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 95
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From this period to the present time, the minutes of the vestry of Christ Church, with some short interrup- tion, have been preserved. Those which were taken previous to the year 1717, are said to have been burnt. In February, 1718, the following resolution was adop- ted by the vestry:
en some proof of their being truly of the communion of the Church, we do therefore recommend it to Doctor Evans, to keep a faithful list of all such persons as come to the communion table, in order to distinguish them from such others, as either never have communicated, or shall hereafter fall off from the Church communion.
"And that two Sundays immediately before the elec- tion of any vestry, the Doctor will please, after divine service, to cause the clerk publicly to read the above minutes to the congregation; certifying to all persons concerned, that it is and shall be hereafter a standing or- der of the vestry, that no person be admitted to vote in the election of any succeeding vestry, or of the church- wardens, unless it be made appear, that some time with- in the space of twelve months before such election, such persons pretending to vote, actually did communicate, and receive the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, accor- ding to the rites of the Church of England."
From the foregoing resolutions, we learn what were the sentiments of the first Episcopalians in Philadel- phia, upon the propriety of giving persons an influence in the affairs of the Church, who did not manifest a par- ticular regard for the duties of our holy religion. As they would not allow the members of the congrega- tion, who were not partakers of the holy communion, to vote in the election for vestrymen; it may fairly be in- ferred, that no persons without similar qualifications were thought eligible to that office. It has often been said, that inasmuch as the vestry and wardens, are only appointed to take charge of the temporal affairs of the Church, therefore there does not seem a propriety of requiring any qualification of a religious nature. To this it may be answered, 1st. That vestries in the Episcopal Churches, by the constitutions and canons, have confer- red upon them, in some instances, spiritual jurisdiction. They are the proper bodies to recommend candidates for holy order to the standing committees; and not un- frequently persons are ordained without any other tes- timonials than such as are given by the vestry of the Church in which he has been accustomed to attend .--- 2. In almost all the Episcopal Churches, the choice of a minister, in case of a vacancy, is intrusted to the ves- try; an act of the first importance, and involving in its consequences the highest spiritual interests of a congre- gation. 3. The world always form their opinion of the piety of a Church, and many pious Christians also, from the character of its officers. They who are placed in a conspicuous station being always more noticed than such as remain in private.
In this same month, Dr. Evans received a letter from the governor of Maryland, containing an advantageous offer of a living in that state. In consideration of his age and other infirmities, by which he began to feel him- self unequal to his increasing labours, in and near Phila- delphia, he made up his mind to remove. The separa - tion which took place was painful, yet acquiesced in by the vestry, which expressed its satisfaction that this faithful servant of the Lord Jesus would be enabled to spend the remainder of his days in a situation less ardu- ous than his former charge. In May, 1717, Dr. E. took his leave of Christ Church, and settled in the state of Maryland.
( To be continued. )
REVOLUTIONARY LETTERS AND PAPERS. ( Continued from page 308. vol. 3d. ) GEN. LACEY TO COUNCIL.
April 13th, 1778.
Sir, Enclosed is a list of sume prisoners, their crimes, and the judgement of the court, which is approved of in part by his Excellency, Gen. Washington. The pris- oners I send you, are notorious offenders, and have made a great practice of going to market, as well as being guilty of other traitorous acts. I send them to you to do with them as you and Council may judge meet; but
"Considering that great inconveniences may flow from allowing all persons promiscuously to vote in the - ycarly election for vestrymen, without their having giv- | hope they may be kept closely to some laborious busi-
,
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ness during the campaign, for vou may rely upon their going directly to the enemy, if they have their liberty.
None of the classes you have ordered to take the field have yet arrived. The times of those with me ex- pire the 23d of this month, which is just at hand .. My party lays near the Billet.
I am, with respect &c.
J. LACEY.
To the Pres't of Conncil.
GEN .. LACEY TO GEN. WASHINGTON. Camp, April 20th, 1778.
Sir, I enclosed in a letter,dated the 12th inst.to your Excellency, for your approbation, the proceedings of a court Martial, the trial and judgement against J- B-confined in my provost guard. This morning, about four o'clock, he made his escape out of the guard. I expect he will make directly to the enemy. Parties are sent after him; but I have not the least expectation they will overtake him. My scouting parties rendez- vous at Jenkintown, at Bustletown, at Smithfield, and at the Billet. I also keep patroles below me as far as Flowertown.
The enemy have been at Bristol, and are reported to have taken Col. Penrose, and some other officers .- They came up in the night, and returned the next day.
Nearly two thirds of my party will leave me in two days from this. The President informs me five classes are ordered to join me-one fiom Philadelphia county, one from Bucks, one from York, and two from Cumber- land county ; but none of them have yet arrived.
Enclosed is a return of the militia under my command. I remain with the greatest respect &c.
J. LACEY.
His Excellency . Gen. Washington.
P.S. I should be glad your Excellency would inform me what induljdence you would like should be given the people of Germantown, in taking down provisions to their families; as I am much perplexed with them.
GEN .. GREENE TO GEN. LACEY. Camp, Valley Forge, April 21st 1778.
Sir, The wife of Mr. J- T. -, complains that some of your people have taken from her husband one of their horses, which they are in want of to enable them to move up to Reading. I wish you to enquire in- to the matter, and if their is no capital objection, to or. der the beast to be delivered to the owner again. The war is a sufficient calamity under every possible re- straint; but where people are influenced by avarice and private prejudice, they increase the distresses of the in- habitants beyond conception. These evils can only be restrained by the Generals whose duty it is to protect the distressed inhabitants, as well as govern and regu- late the affairs of the army. I hope you'll pay partic- ular attention to this affair, as the age and distress of the complainants appear to claim it.
I have the honor to be
Your most obed't
Gen. Lacey.
Humble Serv't. NATHL. GREENE, Q. M.G.
GEN. LACEY TO GEN. GREENE. Camp, Crooked Billet, April 27th 1778.
Sir, I received your letter of the 21st instant, and have made enquiry concerning the horse you mention; which I find has been taken by a person who calls him- self a volunteer, and has made a practice of riding with my parties on the lines. I have sent him orders to de- liver the horse immediately to the owner, and to appear before me to answer for his conduct, in acting thus with- out orders. Every precaution has been taken, and re- peated orders given to my parties, not to distress the inhabitants, unless they be found favouring the enemy. In that case I think it requisite, and justifiable, to take what may be of immediate benefit to the army. 1
Strolling parties, both inhabitants, and soldiers on furlough from the army, have made a practice the great- est part of this winter of skulking about the enemy's lines; where they have committed the most villainous robberies imaginable, under the character of Militia. I have given orders to my parties to apprehend and bring them under confinement to my Camp. Some of them have been taken; but for want of sufficient proof were discharged. One or two soldiers I ordered to be sent to the Provost, at Head Quarters.
I am Sir, with respect Your most humble serv't.
To Quarter Master Gen. 2 N. Greene.
J. LACEY.
GEN. ARMSTRONG TO GEN. LACEY. Carlisle, April 21st 1778.
Dear Sir, I am sorry to find by your favour received some time ago, your force has been so small through the middle and latter part of the winter; and particular- ly concerned that you had it not in your power to send a proper escort with the cattle which we lost, but wish you-had sent all you had. Old officers make some trips, and young ones will look for the pardon of theirs.
I have heard you kept what troops you had in one body through the winter. If any other motive than the smallness of their numbers induced you so to do, I should be glad to be advised of it.
It is also said the militia this winter have not only had the goods or market stuff found with such as were car- rying them to the enemy; which you know is agreeable to former orders-but that the teams, horses, &c. em- ployed in carrying them, were also allowed to the men who siezed them as plunder. If this last is true, I take it for granted you must have had an express order from the Commander in Chief, or the President of the state, to that purpose, before you could possibly depart not only from standing orders, but from the settled prac- tice upon that point. I hope-the thing is not true; being in itself infallibly wrong, and of evil tendency --- nor would even a temporary toleration of that sort to the continential troops, justify the practice in our militia. Have you any news? and how was General Irvine, when you last heard ? I am Dear General your
Assured friend and humble servant. JOIIN ARMSTRONG.
Brigadier General Lacey, at his Camp.
P.S. General Potter expects to be at Camp about the beginning of May; as I do about the latter end of that month.
GEN. LACEY TO GEN. ARMSTRONG.
Camp, April 28th 1778.
Dear General, I received your favour of the 21st inst . yesterday. I have kept the troops in one body, since the times of those expired, who were posted on the roads when I took the command, for which I had two reasons; and both of them, in my humble judgment, competent ones. First, the manner in which those de- tached bodies had to be provided with provisions, when at so great a distance as they must be from any supply, rendered it impracticable for all the parties to be served by one commissary; in consequence of which the par- ties had to supply themselves, and the manner in which it was done, was distressing. Cattle were taken from the inhabitants at the point of the bayonet-their cellar doors opened, and such things taken as might suit the soldiery, without any way being provided, at that time, to satisfy the inhabitants-thus opening a door for de- signing Quarter Masters to impose upon the public, as well as upon individuals.
Secondly, my numbers through the whole winter never, at one time, amounted to five hundred. These to be divided into five or six parties, (the number of main roads necessary to be covered, ) would so weaken the whole, and every party, that they could not be able
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to make much res stance, in case a party of the enemy should attack them; neither would they have it in their power to annoy the enemy, should an opportunity offer. Beside these reasons, almost constant applications were made for parties to escort cattle &c. passing to camp. These necessarily took off a part of my men.
My numbers, after Gen. Potter left me, decreased every day, until they were reduced to the amount men- tioned in my former letter. On the 24th of February, my returns from York and Cumberland amounted to four hundred and fifty six rank and file, fit for duty .- March 4tlı, I had two hundred and seventy eight pre- sent, fit for duty-one hundred and twenty four on com- mand.
March 21st. Three hundred and fifteen present fit for duty-forty seven on command.
March 26th. One hundred and sixty two present, fit for duty-148 on command. .
April 6th. One hundred and fifty eight present, fit for duty-110 on command.
April 19th. Two hundred and fifteen present, fit for duty+-36 on command.
April 27th. Fifty three present, fit for duty-none on command.
This is the true state of my Brigade at those different times, except a party of horse from Bucks and Phila- delphia counties, of between fifteen and twenty, whose times have all expired, and who have left me.
My Camps have been at the Billet, Graham Park, Cross-Roads, Whitemarsh and Newtown. I have con- stantly kept out scouts through the country, towards the enemy; some parties to take with them three days provisions, and to be absent till it was expended. I have occasionally marched with the whole body as far as Frankford.
My stores I kept at Doylstown; whither I retired when at the discharge of the Militia, in order to settle their rolls, &c.
I have an order from his Excellency, Gen. Washing- ton, that any thing taken coming out of, or going into the city, be forfeited to the captors. Horses fit for draft, or Light Dragoons, are to be sent to the Quarter Master General, who is ordered to pay the captors the value of them.
I have endeavoured, to the utmost of my power, to do what was right, and serviceable to my country. If I have erred, it has not been designedly. 'The last ac- count I had of Gen. Irvine, is, that he is recovering; though very slowly.
I remain, Dear General, with great respect, your most humble servant.
To Gen. Armstromg. -
J. LACEY.
COL. KIRKBRIDE TO GEN. LACEY.
Bellevue, 25th April, 1778.
Dear General, In consequence of orders from his Ex- cellency, our President, I have ordered out the first class of the Militia of this county. The 5th, or lower Battalion, has turned out exceeding thin indeed-not more than two offering to march to camp. I hope the other Battallions may do something better. My orders given them are, to march from each Battallion immedi- ately, and join your Camp, to be disposed of as you may think fit ..
Our news from every quarter is agreeable; and par- ticularly from over the water. I believe Lord North is sick of his undertaking; and am of opinion that some- thing great will shortly turn up. There is no doubt but se- veral powers have declared us free & independent states. We have several late accounts that Howe and Galloway are certainly going to England; and, indeed, if the ac- counts in general which we have from abroad are true, they will, I believe, "pack up their awls," and move off. You have no doubt, seen Lord North's speech, and his draught of a conciliatory bill.
It is confidently asserted, that what we have seen is but one half; and that the best part is reserved.
I shall be glad to hear from you, and am, Dear Gen'l. in haste, your most assured friend and humble serv't. JO'S. KIRKBRIDE.
Brig. Gen. Lacey at Head Quarters. S
GEN. LACEY TO GEN. WASHINGTON. Camp, Billet, April 27th, 1778.
Sir, Inclosed is a return of the militia under my com- mand. I hear that more are on their way to join me. I moved from North Wales (whither I had retired to discharge the Northampton Militia,) last Saturday about twelve o'clock, on hearing a party of the enemy had filed off from the Germantown road, towards the York road. I proceeded as far as Edge bill, hoping to fall in with them; but found on my arrival at that place, they had returned to the city. I encamped with my little handful of men the following night at the Billet, where I still remain. I sent orders for the provisions and stores I had left at North Wales to be moved; and for the bag- gage-waggons belonging to the militia to come to the Billet, the same night. Some of the waggoners belong- ing to a part of the Northampton people, (whose times did not expire till last evening, ) following the common custom of disobedience, among the militia, neglected moving until next morning, when they were met by a party of the enemy's horse, just after they had started, who took one waggon and eight horses; also five or six prisoners, and wounded several more. Those fellows, the day before, when the Brigade left the camp, being either too lazy or cowardly to march with them, chose to stay with the baggage; and being not fond of fatigue, had, for their own ease, carefully deposited their arms in the baggage waggons, and in this situation they were met by the enemy.
I hope in a few days to be able to annoy the enemy, should they continue their late practice of coming through the country.
I have, the honor to be with respect, your most obedt, ser't.
J. LACEY.
His Excellency Gen. Washington.
P.S. The time of the militia horse have all expired except three, who yet remain with me.
JOSEPH REED ESQ. TO GEN LACEY.
Sir, Though I have not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance, I dare say we are sufficiently known to each other to comply with any request either of us may make. Dr. Moore has a number of patients in the coun- try, for whom medicine is much wanted; and as I am con- fident he will make no improper use of the indulgence, I shall be obliged to you to permit him to pass the lines, and repass to and from the city. His neice and a little boy will accompany him. They do not desire to carry any thing into town with them.
I congratulate you on the great news from Europe .- Mr. Deane our ambassador is arrived in a French Fri- gate from France, and brings an authentick account that France & Spain have acknowledged the Independency of America, and entered into an express alliance with us; the consequence of which must be an immediate war between these powers and England-which God grant,
and very soon. I am Sir with due regard your obed. humble serv't. JO'S. REED.
May 2d 1778. Brig. Gen. Lacey.
GEN. LACEY TO GEN. WASHINGTON. Camp, Near Neshaminy Bridge, York-road, May 2, 1778 Sir, My camp, near the crooked Billet, was surround- ed on the morning of the first inst. by day light, with a body of the enemy who appeared on all quarters. My scouts had neglected the preceeding night to patrole
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the roads as they were ordered; but lay in camp till near- ly day-altho' their orders were to leave it by 2o'clock in the morning. One of the parties commanded by a Lieutenant, met the enemy near two miles from the camp, but never gave us the alarm. He makes his ex- cuse that he was so near them, before he espied them, that he thought himself in danger of being cut to pieces by their horse in case he had fired; but that he sent off a man to give notice the enemy were approaching-who, however, did not come. To the disobecience and mis- conduct of this and the other officers of the scouts, I have to lay my misfortunes.
The alarm was so sudden. I had scarcely time to mount my horse before the enemy was within musket shot of my quarters. I observed the party in my rear had got into houses and behind fences; and as their numbers could not be ascertained, I did not think it ad- visable to attack them in that situation-especially as another body appeared in my front, to the east of the Billet. In this uncertainty as to the numbers I had to contend with, I thought it best to open my way under cover of wood to the left of my camp, towards Col. Hart's-for which my little body moved in column-the baggage following in the rear. I had not passed far, be- fore my flanking parties began to exchange fire with the enemy. I kept moving on till I made the wood; when a party of both foot and horse came up the Byberry road, and attacked my right flank-the party from the Billet fell upon my rear-the horse, from the rear of my camp, came upon my left flank, and a body of horse appeared directly in front. We made a stand in this woods, and gave them some warm fires which forced them to retire. Their horse suffered considerably; as they charged us, and were severely repulsed. Their strength gathering from all quarters, I thought it best to move on-which I did, with the loss of the baggage -the horse giving way in front as we advanced. We continued fighting and retreating for upwards of two miles; when I made a sudden turn to the left, through a wood, which intirely extricated myself from them. I came into the York road near the Cross-roads, and moved slowly down towards the Billet in hopes to take some advantage of them on that quarter, where they might least expect me; but I found they had retired to- wards the city. My people behaved well. My loss is about thirty killed, and seventeen wounded. Some were butchered in the most savage and cruel manner- even while living, some were thrown into buckwheat straw, and the straw set on fire. The clothes were burnt on others; and scarcely one left without a dozen wounds, with bayonets and cutlasses.
The enemy's loss is not known; but it is currently re- ported there is one field officer among their slain. We took three of their horses, and five are left dead on the field-the riders either killed or wounded.
The times of the militia light horse are all'expired, and they have left me. They have been of much service to me, and I now feel their loss. Twenty horse are better than fifty foot, to make discoveries and give intelligence. I am with respect &c.
J. LACEY.
His Excellency 3 Gen. Washington. S
GEN. WASHINGTON TO GEN. LACEY. Head Quarters, Valley Forge, May 3d 1778.
Sir, I received yours of yesterday, giving me an ac- count of your misfortune. You may depend that this will ever be the consequence of permitting yourself to be surprized; and if that was owing to the misconduct of the officer who was advanced, you should have him brought to trial. It is not improbable that the enemy, flushed with their success, will soon be out again-if you keep a strict watch upon their motions you may perhaps repay them. I am Sir,
your most obdt. servt. GO. WASHINGTON.
GEN. ARMSTRONG TO GEN. LACEY. Camp, Near Valley Forge, May 5th 1778.
Dear Sir, I have had the pleasure of receiving at this place yours of the 28th April, and am well persuaded your difficulties through the winter, and thus far of the spring, have been great; and also well assured that your intentions in the position of your people were good .- The unexpected smallness of your numbers, and incon- venience of feeding the troops in a detached situation, go a great length towards the justification of retaining them in one body-but so far as the other method is" practicable, it ought to take place. I shall speak to the General on the subject of allowing the property of the state to be given to the soldiery; a step undoubted- ly wrong in every point of view: and I'm sorry to find such early proofs of that error, in the charges thrown out against the militia, by the country people.
The exposed situation of your part of the country gives me particular pain; and hope that some further assistance will soon be afforded to it. I congratulate you and our friends there, on the new alliance with France, and some say with Spain also; which, however disagreeable in some points of view, we are drove into, by the madness and very hard treatment of Britain.
I am called here by the General for a few days on publick business, and shall not at this time have the pleasure of seeing you; as I can't expect you can leave the command, to come over. Please to send me as soon as possible, to head quarters, a particular ac- count of the late event which happened to your people -the numbers and names, as far as you can get them, of the killed, wounded and missing, particularly of the officers. The General searched for your letter on that head, but could not find it. General Potter at this time I think must be on his way to camp. It's 'said this last was a total surprize; I have therefore only to add, that you see the necessity of perpetual vigilance-and am Dear General, affectionately yours, JOHN ARMSTRONG.
Brig. Gen. Lacey, ? near the Billet.
GEN. LACEY TO GEN. ARMSTRONG. Camp, Bucks County, May 7th 1778.
Dear General, I received your favour of the 5th inst. this evening. The new alliance gives me pleasure; as I now not only flatter myself, but am well assured we shall establish our freedom, and have full satisfaction of the British tyrant.
The enemy in the late attack, was very near me be- fore he was discovered-not two hundred yards from my quarters. The party that was first discovered liad got into my rear. I soon after perceived another party in front; and each of them appeared to be equal to my whole body. I believed myself to be in no favourable situation. They were at one time waiting for me to be- gin the attack; when the other was immediately to fall on, and get us between two fires. To change the scene, I moved my party towards a wood, to the left of my camp. I proceeded on for near half a mile before any action began; when my flanking parties began to ex- change fire with the enemy, which grew warmer and warmer. We kept moving on till we gained the wood; under the shelter of which we stood and beat the enemy back. Our greatest loss was through the field, before we made this wood. The enemy gathering from all quarters, I thought it best to move on; as my numbers were far inferior to his-leaving our baggage, which fell ·into his hands. They were nearly all around me .- The horse paraded in our front; but we had already pretty well sickened them-they scampered off as we approached; and we continued skirmishing for near two miles, when I gave them the slip, by making a sudden turn to the left, through a wood.
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