USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XVI > Part 6
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" Your Comptroller and Naval Officer have assisted in and given a sanction to a breach of the express law of the land, assuming powers not even exercised by Council," to wit, employing under- bidders, purchasing the ship for the State and selling her at a lower price, without order from the Council.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
And on the question "Is the said charge supported ?" being put, it was determined in the negative.
The third charge was read as follows, vizt :
"Your Comptroller hath passed and allowed public accounts, one of them falsely made out and others exorbitant in their nature and unwarranted by any authority vested in him."
It was then moved and seconded to postpone the consideration of the said charge, in order to introduce a motion to require Mr. Cowperthwaite to produce to the Comptroller General for adjust- ment and settlement an account of sales of the ship Anna.
On the question to postpone for the purpose aforesaid being put, it was determined unanimously in the affirmative ; thereupon
Resolved, That Joseph Cowperthwaite, Esquire, late Sheriff of the city and county of Philadelphia, be and he hereby is directed forthwith to produce to the Comptroller General an account of sales of the ship Anna, for immediate settlement.
Council resumed the consideration of the third charge, and on the question "Is the said charge supported ?" being put, it was unanimously determined in the negative.
The fourth and last charge was read as follows, vizt :
" Your Comptroller, in his official capacity, hath been guilty of mistating facts to Council, and arresting hard money in its progress into the Treasury, delivering in the room thereof orders of Council on the Treasury, and your Naval Officer hath acted im- properly in his office."
And on the question " Is the said charge supported ?" being put, it was unanimously determined in the negative.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, April 18th, 1789. PRESENT : His Excellency THOMAS MIFFLIN, Esquire, President.
The Honorable GEORGE Ross, Esquire, Vice President.
Samuel Miles, David Redick,
James Read,
Nathan Dennison,
Richard Willing, Zebulun Potts,
Amos Gregg, Christopher Kucher,
Abraham Smith, Samuel Edie,
Esquires. John Smilie, · Frederick Watt,
Agreeably to the minute of the thirteenth day of March last, the President laid before the Board a draft of an address from Council to the President General of the United States, upon his arrival in this city, which was read and agreed to as follows, vizt :
SIR :- The President and Supreme Executive Council of Penn- sylvania cheerfully embrace this interesting occasion to congratu-
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MINUTES OF THE
late you upon the establishment of the Federal Constitution, and to felicitate ourselves and our country upon your unanimous appoint- ment to the Presidency of the United States.
In reflecting upon the vicissitudes of the late war, in tracing ils difficulties and in contemplating its success, we are uniformly im- pressed with the extent and magnitude of the services which you have rendered to your country, and by that impression we are taught to expect that the exercise of the same virtues and abilities which have been thus happily employed in obtaining the prize of Liberty and Independence, must be effectually instrumental in securing to your fellow citizens and their posterity the permanent blessings of a free and efficient government. And although the history of the Revolution will furnish the best evidence of the invariable attach- ment of this Commonwealth to the interests and honor of the Union, yet we cannot resist this favorable opportunity of personally assur- ing you that in every measure which tends to advance the national character, you may rely on the zealous co-operation of the executive authority of Pennsylvania.
In discharging the duties of your present important station it must, sir, be a never-failing source ofconsolation and support, that the unbounded love and confidence of the people will produce a favor- able construction of all your actions, and will contribute to the harmony and success of your administration. For we know that eventually your happiness must depend upon the happiness of your country, and we believe that in wishing an adequate execution of your intentions and designs we comprehend all that is necessary to both.
Uniting with our sister States in the admiration of those motives which at this interesting æra of our affairs have induced you again to relinquish the enjoyment of domestic peace, for a conspicuous and laborious participation in the cares and toils of public life, we fervently pray for the preservation of your health, and we confident- ly hope that the consummation of a patriot's wishes-the glory and felicity of your country will crown the period of a long and illus- trious existence, and prepare you for an everlasting reward.
THOMAS MIFFLIN, President.
Council Chamber, Philadelphia, April 18th, 1789.
The letter from Frederick Phile, Esquire, requesting a certifi- cate of his having executed the office of Naval Officer for the port of Philadelphia with fidelity, being read the second time,
On motion,
Resolved, That Frederick Phile, Esquire, hath acted as Naval Officer for the port of Philadelphia, from the fifth day of April, in the year 1777, till this present time, and hath executed the several duties of the said office with fidelity and to the satisfaction of the Board.
Resolved, That the Secretary be directed to furnish a copy of the · foregoing minute to the said Frederick Phile.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Upon consideration of the report of the Committee to whom it was referred to investigate the complaint against the late election of Justices of the Peace in the district of the townships of New Provi- dence, Limerick and Skippack, in the county of Montgomery,
Resolved, That the complaints contained in the several petitions of the inhabitants of the district of New Providence, Limerick and Skippack, in the said county, against the said election of Justices, are not supported, and that therefore the same be confirmed.
On motion,
Resolved, 'That Sharp Delany, Esquire, during the time he acted as Collector of the Customs for the Port of Philadelphia, hath ex- ecuted the several duties of the said office with fidelity and to the satisfaction of the Board.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday, April 20th, 1789, PRESENT :
The Honorable GEORGE ROSS, Esquire, Vice President.
Amos Gregg, John Smilie,
Richard Willing,
Zebulun Potts,
Christopher Kucher,
Nathan Dennison, Esquires.
Samuel Edie,
David Redick,
Abraham Smith,
Frederick Watt,
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday, April 21st, 1789.
PRESENT : His Excellency THOMAS MIFFLIN, Esquire, President. The Honorable GEORGE Ross, Esquire, Vice President.
Samuel Miles, John Smilie,
Richard Willing, David Redick,
Amos Gregg, Nathan Dennison, and Esquires.
Abraham Smith, Zebulun Potts,
The President reported that the address which was agreed to on the eighteenth instant, was this morning presented to the Presi- den't of the United States, and that he was pleased to make the following reply, vizt :
To the President and Supreme Executive Council of Pennsyl- vania.
GENTLEMEN :- I receive with great satisfaction the affectionate congratulation of the President and Supreme Executive Council of
1
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MINUTES OF THE
Pennsylvania, on my appointment to the Presidency of the United States.
If under favor of the Divine Providence, and with the assistance of my fellow citizens, it was my fortune to have been in any degree instrumental in vindicating the liberty and confirming the indepen- dance of my country, I now find a full compensation for my servi- ces, in a belief that these blessings will be permanently secured by the establishment of a free and efficient government, and you will permit me to say on this occasion, that as nothing could add to the evidence I have formerly received of the invariable attachment of your Commonwealth to the interests and honor of the Union; so nothing could have been more agreeably to me at this time, than the assurances you have given mne of the zealous co-operation of its Executive authority, in facilitating the accomplishment of the great object which are committed to my charge.
While I feel my sensibility strongly excited by the expressions of affection and promises of support, which I every where meet with from my countrymen, I entertain a consolatory hope that the purity of my intentions and the perseverance of my endeavours to promote the happiness of my country, will atone for any of the slighter defects which may be discovered in my administration. For whatever may be the issue of our public measures, or how- ever I may err in opinion, I trust it will be believed that I could . not have been actuated by any interests separate from those of my country.
Suffer me, gentlemen, to conclude by assuring you that I am well pleased with the Justice you have done to the motives from which I have acted, and by thanking you for the tender concern you have been pleased to manifest for my personal felicity.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, April 22nd, 1789.
PRESENT :
His Excellency THOMAS MIFFLIN, Esquire, President.
The Honorable GEORGE Ross, Esquire, Vice President.
Samuel Miles, Nathan Dennison,
Amos Gregg, Zebulun Potts,
Richard Willing, Frederick Watt, >Esquires.
Abraham Smith, David Redick, and
John Smilie, Christopher Kucher, J
The Comptroller General's reports upon the following accounts, were read and approved, vizt :
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Of Thomas Craig, Esquire, Prothonotary of the county of Mont- gomery, for fees received for tavern and marriage licences, from March, 1785, till September. 1788, amounting to eight hun- dred and five pounds three shillings.
Of Edward Crawford, Jun'r, Esquire, Prothonotary of the coun- ty of Franklin, for fees received for tavern and marriage licences, from April the second, 1788, till April, 1789, amounting to one hundred and twenty one pounds eighteen shillings.
Of Alexander Graydon, Esquire, Prothonotary of the county of Dauphine, for fees received for tavern and marriage licence, from August, 1785, till August, 1788, amounting to four hundred and fifty-one pounds nineteen shillings and sixpence.
Of Caleb Davis, Esquire, Prothonotary of the county of Chester, for the tax upon five hundred and twelve writs, returnable to November term, 1788, and February term, 1789, amounting to ninety-six pounds.
Of Michael Leib, for medicines and attendance upon Anthony Patterson, a disabled militia man of the county of Philadelphia, amounting to eleven pounds five shillings.
Upon the petition of John Miller, Esquire, late Sheriff of the county of Lancaster, praying Council to remit the several fines im- posed by the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the said county, upon the following named persons, some of whom it is alledged from the insufficiency of the jail of the said county, made their escape, and others were discharged by order of the Justices, to wit :
Jacob Erb, the fine of
£1 13 0 upon conviction of larceny.
Mary Floyd,
1 50 do do
larceny. larceny.
James Keys,
7 10 0 do. horse stealing.
Bridget Halter,
0 46* do. larceny.
Hanna White, fined in the sum of 4 20
for larceny.
Edward Smith,
0 50
larceny.
John Wood,
22 19 6
larceny
Godfrey Ginsen,
17 11 3
larceny.
Michael Stephen,
17 11 3 larceny.
Robert Allison, Do.
27 00
horse stealing.
3 00
larceny.
Resolved, That the prayer of said petition be granted, except such part thereof as relates to the fines of twenty-seven pounds and three pounds, imposed upon Robert Allison, who is removed to the jail of the county of Philadelphia.
An account of sundry articles for liquors, &ca., furnished to John Franklin, a State prisoner, by James Elliott, from October, 1787, to March, 1789, amounting to eighteen pounds sixteen shil- lings and nine pence half-penny, was laid before Council, read and referred to the Comptroller General.
-
John Sharridon,
1 5-0
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MINUTES OF THE
Council being informed that the commission granted to James Read, Esquire, as Inspector of flour, is expired ; it was
Resolved, To proceed to the appointment of an Inspector of flour for the city and county of Philadelphia, and the votes being taken for the several candidates for the office, it appeared that James Read, Esquire, was re-appointed.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, April 23rd, 1789.
PRÉSENT :
His Excellency THOMAS MIFFLIN, Esquire, President.
The Honorable GEORGE Ross, Esquire, Vice President.
Samuel Miles, John Smilie,
Richard Willing,
Nathan Dennison,
James Read,
David Redick,
Esquires.
Amos Gregg, Zebulun Potts,
Christopher Kucher, Frederick Watts, and
Abraham Smith, Samuel Edie,
An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the Honor- able Nathan Dennison, Esquire, for thirty-one pounds five shillings, in full of his account for attendance in Council, from the twenty- second day of March till the twenty-third day of April, 1789, inclusively, and for mileage coming to Philadelphia and returning home at this time.
The Comptroller General's report upon the accounts of John Hubley, Esq'r, Prothonotary of the county of Lancaster, for fees received for tavern and marriage licenses, from the twenty-second of September, 1788, till the twenty-second of March, 1789, amount- ing to eighty-eight pounds one shilling, and for the tax upon six hundred and forty writs issued from the twentieth day of Septem- ber, 1788, till the twentieth day of March, 1789, amounting to one hundred and sixty pounds, was read and approved.
·Upon the petition and recommendation in favor of William Cun- ningham, of the county of Franklin, praying remission of the several fines due to the Commonwealth, and the punishment to hard labor to which he has been sentenced by the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace of the said county, upon his being convicted of larceny upon five indictments.
Resolved, That the said William Cunningham be fully pardoned.
A petition and recommendation in favor of Mathias Hollapeter, for remission of the fine of twenty-five pounds to which he was sentenced by the Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Jail Delivery, held at York Town, for the county of York, in May,
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
1787, upon his being convicted of a misdemeanor in speaking se- ditious words, &ca., was read, and an order taken that the fine aforesaid be remitted.
James Read, Esquire, laid before Council a certificate from Mr. Justice Pollard, of his having taken the oath required by act of Assembly, dated the fifth day of April, 1781, to qualify him for the exercise of the office of Inspector of flour for the city and county of Phildelphia.
Ordered, That the said certificate be filed, and that a commis- sion issue to James Read, Esquire, agreeably to his appointment of yesterday.
The Council met.
· PHILADELPHIA, Friday, April 24th, 1789.
PRESENT :
His Excellency THOMAS MIFFLIN, Esquire, President.
The Honorable GEORGE Ross, Esquire, Vice President.
Samuel Miles, Christopher Kucher, 5
Richard Willing,
Nathan Dennison,
Amos Gregg,
David Redick,
Zebulun Potts,
Frederick Watt, and
Abraham Smith, Samuel Edie,
Esquires. John Smilie,
Agreeably to the Comptroller General's reports, the following orders were drawn upon the Treasurer, vizt :
In favor of Messieurs Wistar and Ashton, for the sum of four hundred and twenty-five pounds three shillings and ten pence, bal- ance due upon their account for goods purchased by them and de- livered to the late Commissioners for Indian Affairs, agreeably to orders of Council of the twenty seventh of November and fifth of December, 1788.
In favor of Jeremiah Talbot, Esquire, for the sum of seventy- five pounds seven shillings and ten pence, ballance due upon his account as Lieutenant of the county of Franklin, as settled by the Comptroller General on the eighteenth instant.
In favor of Matthew Irwin, Esquire, for the sum of twenty- eight pounds sixteen shillings and one penny, amount of his ac- count for inrolling the laws of the State from February the twenty- second, 1788, till April the second, 1789, and for several copies of acts of Assembly for public use.
Upon consideration of the report of the committee to whom was referred the several letters from the Register General, requesting
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MINUTES OF THE
permission from Council to employ a Clerk to assist him in the execution of his office,
Resolved, That John Donnaldson, Esquire, Register General, be and he is hereby authorized to employ a Clerk for the purpose aforesaid.
Upon the second reading of the report of the committee to whom it was referred to consider of and report to Council, a plan for se- curing the public records,
Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized and directed to take full order thereon.
An application in writing from Mrs. Physick, requesting Coun- cil to certify under the great seal the quantity of acres surveyed within the tract of land assigned as a donation to the officers and soldiers of the late Pennsylvania line, was presented to the Board and read, and it was thereupon,
Resolved, That the Secretary take order thereon.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, April 25th, 1789.
PRESENT :
His Excellency THOMAS MIFFLIN, Esquire, President.
The Honorable GEORGE Ross, Esquire, Vice President.
Samuel Miles, Samuel Edie,
A mos Gregg, David Redick,
Richard Willing,
Christopher Kucher,
Frederick Watt, Nathan Dennison, and
Esquires.
John Smilie, Abraham Smith,
Zebulun Potts,
The Comptroller and Register General's report upon the aecounts of Jacob Auld, Esquire, Collector of Excise in Montgomery coun- ty, for monies received and balances due for excise in said county, from October the twenty-sixth, 1787, to April the sixteenth, 1789, by which it appears that a ballance of twenty-nine pounds fourteen shillings and a half penny is due by Jacob Auld to the State, was read and approved.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday, April 27th, 1789.
PRESENT :
The Honorable GEORGE ROSS, Esquire, Vice President.
Samuel Miles,
Samuel Edie,
Amos Gregg,
David Redick,
Frederick Watt,
Christopher Kucher, and
Esquires.
Abraham Smith, Zebulun Potts,
Upon application of Mrs. Jane Roberts, and agreeably to the Comptroller General's report, an order was drawn upon the Trea- surer in her favor for seventy-five pounds, payable out of the pro- ceeds of the confiscated estate of John Roberts, deceased, being an annual sum decreed to her by the Supreme Court, agreeably to an act of General Assembly, passed the sixth day of March, 1778, and due the first day of this month.
An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the Honor- able David Redick, Esquire, for fifty-six pounds, in full of his ac- count for attendance in Council untill the first day of May, 1789, inclusively, and for mileage coming from Washington county to Philadelphia.
An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of John Cham- bers, Esquire, late Sub-Lieutenant of the county of Northampton, for twenty-three pounds nineteen shillings and seven pence, payable out of the monies arising from militia fines in the said county, be- ing the sum for which an order was directed to issue on the seven- teenth day of September last, but not being applied for, the order was omitted to be drawn at that time .- See minutes of the seven- teenth of September, 1788.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday, April 28th, 1789.
PRESENT :
The Honorable GEORGE ROSS, Esquire, Vice President.
Samuel Miles, John Smilie,
Amos Gregg, Christopher Kucher,
Samuel Edie,
David Redick, and
Esquires.
Frederick Watt,
Zebulun Potts,
Abraham Smith,
An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the Honor- able John Smilie, Esquire, for fifty-four pounds, in full for his at- VOL. XVI -5.
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MINUTES OF THE
tendance in Council from the sixteenth of February until April the twenty-eighth, inclusively.
Upon consideration of the report of the committee to whom was referred the application of John Adlum, for a sum of money to de- fray the expence of locating and surveying the several tracts of land reserved by resolution of Assembly of the twenty-fourth of March last, vizt : at Presque Isle, at Le Beuf, at the head of the navigation of French creek, at the mouth of Canawango, and at the Fort of Venango,
Resolved, That the request of Mr. Adlum cannot at present be complied with, no money being yet appropriated for defraying the expence aforesaid.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, April 29th, 1789.
PRESENT :
The Honorable GEORGE ROSS, Esquire, Vice President.
Samuel Miles, David Redick,
James Read, Frederick Watt,
Amos Gregg, Christopher Kucher, and Esquires. 1
Abraham Smith, Zebulun Potts,
John Smilie,
The Comptroller General's report upon the account of William C. Bradford, late Paymaster to the State Navy, by which it appears there is a ballance of two pounds two shillings and five pence spe- cie due from him to the State, was read and approved.
An' order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of Mr. Wil- liam Whitman, for thirty pounds, being six months' pension due to him.
A return of militia officers for the first battalion of Northum- berland county militia, commanded by Colonel John White, from Lieutenant of the said county, was received and read, and an order taken that commissions issue agreeably thereto.
The Comptroller and Register General's reports upon the accounts of Stephen Collins, for leaden spouts taken from him in the year 1777, for public use, amounting to eighteen pounds sixteen shillings and three pence, was read and approved, and a certificate directed to issue for the amount in favor of said Collins.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, April 30th, 1789. PRESENT :
The Honorable GEORGE ROSS, Esquire, Vice President.
Samuel Miles,
Abraham Smith, )
James Read,
John Smilie,
Frederick Watt,
David Redick,
Esquires.
Christopher Kucher,
Zebulun Potts,
Amos Gregg,
Samuel Edie, J
The following orders were drawn upon the Treasurer, vizt :
In favor of His Excellency Benjamin Franklin, for seventy-seven pounds five shillings and six pence, amount of his account for post- age of public letters paid by him during the time of his President- ship of this State, according to the Comptroller and Register Gen- eral's report of the twenty ninth instant.
In favor of Mr. Francis Bailey, for forty-two pounds five shillings and seven pence, amount of his account for printing work done for the Comptroller General's office, and for inserting in the Freeman's Journal advertisements upon public business, according to the Comptroller and Register General's report of the twenty-ninth of this month.
In favor of the Honorable Abraham Smith, Esquire, for fifty-four pounds five shillings, in full for his attendance in Council from the seventeenth of February, until the thirtieth of April, 1789, inclu- sively.
In favor of Frederick Snyder, for fifteen pounds, being one month's wages as doorkeeper to Council, including this day.
The report of the committee to whom was referred the accounts of Mr. William Turnbull, with the Comptroller General's statement thereon, was read the second time, and an order taken that the fur- ther consideration thereof be postponed until Saturday next.
The petition of Joshua Elder, presented to Council on the ninth day of April, 1788, stating that he has not appealed from the set- tlement of his account as late Sub-Lieutenant of the county of Lan- caster, by the Comptroller General, within the time allowed by law, owing to his not receiving timely notice of said settlement, and pray- ing Council to agree to an audit of the said accounts, was read the second time, the Comptroller General's report upon the said petition being also read ; it was thereupon,
Resolved, That Council cannot grant the relief prayed for, and that the petitioner have leave to withdraw his petition.
On application of Christian Febiger, Esquire, late Auctioneer of the township of the Northern Liberties, in the county of Philadel- phia,
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MINUTES OF THE
Resolved, That Christian Febiger, Esquire, during the time he acted as Auctioneer of the Northern Liberties, hath executed the several duties of the said office with fidelity, and to the satisfaction of the Board.
Council taking into consideration that agreeably to a late act of Assembly, the Guard of Invalids will be discharged from their present service on the first of next month,
Resolved, That under their present circumstances, they be enti- tled to receive rations for eight days, commencing the first and ending the eighth day of May, to enable them to travel to their respective places of residence.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, May 2nd, 1789. PRESENT :
The Honorable GEORGE ROSS, Esquire, Vice President.
Samuel Miles,
John Smilie,
James Read,
David Redick,
Amos Gregg,
Zebulun Potts,
Esquires.
Christopher Kucher,
Samuel Edie, and į
Abraham Smith,
Richard Willing, J
Upon application of William Henry, Esquire, Lieutenant of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, an order was drawn upon the Treasurer in his favor for two hundred and seventy-three pounds, payable out of the monies arising from militia fines in the said city and liberties, for defraying the expence of exercising the militia on the ensuing muster days, for which sum he is to account.
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