USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XIII > Part 6
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In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, Sept'r 12th, 1781. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
.
The Honorable the Vice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Whitehill, and
Mr. Van Campen.
The Council taking into consideration the proposal made by William Smith for taking under his care and superintending the artillery stores, buildings, &c., at Billingsport, Mud Island, and the Pest House, to wit : The land at Billingsport to be fenced in, and a licence for a public house ; the bank at Mud Island to be sufficiently repaired and kept in order at the public expence; a fence to be kept up around the lot at the Pest House, at public expence ; and a good boat provided for each of the two above men- tioned places ; Mr. Smith to keep a man at Fort Island : And there- upon agreed to the said terms; and
Ordered, That Captain Boys be directed to deliver over to Wil- liam Smith the artillery, stores, &c., at Billingsport and Mud Island.
A deed was examined and signed by his Excellency the Presi- dent to Elijah Weed, conveying a certain lot or parcel of land, situ- ate on Province Island, marked on the general plan of the said island, No. 1 : Beginning at a stake by the bank of Mingo creek, in the middle of a ditch between the said lot and the lot No. 2, purchased by John Fromberger; thence by the same south twenty- eight degrees east fifty-eight perches and two-tenths to a stake in the middle of a road leading from Schuylkill ferry to Tinicum and Chester ; thence by the same road south seventy-eight degrees west thirty-six perches and eight-tenths to a stake; thence by the banks of Eagle and Mingo creeks on the several courses thereof seventy
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perches and eight-tenths to the place of beginning ; containing ten acres and fifty perches of land, strict measure : Sold agreeably to law, for the redemption of the bills of credit of this State of the 29th of April, 1780, to the said Elijah Weed, for the sum of eight hundred and seventeen pounds eleven shillings and ten pence, which sum he hath paid into the hands of the Treasurer of the State, as by his receipt, produced to this Board, appears. Deed dated the twelfth instant.
WHEREAS, The Honorable Congress of the United States have transmitted to this Board an extract of a letter from the Count De Barras to the Consul of France for the Middle district, respecting the employment of French sailors on board the Merchant and other vessels of this port; and it has been earnestly recommended to the Legislatures and Executives of the several States to give effectual aid in apprehending all sailors subjects of His Most Christian Ma- jesty, and otherwise discouraging and preventing such sailors leav- ing his said Majesty's service; whereupon,
Resolved, That all Magistrates, Sheriffs, Constables, and other officers of this State, both civil and military, be directed to aid and assist in the apprehending and securing all French seamen; and that it be recommended to all merchants, captains of vessels, and other inhabitants of this State, to discourage the employment of such seamen in any vessels belonging to or sailing out of this port.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, September 13th, 1781. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
The Honorable the Vice President.
Mr. Whitehill, and Mr. Van Campen,
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Mr. William Turnbull, for the sum of two hundred and six pounds ten shillings specie, amount of his account for blankets purchased for the use of the State.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of William Scott, Esquire, of Yorktown, for the sum of fifteen pounds, State money of the seventh of April, 1781, balance of his account for purchasing cattle for the use of the army, in the county of York.
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In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, September 14, 1781.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
The Honorable the Vice President. Mr. Whitehill, and Mr. Van Campen.
The following deeds were examined and signed by his Excellency the President, viz :
To John Selles, for the messuage or tenement called the Ferry House, and six lots of land, situate on Province Island, in the county of Philadelphia, and marked in the general plan of said island from No. 9 to 14 inclusive ; containing fifty-one acres and one hundred and fifty-seven perches : Sold agreeably to law for the redemption of the bills of credit of this State of the twenty-ninth of April, 1781, to the said John Selles, for the sum of five thou- sand five hundred and sixty-two pounds four shillings and seven pence, which sum he hath paid into the hands of the Treasurer 'of this State, as appears by the said Treasurer's receipts, produced to this Board. Deed dated the thirteenth instant.
To Major James Parr, for a plantation or tract of land situate in the township of New Garden, in the county of Chester, con- taining sixty-four acres, be the same more or less : Seized and sold agreeably to law, as the estate late of Stephen Anderson, an at- tainted traitor, to the said James Parr, for the sum of three hun- dred pounds, subject to a yearly ground rent of nine bushells of good merchantable wheat, payable to the Trustees of the University of this State, three-fourths of which sum he hath paid into the hands of the Agents of Forfeited Estates in the said county, as by said Agents' receipt appears, the remaining one-fourth being re- served for the purpose aforesaid. . Deed dated the thirty-first day of August last.
To do. for a tract or parcel of land situate in the township of East Marlborough, in the county of Chester, containing three acres and twenty-six perches, be the same more or less : Seized and sold agreeably to law, as the estate late of John Jackson, an attainted traitor, to the said James Parr, for the sum of seventy-one pounds, subject to a yearly ground rent of two bushels and two-fifteenth parts of a bushel of good merchantable wheat, payable as afore- said ; three-fourths of which sum he paid to the said Agents, the remaining one-fourth reserved as aforesaid. Deed dated the thir- ty-first day of August last.
To ditto. for a plantation or tract of land situate in the township of East Marlborough, in the county of Chester, containing twenty-
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five acres and fifty-seven perches of land, be the same more or less : Seized and sold agreeably to law, as the estate late of Stephen An- derson, an attainted traitor, to the said James Parr, for the sum of . eighty-one pounds, subject to a yearly rent of two bushels and one hundred and three two hundred and fortieth parts of a bushel of good merchantable wheat, payable as aforesaid ; three-fourths of which sum of eighty one pounds he hath paid to the said Agents, the remaining one-fourth being reserved as aforesaid. Deed dated the thirty-first day of August last.
To Doct'r James Hutchinson, for a certain plantation or tract of land situate in the township of Fast Caln, in the county of Ches- ter, containing seventy-eight acres and one hundred and twenty- one perches, be the same more or less : Seized and sold as the estate of George Sinclair, an attainted traitor, to the said James Hutchinson, for the sum of four hundred and forty-six pounds, sub- ject to a yearly ground rent of thirteen bushels and fifteen fortieth parts of a bushel of good merchantable wheat, payable as afore- said; three-fourths of which sum he hath paid to the said Agents, the remaining one-fourth being reserved as aforesaid. Deed dated the thirty-first day of August last.
To John Christie, for a certain plantation or tract of land situate in Heidleberg township, in the county of Berks, containing four hundred and seventy-two acres and one hundred and forty-eight perches, be the same more or less : Seized and sold agreeably to law, as the estate late of Andrew Allen, an attainted traitor, to the said John Christie, for the sum of five thousand four hundred and thirty-eight pounds twelve shillings and nine pence, subject to a yearly ground rent of one hundred and sixty-three bushels and nine- teen one hundred and twentieth parts of good merchantable wheat, payable as aforesaid; three-fourths of which sum he hath paid to the Agents of Confiscated Estates in the county of Berks, the re- maining one-fourth reserved as aforesaid. Deed dated the thirty- first day of August last.
To John Craig, for a tract or piece of land situate in Heidleberg township, in the said county of Berks, containing three hundred and thirty-one acres and seventy perches, be the same more or less: Seized and sold agreeably to law, as the estate late of Andrew Al- len, an attainted traitor, to the said John Craig, for the sum of three thousand nine hundred and ten pounds nineteen shillings and three pence, subject to a yearly rent of one hundred and seventeen bushels and seventy-nine two hundred and fortieth parts of a bushel of good merchantable wheat, payable to said Trustees ; three-fourths of which sum he hath paid to the said Agents, the remaining one- fourth be reserved as aforesaid. Deed dated the first instant.
To Francis Johnston, Esquire, for a certain tract of land situate in the township of West Caln. in the county of Chester, contain- ing two hundred and eighty-seven acres and three-quarters : Seized and sold agreeably to law, as the estate late of Richard Swanwick,
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an attainted traitor, to the said Francis Johnston, for the sum of six hundred pounds, subject to a yearly ground rent of eighteen · bushels of good merchantable wheat, payable as aforesaid ; three- fourths of which sum he hath paid to the Agents aforesaid, the re- maining one-fourth being reserved as aforesaid. Deed dated the thirty-first day of August last.
Mr. Jacks and Mr. Patton, a committee from the Honorable House of Assembly, attended and informed the Council that the House was now met, and ready to receive any business the Coun- cil may have to lay before them.
"The following message being read and considered, to wit :
Message from the President and Council, to the Representatives of the Freemen of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met.
GENTLEMEN-The usual engagements of this season of the year, and the time allotted for public business, will not permit our lay- ing before you any other than that which is indispensably neces- sary : But we think it highly proper to inform you, that the defi- .ciency of recruits proposed to be raised by the late acts of Assembly, has been very considerable, and that there are some material de- fects in those acts, of which the delinquent classes have availed themselves, and which will require your attention, that justice may be done to all, and this important service properly completed. We would also recommend a provisionary act in favor of those virtuous inhabitants of Carolina, who, after suffering greatly in the common cause, have, with a few domestics, retired into this State from the oppressions of the tyranny of the British government: By the operation of a law of this Commonwealth, just and humane in itself, and highly reasonable when extended only to the proper inhabi- tants of this State, they will be in danger of loosing the services of these few domestics they have saved from the depredations of the enemy, unless some cautionary regulation is soon adopted, and which we make no doubt you will provide.
The Secretary will deliver you sundry papers relative to the above, and some other important concerns of the State; and we shall cheerfully concur in every measure tending to facilitate the public business with harmony and dispatch.
JOSEPH REED, President.
Council Chamber, Phil'a, Sept'r 14, 1781.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Ensign Wil- liam Cooper, of the company of Rangers raised in the county of Westmoreland, for the sum of two pounds and four shillings spe- cie, for paying for transportation of cloathing for the use of the said company.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Nicholas Lutz, Esquire, late Commissioner of Purchases for the county of Berks, for the sum of eight hundred and twenty-seven pounds fifteen shil-
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lings and five pence, balance of his account for provisions purchased in the county of Berks for the use of the army.
A petition from Benjamin Duncan, praying a pass to the city of New York, not to return again, was read; and thereupon,
Resolved, That a pass be granted.
1
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, Sept'r 15th, 1781. PRESENT :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President. The Honorable the Vice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Van Campen, and
Mr. Whitehill.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of William Scott, Esq'r, for the sum of seventy-three pounds six shillings and two pence, specie, balance of his specie account for purchasing pro- visions as Commissioner of Purchases in the county of York, for the use of the army.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Nicholas Lutz, Esquire, late Commissioner of Purchases for the county of Berks, for the sum of three hundred pounds, State money of the seventh of April, 1781, in full for extra allowance for his services- as Commissioner of Purchases, agreeably to recommendation of the House of Assembly.
A letter from His Excellency the President of Congress of the twelfth instant, was read, inclosing the recognition of the Sieur Holker, as Consul General of France, in the States of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, and recommending to each of the said States to make public declaration thereof; and the same being considered,
Resolved, That the declaration of the said Consul in this State be as follows, vizt :
Pennsylvania, ss :
His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President, and the Su- preme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylva- nia. To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting :
The Sieur Holker having been recognized by the United States: in Congress assembled, as Consul General of France, in the Com- monwealth aforesaid, it is hereby declared that the privileges,,
,
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pre-eminence and authority belonging to such character and quality are due him.
Given by order of the Council, under the hand of His Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esquire, President, and the less seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this fifteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one. JOSEPH REED, President. Attest :- TIMOTHY MATLACK, Secretary.
-
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday, Sept'r 17, 1781. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
The Honorable the Vice President. Mr. Gardner, and Mr. Whitehill.
A resolution of the Honorable House of Assembly, of the fif- teenth of September instant, was received and read, appointing a committee, to wit : Mr. S. Morris, Mr. Delany, Mr. J. Smith, Mr. Mifflin and Mr. J. Harris, to request a conference with this Board and the Superintendant of the Finances of the United States, on the several important matters contained in the letters of the said Superintendant to the President which accompanied the message, from Council of the fourteenth instant; and the said committee and Superintendant of Finance attending in Council, a free con- ference on the subject of the treasury was had, in which there ap- peared the greatest harmony and good understanding between the Assembly and the Council, and a mutual good disposition to enforce the speedy and effectual collection of the public taxes, as a measure absolutely necessary, and probably effectual, in the present critical and important crisis, was evinced.
This being the day appointed for a hearing of the Pykeland company, respecting their claims to divers city lots, the parties at- tended, but the Council being engaged in other business, the hear- ing was postponed till to-morrow morning at eight o'clock.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday, September 18, 1781.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
The Honorable the Vice President.
Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Whitehill.
Mr. Van Campen, and
The Council proceeded to hear the allegations of the Pykeland company by their attorney, Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, and the title of the said company being laid before the Board, the same was continued under advisement.
Mr. Boudinott, Colonel Atlee and General Varnum, a committee of Congress, attended in Council on a conference of inquiry into the condition of defence in which the State now stood, and especi- ally what forwardness the militia called into service were now in. They were informed that the orders had been issued for as near as may be the number of men required by Congress, and the place of rendezvous assigned so as to have them in readiness to march when the occasion may require; that there are no gallies for the river defence. The said committee freely communicated the facts, and reasoning upon which they founded an apprehension of an in- tended attack on Philadelphia city, and suggested the propriety of having the stores and public papers of the State in a condition to be removed.
WHEREAS, On the late tour of duty of the militia there was a greater number of officers than was proportionate to the men called into actual service ; whereupon, it was concluded as a public saving, and that each officer might have a suitable command, to divide the officers, and that a part should take present command :
And whereas, It is now doubted whether on the present call of militia the detained officers of the former classes should go as next in order of duty ; and the same having been duly considered,
Resolved, That agreeably to the act of Assembly, and from reasons of a public convenience, the said officers last mentioned perform their tour on the next call of the classes to which they properly belong, and that the Lieutenant do make arrangement of the officers on the present tour as each may have a suitable com- mand.
A petition from Elizabeth Hyde, praying permission to go into the city of New York, was read ; and thereupon,
Resolved, That the prayer thereof be granted, on condition that she give security not to return again during the continuance of the present war.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Col. William Scott, Lieutenant of the county of York, for the sum of two thou-
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sand pounds specie, to be paid to William Alexander, Paymaster of the militia of the said county, for the purpose of paying the militia now on duty guarding the prisoners at Yorktown, out of the money arising from militia fines in said county, and no other, for which the said Paymaster is to account.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, Sept'r 19, 1781. PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
The Honorable the Vice President.
Mr. Gardner, Mr. Lacey,
Mr. Whitehill, and Mr. Van Campen.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Captain Wal- ter Finney, a wounded officer in the Pennsylvania line, or bis or- der, the sum of three pounds twelve shillings specie, for paying the necessary expences of his attendance on the Surgeons, for which sum he is to account.
Mr. Delany, Mr. Mifflin, Mr. Hiester, Mr. Hill and Mr. Mont- gomery, a committee of the General Assembly, attended in Council in conference on the measures necessary for the present defence.
Ordered, That the Secretary write to the several officers of the State, whose papers, &c., are numerous, and request them to have them ready to remove at the shortest notice.
In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, Septem'r 20, 1781.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
The Honorable the Vice President.
Mr. Whitehill, Mr. Van Campen, and
Mr. Lacey.
A petition from William Green, by his attorney John Lee, was read, praying to have a lot in the city laid out in right of Green ; and
Ordered, To lie on the table.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favour of Mr. John Perry, late Commissioner of Purchases in the county of Westmore-
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land, for the sum of two thousand six hundred and fifty-six pounds sixteen shillings and eight pence, State money of the seventh of April, 1781, ballance of his account as Commissioner of Purchases. for said county.
Ordered, That the Secretary request Commodore Hazlewood to supply about eighty militia, now in the Barracks, with provisions, and assure him that in case Mr. Morris does not pay him, the Council will.
WHEREAS, The probable designs of the enemy against the city of Philadelphia, require the most unanimous exertions; where- fore,
Resolved, That in this emergency the militia of the city and districts be called forth in battalion, each under its proper officers, agreeably to the thirtieth section of the militia law of this State, and that the Lieutenant hold the appeal on all delinquents, and collect the fines to be applied to the use of the militia in actual service with all possible dispatch.
The following deeds were examined and signed by his Excellen- cy the President, for divers lots in the city of Philadelphia, sold agreeably to law, for the redemption of the bills of credit of the 29th day of April, 1780, marked in the general plan of city lots as follows, to wit :
To George Vogel, for lots No. 313, 314, and 315. Considera- tion one hundred and sixty-four pounds.
To Michael Cainer, for lots No. 127 and 128. Consideration one hundred and four pounds.
To do., for lots No. 165 and 166. Consideration one hundred and thirty pounds.
To Hugh Hadge, for lots No. 472 and 473. Consideration six- ty-five pounds.
To Michael Cainer, for lots No. 167 and 168. Consideration one hundred and two pounds.
To Edward Evans, for lots No. 81 and 83. Consideration eighty pounds.
To Edward Pole, for lots No. 343, 344, 345 & 346. Considera- tion two hundred and forty pounds.
To Jedediah Snowden, for lots No. 385, 386, 387 and 388. Consideration one hundred and twenty-two pounds.
To Philip Wager, for lot No. 320. Consideration forty-six pounds.
To Francis Johnson, for lot No. 342. Consideration seventy pounds.
To John Hood, for lots No. 29, 30, 31 and 32. Consideration five hundred and sixty-seven pounds.
To Peter Azeas, for lots No. 270, 271, 276 and 277. Considera - tion two hundred and twenty-seven pounds.
· To do , for lot No. 245. Consideration forty-one pounds.
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To George Vogel, for lots No. 310, 311 and 312. Considera- tion one hundred and twenty pounds.
To Benjamin Fuller, for lots No. 281 and 282. Consideration sixty-one pounds.
To do., for lots No. 410, 411, 412 and 413. Consideration ninety-six pounds.
To do., for lot marked E. Consideration one hundred and thir- ty-five pounds.
To Hugh Hodge, for lots No. 352, 353, 354, 355, 356 and 357. Consideration three hundred and two pounds.
To William Greenway, for lots No. 613 and 614. Consideration sixty pounds.
To do., for lot No. 366. Consideration forty-one pounds.
To James Hunter, for lot No. 307. Consideration twenty-six pounds.
To Isaac Snowden, for lots No. 367, 368, 369 and 370. Con- sideration one hundred and forty-five pounds.
To John Morgan, for lot No. 33. Consideration one hundred and eighty pounds.
To his Excellency Thomas M'Kean, Esquire, for lot No. 49. Consideration ninety-two pounds.
To do., for lot No. 5. Consideration one hundred pounds.
To do., for lot No. 16. Consideration one hundred pounds.
To do., for lot No. 17. Consideration one hundred pounds.
To do., for lot No. 48. Consideration eighty-two pounds.
To do., for lot No. 6. Consideration one hundred pounds.
To William Pritchett, for lots No. 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364 & 365. Consideration three hundred and three pounds.
To do., for lot No. 1. Consideration one hundred and seventy- one pounds.
To David Rittenhouse, Esq'r, for lot No. 214. Consideration one hundred and twenty-one pounds.
To the Honourable Francis Hopkinson, Esquire, for lots No. 376 and 377. Consideration seventy-three pounds.
To Michael Shubart, Esquire, for lots No. 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236 and 237. Consideration two hundred and six pounds.
To Nicholas Bernard, for lot No. 82. Consideration thirty-five pounds.
To William Graham, for lots No. 269 and 278. Consideration one hundred and ten pounds.
All which sums the persons above mentioned have paid into the hands of the Treasurer of this State, as by the said Treasurer's receipts produced to this Board appears. Deeds dated the twenti- eth instant.
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In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, September 21, 1781.
PRESENT :
His Excellency the President.
The Honorable the Vice President.
Mr. Lacey,
1
Mr. Gardner,
Mr. Whitehill, and Mr. Van Campen.
A deed was examined and signed by his Excellency the Presi- dent to Joseph Allston, for four lots of land situate on Province Island, and marked in the general plan of the said island No. 20, 21, 27 and 28; containing forty one acres and twenty perches of land, strict measure, sold agreeably to law, for the redemption of the bills of credit of the 29th day of April, 1780, to the said Joseph Allston, for the sum of two thousand four hundred and eighteen pounds eight shillings and three pence, which sum he hath paid into the hands of the Treasurer of the State, as appears by his re- ceipt produced to this Board. Deed dated the twenty-first in- stant.
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