USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XIII > Part 55
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We having before expressed our sentiments on the other points, only observed as to the last, that in our opinion the case mentioned did not apply ; that it might be very proper for responsible officers to ask for answers in writing to justify themselves to their superiors, and a generous condescension in the persons from whom they were
661
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
solicited, would induce them to comply ; but the committee were a part of the body representing the sovereignty of the United States, and we had the honor of representing the sovereignty of this State. That conferences, especially between persons vested with such au- thorities, were intended to obtain a free and full communication of sentiments without the intervention of writing, and that no incon- venience could be apprehended from proceeding in this usual method, as each party could rely upon the integrity of the other. The com- mittee withdrew, and the Council rose.
In this unhappy affair we found ourselves extremely distressed. On one side we were urged by the representatives of the United . States to draw forth, and employ the citizens in immediate hostili- ties against the soldiers, while on the other hand, the citizens con- sidered them as objects of compassion rather than of terror or resentment. They could not bear to avenge the dignity of Con- gress, accidently and undesignedly offended, by shedding the blood of men whom they considered as having fought and suffered for the American cause, and perhaps the world may be disposed to ballance the charge of impolicy in this conduct, by giving credit for the humanity of such a behaviour.
We met again in the evening at the President's house, and in order to make particular communications, we directed the Lieu- tenants of the city and county, all the field officers of the militia in the city and neighborhood, and Captain Morris of the Light Horse, to be convened to meet us at the State House the next morn- ing at ten o'clock.
Accordingly, on Tuesday the twenty-fourth, we met in the As- sembly room : Colonels Shee, Eyre, Knox, Marsh, Read, Will, Dean, Henry, Coates ; Majors Rees, Brown, Casdrop, Mccullough, Boyd and Panqueke ; and Captain Morris ; only one field officer being absent.
We laid before these gentlemen the message we had received on Saturday from the soldiery, and our own resolution thereon, with the resolution of Congress passed that day. We informed them that the committee of Congress had, in a conference, explained the said resolution, by saying, that by the effectual measures therein mentioned, Congress meant a call of militia into actual service, and their exertions in consequence of such a call; that there was reason to believe Congress would immediately remove from this State, un- less they should receive assurances from us that they might rely upon the effectual measures intended by the said resolution being immediately taken for supporting the public authority ; that as to the want of ammunition that had been mentioned, the objection was happily removed, we having been assured by one of the com- mittee of Congress that we could be supplied with any quantity of musquet and cannon cartridge in fifteen minutes. We therefore de- sired the officers to give us their sentiments on the practicability of
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MINUTES OF THE
assembling the militia in such a manner as to effect the purposes of the resolution before mentioned, and also in what manner a guard of five hundred men could be most quickly collected for im- mediate defence, to be relieved by the militia, in consequence of a call for the service proposed. In the course of this conference, it was asked whether some kind of a negotiation had not taken place. We mentioned what had passed on that head. After some time, we retired to the Council Chamber. Soon after we came into the Chamber, one of the committee of Congress entered, and informed the President that he thought himself bound to give him notice of a great mistake that had been committed by the person from whom he had received his intelligence concerning the ammunition, that person having in a late conversation told him there were not more than two hundred musquet cartridges to be found. The President took this opportunity of again desireing that Council might not be precipitated into measures not adapted to the present circumstances; that the soldiers had now been quiet for three years, and we ex- pected every hour to hear from their committee; the gentleman said that no report in writing had yet been made to Congress, and that for his part he should be for taking some time to make it, for the reasons that had been mentioned.
In about an hour after we had left the officers, we returned into the Assembly room to them, and Colonel Shee, speaking for the company, declared it to be their opinion, that it would be very im- prudent to make any call of militia at present, as they were con- vinced it would be ineffectual ; that if the negotiation for setling the disturbance should not succeed, and the soldiers should insist on unjust and unreasonable things, or should commit any outrage, they would be willing to make all the exertions in their power for preserving the peace and " supporting public authority," and would use their utmost influence for disposing the minds of all under their command, and of their fellow-citizens, to join in such mea- sures.
We then directed that the officers should have their respective commands as well prepared as could be for action, on the shortest notice, which they promised to do; and we are persuaded that if the occasion for commencing hostilities had appeared as pressing to the militia as it did to some, they would have acted with the same spirit that had always distinguished them, whenever, in their judg- ment, the object claimed their exertions.
Before the Council adjourned, we received the following letter and inclosure from the committee appointed by the soldiers, vizt :
SIR :- Yesterday morning we were waited on severally by a committee of Serjeants, who handed to each of us similar appoint- ments, of which the inclosed is one. But upon their being objected to, and refused as inconsistent with the powers granted them and dis-
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
honorable to us, they made such concessions relative to us as were satisfactory, so far as we could take up the business, and they have confessed their conduct on the twenty-first instant to be disorderly, and have promised to hand in their concessions as soon as possible, which will immediately lay before your Excellency. I have the honor to be, your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant,
JAMES CHRISTIE, Captain 2d Penn'a Reg't.
His Excellency John Dickinson, Esquire, President of the Com- mittee.
Philadelphia Barracks, June 23d, 1783.
SIR :- You are hereby appointed by the non-commissioned offi- cers and soldiers in this city from authority they have from the President of the State, and General St. Clair as a member, to represent them in committee of six commissioned officers.
You are to remember that every effort in your power must be exerted to bring about the most speedy and ample justice, and even to use compulsive measures, should they be found necessary, which we declare in the presence of Almighty God, we will support you in to the utmost of our power. Should you shew a disposition not to do all in your's, death is inevitably your fate. Signed by order of the Board.
JAMES BENNET, Secretary.
Captain James Chrystie.
Council rose, and soon afterwards we received intelligence that Congress was adjourned by their President, to meet at Princetown on the Thursday following.
That evening we met again at the President's house, upon advice that the soldiers meditated. an attack on the Bank. We resolved that a strong guard should be immediately collected, and so posted as best to secure that important object, and as several field officers attended, they immediately and with the greatest alacrity, employed themselves in the business. The President, Vice President and General Irvine, directed Captain Stiles, the Commissary of Mili- tary Stores, to try the next day if he could not get some fixed am- munition out of the State Magazine, in removing powder that was private property. He did, and thro' the pacific or careless dispo- sition of the guard of soldiers, got out a considerable quantity, and distributed it as ordered, in proper places.
Wednesday the twenty-fifth, we were informed that the soldiers were in a very tumultuous disposition, and that there was great
664
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reason to apprehend it would rise into some violence, as their ra- tions would be stopped on the Friday following.
We therefore, came to the following resolutions :
In Council, Philadelphia, Wednesday, June the twenty-fifth, . 1783.
Ordered, That the Lieutenants of the city militia, &ca., be directed to call forth a guard of one hundred privates, with such number of officers as he may think proper, as a measure indispen- sable and immediately necessary to secure government from insult, the State from disturbance, and the city from injury. Carpenter's Hall is assigned for the place of meeting.
Resolved, That the different officers commanding regiments, be requested to hold their respective commands in immediate readi- ness for action. It is expected, also, that they will meet this day as soon as possible, for the purpose of determining the places of and signals for rendezvous. A report of their proceedings to be made to the President.
Resolved, 'That the Commissary of Military Stores be directed to issue such public arms and ammunition as he may now have un- der his direction, to the militia of the city and liberties, upon ap- plication of the different officers commanding regiments.
While the Clerk was copying these resolutions, Captains Chrys. tie and Symonds, two of the committee of the soldiery, presented to us the three papers inclosed and marked number one, two, and three. These being read, it was unanimously resolved that Coun- cil will not even take the proposals now made by the soldiers into consideration, unless they first put themselves under the command of their officers, and make full and satisfactory submission to Con- gress.
This resolution was then communicated to Captains Chrystie and Symonds, and they being informed that it was our unalterable de- termination, were directed to communicate the same as such to the soldiers.
They assured us this should be immediately done, but that the soldiers did not think they had offended Congress, as their inten- tion on Saturday was only to apply to Council. They then pro- ceeded to what was and probably would be, the temper of the troops, upon receiving this answer of Council, and entreated us to take all the measures we possibly could for our own safety and that of the city, as everything licentious was to be apprehended. On this intelligence, Council ordered the guard to be increased to five hundred privates.
We then adjourned, and were severally employed in ,engaging the militia and citizens in general to take arms immediately. Our fixed resolution, insisting on a submission to Congress, the hall of the Militia, the excellent behaviour of the officers of our line, in general, the industry and address of Colonel Humpton, in repre-
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
senting to the Serjeants then in town the dangers that surrounded them by these operations, and intelligence that part of the army was in motion towards the city, with a circumstance that happened very opportunely, threw them into confusion. . The circumstance was this : A Captain Carberry, deranged, and a Lieutenant Sulli- van, two of the Committee appointed by the soldiers, and the. principal instigators of the disturbance, were so much alarmed at the measures taken and the accounts circulated, that they thought proper to fly. They first wrote a billet to Mr. William Huston, another of the Committee, and Adjutant of Colonel Humpton's regiment, in these words : "Consult your own safety ; we cannot get to you."
H. C. J. S.
This note, by some mistake, was delivered to Captain Chrystie. He and Captain Symonds went with it to Colonel Humpton. He and the Captains came to the President, and brought the Serjeants. At first the construction was doubtful, but in a short time it was judged that the meaning was agreeably to the facts just stated. Colonel Humpton proposed his going to the Barracks with the Ser- jeants who had impeached Captain Carberry and Lieutenant Sulli- van, and were now in a proper disposition to second his measures. He did so, and some citizens went to assist, by advising the soldiers to behave prudently in the present exigency. After some time they were prevailed upon to leave their arms under a guard at the Barracks, to come to the President's, and hear what he should say to them. They came and paraded before his house. He addressed them on the subject of their late and present behaviour, insisted on their giving a further evidence of their good disposition, and of their dutyfull submission to the offended Majesty of the United States, by compelling the soldiers lately arrived from Lancaster to lay down their arms or begin their march for that place, under the command of their officers, at the end of twenty-four hours, un- less in that time those unhappy men should return to a sense of their duty. At the conclusion of the address, they were ordered to repair to the Barracks under the command of their officers, then present, and behave themselves as soldiers ought to do, and they instantly obeyed.
The next day at twelve o'clock, the soldiers from Lancaster sub- mitted, and soon after began their march for that borough.
The President immediately communicated accounts of these trans- actions to the President of Congress in the three letters inclosed. The papers relating to the subsequent proceedings are herewith trans- mitted.
Thus, gentlemen, we have laid before you a faithful narrative of this affair, composed and examined while every circumstance was exactly remembered by us, and the Secretary will deliver to you the original papers, on which it is principally founded. We have
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MINUTES OF THE
had great difficulties to encounter, but have been enabled to pursue that tenor of conduct which we have held by the perfect unanimity that subsisted among us, thro' every stage of this business.
We recollected the high trust reposed in us by our country. The honor and tranquility of the State, and the lives and property of our fellow-citizens were involved in our deliberations. We could not commit these pledges of the public confidence, some of them so invaluable and revered, to the dangers necessarily resulting from hasty and violent measures.
While thus attentive to the interests of the State and our fellow. citizens, we have cheerfully exposed ourselves to every hazard that could arise from a firmness of opposition to the demands of a mu- tinous soldiery. We daily and regularly assembled in the Council Chamber, in our usual manner, and determinately rejected every proposal inconsistent with our characters and the public good. It is true, we have been insulted, but the follies or faults of others cannot diminish the dignity of those who take care not to impair it by any unworthy action of their own.
Upon the whole, with grateful acknowledgments to the Divine Goodness, we sincerely rejoice that such a disturbance was quieted without our making a single improper concession, and without cost- ing the life of one citizen of Pennsylvania.
JOHN DICKINSON.
COUNCIL CHAMBER, Philad'a, August 18th, 1783.
Ordered, That the Secretary transmit the same to the General Assembly.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday, August 19th, 1783. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOHN DICKINSON, Esquire, President.
The Honorable JAMES EWING, Esquire, Vice President.
James Irvine, George Wall, Jun'r, -
John McDowell John Van Campen, - Esquires. . James Potter, Sebastian Wall, John Byers,
Upon the petition of Thomas Durnal, convicted of a misdemeanor,' at May term of Oyer and Terminer held for the county of Ches- ter, 1783, and the memorial of sundry inhabitants of the said county in his favor, Council determine that the fine adjudged to be paid to the use of the State by Thomas Durnal, be remitted.
Cunningham Semple, Esquire, was commissioned a Justice of the Peace for the county of York, and William Bratton, Esquire, a
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
e justice of the Peace for the county of Cumberland, upon returns Jade according to law.
The memorial of Thomas Bradford, of the city of Philadelphia, pon the subject of some forfeited goods, &ca., &ca., was read, and Jejected.
The following orders were drawn upon the Treasurer, agreeably mo the Comptroller General's report.
In favour of David C. Claypoole, for the sum of one hundred nd twenty-four pounds fifteen shillings and three specie, eing in full of his account for printing done for the State.
In favour of Thomas Bradford, for the sum of eighty eight lounds twelve shillings and six pence specie, in full of his account ilfor printing done for the State.
In favour of Nicholas Depui, Esquire, for the sum of twenty- t ight pounds six shillings and three pence State money of the sev- nth of April, 1781, being the amount of principal and interest lue upon his certificate for a mare furnished for the use of the ublic, to be paid out of the fund provided by act of Assembly da- jed April the eighth, 1782.
d
And in favour of John Carr and Robert Stewart, for the sum of even pounds specie, in full of their account for attendance on ourts and Auditors, as Commissioners of the State for the pur- hase of cloathing in the year 1777.
The Council met.
Wednesday, August 20th, 1783.
PRESENT :
Honorable JAMES EWING, Esquire, Vice President.
James Irvine, George Wall, Jun'r,
John McDowell, John Van Campen, Esquires.
"The Comptroller General's report on the account of Lieutenant ames Anderson, for recruiting in the year 1777, was read and ap- roved.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of John Nich- Ison, Esquire, for the sum of five hundred pounds State money f the seventh of April, 1781, for the purpose of discharging the ne-third part of depreciation due to the officers and soldiers of the Pennsylvania line, according to act of General Assembly dated Thirteenth of April, 1782, for which he is to account.
1
le
ld
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MINUTES OF THE
The Council met.
Thursday, August the twenty-first, 1788 PRESENT :
His Excellency JOHN DICKINSON, Esquire, President The Honorable JAMES EWING, Esquire, Vice President.
James Irvine, George Wall, Junior,
John M'Dowell, James Potter,
Esquires.
John Byers, John Van Campen,
The Comptroller General's reports in favour of the follow officers and soldiers were read and approved, and an order dra for the interest due to each on the tenth day of April, 1782, computed by him, to be paid out of the monies arising from excise appropriated for the discharge of interest due upon depre tion certificates, vizt :
Principal.
Inter
William Mayberry, Matross in the 1st reg't artil'y,
50 17
22
3 1.1
Andrew Crawford, Matross of Artillery Artificers,
66 12
6
3.19
John Hemmelwright, private of the fifth regiment,
59 19
9
3
7
Howard Knight, Matross of Artillery,
68 14
2
4
2 .
208 19
12 10|
56
3
1
3
7
James Hawkins, private of the seventh do.,
85 14
4
5
2
Morris Casey, private of Hazen's do.,
56 13
3
3
Joseph Morrison, late Lieutenant Flying Camp,
345 13
8 20 14
Colonel William Butler, of the fourth regiment,
587
0
0
35
4
John Adams, private of do.,
58
1
1
3
9
Sadier Roach, do. do.,
54
1
8
3
4
John Brown, Fifer, late of the eleventh do.,
64
2
2
3 16
79
2
4
4 14
396
5
9
23 15
39
8 11
2 7
.
59
3
1 3 10
1
Sampson Dempsey, Serjeant in the fifth do.,
Captain Walter Finney, in the sixth do.,
Thomas Malson, private of the second do.,
Captain William Wilson, of the first re- giment,
Peter Wilduck, private of the first do., Bartholomew Berry, private of 10th do.,
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
669
aptain James Armstrong, of Lee's Par- tizan Legion,
388 15
6
23
6 5
atrick McCormick, private in the 7th regiment,
56
2
6
3 7
4
81
6
3
4 17
6
ntichael Kain, Serjeant in the 4th do., 4 osiah Harman, Esquire, Lieutenant Colonel 3rd do.,
167
3
9
10 0 6
amuel Doty, Lieutenant of the 1st Art'y do.,
297 13
8
17 17
1
rallenry D. Parcell, Lieutenant in the se- cond regiment,
63
1 7
3 15
8
redi aptain Lieutenant James Smith, of Ar- tillery,
278
5 2
16 13 10
re lichael Watz, a private in the third re- giment,
60
8 8
3.12 5
frederick Hill, do. in the fourth
39 15
8
2 7 7
acob Hill, do. in the fifth
61 10
4
3 13 9
ohn McGlaughlin, private in do.,
59
3
1
3 11 0
aptain John Edie, late of the seventh do.,
212
0
0
12 14 /4
Villiam Killan, Matross of Artificers,
42
4
1
2 10
6
Iatthias Flock, late a private in the German do.,
81
1
7
4 17
3
john Sullivan, private in the eleventh do.,
56 18
1
3
8
3
Villiam Talbatt, Matross of Artillery do.,
68
0 10
4 1 7
William Short, private in the eleventh do.,
83
0 11
4 19 7
William Ferguson, Captain Artillery do.,
450
9
2
27
0
6
Michael Schmycer, Captain in Flying Camp,
280
9
5
16 16
6
Henry Guiter, Matross in the Artillery, Doctor Francis Allison, late sen'r Surg'n Gen'l Hosp'l,
28
9
3
1 14
1
328
4 0
19 13 9
The petition of David Hillyer and Joseph Johnstone, Serjeants of the Invalid corps, was read, and referred to the Comptroller General.
7
do.,
2, aptain John Jordan, of Artillery Arti- ficers,
177
0 0
10 12
4
1
do.
66 19
5
4 0 4
hilip Everhard, a private in the third do.,
Principal.
Interest.
1
.
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MINUTES OF THE
Ordered, On application of Mr. Wall, that Captain Stiles 1 directed to issue thirty compleat stand of arms to the Lieutenal of Bucks county, in lieu of the same number without bayonets d posited by the said Lieutenant with Captain Stiles.
Ordered, That the Treasurer be directed to inform Council ho much money has arisen from the sale of Province, now Sta Island, and the city lots, by whom paid, how much is still due, ar by whom ?
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, August 22nd, 1783. PRESENT :
Honorable JAMES EWING, Esquire, Vice President.
James Irvine, James Potter,
George Wall, Jun'r, John Buyers,
John McDowell, John Van Campen,
Esquires
Sebastian Levan,
Mr. Long, Mr. J. Thomas, Mr. Boyd, Mr. Slagle, and Mr. Har zel, a Committee of the House, in conference with Council upo the petition of Joseph Hart.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of the Honora ble John Byers, for the sum of twenty-five pounds specie, in ful for his attendance in Council 'till the twenty-fifth instant, an mileage.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, August 23rd, 1783. PRESENT :
The Honorable JAMES EWING, Esquire, Vice President.
James Irvine, John McDowell,
Sebastian Levan, John Byres,
John Piper, John Van Campen,
Esquires.
James Potter,
The memorial of Major Michael Ryan, representing that or Thursday last, on his way from Virginia to this city, he was stopped in Chester by the Sheriff of that county, served with a casa and obliged to become responsible for a debt of forty pounds, contracted
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
by the commanding officer of a detachment of General then Colo- nel Wayne's regiment, for the accommodation of his troops, in the year 1776, was read, upon which Council determine that the pro- ceedings against Major Ryan, who served upon the occasion in an inferior and accountable office, have been highly irregular, and that the Secretary be directed to inform the Attorney of Mr. Elisha Price, and the Clerk of the Court, that they expect some steps will be taken to bring this affair to. a more equitable issue. It is their opinion, also, that all similar prosecution be staid.
The memorial of Josiah Harmer, Esquire, Lieutenant Colonel, was read.
Ordered, That a letter be written to the Agents of the county of Northumberland, inquiring into the cause of Colonel Harmer's disappointment, and whether there be any lands of a similar de- scription in the said county, to satisfy his title.
Agreeably to the decree of the Supreme Court, an order was drawn in favor of Jane Roberts, for the sum of two hundred and twenty-eight pounds ten shillings and three pence, being the annual allowance for herself and two children, Elizabeth and Anne, with costs of suit for its recovery for three years, at seventy-five pounds per annum, ending the first day of April last.
A letter from Monsieur Marbois, inclosing a memorial from seve- ral French merchants, addressed to the General Assembly, was read.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday, August 25th, 1783.
PRESENT :
The Honorable JAMES EWING, Esquire, Vice President.
James Irvine, John McDowell, r James Potter, John Piper, $ John Van Campen,
Esquires.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of John Nichol- son, Esquire, for the sum of fifteen pounds specie, in full of his account for the contingent expences of his office of Comptroller General.
Mr Penrose and Mr. Lilly, a committee of the General Assem- bly, attending in Council, a conference was held upon the subject of removing the Chevaux de frize, &ca., obstructions to the navi- gation of the river Delaware.
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