USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III > Part 85
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I am Sir, Your most obedt. servant.
Brig. Gen. LACEY, 2
GEO. WASHINGTON.
in Bucks County. 5
P.S. If there is any hay towards Dunk's Ferry, or any where else, which you suppose will be in the reach of the enemy, that should be destroyed also, if you cannot remove it.
Gen. Washington to Gen Lacey.
Head Quarters, Valley Forge, 2d March, 1778.
Sir, I yesterday recieved yours of the 27th Feby. t- I had heard of the loss of the cattle before it came to hand; and I am sorry to say that the loss is imputed to your having refused to let the drovers have a guard, when they applied for one. I shall be glad to know whether it is so; and if true, what could be your reason for refusing ..
I desire you to send a party of 150men, under a good of- ficer, well armed and completed with amunition, to Bar- tholomew's Tavern on Wednesday next at 11 o'clock in the morning. The officer will meet a party there at that time from this camp, and will then receive his or- ders. As a very particular piece of service is to be execut- ed, I beg that the party may be punctual to the time, and not fail upon any pretence whatever.
You are constantly to make me weekly returns of your numbers, and where your parties are posted, that I may know how to direct the route of any parties sent from this army.
I don't well know what to do with the great numbers of people taken going into Philadelphia. I have pun- ished several very severely, fined others heavily, and some are sentenced to be imprisoned during the war .-- If the state would take them in hand, and deal properly with thein, it would be more agreeable to me than to inflict military punishment upon them. The evidences seldom appear against those guilty of small orimes, and then they escape. If you think that the state will re- eeive those persons that you have taken, I am willing that they should be given up to them, either to be pun- ished as criminals, or kept to be exchanged for those in- habitants lately taken away from their families.
I am Sir, Your most obedient serv't.
To Brig. Gen. LACEY, 2 GEO. WASHINGTON.
Cross roads, Bucks County S
P.S, If either or any of the persons now in your cus- tody are such that you think. are proper to make exam- ples of, and you have sufficient evidence to convict them, send them over to me, and I will have them in- mediately tried by a court martial.
GEN. LACEY TO GEN. WASHINGTON. Camp, Crooked Billet, March 3d, 1778. Sir, I received your Excellency's favor of the 2d inst. at seven o'clock this evening. It is true I refused the drover a guard for the cattle; and the reason was on ac-
* Both missing.
+ Missing.
307
REVOLUTIONARY LETTERS AND PAPERS.
1829.]
count of the smallness of my numbers. Although four hundred troops were newly arrived from Cumberland and York counties, only 100 of them at that time had re- ceived any arms: and nearly half of those were without flints. About fifty of the Chester county militia made up my whole force; and the times of those fifty expired the evening the application was made-and next morn- ing the arms were delivered up. I advised the drover to take a course further back in the country, where I concluded they might pass without danger: In the condition I was in, I was not able to furnish the guards and patroles sufficient for the safety of my own camp: nevertheless had. I suspected the least danger, I should have sent what men I had equipped with them.
When the former classes were discharged, the arms were sent to Allentown to be repaired. Those men new- ly arrived came without arms; and it was some time be- fore we could by any means get them back, for the want of waggons. I have near forty men in camp un- armed at this time. The flints did not arrive until last night.
I am very badly off for provisions. The men have been many days without any; and at this time I have not two day's allowance in camp.
Proof is very hard to find against those taken on the road going to market, sufficient for their conviction, un- Jess what marketing they have in their possession will be sufficient. One of the prisoners, is charged with passing counterfeit money, as well as carrying on a trade with the enemy. As soon as I can collect the evidence, I will send him over for trial.
I have the honor to be &c. J. LACEY.
His Excellency GEN. WASHINGTON. 5
GEN. LACEY TO GEN. ARMSTRONG, Camp, Crooked Billet, March 4th 1778.
Dear General, Little did I expect to take the field so soon, when I saw you last; neither did I expect so much trouble was allotted to me, as I have found since I have had the command. I do not mean hard fatigues of body; for that, where things go on smoothly, I pride in-but it is the incessant fatigue and anxiety of mind, of which I complain. I have been turned out into a wide country, to protect its inhabitants, and to stop an inter- course with the enemy, (which it would require two thousand troops to effect, ) with only fifty men, which was actually my strength for a long time; and when a reinforcement came, they were helpless and without arms, and none in camp. It was some time before the arms, (which were at Col. Antes's, and at Allentown,). could be brought to camp, for the want of waggons'- While in this awkward situation, a drover of cattle which was passing through the country, was taken by the en- emy, on account of my not being able to provide them with a guard.
We are sadly off, for want of provisions. What we do get is almost carrion; and not allowance of that. I am, Dear General, with respect,
Your most obed't humble servt.
Gen. ARMSTRONG. J. LACEY.
GEN. LACEY TO COUNCIL. Camp, Crooked Billet. Marck 4th, 1778.
Sir, It is distressirg to learn the numbers of people who flock to the enemy with marketing; amongst whom there are many young fellows who have fled from their homes to save their fines, and are carrying on a ped- dling trade between the city and country. I have taken several of them who were going to the enemy with par- cels of meal on their backs. Some ofthem I am acquainted with; and I do believe they were going to join the en- emy.
I have written to his Excellency, Gen. Washington, concerning them. He is willing that they should be de- livered up to the state, either to be punished as criminals,
or kept to exchange for those inhabitants who have lately been taken from their families.
I wish most sincerely the state would adopt some plan of this sort; and designate some place where the villains might be sent, for their confinement, or punish- ment. Many have been whipped, their horses, market- ting, and every thing taken from them; yet they will not desist-and I am well convinced that nothing will stop them but confinement. I should be glad to know your determination as speedily as possible.
A drove of cattle which was passing through the coun- try, was taken the beginning of last week, by the ene- my. The times of the Chester county militia had expi- red; and those newly arrived from Cumberland and York counties, were without arms. I was not able to furnish them with a guard; which, it is supposed, was the principal reason of their being taken.
The Major has sent a return of the Brigade to Col. Matlack; but for feat it should miscarry, I have enclosed a copy. I am, with respect,
Your Excellency's most obdt. hble. servt. J. LACEY.
To the President of Council.
P. S. Fifteen Light Horse have joined me from Philadelphia and Bucks county., I found it necessary to have some person to command them; as I could have no order without it. I have directed Mr. Robert Vanhorn to take the command, until the pleasure of the Council should be known. He is from Bucks county, and acts, as yet, very well. He is willing, I believe, to engage during the campaign in that way, if the Council should think proper to keep up a Troop. I have likewise ap- pointed Mr. Jos. Rodman to act as Quarter-master to the Troop. There is none appointed to the Philadelphia Horse. They all act together. I should be glad to know the Council's pleasure, respecting these regula- tions; and also what further steps they may think ne- cessary.
GEN. LACEY TO COUNCIL.
Camp, near Whitemarsh, March 11, 1778.
SIR, -- I have been visiting the enemy's lines, and have made two attempts to destroy the forage on the Point; but both proved unsuccessful. The last time I should have effected my design, had not my pilot de- ceived me. The quantity of hay on the Point is but small; the greater part having been removed. I have destroyed a large quantity of forage between the Red Lion and Dunk's ferry, on the Delaware.
As soon as I approach within eightor ten miles of the enemy's lines, the inhabitants having their horses con- cealed in bye-places, mount them, and taking their way through fields and private paths, repair directly to the city with the intelligence that the rebels are in the neighborhood. Not one word of intelligence can we procure from them-not even the directions of the roads.
There are large sums of counterfeit money circula- ting in the lower part of Bucks and Philadelphia coun- ties; which are brought out of the city by the market people.
I moved over into this quarter with a view to join Col. Nagle; but find he has returned to Head-Quarters.
As there are a number of mills on the Neshaminy em- ployed in grinding for the army, some of which have a considerable store of wheat and flour in them, I have thought it might be of more service to lay somewhere in reach of them, to prevent the enemy from destroying, or taking off the flour; for which purpose I mean to move further in that neighborhood. My scouting par- ties keep pretty low down towards the enemy.
Enclosed is a return of my Brigade. They are situa- ted in the following manner:
Present at this place, rank and file, 399
On command, with cattle, do 50
On: do with Capt. Henderson and Capt.
Humphrey, in Bucks county, 50
308
LAND OFFICE.
[MAY
At Doylestown, guarding the stores, Sick,
35 64
On furlough,
9
Deserted,
9
616
I have the honor to be with respect, &c.
J. - LACEY.
To the President of Council.
IN COUNCIL.
Lancaster, Murch 12, 1778.
SIR-I received your letter of the 4th inst., which I laid before Council. It is greatly to be lamented that there are any amongst us so lost to every sentiment of virtue, as in any manner to aid those who are enemies to the just cause we are engaged in. Your neighborhood seems to abound with such; and therefore every nerve should be exerted to bring the traitors to justice. Those you have taken should be safely secured in order for trial; as the treason law of this state will reach the crime you mention, if proper proof be exhibited; which I beg you to attend to. However, as the Chief Justice is in this borough, I will consult him upon it, and let you know his opinion by the next opportunity.
The militia law will not justify the Lieutenant of the County to permit two men to serve as one, and to be discharged at the expiration of one month; and I am not a little surprized that any gentleman in that line would- give it the least countenance.
Both Philadelphia and Bucks counties have for a long time been greatly exposed to the insults and rava- ges of the enemy. Council, therefore, relying that you will do your utmost, not only to protect the inhabi- tants, but to annoy the enemy, have no doubt they will soon hear that a total stop is put to the insults of the To- ries by your alacrity and good conduct.
I am sir,
Your very humble servant, THOS. WHARTON, Jr. Pres't.
Brig. Gen. JOHN LACEY, Jr. Esq. 2
at Camp, Philad'a county. M
GEN. WAYNE TO GEN. LACEY.
Bensalem, March 15, 1778.
SIR-His Excellency having ordered me to collect and drive in all the cattle, horses, and wagons in the counties of Bucks and Philadelphia, likely to fall into the hands of the enemy -- especially the properity of the Tories,-I wish you to order your Troops to make a grand forage between Newtown and Philadelphia, and in that direction, through both counties: driving the property so taken into your rear,-and from thence to camp -- passing certificates to the owners for the same, to the end that the well-affected may at one day re- ceive compensation.
You need not be very nice with regard to the cattle being fat, but order all to be taken that can be used -- together with the horses fit for cavalry, or draft; and all sheep and hogs fit for use, together with wagons and gears, which you will cause to be loaded with forage.
You will please to order all these articles, that you may collect within two or three days, to be delivered to Col. Butler, who will escort them to camp.
Interim, I am sir, Your most humble servant, ANTHONY WAYNE, B. G.
Gen. LACEY.
Ger. LACEY'S ORDERS TO HIS SCOUTING PARTY. Camp, March 19th, 1778.
SIR-You are to proceed with your Troop towards the enemy's lines-to keep on the roads leading to Bristol, to Smithfield, the York, and the White Marsh roads. You will keep constant patroles on these roads, by night and by day; and if the enemy should come out,
you will immediately send me notice. If your parties should meet with any people going to market, or any persons whatever going to the city, and they endeavor to make their escape, you will order your men to fire upon the villains. You will leave such on the roads, their bodies and their marketing lying together. This I wish you to execute on the first offenders you meet; that they may be a warning to others. You are to let no person whatever go to the city. You are to stay on the lines till further orders. You will send me word of your movements, and what information you can get from the enemy, every day, by one of the Troop.
I am, sir, your most obd't,
J. LACEY.
To Mr. VANHORN, com- 2 manding Light Horse. S
BUSINESS OF THE LAND OFFICE.
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General As- sembly met.
In conformity to the requisitions of the several acts of the Assembly in that case made and provided, I respect- fully report to the House of Representatives, the situa- tion of the office of the Secretary of the Land Office,and also the business done in the office during the year end- ing with the 30th day of November, 1828.
Business done for which no fees are received.
749 Patents written, sealed, &c.
749 Patents recorded.
735 Returns from the Surveyor General filed.
647 Orders to the Surveyor General, for Returns. 88 Warrants to accept Surveys issued.
337 Warrants to Survey issued.
33 Applicants for Islands, entered and filed.
337 Applications for new warrants entered and filed. 33 Warrants to Survey Islands.
1315 Calculations of amount due.
1315 Certificates to the Treasurer of amounts due on lands.
1315 Treasurer's receipts entered and delivered to the Auditor General, accompanied with lists.
521 Vouchers, written and filed.
735 Tickets from the Surveyor General filed.
1315 Accounts journalized, and the accounts posted & indexed.
45 Mortgages and Bonds written and executed.
509 Entries in the Fee book.
Transcribing the same quarterly, and settling with the Auditor General.
45 Minutes of the board of property, recorded and in. dexed.
36 Transcripts of entries of warrants, &c. for the use of the Surveyor General's office.
30 Searches for the use of Surveyor General's office. 72 Mortgages transcribed.
72 Bonds.
1458 Calculation of amounts due on lands, under the act of 1820.
Business done in the ofice from the 1st of October, 1827, to the 1st October, 1828, for which fees were receivable.
182 Searches.
283 Calculations.
80 Exemplifications of patents.
77 Office copies with seals.
18 Caveats entered.
19 Citations issued.
31 Certificate discharge of liens.
22 Orders for re-survey.
45 Orders for valuing islands.
8 Judgments of board of property.
Of the balance of the appropriation for clerk hire, for the year 1827, which remained unexpended on the first day of October of that year, there was expended in com- pensating clerks to the first of April, 1828, the sum of 1846 dollars 96 cents.
1829.]
ARSENAL AT HARRISBURG.
309
By the act of the 16th of April, 1827, there was an- nually appropriated for clerk hire, in this office, the sum of three thousand six hundred dollars, of which sum there hath been expended for clerk hire, from the first day of April, until the first day of October, 1828, $1849 96, leaving unexpended to compensate clerks to the first of April, 1829, $1700 54.
Of the appropriation for the contingent expenses of this office for the year 1827, there was expended from the first of October, 1827, until the first of April, 1828, $335 89.
Of the annual appropriation for the contingent expen- ses of the office, from the first of April, to ,the first of October, 1828, $699 42, has been expended, leaving a balance unexpended of $50 58.
Contingent expenses of the office from the 1st of October, 1827, to the first of October, 1828.
Paid for paper, parchment and printing, $734 50
Postage on letters on public business, 47 37
Stationary, 37 96
Messengers wages, 132 00
Washing office, repairing stoves and windows, 17 35
Binding laws and record books, 15 00
Fuc],
50 59
$1.034 77
As respects the state of the office, I can only state that the books are posted and indexed, and the vouch- er's regularly filled up to the present time. Respectfully submitted, by
JOSHUA DICKERSON, Secretary Land Office.
BUSINESS OF-SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE.
1st December, 1828.
In obedience to the directions of the several acts of the Assembly in that case made and provided, I have the honor to make report to the Legislature, of the busi- ness performed in, and the state of this office within the last year, and of the manner in which the appropriation for clerk hire has been applied, and of the contingent expenses, including those of the board of property.
Business for which no fees are receivable, viz.
360 new warrants to survey, entered, numbered and filed, copies of which have been made and direc- ted to the deputy surveyors for execution.
88 warrants of acceptance, entered, numbered and filed.
1041 tickets directed to the Secretary of the land office, each of which required a search to be made.
735 returns made to the Secretary of the land office, for patenting, the surveys and warrants endorsed accordingly, and corresponding entries made in the warrant books.
1553 searches for warrants and surveys, of which copies or connections were required ..
1553 warrants and surveys re-filed, of all which copies or connections were made.
248 copies made and furnished to deputy surveyors and other contractors with the board of property, in pursuance of the provisions of the act, entitled "An act explanatory and supplementary to the act, entitled "An act directing the recovery of the principal & interest due the Commonwealth, from persons holding lands by virtue of locations and other office titles issued from or under the proprietary government, and for other purpo- ses," passed the 11th day of April, 1825, besides a great number of searches to enable them to perform the duties required by their contracts, agreeably to the requisitions of the said act.
Returns have been received from the aforesaid con- tractors for five counties.
45 copies of warrants, surveys and extracts from dep- uty surveyors' lists of returns, made for the Sec- 1851 tent poles
retary of the land office, for the use of the pros- ecuting attornies of certain counties in suits to be brought for the recovery of the principal and interest due the Commonwealth on lands, agree- ably to the provisions of the aforesaid act.
919 new surveys received from deputy surveyors, ex- amined, compared with the warrants, entered in the deputy surveyors' lists of returns, marked in the warrant books, endorsed with the time of ac- ceptance, numbered and filed.
520 entries made in the fee book.
4 quarterly accounts made out and settled at the Auditor General's Office.
Business for which fees have been received, amounting to $841 873, viz:
1088 copies, extracts and certificates.
61 connections & copies of general drafts, embracing 465 surveys.
699 searches.
During the recess of the legislature, considerable fur- ther progress has been made in the revision of the pat- ented files, referred to in former reports, and many er- rors and omissions corrected and supplied.
On the first day of April last, there remained unex- pended of the appropriation for clerk hire for the year ending on that day, $100, since then there has been ap- plied in the payment of clerks up to the first day of Oc- tober last, $1550, leaving a balance of $1650 for the re- mainder of the year ending on the first day of April next.
The contingent expenses since the last report have been as follows, viz:
For Stationary and printing, $94 28号
Doorkeeper, 132 00
Postage, 102 817
Fuel, 35 50
Sundry repairs, washing and cleaning office and board of property room, &c. 29 934
Miscellaneous,
2 733
$397 273
Of which $225 814 has been expended since the first day of April last, leaving a balance of the appropriation for contingent expenses of $224 182 for the remainder of the year ending on the first day of April next.
As to the state of this office required by the provisions of the act in pursuance of which, this report is made, I can only remark at present, that due care and attention has been observed, in bringing up the business of the office, and the preservation and arrangement of the books and papers in their proper order.
All which is respectfully submitted.
GABL. HIESTER, Surveyor General.
STATE ARSENAL AT HARRISBURG.
Report of Military stores deposited in the State Arsenal at Harrisburg, December the 15th, 1828.
One six pounder, iron (mounted) One field carriage
Two drag-ropes
Infantry.
260 muskets with ramrods (cleaned and racked)
40 do. with bayonets and ramrods do.
171 do· with bayonets or ramrods do.
835 do. all deficient.
450 old bayonet scabbards
361 old cartridge boxes and belts
10,000 musket flints, said to be
100 old muskèts unfinished and useless Rifle.
53 old rifles deficient
13 wipers and bullet moulds
3 chargers
Camp Equipage.
813 wall and common tents, in good order
-
310
ANNUAL WHITE-WASHINGS.
ÉMAY
7058 tent pins 1700 knapsacks
1074 canteens 746 camp kettles
41 stew-pans
45 covers
100 new axes, said to be, in three boxes
30 old mattocks wanting repairs
32 spades
9 old mallets
70 old axcs
Public Property.
One pair Smith bellows; one old anvil; one vice; one hammer; one large burnishing wheel; seven pair of tongs; eleven bars of lead, 11001bs. 9 cases grape shot; 200 musket balls.
JOEL BAILEY, Inspector 1st Brigade, 6th Division Pennsylvania Militia, and keeper State Arsenal ut Harrisburg.
DICKINSON COLLEGE.
Communication from a committee of the board of trus- tees of Dickinson College, accompanied with a state- ment of the receipts and expenditures of the institu- tion, for the year ending 24th September, 1828.
Carlisle 30th December, 1828. 'To his excellency, J. Andrew Shulze, Esq. SIR:
In obedience to the act of the legislature of this commonwealth, passed the 13th day of February, 1826, the undersigned a committe of the board of trustees of Dickinson College, appointed for that purpose, present the enclosed "statement of the way and manner" in which the state's annuity of $3,000 and the other re- ceipts during the past year, have been expended.
We have the honour to remain,
Your excellency's most humble,
and obedient servants,
GEO. DUFFIELD. JACOB HENDEL.
Receipts and expenditures of Dickinson College, during the year commencing October 5th 1827, and ending Sep- tember. 24, 1828.
1827
Receipts,
To balance $478 12
Oct. 5 1828
Jan. 8 To state's annuity, 3,000 00
Apr. 7 Grammar school, 228 20
do. College session, 3,965 78
Sep. 24 do. do. 2,316 81
do.
Grammar school,
160 89
$10,149 80
Expenditures.
1
$1,198 62
Steward,
937 58
Drawback,
251 02
Temporary loan,
1,544 23
Reduction of permanent loan, leaving the college debt now $2,000, 821 62
Professors' salaries, 4,948 39
Balance now in treasuary, 448 34
$10,149 80
The undersigned, a committee of the board of trus- tees of Dickinson College, appointed for that purpose, certify that the above statement is correct, and made a- greeably to the provisions of the act of the legislature, supplementary to an act, entitled "An act for the estab-
lishment of a college, at the borough of Carlisle, in the county of Cumberland, in the state of l'ennsylvania," passed the 13th of February, 1826, rendering "a state- ment of the way and manner, in which the state's annu- ity of $3,000, and the other receipts of the college, du- ring the year commencing October 5, 1827, and end- ing September 24, 1828, haye been expended.
GEO. DUFFIELD, JACOB HENDEL.
Carlisle December 30, 1828.
ANNUAL WHITE WASHINGS.
The following humorous account of a custom which prevailed when it was written and which is now coming in season, is from the pen of the Hon. Francis Hopkin- son. As it has always afforded amusement, whenever it has been read, we insert it now, in the hope that it will enliven our readers-and that, at the same time, they may have an opportunity of testing the accuracy of the description.
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