USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XIII > Part 61
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
An order was also drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Francis Gurney, & others, Wardens of the port of Philadelphia, for five hundred pounds specie, for the purpose of removing the Chevaux
1.
740
MINUTES OF THE
, de frize, and other obstructions to the navigation of the river Dela- ware, to be paid agreeably to resolution of Assembly of the twen- ty-fourth of September, 1783.
In favor of the Honorable James Ewing, Esquire, for one hun- dred and forty-one pounds, in full for one year's salary as Vice President, ending the sixth instant, and his mileage.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday, November 10th, 1783.
PRESENT : His Excellency JOHN DICKINSON, Esquire, President. The Hon'ble JAMES EWING, Esquire, Vice President.
James Irvine, Samuuel J. Atlee, and )
George Wall, Jun'r, Stephen Balliott, Esquires.
John McDowell,
The return of the general election held in the county of Wash- ington, was received and read, by which it appears that the follow- ing gentlemen were duly elected, to wit :
Censors.
James Edgar, and
John McDowell.
Councillor.
John Neville.
Representatives.
John Stephenson, and Matthew Ritchie.
Sheriffs.
Van Swearingen,
Andrew Swearingen.
Coroners.
William McFarland, and William McComb,
Commissioner.
Demus Lindley.
On consideration,
Ordered, That Van Swearingen, Esquire, be appointed Sheriff, and William McFarland, Coroner of the county of Washington, and that they be commissioned accordingly.
Van Swearingen, Esquire, now offers John Neville, Andrew Swearingen, and Dorsey Penticost, Esquires, of the county of Washington, as sureties for the faithful performance of the duties
741
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
of his office for the said county according to law, which the Coun- cil approve.
A memorial from some of the people commonly called Quakers, was presented to Council and read.
Robert Martin, Esquire, attending at the door of the Council room, offers himself for a seat at this Board.
The Comptroller's reports upon the accounts of James Muirs, for stiching pamphlets of Robert Stevenson, Esquire, deceased, for arms furnished for the use of the State, and expences incurred for a militia detachment, and of Archibald McClean, Esquire, Pro- thonotary of the county of York, were read and approved.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday, November 11th, 1783.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOHN DICKINSON, Esquire, President.
The Honorable JAMES EWING, Esquire, Vice President.
The Hon'ble James Irvine, Samuel J. Atlee, r
George Wall, Junior, John Neville, Esquires. John McDowell, 7
Mr. John Neville attending in Council, took the oaths of quali- fication as a member of this Board.
The memorial of Captain Philip Liebertz, was read.
Bernard Dougherty, Esquire, returned as a member of this Board, attending in Council, took the oaths of qualification pre- scribed by the Constitution, and took his seat at the Board.
A certificate of the apprehension and security of Joseph Doan, by Joseph Wilson, was read.
The petition of Nicholas Lloyd, convicted of fornication at the late city court, and sentenced to a fine of ten pounds, was read ; and in consideration of the circumstances,
Ordered, That the aforesaid fine be remitted.
Two orders were drawn on the Treasurer agreeably to the Comp- troller General's report of the nineteenth of July last, read and approved by Council: The one in favour of Joseph Green, for twenty-four pounds eleven shillings and ten pence, State money of the seventh of April, 1781, the price of a horse furnished by him for the use of the public. The other in favor of John Weitzle, for the sum of four pounds, like money, being the price of a steer D furnished by him for the public use.
The Comptroller's report upon the account of Lieutenant Craw- ford, and that of John Weitzle, Contractor for provisions for the garrison of Wyoming, were read and approved.
ce
n.
la. n-
742
MINUTES OF THE
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Joseph Dolby, for the sum of six pounds, due to him for ringing the bells upon the proclamation of the President and Vice President of this Board.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, November 12th, 1783. PRESENT : His Excellency JOHN DICKINSON, Esquire, President.
The Honorable JAMES EWING, Esquire, Vice President.
The Hon'ble James Irvine, Samuel J. Atlee,
John McDowell, Bernard Dougherty, Esquires. George Wall, Jun'r, John Neville,
Isaac Mason, Esquire, attending in Council, was admitted to a seat at this Board, upon taking the oaths of qualification prescribed by the Constitution.
The petition of Charles Wilstach, was read the second time and rejected.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of James Muir, for the sum of forty pounds seven shillings and five pence, agree- ably to the Comptroller's report of the eighteenth instant.
The petition of Benjamin Fuller, praying to be appointed a Na- val Officer, should the present incumbent be removed.
Ephraim Douglass, Esquire, of the county of Fayette, being ad- mitted to Council, took the oaths prescribed by the Constitution to qualify him for the execution of his office of Prothonotary, &ca., &ca., of the said county.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Mr. Joseph Wilson, for the sum one hundred pounds, being as part of the re- ward due to him for apprehending and securing Joseph Doan.
743
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, November 13th, 1783.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOHN DICKINSON, Esquire, President.
The Honorable JAMES EWING, Esquire, Vice President.
The Hon'ble James Irvine, Bernard Dougherty, -
George Wall, junior, John Neville, and Esq'rs.
Samuel J. Atlee, Isaac Mason,
Upon considering the contract now subsisting between the Com- monwealth and John Weitzle, Esquire, it is mutually agreed that the said John Weitzle shall continue to furnish the troops employed in the county of Northumberland, with rations untill the first day of July next, for which he shall be allowed ten pence per ration. The rations to consist of,
One pound of flour, one pound of beef, or three-quarters of a pound of pork, one gill of whiskey.
One quart of salt,
Two quarts of vinegar, S 'To every hundred rations.
Eight pounds of soap, To every seven hundred rations.
Three pounds of candles, S
That at no time shall the troops be left without one month's provision in store.
That the sum of six hundred pounds, fifty pounds be advanced to Mr. Weitzle on account. That the account he shall render against the State shall be signed by the commanding officer, and that either party is at liberty to dissolve this contract on the first day of July next, provided that one month's notice be previously given by the party so disposed to dissolve it.
JOHN WEITZLE.
Philadelphia, November 13th, 1783.
The petition from Matteo Brattelli, now confined in the new gaol, and sundry papers relating thereto, were transmitted to the Gene- ral Assembly.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of John Weitzle, Esquire, for six hundred and fifty pounds specie, agreeably to the above agreement.
The Comptroller's reports upon the accounts of Lieutenant Colo- nel Caleb North Benezet, and Backman, Bernard Miller, and Elijah Weed, were read, approved, and the following orders drawn : In favor of Bernard Miller and Elijah Weed, the former for the sum of twenty-nine pounds sixteen shillings ond eight pence, State money, being the principal and interest due for a mare fur- nished by him for public use, and the latter for the sum of ten pounds twelve shillings and four pence, being his traveling expences to and from New York, on the business of the State.
by,
his
744
MINUTES OF THE
1
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, November 14th, 1783.
PRESENT : His Excellency JOHN DICKINSON, Esquire, President. The Honorable JAMES EWING, Vice President.
The Hon'ble James Irvine, Bernard Dougherty, )
George Wall, Junior, Isaac Mason, & John M'Dowell, John Neville, Esq'rs.
Samuel J. Atlce,
A resolution of Congress, transmitted by their Secretary, was read.
A representation from the Magistracy of Washington county, upon the complaints of John Campbell and John Coxe, was read.
A letter from Mr. John Shee, stating the services and wishes of Lieutenant Colonel Weibert, was read.
Upon the reference of yesterday, the General Assembly came to the following resolution, vizt :
" Resolved, That Council do pardon the said Matteo Battelli. On which it was,
Ordered, That a pardon shall immediately issue.
Mr. Miles, Mr. Smilie, and Mr. Hart, a committee of the Coun- cil of Censors, attending at the Council door, were introduced by the Secretary, and informed the Board that they had chosen Frede- rick A. Muhlenberg, Esquire, their President.
Mr. Delaney, Mr. Coleman, and Mr. Potts, a Committee attend- ing in Council, a conference was had upon the application of the Barracks in this city, the Storehouse in Lancaster, &ca., &ca., and the best possible way of conveying the thanks of the State to the Pennsylvania line.
Upon considering the proposals made by Messieurs de Brassine and Garrison, for removing the chevaux-de-frize, were accepted, and are as follows, to wit :
Messieurs de Bassine and Garrison are, within nine months from the date hereof, to take down to the ballast, and entirely remove, all the chevaux-de-frize in the river Delaware, or so many of them as Council shall direct. All expences, without exception, of so- taking down and removing the same, to be defrayed by the said de Brassine and Garrison. When all the said chevaux-de-frizes, or so many of them as Council shall direct, shall be taken down and re- moved, in the manner before mentioned, Council will immediately pay them four thousand pounds in specie.
The petition of John Caldwell, convicted of larceny, at a. Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace beld at Philadelphia in June last, was read and rejected.
For
Hon
745
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Gunning Bed- ord & Thomas Nevil, for one hundred and fifty pounds, out of the onnage duties, on account of repairs at the hospital on State sland, they to be accountable.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, November 15th, 1783.
PRESENT :
The Honorable JAMES EWING, Esquire, Vice President.
The Hon'ble James Irvine, Bernard Dougherty, )
George Wall, Junior, Isaac Mason, and Esq'rs. Samuel J. Atlee, John Neville,
The petition of John Butler, convicted of larceny at the Octo- ber sessions of the City Court, was read and rejected.
The petition of Colonel Francis Murray, praying to be appointed Lieutenant of the county of Bucks, was read.
The Comptroller's report upon the account of Richard Wallace, Esq'r, for provisions furnished to a part of Captain Stokely's com- pany, was read and approved, and an order drawn in favor of the said Wallace, for the sum of to be paid out of the fund appropriated to the frontier defence.
The petition of John Davis, convicted of larceny in the October sessions of the City Court, 1782, was read, and the fine of eighty- three pounds seventeen shillings, to which he was sentenced, was remitted.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Captain Samuel Kennedy, for the sum of thirty-seven pounds ten shillings, being a part of pay on account, agreeably to resolution of Assembly of 22nd of September, 1783.
A letter from William Bailey, Esquire, Sheriff of the county of York, was read, informing that one of the gentlemen whom he had offered to Council as a surety for his official conduct, had before he returned to York, engaged himself as such to the Jailor of the county, praying, therefore, that Colonel David Grier or Robert McPherson may be accepted in his stead.
Ordered, That the Prothonotary be informed that either of the two will be acceptable to Council.
1.
to
of
was
ty,
Q's.
83.
nt.
743
MINUTES OF THE
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday, November 17th, 1783.
PRESENT : His Excellency JOHN DICKINSON, Esquire, President.
The Honorable JAMES EWING, Esquire, Vice President.
The Hon'ble James Irvine, Isaac Mason, George Wall, junior, Bernard Dougherty, and John McDowell, John Neville, Esq'rs. Samuel J. Atlee,
In consideration of the many offices held by Joseph Hart, Esquire, Colonel Francis Murray was appointed to the place of Lieutenant of Bucks county.
On the resignation of Colonel Adam Hubley, Colonel James Ross was unanimously appointed to the place of Lieutenant of Lancaster county.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Evan James, for the sum of two pounds, State money, being the price of three sheep, furnished for public use.
Mr. Mercer and Mr. Clymer, a committee of the House, attend- ing in Council, gave information that a committee of the House had been appointed to hear the testimony on the case of the late contested election in Northumberland county : Upon which it was
Ordered, That Mr. Atlee and Mr. Neville be a committee of this Board to attend the examination of the witnesses, and make report accordingly.
A resolution of Congress of the thirteenth instant, mentioning the appointment of a President, and the adjournment of Congress from Princeton to Annapolis, was transmitted to the House.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday, November 18th, 1783.
PRESENT : His Excellency JOHN DICKINSON, Esquire, President. The Honorable JAMES EWING, Esquire, Vice President. The Honorable James Irvine, Bernard Dougherty, } George Wall, jun'r, Isaac Mason, John McDowell, John Neville, Esq'rs. Samuel J. Atlee,
The Comptroller's report upon the account of Robert Aitken, was read and approved, and an order drawn on the Treasurer in
S
0
fa tw f
747
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
favor of the said Aitken, for the sum of one hundred and seventy- two pounds and five pence, for printing, folding, &ca., &ca., done for the State.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable Sebastian Levan, Esquire, for the sum of fifty-three pounds seven shillings and six pence, in full of his account for attendance as Councillor from the first of September 'till the thirty-first of Octo- ber, 1783, inclusively.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of John Seigrist, for the sum of thirty-five pounds sixteen shillings and six pence, State money, being the principal and interest due for a horse fur- nished for public use.
A memorial from John Mitchell, was read and referred to the Comptroller General.
A memorial of Captain Walter Finney, stating the circumstances attending the purchase of a tract of land sold to him by the Agents of Chester county as confiscated property, was read ;
Ordered, That the memorial and papers on which it is founded be referred to the Honorable House of Assembly, it appearing to Council that Captain Finney's case is similar to the case of the officers who purchased a part of Hog Island.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, November 19th, 1783. PRESENT :
The Honorable JAMES EWING, Esquire, Vice President.
The Honorable James Irvine, Bernard Dougherty,
John McDowell, Isaac Mason, Esquires. Samuel J. Atlee, John Neville,
The Comptroller's report upon the account of Daniel Hortecher, for provisions furnished by him to the militia of Northampton county, was read and approved.
His Excellency Thomas Mifflin, Esquire, and the Honorable Cadwallader Morris, attending in Council, a conference was had upon the mode of correspondence to be adopted between this Board and the delegation to Congress.
The petition of Peter Lauverstein, of Northampton county, was read and referred to Colonel Thomas Craig, who is hereby autho- rized to remit the fine, if upon enquiry he finds the representation of the said Lauverstein to be true.
The petitions of Godfrey Diffendeffer, Valentine Kayser, and James Jones, were read.
nd-
mes bre
it
ate as bis
0g
783.
ent
ent.
Hart ce
748
MINUTES OF THE
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, November 20th, 1783.
PRESENT : His Excellency JOHN DICKINSON, Esquire, President.
The Honorable JAMES EWING, Esquire, Vice President.
The Honorable James Irvine, Samuel J. Atlee, George Wall, junior, John Neville, and John McDowell, John Mason, Esquires. Bernard Dougherty,
The following orders were drawn on the Treasurer, vizt :'
In favor of John Cannon, Esquire, for two hundred and seventy- four pounds five shillings, in full for rations furnished to rangers and militia in Washington county 'till August, 1783, inclusively, to be paid out of the frontier fund.
In favor of Benjamin Brannon, Esquire, for forty pounds, to be applied in repairing the banks of Mud Island, agreeably to the con- tract between him and the State. >
In favor of Philip Bryan, for fifty pounds seven shillings and nine pence, State money of the seventh of April, 1781, in full for principal and interest for a horse furnished for public use.
In favor of Thomas Bulger, for fifteen pounds ten shillings and two pence, in State money, in full of principal and interest upon his certificate for provisions furnished for public use.
In favor of Joseph Mellvaine, for two pounds twelve shillings and six pence, in full of his certificate for provisions furnished for public use.
The three last mentioned sums to be paid agreeably to resolution of Assembly dated the eighth day of May, 1782.
In favor of Augustine Willet, Esquire, for fourteen shillings and seven pence, ballance of his account for provisions furnished to the militia in the fall of 1781.
The resignations of Robert Cluggage, Robert Scott, and Samuel Thompson, as Justices of the Peace for the county of Bedford, were read and accepted.
A memorial from William Pollard, merchant, respecting money in his hands belonging to William Price, attainted of high treason, was read; and
Ordered, 'To lie on the table.
A deed was examined and signed by his Excellency the President, to James Tate, conveying ninety-two acres and sixteen perches of land, situate in Northampton township, in the county of Bucks : Seized and sold agresably to law, as the estate late of Alexander Bartram, for six hundred and seven pounds eighteen shillings spe- cie. Deed dated this day.
B
Cre
C
Frati
bn
Co
749
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Council considering that it may now be proper to have some prepa- ations made for the public demonstrations of joy upon the definitive reaty of Peace between the United States and Great Britain,
Ordered, That the Honorable House of Assembly be consulted n that subject.
* The Council resumed the consideration of the Proclamation of Congress dated the eighteenth of October instant, recommending o the several States to set apart the second Thursday in December or public thanksgiving; and thereupon,
Agreed that a proclamation for that purpose be issued in the following words, to wit :
By the President and the Supreme Executive Council of the Com- monwealth of Pennsylvania :
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, The United States in Congress assembled, by their proclamation dated the eighteenth of October instant, have set forth and recommended that " Whereas, It hath pleased the Su- o be preme Ruler of all human events to dispose the hearts of the late con· belligerant powers to put a period to the effusion of human blood, by proclaiming a cessation of all hostilities by sea and land, and these United States are not only happily. rescued from the danger for and calamities to which they have been so long exposed, but their freedom, sovereignty, and independence, ultimately acknowledged :
"And whereas, In the progress of a contest on which the most essential rights of human nature depended, the interposition of Divine Providence in our favor hath been most abundantly and most graciously manifested, and the citizens of these States have every reason for praise and gratitude to the God of their salvation. Impressed, therefore, with an exalted sense of the blessings by which we are surrounded, and of our entire dependence on that Almighty Being from whose goodness and bounty they are deri- ved : The United States in Congress assembled do recommend to the several States to set apart the second Thursday in December next as a day of public thanksgiving, that all the people may then assemble to celebrate with grateful hearts and united voices, the praises of their Supreme and all bountiful Benefactor for his num- berless favours and mercies ; that He hath been pleased to conduct us in safety through all the perils and vicissitudes of the war ; that He hath given us unanimity and resolution to adhere to our just rights ; that He hath raised up a powerful ally to assist us in sup- porting them ; and hath so far crowned our united efforts with suc- cess; that in the course of the present year hostilities have ceased, and we are left in the undisputed possession of our liberties and independence, and of the fruits of our own lands, and in the free
* This Proclamation was omitted in its proper place. See 30th of Octo- ber, 1783.
d
renty nger rely
:
quires
1783.
ident. dent.
and DOZ
)gs Cor
750
MINUTES OF THE
participation of the treasures of the sea ; that He hath prospered the labor of our husbandmen with plentiful harvests ; and above all, that He hath been pleased to continue to us the light of the blessed gospel, and secured to us, in the fullest extent, the rights of conscience in faith and worship. And while our hearts over- flow with gratitude, and our lips set forth the praises of our great Creator, that we also offer up fervent applications that it may please to pardon all our offences, to give wisdom and unanimity to our public Councils, to cement all our citizens in the bonds of af- fection, and to inspire them with an earnest regard for the national honor and interest, to enable them to improve the days of prosperity by every good work, and to be lovers of peace and tranquility ; that it may please Him to bless us in our husbandry, our commerce and navigation, to smile on our seminaries and means of education, to cause pure religion and virtue to flourish, and give peace to all nations, and to fill the world with His glory."
Therefore, we do hereby recommend to the people of this State, that they set apart the said second Thursday in December next, as a day of public thanksgiving to Almighty God, agreeably to the recommendation of the above recited proclamation.
Given in Council, under the hand of the President and the seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three.
JOHN DICKINSON.
Attest :- JOHN ARMSTRONG, Junior, Secretary. GOD SAVE THE COMMONWEALTH.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, November 21st, 1783.
PRESENT : His Excellency JOHN DICKINSON, Esquire, President. The Honorable JAMES EWING, Esquire, Vice President. The Hon'ble James Irvine, . Bernard Dougherty, ? George Wall, Jun'r, John Neville, John McDowell, Isaac Mason, Esquires. Samuel J. Atlee,
The ratification of the preliminary articles, &ca., by Congress, was transmitted by their Secretary, read and referred to the Gen- eral Assembly.
The evidence collected by the committee appointed to hear the examination of the witnesses upon the case of the Northumberland election, was presented to this Board and read.
A
A re 0
751
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 1
spers A letter from the Hon'ble Arthur St. Clair, Esquire, inclosing abor resolution of the Council of Censors, was read.
Ordered, That the minutes of this Board be transmitted to the puncil of Censors, agreeably to their resolution of to-day.
A letter from Daniel Levan, Esquire, Prothonotary of the county Berks, pointing out the districts into which the said county is vided for the more convenient election of Magistrates, was read.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, November 22nd, 1783.
PRESENT :
His Excellency JOHN DICKINSON, Esquire, President.
he Hon'ble James Irvine, Bernard Dougherty, )
John M'Dowell, John Neville, and Esquires.
Samuel J. Atlee, Isaac Mason, '}
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of his Excellency be President, for the sum of six hundred and twenty-five pounds, eing one half years' salary, ending the sixth day of May, 1784. The following orders were drawn in favor of Samuel Hadden : Che one for fifty-three pounds seventeen shillings; the other for orty-one pounds sixteen shillings and five pence, State money of he seventh of April, 1781, being the amount of principal and in- erest due to the said Hadden for two horses furnished by him for public service.
A letter from the Comptroller General, upon Mr. Searl's account, was read; and, on consideration,
Ordered, That the following verbal message be delivered to the General Assembly, vizt:
Council would be glad that the General Assembly would be pleased to adopt some mode for ascertaining in a manner agreeable to them, the compensation to be made to James Searle, Esquire, as Agent for this State in Europe.
Upon reconsidering the evidence collected by the committee of this Board, on the election of Northumberland county, it was de- termined that John Boyd, Esquire, was duly elected Councillor, Henry Antes, Esquire, Sheriff, and John Scott, Coroner, of the aforesaid county, and that Commissions issue to Henry Antes and John Scott, Esquires, accordingly.
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.