourable John Mackey, for the Sum of Five hundred Dollars, in part of his Wages as a Member of this Board, for which he is to account.
A Petition from Edward Fritzrandolph for a pass to go to the lines to endeavour to receive his Negro.
Ordered, That a Pass be given him to go to Elizabethtown.
A Petition was read from James Pannel, praying a remission of a Fine imposed on Jonathan Smith, a Horse Stealer, setting forth also that he had taken the said Felon out of Goal to work, and that he had run away.
Resolved, That the Imprisonment of six months being a part of the Punishment by Law, the Criminal should not have been taken out until the same was inflicted, or the party Pardoned :
87
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
That it does not appear that he has suffered any Punishment; that therefore, the Board cannot Countenance such discharges as the present, by remitting the Fine.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, August 31st, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable Mr. Hart, Mr. Urie, and
Mr. Mackey,
Mr. Read.
Mr. Hambright,
A Letter from Mr. Wilkinson, Clothier General of the States, was read, inclosing one from the Board of War, signifying their desire that effectual Measures may be taken by the State to pro- vide Clothing for the Troops, and particularly Hats, Blankets, Shoes and Stockings; which being read and considered,
Resolved, That Colonel Hart and Mr. Hambright be a Com- mittee to visit the State Store, inspect the Quantity and Condition of the Cloth therein, and make report what will be proper to be done with the Cloth, and how far the above recommendation may be executed with the present stock.
A Letter from Governor Livingston, and sundry Affidavits re- specting one Thomas Burney, who had been detected in Coun- terfeit Money, and made his escape.
Ordered, That the same be farther considered.
WHEREAS, In the present scarcity of Salt, the holders of that article, in order to give satisfaction to the Inhabitants, have agreed to give up the same to this Board, so that it may be distributed in fair and reasonable proportions, to Town and Country;
Resolved, That the Sheriff of the City and County be requested to take the same into his immediate Care, and take such Measures for its security as he may think necessary, by employing suitable Persons to attend the Stores where the said Salt is kept, or other- wise, as he may think proper; And it is earnestly recommended to the Inhabitants to aid and assist the Sheriff in this service when called upon by him, and to avoid any Tumult or disorder. This Board doth also request that Militia officers and others would for- fear the use of Fire Arms on such occasions, as having a tendency tto alarm and distress many of their fellow Citizens.
88
MINUTES OF THE
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, September Ist, 1779 ..
PRESENT !
Honourable Mr. Hart,
Mr. Read, and.
Mr. Mackey,
Mr. Urie,
Mr. Hambright,
No. Council ..
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, September 2d, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable Mr. Hart, Mr. Uric, and
Mr. Hamabright,. Colonel Smith.
Mr. Isaac Melchin attended the Council, and represented that he had applied to one of the Agents of Forfieted Estates, and offered to pay him the purchase Money of a ground Rent due to the State, as being Forfeted by Andrew Allen, on an Estate in Possession of him, the said Malchin, which the Agents had agreed to receive, if this Council shou'd approve of the same.
On Consideration, Mr. Melchior was informed that for Various- and Cogent reasons, the Council declined interfering on the subject, the same being properly Cognizable before a Court and Jury.
A Letter from Lieutenant Colonel William Williams, of the. 'Third Pennsylvania Battalion, dated Westpoint, August 25th, 1779, inclosing the proceedings of a Board of Field Officers on the Claim of Captain Lieutenant Henderson, and a list of Promotions in the said Regiment, dated August the 15th, one thousand seven hun- dred and seventy-nine, as follows, viz:
Captain-Lieutenant Henderson to be Captain, vice Captain Craig, Resigned June 1st, 1779, is to Rank by a determination of a Board of Field officers from 12th of May.
Lieutenant Marshall to be Captain, vics Captain Riely, return'd absent without leave, June 18th, 1779.
Lieutenant Boyd to be Captain-Lieutenant, vice Marshall, pro- moted, and Lieutenant King, left out of the Regiment, June 23d, 1779.
Ensign Fullerton to be Lieutenant, vice Henderson, promoted.
Ensign Wigton to be Lieutenant, vice Marshall, promoted.
Ensign Smith to be Lieutenant, vice Boyd, promoted.
Henry Brower appointed Ensign July 4th, 1779.
89
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Thereupon,
Ordered, That the following officers be promoted in the Third Pennsylvania Regiment, vizt: Captain-Lieutenant Henderson, vice Craig, resigned June Ist, 1779, to rank according to a deter- mination of a Board of Field officers, from the Twelfth of May last.
Lieutenant Marshall to be Captain, vice Captain Riely, returned absent without leave, July Eighteenth, one thousand seven bun- dred and seventy-nine.
Lieutenant Boyd to be Captain-Lieutenant, vice Marshall, pro- moted, and Lieutenant King, left out of the Regiment, June 23d, 1779.
Ensign Fullerton to be Lieutenant, vice Henderson, promoted.
Ensign Wigton to be Lieutenant, vice Marshall, promoted.
Ensign Smith to be Lieutenant, vice Boyd, promoted.
And that Henry Brower to be appointed Ensign, the appointment to be as of the 25th of August last.
Ordered, That the following promotions and appointments be made in the Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment, vizt :
Promotions .- First Lieutenant Isaac Van Horn to be Captain- Lieutenant, vice Captain-Lieutenant William McIlhatton, resigned, July the 1st, 1779.
Second Lieutenant John Markland to be first Lieutenant, vice Lieutenant Isaac Van Horn, promoted, July the 1st, 1779.
Appointments .- Serjeant Major Sankey Dixon to be Ensign.
Mr. John Humphrey, Volunteer, to be Ensign.
Both these appointments to be as of the Twenty-fifth of August last.
A Letter from Captain Herman Stout, dated Westpoint, August 25th, 1779 ; and thereupon,
Ordered, That the accounts left by Lieutenant Philip Gibbons. with the Honourable James Read, Esq'r, be sent to Captain: Stout.
The letter from his Excellency Governor Livingston, enclosing" sundry affidavits representing that one Thomas Burney, alias Tho- mas Johnson, who has been detected in the said State passing coun- terfeit Money ; that two of his accomplices had been secured, but the principal had made his escape, was again resumed.
The Honourable Colonel Smith having also this day produced an affidavit to the same effect, and two of the Counterfeit bills passed by the said Burney, and there being great reason to believe that the" said Burney is now lurking in or about Paxtang Township, Lancas - ter county.
Resolved, That a reward of Five hundred Dollars be offered . for apprehending the said Thomas Burney, and that the faithfull. Inhabitants of the said county be earnestly requested to exert them- selves in apprehending and securing the said offender, so that he-
93
MINUTES OF THE
may be brought to Justice, and that this Board will also pay all reasonable expenses which may accrue in this service.
· In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, September 3d, 1779.
PRESENT
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable Mr. Hart, Mr. Urie, and
Mr. Hambright, Colonel Smith. 1
A Petition by the Trustees of a German Congregation at Man- heim, praying a Brief to Collect Money for a Church.
Resolved, That the granting Briefs may be attended with Incon- veniencies, and therefore, this Board will not go into the practice ; but that the President be desired to inform the Petitioners there is no law to prevent their collecting donations from well disposed Peo- ple ; that therefore, they are at full Liberty to avail themselves thereof, if they think proper.
A Letter from Mr. Holker, advising that Mr. Penet, a French Merchant, has one thousand Bushells of Salt which he will let the State have for Four hundred Barrels of Flour.
Resolved, That the President do thank Mr. Holker for his ser- vice therein, but the Terms appear too high.
A Letter from the Board of War was read, making a demand of one hundred Militia for the Guard of the Prisoners in this Town, and also praying a continuance of the Militia Guard at Lancas- ter.
Resolved, That it will be highly Inconvenient to the State to comply with the requests of the Board of War in this instance, and that a Conference be requested, in order to explain sundry mat- ters , previous to a farther consideration of this matter; and such a letter was accordingly wrote
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, September 4th, 1779.
PRESENT : His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable Mr. Hart, Colonel Smith, and
Mr. Read,
Mr. Hambright, Mr. Urie.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of William Brad- ford, for the sum of fifteen hundred pounds, for paying the officers and Men of the State Fleet, for which he is to account.
91
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Mr. Ebenezer Cowell, for the sum of three hundred pounds, for repairing Arms for the use of the State, for which he is to account.
A Letter from his Excellency General Washington, of Septem- ber the second, inclosing one from Jeremiah Wadsworth, Esquire, Commissary General, setting forth the deficiency of the Army in Flour, and praying the assistance of this Board; whereupon, the same being considered,
Resolved, That Colonel Smith and Mr. Read be a committee to Confer with Colonel Blaine, Deputy Commissary, and report to this Board the result thereof on Monday next, in order that an answer may be given, and such further Measures taken as the case may require.
A return of an Election of Justices for Bethel Township, Bed- ford County, by which it appears that Moses Read had twenty-two votes, and Samuel Greaves Nine.
Resolved, That Moses Read be appointed and commissioned ac- cordingly.
A Letter from the Board of War, representing that sundry of the wives of the soldiers had drawn rations, which was lately stopped by their Board, and recommending them to the favour of this Council for some provision.
Resolved, That the said letter be communicated to the Honour- able House of Assembly.
A Letter from General Washington, dated Twenty-sixth day of August, was read, inclosing a List of sundry officers of this State who had violated their parole, and praying that suitable Measures may be taken to compel their return.
Resolved, That a list of the said officers be forwarded to the Lieutenants of Philadelphia, Chester, Bucks, Lancaster, Northum- berland, and York Counties, and that they be severally requested to signify to the said officers in the respective Counties, that they must immediately repair to the Commissary of Prisoners at Prince- town, or to head quarters, or in failure thereof their names will be publickly advertised, and other steps taken to enforce a compliance with the request of the Commander in Chief. That the said offi- cers be also requested, in case of the death or other impracticability of return, to cause the same to be duly notified to this Board or the Commissary of Prisoners.
A Letter from Colonel Elder, of Lancaster county, inclosing his commission as a sub-Lieutenant of the said county.
Resolved, That the same be return'd to Mr. Elder, and that he be informed that his resignation at this time will be attended with great inconvenience, and requesting him to postpone the same to a more convenient time.
.. .
92
1
MINUTES OF THE
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, September 5th, 1779, Monday.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Hart, Mr. Hambright, and
Mr. Uris.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Colonel Lewis Nichola, Town Major, or his Order, for the sum of Three Hun- dred Dollars, in part of his pay, for which He is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Honourable James Read, Esquire, or his order, for the sum of Two Hundred Pounds, in part of his pay as a Member of this Board, for which he is to account.
A Letter from his Excellency General Washington, dated twen- ty-sixth of August, representing the state of the Cloathing of the Army, and the necessity of an immediate attention thereto, espe- cially in the articles of Blankets, Shirts, Shoes, and Hats; and also the case of the officers.
A Letter from the same, dated thirtieth of August, respecting a supply of Provisions, to be sent to Wyoming, for General Sullivan's Army.
A Letter from Major Moore, of the Thirtieth Ult., informing that in consequence of the Promotion of General Irwine, on the Twelfth of May, William Lusk, Esquire, Captain Lieutenant, is intitled to a commission of Captain in the Seventh Regiment, and that Lieutenant Samuel Kennedy is intitled to the commission of Captain Lieutenant in the same Regiment.
Ordered, That the said officers be appointed, and the Board of War requested to issue commissions accordingly.
The Petition of William Call, of Germantown, and Mathias Stimmell, being read, it appears that the Petitioners became sure- ties for a Christopher Call, charged with felony, who has abseonded, and it is prayed to supercede the proceedings upon the said Recog- nizance.
Resolved, That the same wou'd be of Bad Publick consequence, but that if the Petitioners can deliver up the said Christopher Call, this Board will consider the Petition further.
Leonard Bowles, Esquire, of the Bahama Islands, having signi- fied his intentions of removing from thence to this State, and re- siding here, and praying that this Board wou'd grant him such pro- tection as may be necessary ; therefore,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Citizens of this State, and others, to receive the said Leonard Bowles, and treat him kind-
93
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
ly, he conforming to the Laws of the State and behaving well therein.
The case of Caleb Hill being again considered, and a record of the conviction being now sent,
Ordered, That the Fine imposed on him for the State be remit- ted, and that the other parts of his Sentence being complied with, he be delivered up to Lieutenant Jones, to be forwarded to the Regiment to which he belongs.
A Letter from the Board of War was read, in answer to that wrote on Friday last, respecting the Militia.
Resolved, That they be requested to meet the Council to-mor- row evening at six o'clock, at the State House, to confer with them on the matters contained in said Letter, and sundry others.
A Letter from Mr. John Carothers, Lieutenant, and Mr. Greg- ory, Sub Lieutenant of Cumberland County, repeating their re- quests of resigning, and giving an account of their proceedings on the last orders of Council for calling out Militia.
A Letter from Mr. McClean, of York Town, giving an account of the proceedings of a court of Oyer and Terminer at Bedford ; also, the proceedings of committees at York Town, and requesting to be excused a farther attendance at Bedford.
Ordered, That the same be farther considered.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Honourable John Hambright, Esquire, for the sum of five hundred pounds, in part of his Pay, for which he is to account.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday, September 7th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President.
Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Esquire, Vice President.
Mr. Hart, Mr. Hambright, Mr. Urie.
Mr. Read, and
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of the Hon- ourable Thomas Urie, Esquire, for the sum of three hundred and ten pounds and seven shillings, the amount of his pay as a Mem- ber of this Board from the seventh day of June last to this day, at three pounds # day, and Mileage of four hundred and eighteen Miles, at one shilling and six pence $ Mile.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Honourable Joseph Hart, or his order, the sum of four hundred pounds, in part of his Pay as a Member of this Board, for which he is to ac- count.
94
MINUTES OF THE
A Letter was read from Mr. Holker, requesting an answer to his demand of Two Thousand Barrells of Flour, and signifying his intention to apply for two thousand more.
Resolved, That the President do inform Mr. Holker of the dif- ficulties attending the same, but to assure him everything will be done that our present circumstances will admit.
The Letter of Colonel Carothers, Lieutenant, and Mr Gregory, Sub-Lieutenant of Cumberland County, being again considered,
Resolved, That their resignations be accepted, and their Letters be forwarded to the Honourable House of Assembly, at the same time informing them of this acceptance, and requesting that suit- able successors may be appointed
The Attorney General having answered the Queries proposed to him on the twenty-fifth of July,
· Resolved, That the Queries and answer be Transmitted to the House of Assembly.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, September 8th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Colonel Hart and Colonel Smith.
No Council.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, Sept'r 9th, 1779.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. Honourable GEORGE BRYAN, Vice President.
Mr. Hart, Mr. Reed,
Mr. Hambright, and Colonel Smith.
Messieurs Peters and Pickering, from the Honourable Board, having met this Board in conference on the state of Cloathing of the Army and the call for Militia, and the same being fully dis- cussed, it appears that this cannot depend upon the Continental supply for more than one-third, except in the article of oats, which they reckon at two-thirds. But that in the article of Hats, Blan- kets, Shoes, and Shirts, the full Exertions of the State will be
95
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
necessary. That the state of the Invalid Regiment, being the only Garrison Troops, is such that it is Inadequate to the duties of the eity.
Resolved, That the request of the Board of War, for a Militia Guard, be complied with for the city and its environs.
Secondly, That the Call of Militia for Guards at Lancaster will be attended with ruinous Consequences to the Militia there, if com- plied with; that, therefore, the Board of War be requested to sup- pły that post from the Troops under their Command in this City, and that an additional Number of Militia be called out, if neces- sary, to replace them, upon the Board of War making the Requi- sition :
And Whereas, the putting this whole duty upon the City Militia, is attended with Inconveniences to the publick, by taking many useful Mechanicks from the publick Work; Wherefore
Resolved, That the Philadelphia Militia be called upon to relieve those in actual Service. This Board having represented to the Board of War the very discouraging and destitute state of the County Militia, as to Arms and Ammunition.
Resolved, That the Board of War be requested to accommodate the State with a Loan of Arms, agreeable to the return made by the County Lieutenant, and also one Ton of Powder, for which the State will account.
The demand for Cloathing being also Considered, and the Board being anxious to Comply with the same, find that, by a resolve of Congress, dated May the Twenty-eighth, one thousand seven hun- dred and' seventy-eight, which has not been annulled, they are re- quested to make no more Purchases.
Resolved, That it is the opinion of the Board that, unless the said resolve show'd be Vacated or relaxed, it may at a future day be objected to the accounts the State may furnish thereupon.
Resolved, That if the Exertions of the State are depended on for the supply of the Pennsylvania Troops, it will be convenient and prejudicial to the State for the Continental Commissary of Cloathing. to make Purchases of the same articles, untill the State Cloathier has compleated his; that competitions of this kind have always proved pernicious; That this Board, therefore, cannot engage a full Compliance, unless this previous Measure is adopted, but will do what is in their power to answer all just expectation.
Mr. Morris and Colonel Lollar, a Committee from the Honour- able the House of Assembly, attended in Council, and informed the Board that the House was now met, and ready to proceed on such business as the Council shall think proper to lay before them.
The following address of this Council to the General Assembly of Representatives of the Freemen of Pennsylvania being read, was approved ; and thereupon
Ordered, That the said Message be signed by his Excellency the President, and laid before the House by the Secretary.
96
MINUTES OF THE
Message from the President and Supreme Executive Council to the Representatives of the Freemen of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met.
Gentlemen of the General Assembly :
It is with the greatest satisfaction We congratulate you upon the various successes which have distinguished the Period of your re- cess. While the most consummate Bravery and discipline have Marked the enterprises of our Troops by Land, Glory and Victory have attended those of our Allies by Sea, successes which at once reflect the highest Honour upon themselves and the respective Na- tions, and Afford the fairest prospect of speedy Tranquility and peace.
When, to these happy events, we add the accession of another great and foreign Power to the Interests of America, and that the Year has been Crowned with a most plentiful Harvest, we cannot but admire and acknowledge the favour and goodness of Provi- dence. In short, nothing seems left us to wish. but a revival of that Public Spirit and Virtue, which shone with so much Lustre in the early days of this Contest, and which seems now necessary for the restoration of Publick Credit, and the relief of our suffering Frontiers. To both these objects, we must request your imme- diate and unremitted attention, and to this end shall now lay be- fore you sundry resolutions of the Honourable the Congress, for calling in large sums of the present emissions. We esteem our- selves happy in the reflection, that no steps for the Security of the exposed Counties were omitted by us. The most Seasonable orders for stationing a Body of Militia, and also raising Five Companies of Rangers, were issued, and every supply required has been sent without delay. That the orders for the Militia were not punc- tually Complied with in some Counties, and in others wholly ne- glected, is what we have great reason to lament; at the same time, that we think it well deserving of serious enquiry, that due praise may be given to those who merit it. We cannot but deem suck self-Exemptions from Publick Duty as Tending to a Criminal re- laxation of the Bonds of Society, and a departure from the Duties of a well regulated Government. All the Papers will now be laid before you, from which you will observe that, disappointed in the Expected aid, the Frontier Inhabitants have formed themselves into Companies and associations for defence, in the Course of which Expenses have been contracted, which, if they appear in the same light to you as they have done to us, you will not hesitate to dis- charge, and thus encourage them to continue as a Barrier to the more improved and settled Counties. How far the revisal and Col- lecting the Militia Law, with its various supplements, into one Com- pleat system, will tend to remedy the like evils in future, we sub- mit to your Consideration. The necessity of Supporting a well regulated Militia, we think, is Confirmed by every day's obser-
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.