USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XV > Part 23
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An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of Stephen Balliet, Esquire, for sixty pounds twelve shillings, in full for his account for militia services in Northampton county, in 1782.
An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of Captain James McLene, commanding the Invalid Guard, for sixteen pounds seven shillings, for his subsistence. for July, August, and Septem- ber, 1787.
Mr. Lollar, Mr. Willing, and Mr. Schott, a Committee from the General Assembly, attending, were introduced, and informed Coun- cil that the House of Assembly was now met, and were ready to receive any business the Council might have to lay before them.
The Committee were informed that a Message was preparing, and should be transmitted to the House to-morrow forenoon, to- gether with a number of papers received since the late meeting of the House.
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MINUTES OF THE
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, 26th, 1787, October. PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
David Redick, Abraham Smith,
Robert Traill,
Samuel Dean,
George Ross,
Samuel Edie,
John Smilie,
Henry Hill, and
Esquires.
James Read,
Nathan Dennisen,
Peter Muhlenberg,
On motion,
Ordered, That the Sheriff of the city and county of Philadel- phia, be directed to have John Franklin's irons taken off, he giv- ing his payrole that he will not attempt to make his escape.
Frederick Watt, Esquire, took his seat at this Board as Council- lor for the county of Cumberland, upon a return made of the gene- ral election for the county aforesaid, agreeably to law, having pre- viously taken the necessary oatbs.
The following draft of a message to the General Assembly, was read and adopted :
A message from the President and the Supreme Executive Council to the General Assembly.
GENTLEMEN :- Since the last session there has been a renewal of the disturbances at Wyoming, some restless spirits there having imagined a project of withdrawing the inhabitants of that part of this State, and some part of the State of New York, from their allegiance, and of forming them into a new State, to be carried into effect by an armed force, in defiance of the laws of the two States. Having intelligence of this, we caused one of the principal con- spirators to be apprehended and secured in the gaol of this city ; and another, who resided in the State of New York, at our request has been taken up by the authority of that Government. The pa- pers found on this occasion, fully discover the designs of these tur- bulent people, and some of their letters are herewith laid before you. The Government of New York, has in this affair, manifested the most friendly and neighbourly disposition towards this State, and has promised to concur with us in such future measures as may be necessary to secure the due operation of the laws, and restore quiet in those parts of both States, where these irregular and ill- disposed settlers have their habitations. To protect the civil offi- cers of our new county of Luzerne in the exercise of their respec- tive functions, we have ordered a body of militia to hold them- selves in readiness to march thither, which will be done, unless some future circumstances and informations from those parts may make it appear unnecessary.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
The sudden and unaccountable obstruction which the currency of the paper money of this State has lately met with, we earnestly recommend to your consideration as a matter of great importance ; the private interests of the citizens being very extensively affected by it, and the public in danger of suffering a loss in its revenue of excise duties and taxes, &ca., proportioned to any depreciation the paper money may be attended with. Perhaps it may be adviseable to put a stop to the farther re-emissions on loan, which are per- mitted by the law as it now stands.
We would likewise recommend to your consideration the subject of a law to regulate the fees of the various officers of the State, especially those of the Executive and Judicial departments.
The lowering the price of lands in the new purchase, we now think necessary, it being very evident that they will not sell till this takes place. At the same time we are of opinion it would be of advantage to the State if those who become purchasers had an exemption from taxes for several years, as it would be an encour- agement to the people to become purchasers.
Since the expiration of the law for granting lands to the officers and soldiers of the Pennsylvania line, a number of applications have been made to us by persons; who were entitled, but for want of information did not apply in time. We therefore recommend it to your Honorable House to pass a law granting a further time for those people to come in and draw for their lands. Sundry dis- patches we have received from Congress are herewith communi- cated.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
COUNCIL CHAMBER, Philadelphia, October 27th, 1787.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, October 27th, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
David Redick, . Abraham Smith,
Robert Traill, Samuel Dean,
George Ross, Samuel Edie,
Esquires.
John Smilie,
Nathan Dennisen, and
James Read, Henry Hill,
The petition of Daniel Hunter, praying remission of a fine of one hundred pounds, imposed upon him on being convicted of a misde- meanor in the Quarter Sessions of the county of Bucks, was re- mitted.
VOL. XV .-- 20.
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MINUTES OF THE
Mr. McLene, Mr. Lilly, Mr. Barr, Mr. Foulke, and Mr. Hubley, a committee from the General Assembly, attended in Council, and a conference was bad upon the time when the election of a Presi- dent and Vice President of the Supreme Executive Council should take place, and the manner in which it should be conducted : upon which it was
Ordered, That Wednesday, the thirty-first of this month, shall be the day, and the usual mode of procession adopted on this occa- sion.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday, October 29th, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
Nathan Dennisen, Peter Muhlenberg,
Robert Traill,
Samuel Dean,
Samuel Edie,
William Maclay,
Abraham Smith,
Frederick Watt,
Esquires.
John Baird, James Read, and
George Ross,
Henry Hill,
The Secretary was sent to the House with a request that a com- mittee be appointed to confer with Council on the subject of the late disturbances at Wioming, to meet at the Council Chamber at eleven o'clock to morrow, at which time Colonel Pickering, who has received some intelligence from that place, was directed to attend.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday, October the 30th, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
Nathan Dennisen, Peter Muhlenberg, )
Robert Traill, Samuel Dean,
Samuel Edie, William Maclay,
Abraham Smith,
Frederick Watt,
Esquires.
John Baird, James Read, and
George Ross,
Henry Hill,
Samuel Weiser, Esquire, was commissionated a Justice of the Peace for the district of Mohonay, in the county of Northumber-
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
land, upon a return made agreeably to law, and Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the said county.
Christian Gettig and Joseph Jacob Wallice, Esquire, were also commissionated Justices of the Peace for the town of Sunbury and district of Augusta, county of Northumberland, upon a return made agreeably to law, and Justices of the Court of Common Pleas.
The petition of Henry Martin, praying the remission of a fine of ten pounds, imposed upon him by the Court of General Quarter Sessions for the city of Philadelphia, for an assault and battery on Alexander Carlisle, was
Ordered, That the fine be reduced to three pounds.
Upon the petition of James Hergrove, and recommendation of the commissioners and others in his favor, it was
Ordered, That the punishment to hard labour for two years, and the fine of twenty pounds, imposed by the City Court, be remitted. Upon the application of Colonel 'Thomas Mifflin,
Ordered, That Captain Stiles, Commissary of Military Stores, be directed to deliver to Anthony Wright, or order, fifty weight of gunpowder, to be used upon the proclamation of the President and Vice President, on the thirty-first instant.
Mr. McLene, Mr. Hiester, Mr. Wynkoop, Mr. Clymer, Mr. Lowry, Mr. Piper, a committee of Assembly, attended in Council, agreeably to the request of yesterday. The intelligence received and communicated by Colonel Pickering, containing information that the rioters lately assembled at Tioga still persist in their intentions to oppose the Government and laws of this State, was taken into consideration, and some time being spent in conference thereon, it was deemed proper and necessary to make application to Congress for their consent to raise and employ a body of troops, not exceeding five hundred, to be stationed in the county of Luzerne, for protecting the officers of government and well affected inhabitants of said county.
An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of James Trimble, for ninety-four pounds twelve shillings, amount of his account for writing and registering four hundred and fifty-one patents for donation lands, and for attendance upon the lottery until the first of October, 1787, and cash paid for five hundred and two pieces of parchment for patenting the said lands.
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MINUTES OF THE
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, October 31st, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
Samuel Dean, Abraham Smith,
George Ross,
Frederick Watt,
Samuel Edie,
Peter Muhlenberg,
Robert Trail,
John Smilie, 1
Esquires.
David Redick,
John Baird,
Nathan Dennisen,
Henry Hill, and
William McClay, James Read,
The Clerk of the House attending, informed Council that the General Assembly were ready to receive Council, agreeably to the order of the twenty-seventh instant, and to proceed with them to the intended election.
Council and Assembly having met, and their votes colletively be- ing taken, it appeared that his Excellency Benjamin Franklin, Es- quire, was duly elected President, and the Honorable Peter Muh - lenberg, Esquire, Vice President of the Supreme Executive Council of this Commonwealth. Proclamation was then made of the Presi- dent and Vice President, and the following order of procession observed :
Constables with their staves.
Sub-Sheriffs with their wands.
High Sheriff and Coroners with their wands.
Judges of the Supreme Court and Judges of the High Court of Errors and Appeals.
Attorney General and Prothonotary of the Supreme Court. Marshall of the admiralty.
Judge and Register of the Admiralty.
Wardens of the Port of Philadelphia.
Naval Officer, Collector of the Customs and Tonnage Officer.
Treasurer and Comptroller General.
Secretary of the Land Office.
Receiver General and Surveyor General.
Justices of the Peace.
Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas and Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions.
Clerk of the City Court.
Master of the Rolls and Register of the Wills.
Assistant Secretary of the Council.
Secretary of the Council.
His Excellency the President and Honorable the Vice President. Members of the Council two and two.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Door-keeper of the Council.
Serjeant-at-arms with the mace.
Clerks of General Assembly.
Honorable the Speaker of the General Assembly. Members of the General Assembly two and two. Door-keeper of the General Assembly.
Provost and Faculty of the University.
Officers of the militia.
Citizens.
His Excellency the President and the Honorable the Vice Presi- dent, took the oathes required by the Constitution as a qualification for the exercise of their respective offices.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, November 1st, 1787.
PRESENT :
The Hon'ble PETER MUHLENBERG, Esquire, Vice President.
Nathan Dennisen, Samuel Dean,
1
Robert Traill,
James Read,
Samuel Edie,
William Maclay,
Abraham Smith,
Frederick Watt, and
Esquires.
John Baird,
John Smilie,
George Ross,
George Woods, Esquire, took his seat at this Board, agreeably to the return of the general election for the county of Bedford, having previously taken the necessary oaths.
Jacob Miley, Esquire, a member of the House of Assembly, having attended at the request of Council, affirmed that there was one hundred and thirty votes in Jones town district, county of Dauphine, he heard there was only one hundred and three returned, the votes in this district were all for Christopher Kucher.
After considering the petition against the election for Council- lor for the county of Dauphine, and hearing Mr. Miley and Clark, members of the Legislature for that county, on the subject of the petition ; it was
Resolved, That Mr. Kucher be admitted to take his seat, he accordingly appeared, and having taken the necessary oaths, took his seat.
An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of Frederick Sneider, for fifteen pounds thirteen shillings, for his wages as Doorkeeper to Council, in the month of October, and for sweeping the chimney.
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MINUTES OF THE
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, November 2nd, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
Mr. Robert Traill, Frederick Watt, -
Nathan Dennison,
Christopher Kucher,
Abraham Smith,
James Read,
George Woods,
John Smilie,
Esquires.
George Ross,
Henry Hill, and
Samuel Dean,
John Baird,
William Maclay,
On motion of Mr. Maclay,
Resolved, That before Council proceed to any other business the minutes of the preceding day be read.
An order was drawn March the eighteenth, 1785, in favor of Nicholas Kern, for ninety three pounds three shillings and six pence, on the fines due from the delinquents of Northampton coun- ty, arising from a tour of duty to Wyoming. It appearing there was no fines collected from the delinquents that were to go upon that tour.
Ordered, That Mr. Kern have an order upon the militia fines of the county of Northampton, and that the former order be can- celled.
The punishment at hard labour to which William Burton was sentenced by the last City Court, upon being convicted of receiv- ing stolen goods, knowing them to be such-was remitted upon his- petition and a recommendation in his favor.
Mr. Maclay was appointed to attend the Honorable the Vice President, as a member of the Board of Property.
An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of Colonel James Marshall, Lieutenant of Washington county, for thirty-seven pounds two shillings and six pence, to be paid by him to Abraham Enslow, Frederick Crow, Stephen Gapin, Peter Clawson, William Crawford, Jesse Vanmetri, William Harrod, Sen'r, Michael Dough- erty, John Flora, John Heaton, William Tarpine, Harrod Newland, Robert Flora, Alexander Bruce and Peter Dailey, for their services in watching the movements of Indians, and protecting the settle- ments on the western frontiers from Indian depredations in the year 1782, agrecably to the act of Assembly, dated December, 1781.
The return of the general election in the county of Northumber- land was received and read-and thereupon, Thomas Grant, Esquire, was appointed and commissionated Sheriff, and Thomas Hamilton, Coroner, of the said county of Northumberland-William
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Wilson and William Cook, Esquires, were offered and accepted as sureties for Mr. Grant.
A transcript of the record of the conviction of Jacob Dryer, for burglary at a Court of Oyer and Terminer in December sessions 1786, for the city and county of Philadelphia-being read and con- sidered, Council also taking into consideration that the said Jacob Dryer hath not complied with the conditions of the pardon granted him on the tenth day of May last, and that the said Court of Oyer and Terminer at their last sessions awarded execution against the said Jacob Dryer ; therefore,
Ordered, That a warrant under the lesser seal be issued for exe- cuting the said sentence of the said Court upon the said Jacob Dryer, on Saturday the seventeenth of this present month, at the usual place of execution.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, November 3d, 1787. PRESENT :
The Hon'ble PETER MUHLENBERG, Esquire, Vice President.
Robert Trail, William Maclay,
Nathan Dennisen,
Frederick Watt,
Abraham Smith,
Christian Kucher,
Esquires.
George Woods,
James Read,
George Ross,
John Smilie, and
Samuel Dean,
John Baird,
Upon consideration of the case of John McCrum, now confined in the jail of this city for larceny,
Ordered, That the said John McCrum be and he hereby is par- doned, on condition that he give sufficient security to depart the United States forthwith not to return.
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MINUTES OF THE
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday, November 4th, 1787.
PRESENT :
The Hon'ble PETER MUHLENBERG, Esquire, Vice President.
Robert Traill, Christian Kucher,
Nathan Dennisen,
James Read,
Abraham Smith,
John Smilie,
George Woods,
John Baird,
Esquires.
George Ross,
David Redick,
William Maclay,
Evan Evans, and
Frederick Watt, Henry Hill,
An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of David Redick, Esquire, for seven pounds six shillings and seven pence, for his expences on a journey to New York, undertaken by order of the Council.
The petition of Frederick Sneider, praying some reasonable com- pensation for his extra services in attending upon the donation land lottery as door-keeper during the drawing of the same-was read and the prayer thereof granted.
The Honorable the Vice President and Mr. Maclay attended the Board of Property.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday, November 6th, 1787.
PRESENT :
The Hon'ble PETER MUHLENBERG, Esquire, Vice President.
Robert Traill, Christian Kucher,
Nathan Dennisen, James Read,
Abraham Smith, John Smilie,
George Woods,
John Baird, Esquires.
George Ross, David Redick, and
William Maclay,
Evan Evans,
Frederick Watt,
Mr. Maclay and Mr. Redick, Esquires, were appointed a Com- mittee to draft and report a sett of rules for the consideration of Council.
An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of John Mc- Clellan, guardian and grandfather of Priscilla Mcclellan, an orphan daughter of .John McClellan, late a Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania Troops, for the sum of one hundred and eighty pounds, being her
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
pension according to the Comptroller General's report of the fifteenth of September last, and an act of Assembly dated the first of March, 1780.
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The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, November 7th, 1787. PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President. The Honorable PETER MUHLENBERG, Esquire, Vice President
Henry Hill, Frederick Watt,
Samuel Dean,
Christian Kucher,
Evan Evans,
George Woods,
George Ross,
Abraham Smith,
Esquires.
Robert Trail,
David Redick,
James Read,
John Smilie,
William Maclay,
John Baird, and
Samuel Edie, Nathan Dennisen,
An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the Hon- orable Nathan Dennisen, Esquire, for eleven pounds, for his ex- penses on a journey to Tioga, undertaken by direction of Council, and for the hire of a horse for the said journey.
An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the Hon- orable William Irvine, Esquire, for ninety-one pounds six shillings and four pence, in full for his attendance in Congress as a Delegate from this State, until the third of November, 1787, inclusively, and his mileage.
Agreeably to the minute of this Board of the ninth of April last, which declares that the Secretary of Council shall be appointed an- nually on the eighth day after the election of President and Vice President, Council proceeded to the election of that officer; and the ballots being taken for the several candidates, it appeared that Charles Biddle, Esquire, had a majority of votes; whereupon,
Resolved, That Charles Biddle, Esquire, is duly elected Secre- tary of this Board.
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MINUTES OF THE
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, November 8th, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President. The Honorable PETER MUHLENBERG, Esquire, Vice President.
Samuel Dean, William Maclay,
Evan Evans, John Baird,
Nathan Dennisen,
Fredrick Watt,
Robert Traill,
Christian Kucher,
Abraham Smith,
James Read,
Esquires.
George Woods,
Samuel Edie, and
George Ross,
David Redick,
John Smilie,
On motion,
Resolved, That to-morrow Council will proceed to the appoint- ment of a Navel and other officers.
Charles Biddle, Esquire, appeared in Council, and took the oaths required by the Constitution to be taken previous to his entering upon the execution of the duties of his office of Secretary.
On motion,
Resolved, That Mr. Maclay, Mr. Ross and Mr. Smilie, be ap- pointed a committee to prepare and report to Council for their con- sideration, some amendment to the resolution of the ninth of April last, respecting the annual appointment of certain officers.
The following draft of a message to the General Assembly was read and approved, vizt :
A Message from the President and the Supreme Executive Coun- cil to the General Assembly.
Since your resolution, of the thirty-first ult., was forwarded to Congress, Council having received information that the members remaining at New York, were not sufficient to form a represen- tation of the United States.
As the danger to the State appears to be pressing, and the per- mission solicited from Congress cannot now be obtained, Council, therefore, recommend it to the General Assembly to adopt effectual measures for inforcing the laws of the State in the county of Lu- zerne, which they are of opinion cannot be done without a per- manent force.
The expulsion of the Commissioners from Wyoming will occa- sion a delay in the execution of their duty under the late law. Council, therefore, recommend that a further time be given for compleating the services expected from them under their present appointment.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
The case of Colonel Mentges, submitted to the committee of a former House, is recommended to the attention of the General As- sembly, as he appears to have performed sundry services for which he has received no compensation. .
The petition of Captain Woolpper is herewith transmitted, as the powers of Council do not extend to his case.
Considerable deficiencies have arisen in the collection of taxes, owing to the neglect of some of the Magistrates in not prosecuting delinquents after returns are furnished to them by the Collectors.
This abuse, in the opinion of Council, merits the attention of the General Assembly, either in removing the Magistrates guilty of such neglect, or subjecting them to some penalty that may com- pel them to a faithfull discharge of their duty.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
November 8th, 1787.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, November 9th, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President. The Honorable PETER MUHLENBERG, Esquire, Vice President.
Samuel Dean, William Maclay,
Evan Evans,
John Baird,
Nathaniel Dennison,
Fredrick Watt,
Robert Traill,
Christian Kucher,
Esquires.
Abraham Smith,
James Read,
George Woods,
Samuel Edie, and
George Ross, John Smilie,
David Redick,
'Agreeable to the order of yesterday, Council proceeded to the ap- pointment of a Naval officer. The ballots being taken, it appeared that Frederick Phile was duly elected.
Sharp Delany, Esquire, was re appointed Collector of the Cus- tums.
William Nichols was re-appointed Clerk of the City Court, and of the Orphans' Court for the city and county of Philadelphia. On motion,
Resolved, That the Collectors of Excise for the city and county of Philadelphia, and the different counties in the State, be re- appointed.
On motion,
Resolved, That to-morrow Council will proceed to the appoint- ment of a Health Officer. Doctor Hutchinson Rush, Elijah Weed and Mr. Dehaven, be requested to attend Council to-morrow at eleven o'clock.
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MINUTES OF THE
The following orders were drawn upon the Treasurer, vizt :
In favor of Henry Antes, Esquire, late Sheriff of Northumber- Jand county, for six pounds fifteen shillings, in full for his account, according to the Comptroller General's report of the eighth of No- vember, 1787 ; and in favor of the Honorable John Baird, Esquire, for thirty-nine pounds, in full for his attendance in Council from the ninth of October to the ninth of November, 1787, inclusively, and his mileage.
Upon further consideration of the petition of Frederick Sneider, read in Council on the fifth instant, praying some compensation for his extra services in attending upon the Donation Land Lot- tery as Door-keeper, an order was taken that he be allowed three pounds per month during the time he was employed in said busi- ness.
An inquisition, taken by the Coroner of the city and county of Philadelphia on the twenty-eighth day of October last, upon the body of Andrew Crusis, a Spaniard, was laid before Council and read, by which it appears that the said Andrew Crusis was mur- dered by a certain Thomas Francis, who has since absconded.
On Consideration,
Ordered, That a proclamation be issued, offering a reward of one hundred dollars for apprehending and prosecuting to conviction the said Thomas Francis for the murder aforesaid.
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