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H 


GENEALOGY 
974.8 
P384, 
1776-177° 


F*L 


- 


GENEALOGY  COLLECTION 


Vrfr 


ALLEN  COUNTY  PUBL'C^IBRAR/ 


3  1833  01810  4411 


I 


MINUTES 


OF  THE 


3XJPKEME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL 


PENNSYLVANIA, 


JKGM  ITS  ORGANIZATION  TO  THE  TERMINATION 
OF  THE  REVOLUTION. 


PUBLISHED    BY   THE    STATE 


TOL.   XL 

CONTAINING  THE  PROCEEDINGS   OF  COUNCIL  OP  SAFETY  FROM   NO- 

YEMBER  13TH,  1776,  TO    17TH   OF   MARCH,  1777 )    TOGETHER 

WITH   A    MEMORANDUM   FROM'  DECEMBER  31st,  1776,  TO 

march  17th,  1777 ;  ALSO   the   MINUTES  of  the 

supreme  executive  council  from  march 

4th,  1777,  to  may  20th,  1779,.  both 

days  included. 


■HARRISBURG  : 

PRINTED    BY    THEO,    FENN    &    CO' 

1852. 


H 


CONTENTS. 


A.     .  1209435 

^    AcfT  for  the  better  supply  of  the  army  of  Pennsylvania,  711. 

Addresses  to  the  people  of  Pennsylvania  by  the  Supreme  Execu- 
tive Council,  204,  205 ;  to  the  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania,  685, 
686,  687,  688,  689. 


Agents  of  forfeited  estates  appointed  $  their  instructions  touching 
the  same,  479,  480,  587,  599. 

Apprentices  and  servants  not  to  be  enlisted  without  written  con- 
sent from  masters,  243. 

Allentown,  stores  belonging  to  the  State  to  be  delivered  at,  579. 

Anniversary  of  Independence  to  be  commemorated,  522. 

Able-bodied  persons  to  be  compelled  to  enter  service,  55,  59;  all 
between  the  age  of  15  and  60  to  be  enrolled,  60. 

Armed  boats  to  be  stationed  at  Gloucester  Point,  4;  their  pay,  8  c 

Armitage,  Shubart,  appointed  third  Lieut  in  CoL  Proctor's  regi- 

iment,  774. 

.:   Armstrong,   William,  appointed  paymaster  at  Mud  Island,  &e.f 

767, 

Arms  and  ammunition  to  be  stff  plied  and  furnished,  33, 
-_. _  piate  of,  752. 

Arnold,  General,  incidentally  mentioned  or  alluded  to,  224,  522} 

523,  562,  674,  680,  681,  692,  706,  709,  726,  759. 

Arrangement  of  oncers  in  the  army,  179, 185,  190, 

Artillery,  stationed  at  Fort  Island,  1. 

a  regiment  to  be  raised  for  the  defence  of  Pennsylvania,  116; 
136,  142.      • 

CoL  Eyre's  battalion  furnished  with  rum,  tea,  sugar,  &e<? 


776. 
Assembly,  application  to  for  borrowing  money,  117,  177 


it  CONTENTS. 

Associates'  families  to  be  provided  for,  22,  23,  28,  82,  33,  40,  41. 
43,93,  530;  assistance  solicited  for  them,  30;  landlords  not  to 
distress  their  families,  30.     . 

Assistants  to  the  Council  of  Safety  appointed,  45. 

Attack  sudden  and  immediate  upon  Pennsylvania,  anticipated, 
227,332. 

Attainders  of  divers  traitors,  504,  513,  514,  515,  768. 

B. 

Baltimore,  Hessian  officers,  as  prisoners,  taken  thither,  77,  104. 
129. 

Barracks  Master  General  of  Pennsylvania  appointed,  51 — additional 
duties  assigned  them,  144. 

Battalion  of  Lancaster  county,  their  conduct  commendable,  90. 

Bedford  county,  account  settled  for  protecting  the  frontiers  of  the 
State,  16 — Stockade  fort  at,  555. 

Bread,  all  that  may  be  found  is  to  be  secured,  303 » 

Berks  county  Associators  refused  to  march  to  join  General  Wash- 
ington's army,  94. 

Berkenhout  Doctor,  suspected  of  mischievous  designs,  567. 

his  letter  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  569,  570 — farther  dispo- 
sition of  the  Doctor's  case,  576. 

Billingsport  in  New  Jersey,  fortifications  at,  125,  139,  248,  572, 
576,  643,  644. 

Board  of  War  appointed,  181 ;  directed  to  apply  to  Congress  for 
money,  182,  218. 

appear  before  Council,  21^to  furnish  the  Supreme  Execu- 
tive Council  with  arms  for  the  militia,  212,  213. 

memorial  of  Sieur  Gerard  before  the  Council,  referred  to; 


553. 

Bounty  money  to  enlist  soldiers,  a  loan  applied  for  to  Congress,  37. 

Brigadier  General  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  appointed,  62. 
199. 

Bridge  across  the  Schuylkill  river,  expensive,  711. 

British  take  possession  of  the  metropolis  of  the  State,  325. 

Brown  John,  his  examination  before  Supreme  Executive  Council, 
345,  347,  348. 


CONTENTS.  7 

Boundary  line  between  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  240,  556. 

Bucks  county,  papers  and  records  at,  to  be  taken  possession  of  and 
placed  in  the  magazine,  128. 

persons  appointed  to  audit  and  settle  accounts  of  the  mili- 
tia, 146. 

cattle  driven  off  in,  281. 


Burglaries,  riots,  &c,  to  be  prevented  in  Philadelphia,  by  patrolesy 

42, 


Cannon  Committee  appointed,  7;  Collected  and  mounted  in  Phila- 
delphia, 82. 

Cattle  Committee  of  drivers  appointed,  244,  253,  281,  310. 

Cape  May,  trading  vessels  at  to  be  protected,  8. 

■  arrived  galley  stationed  at,  556,  557. 

Cattle  and  other  stock,  ordered  to  be  removed  five  miles  from  Dela- 
ware river,  4,  253,  310. 

Captains  of  companies  appointed,  2,  18,  20,  74. 

Chester  county  militia  furnished  with  arms,  219. 

Civil  department  of  State  requiring  attention,  181. 

Clarkson,  Matthew,  Esqr.,  appointed  Marshall  of  the  Admiralty, 

760. 

Clothing  for  the  army  provided,  1,  772  ;  call  made  upon  private 
families,  in  Philadelphia,  for  blankets,  stockings,  &c,  &c,  18  ; 
shoes  to  be  purchases  for  the  army,  56. 

Colours  taken  from  the  enemy  at  Trenton,  70.  ; 

Congress,  recommendation  of,  ^fo  the  Council  of  Safety,  34 ;  to 
borrow  money  from,  228. 

calls  out  the  militia,  203  ;  resolution  of,  to  call  out  an  ad- 
ditional number  of  militia,  254. 

letters  from,  inclosing  acts  relative  to  persons  going  within 


enemies'  lines,  &c,  753. 

letter  requesting  militia  to  take  post  at  Fort  Mifflin  and 


Billingsport,  766. 

)mmissioners  appoi 
330,  348. 

Commissary  of  continental  stores  at  Lancaster,  86, 


Commissioners  appointed  to  seize  and  sell  the  property  of  torier 
330,  348. 


vi  CONTENTS. 

Commissions  granted  for  letters  of  marque  and  reprisals,  2,  21, 

Conference  with  deputies  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  touching,  729. 

Continental  money,  dangerous  consequences  for  refusing  taking  it, 
2;  those  refusing  to  take  to  be   punished,  70. 


counterfeited,  234. 


Constitution  of  the  state  not  satisfactory ;  amendment  proposed. 
220. 

Conelly  enlarged  on  giving  security,  196,  200. 

Convention  prisoners,  their  escort,  &c,  63. 

Council  of  Safety,  Minutes  of,  1,  100,  325,  353;  proclamation  of; 
to  exercise  general  powers,  325,  326,  353. 

Continental  stores  removed  from  Philadelphia,  21,  44. 

Count  B'Estaing,  692. 

B. 

Bays  of  solemn  fasting  and  humiliation,  apnointed  by  Congress. 
175;  by  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  176,  369,  438,  627.    . 

Be  Haven  Peter,  appointed  Health  officer  of  port  of  Philadelphia. 

775. 

Beserters,  from  the  army,  to  be  advertised,  106. 

Bickinson's  intercepted  letter,  92. 

Bunlap's  press  and  type  employed  to  inform  the  public  of  affairs. 
46. 


E. 


Easton,  Indian  treaty  at,  96,  98 ;  churches  at,  request  leave  to 
raise  contributions  to  pay  debt  on  churches,  422. 

money  and  papers  belonging  to  the  Public  loan  office  in 


Philadelphia  to  be  removed  to  Easton,  305,  306,  307 ;  books  oi 
state  library  sent  to  Easton,  309. 

Egg-harbor,  British  fleet  arrived  at,  253. 

Eichelbcrger  George,  deputy  commissary  of  the  United  States, 
charged  with  using  threatening  language  to  influence  election 
officers,  700,  701. 

Election  of  president  &  vice  president  of  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council,  633,  634. 


CONTENTS,  yii 

Embargo  laid  on  the  exportation  of  wheat,  rye,  corn,  &e7  545, 546, 
568,  725. 

Enemies  of  the  United  States  committed  to  prison,  59. 

Estates,  forfeited  ones,  advertised  to  be  sold,  745. 

Examination  of  John  Brown,  345,  347,  348,  349* 

Expresses  and  their  stations,  74. 

Executions  ordered,  Thomas  Taylor  of  Lancaster  Co.,  and  The, 
Crouch  of  Berks  Co,,  for  felony  and  robbery,  and  Catharine 
Fisher  of  Lancaster  Co.,  for  murder,  780, 


P. 


Felony,  seven  persons  convicted  and  in  goal,  discharged,  758. 

Field  officers  nominated  and  elected,  74,  97  ;  arrangement  of,  179  3 
letter  from  to  the  Supreme  Executive  council,  731. 

Floating  bridge  across  the  Schuylkill,  56. 

Flour,  relative  to  raising  price  of,  767. 

Fireships  fitted  out  for  service,  255,  256. 

Forestalled,  cited  to  appear  before  the  Supreme  Executive  council., 
639,  640. 

Forestalling,  proclamation  against,  671. 

Forfeited  estates  advertised  to  be  sold,  745. 

Fortifications  for  defence  of  Philadelphia,  plan  of  by  Gen.  Be 
Portail,  vote  of  thanks,  &c,  776 }  adopted  and  directed  to  be 
executed,  777. 

Fort  Island,  a  boom  fixed  at,  31. 

France,  fleet  from  with  troops,  532  j  Ambassador  plenipotentiary 
from,  public  audience  in  Congress,  548. 

Franks  David,  Commissary  of  British  prisoners,  682. 

Free  Mason's  Lodge,  a  temporary  prison,  for  disaffected  &  suspi- 
cious persons,  inimical  to  the  county,  285,  289,  290,  292„ 
294,  295,  296,  298,  299. 

Freedom  of  America,  who  may  be  suspected  as  inimical  thereto, 

38. 

Frontiers  to  be  protected,  726,  750. 


mil  CONTENTS. 


(> 


German  newspapers  circulated,  409. 

Gerard  Sieur,  Minister  Plenipotentiary  from  France,  547,  548,  553, 

645,  678. 
Olocester  Point,  armed  boats  to  be  stationed  at,  4. 

Guard  appointed  to  protect  the  powder  magazine  in  Philadelphia, 
26. 

Gun-factory  belonging  to  the  State  disposed  of,  644. 
Gunpowder,  regulations  touching  the  keeping  of  it,  657. 

H. 

Hale,  Thomas,  appointed  agent  for  forfeited  estates  in  Philadel- 
phia county,  767. 

Kartly,  Thomas,  Colonel,  vote  of  thanks  by  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council,  640  ;  his  plan  for  the  defence  of  the  frontiers  adopted, 
646. 

Hand,  General,  at  Pittsburg,  asks  for  armed  men  to  destroy  Indian 
settlements,  261. 

Heidleburg  township,  in  Berks  county,  guard  in,  36. 

Henry  George,  appointed  commissary  of  naval  stores,  649. 

Hessian  prisoners  put  to  shoemaking  at  Lancaster,  85,  186 ;  a  guard 
placed  over  them,  94. 

Hospital,  Pennsylvania,  taken  up  for  sick  troops,  34. 

Holliday,  William,  appointed  paymaster  for  Bedford  county,  637. 

Howe,  General,  advancing  towards  Princeton,  N.  J.,  39. 

Hubley,  Adam,  elected  lieutenant  colonel  of  Pennsylvania  troops, 
770 ;  recommended  to  board  of  war  as  commandant  of  11th  re- 
giment, 778. 

Hummelstown,  in  Dauphin  county,  gun-factory  to  be  established 
at,  314. 

Hunter's  battalion  of  Berks  county,  refuse  to  march  to  join  General 
Washington's  army,  94. 


Indians  practice  cruelties  upon  the  frontier  settlers,  261,  347,  383r 

531,  765. 
war  to  be  carried  into  their  country,  726. 


'CONTENTS,  u 

inimical  persons  towards  the  United  States,  suspected  and  com- 
plained of,  190,  261,  264,  265,  267,  269  ;  all  suspected  ones  to 
be  immediately  apprehended,  279,  383  ;  a  large  number  of  arrests, 
283,  284  ;  committee  appointed  to  make  arrests,  286;  their  re- 
port, 288,  289  j  numerous  arrests  after  appointment  of  committee, 
in  several  counties,  290,  307,  308,  344,  345,  402,  460,  472,  473, 
504,  513,  514,  515,  516,  517,  518,  519,  525,  529,  556,  6013 
602,  603,  604,  610,  611. 

Ill  treatment  towards  American  prisoners  by  the  British,  6,  56,  657, 

658. 

Instructions  to  Captain  Rice  from  the  Committee  of  Safety,  8 ; 
from  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  touching  recruiting  officers, 

419,  420,  421. 

Intercepted  communications,  92. 

■  J. 

Justices  of  the  peace  elected  by  the-  freeholders,  228,  759,  760, 

770,  774 1  if  from  neglect  to  eleet,  231, 

K. 

Knapsacks,  six  thousand  delivered,  26. 


Lancaster,  prisoners  at  to  be  guarded,  4 ;  records  and  public 
papers  removed  to,  23 ;  General  Roberdeau  removed  to  41 ; 
powder  stored  at,  41 ;  battalions  at  marched  from,  78 ;  the  bat- 
talion of  this  county,  their  conduct  commendable,  90;  powder 
magazine  and  other  military  store-houses  to  be  built  at,  115, 271? 
738  ;  petition  from,  complaining  of  a  want  of  magistrates,  211  j 
militia  to  be  armed,  212,;  British  prisoners  at,  threaten  to  destroy 
Lancaster,  236;  Supreme  Executive  Council  meet  in,  313; 
remove  again  to  Philadelphia,  521 ;  commissary  appointed  at, 
86. 

Lebanon,  guards  to  be  stationed  at,  417. 

Levy,  Miss,  passing  to  New  York,  suspected,  676« 

Lieutenants  appointed,  and  other  officers,  23,  24,  31,  32,  34,  47* 

65,  98,  205,  218. 

Loans  for,  application  made  to  Congress;  12,  $7?  115. 


CONTENTS. 


M. 


Magazines  and  military  stores  to  be  guarded,  446* 

Marine  committee  of  Congress,  7. 

Marque  and  reprisal,  letters  of,  commissions  for  granted,  2,  3,  21. 

%    Maryland,  Flying  Camp  raised  in  and  equipped,  28. 

Marshall,  Benjamin,  appointed  ensign  of  5th  Pennsylvania  regi- 
ment, 754. 

Memorandum,  a  certain  one  found  in  the  Council  Book,  149, 

Metropolis  of  the  State  taken  possession  of  by  the  British,  325- 

Militia,  some  deserters  amongst  them,  102 ;  an  additional  number 
called  out,  254. 

charged  with  misconduct,,  and  a  court  of  inquiry  appointed; 


775. 
Messages  to  the  General  Assembly,  &c,  711,  734. 

Morris,  C.  So,  appointed  to  have  the  care  of  prisoners  of  war  m 
Pennsylvania,  5-. 

Minutes  of  Council  of  Safety,  1-170,  323-353. 

—  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  173-800, 

Mud  Island,  barracks  at  ordered  to  be  completed^  725. 

Murran,  William,  appointed  ensign  in  second  Pennsylvania  bat- 
talion, 783. 


Newspapers  taken  hy  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  400,  648. 

Navy  board  appointed,  122,  182 ;  memorials  of  to  the  Supreme 
•Executive  Council,  182,  192,  193. 

Naval  Officers  appointed,  199 — naval  board  empowered  to  purchase 
twelve  vessels,  fitted  out  as  fireships,  255  y  commodore  and  su- 
pernumary  officers  discharged,  552,  554. 

Non-Associators  arm3  to  be  taken  from,  36,  37,  79,  108, 1^40;  279. 

sore  complaint  against  them,  198. 

— militia  quartered  upon  them,  100 


CONTENTS  xi 


O. 


Oath  of  allegiance,  persons  not  taking  it  required  to  give  shoes, 
stockings,  blankets,  &c,  for  the  use  of  the  army,  on  certain  con- 
ditions, 328,  329,  339. 

— - —  their  property  to  be  taken  and  disposed  of,  329,  330 ;  com- 
missioners appointed  for  that  purpose,  330,  339,  340. 

Oath  or  Affirmation  of  officers  in  'the  army  and  others,  required  to 
be  subscribed  by  them,  415,  416. 

Obedience  to  the  militia  laws  enjoined  upon  all  in  the  country, 
733,  T34. 

Officers  commissioned,  23,  24,  31,  32,  37,  578 ;  new  orders  touch- 
ing their  appointment,  72- — appointed  98,  116 — arrangements  of 
as  to  rank,  179,  180. 

Officers  of  Pennsylvania  prisoners  with  the  enemy,  shall  retain 
their  rank,  &c,  109. 


— — —of  navy  board  appointed,  199 ;  memorials  from  to  the  Su- 
preme Executive  Council,  183,  192,  193. 

Ordnance  of  Pennsylvania,  superintendent  of  appointed,  143, 144. 

Ordinances  for  the  more  effectual  levying  monies,  fines,  &c,  for 
substitutes  in  the  militia,  332. 

for  appointing   an  additional   number  of  sub-lieutenants, 


333 ;  to  prevent  private  speculators  from  engrossing  business,  to 
the  detriment  of  the  public  good,  337,  338. 


P. 

Passes  granted  to  various  persons,  578,  579,  630,  640,  649,  585, 
673,  679,  758,  759,  761,  765,  770,  772,  783. 

—  not  to  be  granted  without  security,  757. 

Patten  Eobert?  his  grievances  set  forth  in  a  petition,  188. 

Pay  masters  appointed,  23,  27,  34,  81,  82,  110,  124,  279,  637. 

Penn  John,  Honorable,  made  prisoner,  264,  265. 

Pennsvalley,  a  post  at  General  Potter's,  646, 

Petitions,  one  from  Walter  Hall,  214. 


xii  CONTENTS, 

i 

Philadelphia,  works  of  defence  at,  46;  citizens  to  remove  from, 
218. 

militia  of  arranged  for  service,  219  ;  ordered  to  march  224, 

231,  the  enemy  approaching  it,  253,  298;  the  British  take  pos- 
session of,  325;  measures  adopted  to  regain  the  city,  404. 

Poor  persons  relieved,  20,  530. 

Powdermill,  continental  one  carried  on,  88. 

burnt  at  French  creek,  184. 

Powder  magazine,  built  at  Lancaster,  118. 

Pottsgrove,  provision  store  at,  423. 

Princeton,  General  Howe  advancing  towards  it,  39.  i 

Printers  engaged  in  printing  certificates  for  Continental  loans,  to  be 
detained,  31. 

Prisoners  at  Lancaster  and  Reading  to  be  guarded,  5. 

of  war  to  be  taken  in  charge  by  S.  C.  Morris,  5  ;  by  Howe 

and  others,  89;  Livingston's  letter  touching  them,  185. 

enlarged  263,  290,  291,295,  296,  308,  360,  406. 

American  held  by  the  British,  564. 


Prize  money  for  vessels,  how  to  be  distributed,  740. 
Proclamations  touching  General  Howe's  approaching  Philadelphia, 

298. 
by    Committee  of  Safety,  that  Howe  is   in  Philadelphia, 

325. 

touching  exportation  of  victuals,  &c,  545. 

against  forestalling,  671. 

laying  embargo  on  vessels,  763. 

Q. 

Qualifications  directed  to  be  taken  by  the  members  of  the  Su- 
preme Executive  council,  174. 

Quakers  present  a  memorial  to  the  Supreme  Executive  council, 
426,  427. 

had  a  hearing  before  the  council,  429. 

Quartermaster's  appointed  for  Pennsylvania,  21,  25,  84. 

Mitchell's  book  altered,  707. 

R. 

Rangers,  companies  of  to  be  raised,  &c,  730,  731. 
Rank  among  officers,  how  determined,  226. 


CONTENTS.  xiii 

Reading,  prisoners  at  to  be  guarded,  4. 

tories  at,  imprisoned,  89. 

Records  and  public  papers  removed  to  Lancaster,  23. 

Recruiting  officers  appointed,  418,  464,  469. 

Resolutions  touching  the  artillery  at  Fort  Island,  1 ;  to  man  and 
fit  out  vessels,  1,  2. 

of  Congress  touching  refusing  to  take  continental  money, 

70. 

Reward  of  $12,000  for  capturing  and  destroying  the  enemy's  ves- 
sels, 646. 

Rice  Patrick,  to  give  bonds,  not  to  take  any  letters,  c£c,  to  the 
city  of  New  York,  701. 

Rule  touching  applications  for  the  remission  of  fines,  &c,  747. 

Rum,  certain  portion  allowed  to  soldiers,  230. 

S. 

Safety  committee,  minutes  of,  1 — 170,  323. 

Saltworks,,  in  New  Jersey,  protected  by  a  Pennsylvania  regiment, 
114,  126,  191. 

Salt,  in  possession  of  Council  of  Safety  to  be  distributed,  13,  14,  22. 

resolutions  concerning,  16,  20,  40,  51. 

Schools  in  Philadelphia  re-opened,  38. 

Schoolmasters  confined  in  jail  at  Lancaster,  not  having  taken  oath 
of  allegiance,  652. 

Secret  committee  of  Congress,  and  their  doings,  8,  9. 

Servants  and  apprentices  not  to  be  enlisted,  243. 

Shelly,  offers  to  disclose  certain  treasonable  designs,  307. 

Ship  General  Green,  pay  of  Captain  and  other  officers  regulated, 
757  y  Officers  appointed,  765,  766. 

Shot,  delivered  to  the  marine  committee  of  Congress,  7, 10. 

Sick  persons  &  soldiers  provided  for,  13,  34,  35,  42,  50,  56,  68, 
83,  100,  115,  133. 

State  arms,  cut  out  on  printer's  metal,  by  Caleb  Lome,  752. 

State  battalion  put  into  the  service,  215. 

Standing  Stone,  ( Huntingdon,)  a  regiment  ordered  thither,  531. 


xiv  CONTENTS. 

Stansbury  &  Smith,  suspected  of  practices  tending  to  alienate,  &c, 
43. 

Story,  Samuel,  appointed  Third  Lieut,  in  Col.  Proctor's  regiment 
776. 

Sullivan,  General,  orders  the  militia  at  Coryel's  ferry  to  march  for- 
ward to  meet  the  enemy  in  New  Jersey,  255.  ■ 

Sunbury,  militia,  ordered  thither,  532. 

Supreme  Executive  Council,  minute  of,  173. 

authorized  to  borrow  money,  739. 

Suspected  persons  as  guilty  of  treason,  or  to  be  disaffected,  54,  264- 
all  such  to  be  immediately  apprehended,  279 — numerous  arrests, 
283,  284,  288,  289,  308,  315,  344,  345,  347,  357,  259,  360, 
365,  402,  460,  462,  472,  504,  513,  514,  515,  516,  517,  518, 
525,529,  601,602,  603,  606,  610,  611. 

T. 

Tabellion  public,  for  the  English,  French  and  Spanish  languages, 
200. 

Tanners,  who  are  associators  to  be  furnished  with  hides  in  prefer- 
ence to  others,  58. 

Tools  of  the  gun  factory  to  be  removed  from  Philadelphia,  48. 

Thompson,  William  General,  makes  high  charges  against  Thomas 
M'Kean,  Esq.,  Chief  Justice  of  State,  659,  660. 

Town  Major  appointed  at  Philadelphia,  26;  escorts  prisoners  of  war 
from  Philadelphia  to  Newtown,  Bucks  county,  30. 

at  Lancaster,  78. 

Tories  imprisoned  at  Reading,  89. 

their  property  seized,  &c,  326,  327,  330. 

Traitors,  act  touching  them,  &c,  746. 

George  Handy,  convicted  of  treason,  ordered  to  be  execu- 
ted, 754  -j  execution  postponed,  764. 

Treasonable  designs,  persons  charged  with,  12,  307,  566. 

Treaty  with  Indians  at  Easton,  96  ;  presents  and  goods  provided 
for  them,  108. 

Transports,  several  hundred  sailed  for  New  York,  3. 

Troops  to  be  raised  in  Westmoreland,  Cumberland,  Lancaster  and 
Northumberland  counties,  7,  80. 


CONTENTS.  sr 


V. 


Valiey  Forge,  Washington  at,  his  address  to  the  people  of  New 
Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland  &  "Virginia,  429, 

Vendues,  abuses  of  complained  of  and  ordered  to  be  suppressed,  767* 

Verner,  Frederick,  his  trial,  561  j  farther  notice  of  him,  720. 

Vessels  not  suffered  to  depart  the  port  of  Philadelphia,  23 ;  Em- 
bargo laid  on,  761 ;  Proclamations,  763,  779 ;  Embargo  taken 
off,  783. 

Victuals  and  provisions,  embargo  laid  on,  &c,  545,  546,  646. 
Volunteers,  carolled  for  the  army,  26, 

W. 

WiiKiES  of  the  members  of  Assembly,  &c,  fixed  by  law,  736,  737. 

Wagons  for  continental  service,  28,  29,  24,  247,  261,  291,  341, 
343,  409,  520,  588,  589,  706,  708,  709,  721,  778. 

Wagon-masters,  appointed  64 ;  empowered  to  stable  and  feed  their 
horses  at  their  convenience,  and  pay  for  the  same,  63 ;  relative  to 
pay,  761. 

Wampum,  laid  before  the  Council,  212. 

Washington,  General,  reinforced,  24,  25,  28,  39,  44,  49;  he  recom- 
mends the  militia  of  Pennsylvania  to  be  formed  into  brigades.? 
27, -62;  notifies  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  a  meditated 
attack  of  the  British  upon  Pennsylvania,  227;  recommends  a  list 
of  recruiting  officers,  418 .;  he  addresses  the  people  of  New  Jersey, 
Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland  &  Virginia,  429 ;  letter  from 
him,  650 ;  adopts  vigorous  measures  for  covering  the  frontiers  of 
Pennsylvania,  723. 

Watchmen  of  Philadelphia  permitted  to  remain  on  nocturnal  duty, 
30. 

Weitzei  Colonel,  conduct  in  calling  militia,  &c,  706,  707,  708. 

Westmoreland  county,  public  records  unlawfully  removed  by  M. 
Hoofnagle,  to  Lancaster,  252,  432. 

— —  furnished  with  ammunition,  716. 

Whiskey,  price  of  regulated,  388  ;  law  against  distilling  of,  647. 

Wharton,  Thomas,  death  and  funeral  of,  499« 

Wood  supplied  to  the  poor  in  Philadelphia,  70. 

Wrecks  raised  in  the  river  Delaware,  560,  719,  720, 

Wrightf  s  Ferry,  militia  to  meet  at,  to  escort  Convention  prisoners, 
«37. 


MINUTES 

OF  THE 

COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


Nov'r  13th,  1776^ 

THO'S  WHARTON,  Presid't. 

David  Rittenhouse,  Henry  Keppele, 

John  Bayard,  Francis  Gurney, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Sam'l  G.  Morris, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  James  Cannon, 

Geo.  Gray,  Timothy  Matlack. 
Frederick  Kuhl, 

Resolved^  That  Major  Proctor  be  directed  to  parade  the  Artil- 
lery under  his  Command  at  Fort  Island,  on  Friday  morning  next, 
when  Mr.  Blewer  &  Col.  Humpton,  at  the  request  of  this  Board, 
will  attend  in  order  to  review  them* 

Resolved,  That  Commodore  Seymour  be  directed  to  Issue  orders 
immediately  for  every  Officer  of  the  Fleet  to  repair  on  board  their 
Respective  Vessells,  to  have  them  manned  and  fitted  in  the  best 
manner  possible,  and  to  order  the  whole  Fleet  to  Rendezvous  oppo- 
site Messrs.  Willing  &  Morris's  Wharf,  at  11  o'Clock  to-morrow 
morning,  in  order  to  their  being  Reviewed. 

Resolved,  That  Col.  Matlack  be  directed  to  take  into  his  imme- 
diate Care  the  Blankets  &  other  Clothing  for  our  Army ;  that  he 
provide  a  convenient  Store  for  the  purpose,  &  a  Clerk  to  attend  the 
same,  if  necessary. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Jno.  Little's  acco't  for  Nails  d'd  Mr.  Brigs, 
for  Mr.  Savage,  J31  13  4. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Mr.  Wm.  Evans  £77  8  If,  for  Blankets  & 
coarse  woolens  Purchased  in  Chester  County,  for  this  Council. 

VOL.  XI. — 1. 


2  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Col.  Win.  Cook? 
or  Capt.  Miller,  for  2000  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Cook,  of 
12  Battalion.  I 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Amos  Strattell  £1784  7  9  for  Block  Tin, 
Copper  &  Sulphur. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Rittenhouse,  Matlack  &  Cannon,  be  a 
Committee  to  draw  up  a  memorial  to  be  presented  to  the  Honora- 
ble House  of  Assembly  at  their  next  meeting,  setting  forth  the 
dangerous  Consequence  that  will  attend  the  refusal  of  the  Conti- 
nental Currency. 

Resolved,  That  Robert  Levers,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Paymaster 
to  the  12  Pennsylvania  Regiment  in  the  Continental  Service,  com- 
manded by  Col.  Wm.  Cook. 

The  Council  adjourned  to  3  o'Clock. 


Members  met. 

David  Rittenhouse,  Timothy  Matlack, 

John  Bayard,  James  Cannon, 

Geo.  Gray,    '  Fred.  Kuhl, 

Francis  Gurney,  Joseph  Blewer, 

S.  C.  Morris,  Henry  Kippele. 

Resolved,  That  Capt.  Blewer  &  Mr.  Sain'l  C.  Morris  be  requested 
to  fitt  out  the  Armed  Boat  Convention,  Capt.  Rice,  with  all  Possi- 
ble Expedition,  and  that  they  be  desired  to  apply  to  the  Marine 
Committee  for  such  Stores  belonging  to  Congress  as  may  be  wanted 
for  that  purpose. 

The  Council  proceeded  to  the  appointment  of  Captains  in  the 
Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  in  the  Continental  Service,  Com- 
manded by  Col.  Richard  Humpton,  when  the  following  Gentlemen 
were  appointed,  vizt :  Doct'r  Jno.  Coates,  Wm.  Henderson,  Sam- 
uel Dawson,  Adolph  Wm.  Hedrick,  Geo.  Calhoun,  Wm.  McKissack, 
Wm.  Bradford,  jun'r,  &  John  Douglass. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Rob't  Smith  £3  6  8,  for  riding  Express 
for  the  Convention  to  give  notice  to  the  Militia  to  march  to  New 
Jersey. 

Resolved,  That  John  Simpson,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Paymaster 
to  the  8th  Penn'a  Regiment,  in  the  Continental  service,  commanded 
by  Col.  iEneas  McCoy. 

Agreeable  to  a  resolve  of  Congress,  the  Following  Commissions 
were  granted  for  Letters  of  Mark,  vizt : 

To  Thomas  Bell,  Commander  of  the  Ship  Speedwell,  of  the  Bur- 
then of  Tons,  navigated  by  25  men,  Ten  Carriage  Guns, 
owned  by  John  Maxwell  Nesbitt  &  Co, 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  3 

To  Robert  Collings,  Commander  of  the  Sloop  Friendship,  about 
30  Tons  Burthen,  navigated  by  Twenty  men,  6  Carnage  Gunsf 
owned  by  John  Wilcocks  &  Go. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philab'a,  Novem'r  14th,  1776. 

present; 
SAM'L  MORRIS,  Chairman. 

Owen  Biddle,  Francis  Grurney, 

Fred.  Kuhl,  Henry  Rippele, 

Jos.  Blewer,  Sam'l  C,  Morris. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  the  Following  Accounts,  viz : 

Mr-  Robert  Towers'  Acco't  for  Workmen's  Wages,  making  Cart- 
ridges, &ca,  i856  6  8. 

William  Shaw's  Acco'fc  for  cooperage  of  Powder,  &ca.,  d615  13  9^ 
J2  1  7  to  be  charged  to  this  State,  the  Remainder  to  Congress. 

Bowyer  Brooks'  Acco't  for  Oars  &  repairs  for  several  of  the 
Armed  Boats,  &  for  Building  a  Guard  Boat,  £106  Oil. 

Thomas  Shoemaker,  for  1700  Flints  delivered  Mr.  Towers,  £$ 
8  0. 

Daniel  King's  order  to  Mr,  Jos,  Turner,  for  J4  10  0,  for  Iroa 
Hoops,  for  the  Use  of  the  Brass  Cannon  Foundery. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Robert  Jewell  £48  14  1,  for  Wood  &ca.,  for 
the  Use  of  the  Prisoners  in  the  State  Jail,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 


Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Joseph  Wilson  for  repairing  Arms  for  the 
Armed  Boat  Congress. 

Intelligence  was  rec'd  fey  express  that  several  hundred  Trans- 
ports  had  sailed  from  New  York,  &  steered  their  Cource  to  the 
Southward,  &  expected  to  be  intended  for  this  City;  whereupon, 
the  Council  wrote  a  Circular  Letter  to  the  Commanding  Officers  of 
the  Battalion  of  Militia,  earnestly  requesting  them  to  march  their 
respective  Battalions  to  this  City  Immediately. 

Adjourned  to  3  o' Clock, 


4  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  following  members  met : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

Owen  Biddle,  James  Cannon, 

John  Bayard,  Henry  Keppele,  jun'r, 

Samuel  Morris,  Sen'r,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Francis  Gurney,  Fred.  Kuhl. 

Joseph  Blewer, 
The  Board   of  Warr  was  requested  to  send  for  Captain  Stroh- 
bogh  &  the  Company  of  Artillery  under  his  Command,  lately  sent 
to  Fort  Montgomery,  in  New  York  Government. 

Resolved,  That  Col.  Bayard  be  requested  to  get  ready  immedi- 
ately as  many  of  his  Battalion  as  are  necessary  to  guard  the  State 
Prisoners  to  Lancaster  &  Reading. 

The  Commodore  was  ordered  not  to  suffer  any  sea  Vessell  to 
Pass  through  the  Chevaux-de-Frize. 

Ordered,  That  Commodore  Seymour  do  Immediately  station 
one  of  the  Armed  Boats  belonging  to  this  State  at  or  near  Glo- 
cester  Point,  and  exert  their  Utmost  Vigilance  in  preventing  all  shal- 
lops from  Passing  down  the  river.  Wood  Boats  are  to  be  permitted 
to  pass  and  repass. 

Met  at  3  o'Clock. 
THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Presid't, 

David  Rittenhouse,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Owen  Biddle,  Timothy  Matlack, 

John  Bayard,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

Francis  Gurney,  Joseph  Blewer, 

George  Gray,  John  Bull. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Elijah  Dow,  for 
£120  0  0,  on  Acco't  of  Work  done  for  this  State,  to  be  charged 
to  his  Acco't. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed  to  Deliver  Col.  John  Dickenson 
150  Stand  of  Arms,  &  150  Cartouch  Boxes  &  Bayonet  Belts,  for 
the  use  of  the  1st  Battalion  of  the  City  &  Liberties  of  Philad'a 
Militia,  taking  his  receipt. 

Resolved,  That  Jacob  Gerard  Dyrohs,  William  Scull,  &  Mat- 
thew Henderson,  be  appointed  Captains  in  the  Continental  Service. 
An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Thomas  Dun- 
das,  £500;  &  charge  the  Same  to  his  acco't. 

[One  and  a  half  blank  pages  in  Council  Book.] 
Ordered,  That  the  owners  of  Cattle  and  other  stock  near  the 
river  side,  make  the  necessary  preperations  for  removing  the  same, 
at  least  five  miles  from  the  river,  on  the  Shortest  notice,  as  it  is 
Probable  that  this  board  may  be  under  the  disagreeable  necessity 
of  giving  the  most  peremptory  orders  for  their  removal,  and  to  see 
that  the  same  be  punctually  &  suddenly  complied  with. 


, 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  5 

In  Council  of  Safety,  Novem'r  15th,  177* 

present : 

THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

David  Rittenhouse,  Joseph  Blewer, 

Owen  Biddle,  Francis  Gurney, 

John  Bayard,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

Geo.  Gray,  Henry  Eippele,  jun'r, 

Sani'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Timothy  Matlack. 

Jno.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  directed  to  pay  the  following 
Acco'ts. 

Col.  Bayard  for  Expences  going  to  Chester  with  General  Arm- 
strong, &c,  57s,  &  10s  for  Expences  going  to  Fort — amo't 
M  7  0. 

Samuel  Wheeler  for  the  Balance  of  his  Acco't,  for  Work  done 
for  Chevaux  de  Frize,  £441  15  5£,  &  one  acco't  amounting  to 
£77  7  5  J,  for  Work  done  for  the  Brass  Cannon  Foundery  andbore- 
ing  Mill. 

John  Williams  &  Jacob  Comly,  for  Hailing  Timber  for  the 
Armed  Boat  Delaware,  £8  11  3. 

Jacob  Comley  for  Hailing  Cannon  from  the  State  House  to  the 
Commons  to  be  proved,  £17  15  0. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Conyngham,  Nesbitt,  &  Co.,  for  Twenty 
five  Blankets,  to  be  delivered  to  Col.  Gurney,  for  the  use  of  Col. 
Humpton's  Regim't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  David  Thomson  £19  16  0,  for  the  use  of 
his  wharf  from  22  June  to  26  Octob'r,  is  198  days  a  2s. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Mr.  Robert  Ir- 
win for  £100,  to  be  charged  to  his  Acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Conyngham  Nesbitt  &  Co.,  &  Maurice  Rog- 
ers, £208  9  6,  for  121  Blankets. 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Capt.  Wm.  Brown  60  Pikes, 
45  Cutlasses,  2000  Musket  Cartridges,  24  Puping  Horns,  24  Bitts, 
&  24  Prickers,  for  the  use  of  the  Floating  Battery  Putnam. 

Capt.  Wm.  Richards  was  directed  to  provide  for  Capt.  Wm. 
Brown  20  Stand  of  Irons  &  Handcuffs  for  the  Putnam  Battery. 

Mr.  Towers,  Commissary,  was  directed  to  deliver  Col.  John  Bay- 
ard One  Hundred  &  Seventy  Stand  of  Arms  for  the  Use  of  the 
2  Batalion  of  Militia  of  this  City,  taking  his  receipt  for  the  same. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  to  Levi  Hollingsworth  an  order 
drawn  on  this  Board  by  Stephen  Ceronie  in  favour  of  Cornelius 
Stevenson,  for  £137  Penn'a  Currency,  dated  St.  Thomas,  9th  June, 
1776. 

In  conformity  to  a  Resolution  of  the  Honorable  Congress, 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Samuel  C.  Morris  be  appointed  to  have  the 
Care  of  the  Prisoners  of  War  within  this  State,  and  pay  them  the 
allowance  granted  them  by  Congress. 


6  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  orderjyas  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Henry  MHlerJ 
for  £103  (r  6,  for  Printing  the  Minutes  &ea.,  of  the  Convention. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  James  Dundass,  Assistant  Superintendanfc 
and  paymaster  for  the  Works  at  Billingsport,  be  allowed  2s  6  p. 
day  over  and  above  his  pay,»in  Consideration  of  Losses  that  may 
attend  paying  of  moneys  in  such  small  Sums  as  his  department 
must  necessarily  require. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  Nov'r.  26th. 

PRESENT  *. 

THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

David  Rittenhouse,  Timothy  MatlacL, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  John  Bull, 

Fred.  Kuhl,  Francis  Gurney, 

Owen  Biddle,  Sam'l  C.  Morris. 

Joseph  Blewer, 
•     Capt.  W'm  Richards  was  directed  to  deliver  Mr.  Abraham  Mason 
as  much  Sail  Cloth  as  he  may  have  occasion,  to  make  Sails  for  the 
Ship  Montgomery.  • 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Messrs.  Peter 
Dehaven  &  Co.,  for  <£500,  to  be  charged  to  tbeir  acco't. 

Col.  Matlack  was  directed  to  deliver  Capt.  Rd.  Eyers  35  Blan- 
kets, for  the  Seamen  on  board  the  Delaware  armed  Boat 

An  order  was  drrawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Mr.  Robert 
Smith,  for  five  hundred  &  fifty  Pounds,  towards  Chevaux  de  Frize 
Built  at  Billingsport. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Owen  Biddle  for  Lines, 
&ca.,  purchased  by  him  for  the  service  of  this  State,  £339  12  10  J. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Biddle  be  requested  to  employ  persons  to 
make  up  the  Linen  in  his  hands,  belonging  to  this  State,  into  shirts. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Jno.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  in  favour  of 
Lieut.  Colonel  Geo.  Nagle,  for  1,000  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to 
Col.  James  Irvine,  of  the  9th  Penn'a  Regiment. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mary  Miller  4s  8,  for  7  dinners 
for  Capt.  Shade's  Comp'y,  Col.  Miles'  Batt'n. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Col.  Richard 
Humpton,  for  2,000  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  Acc-o't. 

Col.  John  Bull  was  directed  to  deliver  to  George  Losh  one  Tun 
of  Salt  Petre  &  Ten  Hundred  wt.  of  Powder,  out  of  his  Store  at 
Norrington,  taking  his  receipt. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Wm.  Levering  £27  14  0,  for 
40  Pick  Axes,  &  2G  Spades,  delivered  to  Col.  Bull,  for  the  Fortifi- 
cation at  Billingsport. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Wm.  Levering  *18  G  0,  for  30  Spades  &  12 
Pitching  Axes,  delivered  Mr.  Towers. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  7 

Information  being  laid  before  this  Board  that  a  Gentleman  is 
now  in  this  City  who  is  well  acquainted  with  Casting  Brass  Can- 
non, 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  Mr.  Biddle&  Col.  Matlack,  be 
a  Committee  to  confer  with  the  Cannon  Committee  appointed  by 
Congress,  and  in  Conjunction  with  them,  to  concert  and  execute  a 
plan  for  exerting  the  utmost  skill  of  all  our  Artists  in  this  Impor- 
tant Branch  of  Business. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  November  18th,  1776. 

PRESENT  I 

DAVID  EITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Timothy  Matlack,  Joseph  Blewer, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  John  Bull, 

Francis  Gurney,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Fred.  Kuhl,  Owen  Biddle. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Willing,  Morris  &  Co.,  for 
Cartridge  Paper,  delivered  to  Mr.  Towers. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  James  Oellers  £3364  4  0,  for  128  Casks  of 
Powder,  delivered  to  Mr.  Towers. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Jeremiah  Burrows  -£1269  7  6, 
for  1692  J  Bushels  of  Salt,  @  15s. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Major  Thomas  Proctor  £59  4 
1  J,  for  boarding  of  sick  Soldiers  belonging  to  the  Artillery,  &  £50 
on  acco't  of  recruiting  Expences,  to  be  charged  to  his  Acc't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Allison  &  Wor- 
rel,  for  £50,  to  be  charged  to  their  Acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Emanuel  Woodby  -£11  10,  for  Boat  Hire. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was  directed  to  Deliver  to  the 
Marine  Committee  of  Congress  1500  Shot,  for  24  pound'rs,  1800 
Shot,  for  18  pounders,  &  500  Bar  Shot,  for  18  &  24  Pounders, 
taking  their  receipt  for  the  same. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Michael  Grove,  for  riding  Ex- 
press to  Berks  County,  to  order  the  Militia  to  hold  themselves  in 
readiness  to  march  to  this  City,  £5  0  0. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  George  Ginter  for  riding  Express  to  Berks 
County,  t3  order  the  Militia  to  march  to  this  City,  £6  17  6. 

Resolved,  That  application  be  made  to  Congress  for  an  order  on 
their  Treasurer  for  Forty  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  paid  to  Jno. 
Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  on  Acco't  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

Ordered,  That  Lieut.  Col.  Gurney  &  Mr.  Morris,  wait  on  the 
President  with  the  above  resolve,  and  request  an  order  accordingly.. 

In  Consequence  of  the  foregoing  request,  Congress  sent  an  order 
on  Michael  Hillegas,  Esq'r,  for  Forty  Thousand  Dollars,  which 
Capt.  Blewer  is  desired  to  deliver  to  Mr.  Nesbitt. 


8 


MINUTES'  OF  THE 


Mr,  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  deliver  Capt.  John  Rice  20  Blankets, 
for  the  Use  of  the  Armed  Boat  Convention. 

Resolved ,  That  the  pay  of  the  Officers  of  the  Armed  Boats,  in 
the  Service  of  this  State,  be  as  follows,  to  commence  from  the  first 
day  of  October  last : 

Captain, 32  Dollars. 

First  Lieutenant, 20      do. 

Second  Lieutenant, 16      do. 

Master, 20      do. 

Captain's  Cl'k, 12      do. 

Boatswain, 15      do. 

Gunner, 15      do. 

Carpenter,        - 15      do. 

Steward, 12      do. 

Drum  &  Fife, 8      do. 

Privates, 8      do. 

Boy, 4      do. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'Clock. 


Met  at  3  o'Clock,  Nov'r  18th,  1776. 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  John  Bayard, 

Francis  Gurney,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Timothy  Matlack, 

Fred.  Kuhl,  Joseph  Blewer. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  Francis  Gurney  =£102  1  10, 
for  Blankets,  Mittins,  &ca. 

Resolved,  That  the  Armed  Boat  Convention,  commanded  by  Capt. 
John  Rice,  be  ordered  down  to  Cape  May,  to  protect  the  trade  of 
this  State,  agreeable  to  a  request  from  the  Secret  Committee  of 
Congress. 

The  Following  Instructions  were  delivered  to  Captain  Rice : 


"In  Council  of  Safety,  Novem'r  18th,  1776. 


Sir 


The  Secret  Committee  of  Congress  have  informed  this  board  that 
the  Continental  Cruiccrs  are  so  employed  that  they  cannot  afford 
the  necessary  protection  to  the  Trade  of  this  State ;  you  are  there- 
fore ordered  to  proceed  to  Cape  May.  You  are  not  to  leave  that 
Station  when  any  of  the  Enemie's  Vessells  arc  at  the  Opposite 
Cape,  and  to  use  your  best  endeavours  to  protect  all  trading  Vessells 
belonging  to  the  United  States  of  America,  and  to  the  Islands  of 
Bermuda  or  Bahamas,  or  to  any  Foreign  State,  except  under  the 
Dominion  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain ;  and  in  case  of  their  being 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  9 

in  distress,  you  are  to  grant  them  all  the  Aid  and  Relief  in  your 
Power,  and  upon  any  number  of  the  Enemie's  Ships  appearing  off 
the  Coast,  you  are  to  give  Intelligence  thereof  to  Mr.  Henry  Fisher, 
of  Lewis  Town,  with  the  Course  they  Steer,  and  such  other  Circum- 
stances relating  to  them  as  are  of  any  importance  to  us ;  or  if  you 
should  be  able  to  transmitt  the  Intelligence  by  express  to  us  more 
expeditiously  than  Mr.  Fisher,  you  are  to  do  it. 

"And  you  are,  at  the  same  time,  to  use  your  endeavours  to  make 
Capture  of  and  distress  such  of  the  Vessells  belonging  to  the  ene- 
mies of  these  States  as  come  in  your  way ;  but  if  it  should  appear 
to  you  that  the  Enemy  are  coming  with  a  Fleet  to  invade  this  State, 
you  are,  in  that  case,  Immediately  to  return  with  the  Convention  to 
Fort  Island. 

"  We  confide  in  your  discretion  to  execute  the  foregoing  orders, 
so  as  to  answer  the  Intention  of  this  board,  and  that  you  will  per- 
form such  other  service  as  the  nature  of  your  Station  will  require ; 
we  therefore  shall  omit  any  further  Instructions.  , 

"N.  B.  If  there  are  any  vessels  appear  with  an  Ensign  hoisted 
at  the  fore  top  Gallant  mast  Head,  you  may  conclude  it  is  a  trading 
Vessel,  in  the  Congress'  Service,  and  you  may  give  her  any  advice 
or  assistance  Accordingly ;  That  being  their  signal  to  the  Light 
House.  Save  your  Salt  Provisions  as  much  as  Possible,  &  provide 
your  men  with  Fresh,  if  to  be  had  at  as  low  a  rate  as  of  the  Com- 
missary here." 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Capt.  Jos. 
Blewer  for  £100,  to  be  charged  to  his  Acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  John  Bray  for  Riding  Express  to  Chester 
County,  to  order  the  Militia  to  March  to  this  City  £5  5  0,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 

Wm.  Morris  for  do.  to  County,  £5  5  0,  do. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Mr.  Towers'  Acco't,  £M  4  0. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  November  20th,  1776. 

present : 
THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

David  Rittenhouse,  Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r, 

Owen  Biddle,  Francis  Gurney, 

John  Bayard,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

Timothy  Matlack,  George  Gray. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Mr.  Wm.  C.  Brad- 
ford for  £739  15  0,  to  be  delivered  to  Isaac  Rodgers,  Esq'r,  of  Allen 
Town,  on  Acco't  of  Pork  he  has  contracted  to  purchase  for  this 
State,  to  be  charged  to  Mr.  Rodgers. 


10  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Hercules  Courtney,  for  Candles  for  the  Use 
of  Fort  Island,  £23  0  4. 

George  Rumhart  for  Porterage,  Copper,  &ca.,  to  State  House, 
£3  13  3. 

Daniel  Offley  for  Iron  Work  for  the  Battery  Putnam  &  Chevaux 
De  Frize,  &ca.,  £U  6  2. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Wharton  &  Mr.  Blewer  be  appointed  to  re- 
vise &  Fix  the  Pay  of  the  Fleet  of  this  State. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Lewis  Grant  s£10  10  0,  for  Gun  Ladle  &  Powder 
Measures,  ^glO  10  0,  for  the  Armed  Boat  Convention. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Augustus  Rupple  £b  0  0,  for  going  Express 
to  Bucks  County,  to  order  the  Militia  to  March  to  this  City. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Messrs.  Peter 
Dehaven  &  Co.,  for  .£500,  to  be  charged  to  their  acco't. 

xWr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  to  Messrs.  Mease  &  Caldwell 
half  a  Block  of  Block  Tin. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Messrs.  Williams, 
towards  the  Armed  Boat  Delaware,  to  be  charged  to  their  Accounts. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Capt.  Joseph 
Copperthwaite  for  Five  Hundred  Pounds,  towards  the  Continental 
Powder  Mills  erecting  in  this  State,  to  be  charged  to  his  Acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Michael  Boyer  for  riding  Express 
to  Lancaster,  York  &  Carlise,  with  marching  orders  to  the  Militia, 
&ca.,  £$  10  0,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  to  Jonathan  Martin  for  repairing  7  Guns 

jei  5  9. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'Clock,  afternoon ;  when  the  following  mem- 
bers met : 

THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

John  Bayard,  George  Gray, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Joseph  Blewer, 

Sam'l  C.  Morris,  Samuel  C.  Morris. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Messrs.  Willing  &  Morris  for  Handkuffs,  & 
other  materials  delivered  for  the  Use  of  the  Fleet,  £83  1  0. 

Mr.  Zebulon  Hollingsworth,  or  the  person  in  whose  care  the 
Cannon  Shott  at  the  Head  of  Elk  or  Christian  Creek,  belonging  to 
this  State,  was  directed  to  deliver  to  the  order  of  the  Marine  Com- 
mittee of  Congress  as  much  Shott  as  they  may  have  Occasion  for, 
taking  a  Receipt  for  the  same. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Frederick  Snieder  ^5  10  6,  for  Riding  ex- 
press to  Reading  to  Countermand  the  Marching  orders  for  the 
Militia,  to  be  charged  to  Congress;  &  Leonard  Lester  to  Easton 
■£5  0  0  j  also  Jacob  Speight  £±  7  6,  to  Chester  County. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  >  11 


In  Council  of  Safety,  November  21st,  1776. 

present  : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r.  President. 

Fred.  Kuhl,  Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r, 

John  Bayard,  Joseph  Blewer, 

David  Rittenhouse,  Geo.  Gray, 

Francis Gurney,  Sam'l  C.Morris.     . 

Timothy  Matlack, 

Jno.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  was  directed  to  pay  Amer 
Grub  £3  15  3,  for  1002  feet  of  Scantling  delivered  Geo.  Ingles,  to 
be  charged  to  this  State. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Jacob  Kisling, 
£10,  for  services  rendered  to  the  State,  in  producing  a  Model  for  a 
Fire-Ship. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  deliver  to  Pay  Martin  Pendergast, 
for  Iron  Work  for  Fire  Rafts,  &fea.,  &ca.,  (2  Acco'ts)  £136  17'  5. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Conyngham,  Nesbitt,  &  Co., 
£3,756  0  0,  for  30  Casks  of  Indigo,  being  part  of  the  Cargo  of 
Ship  Montgomery,  bo't  by  Mr.  Wharton  &  Col.  Bayard,  to  be 
charged  to  their  Acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  W'm  Taylor  £17  1  0,  for  Boatswains'  Calls, 
for  8  of  the  Armed  Boats  belonging  to  this  State. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Henry  Miller  £5  10  0,  for  Printing  1500 
Blank  Commissions,  for  Officers  of  Flying  Camp,  by  order  of  the 
Convention. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Geo.  Weiss  £5  0  0,  for  riding  Express  to 
Chester  county,  to  order  the  Militia  to  hold  themselves  in  readi- 
ness to  March  at  a  Short  Notice ;  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  W'm  Morris  15s.  for  going  express  to  Ger- 
mantown. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  Pay  Geo.  Schwartz  for  9  Cartouch  Boxes,  a  9s.; 
£-1  1  0,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Galbreath. 


In  Council  of   Safety,  Nov'r  22nd,  1776. 

PRESENT  I 

THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

George  Gray,  John  Bayard. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Bazelee  for  Work  done 
for  the  Galley  Delaware  Armed  Boat,  £13  3  6. 


12  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  or  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Benj'n  Eyre, 
for  £161,  to  be  charged  to  his  Acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Joel  Zane  £1  19  0,  for  2  Iron  Potts,  for 
the  Franklin  Galley,  in  October  1775. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Ardt  &  Capt.  Spear  £9  7 
6,  for  Three  drums  for  the  Flying  Camp. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Christian 
Shaffer,  for  One  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  Acco't, 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Christ'n,  jun'r,  &  Charles  Marshall  £154  15 
10,  for  sundries  had  for  the  use  of  The  Fleet. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Mr.  John  Wharton  £50  0  0,  for  Expences 
Conducting  Major  French  to  New  England,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Jos.  Ferree,  in  favour  of  Wm. 
Thompson,  for  Ten  Hundred  wt  of  Salt  Petre,  to  be  manufactured 
into  Gun  Powder. 

Resolved,  That  application  be  made  to  the  Honorable  Congress 
for  the  Loan  of  One  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  paid  to 
John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  for  the  use  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 
&  that  Messrs.  Kuhl  &  Morris  wait  on  the  President  with  the  above 
request. 

The  Council  adjourned  to  3  o'Clock ;  when  the  following  mem- 
bers met : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Presid't. 

Owen  Biddle,  Joseph  Blewcr, 

David  Rittenhouse,  John  Bayard, 

George  Gray,  Timothy  Matlack, 

Francis  Gurney,  Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r. 

Sam'l  C.  Morris, 
Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Edward  Stroud  £10  12  6,  for 
riding  Express  to  Lancaster,  York,  &  Carlisle,  to  order  the  Militia 
to  march  to  this  City,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Dan'l  King  £31  19  4,  for  Copper  Work, 
&ca.,  delivered  to  Mr.  Towers. 

Agreeable  to  a  resolve  of  this  morning,  Congress  sent  down  an 
order  on  Michael  Hillegas,  Esq'r,  Continental  Treasurer,  for  One 
Hundred  Thousand  Dollars,  which  was  endorsed  by  the  President 
and  directed  to  be  paid  to  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  &  Mr.  Wharton 
was  desired  to  deliver  it  to  Mr.  Nesbitt. 

John  Biles  was  committed  to  the  State  Prison,  he  being  charged 
by  Mr.  Woodrow,  tho  younger,  &  Mr.  John  Osborne  of  the  Nor- 
thern Liberties,  upon  Oath,  that  he  has  been  guilty  of  Treason 
against  the  United  States  of  America. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  John  Smith  be  requested  to  attend  this 
board  to-morrow  morning  at  nine  o'Clock,  to  answer  such  Questions 
as  shall  be  asked  him,  respecting  certain  declarations  said  to  have 
been  made  in  his  presence  by  Mr.  John  Swift,  jun'r. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 


13 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philad'a,  November  23rd,  1776, 
Present : 
THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

David  Rittenhouse,  Timothy  Matlack, 

Owen  Biddle,  Sam'lC.  Morris, 

John  Bayard,  Joseph  Blewer, 

Fred.  Kuhl,  Francis  Gurney. 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r, 
The  Council  being  informed  that  there  are  many  Sick  Soldiers 
irrived  in  this  City  from  the  American  Army,  for  whom  no  proper 
iccommodations  are  provided,  and  as  humanity  and  good  Policy 
•equire  that  the  best  Provision  be  made  for  restoring  them  to 
lealth, 

Resolved,  That  Col.  Gurney  be  authorized  and  required  to  have 
me  wing  of  the  Bettering  House  cleared  Immediately  for  the  re- 
;eption  of  such  sick  and  wounded  Soldiers. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Richards  &  Towers  furnish  Mr.  Romand, 
Engineer,  with  such  materials  as  he  may  require  to  perform  on 
Experiment,  in  order  to  give  a  Specimen  of  his  Skill  in  destroying 
listant  objects  by  Fire. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  to  Mr.  Jesse  Jones,  one  of  the 
Commissioners  of  Northampton  County,  £991,  for  Bounty  Money 
or  323  men,  directed  by  Convention  to  be  paid  for  raising  the 
frying  Camp. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Henry  Fraily  £6  0  4,  for  re- 
miring  Arms  belonging  to  Col.  Haller's  Battalion. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Daniel  King  £10  10  10j,  for 
3rass  for  Boring  Mill;  £1  17  0,  for  Copper  Hinges,  &sa.,  for 
franklin  Armed  Boat ;  &  £12  0  0,  for  12  Twinequits  delivered  to 
Nuffield  &  Delaney. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Jacob  Rittenhouse  £10  19  2,  for  263  lbs.  of 
Cannon  Cartridge  Paper. 

Resolved,  That  the  Salt  now  in  the  Possession  of  the  Council  of 
Safety  be  Immediately  Sent  to  the  Committee  of  the  several 
Counties  in  the  following  Proportions,  to  wit : 

Bushels. 


More  or  less  as  the  Quantity  in 
Store  may  measure, 


Philad'a  County    - 

-      80 

Chester 

-      80  ^ 

Bucks  - 

-      80 

Lancaster 

-    100 

York     -        -        - 

-      80 

Cumberland  - 

-      80 

Berks   - 

-      80 

Northampton 

-      60 

Bedford 

-      60 

Northumberland    - 

i      60 

Westmoreland 

-      60J 

14  MINUTES  OF  THE 

(The  City  &  Liberties  of  Philadelphia  having  had  a  greater  op- 
portunity of  a  Supply  than  the  Counties,  are  not  to  have  any  part 
of  this  Quantity). 

The  Committees  are  to  sell  it  to  the  people  at  the  rate  of  15s 
1(J  Bushel,  and  in  no  greater  Quantity  than  half  a  Bushel  to  any 
one  Family  ■  They  are  to  make  as  equal  distribution  as  they  can, 
according  to  the  necessities  of  the  People,  for  which  purpose  they 
are  to  require  a  decleration  of  what  Quantity  they  are  possessed  of, 
more  than  their  Just  proportion  of  this  necessary  Article,  at  a  time 
of  such  very  great  Scarcity  of  it. 

Mr.  Owen  Biddle  is  requested  to  employ  proper  persons  to  send 
the  Salt  to  the  respective  Committees,  with  a  Copy  of  this  resolve 
to  each,  for  which  Service  this  board  will  allow  a  reasonable  Com* 
pcnsation.  • 


At  a  Special  Meeting  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  November  24th, 
1776. 

PRESENT : 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Timothy  Matlack,  Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r, 

Sam'l  0.  Morris,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

James  Cannon,  John  Hubley, 

John  Bull,  Henry  Keppele. 

John  Bayard, 

A  Committee  of  Congress  required  an  interview  with  as  many 
Members  of  the  House  of  Assembly  as  are  in  Town  &  this  Council, 
whereupon  a  number  of  the  Members  of  Assembly  attended,  &  the 
following  Resolutions  of  Congress  were  laid  before  the 

("Here  follows  one  and  a  half  blank  pages  in  the  Council  Book.] 


In  Council  of   Safety. 

Philad'a,  Novem'r  25th,   1776. 

PRESENT : 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Joseph  Blewer,  Timothy  Matlack, 

John   Bull,  Francis  Gurney, 

Sam'l  C.  Morris,  Owen  Biddle. 

John  Bayard, 
Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Nicholas  Hicks  £316  0  2,  being 
in  full  for  paving  &  repairing  the  Barracks. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  to  John  Hazlewood  £150,  to  be 
charged  to  his  Account. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  15 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  to  Thomas  Nevill  £100,  to  be 
charged  to  his  Account  for  making  Gun  Carriages. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  to  Samuel  Morris,  Jun'r,  56500, 
to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Arthur  Donaldson  £200,  to  be 
charged  to  his  Account. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Daniel  Evans  £80  0  0,  for 
200  Pitching  axes  delivered  to  Mr.  Towers. 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  the  Marine  Committee  of 
Congress  800  Swivel  Shot,  taking  a  receipt. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Henry  Litman  £55  6  2,  for  Iron  Work  for 
Fire  Rafts. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  Opinion  of  this  Board,  it  is  most  prudent 
to  pay  Capt.  Cochran's  company,  agreeable  to  their  demand,  there- 
fore recommend  it  to  the  Committee  of  Congress  to  pay  his  accounts 
as  they  Stand,  especially  considering  the  readiness  with  which 
they  stepped  forward  at  the  late  call  of  the  Militia,  and  of  the  ne- 
cessity of  an  immediate  call  on  them  for  the  common  defence. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favor  of  Capt.  George 
Calhoon,  for  200  Dollars,  for  recruiting  Service,  he  to  be  account- 
able for  it. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Capt.  Matthew 
Henderson,  for  200Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service,  he  to  be  Ac- 
countable for  it. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  an  order  drawn  by  Vanbibber  & 
Usher,  of  Baltimore,  for  £805  0  0,  in  favor  of  Mr.  John  Mease, 
for  Freight  of  23,000  lbs.  of  Gun  Powder  from  St.  Martins'  to 
Baltimore,  &  now  in  the  Warehouse  of  Isaac  Vanbibber  at  that 
place. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Owen  Biddle,  Esq'r,  £104  0  0, 
for  attending  the  late  Committee  of  Safety  260  days,  @8s. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'Clock ;  when  the  following  members  met : 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Joseph  Blewer, 

John  Bayard,  Sam'l  C  Morris, 

Timothy  Matlack,  George  Gray. 

Francis  Gurney, 
In  Consequence  of  a  meeting  with  as  many  of  the  Field  Officers 
of  the  Battalions  of  the  City  &  Liberties  of  Philad'a  as  could  be 
convened,  it  was,  upon  consideration,  agreed  on  to  present  a  me- 
morial to  the  General  Assembly  on  the  Resolves  of  Congress  with 
Respect  to  calling  out  the  militia,  and  on  the  present  State  of  the 
military  Association ;  and  a  Committee  of  this  Board  was  ordered 
to  prepare  a  draft  of  such  memorial,  to  be  delivered  to  the  House 
to-morrow  morning. 


16  MINUTES  OF  THE 


.     In  Council  of  Safety,  November  26th,  1776. 

PRESENT : 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Sam'l.  Morris,  Sen'r,  Sam'l  C.  Morris 

Timothy  Matlack,  John  Bayard, 

Joseph  Blewer,  John  Hubley, 

James  Cannon,  Francis  Gurney. 

Owen  Biddie, 
Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Wm.  Scott  £1  11  6,  for 
repairing  Arms. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  .Mr.  Robert  Towers  his  Acco't  for  Men's 
wages,  making  Cartridges,  &ca;  &ca,  £52  2  6. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Kuhl  &  Mr.  Keppele  be  appointed  to  Audit 
&  Settle  the  Accounts  of  the  Commissioners  of  Bedford  County, 
for  Calling  out  the  Militia  for  the  Protection  of  the  Frontiers  of 
the  State. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Hagan,  £2  19  6,  for 
Sundry  Services  in  Carting  for  Col.  Attle's  Batt'n,  while  at  Ches- 
ter, &  Sundries  for  Col.  Waijer's  Batt'n,  £1  10  to  be  charged  to 
Congress,  &  £1  9  6,  to  be  charged  to  this  State. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Col.  Richard 
Humpton,  for  Two  Thousand  Dollars,  to  the  purpose  of  paying 
Bounty  money  for  His  Regiment,  to  be  Charged  to  his  Acco't. 
[Here  insert  the  memorial  to  Assembly.] 
Ordered,  That  Col.  Matlack  &  Mr.  S.  C.  Morris  wait  on  the 
Hon'ble  House  of  Assembly,  with  the  foregoing  Memorial. 
Adjourned  to  3  o; Clock. 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 
DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddie,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Francis  Gurney,  John  Hubley, 

Timothy  Matlack,  James  Cannon. 
Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r, 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  an  order  drawn  on  this  board 
by  Ross  &  Ega,  in  fav'r  of  Levi  Hollingsworth,  for  Five  Hun- 
dred Pounds,  on  Acco't  of  Cannon  Shot  cast  by  them. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Mr.  William 
Rush,  for  £250,  on  acco't  of  Work  done  for  the  State,  to  be  charged 
to  his  Acco't. 

Resolved,  That  the  regulations  concerning  Salt,  of  the  15th  Oc- 
tober last,  be  continued  untill  the  1st  day  of  January  next,  and 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  17 

that  Messrs.  George  Schlosser,  Jacob  Schriner,  Philip  Boem,  Wil- 
liam Moulder,  William  Will,  Geo.  Bartram,  Samuel  Simpson, 
Nathaniel  Dennel,  Thomas  Guthbert,  Sen'r,  "Richard  Dennis,  John 
Taylor,  &  Wm.  Robeson,  be  appointed  to  carry  them  into  execution 
and  to  distribute  the  Salt  imported,  in  the  most  Equitable  manner^ 
between  the  Inhabitants  of  this  and  the  neighbouring  States. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  November  27th,  1776. 

PRESENT : 

©AVID  KITTENHOUSE,  V.  R 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Joseph  Blewer, 

Owen  Biddle,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

•John  Hubley,  Timothy  Matlack, 

Samuel  C.  Morris,  Francis  Gurney. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Bernard! 
Dougherty,  Esq' r,  for  £549  1  0,  for  the  Pay  of  a  Company  of 
Bangers,  Commanded  by  Capt.  Baxter,  raised  in  Bedford  County,, 
for  the  defence  of  the  Frontiers  of  this  State,  against  the  depreda- 
tions of  the  Indians.,  agreeable  to  a  resolve  of  Convention. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  John  Flemingj 
for  Thirty  seven  pounds  ten  Shillings,  for  the  purpose  of  Purchas- 
ing Coarse  Woolens,  &ca,  for  this  State,  he  to  be  Accountable. 

Resolved,  That  Peter  Grubb,  jun'r,  &  James  Lang,  be  appointed 
Captains  in  the  10th  Battalion  of  Continental  Troops  raised  bj 
this  State,  Commanded  by  Col.  J.  Penrose, 

Resolved,  That  the  Council  will  receive  applications  for  Commis- 
sions in  the  10th  Batalion  of  Continental  Troops  to  be  raised  bj 
this  State,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Joseph  Penrose,  until 
the  2d  Day  ©f  December  next,  after  which  they  will  proceed  to  the 
appointment. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Mr.  Benja- 
min Loxley,  for  One  hundred  Pounds,  for  carrying  on  the  Cannon 
Foundery,  charged  to  his  Aeco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Spangler  &  Wiley  £15  5  0,  for 
riding  Express,  Horse  Hire,  -&ca. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Mr.  John  Dunlap  £35  16  0,  for  Cartridge 
Paper,  Printing,  &ca. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Peter  Hardman,  £10  12 
9,  for  collecting  Arms,  &ca.,  in  Chester  County. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Wolery  Meng  for  195  Bayonet  scabbards 
<d'd  to  Mr.  Towers,  £29  5  0. 

Agreeable  to  the  resolution  of  Congress  of  23rd  Instant,  respect- 
<£ag  the  Calling  out  part  of  the  Militia  of  this  State,  an  order  was 
YOh.  xi. — 2. 


18  MINUTES  OF  THE 

sent  down  from  Congress  on  Michael  Hillegas,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  to 
the  Continent,  dated  the  25th  Inst.,  for  Thirty  five  Thousand  Dol- 
lars, for  advancing  a  Month's  pay  to  each  man  who  shall  enrol  him- 
self to  serve  'till  the  10th  March  next,  unless  sooner  discharged. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Lewis  Grant  ^6420  0,  for  Cop- 
per work  for  the  Floating  Battery  Putnam. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favor  of  John  Mitchell, 
Esqr.,  for  ^61500,  to  be  charged  to  his  Acco't. 

Resolved,  That  Joseph  Erwing,  Jos.  McClelan,  be  appointed 
Captains  in  the  9th  Pen' a  Regiment,  Commanded  by  Colonel  James 
Irvine. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  is  John  Elmslie  £Q  5  0,  for  Turner's  Work .  de- 
livered to  Col.  Clement  Biddle,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Christopher 
Breidenhart,  for  thirty- seven  pounds  ten  shillings  &  six  pence,  for 
repairing  of  Guns  for  the  Militia. 

Mr.  Kuhl  took  the  order  of  Congress,  &  received  the  sum  of 
35,000  Dollars,  which  he  deposited  with  the  Council. 

Adjourned  to  3  o' Clock,  when  the  following  Members  Met : 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Fred.  Kuhly 

John  Hubley,  Timothy  Matlack, 

Sam'l  C.  Morris,  Samuel  Morris.  Senrr. 

Joseph  Blewer, 
Gentlemen, 

In  full  Confidence  of  your  prudence  and  Activity,  the  Council  do 
hereby  appoint  and  Authorize  you,  in  Consequence  of  several  re- 
solves of  Congress,  to  call  upon  the  Housekeepers  of  this  City 
and  Liberties,  for  as  many  Blankets  and  woolen  Stockings  as  each 
Family  can  spare,  for  the  Use  of  the  American  Army,  and  if  any 
person  shall  be  so  Insensible  to  the  distresses  of  our  Countrymen 
now  in  the  service,  and  to  the  dictates  of  Humanity,  aa  to  refuse,  or 
anywise  withold  them,  you  are  to  make  use  of  proper  foree.  You 
are  to  pay  a  reasonable  price  for  the  Blankets  and  stockings  so 
taken,  for  which  purpose  you  will  be  supplied  with  money  by  this 
Board ;  they  are  to  be  delivered,  as  Collected,  to  Messrs.  Mease  & 
Caldwell. 

Resolved,  That  John  Davis  be  appointed  Captain  in  the  Ninth 
Pennsylvania  Regiment,  in  the  Continental  Service,  to  be  com- 
manded by  Colonel  James  Irvine. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  19' 


la  Council  of  Safety,  November  28th,  1776. 

present  : 
DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

JohnHubley,  Sam '1  Morris,  Sen'r, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Timothy  Matlack, 

Sam'l  C.  Morris,  James  Cannon, 

John  Bayard,  Francis  G-urney, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Messrs.  Peter 
Dehaven  &  Co.,  for  £500,  on  Acco't  of  the  Lock  Factory,  to  be 
Charged  to  his  Acco't. 
Town  meeting. 

Adjourned  to  3  o' Clock. 


Met  at  3  o'Clock,  according  to  adjournment. 
DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  John  Eubley, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

James  Cannon,  John  Bull, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Francis  Gurney. 

Timothy  Matlack, 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  the  following  Accounts :  Jacob 
lubell,  £2  10  0,  for  going  express  to  Northampton ;  Ebenezer 
jundy,  for  200  Cartouch  Boxes,  &200  Bayonet  Belts,  £137  10  0. 

Capt.  Henry  Lott,  two  acco'ts,  amo't  £52  11  3,  for  Arms  Pur- 
hased  in  Bucks  County,  &  taken  into  Service,  to  be  Charged  to 
oL  Hart;  also  an  acco't  £5  4  0,  for  Expences  Collecting  Arms. 

Benjamin  Poultney,  for  Procuring  Intrenching  Tools,  &ca.,  £10 

0. 

Col.  Kirkbride  £3  10  0,  for  7  p'r  Stockings. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Mr.  James 
>undass,  for  £500,  on  Acco't  of  the  Fortification  at  Billingsport? 
)  be  charged  to  his  Acco't.  . 

Resolved,  That  the  Officers  &  Men  of  the  Artillery  in  the*  ser- 
lice  of  this  State  be  allowed  the  same  pay  and  allowance  as  the 
Jfficers  &  Men  in  the  Continental  service,  from  the  next  Pay-day. 

I  Resolved,  That  Col.  Bull  be  ordered  to  send  the  Men  that  were 
Imployed  at  Billingsport,  down  to  that  place  to-morrow  Morning. 

II  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Peter  Brown    £320  1  3,  for 
onwork  done  for  this  State. 


20  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Jeremiah  Baker  £253  7,  for 
Wood  delivered  at  Barracks  near  this  City,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Joseph  Blewer  be  ordered  to  apply  to  the 
Marine  Committee,  for  the  Cannon  which  have  lately  Arrived  in 
the  prize  Vessels  that  they  may  be  mounted  on  Traveling  Car- 
riages. 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Joseph  Blewer  be  ordered  to  make  inquiry 
after  suitable  Cannon,  to  mount  upon  traveling  Carriages,  and  ap- 
ply to  the  owners  for  them. 

Resolved,  That  Thomas  Bartholomew  Bowen  be  appointed  a 
Captain  in  the  ninth  Pennsylvania  Regiment  in  the  Continental 
Service,  Commanded  by  Colonel  James  Irvine. 

Ordered,  That  Mr  Robert  Towers  be  directed  to  deliver  the  Pub- 
lic Arms  to  the  Commanding  Officers  of  Companies  of  Militia  of 
the  City  &  Liberties,  upon  their  application,  taking  receipts  for  the 
same. 

Resolved,  That  the  necessities  of  divers  poor  persons,  women, 
children,  &c,  belonging  to  the  Army,  in  passing  thro'  this  City,  re- 
quires the  attention  of  this  Board,  and  therefore  the  several  mem- 
bers are  required  to  relieve  them  as  occations  may  offer,  and  this 
board  will  pay  the  Expence. 

Resolved,  That  the  Salt  to  be  sent  to  the  several  Counties  of 
this  State  be  sold  out  to  the  Militia  only  who  go  into  actual  Ser- 
vice at  this  time,  or  to  their  families,  in  the  manner  directed  in  our 
resolve  of  the  23rd  Instant,  as  sent  to  the  Committees. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  Novem'r  29th,  1776. 

PRESENT : 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Samuel  Morris,  i  Fred.  Kuhl, 

John  Hubley,  Henry  Wynkoop, 

Francis  Gumey,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Joseph  Blewer,  John  Bull. 

John  Bayard, 
An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Col.  Jas. 
Penrose,  for  2000  Dollars,  towards  recruiting  expenses  for  Tenth 
Penn'a  Regiment,  in  Continental  Service,  to  be  charged  to  his 
acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Matthew 
Irwin,  for  ,£1200,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  Blankets,  &c, 
from  the  Inhabitants  of  the  City  &  Liberties. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Geo.  Hutton  &  others,  for  Forty 
Dollars,  as  a  reward  for  apprehending  John  Denover,  a  highway 
rober. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  21 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Geo.  Ginter,  for  going  express  to  York,  Cum- 
berland, &  Lancaster  Counties,  to  order  Militia  to  March,  £11  17 
6,  charge  Congress. 

James  Barnes,  for  Glazing  at  the  Hospital  on  Province  Island, 
£4  2  6. 

Esther  Burke,  for  10  Weeks'  nursing  Sick  Soldiers,  £5  10  0. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Lieut.  Col'l 
Nagle,  for  3000  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  Col'l  James  Irvine  of  9th 
Regiment. 

Mr.  Nesbit  was  directed  to  pay  Icabod  Groves  for  25  tons  Bal- 
last, £5. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Fred.  Verner  £10,  for  Riding 
Express  to  York,  Lancaster.  &  Cumberland  Counties,  to  counter- 
mand marching  of  Militia. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Pringle  £243  15,  for  130 
Barrels  Turpentine,  (in  Mr.  Pringle's  Store). 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Capt'n  Nathan  Gibson  £6  5  0,  for  Powder 
Horns,  &ca.,  &ca.,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Paschal] . 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Henry  Wynkoop  £44  18  8, 
for  repairing  Arms  of  Col.  Kechline's  Regiment. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Mr.  Wynkoop  £1  12  0,  for  expences  for 
collecting  Arms  from  Non-associators  in  Bucks  County,  &  £5  10  0, 
for  a  Riffle ;  £5  10  0,  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Joseph  Hart. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Andrew  Ashton  £4  10  0,  for  Iron  Work  for 
the  Armed  Boat  Delaware. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Christian  Dull  ^18  9  9,  for 
dieting  Flying  Camp  men,  to  be  charged  to  Congress  ;  also  £3  0  0, 
for  nursing  of  Sick  men. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  George  Bickham  be  employed  as  Quarter 
Master  for  this  State,  with  the  rank,  pay,  &  Rations  of  a  Captain ; 
and  that  Mr.  Biddle  is  to  send,  under  his  care,  to  the  Pennsylvania 
Battalion,  now  Commanded  by  Major  Williams,  such  a  supply  of 
Clothing  as  he  has  in  his  Possession,  that  they  may  Stand  in 
need  of. 

Agreeable  to  resolve  of-  Congress,  a  Commission  for  Letter  of 
Marque  was  this  day  granted  to  Michael  Barstow,  Commander  of 
the  Brig  Industry,  mounting  Ten  Carriages'  Guns,  (4  Pounders,) 
Burthen  about  100  Tons,  navigated  by  Twenty-five  men,  owned  by 
Blair  McClenachan. 

Resolved,  That  Mathew  Brooke,  Leonard  Stoneburner,  and  Jacob 
Engle,  do  provide  as  many  Teams  as  they  can  Immediately  to  re- 
move the  Stores  from  this  City,  for  which  service  they  are  autho- 
rized to  pay  Two  shillings  &  ten  pence  ^jj  mile,  for  carrying  Twenty 
Hundred  weight  from  Philad'a,  and  shall  be  allowed  Fifteen  Shil- 
lings ^  day  each  for  their  own  Trouble,  while  they  are  employed 
in  this  service. 


22  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Resolved,  That  this  Council  will  provide  generously,  and  in  the 
least  exceptionable  manner  they  can  devise,  for  the  Families  of  the 
associators,  who  shall  march  into  New  Jersey  to  Join  General 
Washington,  Exclusive  of  their  pay,  out  of  such  monies  as  they 
have  at  their  disposal,  unless  the  House  of  Assembly  shall,  before 
that  time,  make  the  Interposition  of  this  board  Unnecessary. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'Clock,  when  the  following  members  met: 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Timothy  Matlack, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Francis  Gurney, 

John  Hubley,  Henry  Wynkoop. 

Joseph  Blewer, 
An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Colonel  Rich- 
ard Hampton,  for  2000  dollars,  for  the  purpose  of  paying  Bounty 
money  &  recruiting  expences  for  the  Eleventh  Penn'a  Regiment. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  November  30th;  1776. 

PRESENT : 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r, 

John  Hubley,  Joseph  Blewer, 

Fred.  Kuhl,  Henry  Wynkoop, 

Francis  Gurney,  Sam'l  C  Morris, 

John  Bull,  James  Cannon. 

Jno.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  William 
Brown  £214  9  9,  being  the  Balance  of  his  acc't  for  Bounty  mo- 
ney &  recruiting  expences,  &ca,  &  Sundry  necessaries  for  the  Put- 
nam Battery. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Henry  Lott,  of  Bucks 
co,  Three  days  Pay  for  himself,  2  Lieutenants,  2  Sergeauts,  one 
Drumer,  &  16  Privates,  they  being  on  March  to  this  City  by  a  late 
order  of  the  Council,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Henry  Wynkoop,  Esq'r,  for 
arms,  &ca,  Purchased  by  him  &  delivered  to  the  Militia,  Balance 
£10  10  0,  also  .£223  16  4£,  being  the  Balance  of  his  acco't  as 
Treasurer  for  the  Committee  of  Bucks  County  for 

Ordered,  That  the  proportion  of  Salt  belonging  to  this  State  for 
the  County  of  Philadelphia,  be  immediately  put  into  the  Hands  of 
the  Colonels  or  Commanding  officers  of  the  Battalions  of  Militia  of 
said  County,  to  be  sold  out  on  the  terms  mentioned  in  our  resolves 
of  the  23rd  Instant,  to  the  Militia  who  go  into  actual  Service 
only. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  23 

Resolved,  That  in  the  present  allarming  situation  of  our  affairs, 
it  is  Highly  expedient  that  no  vessells  should  be  suffered  to  depart 
this  Port  untill  further  orders  from  this  board. 

The  Commodore  was  directed  to  stop  all  vessels  from  passing 
thro'  the  Chevaux  de  Frize. 

Ordered,  That  Capt'n  William  Brown  do  furnish  a  Guard  for 
the  Salt  Vessels,  when  applied  to  by  the  Salt  Committee  for  that 
purpose. 

Resolved,  That  money  be  sent  immediately  to  the  Colonels  of 
the  Militia  of  Chester,  Phila'd,  Bucks  &  Northampton  Counties, '& 
City  of  Philadelphia,  to  Supply  the  Families  of  such  associators  as 
go  into  actual  service  and  may  stand  in  need  of  the  same;  and  that 
each  Battalion  do  Choose  two  subalterns,  substantial  Freeholders, 
who  are  to  receive  from  the  Colonels  of  their  respective  Battalions 
the  said  money  and  distribute  it  amongst  the  said  Families,  from 
time  to  time,  according  to  their  need,  in  the  most  discreet  manner, 
for  which  money  they  are  to  account  with  this  board. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Col'n  Timothy  Greene  the  sum 
of  fifty-two  pounds  ten  shillings,  for  the  attendance  of  fifers  and 
Drummers  to  his  Battalion  in  Lancaster  County. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Michael  Goodman  £4  16  0,  k 
John  Rabson  17s  6,  for  Porterage  of  Stores  for  Mr.  Towers. 

Adjourned  to  3  o' Clock,  when  the  following  members  met: 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Francis  Gurney, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  John  Hubley, 

Fred.  Kuhl,  James  Cannon, 

Joseph  Blewer,  John  Bull. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Matthias  Woolfert  £42  0  0, 
for  600  Bushels  of  Coal,  delivered  to  Major  Loxley,  for  the  use  of 
the  Brass  Cannon  Foundery. 

Mr.  Richard  Dormond  was  employed  by  this  Council  to  procure 
10  Waggons  at  the  Same  rate  Mr.  Brooks  was  employed  yesterday, 
if  he  procures  10  waggons,  &  in  proportion  for  any  lesser  number. 

December  2nd,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Abraham  Hargues  be  appointed  first  Lieu- 
tenant under  Captain  Long,  in  the  10th  Battalion,  Commanded  by 
Col.  Penrose. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  William  Brown  be  appointed  first  Lieuten- 
ant under  Captain  Irwin,  in  the  9th  Battalion,  Commanded  by 
Colonel  Irwin. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Joseph  Carson  be  appointed  Paymaster  to 
the  Second  Battalion  of  associators  of  this  City. 

Wm.  Parr,  Esq'r,  was  directed  to  remove  all  the  Records  and 
Public  Papers  in  his  Possession  to  Lancaster  immediately. 


24  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Resolved,  That  the  members  of  Assembly  be  requested  to  nomi- 
nate suitable  persons  for  Field  Officers  to  Command  the  militia  in 
the  Counties  of  Lancaster,  York,  Berks,  Cumberland,  Bedford,, 
Westmoreland,  and  Northumberland,  and  return  their  names  to- 
this  Council  to  be  Commissioned. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Messrs.  John  Barnhill  &  John 
Wilson  ^150  0  0,  for  the  purpose  of  Purchasing  Blankets  &  Stock- 
ings from  the  Inhabitants  of  this  city,  to  be  charged  to  their  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Hill  &  Marrot  £94  12  8,  for  a  flat  Bottom 
Boat,  Oars,  &ca. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Alexander  Mackey  £71  5  0,. 
&  £106  17  6,  for  Waggon  Hire,  &ca.,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Wm.  McMullen  £42  2  6,  for  days'  works  on 
board  the  armed  Boat  Convention. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Joseph  Redman,  Jun'r,  be  appointed  Sur- 
geon, &  Mr.  Hugh  Hodge,  Jun'r,  Surgeon's  mate,  to  Colonel  Bay- 
ard's Battalion  of  Militia  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Jacob  Myers  £12  16  10,  for  Smith's  Work 
done  at  Fort  Island. 

Capt.  Newman  is  permitted  to  take  one  or  £wo  of  the  Field  pieees- 
in  the  State  House  yard,  &  proceed  with  them  and  his  men  to  the 
assistance  of  G'l  Washington. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Major  Lewis 
Nicola  for  £150  0  0,  on  acco't  of  Repairs  of  Barracks,  5&ca.,  to 
be  Charged  to  his  acco't. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Isaac  Coates  &  Mr.  Conrod  Weaver  be  added 
to  the  Committee  appointed  to  Collect  Blankets  &  Stockings. 

Resolved,  That  Capt.  Samuel  Williams  be  appointed  Lieut't?/ 
&  Capt.  Thomas  Read  to  join  General  Washington. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'Clock. 


At  a  Special  meeting  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  December  1st,  1776. 

present : 

David  Rittenhouse.  John  Hubley, 

Owen  Biddle,  James  Cannon, 

Timothy  Matlack,  Joseph  Blewer, 

John  Bull,  Fred.  Kuhl. 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r, 
Resolved,  That  Mr.  William  Richards  &  Mr.  Mathew  Clarkson 
be  appointed  to  provide  every  necessary  for  accommodating  the 
militia  ou  their  passage  from  here  to  Trenton,  to  have  Oars  fixed  to 
each  Shallop,  and  proportion  the  number  of  men  each  can  carry. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  25 

Dispatched  expresses  to  Chester,  Philad'a,  Bucks  &  Northamp- 
ton counties,  to  hasten  the  march  of  Militia  to  reinforce  Gen'l 
Washington  in  New  Jersey. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'Clockj  when  the  following  members  met : 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Jos.  Blewer, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

Timothy  Matlack,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

John  Bull,  James  Cannon. 

John  Hubley, 
Resolved,  That  Major  Proctor  do  send  fifty  of  his  Privates  with 
proper  officers,  under  the  Command  of  Captain  Thomas  Forrest,  to 
General  Washington,  without  delay,  that  they  are  to  take  with 
them  two  Brass  Field  pieces  belonging  to  this  State,  and  Major 
Proctor  is  to  lay  before  this  board  an  estimate  of  Stores,  waggons, 
and  Camp  equipage,  necessary  for  that  service,  that  they  may  be 
supplied  without  delay. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  John  Morris,  jun'r,  be  appointed  to  act  as 
Quarter  Master  of  the  Militia  of  this  State,  now  ordered  into  Ser- 
vice, with  the  Rank,  pay  and  Rations  of  a  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and 
that  he  make  application  to  the  Quarter  Master  General  for  orders 
to  prepare  suitable  Quarters  for  the  Militia  at  Trenton,  or  such 
other  Place  as  may  be  necessary,  and  that  he  pay  due  Obedience  to 
such  orders  and  Instructions  as  he  may  receive  from  him  or  the 
Deputy  Quarter  Master  General. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  December  2nd,  1776. 

present : 

David  Rittenhouse,  Ty.  Matlack, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

Owen  Biddle,  John  Hubley, 

James  Cannon,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Joseph  Blewer,  John  Bayard. 

Resolved,  That  all  Vessells  Cleared  out  at  the  Naval  Office  before 
this  date,  be  suffered  to  depart  this  Port  and  Pass  thro'  the  Ghevaux 
de  Frise. 


2G  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Met  at  3  O'Clock. 

PRESENT  t 

TWOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President- 
David  Rittenhouse,  Jos.  Blewer, 
James  Cannon,                        Fred.  Kuhl, 
John  Hubley,                         Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r. 
Timothy  Matlack, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favor  of  Elijah  Dow,  for 
£35  0  0,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favor  of  Jacob  Lush,  for 
one  Ton  x>f  Salt  Petre  to  manufacture. 

Resolved,  That  no  person  be  permitted  to  pass  over  the  Ferries 
on  Delaware  and  Schuylkil  from  this  City  with  fire-arms,  without 
especial  orders  from  this  Council. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  John  Fromberger,  do  deliver  to  Mr.  Towers 
the  6000  Knap  Sacks  in  his  possession. 

Resolved,  That  Major  Lewis  Nicola  be  appointed  Town  Major, 
and  directed  Immediately  to  .enrol  all  such  persons  as  are  not  fit  to 
march  with  the  militia,  in  the  several  wards  in  the  City,  as  Guards. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Col.  John  Cad- 
walader,  for  3,500  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't,  being  for  the 
purpose  of  paying  a  month's  advance  to  his  Battalion  of  Associators. 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Major  Sam'l  Nicholas  300 
Bayonet  Belts  &  Cartoueh  Boxes. 

Mr.  Nesbitt#was  directed  to  pay  Gunning  Bedford  £120  0  ^, 
for  Carting  sundries  for  Fire  Rafts  &  other  services  for  that  purpose. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  John  Huddle  £93  12  0,  for  117  Barrels  of 
Tarr  delivered  to  Captain  Hazlewood. 

Resolved,  That  such  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  several  wards  in 
this  City  and  districts  as  are  not  fit  to  march  into  the  Field,  do  form 
themselves  into  Companies,  in  order  to  Guard  the  powder  Magazine 
and  Fire  Rafts;  to  Patrol  the  streets  at  Knight,  and  do  other  duties 
that  may  be  found  necessary,  for  which  service  they  are  to  receive 
Continental  pay,  and  that  they  may  enrol  themselves  immediately 
under  Lewis  Nichola,  Esq'r,  Town  Major. 

Delivered  Captain  Huston  11  Rugs  &  Blankets. 
1  Resolved,  That  Captain  Lang  be  permitted  to  enroll  so  many  men 
as  Volunteers  to  join  his  Company,  as  may  be  sufficient  to  augment 
said  Company  to  seventy  six  privates,  such  Volunteers  to  enter  into 
immediate  pay,  and  to  serve  one  month,  unless  sooner  discharged ; 
no  men  to  be  taken  who  are  already  enroled  in  any  of  the  militia 
Battalions  of  the  City  &  Liberties,  or  Counties  in  this  State. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  board,  that  all  the  shops 
in  this  City  be  shut  up,  that  the  schools  be  broke  up,  and  the  in- 
habitants engaged  solely  in  providing  for  the  defence  of  this  City 
at  this  time  of  extreme  danger. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  27 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philad'a.,  Dec'r  3rd,  1776* 

PRESENT : 

THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

John  Bayard,  James  Cannon, 

David  Rittenhouse,  Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

John  Hubley,  Francis  Gurney, 

Owen  Biddle, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Messrs.  Peter 
Dehaven  &  Co.,  for  ^S500,  to  be  charged  to  their  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Colonel  John 
Bayard,  for  3000  Dollars,  for  the  purpose  of  paying  his  Battalion 
a  Month's  Wages,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  in  favour  of  Wm.  Parr,  Esq'r,  for  £100. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Matthew  Moffatt,  ^30  0  0,  towards  Iron 
work  done  for  the  Chevaux  de  Frize. 

An  order  was  drawn  in  fav'r  of  Major  Proctor,  for  dS500.) 

An  order  was  drawn  in  fav'r  of  Commodore  Seymour,  400  Dol- 
lars. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  James  Barnes, 
£'100,  to  purchase  Blankets,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

General  Washington  having  recommended  that  the  Militia  of 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania  be  formed  into  Brigades,  and  Officers 
appointed  to  command  them  •  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  associators  of  the  City  &  Liberties  of  Phila- 
delphia, be  formed  into  one  Brigade  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
John  Cadwalader,  as  eldest  Colonel. 

An  order  was  drawn  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Christian  Shaffer, 
for  £100,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't.        • 

An  order  was  drawn  in  fav'r  of  Messrs.  Williams,  for  £150,  to- 
wards building  the  Delaware  Armed  Boat,  to  be  charged  to  their 
acco't. 

The  officers  of  the  Second  Battalion  of  Militia,  having  expressed 
some  dissatisfaction  with  our  appointment  of  Joseph  Carson  as 
Paymaster;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  Doct'r  David  Jackson  be  appointed  Paymaster  in 
his  Stead,  to  the  said  Battalion,  he  being  recommended  to  us  by 
the  said  Officers. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Catharine  Barr  10s  for  delivering  a  Gun 
left  at  her  House  by  a  deserter. 


28  MINUTES  OF  THE 

In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  December  3rd. 

Ordered,  That  the  Ferryman  of  this  City  &  Liberties,  do  im- 
mediately take  over  to  Cooper's  Ferries  all  their  Boats,  and  the 
two  large  flat  bottom  boats  belonging  to  this  State,  now  at  Ken- 
sington, under  the  care  of  Captain  Benjamin  Eyre,  to  transport  the 
Maryland  flying  Camp  across  the  Delaware  to  this  City. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Richard  Chew  £4  14  6,  for  Stone  delivered 
at  the  piers  at  Fort  Island. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favor  of  David  Potter, 
for  £400  0  0,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Mr.  John  Hub- 
ley,  for  the  Committee  of  Lancaster  County,  for  £200,  for  the  use 
of  poor  Associators'  Families  now  in  the  Flying  Camp. 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Col  Richard  Hampton,  of 
the  11th  Pen'a  Regiment  in  Continental  Service,  such  arms  &  ac- 
coutrements as  he  may  want  for  his  Reg't,  taking  a  receipt. 

Delivered  5  Blankets  for  the  use  of  Capt.  Copperth wait's  Comp'y, 
of  1st  Batt'n  of  this  City. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock;  when  the  following  members  met: 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  President. 
Owen  Biddle,  David  Rittenhouse, 

John  Hubley,  John  Bayard, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Sam'l  Morris,  sen'r. 

James  Cannon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  ¥m.  Bowen, 
for  £100  0  0,  to  be  charged  to  his  Acco't. 

Delivered  to  Capt'n  Tho's  Fitzimons  40  Blankets. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Joseph  Bergstotter  30s,  &  Jacob 
Stroud  £8  0  0,  for  a  Riffle  Gun  lost  on  Long  Island,  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Wm.  Smith  £37  0  6,  for  diching,  &ca.,  at 
Fort  Island. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Owen 
Biddle,  for  £1000,  to  be  charged  to  his  Acco't. 

Resolved,  That  the  Members  in  General  Assembly  for  the 
Counties  of  Philadelphia,  Chester,  Bucks,  &  Lancaster,  be  applied 
to  Immediately,  to  recommend  proper  persons  in  their  respective 
Counties,  to  be  employed  by  this  board  to  Hire  all  the  waggons  in 
their  Counties. 

Resolved,  That  this  board  will  furnish  any  persons  who  may  form 
themselves  into  a  Troop  of  Horse,  with  a  brace  of  Pistols  and  a 
Broad  sword;  and  it  is  recommended  to  the  persons  so  forming  a 
Troop,  immediately  to  choose  their  Officers  and  Prepare  to  march, 
to  Join  General  Washington  with  all  expedition  in  their  Power. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  29 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Edward  Wawhap  £10  11  0,  for  Linen  & 
woolen  Cloth,  &ea. 

An  order  wag  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Col.  Jno.  Bay- 
ard, for  1500  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Col.  Stroud,  for  a  Musket,  £1  10  0. 

Resolved,  That  the  Militia  of  Northumberland  County  who  turn  out 
as  Volunteers,  do  choose  proper  persons  to  be  recommended  to  this 
Council,  to  be  appointed  Field  Officers  for  the  Battalion  of  said 
County. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Jno.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  in  favour  of 
Colonell  Cadwalader,  for  =£500,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Mrs.  Savadge  £15  0  0,  to  be  charged  to  Mr. 
Thomas  Savadge. 

The  Council  being  informed  that  some  waggons  have  lately  been 
impressed  into  the  public  service  by  mistake,  do  hereby  assure  the 
Public  that  it  is  not  their  intention  to  impress  any  except  in  cases  of 
the  utmost  necessity,  they  having  employed  proper  persons  to  give 
generous  prices  to  those  who  engage  voluntarily,  which,  we  hope, 
will  render  impressing  unnecessary. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  John  Schafferbe  appointed  paymaster  of  The 
First  Battalion  of  Militia  of  the  City  &  Liberties  of  Philadelphia. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  December  4th,  1776. 

PRESENT  : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  James  Cannon,' 

Frederick  Kuhl,  John  Bayard, 

Timothy  Matlack,  Jos.  Blewer, 

Owen  Biddle,  Francis  Gurney. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Captain  Sharp 
Delany,  for  £100  0  0,  for  the  purpose  of  providing  for  the  families 
of  his  Company  of  Militia  while  in  service,  to  be  charged  to  his 
acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Henry  Wawhup  for  <£8  15  0,  for  8|  yards  of 
Clothe,  &  Sam'l  Dickey  £15  5  0,  for  15£  yds.  do. 

Capt.  Wm.  Richards  was  directed  to  deliver  Mr.  Daniel  Evans 
half  a  Ton  of  Iron,  for  Tire  for  Gun  Carriages,  he  to  be  ac- 
countable. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Messrs.  Robins,  Dun,  &  Hail,  ^150  0  0,  to 
be  charged  to  their  acco't. 

The  Council  having  found  it  necessary  to  call  the  attention  of  the 
Good  people  of  this  City  to  measures  for  its  Immediate  defence,  or- 
dered that  the  Shops  should  be  shut  up,  &c.  The  readiness  with 
which  this  order  has  been  Complied  with  by  all  ranks  of  men,  affords 


SO  MINUTES  OF  THE 

an  instance  of  Public  virtue  greatly  to  the  Honor  of  the  City;  But 
as  the  Associators  who  are  about  to  March  must  be  supplied  with 
the  necessaries  which  they  may  want,  it  is,  therefore,  earnestly  re- 
commended to  all  persons  to  give  the  Associators  all  the  Assistance 
of  every  kind,  which  may  be  in  their  Power,  anything  in  said  Re- 
solve notwithstanding. 

Resolved,  That  no  Landlord  or  other  Creditor  ought  to  distress 
the  Family  of  any  associator  while  he  is  out  in  the  Service  of  his 
Country,  and  that  this  Council  will  take  notice  of  any  Complaint 
which  shall  be  made  against  such  as  shall  he  found  to  transgress 
this  resolution. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  James  Biddle, 
Esq'r,  for  £15,  to  defray  the  Expence  of  conveying  the  public 
Papers  to  Reading. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Doct'r  Robert 
Harris,  for  £58,  for  making  Powder  for  Congress,  to  be  charged 
to  his  Acco't. 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Doct'r  Robert  Harris  one 
Ton  of  Salt  Petre,  &  Sulphor  in  proportion,  to  make  into  Gun 
Powder. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Colonel  Arthur 
Irwin,  of  Bucks  County,  for  £375,  advance  money  for  his  Batta- 
lion, to  be  charged  to  his  Acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Holmes  for  Wood  &  other 
Necessaries  for  Prisoners  &  Officers'  Servants  at  Carlisle,  £12 
17  2. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Wm.  Tod  £18  10  0,  for  Carriage  wheels  de- 
livered to  David  Pancoast,  to  Mount  Cannon  on  Carriages,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 

The  Wardens  of  this  city  having  represented  to  the  Council  the 
great  Inconvenience  which  would  ensue,  if  the  watchmen  were 
obliged  to  March  with  the  Militia,  and  the  board  being  of  opinion 
that  it  is  absolutely  necessary  for  the  Safety  and  protection  of  the 
property  and  Families  of  the  Militia  in  their  absence,  as  well  as  of 
the  inhabitants  in  General,  that  the  watchmen  light  the  Lamps  and 
Patroll  the  streets  as  usual ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  several  watchmen  in  this  City  be  permitted 
to  remain  and  do  pass  as  heretofore. 

Adjourned  to  3  o'Clock;  when  the  following  members  met : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r, 

Owen  Biddle,  Joseph  Blewer, 

James  Cannon,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

John  Hubley,  John  Bull. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Geo.  Goodwin,  £121  10 
11,  being  the  Balance  of  Pay  due  to  his  Company  of  Militia  of  the 
1st  Battalion  of  the  City  &  Liberties  of  Philadelphia,  when  in  Ser- 
vice last  Summer. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  31 

A  Comm'n  was  Granted  to  Stephen  Beasley,  2nd  Ensign  to 
Cap't  Jno.  Wharton's  Comp'y  of  3  Batt'n  of  the  City  &  Liberties 
of  Philad'a. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  George  Way  for  4  pair  of  Wheels  d'd  to 
Thomas  Nevell,  £10  15  0. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Colonel  Jacob 
Morgan  of  the  1st  Batt'n  of  the  City  &  Liberties  of  Philad'a,  for 
£1500,  to  advance  a  month's  pay  to  his  Battalion,  &  charge  the 
■same  to  his  Acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Anthony  Morris,  jun'r,  £30  18 
0,  for  Beer  deliver'd  to  John  Coburn. 

The  following  Resolve  of  Congress  was  directed  to  be  put  on  the 
Minutes  : 

"  In  Congress,  December  4th,  1776. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Council  of  Safety  of 
Pennsylvania,  to  detain  the  Printers  engaged  in  Printing  Certifi- 
cates for  the  Continental  Loan  Offices,  and  to  direct  that  they  Con- 
tinue  Executing  the  business  in  which  they  are  employed. 
"  Extract  from  the  Minutes, 

"CHA'S  THOMSON,  Sec'y." 

Resolved,  That  David  Hall,  Francis  Wrigley,  John  Harris,  John 
George,  Henry  Miller,  &  William  Smith,  Workmen  in  Hall  &  Sel- 
lers' Printing  Office,  be  detained  for  the  purpose  mentioned  in  the 
above  Resolves  of  Congress. 

Commissions  was  granted  to  Jacob  Morgan,  Colonel  k  W. 
Coates,  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  1st  Battalion  of  Associators  of 
the  City  &  Liberties  of  Philadelphia. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  receive  of  Mr.  Jacob  Schriner 
£6&3  17  6,  for  Salt  sold  belonging  to  Stephen  &  Jos.  Shewell  & 
Jos'a  Fisher  &  Son. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Jacob  Parke  £53  10  0,  for  107 
axes  delivered  to  Capt.  Bickham. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Jno  Morton  M  6  0,  for  Wharfage  of  the 
Floating  Battery  Arnold,  in  March  last. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Col.  Gurney  £1Z  0  0,  for  52  lb.  of  Nitre, 
lelivered  to  Mr.  Towers. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to.  pay  Elias  Bottler  £9  10  6,  for  127  lbs.  of  Trail 
Rope  for  Cannpn,  delivered  to  Mr.  Towers. 

Resolved,  That  Thomas  Marie  be  employed  to  fix  the  Boom  to 
lie  Piers  at  Fort  Island,  and  to  be  stationed  there  to  have  the  Care 
»fit,  to  receive  orders,  and  be  Subject  to  the  Commanding  officer  at 
hat  Station,  and  he  is  to  employ  a  sufficient  number  of  handtf? 
,nd  do  this  Business  without  any  delay.. 

Resolved,  That  Jacob  Hinman  and  John  Clew  be  permitted  to 
ontinue  at  the  old  Ferry,  it  being  expected  that  Troops  from  New 
rersey  will  Pass  over  to  this  City;  and  that  they  may  be  wanted. 


32  MINUTES  OF   THE 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Wade  for  drummers  & 
fifers  Wages,  £16  10  0. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Hugh  Craig  be  appointed  paymaster  to  the 
11th  Penn'a  Roginient  in  Continental  Service,  Commanded  by 
Col.  Richard  Humpton. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  December  5th,  1776. 

present  : 

THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

Owen  Riddle,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

John  Hubley,  Jos.  Blewer, 

Samuel  Morris,  Sen'r,  Timothy  Matlack, 

Francis  Gurney,  James  Cannon. 

John  Bayard, 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Hugh  Cunningham  56152  15 
0,  for  235  pair  Shoes  d'd  to  Capt.  Bickham,  Q'r  M'r. 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  to  Major.  Loxley,  30  lbs.  Salt 
Petre,  Ten  pounds  of  Powder,  &  6  Quire  of  Port  Fire  Paper,  for 
the  use  of  the  State. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Christopher  Ludwick  £11 
5  0,  in  part  for  Services  done  at  Camp  last  Summer,  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Rob't  Bailey  £25,  for  the  sup- 
port of  families  of  Poor  associatprs  families,  during  their  absence 
in  Camp,  of  Capt.  McElwain's  Company  of  the  3rd  Batt'n  of  this 
City,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  David  Kennedy  £108  8  0,  for  Cloth  deliv- 
ered to  Capt.  Geo.  Bickham,  Q'r  M'r. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  John  Hulings,  of  Col. 
Woods'  Battalion,  for  500  Dollars,  for  the  purpose  of  recruiting 
men. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  James  Worrel  &  Rob't  Allison  £259  7  5, 
being  the  Balance  of  their  Acco't  for  Work  done  at  Fort  Island, 
from  15  July  to  17  August. 

The  Following  Commissions  were  granted  for  the  2nd  Battalion 
of  the  City  and  Liberties  of  Philad'a  : 

Matthew  Erwin  &  Benj'n  Harberson,  Esq'r,  Captains;  Cha's 
Win.  Peal,  1st  Lieu't;  Haverstick,  Ensign;  Jos.  Red- 
man, j'r,  Surgeon;  &  Hugh  Hodge,  j'r,  Surgeon's  Mate,  &  Wm. 
Means,  2nd  Lieutenant, 

Commissions  were  Granted  to  the  following  Gentlemen  :  John 
Eyre,  Esq'r,  Captain;  Wm.  Brown,  1st  Lieutenant;  John  Brown 
2nd  Lieu't ;  &  Samuel  Williams  Lieutenant  in  artillery  of  Militia, 
associated  for  the  defence  of  the  Liberties  of  America. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  33 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Michael  Groves  £9  0  0,  for  riding  Express 
to  call  the  militia,  &  hasten  their  March  to  join  General  Washing- 
ton, to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Col.  Francis 
Gurney,  for  1000  Dollars,  for  the  use  of  Col'l  Humpton's  Reg't,  t 

to  be  charged  to  him. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Mr.  John  Dunlap  £150  13  0,  for  Cartridge 
Paper  delivered  to  Mr.  Towers. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Wm.  Crespin  be  imployed  to  take  50,000 
Musket  Cartridges  to  Camp,  and  distribute  them  to  such  of  the 
Associators  as  the  Commanding  Officer  may  direct. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Messrs.  Peter  Dehaven  &  Co. 
£500,  &  charge  the  same  to  their  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Rob't  Towers,  Commissary,  £52  18  7£,  for 
men's  Wages,  &ca. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  John  Fullerton  £50,  for 
the  purpose  of  supplying  the  families  of  Associators  in  Capt.  Sem- 
ple's  Company,  in  3rd  Batt'n  of  the  City  &  Liberties  of  Philad'a, 
&  charge  the  same  to  his  Acco't.  Also  to  pay  Mr.  James  Cannon 
,£50,  for  the  use  of  the  Families  of  Associators  in  Captain  Harbe- 
son's  Company  of  the  2nd  Battalion. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Wm.  Fulton  J108  10  0,  for  Cloth  delivered 
to  Capt.  Bickham. 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  to  Major  Lewis  Nicola  78 
Stand  of  Old  Arms  &  3  Rounds  of  Ammunition  for  each,  to  mount 
Guard  in  &  near  this  City. 

Mr.  Thomas  Marie  was  directed  to  take  ten  men  to  Fort  Island, 
in  order  to  fix  the  Boom  under  the  direction  of  Major  Thomas 
Proctor,  &  Capt.  Richards  was  directed  to  supply  Mr.  Marie  with 
Tackles  &  other  necessaries  for  that  purpose.  Mr.  Marie  was  di- 
rected to  take  the  Barge  belonging  to  the  Ship  Montgomery. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Capt.  Jacob  Gerrard  Dirk  200  Dollars  to  in- 
list  men,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  James  Irwine,  of  the  9th   Penn'a 
Reg't,  in  Continental  Service. 
Adjourned  to  3  o? Clock. 


Members  met. 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

John  Hubley,  John  Bayard, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  John  Bull, 

Geo.  Gray,  James  Cannon. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Lawrence  Souder,  on  acco't  of 
Mr.  John  Britton,  for  £100,  to  be  charged  to  Mr.  Britton. 
VOL.  XL— ^. 


34  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Mr.  James 
Dundass,  for  £500,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Resolved,  That  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital  be  taken  up  and  em- 
ployed for  the  sick  Troops  of  the  Continental  Army,  in  Compliance 
with  a  request  of  Congress,  and  that  the  said  Troops  be  provided 
with  Medicine  and  every  necessary. 

Resolved,  That  Major  William  Masters  be  appointed  Paymaster 
to  the  Artillery  (Militia)  of  this  State. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Nathaniel  Luff  be  appointed  Surgeon  of  the 
First  Battali'on  of  Militia  of  the  City  &  Liberties  of  Philad'a. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Mr.  Wm.  Mas- 
ters, for  J650,  being  for  advance  money  to  Artillery  Companys,  to 
be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Matthew  Young  £20  10  0,  for  Painting  the 
Armed  Boat  Convention,  &ca. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Christopher  Key  £3  0  0,  for  a  pair  of  Cart 
Wheels  delivered  to  Mr.  David  Pancoast,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Christopher  Marshall  be  employed  to  assist 
the  Physicians  in  providing  for  the  sick,  and  that  he  have  authority 
to  employ  proper  persons  to  assist  him  in  procuring  Houses  for  them 
to  lodge,  and  such  other  necessaries  as  may  alleviate  their  distresses 
&  render  them  comfortable. 

Resolved,  That  John  Nelson,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Captain  of  a 
Company  of  Foot  in  the  9th  Penn'a  Regiment,  Commanded  by 
Colonel  James  Irvine,  in  Continental  Service. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Capt.  John  Nel- 
son, of  the  9th  Penn'a  Regiment,  Commanded  by  Col.  James  Irvine, 
for  four  Hundred  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  the  Colonel. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Robert  Martin  be  appointed  Paymaster 
to  the  Northumberland  County  Militia,  now  going  into  Service. 

Capt.  Matthew  Smith  is  promoted  to  a  Majority  in  the  9th  Bat- 
talion, Commanded  by  Col.  Irvine. 

Resolved,  That  Major  Henry  Becker  of  the  10th  Battalion,  be 
promoted  to  Lieutenant  Col.  in  the  6th  Battalion,  Commanded  by 
Ool.  Magaw. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  December  6th,  1776. 

present : 

Tho's  Wharton,  jun'r,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

David  Rittenhouse,  Owen  Biddle, 

Benj'n  Bartholomew,  Joseph  Blewer, 

John  Hubley, 
An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Lieut.  Col 
Thomas  Hartley  for  3000  Dollars,  for  recruiting  Service  for  the 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  35 

7th  Penn'a  Reg't  ia  Continental  Service,  to  be  charged  to  hig 
acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Lt.  Col.  Francis 
Johnson,  for  1000  Dollars,  for  recruiting  Service  for  5th  Reg't, 
charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  George  Weis  £55  11  8,  for  7  Dozen  &  8  p'r 
of  Stockings. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Rob't  Erwin  £300,  for  the  payment  of  waggon 
Hire,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  to  Mr.  Nicholas  Low  £75  5  0,  for  158  Cutt- 
lasses  d'd  to  Mr.  Towers. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Benj'n  Armitage  16s  for  dieting  2  Indians, 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Joseph  Ross  £Q  16  6,  for  Swanskin,  &ca.  de- 
livered to  Capt.  Bickham,  Qr.  Mr. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Jacob  Dies  £5  0  0,  for  going  express  to  hurry 
the  marching  of  Militia  to  Join  General  Washington. 

Capt.  G.  Resberg,  A.  D.  Q.  M.  Gen'l,  was  directed  to  take  up 
the  Colledge  Hall  to  Store  the  Medicine  sent  from  Head  Quarters. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Kinsel  £6  0  0;  George 
Weis  £3  15  0^  Wm.  Morris  £11  13  0,  and  John  Bray  £11  3  0, 
for  going  express  to  call  the  Militia  to  Join  Gen.  Washington. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  ordered  to  pay  Col.  Joseph  Penrose  fifteen  hundred 
Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Penrose  acco't. 

An  orde  rwas  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Mr.  Wm.  Masters, 
for  £200,  to  advance  Money  to  Artillery  of  the  Militia  of  this 
City. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Mr.  Thos.  Nevil, 
for  £200,  to  be  charged  to  him. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Mr.  Rob't  Jewell, 
for  300  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  Robert  Lewis  £400,  for  ad- 
vance money  to  his  Battalion  of  Militia  of  Philad'a  Co.,  to  be 
charged  to  his  acco't. 

Resolved,  That  Maj'r  Adam  Hubley  be  appointed  Major  of  the 
Tenth  Pennsylvania  Regiment  in  Continental  Service,  Commanded 
by  Colonel  Joseph  Penrose,  in  the  room  of  Major  Henry  Becker, 
Promoted, 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Capt.  Elijah  Davis  £69  14  0,  for  arms  Pur- 
chased  for  his  Company,  &  for  Drummers  &  fifers  wages  £63  6  6, 
to  be  charged  to  the  Captain,  &  £6  7  6  to  this  State. 

A  Commission  was  granted  to  Mr.  George  Evans,  Surgeon  to  the 
3  Battalion  of  Militia  of  the  City  &  Liberties  of  Philadelphia. 

Resolved,  That  Major  Isaac  Melchor,  Mr.  Thomas  Smith  and 
Captain  William  Davis,  be  authorized  and  empowered,  with  Mr, 
Christopher  Marshall  and  Mr.  Thomas  Casdrop,  to  provide  and  take 
care  of  the  Sick  Troops  daily  coming  to  this  City  from  Camp,  and 
that  they  make  use  of  any  Empty  Houses  and  Stores,  and  other 

I 20943 5 


36  MINUTES  OF  THE 

buildings  in  this  City  and  the  Liberties  thereof,-  which  they  may 
think  convenient  for  Lodging  such  Troops ;  and  that  they  take  to* 
their  assistance  in  performing  the  said  Trust,  such  discreet  Per- 
sons as  to  them  shall  seem  meet,  and  this  board  will  defray  every 
expence  thereof. 


December  6th,  1776  >— Met  at  3  o'Clock. 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

David  Rittenhouse,  John  Hubley, 

Owen  Biddle,  Francis  G-umey, 

Benj'n  Bartholomew,  Joseph  Blewer, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  James  Cannon. 

Fred.  Kuhl, 
Mr.  Nesbittwas  directed  to  pay  Colonel  Balzer  GeehrdEll  7  4y 
for  repairing  arms,-  &  £85  8  0,  for  arms  taken  from  non-associa- 
tors,  to  be  charged  to  the  Col ;  Col.  Sebastian  Levan  £88  2  6,  for 
arms  taken  from  non-associators,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Levan. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Major  Philip 
Marsteller,  for  £600,  he  to  be  accountable  to  the  board  for  the 
same. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Mr.  Carson  £11  0  0,  for  one  pair  of 
delivered  to  David  Pancoast. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Col.  Andrew 
Kechline,  £500  advance  money  for  his  Battalion,  to  be  charged  to 
his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Major  Philip  Marsteller  M7  19  4,  for  Ex- 
pences  of  a  Guard  at  Heidelburg,  during  the  absence  of  the  Militia 
last  Summer,  to  preserve  the  peace  of  the  Town,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 

Resolved,  That  all  River  Craft  be  permitted  to  pass  from  this 
Harbour  as  Usual,  notwithstanding  the  embargo  on  sea  vessels. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  December  7th,  1776. 

present : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Presid't. 
Timothy  Matlack,  John  Hubley, 

Owen  Biddle,  Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Fred.  Kuhl. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Wollry  Meng  for  four  Blankets, 
@  35s,  £l  0  0,  Mr.  Phillip  Hinkle  *7  0  0,  for  14  pr.  Stock- 
ings, Jacob  Miller  13s  for  a  Blanket. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  37 

Elias  Edidle  £21  0  0,  for  Cloth  &  Blanketing  d'd  to  Capt. 
Bickham,  Q'r  M'r. 

Resolved,  That  this  Port  shall  be  opened  on  Monday  next,  and 
all  Vessells  be  allowed  to  pass  and  Repass. 

Resolved,  That  application  be  made  to  Congress  for  One  Hun- 
dred Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  applied  towards  Furnishing  the  seve- 
ral officers  with  Bounty. Money  for  enlisting  men  on  the  new  Es- 
tablishment, and  other  Exigencies  of  this  State,  and  that  Mr.  Mor- 
ris and  Mr.  Kuhl  wait  on  the  President  for  that  purpose. 
-  Commissions  were  filFd  up  and  delivered  to  Mr.  John  Hillings 
ibr  3rd  Lieu't  of  the  1st  Batt'n  of  the  City  &  Liberties  of  Philad'a, 
John  Bartholomew  1  Lieu't,  Jeremiah  Fisher  2nd  Lieu't,  &  John 
Ruper,  Ensign,  in  the  2nd  Battalion  of  the  City  &  Liberties  of 
Philad'a  Militia. 

Mr.  Nesbitfc  was  directed  to  pay 
Wm.  Thomson  &18  3    6,  woolen  &  Linen  Cloth,  *)     delivered  to 
Wm.  Robison,         14       for  a  Blanket,  >  Capt.  Bickham, 

Tho's  Ward,     £29  9  10,  for  Cloth,  )         Q.  M. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Wm.  Mas- 
ters, for  £500,  to  be  charged  to  his  acc't,  for  advance  money  for 
Artillery. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Lieut.  Col.  Gur- 
oey,  for  1000  Dollars,  for  recruiting  service-  for  the  11th  Penn'a 
Reg't,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Richard  Humpton. 

Agreeable  to  request  of  this  board  to  Congress,  for  an  order  for 
one  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars  for  Recruiting  service, 

An  order  drawn  on  Michael  Hillegas,  Esq'r.  Continental  Treas- 
urer, was  sent  down  for  that  sum,  which  was  endorsed  by  the  Pres- 
ident &  directed  to  be  paid  to  Jno.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  Treas'r  to 
this  board,  &  Mr.  Wharton  was  requested  to  deliver  it  to  Mr.  Nesbitt. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Cap'n  Daniel  Larew,  £58  13  6,  for  arms 
taken  from  non-Associators,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Jos.  Kirkbride, 
&  £4  10  0  for  repairs  of  Arms.  Also,  £17  6  for  expences  Col- 
lecting arms. 

Commissions  were  granted  to  Wingate  Newman,  Captain;  Wm. 
Baxter,  Cap'n  Lieut. ;  Nathaniel  Wallace,  2nd  Lieut. )  &  John  Sober, 
Lieut,  fire  Worker  of  artillery  in  the  Militia  of  the  City  &  Liberties 
of  Philad'a. 

Adjourned  to  3  O' Clock  afternoon;  When  the  following  mem- 
bers met : 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  President. 
Owen  Biddle,  Chairman. 

Francis  Gurney,  Sam'l  Morris,  sen'r, 

James  Cannon,  John  Hubley, 

John  Bull,  Jos.  Blewer. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favor  of  Amos  Wilkin- 
son, for  200  Dollars. 


38  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Geo.  Weis  £1  0  0,  for  a  Blanket. 

Christiana  Reese  £29  9  3,  for  Cloth. 
Resolved,  That  the  several  Schools  in  this  City  be  opened  on 
Monday  next,  and  the  Education  of  Youth  be  carried  on  as  usual. 

Doctors  Duffield  &  Delany  were  requested  to  furnish  the  Surgeon 
of  the  1st  Battalion  of  Philad'a  Militia,  with  such  medicines  as  he 
may  want. 

Major  Lewis  Nicola,  Town  Major,  was  directed  to  detach  a  suf- 
ficient number  of  men  enrolled  under  him  as  City  guards,  to  escort 
the  Prisoners  of  war  now  confined  in  the  State  prison,  to  Newtown, 
Bucks  County,  in  order  for  exchange,  by  order  of  General  Wash- 
ington. 
Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  William 

Rush  for  Horse  Hire  for  Expresses,         £2     5  0 
Augustine  Ruppele,  for  going  express  to 

Northumberland  County  to  hurry  the  To  be  charg- 

marching  of  Militia,  13  15  0  )■     ed  to  Con- 

George  Weis,  for  Riding  express  to  Mary-  gress. 

land,  6     5  0  | 

Geo.  Gunther,  for  Riding  express  &  at- 
tending with  his  Horse,  5  17  6  J 
Whereas,  The  safety  and  security  of  every  State  depends  on  the 
virtuous  exertions  of  individuals  in  its  defence,  and  as  such  exer- 
tions can  never  be  more  reasonable  and  necessary  than  where  a  peo- 
ple are  wantonly  invaded  by  a  powerfull  army,  for  the  avowed  pur- 
pose of  enslaving  them,  which  is  at  present  the  unhappy  situation 
of  our  neighbouring  States,  and  which  may  hourly  be  expected  in 
this;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  no  excuse  ought  to  be  admitted  or  deemed  suf- 
ficient against  marching  of  the  Militia  at  this  time,  except  sickness, 
infirmity  of  Body,  age,  Religious  Scruples,  or  an  absolute  order 
from  authority  of  this  State. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Board,  that  every  person 
who  is  so  void  of  Honor,  virtue  and  Love  of  his  Country,  as  to  re- 
fuse his  assistance  at  this  time  of  eminent  public  danger,  may  just- 
ly be  suspected  of  designs  Inimical  to  the  Freedom  of  America;  And, 
Where  such  designs  are  very  apparent  from  the  Conduct  of  Partic- 
ular persons,  such  persons  ought  to  be  confined  during  the  absence 
of  the  Militia,  and  the  Officers  of  this  State  to  have  particular  regard 
to  the  above  resolve  and  to  act  accordingly,  with  vigour,  Prudence 
and  discretion,  Reserving  appeals  to  this  Council,  or  a  Committee 
thereof,  where  the  same  is  requested. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  39 


At  a  Special  Meeting  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  December  8th, 
1776—2  o'Clock,  morning. 

PRESENT : 

DAVID  BITTENHOUSE,  V.  Presid't. 
Timothy  Matlack,  James  Cannon, 

John  Hubley,  Francis  Gurney, 

Fred.  Kuhl,  Joseph  Blewer. 

A  letter  was  laid  before  the  board  from  Col.  Bayard  to  Mr,  An- 
drew Hodge,  dated  at  Trenton,  2  o'Clock  yesterday  afternoon,  in- 
forming that  General  Howe  was  advancing  at  the  Head  of  his 
Army  towards  Head  Quarters  at  Princetown. 

Whereupon  Commodore  Seymour  was  sent  for  and  directed  to 
order  all  the  armed  Boats  to  be  dispatched  to  Trenton  Immediately, 
to  assist  in  removing  the  Stores  &  any  other  service  that  may  be 
required. 

Adjourned  of  9  o'Clock,  when  the  following  members  met : 

DAVID  BITTENHOUSE,  Vice  President. 

John  Bull,  Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r, 

Timothy  Matlack,  John  Hubley, 

James  Cannon,  Jos.  Blewer. 

Owen  Biddle, 
Ordered,  That  the  several  Ferries,  over  Schuylkill,  be  put  in  a 
condition  to  give  the  utmost  assistance  to  the  Citizens,  and  others, 
who  may  have  occasion  to  and  repass  in  this  Time  of  danger. 

The  Commodore  was  ordered  up  with  the  armed  Boats  to  pro- 
ceed to  Trentown,  and  put  himself  under  the  directions  of  Gen'l 
Washington,  &c. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Lieut' t  Hen- 
derson &  Boyd,  for  Ten  Thousand  Dollars,  for  recruiting  service  for 
12  Penn'a  Regiment,  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Wm.  Cook. 

Adjourned  to  2  o'Clock,  afternoon,  when  the  following  members 
met :  * 

DAVID  BITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Timothy  Matlack,  Owen  Biddle, 

Joseph  Blewer,  James  Cannon, 

John  Hubley,  Frederick  Kuhl. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  for  £500,  to  be  paid  to 
Christoph'r  Marshall  and  Comp'y,  to  be  charged  to  their  acco't. 

,  Letters  were  dispatched  to  the  Colonels  or  Commanding  Officers 
of  the  several  Battalions  of  Militia  in  this  State,  informing  them  of 
the  movements  of  the  Enemy,  ani  entreats  them  to  march  with 
their  Battalions  to  suceour  General  Washington,  &  empowering 
them  to  impress  Waggons  to  assist  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Country 
to  remove  their  effects,  if  not  to  be  had  without. 
Adjourned  to  6  o'Clock. 


40  MINUTES  OF  THE 


Met : 

THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President, 
Owen  Biddle,  Joseph  Blewer, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  John  Bull, 

Timothy  Matlack,  John  Hubley, 

David  Rittenhouse,  James  Cannon. 

Francis  Gurney, 


December  9th,  1776. 
Met: 

THOS.  WHARTON,  Presid't. 

David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  John  Hubley, 

Joseph  Blewer,  James  Cannon. 

Timothy  Matlack, 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt'n  Joseph  Blewer  £150,  for 
the  use  of  the  Poor  associators'  Families  of  Southwark. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  to  Mr.  Wm.  Chrispin  £20,  to 
defray  the  expence  of  transport'g  Powder  to  the  Army. 

Do.  was  directed  to  pay  Wm.  Richards  £425,  which  with  1000 
Dollars  he  rec'd  for  500  bushels  Salt,  bro't  to  the  State  of  N.  Jer- 
sey, make  £800,  to  be  charg'd  to  his  acco't. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham,  Q'r  M'r,  was  directed  to  deliver  to  L't 
Colonel  Gurney  150  Suits  of  New  Cloaths  for  Col.  Humpton's 
Regrt. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Capt'n  Geo.  Bick- 
ham, Q'r  M'r,  Blfty  Pounds,  to  purchase  Blankets,  &c,  to  be 
charged  to  his  acco't.V 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Jacob  S.  Howell, 
for  £54  0  0,  for  services  as  Secretary  to  this  board  to  this  day. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Mr.  Timothy 
Barret,  for  the  support  of  the  Poor  Associators'  Families  of  Capt'n 
Wade's  Company  of  the  City  of  Philad'a,  for  £12  0  0. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Frederick  Schneider  £14  0  0, 
for  attendance  on  the  Council  to  this  time. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Philip  Boehni 
of  Northampton  County,  for  one  Thousand  Dollars,  for  the  use  of 
the  Militia  of  that  County. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Peter  Dehaven 
&  Co.,  for  £500,  to  be  charged  to  their  acco't. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  41 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Lieut.  Win. 
Moore  of  the  2nd  Pen'a  Reg't  in  Continental  Service,  to  be  charg'd 
to  Col.  DeHaas,  for  recruiting  service. 

Resolved,  That  an  order  be  given  to  John  Bray,  or  any  other 
Constable,  to  impress  a  Close  Carriage  with  Horses  from  Jame3 
Pemberton,  John  Pemberton,  Israel  Pemberton,  or  Sam'l  Emlen, 
jun'r,  to  remove  General  Roberdeau  to  Lancaster. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  John  Litle  for  273  lbs.  of  nails,  £27  6  0, 
for  the  use  of  the  Salt  works  on  Tom's  River. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed  to  send  3  or  4  Tons  of  Powder 
to  the  Committee  of  Lancaster,  to  be  stored  there. 

Resolved,  That  the  regulations  lately  adopted  by  this  Council 
concerning  Salt  be  no  longer  continued,  and  that  all  persons  shall  be  at 
Liberty  to  import  that  Article,  and  sell  it  in  such  manner  and  such 
prices  as  they  shall  find  voluntary  Purchasers. 
Adjourned  to  3  o'Clock. 


Met  at  3  O'Clock. 

TH'S  WHARTON,  j'r,  Pies' t. 

OwenBiddle,  D.  Rittenhouse, 

John  Hubley,  Francis  G-urney. 

Jos.  Blewer, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Capt.  Jacob  Ge- 
rard Dyrk,  for  300  Dollars,  for  recruiting  Service,  to  be  charged  to 
Col.  James  Irvine. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt'n  Michael  Hahn  £7  6  1, 
for  expences  of  a  Comp'y  of  Militia,  for  Drums,  &ca.,  1  Ratt'n 
York  Co. 

Wm.  Brady  £39  9  6,  for  Cloth,  &ca,  &ca. 

John  M'Dowell  £2  2  0,  for  Lead. 

Jos.  Stride  for  Painting  Gun  Carriages,  &ca.,  £Q1  4  0, 2  acco'ts. 

Resolved,  That  the  Inhabitants  of  this  City  who  have  Bar  Iron 
or  other  Stores  necessary  for  Public  or  Private  use,  be  freely  per- 
mitted to  sell  as  usual. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favo'r  of  Thomas  Davis, 
for  £100,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Chris' r  Marshall, 
Sen'r,  for  ^100  0  0,  to  supply  the  Families  of  Poor  Associators 
of  Capt'n  Bruster's  Company. 

Resolved,  That  our  Treasury  and  the  Books  of  that  office  be 
removed  to  Lancaster,  &  that  a  waggon  be  provided  to-morrow  mor- 
ning early  for  that  purpose. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Robert  Erwine  provide  John  M.  Nesbitt, 
Esq'r,  with  the  first  waggon  that  comes  in  for  the  service  of  the 


42  MINUTES  OF  THE. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  December  10th?  1776. 

present : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Chairman. 

Francis  Gurney,  Joseph  Blewer, 

James  Cannon,  John  Hubler. . 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Capt.  Jehu  Wood  of  Col. 
Ellis,  of  Glocester  County,  New  Jersey,  Seven  Stand  of  arms,  to  be 
charged  to  him. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Robert  Towers  £73  1  2i,  for 
mens'  wages,  Making  Cartridges,  &ca,  £73  1  2|. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Thomas  Oliver  £24  0  0,  for  his  wages  work- 
ing in  Labretory. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Wm.  Roberts  £58  2  7,  for  Carpenters'  Work 
at  State  House. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Capt.  George 
Bickham,  for  5000  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Capt.  Francis  Grice  £26  6  0,  for  Expences 
of  waggons,  &ca. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Wm.  McCormick  £2 
10  0,  for  bawling  10  Loads  of  Coal. 

Capt.  Bickham  to  pay  James  Coffie  £44  11  1,  for  work  done  on 
board  the  Delaware  armed  Boat. 

Resolved,  That  the  Wrardens  of  this  City  be  empowered  to  em- 
ploy persons  to  Patrole  the  Streets,  in  order  to  prevent  riots,  burg- 
larys,  and  other  disorders,  and  that  they  be  directed  to  pay  particu- 
lar attention  to  the  security  of  the  Inhabitants,,  taking  care  not  to 
employ  any  Persons  disaffected  to  the  present  established  Govern- 
ment. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Capt.  Geo.  Bickham,  in  favour  of  Balser 
Spangler,  for  £169  9  8,  lor  wagon  Hire  &  other  expences,  in  Con- 
veying British  Prisoners  from  Yorktown  to  Brunswick. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  for  Fifty  Pounds, 
for  Losses  sustained  by  him  in  the  service  of  this  State. 

Frederick  Sneider  was  authorized  to  impress  four  Horses  for  Ex- 
presses. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  John  Mitchel, 
Esq'r,  for  £1500,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Capt.  Geo.  Bickham,  in  fav'r  of  Lieuts. 
Butler,  Montgomery,  Dunn,  &  Davis,  for  forty  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress,  for  riding  Express. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Geo.  Bickham,  in  fav'r  of  Doct'r 
Jonathan  Potts,  for  £250,  to  remove  and  Provide  for  the  sick 
soldiers,  &  charge  the  same  to  bis  acco't. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  43 

Henry  Tudor  i?10,  for  a  month's  Wages  as  Pilot  on  board  the 
Ship  Montgomery. 


Met  at  3  o'Clock,  Decem'r  10th,  1776. 

OWEN  BIDDLE,  Chair'n. 
F.  Gurney,  Jos.  Blewer, 

James  Cannon,    .  John  Hubley. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Geo.  Bickham,  in  favour  of  Capt' 
Jos.  Blewer,  for  £250,  to  supply  the  Families  of  Militia  at  Camp, 
charge  the  same  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Bickham,  £100,  in  fav'r  of  Proctly 
Blackston,  to  supply  the  Families  of  Capt.  Hugh  Lenox  Com- 
pany, to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Bickham,  in  fav'r  of  Capt.  Stephen 
Cromzine,  for  £15  0  0,  to  be  distributed  among  the  Families  of 
the  Poor  Associators  in  his  Company,  of  Berks  County. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Bickham  for  Thirty  Pounds,  for  two 
month's  pay,  to  be  due  the  21st  Inst. 

An  order  on  Mr.  Bickham,  in  fav'r  of  Capt.  Rich'd  Brown  of 
Col.  Miles'  late  Keg't. 

Mr.  Bickham  to  pay  Tho's  Adams  £1  5  0,  for  attendance  on  this 
Council. 

Mr.  Bickham  to  pay  Mathew  Greer  5611  7  6,  for  Cloth  delivered. 

Mr.  Bickham  to  pay  Thomas  McKewn  .£39  4  0,  for  Shoes  & 
Stockings  delivered. 

Resolved,  That  Six  Honest  and  discreet  men  be  appointed  by 
this  board  to  examine  into  the  causes  of  the  Commitment  of  Messrs. 
William  Smith,  Joseph  Stansburry,  and  others,  and  if  upon  such 
examination  it  shall  appear  to  them  that  they  have  been  guilty  of 
any  practices  tending  to  alienate  the  minds  of  the  people  from  the 
present  Government  of  this  State,  or  any  thing  treasonable  against 
the  same,  to  certify  such  practices  and  things,  and  confirm  the  Com- 
mitments of  the  said  Persons,  or  any  of  them,  until  discharged  by 
this  Council,  or  some  other  authority  under  the  same,  but  if  upon 
such  examination,  there  shall  not  appear  reasonable  cause  of  Com- 
mitment of  such  persons  to  discharge  them,  or  any  of  them,  from 
their  Confinement,  on  making  and  subscribing  a  decleration  of  Fi- 
delity and  Allegiance  to  this  State.  In  the  mean  time  Mr.  Robert 
Jewell  is  directed  and  authorized  to  keep  Messrs.  Wm.  Smith, 
Joseph  Stransburry,  &  others,  in  Custody  un till  so  discharged. 

The  Council  being  informed  by  General  Washington  that  he  had 
given  notice  to  the  several  Colonels  of  Bucks  County  Militia  with- 
)ut  delay  to  March  their  men  to  Head  Quarters,  and  as  it  appears 
;o  this  board,  that  the  measures  taken  by  the  General  is  essentially 
lecessary  at  this  Critical  time ;  it  is  therefore 


44  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Resolved,  That  the  Colonels  or  Commanding  officers  of  that 
County  comply  with  the  General's  request  without  delay,  any  order 
of  this  board  before  this  nowithstanding. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  Dec'r  11th,  1776. 

PRESENT  : 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Jos.  Blewer, 

John  Hubley,  James  Cannon. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  to  pay  Jos.  Mcllvaine  £66  11  1,  for  Ex- 
pences  in  removing  prisoners  of  war  from  Bristol  to  Reading. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Sam'l  Wheeler  for  Smith's 
work  £56  16  10. 

Robert  Fitzgerald  £40  2  5,  for  Blockmaker's  work,  &ea. 

Col.  Jos.  Penrose  of  10th  Pen'a  Reg't,  2000  Dollars  for  recruit- 
ing service,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

David  Pancoast  to  purchase  Wheels,  &ca.  for  Gun  Carriages 
£150. 

Thomas  Nevill  £200,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Resolved,  That  Captains  Johnston's  &  Bethel  be  appointed  to  as- 
sist Col.  Dean  &  Lieu't  Jos.  Watkins,  in  having  the  Continental 
Stores  removed,  and  that  they  have  powers  to  procure  Guards 
from  the  Town  Major,  and  every  other  power  necessary  for  effectually 
performing  the  service. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Wm.  Morris  £5  5  0, 
Edward  Stroud  £20  0  0,  &  John  Bray  £2  10,  for  riding  express  to 
the  Country  &  attendance,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Col.  Evan  Evans  of  Chester  County  £2  9  4,  for  expence  of 
carrying  Baggage  from  Chester  County,  &  £2  0  5  for  Flints  &  Lead 
for  the  use  of  his  Battalion,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Maj'r  Proctor  £300,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Arthur  Donaldson  £100,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Bernard  Galgher  for  a  Towline  for  the  Floating  Battery  Putnam, 
£19  1  3. 

Sam'l  Moore  £100,  for  the  use  of  Poor  Families  of  Capt.  Fal- 
coner's Company  of  the  3rd  Battalion  of  this  City  Militia  whose 
Husbands  are  at  Camp. 

Col.  James  Moore  of  Chester  County  £100,  to  pay  a  month  ad- 
vance to  his  Battalion,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  for  £188  11  4,  on  G.  Bickham,  in  favour  of  John 
Redman,  for 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Capt.  Bickham,  for  £22  12  6,  in  fav'r 
of  Capt.  Martin  Wirt,  for  his  own  &  6  Semens'  wages  on  b'd  am- 
munition Sloop. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  45 

Isaac  Yanost  £7  10  0,  for  60  Guner's  Handspikes,  d'd  Mr.  Jno. 

Peter  Groves  £2  5  0,  for  attendance  on  the  Council. 

John  Denton  £33  16  0,  for  Breeches,  &ca.,  delivered. 

Jost  Driesbach  £40,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't  as  Lieut,  in 
Capt'n  Shade's  Company  in  Col.  Miles'  Battalion. 

Capt.  John  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  Daniel  Evans  £56  9  6, 
for  Blacksmith's  work  done;  Henry  Sanderson  £31  18  10,  for 
Swanskin,  Towlinen,  &ca;  Wm.  Grant  £12  16  3,  for  Swanskin, 
&ca ;  Martin  Wirt  in  the  Service,  £70,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

James  Biddle,  Esq'r,  for  his  attendance  with  the  late  Commit- 
tee of  Safety,  148  days  a  8s,  £59  4. 

The  following  resolution  of  Assembly  was  ordered  to  be  inserted 
in  the  Minutes  of  this  Council : 

«  In  Assembly,  December  10th,  1776,  P.  M. 

''  On  Motion, 

"  Resolved,  That  Andrew  Caldwell,  Joseph  March,  William 
Moore,  Joseph  Dean,  Jonathan  Bayard  Smith,  Thomas  Fitzsim- 
mons  and  George  Campbell,  be  appointed  assistants  to  the  Council 
of  Safety,  who  are  desired  to  enter  immediately  on  that  Service, 
who  with  the  said  Council,  are  hereby  authorized  and  required  to 
exercise  the  same  powers  the  said  Council  have  heretofore  Exer- 
cised, untill  further  orders  from  this  House. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes, 

"CALEB  DAVIS,  Cl'k,  pro.  temp." 

Adjourned  to  3  o'clock. 


Met  at  3  o'clock. 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhousb,  V.  P. 

Jos.  Blewer,  John  Hubley, 

James  Cannon,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Francis  Gurney,  Owen  Biddle, 

Wm.  Moore,  Timothy  Matlack. 

Mr.  John  Redman  to  pay  Capt.  Robert  Adams,  for  Drummers 
&  Fifer's  wages,  £10  10  0. 

Mr.  Redman  to  pay  Capt.  Andrew  Rab  £15  17  6,  for  Drums, 
Fifes,  &ca. 

To  pay  Wm  Trumbull  £6  16,  for  Cartouch  Boxes  &  Bayonet 
belts,  delivered  to  Mr.  Towers. 

Philip  Wert  £70,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Sam'l  C.  Morris  £30,  on  account  of  his  Wages  for  attendance 
in  Council,  to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 


46  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Abraham  Mason  £17  15  2,  for  making  Sails,  &ca.?  for  the 
armed  Boat  Convention. 

John  Annis  £17  2  6,  for  men's  wages  for  quilting  Grape  Shot, 

Capt.  Snively  of  Col.  Potts' s  Battalion  £36  5  4,  for  Blankets, 
arms,  &ca.,  &ca. 

Capt.  Lower  for  expences  in  collecting   arms,  &c,  &c,  £9  '8  9. 

Capt.  Richard,  arms  &  other  expences  for  the  Company,  £22- 
15  6. 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Mr.  S  C.  Morris  50  axes  for 
Continental  Service. 

Mr.  John  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  Samuel  Miller  £1240 
7  7,  being  for  wages  &  Rations  of  a  Company  of  Foot,  taken , 
Commanded  by  Van  Swearengin,  into  pay  of  this  State,  by  the  late 
Assembly,  from  February  to  11  August  last,  in  the  County  of 
Westmoreland,  for  the  defence  of  said  County  against  the  depre- 
dations threatned  by  the  Indians. 

As  it  is  of  great  Consequence  to  the  people  to  be  informed  of 
the  situation  of  Public  affairs,  and  there  is  no  Press  now  in  the 
City  capable  of  giving  such  intelligence  j  therefore 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Dunlap's  press  and  types  be  employed  for 
that  purpose,  and  as  it  is  a  time  of  more  than  usual  Danger,  this 
board  will  pay  the  value  of  them  in  case  they  should  fall  into  the 
enemy's  hands. 

General  Washington  having  applied  to  this  board  to  give  Major 
General  Putnam  all  the  Assistance  in  our  Power  toward  throwing 
up  Works  of  defence  for  this  City,  which  are  absolutely  necessary, 
and  as  many  of  its  Inhabitants  have  not  taken  up  arms  to  defend 
it  against  the  invasion  with  which  it  is  now  threatened,  whose  indis- 
pensable duty  it  is  to  Contribute  in  some  way  to  the  Common  de- 
fence; therefore, 

Resolved,  That  all  able  bodied  men,  inhabitants  of  this  City  and 
environs,  do  contribute  their  equal  proportion  of  Labour,  either  by 
themselves  or  their  Substitutes,  towards  raising  the  necessary  works 
of  defence  j  the  persons  so  employed  to  have  the  same  pay  and  Rations 
as  the  Militia  now  in  the  field,  and  in  case  any  person  shall  neglect 
or  refuse  to  serve  in  his  turn,  the  Commanding  officer,  or  such  person 
as  he  shall  appoint  for  that  purpose,  is  hereby  authorized  to  Seize 
and  make  sale  of  the  Goods  and  Chattels  of  the  respective  delin- 
quents, to  the  amount  of  such  Sum  as  shall  induce  another  person 
to  perform  the  work  in  their  Stead;  And  it  is  recommended  to  the 
General  to  call  forth  the  inhabitants  to  this  Service  by  regular  rota- 
tion, in  such  manner  as  may  most  effectually  promote  the  same. 

[Here  follows  one  and  a  half  blank  pages  in  Council  Book.] 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  47 


December  12th,  1776. 

PRESENT  I 

THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Presid't. 

Owen  Biddle,  Chairman. 

John  Hubley,  Timothy  Matlack, 

Jos-.  Blewer,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

David  Rittenhouse,  James  Cannon, 

Wm.  Moore,  Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r. 

Francis  Gurney, 

Mr.  John  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Christopher  Marshall, 
Sen'r,  for  £112  10  0,  to  provide  for  the  poor  of  Capt.  Bruster's 
Company. 

Mr.  Redman  to  pay  Philip  Boehm  &  Jacob  Utrey  £100,  for  the 
poor  of  Capt.  Wills'  Company,  1  Batt'n. 

Mr.  John  Redman  to  pay  Jer.  Baker  £103  13  3,  for  wood  de- 
livered at  the  Barracks. 

Mr.  Robt.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  to  Col.  Penrose,  arms, 
accoutrements  &  amunition  for  all  his  men. 

Mr.  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  John  Hubley  £20,  towards 
his  wages  for  attendance  on  Council,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Messrs.  Mease  <fe  Caldwell  were  directed  to  deliver  Blankets  & 
Clothing  for  all  his  men. 

Resolved,  That  Col.  Penrose  take  the  twenty  men  of  Col.  Miles's 
Battalion  now  in  Town,  &  join  them  to  his  Battalion  for  the  pre- 
sent. 

Mr.  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  John  Beyeley,  for  work  done 
for  the  Dellewar  Galley,  £4  12. 

Mr.  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Stephen  Bayard  for  re- 
cruiting Services  for  3  Penn'a  Reg't,  Commanded  by  Col.  Wood. 

Mr.  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  James  Galbreath  for  Linen, 
Buckskin  Breeches,  £82  19  6. 

Frederick  Snyder  for  a  Blanket,  £1  0  0 

Esther  Burke,  for  nursing  sick  of  Col.  Miles  Batt'n  2  weeks,  £1  2  0 

Resolved,  That  Capt.  Joseph  Stiles  be  employed  in  Superintend- 
ing the  Elabratory  for  providing  Stores  for  our  Galley's  and  other 
armaments  of  this  State,  to  assist  Mr.  Robert  Towers. 

A  Commission  was  granted  to  Thomas  Philips,  first  Lieutenant  of 
the  armed  Boat  Delaware,  dated  this  day. 

Mr.  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  Peter  Lower  £'73  11  0,  for  arms 
taken  from  Non-associators,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Thomas  Potts,  & 
to  Capt.  Shiner  £%>  15  0,  for  Waggon  Hire,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 


Mr.  Redman  to  pay  Mr.  Rob't  Jewell  400  Dollars,  to  be  charged 
to  his  acco't. 


48  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Redman  to  pay  Major  Nicola  £30,  for  expenees  attending 
Guards. 

Mr.  Jno.  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Richard  Brown,  of 

Col.  Miles'  Battalion,  for  8  Rifles,  £43  10  6 

for  24  Waggon  Hire,  £24  00  0 

for  his  Rations  77  days  2s  3  }    «8  -,«  q 

from  27th  August  to  Nov'r  12th,  j   *8  l6  * 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Jno.  Redman,  in  favour  of  Messrs. 
Ross  &  Ega  for  £1200,  on  acc't  of  Shott  cast  for  this  State,  to  be 
charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  John  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  James  Old  for  £2000, 
to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  John  Patton  £350,  to- 
wards Cannon  Shot  Cast  by  him  for  this  State,  to  be  charged  to  his 
acco't. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  December  13th,  1776. 

present  : 

THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Presid't. 
David  Rittenhouse,  Owen  Biddle, 

John  Bull,  Francis  Gurney, 

James  Cannon,  Joseph  Blewer, 

Wm.  Moore,  Timothy  Matlack. 

Resolved,  That  Peter  Dehaven  be  directed  to  procure  Waggons 
to  Carry  the  Tools  belonging  to  the  Gunlock  Factory,  and  such 
arms  as  want  repair,  to  some  convenient  place,  not  more  than  30 
miles  from  Philadelphia,  there  to  erect  the  Factory. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Jno.  Redman,  in  fav'r  of  Paul 
Fooks  for  £50,  to  supply  Families  of  Poor  Militia  of  Capt.  Boyd's 
Comp'y  of  2nd  Battalion  of  this  City. 

Mr.  John  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Rob't  Connolly  400 
Dollars,  for  recruiting  service  for  4th  Penn'a  Reg't,  to  be  charged  to 
the  Reg't. 

Mr.  Redman  to  pay  For  arms  &  Blankets  taken  from  non-asso- 
ciators,  £90  13  0,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Potts. 

Mr.  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  Tho's  Wharton,  jun'r,  Esq'r, 
One  Hundred  &  Thirty  Pounds,  in  part,  for  Services  at  this  board. 

Mr.  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  John  Bull  600  Dollars,  to 
advance  a  month's  pay  to  his  Battalion  of  Philad'a  County. 

Mr.  Redman  to  pay  Col.  Francis  Johnson  500  Dollars,  for  re- 
cruiting service  for  the  5th  Penn'a  Regiment,  to  be  charged  to 
Col.  Anthony  Wayne. 

Mr.  Redman  to  pay  Col.  Rich'd  Thomas  £2  11  6,  for  repainDg 
Arms. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  49 

Mr.  Redman  to  pay  Henry  Huber  £30,  towards  manufacturing 
Powder,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Lieu't  Col.  Curry  to  deliver  Henry  Huber  one  Ton  of  Salt 
Petre. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Redman,  in  fav'r  of  Lieut.  Col. 
Geo.  Nagle  for  1000  Dollars,  on  acco't  of  Recruiting  Service  for 
9th  Pen'a  Reg't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Redman,  in  favour  of  Capt.  Gibs 
Jones,  200  Dollars,  advance  money  to  his  Company  of  voluntiers. 

Mr.  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  Arthur  Erwin,  of  Bucks 
County,  Two  Hundred  Pounds,  to  advance  a  month's  pay  to  his 
Battalion  of  Militia  of  Bucks  County,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Col.  Arthur  Erwin 
arms  &  accoutrements  for  66  men,  he  to  be  accountable. 

Resolved,  That  the  officers  of  Militia  who  can  raise  indiscrimi- 
nately, out  of  any  Battalion  or  Battalions,  a  number  of  men  to  join 
General  Washington's  Army,  are  hereby  fully  authorized  and  em- 
powered so  to  do;  and  it  is  recommended  to  all  the  said  Officers  to 
use  their  best  endeavours  to  forward  this  salutary  business,  agreeable 
to  the  Resolves  of  the  Honorable  House  of  Assembly  of  yesterday, 
for  which  purpose  they  shall  be  paid  all  reasonable  Expences. 

Resolved,  That  Col.  John  Bull  be  empowered  to  employ  a  num- 
ber of  Waggons  to  remove  the  Powder  and  other  Military  Stores 
from  the  New  Powder  Mills  at  French  Creek  and  Norrington 
towards  Lancaster,  there  to  remain  untill  further  orders,  under  the 
care  of  such  persons  as  he  shall  appoint  to  Guard  the  same. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  Treas'r,  in 
fav'r  of  Capt.  Sam'l  Miller,  for  ^3000,  on  acco't  of  Pay  for  the 
8th  Penn'a  Regiment,  &  charge  the  same  to  Colonel  Eneas  McCoy. 

Capt,  Bickham  was  directed  to  deliver  Capt.  John  Jacobs  14 
p'r  shoes  &  14  pTr  Stockings. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  December  14th,  1776. 

PRESENT  I 

DAVID  RITTEN  HOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Jos.  Blewer, 

Wm.  Moore,  Francis  Gurney, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  James  Gannon. 

Timothy  Matlack, 
Mr.  John  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  Lieut.  Peter  Shaffner  40 
Dollars,  in  part  of  Pay  due,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  Wm.  Thomson  for  Swanskin, 
elivered  to  Capt'n  Bickham,  £1  6  10. 
VOL.  XI. — 4. 


50  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Jamea  Ennis  £%  7  6,  for  riding  Express,  &c,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 

John  Kencil,  for  riding  Express  to  Chester  County,  to  carry 
orders  to  bring  in  waggons,  £5  0  0. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stores  and  Shops  in  this  city  be  immediately 
opened  by  the  owners,  and  goods  sold  as  usual. 

Messrs.  Mease  &  Caldwell  were  requested  to  deliver  to  CapL 
Win.  Potts  Twenty-five  Blankets,  for  the  use  of  his  men  on  board 
the  armed  Boat  under  his  Command. 

Mr.  Redman  was  directed  to  pay  Josiah  Hewes  £&%  10  0,  for 
9  muskets  delivered  to  Mr.  Towers. 

George  G-enter  £8  5  0,  for  going  Express,  &  attendance  on  with 
a  Horse,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Capt.  John  Jacobs  <£100,  to  bear  expences  of  his  Company  in 
Guarding  State  Prisoners  to  Baltimore. 

Geo.  Genter  £8  5  0,  for  riding  Express  &  attendance,  &ca.,  to- 
be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Redman  in  fav'r  of  Jacob  Lush  for 
£50,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Redman  in  fav'r  of  Doct'r  Robt, 
Harris  for  £100,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Redman  in  favour  of  Col.  Evan 
Evans  for  1000  Dollars,  to  pay  his  Battalion  of  Militia  a  month's 
wages  advance,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Resolved,  That  Capt.  John  Redman,  Paymaster,  do  proceed  Im- 
mediately to  the  Quarters  of  the  Pennsylvania  Regiment  now  un- 
der the  Command  of  Major  Enion  Williams,  and  pay  off  so  much 
of  what  is  due  to  the  officers  &  men  of  said  Regiment  as  the  said 
Major  shall  think  proper. 

Resolved,  That  Doct'r  Thomas  Young  be  appointed  to  assist 
Doct'r  Potts  in  taking  care  of  sick  soldiers  of  the  army,  for  which 
he  shall  have  the  rank  and  pay  of  Senior  Surgeon  in  the  Conti- 
nental Hospital. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  December  15th,  1776, 

present : 
THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Owen  Riddle,  Joseph  Blewer, 

John  Bull,  Francis  Gurney, 

Timothy  Matlack,  Wm.  Moore. 

James  Cannon, 
An  order  was  drawn  on  Messrs.   Mease  &  Caldwell,  in  fav'r  of 
Mr.  Geo.   Strahly,  for  15,000  Dollars,  to  be  delivered  to  the  Com- 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.    .  51 

mifctee  of  Lancaster  County,  for  the  purpose  of  paying  the  Militia 
now  about  to  March  to  Camp. 

'An  order  was  drawn  on  Messrs.  Jno.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  in  favour 
of  Mr.  John  Shaffer,  Paymaster,  for  2000  Dollars,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  paying  a  month's  wages  advance  to  the  1st  Batt'n  of  Militia 
of  the  City  and  Liberties  of  Philad'a,  he  to  be  accountable. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Messrs.  Mease  &  Caldwell,  in  favour  of 
Lt.  Col.  Wm.  Dewees,  for  300  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Pas- 
cliall,  to  pay  a  month's  advance  to  his  Batt'n  of  Militia. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Jno.  Nesbitt  for  two  hundred  Dollars^ 
pay'ble  to  Capt.  Jno.  McPherson,  &  charge  them  to  his  acco't. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  December  16th,  1776. 

PRESENT : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  j'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P, 

Owen  Biddle,  Francis  G-urney, 

Wm.   Moore,  Joseph  Blewer, 

James  Cannon,  John  Bull. 

Resolved,  That  Francis  Nichols  be  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Cap- 
tain, and  that  in  Consideration  of  his  sufferings  &  services,  that  he 
have  pay  and  rank  from  the  time  of  his  late  Captain's  death,  on  the 
1st  day  of  January  last. 

Resolved ,  That  Isaac  Melchor  be  appointed  Barrack  Master 
General  of  this  State,  with  the  rank  of  Colonel. 

Capt.  John  Read,  Barrack  Master  at  Fort  Island,  was  directed 
to  deliver  to  Cqlonel  Melchor  One  hundred  Cords  of  Wood,  for  the 
use  of  the  Barracks  in  this  City,  &ca. 

John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  was  directed  to  pay  Mrs. 
Connely  £8  2  6,  for  6£  weeks'  allowance  granted  by  Congress,  at 
25s  f  week,  (from  28  Oct'r  to  12th  Dec'r.) 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Wilson  £2  5  0,  for  dis- 
tributing advertisements. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Samuel —  a  month's 

wages  as  Carpenter  on  board  the  armed  Boat  Commanded  by  Capt. 
Houston,  £b  0  0. 

Two  orders  were  drawn  on  Mr.  Prichet  to  deliver  Col.  Greer  30 
►ushels  of  Salt,  &  Col.  Hunter  30  Bushels  of  salt,  both  of  Berks 
bounty. 

Mr.  Rob't  Eastburn  was  directed  to  deliver  James  Elder  one 
raggon  Load  of  Salt,  for  the  use  of  the  militia  of  Cumberland 
"ounty. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Stephen  Bayard  1000 
Mlarsj  for  recruiting  service  for  Col.  Wood's  Regiment. 


52  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  John  McTennet  £15  0  0,  for  Stone  delivered 
at  the  Piers  at  Fort  Island. 

Hall  &  Allen  £28  0  6,  for  Iron  Work  for  Piers. 

David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  £40,  on  acco't  of  His  services  as  mem- 
ber of  the  late  Committee  &  the  present  Council  of  Safety. 

Messrs.  Mease  &  Caldwell  were  requested  to  deliver  to  Capt. 
Joseph  Blewer  20  Blankets,  for  the  use  of  the  armed  Boat  Com- 
manded by  Capt.  Garland. 

Resolved,  That  any  person  who  shall  pass  Schuylkil  on  the 
Bridge  erected  at  the  Middle  Ferry,  who  are  not  in  public  service, 
shall  pay  a  Toll  to  Mr.  Joseph  Ogden  equal  to  the  Customary 
ferriage,  untill  further  orders  from  this  Council,  as  it  was  not  the 
intention  of  this  Board  to  injure  the  revenues  of  Mr.  Ogden,  who 
is  subject  to  rent  and  his  usual  expence. 

Whereas,  The  Committee  of  Easton  have  appointed  Mr.  Abra- 
ham Berlin  to  provide  provision,  Fire  wood,  &  other  necessaries  for 
the  sick  Soldiers  at  Eastown, 

Resolved,  That  this  Council  will  make  a  reasonable  Compensa- 
tion to  Mr.  Abraham  Berlin  for  His  Trouble  and  Fatigue  in  this 
Business. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Benjamin  Paschall,  withDoct'r  Young,  view 
the  sick  Soldiers  in  the  Hospital  in  and  about  the  City,  and  take 
an  account  of  the  names  of  each,  with  the  Regiment  and  Company 
they  belong  to,  and  make  a  return  of  it  to  the  Commissary,  who  ia 
to  supply  all  such  with  Rations  as  they  may  think  proper,  and 
point  out  those  who  are  fit  for  duty  to  their  respective  Corps,  and 
discharge  those  whose  times  are  out  and  have  recovered. 

Resolved,  That  Capt.  Blewer  be  authorized  to  make  such  an  al- 
lowance to  the  Families  of  those  men  who  are  in  our  naval  service 
as  he  finds  necessary. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Jacob 
Shoemaker,  for  600  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  the  Committee  of 
Easton,  for  the  purpose  of  providing  for  the  sick  Soldiers  there. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Towers,  in  favour  of  Major  Geo. 
Erwin,  for  300  stand  of  arms  &  Accoutrements  for  Col.  Porter's 
Battalion  of  Lancaster  County. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  James  Teas  £16  0  3;  for  Linen 
r&  woolen  delivered  to  Capt.  Bickham. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  53 


In  Council  of  Safety,  December  17th,  1776. 

present : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

David  Ritenhouse,  James  Cannon- 

Timothy  Matlack,  Owen  Biddle, 

Joseph  Dean,  Francis  Gurney, 

Joseph  Blewer,  John  Bull. 

Wm.  Moore, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Jno.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  Treas'r,  in  fav'r 
of  Mr.  Rob't  Irwin,  for  £300. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Doct'r  G.  Clarkson  £84,  for  at- 
tending sick  soldiers,  to  be  charged  to  Congress,  &  £12  0  0,  for 
attending  sick  soldiers  belonging  to  Major  Proctor's  Comp'y. 

Messrs.  Peter  Dehaven  &  Co.  £500,  to  be  charged  to  their  acco't. 

Mr.  Tho's  Nevil  £200,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Benj'n  Poultney  £373  5  3? 
for  Shovels  delivered  to  Capt.  Bickham. 

Mr.  Jacob  Shoemaker  £71  15  0,  for  Arms  taken  from  non-As- 
sociators  in  Northampton  County,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Geo.  Tay- 
lor. 

Resolved,  That  all  Waggoners  who  come  to  this  City  in  pursu- 
ance of  the  request  of  this  board,  in  order  to  Convey  the  public 
Stores  to  proper  Magazines,  do,  at  their  arrival  in  this  City,  apply 
to  Mr.  Rob't  Erwin,  Waggon  Master  General,  to  be  entered  for 
that  service,  &  that  their  accounts  be  settled  &  paid  by  Mr.  Erwin, 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Samuel  Snowden£4  15  0,  for 
Porterage  of  Cannon,  &ca,  &ca,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  George  Losh  was  requested  to  deliver  to  William  Henry, 
Esq'r,  at  Lancaster,  such  powder  as  he  has  made  or  may  make  out 
of  the  Salt  Petre  delivered  him  by  this  Council. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favor  of  Philip  Bcehmr 
for  £15  0  0,  for  the  purpose  of  providing  for  the  Poor  families  of 
Militia  of  Capt.  Hassenclever's  Comp'y  of  1st  Batt'n  of  the  City 
&  Liberties  of  Philad'a. 

Mr.  JSTesbitt  to  pay  Arch'd  Fleming  £5  9  3,  for  Cloth,  &ca,  d'd 
Capt.  Bickham. 

Thomas  Moss,  for  Boarding  &  Nursing  a  sick  soldier  belonging 
to  Major  Proctor's  Artillery,  £7  17  If. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  David  Dashler, 
for  2000  Dollars,  to  be  paid  to  Peter  Rhoads,  Esq'r,  of  Northamp- 
ton County,  for  the  purpose  of  paying  a  Month's  wages  advance  to 
the  Militia  of  said  County,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Capt.  John  Da- 
vis, for  recruiting  service  of  the  9th  Penn'a  Reg't,  to  be  charged 
to  Colonel  James  Irvine. 


54  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  an  order  drawn  by  Win.  Lyon, 
Esq'r,  on  this  Board,  in  fav'r  of  Stephen  Duncan,  for  1600  Dollars, 
for  the  use  of  the  Militia  of  Cumberland  County,  to  be  charged 
Mr.  Lyons. 

Messrs.  Mease  &  Caldwell  were  requested  to  deliver  25  Blankets 
for  the  1st  Batt'n  Philad'a  Militia. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  : 

The  widow  Spring  £6  10  0,  for  Storage  of  Powder. 

John  Wiley   £2  6  0,  for  4  y'ds  Swanskin. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  General  Washington  to 
issue  orders  immediately  for  the  Militia  of  Bucks  and  Northamp- 
ton Counties  forthwith  to  join  his  Army,  and  to  send  out  parties  to 
disarm  every  Person  who  does  not  obey  the  Summons,  and  to  seize 
and  treat  as  Enemies  all  those  who  shall  attempt  to  oppose  the  Ex- 
ecution of  this  measure,  and  likewise  every  person  in  those  Coun- 
ties who  are  known  or  suspected  to  be  enemies  to  the  United 
States. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Henry  Stiles  be  appointed  Quarter  Master,  and 
Doct'r  Michael  Jennings  Surgeon,  to  the  11th  Pennsylvania  Regi- 
ment, Commanded  by  Col.  Richard  Humpton. 

On  Motion, 

Resolved,  That  all  the  persons  who  have  been  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  Colonels,  who  had  rank  or  precedence  of  Colonel  Joseph 
Wood,  before  he  was  promoted  from  the  rank  of  Major,  ought,  in 
the  opinion  of  this  Council,  still  to  take  Rank  and  precedence  of 
the  said  Colonel  Wood,  &  that  they  do  take  rank  accordingly. 


Jn  Council  of  Safety,  December  18th,  1776. 

PRESENT  I 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Francis  Gurney, 

John  Bull,  Joseph  Dean, 

Jos.  Blewer,  Timothy  Matlack, 

Wm.  Lyon,  James  Cannon. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Robert 
Erwin,  for  £300,  to  be  charged  to  his  Acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Rob't  Towers  £148  1  0, 
for  men's  wages,  &  Sundry  Expences,  for  working  at  the  Elaboratory, 
&ca.,  &ca. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  John  Cox,  Esq'r, 
One  Thousand  Pounds,  on  acco't  of  Shot,  &ca.,  Cast  for  this  State, 
to  be  charged  to  his  Acco't. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  55 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Major  William 
Masters,  for  Fifty  Pounds,  for  the  purpose  of  providing  for  tbe 
poor  Families  of  Militia  in  Captain  Jehu  Eyres'  Company  of  Mili- 
tia, he  to  be  accountable-. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Gauen  M.  Gnady  £10  6  0,  for 
arms  purchased  in  Bucks  County,  from  non-associators. 

Resolved,  That  every  waggoner  who  refuses  to  take  his  proper 
Load,  as  directed  by  this  Council  or  Quarter  Master  General,  ought 
to  be  immediately  discharged  the  service,  without  pay. 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Mark  M'Caslin  Ten  Barrels 
of  Powder,  for  the  use  of  the  Garrison  at  Fort  Island. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Edward  Hinderson,  a  Soldier  in 
Col.  Miles'  Riffle  Regiment,  £4  10. 

An  order  in  favor  of  John  Paul  passed  for  £3  0  0,  for  dieting 
Militia ;  Mr.  Dean. 

Two  acco'ts  pass  for  dieting  Militia,  in  fav'r  of  Jacob  Cline,  -£4 
12  0. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Capt.  Jacob  Rudolph, 
of  1st  Batt'n  of  Philad'a  County,  Thirty-five  Stand  of  Arms,  tak- 
ing his  receipt. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  2nd  Battalion  of 
Philadelphia  County  Militia  be  authorized  and  required  to  send  a 
Number  of  men  in  different  parties,  to  compell  all  the  able  bodied 
men  within  the  district  to  which  it  belongs  to  join  the  said  Battalion 
immediately,  except  such  as  refuse  from  Religious  scruples,  or  are 
excusable  on  aecount  of  age  or  some  bodily  infirmity;  and  all  offi- 
cers &  privates  are  required  to  give  aid  &  assistance  to  accomplish 
the  same.        t 

Besolved,  That  Allen  Moore  be  appointed  Captain  of  the  Guard 
Stationed  at  the  Middle  Ferry,  on  Schuylkill,  for  the  protection  of 
the  Floating  Bridge. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Jos.  Watkins  £100  16  0. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  December  19th,  1776. 

present : 
THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

Wm.  Moore,  David  Rittenhouse, 

Owen  Biddle,  James  Cannon, 

Timothy  Matlack,  Joseph  Blewer. 

Joseph  Dean, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Col.  Isaac  Mel- 
chor,  Barrack  Master  General,  for  Three  Hundred  Dollars,  he  to 
be  accountable, 


56  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  to  Henry  Litinan  £154  11  2, 
for  Iron  Works  for  the  works  at  Billingsport. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Benjamin  Paschall  be  employed  to  procure 
a  Thousand  pajr  of  shoes  for  our  Troops,  on  the  best  terms  he  can, 
and  as  speedily  as  Possible,  and  the  Council  will  pay  for  the  same, 
and  allow  him  a  reasonable  Compensation  for  his  services. 

Resolved,  That  Capt.  Thomas  Leech  be  appointed  to  take  care 
of  the  sick  soldiers  in  and  near  this  City,  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Ben- 
jamin Paschall,  who  is  appointed  to  another  service. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Timothy  Bar- 
ret, Fifty  Pounds,  for  the  use  of  poor  associators  of  Capt. 
Wade's  Comp'y  of  2nd  Batt'n  of  this  City,  to  be  charged  to  his 
acco't. 

Jno.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  directed  to  pay  three  accounts  of 
arms  taken  from  non- Associators  in  Berks  County,  to  be    charged 
to  Col.  Hunter  of  6th  Battalion,  vizt.: 
One  acco't  56  7  6, 
One    do.     18  6, 
One    do.     56  7. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Jacob  Bright  £50,  for  the  purpose  of  sup- 
plying poor  families  of  Militia,  2  Batt'n,  of  Philad'a,  Capt.  Smith's 
Company,  he  to  be  accountable. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Capt.  Finley  £9  19  0,  for  repairing  arms  be- 
longing to  Col.  Hunter's  Batt'n,  Berks  County. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  John  Robeson  £Q  0  0,  for  a  Riffle. 
John  Allison,       40  0  0,  for  a    do. 
Thomas  Darroch,     6  0  0,  for  a    do. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Geo.  Weiss  £12  12  0,  for  18  pair  of  Shoes 
delivered  to  Capt.  Bickham. 

Resolved,  Ricliff  Alberson  be  appointed  Lieutenant  to  Captain 
Allen  Moore. 

Messrs.  Mease  &  Caldwell  were  directed  to  deliver  to  Capt.  Mat- 
thew Henderson  35  Blankets. 

Resolved,  That  Lewis  Nicola,  Esq'r,  Town  Major,  do  supply 
Capt.  Allen  Moore  with  Sixteen  trusty  men,  to  Guard  the  Floating 
Bridge  over  Schuylkill. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  57 


In  Council  of  Safety,  December  20th,  1776. 

PRESENT  : 

THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

John  Bayard,  Timothy  Matlack, 

Joseph  Dean,  Joseph  Blewer, 

Owen  Biddle,  Francis  Gurney. 

James  Cannon,  John  Bull. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Ludwick  Sb  7  3,  for  re- 
pairing arms,  &ca,,  <fe  also  £7  15  0,  for  Bayonets,  &ca. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Matthew  Whitehead  £430,  for  Repairing 
public  arms. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Benjamin 
Paschall,  for  1000  Dollars,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  Shoes  for 
the  army,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Elias  Botner  £20  7  0,  for  leathering  drag 
Ropes,  Budge  Barrels,  &ca.,  for  artillery,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  John  Murray  one  Thou- 
sand Dollars,  for  recruiting  Service  for  the  Penn'a  Regiment,  he  to 
be  accountable.  , 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Capt.  Woelper  18s  3,  for  6  Buckets,  left  at 
the  Powder. 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  to  Capt.  Crawford,  of  the 
second  Battalion  of  Cumberland  County,  Commanded  by  Col.  Alli- 
son, Sixteen  Muskets  with  Baggonets. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Lieut't  George  Jenkins,  for 
bringing  in  a  deserter  from  New  G-ermantown,  £2  12. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  to  Capt.  George  Bickham  1000 
Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  John  Cummings  be  requested  to  purchase 
such  necessaries  as  the  Sick  Soldiers  in  the  House  of  Employment 
require,  &  to  exhibit  his  acco't  to  this  Council. 


58  MINUTES  OF  THE 


In  Council  of  Safety,  Dec'r21st,  1776. 

TRESENT  : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 
Owen  Biddle,  Chairman. 

Joseph  Blewer,  William  Lyon, 

James  Cannon,  John  Bull, 

Francis  Gurney,  Wm.  Moore. 

Joseph  Dean, 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Several  Commissaries 
in  the  American  Army,  to  Furnish  the  Tanners  who  are  associators 
with  Hides  in  preference  to  all  others,  they  paying  for  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  Col.  Dean  and  Col.  Gurney,  make  inquiry  what 
Quantity  and  kinds  of  Stores  there  are  now  in  this  City  belonging 
to  this  State,  and  that  such  as  are  not  immediately  wanted,  be  de- 
livered to  Mr.  Jedediah  Snowden,  who  is  requested  to  send  them 
to  Lancaster,  under  the  care  of  the  committee  of  that  town. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Mr.  Gustavus 
Resberg,  for  £250,  to  be  charged  to  Capt.  Jos.  Copperthwaite,  for 
the  use  of  the  Continental  Powder  Mill. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Lieut.  Col. 
Francis  Gurney,  for  500  Dollars,  for  account  of  Goods  purchased 
for  the  army,  &  charge  the  same  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Wm.  Thorn, 
for  £10,  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  Poor  Families  of  Capt. 
Hodges'  Company,  of  the  2nd  Battalion  of  Militia  of  this  City. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  to  Mr.  Lattimer  20 
Muskets,  19  Bayonets,  Bayonet  belts,  &  13  Cartouch  Boxes,  for 
the  Delaware  Militia,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Messrs.  Peter 
Dehaven  &  Co.,  for  £200,  to  be  charged  to  their  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Mr.  Peter  Dehaven  £200,  for  to  be  delivered 
to  Lieutenant  Col.  Dewees,  for  Building  Barracks  at  French  Creek 
Powder  Mill,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Dewees. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Capt.  Wm.  Bidley  a  month's  wages  for  him- 
self &  Company,  they  being  stationed  as  a  Guard  at  the  Continen- 
tal Powder  Mill  on  French  Creek,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Capt.  Jno.  Porter  £4  16  0,  for  wages  for 
Drum  &  fife  belonging  to  his  Company  of  Colonel  Bull's  Bat- 
talion. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Daniel  Evens  £74  0  3,  for  Iron 
Work  for  Public  Use. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Capt.  Thomas  Dungan  £27  16  11,  for  Horse 
Hire  &  expences  for  himself  &  12  men. 


,  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  59 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Col.  Armstrong  such  arms  & 
accoutrements  as  he  may  want,  taking  his  receipt. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Ab'm  Mason  for  work  done  by  several  men 
at  the  Elaboratory,  J211  1  6,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

John  Hudson  £3  0  0,  for  3  Blankets  delivered  to  Mr.  Bickham. 

Mr..  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Jacob  Hartman  £Z  5  0,  for  a 
Musket  delivered  to  Capt.  Dungan,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Hill. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  on  acco't  for  work  done  by  sundry  persons  at 
Elaboratory,  ^9  11   0. 


•   Decem'r22d,  1776. 

PRESENT  I 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  Y.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Chairman. 

Francis  Gurney,  Ja's  Cannon, 

John  Bull,  Joseph  Dean. 

Joseph  Blewer, 

Robert  Burton,  Leatherbury  Barker,  William  Barker,  William 
Bagwell,  Littleton  Townsend,  William  Redding  &  Cunning- 

ham, were  committed  to  the  State  prison,  being  Enemies  to  the 
United  States.         • 

Resolved,  That  all  able  bodied  men  of  the  Townships  of  Moya- 
mensing  &  Passyunk,  those  who  have  religious  scruples  against  bear- 
ing arms  alone  excepted,  are  ordered  to  wait  on  General  Putnam  at 
2  o'Clock  to-morrow  afternoon,  with  what  arms  and  accoutrements 
they  may  have  in  their  possession,  to  receive  his  orders,  and  the 
officers  of  the  Militia  in  said  Townships  are  directed  to  deliver  into 
the  Council  a  list  of  all  persons  as  neglect  or  refuse  to  comply  with 
this  resolve. 

Resolved,  That  all  able  bodied  men  of  the  Townships  of  Moya- 
mensing  &  Passyunk,  those  who  have  religious  scruples  against  bear- 
ing arms  alone  excepted,  be  ordered  to  wait  on  General  Putnam  at 
2  o'Clock  to-morrow  afternoon,  with  the  arms  &  accoutrements 
which  they  have  in  Possession,  to  receive  his  orders,  and  the  Officers 
of  %he  Militia  in  said  Townships  are  directed  to  deliver  to  the  Colo- 
nel a  list  of  all  those  who  neglect  or  refuse  to  comply  with  this 
resolve. 

Dan'l  Bancroft  committed  to  Goal,  he  being  sent  from  the  Jersey 
"by  Colonel  Griffin,  susp'd  of  a  Spy. 


60  MINUTES  OF  THE 


la  Council  of  Safety,  Decern.  23d,  1776. 

PRESENT  I 

THO.  WHARTON,  Pres'd. 

David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Joseph  Blewer, 

Joseph  Dean,  Wm.  Lyon. 

James  Cannon, 

Mr.  J.  Brown  was  directed  to  deliver  40  bushels  of  Wheat  to 
Alexander  Lewis,  for  the  use  of  Twenty  Teams  in  the  public  ser- 
vice, he  paying  for  the  same. 

Mr.  Erwin  was  directed  to  pay  Alexander  Lewis  £11  5,  for  his 
service  as  Master  of  a  Brigade  of  Wagons. 

Resolved,  That  the  Constables  belonging  to  the  City  &  Liberties, 
be  directed  immediately  to  go  round  the  several  wards  &  Districts, 
in  Conjunction  with  such  persons  as  Captain  Delany  shall  appoint, 
to  take  lists  of  all  males  from  sixteen  to  fifty  years  of  age,  and  make 
returns  to  this  Council,  for  which  they  shall  be  allowed  reasonable 
wages. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  Captain  Sharpe  Delaney  to 
send  the  party  under  his  Command,  with  the  Constables  of  the  City 
and  Districts,  to  assist  them  in  making  a  return  to  this  Council  of 
the  male  Inhabitants  fit  to  bear  arms.  « 

The  Council  ordered  J.  M.  Nesbit,  Esq'r,  to  pay  Wm.  Clarke 
Forty-Two  Pounds  for  56  days  Service. 

The  Council  order'd  J.  M.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Martin  Pendergast 
Eighty-one  Pounds  16s. 

The  Council  order'd  J.  M.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Coll'l  Gurney  twenty- 
two  Pounds  2s,  on  aec't  of  Goods  deliver'd  G.  Bickman,  Q'r  M'r. 

Drawn  an  order  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  for  ^612  for  two  Rifles,  delivr,d 
to  John  McConnell,  of  Col.  Jos.  Armstrong's  Battalion,  Cumber- 
land Co. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  order'd  to  pay  Jno.  Brown  for  services  in  sinking 
the  Chevaux  de  Frize  at  Billingsport,  Fifty-four  Pounds  five  shil- 
lings &  six  pence,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Order  drawn  on  Mease  &  Caldwell  to  pay  Col.  Evans  one  thou- 
sand Dollars,  to  pay  a  month's  advance  to  his  Batt'n. 

Order  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  G.  Bickham,  or  order,  Three 
Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Order  Drawn  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  to  pay  Rob't  Towers  one 
Hundred  &  Eighty  Pounds  thirteen  Shillings  &  Nine  Pence. 

J.  M.  Nesbitt  order'd  to  pay  John  Elmslie  thirty-two  Pounds 
Twelve  Shillings  &  Nine  pence,  for  making  moulds  for  3  4  &  6 
Pounders. 

J.  M.  Nesbitt  order'd  to  pay  Benjamin  Croffts  Five  Pounds  on 
acco't  for  Painting  the  Galleys. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  61 


In  Council  of  Safety,  Dec'r  24th,  1776. 

PRESENT  : 

THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Presid't 
David  Ritten house,  V.  Pr't. 

Joseph  Blewer,  Francis  Gurney, 

Joseph  Dean,  James  Cannon, 

John  Bull,  Timothy  Matlack. 

William  Lyon, 
J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  order'd  to  pay  Benjamin  Town  Seventeen 
Pounds  four  Shillings. 

Order  Drawn  on  Rob't  Towers,  Esq'r,  in  favour  of  Col.  Joseph 
Armstrong,  5th  Batt'n  Cumberland  Militia,  for  fifteen  Powder 
Horns,  fifteen  Pouches,  fifty  Belts,  &  fifty  Canteens,  to  be  Charged 
to  Col.  Armstrong. 

'  Order  Drawn  on  G.  Bickham,  in  favour  of  Col.  Armstrong,  5th 
Batt'n  Cumberland  Militia,  for  20  Blankets,  to  be  charged  the 
Col. 

Order  Drawn  on  Robert  Towers  to  deliver  Capt'n  Newman  three 
Hundred  Twelve  Pound  Shott. 

Order  Drawn  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  to  pay  him  five  Pounds, 
for  services  done  at  Fort  Island. 

Order  drawn  on  Col.  Biddle  to  deliver  Wm.  Marshal  1  Napsack, 
to  be  charged  Capt'n  Boyd,  2nd  Batt'n,  P.  Militia. 

J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  order'd  to  pay  John  Carr  (a  man  that 
broke  the  rim  of  his  Belly)  half  wages,  'till  further  orders. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  James  Carter  be  requested  to  collect  all  the 
old  arms  in  and  about  this  City,  belonging  to  this  State,  and  have 
the  same  repaired  and  delivered  to  Mr.  Robert  Towers. 

Messrs.  Mease  &  Cadwell  were  requested  to  pay  Capt'n  Tho's 
Manuel,  of  Maryland  Militia,  thirty  Pounds. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Robert  Erwin,  Waggon  Master,  do  pay  for 
every  Waggon  with  four  horses,  in  service  by  the  order  of  this 
Council,  at  the  rate  of  Thirty  Shillings  p'r  Day,  on  a  proper  Cer- 
tificate of  the  Time  of  Entry  being  produced  to  him. 

J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  order'd  to  pay  Twenty-three  Pounds 
fifteen  shillings,  for  arms  &  accoutrements  purchased  by  Robt. 
Culberson. 

J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  order'd  to  pay  Twelve  Pounds  ten 
Shillings  &  six  pence  for  Blankets  bought  by  Robt.  Culberson,  for 
the  use  of  his  Company. 

Order'd,  G.  Bickham  to  pay  Wm.  Gibbons  three  Pounds,  for 
Breakfast  for  80  men  of  Capt'n  Jacob  Drkt's  Company,  belonging 
to  the  1st  Batt'n  of  York  County  Militia. 

J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  order'd  to  pay  Col'l  Richard  Thomas 
Seventy-five  Pounds,  for  advance  money  to  his  Battalion,  to  be 
charged  to  his  acco't. 


SS  MINUTES  OF  THE 


In  Council  of  Safety,  Dec'r  25th,  1776 

PRESENT  : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Presid't. 

David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  James  Cannon, 

Joseph  Dean,  John  Bull, 

Francis  Gurney,  William  Lyon. 

J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  order'd  to  pay  Geo.  Gintner  thirteen 
Pounds  ten  Shillings,  for  attendance  &,  Riding  express,  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 

Dispatches  to  Chester  County  was  sent  p'r  Coll'l  Thomas. 

Order  drawn  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  to  pay  Tho's  Marie  Twenty 
Pounds,  on  ace's  for  fixing  the  chain  &  tilling  Piers  at  Fort 
Island. 

Ordered  Geo.  Bickham  to  pay  Wm.  Jenkins  Eight  Pounds  two* 
k  6d,  for  victualling  two  Companys  belonging  to  4th  Batt'n  North- 
ampton, under  Major  Vancamp. 

The  Present  Campaigne  has  convinced  us  that  it  may  be  fre- 
quently necessary  to  call  forth  the  Militia  in  defence  of  our  Liber- 
ties, and  that  their  force  may  be  exerted  to  the  greatest  advantage, 
it  is  become  highly  Proper  and  necessary  that  they  be  formed 
into  regular  Brigades. 

There/ore  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  field  officers 
of  every  ten  or  twelve  Battalions  of  Militia  lying  contigious  to 
each  other,  to  form  themselves  into  Brigades  as  soon  as  convenient, 
and  to  recommend  to  this  Council  three  or  more  persons  for  each 
Brigade,  whom  they  shall  esteem  best  qualified  for  the  Commission 
of  a  Brigadier  General,  and  this  Council  will  grant  Commissions 
to  such  of  them  as  shall  appear  best  qualified  for  the  service. 

Resolved,  That  John  Cadwallader,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  a  Briga- 
dier General  of  Militia  in  this  State. 

Resolved,  That  Samuel  Miles,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  a  Brigadier 
General  of  the  regular  Forces  raised  for  the  defence  of  this  State. 

Order  drawn  on  Geo.  Bickham  to  pay  Capt'n  Ja's  Morrison 
Niue  Pounds  twelve  &  six  pence,  for  mileage,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 

Order  drawn  on  G.  Bickham  to  pay  Capt'n  Tho's  Whiteside  six- 
teen Pounds  seven  &  6d,  for  mileage,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Order  drawn  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  to  pay  Thos.  Whitely 
three  Pounds,  for  taking  up  a  deserter  from  Coll'l  Hand's  Regi- 
meut. 

Order  on  G.  Rickman  t«  pay  Jas.  Cannon,  Esq'r,  thirty  Pounds, 
oa  acco't  of  services,  in  Council. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  6a 


In  Council  of  Safety,  Dec'r  26th,  1776, 

PRESENT  : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Presid't. 
Joseph  Blewer,  Owen  Biddle, 

Joseph  Dean,  James  Cannon, 

John  Bull,  William  Lyon. 

Order  drawn  on  G.  Bickham  to  pay  Ten  Pounds  Seven  Shillings 
&  6d,  for  Victualling  the  first  Division  of  3rd  Batt'n  of  Northamp- 
ton Militia,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Commissions  fill'd  for  first  Batt'n,  Philad'a  Militia,  Wm.  Bowers, 
Capt.  Will'm  Garwood  k  Jon'n  Grice,  Lieut'ts  Wm.  Salter  &  Wrm, 
Rice,  Ensigns. 

Order  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  to  pay  Major  Proctor  six  Hund'd 
Dollars  to  pay  his  men,  now  under  marching  orders. 

Order  drawn  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  to  pay  Everhard  McLeish 
one  Hundred  &  fifteen  Pounds  17s,  on  acco't  of  Boarding  Soldiers. 

.Resolved,  That  the  Waggon  masters  be  impowered  to  put  up 
their  Horses  in  such  Stables  &  Shedds  as  they  may  find  fit  to  re- 
ceive them,  and  to  see  them  supplied,  paying  the  accustomed  Prices 
for  the  same. 

Order  on  G.  Bickham  to  pay  Alex'r  Alexander  three  Pounds  ten 
shillings,  for  3  Blankets  del'd  said  Bickham. 

Order  drawn  on  G.  Bickham  to  pay  Jas.  Hamilton  Eleven 
Pounds  Eleven  Shillings  &  9d,  for  Cloath  deiiver'd  said  Bickham, 

Order  on  G.  Bickham  to  pay  Jas.  Hamilton,  Five  Pounds  Eleven 
shillings,  for  Hose  &  Wastecoats  deiiver'd  said  Bickham. 

Order  drawn  on  G.  Bickham,  Qu'r  M'r,  to  deliver  Col.  Melchior, 
B.  ||;  G.,  Forty  Blankets,  for  the  use  of  the  Milatary  Hospital. 

Commission  made  out  for  Jno.  Rosbrugh  as  Chaplain  to  3rd 
Batt'n  of  Northampton  Militia. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Coats  be  employed  in  the  North  End  of  the 
City  to  assist  Mr.  Marshall  in  taking  care  of  the  sick. 

Order  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  to  pay  Jermiah  Simmons  twelve 
Pounds  &  six  pence. 

Order  on  G.  Bickham  to  pay  Capt'n  McKee  Two  Pounds,  for  ex- 
penses and  subsistance  money  for  marching  his  Company  (belong- 
ing to  5th  Batt'n  of  Cumberland  Militia,  und'r  Col'l  Armstrong)  to 
Philad'a. 

Order  on  G.  Bickham  to  pay  Ens'n  Jon'n  Martin  thirty  Shill'g, 
for  marching  a  detatchment  of  Capt.  M'Kee's  Comp'y,  Belonging 
to  5th  Batt'n  of  Cumberland,  to  Philad'a. 

Order  on  G.  Bickham  to  pay  L't  Murphy  Thirty-one  shillings  k 
3d.,  for  expences  in  marching  a  Detatchment  of  Men  by  Philad'a, 
belonging  to  5th  Batt'n  of  Cumberl'dL 


64  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Commissions  fill'd  for  Jno.  Sigfret,  L't  Coll,  3rd  Batt'n,  North- 
ampton. 

Commission  fil'd  for  Jno.  Righter,  2nd  L't  4th  Batt'n,  Philad'a 
County,  Geo.  Piper,  Ens'n,  4th  Batt'n,  Philad'a  County. 

Order  on  Messrs.  Mease  &  Cadwell,  to  pay  Major  Gabriel  Heis- 
tertwo  Hundred  Dollars,  to  pay  the  advance  to  Col'l  Haller's  Batt'n, 
to  be  charged  to  Adam  Whiteman,  to  whom  as  to  the  Board,  the 
Major  is  to  be  accountable. 

Order  on  Mease  &  Caliwell,  to  pay  Wm.  Lyon,  Esq'r.  five  Hun- 
dred Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Hugh  McCormick  be  app<»nted  Waggon- 
master  for  about  fifteen  Waggons  from  Cumberland  County,  to  be 
propperly  Employed,  In  Transporting  Stores  from  this  City,  &c,  for 
which  service  he  shall  be  Entitled  to  receive  Ten  shillings  ^  Day 
During  such  service. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  Dec'r  27th,  1776. 

PRESENT  I 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Presid't. 
David  Rittenouse,  V.  Presid't. 

Wm.  Lyon,  Owen  Biddle, 

Jno.  Bull,  Joseph  Dean, 

Francis  Gurney,  James  Cannon. 

Joseph  Blewer, 

Order  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  to  pay  Jno.  Creigh  &  Ephraim 
Steel  one  Hundred  &  Twenty-Eight  Pounds  Eighteen  Shillings, 
for  Expences  in  Conveying  British  officers  from  Carlisle  to  Bruns- 
wick. 

Order  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  to  pay  Jacob  Hankey  thirteen 
Pounds  Sixteen  shillings  &  two  pence,  for  work  Deliver'd  Robert 
Towers. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  John  Bull  be  directed  to  procure  Wag- 
gons to  remove  the  public  stores  from  Norriston  and  French  Creek 
to  Lancaster ;  The  Powder  to  be  Laid  in  different  Places  of  security 
in  the  Town  &  Country  adjacent. 

Order  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  to  pay  Tho's  Adams  One  Hun- 
dred fifty-Nine  Pounds  sixteen  shillings  &  lOd,  for  military  stores 
deliver'd  Robert  Towers. 

Order  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  to  pay  Augustus  Ruppell  Eleven 
Pounds  five  shillings,  for  Riding  Express,  to  be  charged  Con- 
gress. 

G.  Bickham,  Qu'r  Mast'r,  was  order'd  to  deliver  Major  Proctor 
Twenty  Pairs  Shoes  &  twenty  pairs  Hose,  for  the  use  of  his 
Soldiers. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  65, 

Order  on  G-.  Bickham  to  pay  Capt.  Rob't  Campbel  Nine  Pounds 
Eighteen  shillings  10i,  for  milage  for  his  Comp'y,  (to  Philad'a) 
belonging  to  3rd  Batt'n,  Lancaster  County,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 

Order  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  to  pay  Wm.  Morris  Eight  Pounds 
fifteen  Shillings,  for  riding  Express,  to  be  charged  Congress. 

An  order  drawn  on  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  for  six  pounds  tea 
shillings  &  four  pence,  2  Boxes  of  Candles  for  the  Council. 

An  order  drawn  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  to  pay  Wm.  Masters 
Fifty  Pounds,  for  the  use  of  tlie  Families  of  the  Militia  now  in 
Camp. 

Order  on  Mease  &  Caldwell  to  pay  Col.  Evan  Evans  one  thou- 
sand Dollars,  to  be  given  to  the  Militia  of  his  Batt'n. 

Order  drawn  on  Michael  Hillegas,  Esq'r,  to  pay  James  Wilson, 
Esq'r,  on  acco't  of  services  in  Congress,  one  Hundred  &  sixty-five 
Pounds. 

Thomas  Lucas  is  appointed  Adjutant  to  the  11th  Regiment,  under 
Colonel  Humpton. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Jacob  Shriner  one  hundred  Dol- 
lars, for  the  Associators'  wives  of  Capt.  Guyer's  Company,  £37 
10  0. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Lewis  G-uion  Two  Hundred 
Pounds,  on  acco't  for  Work  Done  at  Fort  Island. 

Order  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Capt.  McG-owan  of  Col.  Miles's, 
three  Hund'd  Dollars,  to  be 

Order  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  to  pay  Capt.  Conolly  three 
Hund'd  Dollars,  for  to  recruit  Col.  Cadwallader's  Batt'n,  to  bo 
charged  to  Congress. 

Commissions  fill'd  for  Wm.  Caruther's  Lieuts.  for  3rd  Batt'n, 
Northampton  militia,  Tho's  Horner,  Ensign,  same  Batt'n. 

Commissions  fill'd  for  Emanuel  Consolves,  Lieut.,  &  Jno.  Fox, 
Ensign,  4th  Batt'n  Northampton  Militia. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  December  27th,  1777. 

Order  on  G-.  Bickham  to  pay  Capt.  Thomas  Whitesides  one 
Pound  nine  shillings  &  2d,  being  an  error  in  his  milage  acco't,  3rd 
Batt'n  Lancaster  County. 

Order  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  three  Hundred  Pounds,  to  pay 
Waggon  hire. 

Order  on  G.  Bickham  to  pay  Samuel  Drafce  for  milage  (for  hi3 
Comp'y,  with  Field  &  Staff  officers  belonging  to  4th  Batt'n,  North- 
ampton,) Twenty-Nine  Pounds  2s  8.  , 

Do.  an  order  on  Gr.  Bickham  to  pay  Capt.  Schoonhoven  18  3  114, 
for  milage,  &  to  pay  Capt'n  Mead,  on  same  acco't,  19  7  6,  both 
belongs  to  4th  Batt'n  Northampton. 

VOL.  XI. — 5. 


66  MINUTES  OF  THE 

December  28th,  1776. 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Francis  Gurney,  Jas.  Cannon, 

Jos.  Dean,  Wm.  Lyon. 

Jos.  Blewer, 

An  order  drawn  on  John  Nesbitt,  for  one  Pound  four  &  six  pence, 
in  favour  of  Cap.  James  Ross'  Co.,  for  repairing  Musketts,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 

Order  drawn  on  G.  Bickham,  to  pay  Tho's  Ogle  twenty  Shillings, 
in  full  for  Hawling  baggage  to  Bristol. 

Order  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  to  pay  Ninety-four  Pounds  3s  to  Wm. 
Gray,  for  sundries  delivered  a  Company  of  Volunteers  under  Colo. 
Potter,  to  be  charged  Congress. 

Order  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt  to  pay  fifty-five  Shillings  to  Peter  Buck, 
for  repairing  arms. 

Order  on  J.  M.  N  to  pay  thirty  Pounds  five  shillings,  a  Bal- 
lance  to  Capt.  Gray,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Order  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Nineteen  Pounds  2s  4  to  Joseph 
Mathers. 

Order  on  G.  Bickham  to  pay  Four  Pounds  four  shillings  &  6d,  to 
Capt'n  Jno.  Harbeston's  Comp'y,  belonging  to  Colo.  Smiths7 
Batt'n,  of  York  County,  for  Travelling  expences. 

Order  on  Mease  &  Caldwell  to  pay  Marshall  Edwards  Four 
Hund'd  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Col'l  Lewis. 

Order  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  to  pay  Col'l  Melchoir,  B.  M.  G. 
one  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acc't. 

Order  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Thirty  Pounds  to  pay  for  the  use 
of  the  Poor  associators  at  Camp. 

J.  M.  Nesbitt  was  order'd  to  pay  the  men  under  Command  of 
Lieu't  Rice,  half  a  month's  pay. 

G.  Bickham,  Qu'r  M'r  to  deliver  Capt'n  Brown,  of  the  Putnam 
Battery,  fifty  pairs  Breeches,  &  to  Capt.  Farmer,  of  Col.  Miles',  4 
Blankets. 

J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  order'd  to  pay  Col'l  Nagle  500  Dol- 
lars, for  recruiting  9th  Batt'n. 

Jno.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  directed  to  pay  Abraham  Massan 
Seven  Pounds  Eight  Shillings  &  6d,  for  work  done  for  Towers. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  December  30th,  1776. 

present : 
THO'S  WHARTON,  J'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Wm.  Moore,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen'r, 

Owen  Biddle,  Joseph  Dean, 

Jos.  Blewer,  James  Cannon, 

Wm.  Lyon,  Francis  G-ufney. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  John  Ord  for 
thirty  Dollars,  for  the  assistance  of  the  poor  associators  of  Lower 
Delaware  ward. 

An  order  was .  Major  Thos.  Robinson  600  Dollars,  for  ad- 
vance money  to  Col.  Potter's  Battalion  of  Militia  of  Northumber- 
land County,  to  be  charged  to  the  Col. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Capt.  Stephen 
Bayard  for  1000  Dollars,  for  recruiting  service  for  the  3rd  Penn'a 
Reg't,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Wood. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Doct'r  Thos.  Parke  £12  17  6, 
for  attending  Sick  Soldiers. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  John  Read,  Barrack  Mas- 
ter at  Fort  Island,  for  sundry  Provisions  &  expences  attending  the 
ditchers  &  other  workmen  at  Fort  Island,  £62  19  7  J. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Cannon,  for  two  Riffles, 
Blankets,  &ca.,  for  Col.  Potter's  Batt'n  of  Northumberland  County, 
£21  18  0,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  James  Potter. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Peter  Dehaven  &  John  Pugh  be  appointed 
to  provide  provisions  for  the  Guards  at  the  Continental  Powder 
mill,  and  the  workmen  employed  there. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Capt.  Court- 
ney for  100  Dollars,  for  Recruiting  Service  for  the  Artillery  of 
this ,  to  be  charged  to  Major  Proctor. 

John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Alex- 
ander Laughlin,  for  dieting  28  men  of  his  Company  on  their 
march  to  join  General  Washington,  £16  17  3. 

Captain  Carnahans,  for  dieting  12  men,  £14  15  6. 

Captain  Thos.  McKenzie,  for  dieting  28  men,  £16  17  3,  all  to 
be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Thomas  Ennis  £12  16  0,  for 
attendance  on  the  Council  with  a  Horse. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Sam'l  Holmes  £1\  5  0,  for  95  Cutlasses 
delv'd. 


68  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Towers  also  M  10  0,  for  30  Bayonet  scabbards,  M  10  0 
delivered  to  Mr.  Towers. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  December  31st,  1776. 

PRESENT  I 

THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Wm.  Moore,  Wm.  Lyons, 

Francis  Gurney,  Sam'l  Morris, 

Owen  Biddle,  James  Cannon. 

Joseph  Dean, 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Dunn  &  Hale  £5  4  0,  for  208 
feet  of  oars  for  the  floating  Battery  Putnam. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  Richard  Humpton  1000 
Dollars,  for  recruiting  service  for  the  11th  Penn'a  Reg't,  to  be 
charged  to  his  aceo't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Lieut.  Thomas  Boud  300  Dollars,  for  recruit- 
ing service  for  the  fifth  Penn'a  Reg't,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  AnT 
thony  Wayne. 

Mr.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  James  Potter  £13  7  6,  for 
expences  of  his  company  on  their  march   to  join  General  W. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  William  Masters  and  William  Coates 
be  authorized  to  take  every  measure  necessary  for  the  benefit  of  the 
sick  of  the  army  in  the  Northern  department  of  this  city,  and  to 
have  them  properly  attended  with  nurses,  and  supplied  with  every- 
thing suitable  to  their  different  diseases,  and  this  Council  will  pay 
the  expences  attending  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  Doct'r  Dunlap  be  authorized  to  employ  another 
Mate,  and  that  their  pay  in  future  be  Twenty-five  Dollars^  month. 

Mr.  Nesbit  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Robert  Towers,  £107  17  6, 
for  Workmen's  wages  at  the  Elaboratory,  &  Sundry  other  charges. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  John  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Lieut. 
Colonel  Henry  Becker,  for  two  thousand  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting 
service  of  the  6th  Pen'a  Reg't,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  John  M.  Nesbitt,  for  two  thousand 
Dollars,  payable  to  John  Biddle,  jun'r,  to  be  paid  by  him  into  the 
hands  of  Adam  Whitman,  Esq'r,  of  Reading,  to  be  subject  to  the 
draughts  of  the  Committee  of  s'd  County,  for  to  defray  such  Ex- 
pences as  they  have  incurred  by  order  of  this  board. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Major  Lewis  Nicola  £50,  he  to 
be  accountable. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  69 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  : 
Win.  McCulloch  £3  10  0,  for  a  Musket  &  Bayonet,")  nl;-y  . 
Wm.  Glen,  3  10  0,  for  a  Musket,  [  m^  Towers 

Wm.  McCulloch,    6  10  0,  for  2  Muskets,  )  Mr-  lowers' 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  the  following  Accounts, 
for  Subsistance  for  Militia,  on  their  march  to  join  General  Washing- 
ton, Vizt: 

Capt.  Charles  Leoper,  ^21  14  6 

Capt.  John  Mitchel,  12  14  1 

Capt.  Andrew  McPherland,  38     5  0 

Capt.  Rob't  Shannon,  20  14  0 

Capt.  Wm.  Swaney,  36  17  2 

Major  John  Davis  for  milage,  30  Miles,  for  himself,  2     3  4 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Robert  Fitzgerald  dgll  2  0,  for 
sundries  for  Armed  Schooner  Delaware,  to  be  charged  to  this  State, 
&£5  9  4  for  port  Fire  Stocks,  &ca.,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  January  1st,  1777. 

present  : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  James  Cannon, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Wm.  Moore, 

Francis  Gurney,  John  Bull, 

Joseph  Dean,  Wm.  Lyon. 

John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  was  directed  to  pay 
Wm.  Roberts  ^618  6  6,  for  making  ammunition  Boxes,  nails,  &ca., 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  Matthew  Dill,  for  5  days 
pay  due  to  four  Companies  of  the  5th  Battalion  of  Militia,  when  in 
service  in  Septem'r  &  October  last,  amounting  to  £51  7  3,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 

A  Letter  was  laid  before  the  board  from  Mr.  James  Holmes,  a 
Second  Lieutenant  in  the  Regiment  belong  to  this  State,  praying 
this  Council  to  accept  His  resignation,  as  His  Health  will  not  admit 
his  continuance  in  the  service  any  longer.  The  Council  accept  the 
resignation  of  Mr.  Holmes,  &  his  is  accordingly  discharged  from  the 
service  of  this  State. 

Besolved,  That  the  overseers  of  the  poor  for  this  City  and  Liber- 
ties, do  immediately  procure  one  Hundred  Cords  of  Wood  now 


70  MINUTES  OF  THE 

standing  on  the  Commons  of  this  City,  for  the  use  of  the  poor  afore- 
said, and  that  orders  be  given  to  the  Wood  Cutters  to  leave  Lanes 
and  Avenues  for  the  Inhabitants  to  walk  in  the  summer  season. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Alex'r  Brown  52s,  for  2  meals  j 
victuals  for  26  men  of  the  3rd  Battalion  of  Northampton  County  | 
Militia. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Lieut.  Rob't  Connolly  four  Hun- 
dred Dollars,  for  recruiting  service  for  the  4th  Penn'a  Regiment. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Capt.  Geo.  Robinson  10s  for  an  axe  for  the 
use  of  his  Company,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Capt.  John  Jacobs  the  Balance  of  his  acco't, 
for  Expences  accrued  in  transporting  &  Guarding  Prisoners  to  Bal- 
timore, the  whole  amounting  to  -£165  12  3. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Jack  for  Milage 
for  himself,  2  Lieutenants  &  6  Privates,  160  Miles,  £9  6  0. 

By  direction  of  General  Washington,  Col.  Wheadon  of  the  third 
Virginia  Regiment,  deposited  with  this  Council  Six  Colours,  being 
part  of  a  number  taken  on  the  26th  ultimo,  at  Trenton,  belonging 
to  the  Hessian  Regiments. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Messrs.  Peter 
Dehaven  &  Co.,  for  £500,  to  be  charged  to  their  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  to  Richard  Wells  £31  0  0,  for 
attendance  on  the  Fleet  with  his  Boat  &  two  hands,  for  the  Month 
of  December. 

The  following  resolution  of  Congress  was  directed  to  be  inserted 
on  the  Minutes  of  this  Council : 

"  In  Congress,  December  27th,  1776. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania  be  re- 
quested to  take  the  most  vigorous  and  Speedy  measures  for  punish-  i 
ing  all  such  as  shall  refuse  Continental  Currency,  and  that  the  Gen- 
eral be  directed  to  give  all  necessary  aid  to  the  Council  of  Safety 
for  carrying  their  measures  on  this  subject  into  effectual  execution. 
"  By  order  of  Congress. 

"Sign'd    JOHN  HANCOCK,  President." 

In  Consequence  of  the  foregoing  resolve  of  Congress  and  the  I 

Intelligence  received  from  several  parts  of  this  State,  that  the  dis-  | 

affected  and  enemies  to  the  United  States  of  America  are  pursuing  j 

the  most  dangerous  schemes  to  destroy  the  Credit  of  the  Money  ; 

issued  under  the  authority  of  Congress,  which  wicked  and  Mischevi-  l 

ous  practises  are  likely  to  be  attended  with  the  most  pernicious  Con-  j 

sequences,  unless  immediately  suppressed  by  a  speedy  ana*  Vigor-  j 
ous  exertion  of  the  powers  invested  in  this  Council;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  if  any  person  or  persons  from  and  after  the  pub-  I 

lication  of  this  resolve,  shall  refuse  to  take  Continental  Currency  j 

in  payment  of  any  Debt  or  Contract  whatsoever,  or  for  any  Goods,  | 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  71 

Merchandize  or  Commodity  offered  for  sale,  or  shall  ask  a  greater 
Price  for  any  such  Commodity  in  Continental  Currency  than  in 
any  other  kind  of  money  or  specie,  in  full  proof  made  thereof  be- 
fore any  three  members  of  any  County  Committee,  or  any  three  Field 
officers  of  Militia  of  this  State,  the  person  or  persons  so  .offending 
shall  for  the  first  offence  be  considered  as  a  dangerous  Member  of 
Society,  and  forfeit  the  Goods  offered  for  sale  or  Bargained  for, 
or  debt  Contracted,  to  the  person  to  whom  the  Goods  were  offered 
for  Sale  or  by  whom  they  were  bargained  for,  or  from  whom  such 
Debt  is  due,  and  shall  moreover  pay  a  fine  of  five  pounds  to  the 
State,  to  be  levied  immediately  by  the  persons  to  whom  forfeitures 
are  directed  to  be  paid  by  thrs  resolve,  provided  such  debt  or  Con- 
tract do  not  exceed  that  Sum ;  but  if  the  debt  Due  or  price  of  such 
goods  bargained  for  or  offered  to  sale  exceed  the  sum  of  five  pounds, 
then  the  person  offending  as  aforesaid,  shall,  besides  the  Debt  due, 
goods  Contracted  for  or  offered  to  sale,  forfeit  to  the  full  amount  of 
said  Debt,  Contract  or  price  agreed  on  or  demanded,  one-third  part 
of  such  forfeitures  to  be  for  the  use  of  the  informer,  and  the  re- 
maining two-third  Parts  to  the  Use  of  this  State,  to  be  paid  to  the 
Committee  of  the  County  where  the  forfeiture  is  incurred,  or  where 
no  such  Committee  exists,  to  the  three  Field  officers  of  the  Militia 
of  the  next  nearest  Battalion,  to  be  by  them  transmitted  to  the  public 
Treasury  of  this  State,  after  deducting  reasonable  Costs,  such  for- 
feiture to  be  levied  immediately,  by  the  direction  and  authority  of 
the  said  Committee  or  Field  Officers ;  and  every  person  so  offending, 
shall  for  the  second  offence  be  subject  to  the  aforementioned  penal- 
ties, and  be  banished  this  State,  to  such  place  and  in  such  manner, 
as  this  Council  shall  direct: 

Nevertheless,  if  any  person  shall  think  him  or  herself  aggrieved 
by  the  determination  of  any  of  the  said  Committees  or  Field  Offi- 
cers, he  or  she  shall  be  allowed  an  appeal  to  this  Council,  provided 
the  said  appeal  be  made  within  six  weeks  after  such  determination 
made  and  information  thereof  given  by  the  said  Committee  or  Field 
Officers  to  the  parties  in  Writing ;  A  regular  record  of  the  pro- 
ceedings in  every  case  to  be  transmitted  to  this  board  in  four  Weeks 
after  determination. 

Resolved,  That  all  persons  whose  Shops,  Stores  or  Warehouses, 
have  been  heretofore  shut  up,  and  have  been  restrained  from  carry- 
ing on  a  Commercial  Intercourse  with  the  inhabitants  of  this  State, 
for  refusing  Continental  Currency,  shall  be  released  from  such  re- 
straint and  permitted  to  open  their  Shops,  Stores  or  Warehouses, 
and  that  persons  who  are  in  Confinement  for  the  same  offence,  be 
Immediately  discharged  from  such  confinement,  to  be  subject 
nevertheless  to  the  penalties  described  in  the  foregoing  resolution 
for  future  offences. 


72  MINUTES  OF  THE 


In  Council  of  Safety,  January  2nd,  1777. 

present : 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 
Owen  Biddle,  Win.  Lyon, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Joseph  Dean, 

Wm.  Moore,  Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r, 

John  Bull,  Francis  Gurney. 

Resolved,  That  the  widow  of  John  Sherer,  deceased,  be  allowed 
half  pay  from  the  time  of  said  Sherer' s  decease  until  the  first  day 
of  June  next,  when  the  Council  will  give  further  directions  in  the 
premices. 

(N.  B.  The  above  mentioned  John  Sherer  belonged  to  the  Con- 
gress armed  Boat,  &  died  the  8th  July,  1776.) 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Capt.  John 
Hazlewood,  for  -£50,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Capt.  Joseph 
Blewer,  ft>r  £100,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Moses  Young  be  employed  as  an  assistant 
to  the  Secretary. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Charles  Leeper* 
^611  5  6,  for  dieting  11  men  of  his  Company  from  Cumberland 
County,  tu  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Henry  Funk  £21  15  0,  for  29 
pair  of  Shoes  d'd  Capt.  Bickham. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  John  Elwood  'j£25  10  0,  for  attendance  on 
the  armed  Boats  while  up  the  river  Delaware,  to  assist  in  trans- 
porting the  Troops  across  the  River  and  defending  the  Passes. 

Resolved,  That  all  those  persous  who  have  been  appointed  on 
the  new  Establishment  to  any  office  in  any  of  the  Regiments  order- 
ed to  be  raised  in  this  State,  and  who  have  not  received  their  Com- 
missions, do  apply  on  or  before  the  10th  instant  to  this  Council  for 
the  same;  all  such  who  neglect  to  comply  with  this  resolve  may  ex- 
pect to  be  superseded,  as  the  public  service  requires  their  immedi- 
ate attendance. 

Resolved,  That  all  the  officers  who  have  been  in  the  Continental 
Service  in  any  of  the  Regiments  raised  in  this  State,  or  belonged 
to  Colonel  Miles'  or  Colonel  Atlee's  Battalions,  and  have  not  been 
appointed  under  the  new  arrangement  of  Congress,  or  in  the  Regi- 
ment of  this  State,  and  who  intend  to  continue  in  service,  be  re- 
quired to  send  in  their  names  to  this  Council,  with  the  name  of  the 
Regiment  they  belonged  to,  and  their  rank,  on  or  before  the  10th  In* 
stant,  and  this  Council  will  proceed  immediately  to  fill  up  the  va- 
cancies, and  in  order  that  the  Merits  and  Claims  of  the  applicants 
may  be  better  known,  it  is  expected  that  they  produce  certificates 
of  their  Conduct  from  some  General  or  Field  Officers,  which  will  be 
duly  attended  to  in  makiDg  the  new  appointments. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  73 

pi  Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Lieut.  Isaac  Hannah  &Stl  13  0,  for  arms  and 
accoutrements,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Tim'y  Green. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Standley  &  Sing  £218  1  3,  for 
290f  yards  Cloth  delivered  to  Capt.  Bickham. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Capt.  John 
McGowen,  for  300  Dollars,  for  recruiting  Service  for  the  Regiments 
belonging  to  this  State. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Northampton  County  do  im- 
mediately take  the  Ferry  at  Easton,  kept  by  Lewis  Gordon,  under 
their  direction,  and  cause  it  to  be  properly  attended,  and  especially 
that  all  Soldiers  and  Expresses  in  the  Continental  Service  be  for- 
warded over  the  said  Ferry,  be  solely  under  the  controul  and  di- 
rection of  the  said  Committee  of  Northampton  County. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  the  following  accounts  : 

Capt.  Stephen  Krumrine£12  3  6,  for  colours,  Drums,  Fifes,  &ca. 
2  9  6,  for  Repairing  Arms. 
19  4  0,    for   Arms,  to  be  charged  to 
Colonel  Daniel  Hunter,  of  the  6th  Battalion  of  Berks  County. 

Col  Archibald  Thomson  £10  0  0  for  arms,  to  be  charged  to  his 
acco't,  and  £5  14  6  for  a  Drum  &  expences  in  Collecting  the  Bat- 
talion. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  January  3d,  1777. 

present  : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Francis  Gurney,  Joseph  Blewer, 

Joseph  Dean,  James  Cannon, 

Owen  Biddle,  Wm.  Moore, 

John  Bull,  John  Hubley. 

Samuel  Morris,  Sen'r, 
Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Rittenhouse  &  Biddle  be  a  Committee 
to  engage  a  person  or  persons  to  make  an  attempt  at  casting  of 
Brass  Ordinance,  for  which  purpose  they  are  authorized  to  draw  on 
the  Treasurer  for  all  the  necessary  Expenses  attending  that  Busi- 
ness. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Lieut.  Isaac  Hannah 
£23  7  6,  for  Expences  of  part  of  Capt.  Rogers'  Comp'y,  on  their 
March  to  join  General  Washington,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 
An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Colonel  Wm. 
Cook,  for  Two  Thousand  Dollars,  for  payment  of  Bounty  &  wages 
for  his  Regiment,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  an  order  drawn  on*  this  board  by 
Col.  Samuel  Hunter,  of  Northumberland  County,  for  Five  Hundred 
Dollars,  for  payment  of  Militia  in  that  County  (a  month's  wages) 


74  MINUTES  OP  THE 

who  are  engaged  to  join  General  Washington,  to  be  charged  to  Col. 
Hunter. 

Captain  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  John  Carrothers 
£16  17  6,  for  nine  days'  subsistence  of  15  men,  on  their  march  to 
Philadelphia,  to  be  charged  to  Congress.  And  likewise,  Capt.  Bick- 
ham was  directed  to  pay  Lieut.  James  Oliver  £16  1  7,  for  Nine 
days'  subsistance  &  Ferriage  of  14  men,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Commodore  Seymour  was  directed  to  issue  all  Orders  respecting 
the  Fire  Ships,  Fire  Rafts  and  Guard  Boats,  thro'  Captain  John 
Hazlewood,  who  commands  that  Department. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  James  Currie,  for  a  Firelock  de- 
livered to  Mr.  Towers,  £2  15  0. 

The  following  persons  were  sent  off  as  Expresses,  to  be  stationed 
at  the  undermentioned  Places,  for  the  purpose  of  forwarding  Dis- 
patches to  this  Board  from  Head  Quarters,  viz : 

Mr.  Watkins  )  are  to  go  to  the  Camp,  or  where  General  Wash- 
Mr.  Barnhill  $      ington  is.  * 

Edward  Stroud,  at  Burlington. 

Michael  Bower,  at  Bristol. 

George  Spangler,  at  Red  Lyon. 

George  Genter,  at  Jolly  Post. 

Frederick  Wier,  at  Trenton  Ferry,  this  Side. 

George  Howes,  at  Corryell's  Ferry. 

William  Morris,  at  Bogart's  Tavern. 

Peter  Warner,  at  the  Billet  Tavern. 

Frederick  Lesher,  at  Armitage's  Tavern. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Mr.  Benj'n 
Poultney,  for  two  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  Capt.  Geo. 
Bickham. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Elias  Dawson  £4 
11  11,  for  subsistance  for  5  men  of  his  Company,  on  their  March 
to  Join  General  Washington,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Capt.  Henry 
Shade,  for  200  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Joseph  Penrose. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  James  Poe  £10  15  3, 
for  Travelling  Expences  of  his  Company,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Wm.  Gray  be  appointed  a  Captain  of  a 
Company  of  Foot  in  the  Continental  Service,  to  be  placed  in  some 
future  Regiment* 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  75 


In  Council  of  Safety,  January  4th,  1777. 

present  : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

John  Bull,  Francis  Gurney, 

Joseph  Dean,  Wm.  Lyon, 

John  Hubley,  Joseph  Blewer, 

William  Moore,  Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  John  Loekrom  £10, 
for  Shoes  delivered  to  Capt.  Bickham. 

John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  directed  to  pay  James  Oellers  £15 
12  9,  for  an  anchor  for  the  armed  schooner  Delaware,  £128  5  0, 
for  114  Blankets,  delivered  Capt.  Bickham,  £595  12  0,  for  20 
Muskets,  75,000  Flints,  &  1016  lbs.  Powder,  delivered  to  Mr. 
Towers,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Michael  Goodman  «£3  15  0,  for 
Porterage  of  20  Hhds.  of  Rum  to  Shallop,  to  be  sent  to  the  army 
under  Gen.  Washington,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

John  Maxwell  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Robert  Irwin 
one  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Jeremiah  Eldridge 
£144  14  0,  for  Mittens  &  Stockings. 

John  Riddle  £23  16  3,  for  Blanketing  &  Cloth. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Charles  Woolfall  £17  18  10, 
for  Iron  Work  for  the  armed  schooner  Delaware. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Wandle  Zerban  £302 
12  6,  for  Shoes  delivered  to  Capt.  Bickham. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Stitz,  for  arms  purchased, 
£11  18  0,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Henry  Hill. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Thomas  Nevill, 
for  £100,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Messrs.  Peter 
Dehaven  &  Co,  for  £500,  to  be  charged  to  their  account. 

N.  B.  The  above  order  was  delivered  to  Mr.  Pugh. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  James  Ennis  £20  0  0,  for 
Riding  Express  &  attending  on  this  Council  with  a  Horse,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Capt.  Wm. 
Wortz,  for  three  hundred  Dollars,  for  recruiting  Service-,  to  be 
charged  to  Coi.  Penrose. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  the  two  following  Acco'ts : 

To  Gudlip  Roll  for  46  pair  Shoes,  a  13s,  £29  18. 

To  John  Leckkerum  for  30  pair  Shoes,  a  20s,  £30. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  to  Joseph  Stansbury  £5  11  S, 
for  Glass  &  delph  ware,  for  Ship  Montgomery. 


76  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Lieu't  Chambers  £3  10  0,  for 
a  Musket,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Samuel  Hunter. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Jacob  Shits,  of  Col. 
Hill's  Batt'n,  £6  0  9,  for  Wages  and  Repairs  of  Drum  and  fife,  to 
be  charged  to  the  Colonel. 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Reihm  £1  8,  for 
Breakfast  of  28  men,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  "Wm.  Blaine,  of 
Cumberland  County,  £55  0  0,  for  Traveling  expences  of  himself, 
LieutenaDt,  Ensign,  2  Sergeants,  &  15  men,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Abraham  Mason  £1  2  6,  for 
work  for  4  men  in  the  Elaboratory,  £7  2  6,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Lieu't  Morgan  -£4  10  0,  for 
Traveling  Expences  for  Bringing  5  prisoners  from  Trenton  to  this 
City,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Jonas  Abraham  £18  14  0, 
for  22  pair  of  Shoes. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Daniel  Murphy  ^40  0  0, 
for  the  use  of  the  Armed  Boat  Eagle,  to  be  charged  to  his  aceo't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed' to  pay  Thomas  Kerling  £45,  for  10 
Guns  &  Bayonets,  @  £\.  10,  delivered  Robert  Towers. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Peter  Hoffnagle  £26  19 
0,  for  sundry  Shoes,  Stockings,  &  Blankets,  to  be  charged  to  Col. 
Geo.  Ross,  of  Lancaster  County. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Elias  Davison,  £2  10  0, 
for  a  Muskett  deliver'd  to  Mr.  Towers. 


In  Council  of  Safety, 

Philadelphia,  January  5th,  1777. 

present  : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

John  Bull,  Owen  Biddle, 

Joseph  Blewcr,  James  Cannon, 

Joseph  Dean,  Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r, 

John  Hubley,  Wm.  Lyon. 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Thomas  Clarke7 
of  Col.  James  Willson's  Batt'n  of  Cumberland  Militia,  £37  10, 
for  Sustenance  and  Ferriage  over  Susquehanna  of  33  Men,  11  Daya 
@2sP. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  77 

p  '  "^  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Lewis  Farmer 
bap  .  |  QQe  hundred  Pounds,  towards  defraying  the  Expences  of 
Sr'  |  Conducting  the  Hessian  officers  to  Baltimore,  to  be 
*       '   J  charged  to  his  account. 

That  Capt.  Joseph  Blewer  do  furnish  Capt.  Casdrop  with  money 
to  provide  for  such  sick  and  wounded  Militia  oT  this  City  as  he 
may  meet  on  the  Road  between  this  and  Head  Quarters. 

Resolved,  That  Major  Benjamin  Loxley  be  requested  to  exhibit 
his  accounts  to  this  Council,  in  order  for  a  Settlement. 


In  Council  of  Safety, 

Philadelphia,  January  6th,  1777. 
present  : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  Y.  P. 

William  Moore,  William  Lyon, 

Samuel  Morris,  Sen'r,  Benj'n  Bartholomew, 

Joseph  Blewer,  George  Gray, 

John  Hubley, 
Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Joseph  Carson  £\%2  10. 
Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Benjamin  Stites  £5,  for  attend- 
ance and   cure  of  Joshua  G-iffen,  belonging   to   the    Brig'r   com- 
manded by  Capt.  Montgomery,  blown  up  at  Cape  May. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commis- 
sary of  Stores,  £183  15  5,  for  arms  bought  by  him  with  Men's 
wages,  &c. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  the  following  accounts : 
Michael  Sist  for  building  a  Chimney,  £2  5  0. 
John  Bray,  for  going  Express  on  public  service,  &ca.,  £12  15  0, 
Charge  Congress.  — 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Rob't  Erwin,for 
five  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Col.  Isaac  Mel- 
chor,  for  One  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  John  Robnet  &  David  Crawford  £2  0  0,  for 
work  on  board  the  Flat  to  take  20  Hhds.  Rum  to  the  Army,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  James  Gardner  £Q  0  0,  for  a 
Rifle  Gun  delivered  to  Capt.  Thomas  Clark,  to  be  charged  to  Col. 
James  Wilson. 

Mr.  Rob't  Erwin  was  directed  to  pay  John  Dickey  £18,  David 
Patton  £16  10,  Frederick  Humble  £16  10,  Jacob  Reigart  £16  10, 
Sam'l  Wiley  £16  10,  Robert  Sterett  £16  10,  David  Foot  £16  10, 


78  MINUTES  OF  THE 

James  Walker  £16  10,  John  Lusk  £16  10  0,  John  Aries  £12 
0  0,  for  waggon  hire,  &  5s  for  ferriage. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  the  Directors  of  the  Pennsylva- 
nia Hospital  £90  5. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Wm.  Blaine  for  a  Grubing  Ax  &  2  Mattock 
d'd  Mr.  Towers.' 

Resolved,  That  General  Ewingbe  requested  to  order  Col.  Slough 
of  Lancaster  to  march  with  his  Battalion,  or  such  part  thereof 
as  are  now  in  the  Town  of  Lancaster,  to  this  City,  without  delay. 

That  Captain  Mercer,  of  Col.  Ross'  Battalion,  in  Lancaster,  be 
likewise  ordered  to  march  immediately  to  this  City. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Christian  Wertz  be  appointed  Town  Major  of 
Lancaster. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Lancaster  direct  a  sufficient 
number  of  aged  or  infirm  Persons  who  are  unfit  to  bear  the  fatigues 
of  the  Campaign,  to  be  enrolled  under  the  Town  Major,  for  the 
purpose  of  Guarding  the  Prisoners  in  the  Barracks,  the  Amunition 
and  Stores  in  Lancaster,  during  the  absence  of  the  militia. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  January  7th,  1777. 

present : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhotjse,  V.  P. 

Benjamin  Bartholomew,  Joseph  Blewer, 

Joseph  Dean,  Wm.  Moore, 

Owen  Biddle,  Fred.  Kuhl. 

John  Hubley, 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  David  Ware,  Shoemaker,  £100, 
for  100  pair  Mens'  shoes. 

Captain  George  Bickham  was  ordered  to  pay  Capt.  Samuel  Ir- 
win of  Col.  Blain's  Battalion  in  Cumberland  Militia,  £18  11  0,  for 
subsistance  money  on  the  March  from  Cumberland  to  the  City,  & 
Ferriage,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Armstrong  for  a  Gun  de- 
livered to  Colo.  Hunter  of  Northumberland,  appraised  at  £3  10  0. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Fred.  Snyder  £7  2  6, 
for  7  Blankets  j  Also,  to  pay  Robert  McNair  £±  13  6,  for  5f 
yards  Cloth  @  1 7s. 

Mr.  Robert  Irwin,  Waggon-master  Gen*l,  was  directed  to  pay 
John  Bayley  £207,  for  hire  of  4  Waggons,  from  28  to  32  days, 
including  his  pay  as  waggon-Master  for  32  days  @  15s  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  James  Rogers  of  Col. 
Green's  Batt'n  of  Riflemen  of  Lancaster  County  £84  5  4,  for  Guns, 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  79 

Powder  horns,  Shot  Pouches,  Blankets  &  Haver  Sacks,  &c,  bought 
by  said  Rogers  and  appraised  by  James  Johnson  and  Jas.  Rony, 
to  be  charged  to  Col.  Timothy  Green. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  order'd  to  pay  Samuel  Young  £31  10,  for  28 
pair  of  Shoes,  @  22s  6. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Lieut.  Col.  Naugle  2,000  Dol- 
lars, for  recruiting  service  for  the  ninth  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  to  be 
charged  to  the  Colonel. 

He  was  also  order'd  to  pay  James  Hand  £2$  11  7,  for  9£  Cord 
of  Hickory  Wood,  a  60s  per  Cord,  and  Cordage  Is  7. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  January  8th,  1777. 

present : 
THOMAS  WHARTON  jun'r,  President. 

David  Rittenhouse,  Y.  P. 

Joseph  Blewer,  Joseph  Dean, 

John  Bull,  John  Hubley. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  James  M'  Clean,  E?q'r,  £68, 
being  the  amo't  of  two  acco'ts,  viz:  £41  12  6  and  £26  7  6,  Paid 
by  Col.  John  Allison,  for  Arms  taken  from  non-Associators  in  An- 
trim and  Peters  .Township,  Cumberland  County,  and  put  into  the 
hands  of  his  Battalion,  then  under  marching  Orders  for  Amboy. 
These  arms  were  appraised  by  Tho's  Johnson,  Fergus  Moorehead, 
Henry  Pawling,  Patrick  Maxwell,  Robert  Smith  and  David  Huston, 
made  payable  to  said  McClean  by  Col.  Allison,  to  be  charged  to 
his  account. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  ordered  to  pay  Nicholas  Spencer  ^1  2  6,  for 
Hawling  three  Cords  of  wood. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Rob't  Ralston  £7  12,  for  9| 
yds.  Cloth  a  16s  :  Also  to  pay  Major  Yance  £101  17  6,  for 
travelling  expences  of  two  Companies  of  the  2nd  Battalion  of  York 
County,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Y.  Payton,  assistant  in  the  Con- 
tinental Hospital,  £14  5,  for  1  month's  pay  and  Rations,  from  the 
6th  of  Decem'r  to  the  6th  of  January,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress ; 
Also,  to  pay  Doctor  Bowie  £14  5,  for  1  month's  pay  and  Rations, 
from  the  6th  Dec'r  to  the  6th  Jan'ry,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Erq'r,  in  favour 
of  Colonel  Isaac  Melcher,  for  1,000  Dollars,  to  be  charg'd  to  his 
acco't. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  James  Mackay  £1  8,  for  2  Pair 
3,  a  14s. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Allen  and  Hall  £112  7,  for 
Blacksmith's  work  done  to  the  Floating  Battery  Putnam. 


80  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Capt.  Bickhara  was  directed  to  pay  John  Wallace  £4  10,  for  3 
Blankets. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  ordered  to  pay  Robert  Jewell,  Esq'r,  Keeper  of 
the  State  Prison,  £59  12  7i,  being  the  Balla'ce  of  his  acco't  for 
dieting  State  Prisoners,  the  whole  acco't  amounting  to  £267  13  1£, 
(of  w'h  he  has  received  £262  10,)  £10  17  2  of  w'h  to  be  charged 
to  this  State,  the  remainder  to  Congress. 

Captain  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  David  Wallace  £5  8, 
for  4  Blankets. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  for  2000 
Dollars,  favor  of  Capt.  Geo.  Bickham. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Amos  Alexander  £10  11  £, 
for  40 i  y'ds  Linnen,  @  3s  7,  2  pair  Hose,  @  lis  8,  and  1  Blanket, 
at  32s  6. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Gardner,  of  the  4th 
Battalion  of  Chester  County  Militia,  £2,  for  a  Rugg  bought  by  him 
for  one  of  his  Company,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Evans. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Jno.  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  for  300 
Dollars,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Barnes,  one  of  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor 
for  the  district  of  Southwark,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Robert  Bridges  £131  19,  being 
the  amo't  of  two  acco'ts,  viz :  £52  for  40  Hammocks  @  26s,  for 
the  use  of  the  Galley  Convention,  John  Rice,  Esq'r,  Commander; 
and  £79  19,  for  302  yards  of  Canvas  @  4s  6,  and  6  Barrels  of 
Turpentine  @  40s,  for  the  use  of  the  Ship  Montgomery,  Henry 
Dougherty,  Esq'r,  Commander. 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  John  Andrew,  of 
the  5th  Batt'n  of  Cumberland  County,  £6  9  4  being  the  Balance, 
he  having  rec'd  £11  5  of  Com.  of  Carlisle,  the  whole  amo't,  17  14  4, 
for  subsistence  of  one  Captain  and  ten  Privates-  on  their  march  to 
join  General  Washington,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Patrick  McDowell  £5,  for  turn- 
ing 200  Bottoms  for  3  and  4  lb.  Ball,  @  50s,  to  be  charg'd  to  Con- 
gress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  for  4000  Dollars,  in  favor  of 
Mr.  Robert  White,  for  the  purpose  of  paying  a  month's  Wages  to 
advance  to  the  Militia  of  Cumberland  County,  who  enter  into  actual 
Service,  to  be  charged  to  the  Committee  of  Carlisle. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Boyd  £7  5,  for  2  Guns  & 
Cartouch  Box,  for  the  use  of  a  Company  of  the  first  Batt'n  of  As- 
sociators  of  Northumberland  County,  to  be  charged  to  Colonel 
Hunter. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Charles  Clingin  £4  7  6,  for  Hail- 
ing Cannon,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  likewise  directed  to  pay  Doctor  Dulap  £40  17 
6,  for  Medicines  provided  the  State  Hospital,  and  two  Month's 
Wages  and  Rations  for  a  mate. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  81 

Resolved,  That  Robert  Falconer  be  appointed  an  Ensign  in  the 
12th  Pennsylvania  Regiment  of  Foot,  commanded  by  Col.  Wm. 
Cook,  in  the  room  of  John  Stone,  resigned. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  for  a  Balla.  of  £45  5,  in 
favour  of  Colonel  Philip  Cole,  for  Cash  advanc'd  the  4th  Battalion 
of  Northumberland  County,  he  to  be  accountable  to  Col.  Sam'l 
Hunter  for  the  same. 

Capt  Bickham  was  directed^to  pay  Capt.  James  Gibson  £Q7,  for 
retain'd  Rations  of  the  4th  Battalion  of  Cumberland  County,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 

Captain  Bickham  was  ordered  to  pay  the  following  acco'ts,  viz  : 
to  James  Cochran  £1  8  9,  for  1  Blanket;  William  Pennel  £3 
17,  for  3  Blankets;  Rob't  Evans  £2  12  6,  for  1  Blanket  and  2 
Pair  Shoes;  Andrew  Wallace  £1  10,  for  1  Blanket;  Philip 
Boehm  for  2  Pair  of  Shoes,  £2  5;  Geo.  Woods  £8  10,  for  10 
Pair  Shoes. 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  James  Claypoole  £15,  for 
Expences  that  may  attend  making  shirts,  to  be  charg'd  to  his  ac- 
count. 

Resolved,  That  Alexander  Hunter,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  pay- 
master to  the  militia  of  Northumberland  County,  enrolled  to  serve 
to  the  Tenth  of  March  next. 


In  Council  of   Safety. 

Philadelphia,  January  9th,  1777. 

present : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
Joseph  Blewer,  John  Hubley, 

Joseph  Dean,  Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r. 

John  Bull, 
An  order  was  drawn  on  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  Treas'r,  in  fav'r 
of  Messrs.  Christ'r  Marshall  &  Co.  for  £500,  for  the  purpose  of 
providing  for  Sick  Soldiers,  to  be  charged  to  their  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  John  Mitchel, 
Esq'r,  for  £1500,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Peter  Clark  £b  15  0,  for  a  Rifle 
delivered  to  Mr.  Towers. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Lewis  Nicola, 
Esq'r,  Town  Major,  one  Thousand  Pounds,  for  the  use  of  the  City 
Guards,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  James  Douglass  £1  10  11, 
for  4|  yards  of  Swanskin  @  7s  6,  and  Robert  Giffin  for  21  yards 
of  Linnen  @  3s  6,  £S  13  6. 

VOL.  XI. — 6. 


82  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  James  Stuart  two  Hundred 
Dollars,  for  the  use  of  Poor  Associators  iu  Capt.  Moulder's  Com- 
pany, while  in  actual  Service,  to  be  charged  to  Mr.  Stuart. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Paul  Zantzinger  £73  6  6, 
for  pay  and  Rations  of  his  Campany  of  Militia,  in  Colonel  Ross' 
Battalion  of  Lancaster  County,  commencing  Nov'r  16,  and  ending 
the  20th,  both  days  inclusive,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Christopher  Crawfordf 
£25  18  9,  for  pay  and  Rations  of  his  Company  of  Militia  in  Col. 
Ross'  Batt'n  of  Lancaster  Co.,  Commencing  the  16th  Nov'r,  & 
ending  the  20th,  both  days  inclusive,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Peter  Hoofnagle  £51  5, 
for  pay  and  Rations  of  his  Company  of  Militia,  in  Col.  Ross' 
Batt'n  of  Lancaster  County,  commencing  the  I6th  and  ending  the 
20th  Nov'r,  both  days  inclusive,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Henry  £52  7  1,  for 
pay  and  Rations  of  his  Company  of  Militia,  in  Col.  Ross'  Batta- 
lion of  Lancaster  County,  Commencing  the  16th  and  ending  the 
20th  Nov'r,  both  days  inclusive,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Andrew  Graff  £52  12 
6,  for  pay  and  Rations  of  his  Company  of  Militia  in  Col.  Ross' 
Batt'n  of  Lancaster  Co.,  Commencing  the  16th  and  ending  the 
20th  Nov'r,  both  days  inclusive,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Wm.  Justice  £5  10,  for  a  Gun; 
Pouch  and  Horn,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Jno.  Piper,  of  the  1st 
Batt'n  of  Bedford  County  Militia. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Wm.  Lowry  £3  15,  for  a  Rifle 
Gun  lost  in  the  Service  at  Trenton,  when  the  Stores  of  the  army 
were  removing  across  the  Delaware,  in  Dec'r,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Ebenezer  Lundy  £151  1,  for 
202  Oartouch  Boxes  and  200  Bayonet  Belts  delivered  to  Mr 
Tower3. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Andrew  Carson  £473,  for 
157  Pair  Leather  Breeches  @  60s,  and  2  pair  -Shoes  @  20s, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  for  2000  Dollars,  in  favour 
of  Capt.  Geo.  Bickham,  to  be  charg'd  to  his  Account. 

Resolved,  That  Edward  Cowan  be  appointed  Paymaster  to  the 
1st  Battalion  of  Lancaster  County  Militia. 

Resolved,  That  Joseph  Blewer  and  Joseph  Dean  be  appointed  to 
Collect  all  the  Cannon  in  this  city  and  suburbs,  that  they  may 
think  suitable  for  the  service  of  this  State,  and  that  they  may 
employ  as  many  Persons  as  they  think  necessary  for  mounting  the 
said  Cannon  on  truck  &  travelling  Carriages,  as  soon  as  possible. 


% 

COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  83 

In  Council  of  Safety,  January  10th7 1777, 

PRESENT. 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

Davib  Ritten house,  V.  P. 

Joseph  Blewer,  Wm.  Moore, 

Joseph  Dean,  John  Bull, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r.  John  Hubley. 

Captain  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Boyd  for 
Milage  of  his  Major,  himself,  adjutant,  2  Lieut.,  ensign,  four  Ser- 
geants, &  33  Privates,  @  47  Miles,  £10  8  8. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Culberson  £2  10,  for  2 
Blankets  for  Capt.  M.  Boyd's  Company,  to  be  charged  to  Colonel 
John  Hannum,  of  Chester  County. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  Philip  Cole,  £21  2  1  J,  for 
expences  for  collecting  his  Battalion  &  marching  them  to  this  city 
to  join  Gen.  Washington. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Conrod  Weaver  be  appointed  to  assist  Mr. 
William  Coates,  to  take  care  of  the  Sick  in  the  Northern  Liberties, 
in  the  room  pf  Mr.  Wm.  Masters. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Col.  Joseph 
Penrose,  for  Five  Thousand  Dollars,  for  recruiting  Service  for  the 
10th  Pen'a  Reg't,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Messrs.  Wm. 
Coates  &  Conrod  Weaver,  for  ^6100,  for  the  purpose  of, providing 
for  sick  soldiers  in  the  Northern  Liberties,  they  to  be  accountable. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Mr.  Robert 
Towers,  for  £50,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Rob't  McKees  £14  2  6, 
lor  11  Blanketts  for  the  use  of  his  Company,  to  be  charged  to  Col. 
Bartram  Gilbraith. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Offner  £18  10,  for  ex- 
pences in  conveying  5  British  officers  and  3  servants  from  Easton 
to  Brunswick,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Robert  Elliott  £6  0  0,  for  a 
Gun,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Piper,  of  Bedford  County. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  ordered  to  pay  Mr.  Philip  Boehm  Twenty 
Pounds,  for  the  use  of  poor  Associators  of  Capt.  Hassencliver's 
Comp'y,  1st  Batt'n,  he  to  be  accountable. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Daniel  Grubb  &  Co.  £37  10, 
for  Labourers'  pay  and  hire  of  2  Boats  employed  by  Major  Proc- 
tor. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  George  Palmer  £4,  for  Piloting  2 
Vessels  between  Philad'a  and  Trenton. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Jacob  Hill  and  Peter  Baker 
£11  10,  for  Work  and  Boat  Hire,  employed  by  Major  Proctor, 


84  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Frederick  Snyder  .£12  8,  for 
attendance  of  the  Council  for  31  days  a  8s. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Marcus  Hulings  £26,  for  a  Boat 
employ'd  in  transporting  the  Baggage  of  Colonel  Cook's  Battalion 
from  Shamokin  to  Harris'  Ferry,  which  Boat  was  accidentally  stove ; 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Robert  Irwin  do  pay  the  Waggoners'  Wages 
which  have  been  employed  in  this  State,  a  30s.  p  day,  deducting  10 
s.  p  day  if  they  receive,  public  Feed,  or  in  proportion  for  so  much 
as  they  do  receive,  having  a  due  regard  for  proper  Vouchers  of  the 
time  they  have  been  in  service,  and  that  he  discharge  none  which 
are  fit  for  service,  without  orders  of  Council. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  for  300  Dollars,  in  favor  of 
Captain  John  M'Gowen,for  recruiting  service  for  the  Pennsylvania 
Regiment,  now  commanded  by  Major  Williams,  he  to  be  account- 
able to  the  Major. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  for  £60,  in  favor  of  Lewis 
Guyon,  towards  work  done  for  this  State,  to  be  charged  to  his  Ac- 
co't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Jacob  Myers  £4  15,  for  Work 
and  Porterage  for  this  State. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  January  11th,  1777. 

present : 
DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  William  Moore, 

John  Bull,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen'r. 

Joseph  Blewcr,  Joseph  Dean. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Tho's  Whiteside  £o 
4,  for  Milage  of  11  men  70  Miles,  (Col.  Porter's  Batt'n  of  Lan- 
caster County  Militia,)  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Tho's  Waters  £30,  for  6  Flat 
loads  of  Stone,  for  filling  up  the  Piers  at  Fort  Island. 

Resolved,  That  Wilton  Atkinson  be  appointed  Quarter  Master 
to  the  12th  Pennsylvania  Regiment  of  Foot,  Commanded  by  Col. 
"VVm.  Cook. 

Resoloed,  That  all  Captains  or  inferior  Officers  of  Militia  who 
'Produce  Accounts  to  this  Board,  for  expenccs  attending  the  march 
of  the  Militia  to  this  City,  shall  be  qualified  to  such   accounts  be- 
fore they  are  passed  by  the  Secretary. 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Robert  Smith  £20  12  6, 
for  37 1  yards  Flannel,  a  lis. 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Colonel  James  Moor  £22 
.10  4,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Joseph  Park  -£18  8  6,  for  Expences  in  Col- 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  85 

lecting  the  1st  Batt'n  of  Chester  County  Militia,  including  half-pay 
of  the  Colonels  for  One  month  and  ten  days,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 

Resolved,  That  the  Paymasters  to  the  several  Pennsylvania 
Reg'ts  do  pay  to  each  of  the  Officers  and  Men  their  respective 
wages  once  p  month. 

Resolved,  That  all  the  Officers  and  men  belonging  to  Miles'  and 
Atlee's  Battalions,  who  are  now  in  this  City  or  the  Suburbs,  be 
paraded  before  the  Lodge,  on  Monday  morning  next,  that  their  ne- 
cessities may  be  enquired  into,  and  Cloathing  delivered  out  to  them. 

The  Senior  Officers  of  that  Corps  are  to  see  that  this  resolve  be 
complied  with,  and  that  notice  be  given  to  the  men  &  other  officers 
in  due  time.  And  no  party  or  detachment  of  the  said  Corps  is  to 
march  from  this  City  to  Head  Quarters  or  elsewhere,  without  or- 
ders from  this  Council. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  James  Hall  £23  12  6,  for 
27  Pair  Shoes,  a  17s.  6. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Andrew  Graff  29  6  9, 
for  Blankets.  Shoes  and  Stockings,  of  1st  Batt'n  Lancaster  Militia. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Simon  and  Levy  =£377  7  6,  for 
Guns  delivered  to  the  following  Colonels,  to  be  charged  to  their 
accounts,  Vizt : 

20  Rifle  Guns   deliver'd  Capt.  Robinson's  Co.,  of  the 

4th  Battalion  of  Cumberland  County,  a  £6  10s.,        £130  "00  0 
17  Guns  deliver'd  Robert  Elder's   Comp'y  of  the  4th 
Battalion  Lancaster  County,  a  £6  10s.,  110  10  0 

21  Rifle  Guns  delivered  Major  Davis,  Col.  Montgom- 
ery's Battalion  of  Lancaster  County,  a  £6  10s.,  136  17  6 
An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  £3  10,  in  favour  of  Robert 

King,  for  a  musket  sold  Lieu't  Col.  Murray,  of  Col.  Potter's  Reg't, 
for  the  use  of  said  Reg't,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Potter. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Samuel  Morris  £4  3,  for 
Oatmeal  and  Barley,  purchased  by  him  for  the  use  of  the  General 
Hospital  at  Bristol,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Thomas  Fitzgerald  £1  16,  for 
Hailing  Plank  for  the  Floating  Battery. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Storer,  Steward,  of  the 
Penn'a  Hospital,  ^104  15  0,  for  nursing  Sick  soldiers  in  the 
Hospital,  &ca,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Lieu't  James  Young  £!22  0  0, 
for  5  Stand  of  arms  Left  at  Fort  Washington,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 

Resolved,  That  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  be  authorized  to  employ  all 
the  Shoemakers  amongst  the  Hessian  Prisoners  at  Lancaster,  in 
making  of  Shoes  for  this  State,  for  which  purpose  the  sum  of  two 
thousand  Pounds  shall  be  advanced  to  him  or  his  order,  for  the  pur- 
chase of  leather  and  other  materials  for  working  upon ;  and  he  is  to 
pay  them  a  small  allowance  for  their  labour,  for  which  Service  Mr. 
Hubley  is  to  have  a  reasonable  compensation. 


86  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  VVni.  McAleavy  £18 
19,  for  Rations  due  his  Company  of  the  1st  Batten  of  Militia  of 
Bedford  County,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  John  Lee,  for  sub- 
sistance  of  his  Company  from  Northumberland  County,  £75  12 
4£,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Commissary 
of  the  Continental  Stores,  and  of  the  Stores  of  this  State  at  Lancas- 
ter, with  the  Rank  and  pay  of  a  Major,  And  to  have  full  powers 
to  appoint  such  Deputies  as  he  may  judge  necessary. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Clugage  &  Capt.  Par- 
ker -£14  19,  for  travelling  Expences  for  their  Companies  from  Bed- 
ford County,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philad'a,  January  12th,  1777. 
present  : 
DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Joseph  Blewer, 

Sam'l  ?dorris,  Sen'r,  James  Cannon, 

Joseph  Dean,  John  Hubley. 

Orders  were  given  to  Colonel  Morgan  to  have  the  2nd  Batten  ot 
Militia  in  Berks  County,  which  he  is  to  command,  to  make  all  neces- 
sary preparations,  and  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  march  on 
the  Shortest  notice,  and  wait  until  further  orders  from  this  Board. 

The  Council  being  informed  that  a  number  of  the  Country  Mili- 
tia are  returning  to  their  respective  homes,  disgusted  at  the  pre- 
cipitate orders  they  received  this  day,  to  march  when  they  were  not 
supplied  w'th  provisions,  and  in  want  of  many  other  necessaries, 
which  orders  were  given  without  the  approbation  of  this  Board. 

Resolved,  That  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  a  member  of  this  board,  be 
directed  to  endeavour  to  prevail  on  such  of  the  Militia  to  return, 
and  to  assure  them  that  this  Council  have,  and  ever  will  warmly 
interest  themselves  in  behalf  of  their  Countrymen,  the  Militia  of 
this  State,  And  will  exert  their  authority  to  the  utmost  to  preserve 
to  them  the  rights  of  Freemen ;  and  further,  that  this  Council  will, 
as  far  as  possible,  furnish  such  as  shall  return,  with  all  proper 
equipments,  And  by  no  means  consent  to  their  being  compelled  to 
join  the  Continental  Army  until  they  are  so  supplied. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  87 

In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philad'a,  January  13th,  1777 

PRESENT  I 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Joseph  Dean,  William  Moore, 

Owen  Biddle,  Chairman,       Joseph  Blewer, 
John  Bull,  John  Hubiey, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  James  Cannon. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  to  Robert  Fitzgerald  £33  4  10, 
for  work  done  the  Ship  Montgomery,  and  £12  116,  for  work  done 
the  Galley  Convention. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  James  McDonald,  Commis- 
sary to  the  Northumberland  Militia,  £300  8  10,  for  providing  the 
Militia  with  provisions,  on  their  march  to  this  City. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Martin  Wirt  £75  19,  being  the 
BalFe  of  his  acco't,  for  hire  of  a  Schooner  for  77  days,  a  30s,  and 
work  done  by  himself  and  hands  at  Chevaux  de  Frize. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  David  Robb  £7,  for  2  Guns  and 
one  Blanket,  for  the  use  of  the  2nd  Batt'n  of  Northumberland 
county,  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  James  Murray. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  the  following  Person  £36  7,  to 
be  charged  to  Col.  James  Murray  of  the  2nd  Batt'n  of  Cumber- 
land County,  viz : 

To  Capt.  Cookson  Long  £Q  10,  for  a  Rifle  Gun. 

To  Do.  5  10,  for  a  Gun. 

To  Do.  11,        for  2  Guns,  Horn,  Pouches  and 

Charger. 

To  Do.  6  17,  for  1  Gun  and  Blanket. 

To  Do.  6  10,  for  1   Gun   and  Blanket  from 

John  Luce. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Samuel  Harris  £7  4,  for  work 
done  the  Arms  of  the  Militia  of  Northumberland  County. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Samuel  Harris  £16  7,  for  re- 
pairs of  the  arms  of  the  Militia  of  Northumberland,  by  order  of 
Major  John  Harris. 

Capt.  Bickham  to  pay  Capt.  Thomas  Paxton  £31  8  6,  for 
BalFe  of  his  acco't  of  Subsistence  of  his  Comp'y  from  Bedford 
County,  to  be  charged  to  Congress.  (N.  B.  Capt.  Paxton  left 
Bills  to  the  amo't  of  £9  19,  at  Taverns  on  the  road. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Sam'l  Wilson  £23  16, 
for  pay  of  his  Comp'y  of  the  5th  Batt'n  of  York  Co.  Militia. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Major  John  Rogers  £20,  for  his 
pay,  and  Rations  for  28  days,  (of  the  2nd  Batt'n  of  Lancaster 
county,)  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 


88  MINUTES  OF  THE 

•  An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Benjamin  Mar- 
shall for  £200,  for  the  purpose  of  assistance  of  the  families  of 
poor  Militia  of  Capt.  Bowers'  Company. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Colonel  James  Murray  67  Dol- 
lars, being  advance  for  a  Company  of  men  in  Northumberland 
County. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Lieut.  Col.  Jameg  Murray 
£25  6  3,  for  sundry  expences  attending  this  Batt'n  of  Northum- 
berland Co.  Militia. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  the  officers  of  the  above 
Batt'n  £42,  for  subsistence  money. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  John  Clark  £148  19, 
for  subsistence  money,  for  his  Co.  of  the  North'd  Co.  Militia. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Emanuel  Woodly  £13  5  0,  for 
Boat  Hire. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Mr.  Robert 
Irvine  for  £500,  for  the  payment  of  Waggon  hire,  to  be  charged  to 
l  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  favor  of  Doctor  Harris,  for 
£150,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Alex'r  Trindle  £27  12, 
for  subsistence  of  his  Co.  from  Carlisle  to  this  City,  to  be  charged, 
to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  McGinnet  £ll  5,  for 
carrying  stone  from  Fort  Island  to  the  Piers. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Lewis  Harrington  £10,  for 
10  pair  Shoes. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  January  14th,  1777.. 

PRESENT : 

THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

David  Rittenhouse,  Owen  Biddle, 

Joseph  Blewer,  John  Hubley, 

Joseph  Dean,  John  Bull. 

Win.  Moore, 
An  order  was  drawn  on   Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Capt.  Gusta- 
vus  Resberg  for  £500,  for  expences  in  carrying  on  the  Continental 
Powder  Mill,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Biddle  &  Major  Jos.  Copperth- 
waite. 

Messrs.  Mease  &  Caldwell  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  Fred.  Wats 
£l  8  0,  for  a  Ball'e  due  him  for  Blankets  delivered  to  Mr.  Towers, 
&  Rations,  to  be  charged  to  Con. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Samuel  Goudys,  for  the 
subsistence  of  his  Company  from  Juniata,  £G0  0  0,  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  89 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Doctor  William  Stephens 
£3  13  9,  for  Medicine  and  Attendance  of  Thos.  Smith,  Bifleman 
of  Capt.  Murray's  Co.,  2nd  Batt'n  of  Pennsylv'a. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Johnson  £5  18,  for  nur- 
sing, attendance,  and  funeral  expences   of  the  above  Tho's  Smith. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Scott  £9  7,6,  for  7 
Blankets  and  a  Waggon  Cloth  for  the  use  of  Capt.  Wm.  Scott's 
Comp'y  of  Col.  Klotz's  Batt'n  of  the  Flying  Camp,  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Hoofnagle  £%  9  10, 
being  cash  paid  by  him  to  Jacob  Dickert  for  repairing  Arms  &c. , 
charge  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Thomas  Nevell, 
for  One  Hundred  pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't  towards  Gun 
s  Carriages  making  by  him. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Captain  Wil- 
liam Gray,  for  Two  Hundred  Dollars,  for  recruiting  service,  to  be 
charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Robt.  Towers  £258  19  6, 
for  making  Cartridges,  Arms  Purchased,  &ca. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Thomas  Holliday,  Ensign  of 
Capt'n.  Wm.  McAlewy's  Comp'y  of  Bedford  Co.,  £5,  being  the 
Ball'ce  of  a  month's  pay,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Colonel  Henry  Geiger  £89 
4  6,  for  charges  of  apprehending  and  bringing  to  Reading  Goal 
the  following  persons,  who  are  suspected  of  being  Tories,  to  whose 
acco't  this  sum  is  to  be  charged,  viz  ;  William  Thomas,  Philip 
Mooser,  Michael  Ohl,  Casper  Boldof,  Michael  Buck,  Henry  Stin- 
ninger  &  Jacob  Oswalt. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Nicholas  Spring  £1  17  6,  for 
Hailing  Wood. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Col.  Henry 
Geiger,  for  £75  0  0,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  Blankets,  &ca., 
for  His  Battalion,  Northampton  County,  to  be  charged  to  his  ac- 
count. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt,  Rider  £16,  for  Exp's 
of  his  Comp'y  from  the  4th  until  the  11th  Inst,  to  be  charged  to 
the  Colonel,  Henry  Geiger. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Davis  Bevan  £14=  12  6,  for  Ex- 
pences going  to  Lewistown  to  obtain  the  release  of  Prisoners  from 
the  Roebuck  Man  of  War. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Josiah  Hewes  &  Andrew  Tybout  & 
Robert  Tucking,  be  appointed  to  take  care  of  the  Prisoners  return- 
ed from  New  York,  &  to  provide  them  with  such  necessaries  as 
they  may  stand  in  need  of,  and  that  they  make  return  to  this  Coun- 
cil of  their  names,  with  the  Battalions  to  which  they  belong,  and 
also  that  they  do  return  to  Messrs.  Mease  &  Caldwell,  such  as  be- 
long to  the  Continental  Army,  and  to  John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq'r, 
such  as  belong  to  this  State,  that  they  may  receive  their  pay. 


90  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Resolved,  That  the  officers  of  the  first  Battalion  of  Lancaster 
County,  and  the  few  men  who  remained  with  them  when  they  were 
deserted  by  the  greater  part  of  the  Battalion  on  the  12th  instant, 
deserve  the  warmest  acknowledgments  of  this  Board  for  their  en- 
deavors to  prevail  on  their  Countrymen  to  stay,  though  those  en- 
deavors proved  unsuccessful :  and  that  the  conduct  of  those  who 
basely  deserted,  at  that  time,  without  applying  to  this  Council,  and 
waiting  for  redress,  if  they  thought  themselves  aggrieved,  is  highly 
reprehensible. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  John  Hubley, 
Esq'r,  for  two  Thousand  Pounds,  (agreeable  to  a  Resolve  of  11th 
Inst,)  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  January  15th,  1777. 

present : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Joseph  Dean,  John  Bull, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Wm.  Moore, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  John  Hubley. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Abram  Mason  £12  7  6,  for 
work  done  by  Sundry  Persons  in  the  Elabratory,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Messrs.  Peter 
Dehaven  &  Co.,  for  five  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  their 
acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Peter  Knight, 
£100,  to  supply  the  poor  families  of  Capt.  Williams'  Company,  to 
be  charged  to  Mr.  Knight. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Benjamin  Armitage  £2  9  4,  for 
Tavern  Expences  of  Major  Proctor's  Men,  with  2  Waggons  of  am- 
munition, on  the  3d  &  4th  of  Dec'r  last,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  John  McConkey  £21 
10  7,  for  arms  &  accoutrements,  &c,  furnished  his  Comp'y  of 
the  County  of  Bucks,  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Hart. 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  James  Adams  £112 
5  1,  for  Expences  attending  the  March  of  his  Co.,  from  Cumber- 
land Co.,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  in  favour 
of  William  Thompson,  for  £50,  towards  Manufacturing  Powder 
for  Congress,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  James  Purdy  £117  17 
3,  for  subsistence  of  his  Company  of  the  4th  Batt'nof  Cumberland 
County  Militia,  from  Juniata  to  this  City,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  91 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Capt.  Hedrick, 
200  Dollars,  for  recruiting  service  of  the  11th  Reg't  of  this  State, 
to  be  charged  to  Col.  Humpton. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Henry  Huber  of  the  5th 
Batt'n  of  Bucks  County  Militia  £8  18,  for  Exp's  of  Drum  and 
Fife,  with  wages  of  a  Drill  Sergeant,  for  instruction  of  his  Com- 
pany. 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  the  following  Acco'ts,  to 
be  charged  to  Congress  : 

To  William  Rush,  for  Men  &  Horses  for  Expresses  since 
the  7th  Dec'r, 
Peter  Warner  for  Do., 

William  Morris  for  Do., 

Peter  Parris  for  Do.,  to  Reading, 

Geo.  Haas  for  Do., 

Lewis  Fohrer  for  Do., 

Leonard  Lasher  for  Do., 


Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Young  £75  5,  for  Knap- 
sacks, Havre  Sacks,  Priming  Wires  &,  Brushes,  &c. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Wm.  Gray  <£!  11,  for 
Expences  attending  the  bringing  Prisoners  from  Chesnut  Hill,  to 
be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Captain  Francis 
Nichols,  for  200  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service,  to  be  charged  to 
his  acco't. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Geo.  Losh  £9  17  10,  for 
subsistence  of  a  Company  of  the  2nd  Batt'n  of  Northampton  County. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Fisher  £1  12,  for  sub- 
sistence of  his  Company,  of  the  3d  Battalion  of  Berks  County. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  William  Cook  £3,  for  one  Gun 
for  his  Company,  of  the  '2nd  Batt'n  of  North' d  County,  to  be 
charged  to  the  Colonel. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Thomas  Carpenter  £3  10  0, 
for  4  pair  of  Shoes,  &  James  Teas  for  3  pair  of  Shoes,  £1  15  0,  ■& 
John  Cahey  £1  10  0,  for  1  Blanket. 


£27 

10  0 

13 

12  6 

11 

0  0 

3 

15  0 

5 

0  0 

7 

10  0 

17 

15  0 

£SQ 

2  6 

92  MINUTES  OF  THE 


In  Council  of  Safety,  January  16th,  1777. 

present : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
Joseph  Dean,  John  Bull, 

Joseph  Blewer,  David  Rittenhouse, 

John  Hubley,  James  Cannon. 

Sam,l  Morris,  Sen'r, 
Au  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  John  Hart,  for 
£100  0  0,  for  the  purpose  of  providing  for  Sick  Soldiers,  he  to  be 
accountable. 

Mr.  Nesbitt 'was  directed  lo  pay  Arch'd  McCall  £120  0  0,  for 
32  muskets  delivered  to  Mr.  Towers. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Emslie  £4  3  2,  for  Shot 
Patterns,  to  be  charged  to  James  Old,  &  £17  8  8,  for  ditto,  deliv- 
ered to  Mr.  Towers,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Alex'r  Huston  £1  2  6,  for 
a  Blanket. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Captain  John 
Nelson,  of  Colonel  George  Taylor's  Battalion  of  Northampton  County, 
for  One  hundred  Pounds,  to  advance  his  Company  a  month's  pay, 
to  be  charged  to  Peter  Rhodes,  Esq'r,  he  to  be  accountable  to  Mr. 
Rhodes. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  for  200  Dollars,  in  favor  of 
Lieutenant  John  Stotsbury,  for  recruiting  service  for  the  11th  Reg't, 
to  be  charged  to  Col.  Rich'd  Humpton. 

Copy  of  an  intercepted  Letter,  directed  to  Brigadier  General  Phil- 
emon Dickenson ,  at  the  American  Gamp. 

"  Receive  no  more  Continental  Money  on  your  Bonds  and  Mort- 
gages. The  British  Troops  having  conquered  the  Jerseys,  and  your 
being  in  Camp,  are  sufficient  reasons.  Be  sure  you  remember  this. 
It  will        better  for  you." 

The  above  is  a  true  copy  of  an  intercepted  Let'ter,  w'h  Letter  Col. 
John  Dickenson  has  acknowledged  before  the  Council,  to  have  been 
written  by  himself  to  his  Brother  the  General.' 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  93 


In  Council  of  Safety,  January  17th,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Presid't. 

John  Hubley,  Joseph  Blewer. 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Wm.  Moore, 

Owen  Biddle,  David  Rittenhouse, 

Wm.  Lyons,  ■  John  Bull, 

Joseph  Deanj  James  Cannon. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Timothy 
Barret,  for  £20,  for  the  use  of  poor  Families  of  Capt.  Wade's  Com- 
pany, to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  favour  of  Jacob  Shriner, 
for  100  Dollars,  for  the  use  of  the  poor  families  of  Associators. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Matthias  Young  £3,  for  Paint- 
ing 2  Flat  Bottom'd  Boats. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  favour  of  Captain  Blewer, 
for  £200,  he  to  be  accountable. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  favour  of  Major- Williams, 
for  2,000  Dollars,  for  recruiting  service,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Samuel  G-owdy  £2,  Adam  Mey- 
ers £1  7,  and  Robert  Dawson  £2,  for  3  Guns  lost  in  Actual  Ser- 
vice in  Col.  Watt's  Batt'n  at  Forts  Lee  and  Washington,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress; 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Col.  Jacob 
Stroud,  for  500  Dollars,  for  the]use  of  the  4th  Batt'n  of  Northamp- 
ton County  Militia,  to  be  charged  to  acco't  of  Peter  Rhoads,  Esq'r, 
he  to  be  accountable  to  Mr.  Rhoads. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Michael  Hubley  have  the  rank  and  pay  of 
Captain,  as  Barrack  Master  of  Lancaster  County. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Henry  Klimer  15s  for 
a  Blanket,  &  William  Porter  £3  12  0,  for  6  pair  of  Stockings. 

Mr.  Robert  Dallam,  Paymaster  to  the  Flying  Camp,  was  re- 
quested to  advance  Captain  Smyser  Fifty  pounds,  to  pay  some  of 
his  men  who  have  lately  returned  from  their  Captivity. 


94  MINUTES  OF  THE 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philad,  January  18th,  1777^ 

PRESENT : 

SAVl'L  MORRIS,  Sen'r,  Chair'n. 

John  Hubley,  William  Lyon, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Joseph  Dean, 

John  Bull,  James  Cannon. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Colonel  Mel- 
cher,  for  2,000  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Philip  Wert  ^65  10  0,  for  Hire 
of  his  Shallop,  to  assist  in  sinking  Chevaux  de  Frize. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  Lieut.  Robert 
Connoly,  for  000  Dollars,  for  recruiting  service  for  the  fourth  Pen' a 
Regiment,  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  L.  Cadwalader. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Messrs.  Wil- 
liam Chrispin,  Samuel  Taylor,  William  Allen,  Job  Harvey,  & 
Peter  Stretch,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  Blankets  in  Chester 
County,  to  be  charged  to  their  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Alex'r 
Hunter,  Paymaster  to  the  Northumberland  County  Militia,  for  one 
Hundred  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  L't  Col.  Fred.  Antes,  of  3rd 
Batt'n  of  Philad'a  County  Militia",  £43  10  0,  for  Drum,  Drum 
major  &  Fife  major  wages,  £43  10  0. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary  of  Stores,  was  directed  to  deliver 
Mr.  Johnson  of  Maryland  Three  Hundred  Stand  of  Arms,  and  as 
many  Cartouch  Boxes  as  he  may  have  occasion  for,  for  the  use  of 
the  Maryland  Militia. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  to  Mr.  Werts  35 
Stand  of  Arms,  to  keep  Guard  over  the  Hessian  Prisoners  at  Lan- 
caster. 

Whereas,  This  Council  is  informed  that  many  of  the  principal 
Associators  of  Col.  Hunter's  Battalion  of  Berks  County,  refuse  to 
inarch,  to  join  General  Washington's  array  at  this  Important 
Crisis,  when  so  glorious  an  opportunity  offers  of  Crushing  the 
enemy,  and  thereby  have  prevented  and  discouraged  the  rest,  and 
proceeded  even  to  dare  them  to  enforce  the  resolves  of  this  Council 
upon  them ;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Hunter  be  directed  forthwith  to  Collect 
all  the  well  affected  in  his  Battalion,  and  to  seize  upon  the  ring- 
leaders in  this  defection,  and  send  them  under  guard  to  Philadel- 
phia, and  that  he  do  execute  the  Resolve;  the  resolve  of  this 
Council  of  the  seventh  of  December  last,  upon  all  who  refuse  to 
march  without  favour  or  affection,  and  that  they  do  Collect  Blan- 
kets and  other  necessaries  for  the  use  of  those  who  are  to  march, 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  95 

paying  a  reasonable  price  for  the  same ;  and  should  any  person  re- 
fuse to  deliver  such  necessaries  as  they  can  spare,  the  Colonel  is 
directed  to  take  and  pay  for  the  same.  Those  that  turn  out  are  to 
march  the  most  direct  road  to  Head  Quarters. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Capt.  Bickham,  in  favour  of  Colonel 
Stroud,  £57  10,  for  mileage  of  three  Companies  marching  to  this 
City. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  James  F.  Moore  £29  10  9, 
for  Expences  after  deserters,  &c,  by  order  of  Gren'l  Washington. 

Resolved,  That  Doct'r  Andrew  Ledlie,  (of  Northampton  County,) 
be  appointed  Surgeon  to  the  12th  Pensylvania  Reg't,  Commanded 
by  Colonel  Wm.  Cook. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philad'a.,  January  19th,  1777, 

PRESENT : 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Joseph  Blewer,  Wm.  Lyon, 

John  Bull,  James  Cannon, 

Joseph  Dean, 

Jno.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  Bar- 
tram  Galbreath  £146  17  0,  for  arms  taken  from  non-associators,  to 
be  charged  to  his  acco't. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  January  20th,  1777, 

PRESENT : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Chairm'n. 

John  Bull,  John  Hubley, 

William  Moore,  Joseph.  Blewer, 

Joseph  Dean,  Owen  Biddle, 

Wm.  Lyon,  David  Rittenhouse. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  was 
directed  to  pay  Messrs.  Peter  Dehaven  &  Co.  ^500,  to  be  charged 
to  their  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Mr.  Robert 
Erwin,  for  ^500,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Col.  Clement 
Biddle,  for  5000  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 


96  MINUTES  OF   THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Capt.  Geo. 
Bickham,  for  2000  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Robert  Patton  1000  Dollars, 
for  Cloathing,  &ca.,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  H.  Courtney  200  Dollars, 
for  recruiting  Service  for  artillery,  to  be  charged  to  Major  Proctor. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  the  following  ac- 
counts : 

James  Bickham,  £162    6  5£,  for  Swanskin,  &ca. 

John  Robertson,      20  10  G,    for  Blankets. 

James  Willson,  1  10  0,    for  a  Blanket. 

Sam'l  Weer,  1  15  0,    for  a     Do. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Britton  ,£50  11  4,  for 
Boards,  &ca.  for  use  of  Magazine,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Robert  Bailey 
for  £25,  for  the  use  of  the  families  of  poor  associators  in  Capt. 
McElwain's  Company  of  the  3d  Batt'n,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Capt.  John 
Hazlewood,  for  800  Dollars,  being  the  Bounty  Money  for  80  men. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Larnoe  £15  12,  for  26 
Cartouch  Boxes  and  Bayonet  Belts  @  13s,  to  be  charged  to  the 
Coin.  Bucks  County  Militia. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  favor  of  Captain  Bowen,  for 
1000  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service  of  the  9th  Reg't,  te  be 
charg'd  to  Col'l  Nagle. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Dean  and  Colonel  Bull  be  appointed  to 
attend  the  Treaty  to  be  held  with  the  Indians  at  Easton,  on  Mon- 
day next,  on  behalf  of  this  Council  j  when,  they  are  to  advise 
and  concur  with  the  Committee  of  Assembly  and  Congress,  in  all 
such  measures  as  they  shall  think  proper,  to  preserve  peace  and 
harmony  with  the  Indian  Nations. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Win.  Lyon, 
Esq'r,  for  500  Dollars,  to  be  charg'd  to  his  Acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Mary  Wirt,  the 
wife  of  Lieut.  Geo.  Wirt,  of  Col.  Miles'  Batt'n,  £30,  in  part  of  his 
pay,  and  to  be  charg'd  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  favour  of  Col'l  Bartram  Gal- 
braith,  for  £310,  to  be  charg'd  to  Mr.  Will'm  Attlee,  Chairman  of 
the  Committee  of  Lancaster,  to  whom  he  is  accountable  for  the 
same. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Dan'l  Carpenter  *£19 
12,  for  retain'd  Rations  for  1  Capt.  and  10  men,  f'm  the  10th 
Dec'r  last. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed #to  pay  Sarah  Jollie  -£5,  for  2  Blank- 
ets, sold  the  15th  Ins't. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  97 


In  Council  of  Safety. 


Philadelphia,  January  21st,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  Jun'r.  President. 

Joseph  Dean,  John  Hubiey, 

Joseph  Blewer,  William  Lyon, 

John  Bull,  David  Rittenhouse, 

William  Moore,  Saml.  Morris,  Sen'r, 

Geo.  Gray,  Owen  Biddle. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Messrs.  Jo- 
giah  Hewes,  for  £100,  to  be  charged  to  their  Account. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Thomas  Casdorp  £35  12  5,  for 
expences  of  the  Guards  in  bringing  up  money  from  Baltimore,  to 
be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Thos.  Casdorp  £8  15,  for  his  expences  to 
Morristown  and  back  again,  seven  days,  @  25s,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Robert  Saunderson  £149  13  0? 
for  Arms  taken  from  Tories  in  New  Jersey  by  Maj'r  Hubiey  &  Ma- 
jor Mifflin,  &  delivered  to  Mr.  Towers.  Also  £78,  for  3  Horses 
delivered  to  John  Morris,  Esq'r,  Q.  M,  taken  from  Tories  -in  Jer- 
sey, &  taken  into  public  service,  to  be  charged  to  Mr.  Morris. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  Wm.  Cook  &  6  Officers  of 
his  Reg't,  vizt :  Capts.  John  Harris,  Henry  McKinley,  Hawkins 
Boon,  John  Brady,  Lieutenants  Stephen  Chambers,  Robert  King, 
for  extraordinary  expences  for  recruiting,  &ca,  Amounting  to  £368 
3  10,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Colonel  Ephraim  Blain,  of  the  1st  Battalion  Cumberland  County 
Militia,  is  directed  to  hold  an  Election  for  Field  Officers  in  the  said 
Battalion,  if  two-Thirds  of  the  Battalion,  now  marched  and  march- 
ing to  Camp,  require  the  same.  That  the  Colonel  be  furnished 
with  Blank  Commissions  to  fill  them,  according  to  such  directions. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  Bartraim  Galbraith  £66  2 
3,  for  Arms  delivered  to  Mr.  Towers. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Joseph  Martin 
for  Subsistance  of  his  Company  from  Cumberland  County  to  this 
City,  £1.05   1  3,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Colonel  Bartram  G-al breath  £34 
10  6,  for  Blankets,  lost  by  his  Batt'n  in  Actual  Service  at  Trenton 
and  Frincetown,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr,  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  Galbreatl^£19  14  1,  for 
Bxp'ja  of  his  Batt'n  in  Calling  out,  &c,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Thos.  Beale  £72  17, 
for  subsistence  of  his  Comp'y  of  Col.  Watts'  Batt'n  of  Cumberland 

VOL.  XI.— 7, 


98  MINUTES  OF  THE 

County  Militia,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress ;  likewise  £12  7  for 
Ferriage. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  John  Cox, 
Esq'r,  for  £500,  on  acco't  of  Shott  cast  for  this  State,  to  be  charged 
to  his  acco't. 

John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  was  directed  to  pay  Robert 
Smith  £20  0  0,  for  the  purpose  of  providing  poor  families  of  Col- 
onel Savage's  Battalion  of  Rockhill  Township,  Bucks  County,  to  be 
charg'd  to  him. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Captain  William 
Gray,  for  five  Hundred  Dollars,  for  recruiting  service,  to  be  charged 
to  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Alexander  Ben- 
stead,  Paymaster,  for  the  10th  Reg't,  for  2000  Dollars,  for  recruiting 
service,  to  be  charg'd  to  Col.  Penrose. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Tho's. 
Savadge,  for  £500,  to  be  charg'd  to  his  Acco't. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  And'w  Wimmore  £12 
17  6,  for  expences  of  Horses  for  Expresses,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Howell  £8  3  10,  for 
his  expences  as  an  Express  to  Head  Quarters,  charge  to  Congress. 

Resolved }  That  Mr.  Thomas  Payne  be  appointed  Secretary  to  the 
Commissioners  for  the  Indian  Treaty  to  be  held  at  Easton  on  Mon- 
day next. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Wilson  £2  10,  for  attend- 
ance and  distributing  advertisements  since  20th  ult.,  to  be  charg'd 
to  Congress. 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Major  John  Boggs  £5  4, 
for  subsisting  while  assisting  to  raise  the  Batt'n  of  Cumberland 
County  Militia,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Sam'l  Davidson  £92  4 
10,  for  retain'd  Rations  of  his  Company. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Matthias  Selers  £77 
2  4,  for  subsistence  of  his  Co.  of  the  1st  Batt'n  Cumb.  Co.  Militia, 
to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Wm.  Mitchell,  of  the 
5th  Batt'n  York  County  Militia  £30  1  6,  for  subsistence  of  his 
Comp'y,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  Persons  be  appointed  in  the  Penn- 
sylvania Reg't,  now  under  the  Command  of  Major  Williams  : 

Jas.  Carnaghan,     1st  Lieutenant,  October  24th,  1776,  No.  8. 

Thomas  Johnston,  Do  ,  Jan'ry  21st,  1777. 

Joseph  Brownlee,  2nd        Do.,       October  24th,  1776,  7. 

Luke  Broadhead,   Do.,  October  24th,  1776,  8. 

James  Whitehead,  do.,  January  21st,  1777. 

James  Wiley,         Ensign,  January  21,  1777. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  99 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Machan  £1  10,  for  a 
Blanket  lost  in  actual  Service  and  apprais'd,  to  be  charg'd  to  Con- 
gress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Alex'r  Rannax,  of  Capt.  Cul- 
'bertson's  Comp'y,  £3  15,  for  a  double  Blanket  lost  in  actual  Ser- 
vice, to  be  charged  to  Congress. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  January  22nd,  1777 


PRESENT  *. 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  President. 

Joseph  Blewer, 

John  Hubley, 

Joseph  Dean, 

William  Lyon, 

William  Moore, 

Geo.  Gray, 

John  Bull, 

John  Bayard. 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r, 

Jno.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  directed  to  pay  the  following  Ac 

counts : 

To  Capt.  De  Turick,  £1     3  6,  for  Subsistence  of  his  Company  las 

Summer. 

Capt.  Mouser,        12  11  7,  for 

do. 

Capt.  Shaffer,           13  4,  for 

do. 

Capt.  Soder,             2     2  8,  for 

do. 

Capt.  Will,               1  18  8,  for 

do. 

Capt.  Old,                 2     4       for 

do. 

Capt.  Mouser,                9  4,  for 

do. 

Capt.  Mouser,          3  14  6,  for 

do. 

Capt.  Moyer,           1  13  4,  for 

do. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Alex'r  Tod,  £722  8,  for  Sundry 
Goods  deliver'd  the  artillery  and  Naval  Armaments  of  this  State, 
to  be  charg'd  to  the  respective  Captains. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  favour  of  Major  Williams, 
for  1000  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service,  to  be  charged  to  his 
Acco't, 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  to  Capt.  Turbett  £'207  18, 
for  retained  Rations  of  his  Company  of  Col.  Watts'  Batt'n  of  Cum- 
berland County  Militia,  charge  to  Congress. 

To  Col.  Watts  £32  7,  for  Rations  due  the  Field  and  Staff  officers 
of  his  Batt'n,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Robert  Towers]  £136 
5  0,  for  workmen's  wages  in  the  Elaboratory,  making  mus- 
ket Cartridges,  arms  purchased,  &ca.,  £120  15  0,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress,  &  £15  10  0,  for  his  wages  from  19th  December  to  Jan- 
uary 19th,  31  days,  to  be  charged  to  this  State. 


100  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Resolved,  That  Richard  Dellam,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the  Flying 
Camp,  be  requested  to  pay  the  accounts  of  Subsistence  of  the  Com- 
panies of  the  Flying  Camp,  before  their  march,  at  the  rate  of  ten 
Shillings  ^  week,  and  a  Dollar  ^  man  for  enlisting,  and  to  keep 
a  seperate  account  of  all  such,  that  this  board  may  be  enabled 
hereafter  to  settle  the  same  with  Congress. 

Mr.  Towers,  the  Commissary  of  Stores,  was  directed  to  deliver 
to  Capt.  James  Crouch  of  the  4th  Batt'n  of  Lancaster  County  Mili- 
tia, the  following  Articles,  to  be  charged  to  Major  C.  Cox  of  s'd 
Batt'n  : 

34  Guns. 

35  Cartouch  Boxes. 
15  Canteens. 

6  Knapsacks. 

Resolved,  That  Col.  Melcher,  Barrack  Master  General,  be  direc- 
ted to  Quarter  the  Militia  upon  the  Non-Associators  in  this  City 
and  Liberties,  and  on  all  Associators  who  have  not  served  in  this 
Winter's  Campaign,  the  Council  particularly  recommend  to  him  in 
Quartering  them,  to  proportion  the  number  to  the  size  of  the 
Mouses  and  convenience  of  the  Families. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Stewart  Duncan  £3  5  0,  for 
wood  for  Ship  Montgomery. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Christian  Leary  £12  12,  for 
Boarding  of  men  in  March  and  April  last,  of  Col.  Miles'  Batt'n. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  John  Read  £$  17  6,  for 
axpences  in  bringing  wood  from  fort  Island. 

An  address  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New  York,  to 
their  Constituents,  being  transmitted  to  the  Board  by  Congress, 
with  a  request  to  get  the  same  translated  into  the  German  Lan- 
guage and  have  a  sufficient  number  printed, 

Resolved,  That  Major  John  Hubley  have  the  said  address  Trans- 
lated, and  get  1500  Copies  Struck  off  in  the  German  Language, 
und  1000  Copies  in  English. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  for  taking  care  of  the  Sick  Sol- 
diers who  have  arrived  in  this  City  be,  and  they  are  hereby  autho- 
rized and  fully  empowered  to  take  into  their  Possession  all  the 
Arms  of  the  aforesaid  sick,  also  all  the  Arms  of  those  who  iiave 
died  in  this  City ;  all  persons  who  shall  be  found  secreting  any 
Arms  of  the  Soldiers  aforesaid,  or  of  those  who  have  died  in  their 
Houses,  will  be  severely  dealt  with  by  this  Board. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed^to  pay  John  Hufty  £\,  for  fireing 
and  lodging  3  Companies  of  the  Berks  County  Militia*  to  be  charged 
to  Congress 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  301 

In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  January  23rd,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Pres't. 

William  Moore,  Peter  Rhoads, 

Joseph  Dean,  William  Lyon, 

John  Hubley,  John  Bull. 

Joseph  Blewer, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Capt.  Biekham, 
for  2000  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  Acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Col.  John  Old, 
125  Dollars,  for  a  Month's  Wages  for  one  Col.  &  one  Major,  to  be 
charged  to  Mr.  Adam  Whitman,  in  Reading,  he  to  be  accountable 
to  Mr.  Whitman. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Sam'l  Oliver  £4  2  6,  for  dieting 
men  of  Col.  Miles'    Battalion,  in  May  last. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favor  of  Mr.  William 
Coates,  for  £200,  for  Providing  for  sick  soldiers  in  the  Northern 
Liberties,  to  be  charged  to  his  Acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Major  Lewis 
Nicola,  for  £100,  for  the  use  of  the  City  Guard,  to  be  charged  to 
his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Ensign  Lawrence  Oats,  of  Capt. 
Mitchel's  Comp'y  of  5th  Batt'n  York  County  Militia,  Seven  pounds 
&  ten  Shillings,  for  a  Month's  wages,  he  having  turned  into  the 
ranks,  as  there  was  a  greater  number  of  Officers  than  men;  to  fee 
charged  to  Jos  Donaldson,  Esq'r,  York  Town,  Mr.  Oats  to  be  ac- 
countable to  Mr.  Donaldson. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  the  following  accounts,  to  be 
charged  to  Col.  Potter,  of  Northumberland  County  : 
One  acco't  for  Blankets  bo't  of  Sundry  Persons,  £21  8  0 

One    do.     for  a  Gun,  Blanket,  &c,  bo't  of  Simon  Hem- 
rod,  -  -  -  -    5  2  0 
One    do.     for  a  Gun  bo't  of  Buchanan  Smith,       -             -    4  0  0 
One    do.     for  a  Gun  bo't  of  Wm.  Blue,               -             -    4  0  0 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  White,  of  Capt.  McKee's 
Comp'y,  £2,  for  a  Quilt  lost  in  actual  service,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 


Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Sam'l  Davidson  £4,  for  3 
Blankets,  for  the  use  of  his  Comp'y,  to  be  charg'd  to  Col.  Smith, 
of  the  Bedford  County  Militia. 


102  MINUTES  OF  THE 


In  Council  of   Safety. 

Philadelphia,  January  24th,  1777 

present : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Pres't. 

John  Bull,  Jonathan  B.  Smith, 

Joseph  Dean,  Andrew  Caldwell, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Peter  Rhoads, 

William  Lyon,  Samuel  C.  Morris, 

Frederick  Kuhl,  John  Hubley. 

Timothy  Matlack, 

Whereas  several  of  the  Militia,  after  receiving  advance  Pay, 
and  drawing  Rations,  have  basely  deserted  their  Officers,  and  re- 
turned home,  without  rendering  their  Country  the  least  Service,  but 
on  the  Contrary,  their  ill  example  will  probably  produce  the  most 
fatal  consequences  in  the  Army,  unless  such  delinquents  are  speed- 
ily punished ;  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  six  weeks  for  which  the  militia  of  the  State 
are  now  called  forth  to  serve  in  defence  of  their  Country,  are  to 
Commence  at  and  shall  be  accountable  from  the  time  they  arrive  at 
Head  Quarters;  And  that  such  of  the  Militia  as  leave  their  Officers 
befoie  their  time  of  service  is  expired,  unless  they  are  regularly 
discharged,  shall  be  advertised  as  Deserters,  and  carried  back  to  the 
army,  there  to  remain  until  properly  discharged  by  the  Command- 
ing Officer,  and  this  Board  will  defray  all  reasonable  expences  that 
may  attend  securing  such  Deserters. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Wm.  Lyon, 
Esq'r,  for  1400  Dollars,  he  to  be  accountable. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Rob't  Irwin,  or  order,  .£500,  he  to  be  ac- 
countable. 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Major  Geo.  Stewart  a641 
2  2,  for  Subsistence  of  part  of  the  5th  Batt'n  of  Lancaster  Co. 
militia,  for  4  weeks  &  4  days,  being  order'd  back  to  Lancaster  to 
bring  the  rest  of  the  Batt'n,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

Mr.  "Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Geo.  Stewart,  Major  of  the  5th 
Batt'n  of  Lancaster  County  militia,  £1%  17  6,  for  Pay  Roll  of  part 
of  said  Batt'n  sent  back  from  Phila.  to  bring  the  rest,  to  be  charged 
to  Wm.  Atlee,  Esq'r,  to  whom  Major  Stewart  is  to  be  accountable. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  10& 

In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  January  25th,  1777- 

present  : 
DAVID  KITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Chair'n. 

Joseph  Blewer,  Wm.  Moore, 

John  Bull,  John  Hubley, 

Frederick  Kuhl,  Peter  Koads, 

Jonathan  Bayard  Smith,      Sam'l  C.   Morris. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Geo.  Mitchell  £3  7  6,  for  1 
Pair  of  Blankets,  taken  by  Lieut.  A  ndrew  Boyd  for  the  use  of  his 
Oorap'y  of  the  4th  Batt'n  Cumberland  County  militia. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Capt.  Benj'n 
Eyre,  for  Two  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Nicholson  £1  10  0,  for  a 
Blanket  left  at  Princetown. 

Capt.  G-eo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  the  following  acco'ts,  to 
be  charged  to  Congress  : 

Fred.  Wier,  £11  5  0,  for  riding  Express  to  Lancaster,  &  £26  5 
0,  for  21  days'  Hire  of  himself  &  Horse  stationed  at  Trenton,  in 
order  to  convey  Intelligence  from  Head  Quarters. 

G-eorge  Gentner,  £36  5  0,  for  21  day  Hire  of  himself  &  Horse 
stationed  at  Frankfort,  &  10  days'  riding  Express  to  other  places,  & 
attending  with  a  Horse. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Jeremiah  Holden  £21,  for  Pilot- 
age of  the  Galley  Convention  to  the  Capes  and  back,  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Joseph  Blewer  £100,  to  be 
charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Major  James  Smith,  for  arm3  k 
Accoutrements  taken  as  Plunder  by  a  P&rty  of  Rangers  under  his 
Command  in  New  Jersey,  £61  0  0. 


10*  MINUTES  OF  THE 


In  Council  of  Safety,  January  27th,  177?". 

PRESENT : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Ritteniiouse,  V.  P. 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Sam'l  0.  Morris, 

Andrew  Caldwell,  Wi.  Lyon, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Wm.  Moore, 

Peter  Rhoads,  Jno.   Hubley. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Peter  Dehaven 
&  Co.,  for  £500,  to  be  charg'd  to  their  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Lieut.  Colonel 

John  Morris,  for  4000  Dollars,  to  be  charg'd  to  Col.  Clem't  Riddle. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  David  Pancoast, 

for  500  Dollars,  for  purchasing  Timber  for  Gun  Carriages,  to  be 

charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Sarn'l  Cooper  ^3,  for  diet  & 
Lodging  of  men,  and  services  done  at  making  a  Bridge  over  Pen- 
sawkin,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Jas.  Agoew  £Q0  16  4, 
for  Subsistence  of  his  Comp'y  of  the  2nd  Batt'n  of  York  Co.,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr,  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Wm.  Masters, 
Esq'r,  1500  Dollars,  for  the  purpose  of  paying  the  militia  Artillery 
Companies,  he  to  be  accountable. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Nelson  16s,  for  Expences 
of  escorting  13  Hessian  Prisoners  from  Newtown,  to  be  charg'd  to 
Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Mercer  of  the  5th  Batt'n 
Lancaster  County  Militia,  commanded  by  Colo.  Crawford,  £38  15, 
for  Blankets  taken  &  apprais'd  for  the  use  of  said  Batt'n  to  be 
charg'd  to  Colo.  Crawford. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Wm.  Lyon, 
Esq'r,  for  500  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Mr.  Joseph 
Davis  for  £10,  on  acco't  of  wages  due  him  as  Eusign  in  Col.  At- 
lee's  Batt'n,  to  be  charged  to  him. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Lieut.  Conelly 
for  500  Dollars,  for  recruiting  service  for  4  Pcu'a  Reg't,  to  be 
charged  to  Col.  Cadwalader. 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  George  Hoas  -£72  10,  for 
29  Pair  Breeches. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Farmer  £14  2,  for  Ball'e 
of  his  acco't  for  bringing  the  Hessian  Prisoners  to  Baltimore,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  105 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Quicksall  £10  0  0,  for 
Freight  of  100  Barrels  of  Beef  to  Newport,  belonging  to  this 
State,  delivered  to  Mr.  Benja.  Hogeland. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Jno.  Congler  £3  6  6,  for  saw- 
ing at  piling  9?  Cords  of  wood. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Hugh  Frazier  £23  19  3,  for 
Blanketing  Bought  of  him  by  Colo.  Watts,  for  the  use  of  his 
Batt'n,  to  be  charged  to  Colo.  Watts. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  to  Captain  Furrey  £50  0  0, 
andtoCapt.  Hederick  £83  16  0,  for  subsistance  money  of  their 
two  Companies^  belonging  to  the  3rd  Battalion  (of  Militia)  of 
Berks  County,  to  be  charged  to  Congress.    ' 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Edward  Stroud  £44  15,  for 
his  pay  as  an  Express,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  G-eo.  Spangler  £52  7  6,  for 
his  pay  as  an  Express,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  to  John  Bray  £6  5,  for 
Horse  Hire,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Benjamin  Davis  £9  2  3,  for 
Drums,  &ca.,  for  AtleeYBattalion.  &c. 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  Deliver  Capt.  Mercer,  of  the  5th 
Batt'n  Lancaster  County  Militia,  commanded  by  Colo.  Crawford, 
7  Guns  with  Bayonets,  12  Cartouch  Boxes  &  10  Canteens. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  January  28th,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Pres't. 
David  Rittenhoxjse,  V.  P. 

John  Hubley,  John  Bayard, 

William  Lyon,  Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r, 

William  Moore,  Andrew  Caldwell, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Peter  Rhoads. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Coffman  £3  2  7,  for  ex- 
pences  attending  sick  Soldiers  from  Canada,  to  be  charg'd  to  Con- 
gress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  John  Harris  £4  10,  and 
Lieut.  Stephen  Chambers  £4  10,  for  2  Guns  appraised  by  Robt. 
Towers,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Rich'd  Dellam, 
Esq'r,  Paymaster  General  of  the  Flying  Camp,  for  6000  Dollars, 
he  to  be  accountable. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Sherman  and  Lewis  £67  18  6,  for  2717 
Bottoms  for  round  shott,  deliver'd  Mr.  Jos.  Stiles  at  the  Elaboratory, 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 


106  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Nicholas  Hess  £76  11  1$,  for  Iron  work 
done  the  Philadelphia  Barracks,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Ann  Preston  £4  4  6,  for  nur- 
sing, attendance,  and  funeral  Expences  of  Jon'n  Jones,  a  Sergeant  in 
Capt.  Adam  Grosher's  Company  of  Maryland  Flying  Camp,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  the  wife  of  Peter  Clarke  14 
Dollars,  being  1  month's  pay  as  Gunner  on  board  the  Vulture 
armed  Boat  Capt.  Hance,  he  being  discharged  as  not  fit  for  duty. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  James  Mercer  of  the  5th 
Battalion  of  Lancaster  County,  Commanded  by  Col'l  James  Craw- 
ford, £52  15  0,  being  a  month's  pay  for,  his  Company,  to  be 
charged  to  William  Atlee  of  Lancaster,  he  to  be  accountable  to  Mr. 
Atlee. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Capt.  Wm. 
Scull  for  one  thousand  Dollars,  for  recruiting  service  for  11th 
Penn'a  Reg't,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Richard  Humpton. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Jacob  Winey  £15  0  0,  for 
a  Medicine  chest  bo't  by  Doct.  Jennings  for  the  use  of  the  11th 
Penn'a  Reg't,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  James  Mercer 
£7  8  9,  for  subsistance  for  his  Company  of  5th  Batt'n  Lancaster 
County  militia,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Colonel  John  Allison 
=£19  3  4,  for  mileage  and  subsistence  of  the  Field  and  Staff  Offi- 
cers of  his  Batt'n,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Robt.  Towers  £160  8  6,  for 
Ball'e  of  his  acco't  of  Expences  in  making  Cartridges,  men's  wages 
in  the  Elaboratory,  and  arms  purchas'd  by  him,  to  be  charg'd  to 
Congress. 

Capt.  Geo.  May,  A.  May,  Jon'o  Weib,  &  Jon'n  Weib,  Officers 
of  the  late  Flying  Camp,  being  brought  before  this  Board  &  charg'd 
with  having  left  the  Army  before  y'e  1st  Jan'ry,  inst,  the  day  on 
w'h  the  term  of  the  s'd  Camp  expired,  &  y't  the  s'd  Capt.  G.  May 
had  drawn  pay  for  his  Co.  &  p'd  them  in  full,  notwithstanding 
his  Co.  had  quitted  the  service  without  complying  w'th  the  terms 
on  w'h  they  had  rec'd  a  Bounty  f'm  this  State,  w'h  charges  the  s'd 
Geo.  May,  &c,  have  severally  confessed,  protesting  their  Ignorance 
of  their  Duty. 

Resolved,  That  the  s'd  Capt.  May  refund  the  sum  of  twenty 
shillings  for  each  of  his  Men,  as  a  third  part  of  the  Bounty  Money 
they  had  rec'd ;  and  that  the  said  Geo.  May,  and  A.  May,  &c,  pay  the 
expences  that  have  accrued  in  bringing  them  before  this  Board,  and 
be  dissmissed,  on  being  reprimanded  for  their  conduct. 

Resolved,  That  Sam'l  Morris,  Joseph  Blewer,  and  And'w  Cald- 
well, be  a  Committee  to  Visit  the  State  Prisoners  in  the  New  Jail, 
enquire  &  understand  the  cause  of  their  Commitment,  how  long 
they  have  been  confined,  &  to  release  such  as  in  their  discretion 
they  shall  judge  ought  to  be  released. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  107 


In  Council  of  Safety, 

Philadelphia,  January  29th,  1777. 
,  present : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
William  Moore,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

William  Lyon,  Peter  Rhoads, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Andrew  Caldwell, 

Joseph  Blewer,  David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

John  Hubley, 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  D'l  Dawson  £ll  3  6,  for  74!  lb 
Stove  Pipe,  at  3s,  bought  of  him  by  Thomas  Savadge,  to  be  charg'd 
to  Salt  Works. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Capt.  Bick- 
kam,  for  3000  dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Thomas  Davis  £112  18  2  J,  be- 
ing the  Ball'e  of  his  acco't  for  Building  Chevaux  de  Frize,  &c. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  John  Allison  £15  15  0, 
for  Exp's  attending  the  Instruction  of  his  Batt'n  of  Cumberland 
Co.  Militia. 

Mr.  Rob't  Irwin  was  directed  to  pay  Hugh  McCormick  £20  5, 
for  his  pay  as  Waggon  Master,  from  the  26th  ult'o  until  the 
22  last,  a  1 5s,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Huddell  £28  4,  for  Ex- 
pences  attending  the  Building  of  the  Galley  Convention. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Mich'l  Boyer  £30,  for  his 
Wages  as  an  Express,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Gen'l  Roberdeau  £5,  for  a  Fu- 
zee  and  Bayonet,  deliv'd  Rob't  Towers  last  June. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Colmore  Beans  £11  5,  for  his 
attendance  in  the  Continental  Hospital  from  the  6th  Dec'r  to  the 
6th  Jan'ry,  a  7s  6,  to  be  charged  to  Congress ;  And  to  pay  Dan'l 
Dougherty  £11  5,  for  his  attendance  in  the  Continental  Hospital 
from  the  6th  Dec'r  to  the  6th  Jan'ry,  a  7s  6,  to  be  charg'd  to  Con- 
gress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  the  Field  Officers  of  the  2nd 
Batt'n  of  Bedford  County,  £207  12  6,  for  arms  and  Blankets, 
purchas'd  by  s'd  Field  Officers  for  the  use  of  their  Batt'n,  to  be 
charged  to  Col.  Smith. 

*  Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Jos.  Finaver  £18  3  4,  for  1096  Straps,  de- 
livered into  the  Elaboratory,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 
;~'Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Jos.  Finaver  £30  18  9,  for  Tubes  and  Straps, 
deliver' d  Benj'n  Loxley  at  the  Elaboratory. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Byers  £13,  for  1  month's 
pay  of  5  men  join'd  his 'Co,  of  the  5th  Batt'n  of  Lancaster  Co. 
Militia,  said  Capt.  Byers  to  be  accountable  to  Mr.  Wm.  Attlee. 


108  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  the  Committee  of  Bedford  County  £19,  for 
Expences  of  said  Committee,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  to  pay  Col.  Thomas  Smith  £4=2,  for  arms  taken  & 
apprais'd  in  Bedford  County,  from  Non-associators  in  the  District 
of  the  first  Batt'n  of  s'd  County,  to  be  charg'd  to  Colonel  Wood. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Bickham  ^2000,  to  be 
charged  to  his  account. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Moses  Myers  £1950  13  6, 
for  Cloths  and  Ticklinburgs,  bought  of  Isaac  Moses. 

Rob't  Irwin,  Esq'r,  was  directed  to  pay  Rich'd  Deamond  £45  15, 
for  Service  done  as  Waggon  Master,  f'n  30th  Nov'r  last,  a  15s. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Capt.  Wm. 
Gray,  for  200  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service,  he  to  be  account- 
able. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Capt.  James 
Parr,  of  the  1st  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Hand,  200  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service,  to  be  charged  to  his 
acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  William  Lyon; 
Escj'r,  for  500  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philad'a,  January  30th,  1777. 

present : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r.  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Wm.  Moore,  Jno.  Hubley, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Wm.  Lyon, 

Andrew  Caldwell,  John  Bayard. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Wm.  Roberts  £93  0  8,  for  mak- 
ing amunition  Boxes,  &ca.,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Colonel  Humpton  Two  Thous- 
and Dollars,  for  recruiting  service. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Jos.  Finaver  £18  3  4,  for  Tin 
Strops  delivered  into  the  Elaboratory.  Also,  £30  18  9,  for  Tin 
Tubes,  &ca.,  delivered  to  Maj'r  Loxley,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Lewis  Grant  £1  15  0,  for  Gun 
Ladles  for  the  Fort. 

An  order  was  sent  to  Hayman  Levy,  to  make  up  an  assortment  ot 
articles  fit  for  a  Treaty  with  70  Indians,  (exclusive  of  women  & 
children,)  he  accordingly  pack'd  up  the  following  Goods,  for  which 
a  receipt   was  given  by  the  Secretary : — 9,600  White  Wampum, 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  109 

20,500  Black  Wampum,  30  Moons  &  30  Hair  Pipes  of  Conk  Shell, 
6  Pair  arm  Bands,  12  Gordiots,  100  Broaches,  37  Pair  Ear  Bobs, 
all  of  Silver,  which  w'th  15  Camp  Kettles,  were  this  day  forwarded 
to  Cols.  Bull  &  Dean,  Commissioners  on  the  part  of  this  Council, 
at  Easton. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  David  Jackson, 
for  2,500  Dollars,  for  the  payment  of  the  2nd  Batt'n  of  Phil's 
Militia.  ' 

Resolved,  That  the  Officers  of  the  Troops  raised  in  this  State  for 
the  Continental  service,  who  are  now  prisoners  with  the  Enemy, 
shall  retain  their  rank  according  to  their  several  Commissions,  and 
be  entitled  to  pay  and  Rations  the  same  as  if  they  were  in  actual, 
service,  and  when  exchanged,  to  be  provided  for. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Tho's  Burrees  £1  0  0,  for  hawl- 
log  plank,  &ca.,  to  penawkin  Creek  Bridge,  to  be  charged  to  Congress, 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philad'a,  January  31st,  1777, 

PRESENT : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Pres't. 

John  Hubley,  David  Hit  ten  house, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Wm.  Lyon, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Sam/1  C.  Morris. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Adam  Louderslayer  £1  10,  for 
2  Week's  board  and  lodging  of  Lamv't  Talbert,  of  Capt.  Hindman's 
Oomp'y  of  Maryland,  who  fell  sick' on  the  road  going  towards  Camp, 
to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  to  pay  Capt.  Stephen  Balliet  £±  2  2,  being 
so  much  not  carried  out  in  acco't  for  expences  apprehending  disaf- 
fected persons  in  Northampton  County,  to  be  charged  to  Wm . 
Thomas,  Philip  Moses  &  others. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Arthur  Donaldson  £32  3  11|? 
for  Expences  attending  the  raising  Chevaux  de  Erize. 

Capt,  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Thomas  Adams*  £6,  for  at- 
tendance on  the  Council  and  making  out  a  Duplicate  for  South 
Ward,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  John  White  15s  for  a  Blan- 
ket, Bav'd  Montgomery  £3  15,  and  John  Bray  .61  12  6,  for  4 
Blankets. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Wheeler  and  Wiley  £17  1  6P 
for  Iron  work  done  the  Piers  on  Fort  Island. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Geo.  Matthews  £2  17  0? 
for  subsistence  of  his  Company,  of  Col.  Ja's  Armstrong's  Batt'a  of 
Cumberland  Co.  Militia, 


110  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Lieut.  Colonel 
Geo.  Nagle,  2,000  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service  of  the  9th  Penn- 
sylvania Reg't,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't 

Resolved,  That  James  Hunter  be  appointed  Paymaster  to  the 
fourth  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  commanded  by  Colonel  Lambert 
Cadwalader,  and  his  Com'n  was  delivered  to  Col.  Cadwalader,  dated 
this  day. 

Captain   Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  the  following  accounts  of 
Subsistence  Money,  for  the  5th  Batt'n  of  Cumberland  County  Mili- 
tia, to  be  charged  to  Congress,  vizt : 
Capt.  Cha's  Maclay,         £20     4,  being  for  7  days  of  his  Company. 

"      Samuel  Patton,         20     4,  for  9  days. 
Lieut.  John  Rea,  18  14,  for  11  days. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Major  Latcha 
for  one  month's  pay  of  2  Companies  of  Col.  Tim'y  Green's  Batt'n 
of  Lancaster  County,  viz  :  Captains  Ropenhever  &  Stoner — 2  Cap- 
tains, 3  Lieut'nants,  5  Serjeants,  4  Drummers  &  Fifers,  44  Pri- 
vates. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Jos.  Moulder  d617  5  ()? 
for  expences  of  Medecines  &  attendance  on  two  men  of  his  Com- 
pany, wounded  at  the  engagement  at  Princetown. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Lee  i221  5  0,  for  arms  & 
accoutrements  delivered  to  Col.  Hunter  of  Northumberland  County, 
to  be  charged  to  the  Colonel. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  Porter  of  Lancaster  County 
£50  4  9,  for  milage  of  3  Companies  of  his  Battalion  marching  to 
this  City  in  August  last. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Lieut.  Colonel 
Arch'd  Lockry  of  Col.  John  Proctor's  Battalion  of  Westmoreland 
Militia,  for  four  Hundred  pounds,  for  advanced  money  and  subsis- 
tance  for  said  Battalion  now  on  their  march  to  Head  Quarters,  to 
be  by  him  paid  to  Colonel  Proctor,  to  be  charged  to  John  Moore, 
Esq'r,  to  whom  Col.  Proctor  is  to  be  accountable. 

Resolved,  That  Enoch  Wright  be  appointed  adjutant  to  the 
Tenth  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  Commanded  by  Colonel  Jos.  Pen- 
rose. 

•  Resolved,  That  Doct'r  Dunlap  be  allowed  Two  Shillings  and  six 
pence  ^  day,4n  addition  to  his  former  pay,  in  Consequence  of  his 
being  to  keep  a  Horse  to  transact  his  Business. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  Ill 


In  Council  of  Safety,  February  1st,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  John  Hubley, 

Wm.  Moore,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Wm.  Lyon. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Peter  Dehaven  £11  5  0, 
for  2  muskets  delivered  to  Mr.  Towers. 

Mr.  Dehaven  was  directed  to  order  one  Ton  of  Powder,  now 
Under  the  care  of  a  Mr.  Todd,  near  the  white  Horse,  belonging  to 
this  State,  to  Lancaster. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Peter  Dehaven  £36  15  0, 
for  3  months'  Superintendance  of  the  Gunlock  Factory,  ending  20 
January,  &  Horse  hire  for  one  month,  &  Mr.  James  Carter  £29  5  0, 
for  3  month's  Superintending  said  factory,  ending  20th  January. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Isaac  Powell  £6  0  0,  for  a  nest 
of  Drawers. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Simon  Murray  &  Co.  £27  5  8, 
for  Tin  Tubes  &  Straps  for  Elaboratory,  delivered. 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  John  Stille  £27  10  6,  for 
making  106  Jackets  with  sleeves,  thread  &  Buttons. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Wm.  Thompson 
£27  9,  for  subsistence  of  a  detatchment  of  his  Company  of  the 
5th  Batt'n  of  Cumberland  County  Militia. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  February  3rd,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

SAM'L  MORRIS,  Sen'r,  Chair'n. 

John  Bayard,  Sam'l  C.  Morris,     ' 

John  Hubley,  Wm.  Lyon, 

Jas.  Blewer,  Geo.  Gray. 

Wm.  Moore, 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Alex'r  Boyd  £3  10  0, 
for  horse  hire  &  traveling  Expences  going  to  Schrewsberry  to 
get  intelligence  of  the  enemys'  movements  in  November  last, 
(charged  to  Congress.) 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Boggs  £5  10,  for  a  Rifie 
Gun  for  the  use  of  the  5th  Batt'n  of.  Cumberland  County  Militia,  to 
be  charg'd  to  Col'l  Armstrong. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Doct'r  Jas.  Dunlap  £53  13  10, 
for  Sundries  for  the  Fleet,  &c. 


112  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Dorington  Wilson  £8  IS, 
for  7  Blankets. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Colonel  Mel* 
cher,  1,000  Dollars,  he  to  be  accountable. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Jacob  Myers  £21  12,  for  Black- 
smith's Work  done  at  the  Shop  under  his  direction. 

A  Commission  was  this  day  delivered  to  Col.  Gurney  for  Mr, 
Henry  Stites,  as  Quarter  Master  of  the  11th  Pennsylva'a  Reg't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Major  William  £86  17  6,  for 
his  pay  since  Oct'r  last,  £43  15  of  w'h  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress, 
&  £43  2  6  to  this  State. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Colonel  Omas  Mackay  £1993 
14  6,  for  arms  for  the  use  of  his  Regiment. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Abram  Mason  £26  10,  for 
work  done  in  the  Elaboratory,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  as  several  matters  of  Business  and  accounts  came 
before  the  Council  on  Saturday,  the  first  Instant,  w'h  appeared 
necessary  to  be  passed,  but  as  during  the  whole  day  a  Quorum  of 
Council  did  not  appear  at  the  Board  j  The  Board  having  at  this 
time  taken  the  same  into  consideration,  do  approve  of  the  said  seve- 
ral matters  and  accounts,  and  now  ratify  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  John  Seley  be  appointed  an  Ensign  in  the  12th 
Pveg't,  commanded  by  Colonel  Wm.  Cook. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Geo.  Esterly  £8  8  6,  for  Iron 
work  done  the  Galley  Convention. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Thomas  Nevil  £200,  to  be 
charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Robert  Lumsden  £29  10,  for 
Wood  taken  from  him  by  force  by  the  Militia,  and  sworn  to  before 
James  Young,  Esq'r,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Robert  Jewel  £219  19  9,  for 
Diet  of  sundry  Prisoners,  £216  1  2  of  w'h  to  be  charg'd  to  Con- 
gress, and  £3  18  7  to  this  State,  for  Major  Proctor's  men. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Capt.  Benj. 
Bird,  for  1,000  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service  of  Colonel  Lamb't 
Cadwallader's  Regiment,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Lieut.  Wm. 
Henderson,  for  500  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service  of  the  4th 
Pennsylvania  Reg't,  to  be  charged  to 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  James  Guy  £3,  for  3  Trips  of 
a  Cart  and  3  horses,  with  Provisions  for  the  Arnold  Floating  Bat- 
tery. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Capt.  Jeremiah 
Tolbert,  250  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service,  to  be  charged  to 
Colonel  Irwin  of  the  7th  Reg't. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  113 


In  Council  of   Safety. 

Philadelphia,  February  4th,  1777. 
present  : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  William  Lyon, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Geo.  Gray, 

John  Hubley,  David  Rittenhouse. 

William  Moore, 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Robt.  Elder  £4  5,  for  3 
Blankets,  and  Gillespie  £1,  for  1  Blanket. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  William  Chambers 
£49  10  0,  for  subsistance  of  his  Company  of  1st  Batt'n  Cum- 
berland County,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Steels  for  subsistance 
of  his  Company  of  1st  Batt'n  Cumberland  County,  £63  0  0,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 

John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  directed  to  pay  John  Mitchell, 
Esq'r,  Fifteen  Hundred  Pounds,  &  charge  the  same  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  to  the  Hon'ble  Ma- 
rine Committee  of  Congress,  so  much  copper  as  may  be  necessary 
to  make  a  Kettle  for  the  Delaware  Frigate,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 

;  -"Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Robert  Towers  £223  18 
10,  for  men's  wages  in  working  in  the  Elaboratory,  making  mus- 
ket Cartridges,  arms  Purchased,  &ca.,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Peter  Steel,  the  Ball'e  of  his 
Acco't  for  Iron  Work  done  the  Delaware  Galley. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Paine  Newman  £37  3  10,  for 
Nails  deliver'd  Capt'n  Rice  and  William. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Major  James  Dill  £3  16  4,  for 
subsistence  of  Col.  Math'w  Dill's  5th  Batt'n  of  York  Co. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Catharine  Graff  £13  6  2,  for 
subsistence  of  part  of  the  5th  Batt'n  of  York  Co.  Militia. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Cap'n  Francis 
Nichols,  for  Five  Hundred  Dollars,  for  recruiting  service,  to  be 
charged  to  his  acco't. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  Joseph  Armstrong  £18 
0  0,  for  Expences  for  Bringing  out  his  Battaljon,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  William  Moore,  George  Gray  &  Sam'l 

Morris,  Sen'r,  or  any  two  of  them  be  appointed  to  examine  and 

settle  the  acco't  of  Capt.  George  Bickham,  for  monies  received  and 

expended  by  order  of  this  Board,  and  the  Goods  received  and  de- 

voi.  XI. — 8. 


114  MINUTES  OF  THE 

i 

livered  out  and  remaining  in  the  hands  of  the  said  Capt.  Bickham  I 
as  Public  property,  &  make  report  thereof  to  Council. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Edward  McLees  .£63  18  1J,  | 
for  Boarding  the  Sick  at  the  Hospital  on  Province  Island,  from  | 
December  13  to  Jan'y  7th,  1777. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  February  5th,  1777. 

present  : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President, 

David  Rittenhouse,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Joseph  Blewer,  George  Gray, 

John  Hubley,  Wni  Lyon. 
Wm.  Moore, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Capt.  Connelly, 
for  300  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service  of  the  4th  Pennsylvania 
Keg't,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Cadwallader. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Litle  £9  9  0,  for  nails,  &ca. 
for  Fort  Island. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Sam'l  Duncan  £2  15  2,  for  wood 
for  the  Ship  Montgomery. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Martin  Wirt, 
for  one  Hundred  and  fifty  Pounds,  being  for  the  Shallop 
bought  of  him  for  the  use  of  this  State. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Lt.  Col.  Jas.  Johnston  £7  13 
4,  for  subsistence  of  himself,  &c,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  James  Stuart  ^£43  7  3,  for  Car- 
riage of  Powder  &  Lead  to  Westmoreland  County. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  John  Jacks  £6  0  0,  for 
Subsistance  of  6  men  of  his  Comp'y  from  Cumberland  Co'y  to  this 
City. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Fleming  £74  18  2,  for  Bal- 
ance of  his  acco't  for  Cloths,  &ca.,  Bo't  by  order  of  the  Counc  ' 

Two  orders  were  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Mr.  Win. 
Henderson  and  Mr.  Alex'r  Huston,  (Ensigns  of  the  Pennsylv'a 
Musquetry,  commanded  by  Col.  Attlees,)  for  30  Dollars  each,  on 
acco't  of  their  pay. 

Resolved,  That  a  Captain  and  Company  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Regiment,  with  2  Pieces  of  Cannon,  be  sent  into  New  Jersey,  for 
the  protection  of  the  Salt  Works  erected  there  at  the  expense  of 
this  State. 

In  order  to  discourage  the  practice  of  inventing  and  propogating 
false  reports,  to  the  disadvantage  of  our  public  affairs, 

Resolved,  That  the  acknowledgement  signed  by  John  Carnan  & 
Joseph  Emlin,  be  published  in  Mr.  Town's  evening  post. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  115 


In  Council  of  Safety,  February  6th,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

THOMA^WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

David  Rittenhouse,  George  Gray, 

Wm.  Lyon,  .  Andrew  Caldwell, 

Sain'l  C.  Morris,  Joseph  Blewer, 

John  Bayard,  John  Hubley. 

Jonathan  B.  Smith, 

Resolved,  That  application  be  made  to  the  Honorable  Congress 
for  Two  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars,  for  the  purpose  of  recruiting 
and  defraying  other  necessary  public  expences. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  James  Fulton  s618  17  6,  for 
Hailing  Cannon,  &ca.  to  State  House  yard,  to  be  charged  to  Con« 
gress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  James  .Simpson  lis  7,  for  sun- 
dries for  use  of  Schooner  Lydia  at  Trenton. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  SamT  Holmes  J43  15,  for  50 
Cutlasses  at  7s  6,  deliver' d  Rob't  Towers. 

The  following  Letter  was  wrote  to  Messrs.  Josiah  Hewes,  Andrew 
Tybout  k  Robert  Tuckness : 
"Sir: 

•  "  You  are  hereby  requested  to  supply  all  sick  Soldiers  coming 
from  N  York  or  the  Camp,  who  may  be  going  to  the  Southward  or 
Westward,  with  such  necessaries  and  assistance  as  you  may  think 
requisite  to  support  and  enable  them  to  return  to  their  respective 
Homes." 

'  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Rich'd  Dellam,  Esq'r,  D.  P.  M'r 
Qen'l,  Ten  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  charg'd  to  his  acco't. 

Resolved,  That  Jacob  Meyers,  Armourer  and  Blacksmith  at  Fort 
Island,  be  allowed  nine  Pounds  ^  month,  from  the  first  day  of  Feb- 
ruary Instant. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Andrew  Lytle  £6  14  3,  for  a 
Rifle  lost  in  actual  Service,  &  Expences  in  bringing  a  number  of 
Sick  from  Thomson's  Mill  to  Philad'a,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Robert  Magee  £lh  15,  for  his 
Expences  from  Somerset  County,  being  wounded,  to  be  charg'd  to 
Congress. 

Resolved,  That  a  Powder  Magazine  of  the  dimentions  of  24  feet 
by  36,&  other  Military  Store  Houses,  be  built  in  or  near  the  Borough 
of  Lancaster,  for  the  use  of  this  State;  and  that  John  Hubley,  Com- 
missary, provide  materials,  employ  Workmen,  and  see  the  same 
finished  with  all  possible  dispatch,  and  that  Major  John  Hubley 
take  up  on  ground  Rent,  or  purchase,  such  grounds  as  are  necessary 
for  the  said  Buildings. 


116  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Major  Pereifor 
Fraizier,  for  1000  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service,  to  be  charg'd 
to  Col.  Anthony  Wayne. 

Resolved,  That  a  Regiment  of  Artillery  be  raised  for  the  defence 
of  this  State,  to  consist  of  m 

One  Colonel, 

One  Lieutenant  Colonel, 

One  Major, 

Eight  Captains, 

Eight  first  Lieutenants, 

Eight  second  Lieutenants. 

Eight  Lieutenant  Fireworkers, 

One  Paymaster, 

One  Quarter  Master, 

One  Surgeon, 

One  Surgeon's  Mate, 

One  Serjeant  Major, 

One  Drum  Major, 

One  Fife  Major, 

One  Quarter  Mast'r  Sergeant, 

Thirty-two  Serjeants. 

Thirty-two  Corporals, 

Eight  Drummers, 

Eight  Fifers, 

Twelve  Musicians, 

Four  Hundred  and  eighty  Privates. 
Resolved,  That  Thomas  Proctor,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Colonel  of 
said  Regiment. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  John  Read,  Barrack  Master  at  Fort  Island, 

be  allowed  ten  Pounds  ^  month  from  the  first  day  of  January  last. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed   to  pay  Doctor  Henry  Bud  £19  3  6, 

for  Cash  advanced  to  the  sick  of  the  1st  &  2nd  Batt'ns  of  Pennsylv'a 

Rifle  Reg't,  &  Col.  Atlee's,  at  Easton,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  James  Young  and  Jacob  Shriner,  Esquires,  two 
of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  this  State,  examine  before  them 
certain  Persons  committed  to  the  Gaol  of  this  City,  on  suspicion  of 
having  Stolen  a  Sum  of  money,  &c,  of  Mr.  Stephen  Lowry,  Com- 
missary, and  that  the  said  Stephen  Lowry  make  such  proof  and  pro- 
duce any  Evidences  he  can  before  the  said  Justice,  in  respect  of  the 
said  Money  lost  by  him,  and  found  on  the  said  Prisoners,  or  any  of 
them,  in  order  to  ascertain  the  property  of  the  said  Money,  and 
that  the  said  Justices  make  Report  to  this  Board. 

Mr.  Jewel  was  directed   to  deliver  the   Hessian  &  Waldecker 
Prisoners  in  his  Custody,  to  the  Order  of  Colonel  Isaac  Melcher. 
Major  Williams,   of  the  Pennsylv'a  State   Reg't,   having  this 
morning  given  in  his  Resignation,  was  accepted  of. 

Resolved,  That  Lewis  Farmer  be  appointed  first  Major  in  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Regiment,  and  Captain  Francis  Murray  2nd 
Major. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  117 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  February  7th,  1777. 
present  : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

William  Lyon,  Joseph  Marsh, 

Timothy  Matlack,  Geo.  Gray, 

Joseph  Blewer,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

John  Bayard,  Andrew  Caldwell. 

An  order  was  drawn  on   Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Col.  John 
Nixon,  £2500,  to  be  charged  to  his  aoco't,  for  paying  the  Militia. 
Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capts.  Roach,  McFitrum  &  Wat- 
kins  £69  13  0,  for  wages  for  working  at  Chevaux  de  Frize. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Martin  Murphy  J23  15  0,  for 
^xpences  attending  a  Soldier  while  sick,  &  funeral  Expences. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Dunn  and  Hale  £29  11  3,  for 
a  Barge  and  Oars,  &c,  for  Capt.  Rice. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Eleanor  Hart  ^8192  13  5,  for 

Board  and  Lodging  of  Men  belonging  to  the  Artillery  of  this  State. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  John  McFat- 

rick,  for  £1  8  6,  being  Cash  advance  to  Lieut.  Spur  as   a  Spy, 

to  gain  Intelligence,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Lieut.  Col. 
George  Nagle,  for  1500  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service,  to  be 
charg'd  to  Colonel  Nagle. 

Resolved,  That  application  be  made  to  the  Honorable  House  of 
Assembly  to  Borrow  the  Sum  of  Ten  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  re- 
turned out  of  the  first  Money  tke  Council  may  receive  from  Con- 


Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Michael  Boyer  ^8  15  0,  for 
distributing  Gen'l  Washington's  Proclamations  in  New  Jersey, 
7  days,  at  25s. 

William  Hartshorne,  of  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  being  sent  to 
the  State  (among  others)  as  a  Person  Inimical  to  the  United  States 
of  America,  The  Board,  taking  into  Consideration  the  Memorial 
of  the  s'd  Wm.  Hartshorne,  and  a  Letter  of  Mr.  Charles  Pettit, 
dated  Haddenfield,  February  6th  Inst.,  directed  to  the  said  Harts- 
horne, are  of  opinion  that  the  said  Wm.  Hartshorne  be  discharged 
from  his  Recognizance  to  this  State,  (no  proof  having  appeared 
against  him  to  impeach  him  in  any  sort,)  and  that  the  case  of  the 
said  Wm.  Hartshorne  be  refer'd  to  the  Governour  &  Council  of 
the  State  of  New  Jersey, 


118  MINUTESF  0  THE 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philad'a,  February  8th,  1777. 
present : 
"  DAVID  BITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 
John  Hubley,  Chairman, 
John  Bayard,  Joseph  Blewer, 

Andrew  Caldwell,  Wm.  Lyon, 

Sam'l  C.  Morris,  Wm.  Moore. 

Capt.  G.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Nicholas  Weaver  £23  16  0? 
for  making  102  Jackets,  &ca. 

Mr.  John  Wilcox  was  directed  to  pay  to  Jno.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r, 
£150  19  4,  being  the  ballance  of  his  account,  as  settled  this  day. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Capt.  Wm. 
Richards,  for  .£600,  being  in  part  of  Balance  due  him  on  his  acco't 
d'd  3rd  Inst.,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Dallam  was  requested  to  pay  Capt.  Schmizer,  of  the  Flying 
Camp,  £50  0  0,  and  charge  the  same  to  his  acc't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  an  order  drawn  by  Mr.  Thomas 
Savadge  on  Messrs.  Geo.  Clymer,  Sam'l  Howell,  &  Owen  Biddle, 
in  fav'r  of  Mr.  Joseph  Salter,  for  £600,  &  Charge  the  same  to  Mr. 
Savadge. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  D|niel  Offley  &  Son  £57  5  8, 
for  an  Anchor  &  Comboose,  the  Galley  Commanded  by  Capt.  Hen- 
derson. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Jacob  Hall  £49  7,  for  sundry 
Arms  collected  in  the  Middle  Ward  of  German  town, 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  George  Pierce  £3  9  9, 
for  repairing  Arms,  &ca. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Scphus  Bartleson  £o  7  10, 
for  Diet  of  Militia,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Capt.  Geo. 
Bickham,  for  two  Hundred  pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  Acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Nr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Colonel  John 
Proctor,  for  £300,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.     ,  119 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  February  10th,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

John  Bayard,  William  Lyon,  « 

Joseph  Blewer,  Jonathan  B.  Smith, 

Andrew  Caldwell,  John  Hubley. 

Au  order  was  sent  Mr.  Towers,  to  deliver  John  Pringie  &  Co. 
50  Hand  Grenadoes,  to  be  charged  to  their  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Colonel  Hump- 
ton,  for  2000  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  service,  he  to  be  account- 
able. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Robert  Towers  to  deliver  Messrs.  Mease 
&  Caldwell  one  Block  of  Tin,  they  paying  for  the  same. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Capt.  Stephen 
Bayard,  for  1000  Dollars,  for  recruiting  service  for  3rd  Pen'a. 
Reg't,  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Joseph  Wood. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  John  Carrothers  4 
12,  for  subsistence  and  Ferriage  of  4  men  of  his  Comp'y  of  the 
1st  Batt'n  of  Cumberland  County  Militia,  to   be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Ja's  M'Cormick,  Gunsmith,  £2 
11,  for  repairs  of  Guns. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  ^>ay  James  &  Drinker  £36  14,  for 
170  Iron  Kettles,  for  the  use  of  Col.  Miles'  Batt'n  while  at  Mar- 
cus Hook. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Daniel  Murphy  £  [05  13  6,  for 
his  pay  and  Expences  attending  his  Boat  until  7th  Feb'y,  Inst. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Hand,  of  the  Flying 
Camp,  £11,  for  11  Blankets  delivre'd  Col.  Humpton,  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 

Capt.  Hazlewood  was  informed  that  Capt.  Dan'l  Murphy  is  this 
day  reinstated  in  his  former  command,  agreeable  to  his  Commis- 
sion. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Wm.  Cowan  £13  8  3,  for 
Sundry  Accoutrements  deliver'd  into  the  Public  Stores  at  Amboy, 
to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Peter  Deha- 
ven  &  Co.  for  £500,  to  be  charged  to  their  Acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Van  Campen  £1  19,  for 
3  days'  employment  to  the  Camp,  and  Expences,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Edward  Laskey,  Henry  Schriver  and  Peter  Sum- 
mers, Butchers,  be  allow'd  three  Pounds  ^  Hund.  for  the  Beef 
they  have  contracted  to  supply  Mr.  John  Mitchell,  Commissary  of 


120  MINUTES  OF  THE 

the  Navy  and  Artillery  of  this  State,  from  this  date  until  the  10th 
of  March. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Charles  Leeper  20s, 
for  Subsistance  of  one  man  of  his  company,  from  Cumberland 
County,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 


In  Council  of  Safety, 

Philad'a,  February  11th,  1777. 

present : 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Jon'a  B.  Smith,  John  Bayard, 

Andrew  Caldwell,  John  Hubley, 

Sam'l  C.  Morris,  John  Bull, 

Wm.  Lyon,  Owen  Biddle. 
Joseph  Blewer, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Col.  Isaac  Mcl- 
cher  for  3000  Dollars,  to  be  charg'd  to  his  acco't. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Chas.  Leiper  £1,  for 
subsistence  of  One  man  from  Cumberland  County,  of  the  3d  Batt'n, 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  pinion  Coal  £15  2  0,  for  5 
Guns  and  one  Blanket,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  James  Murray  of  Nor- 
thumberland County. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Daniel  Grub  £64  7  6,  for  Boat 
hire,  &ca.,  for  the  use  of  the  Garrison  at  Fort  Island. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mordecai  McKinney  £31  2  6, 
for  arms,  &ca.,  purchased  in  Northumberland  County. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  John  Hart, 
£318  0  0,  for  106  Sailor's  Jackets. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Robert  Culbert- 
son  £9  7  0,  for  expences  in  raising  his  Company  &  afterwards 
countermanded,  to  be  charged  to  Congress,  and  Mr.  Nesbitt  to 
pay  him  £69  7  6,  for  15  muskets  &  Riffles  deliv'd  to  Mr.  Towers, 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Charles  Leeper  £3  0  0, 
for  Expences  in  raising  his  Company,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Geo. ,  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  James  Carnahan 
£3  0  0,  for  Expences  in 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Thomas  Ne- 
vill,  for  £200,  to  be  charg'd  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Thomas  Nevill  i280  5  7,  for 
Pine  and  Cedar  Boards. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  121 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Robert  Towers  £146  13  3,  for 
Men's  Wages  in  working  in  the  Elaboratory,  &  other  incidental 
Chapges,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Simon  Yenersdelen 
£2  14,  for  subsistence  of  his  Co.  of  Col.  Macpherson's  Batt'n  of 
York  County  Militia,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Geo.  Will  £1  7,  for 
Subsistence  of  his  Comp'y  to  Camp,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Rob't  Shannon  £11  6 
8,  for  Exp's  in  raising  his  Comp'y,  and  pay  of  his  Lieutenant  and 
Ensign. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Major  Ilubley  £16  12  6,  for 
25  Pair  Hose  (a\  13s.  6. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  February  12th,  1777. 

present : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President, 

David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Samuel  Cad.  Morris,  Andrew  Caldwell, 

John  Bull,  William  Lyon, 

Joseph  Blewer,  John  Hubley. 
Jonathan  B.  Smith, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Lieut.  Col 
George  Nagle  for  £400,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  he  to  be  ac- 
countable. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Plunket  Fleeson  a£24  3  5,  for 
the  amo't  of  his  acco't  of  Drums  &  Colours,  &c,  furnish'd  Lieut. 
Col.  Antes. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Capt.  Jacob 
Hendershat  for  .£50,  towards  a  month's  pay  advance  for  his  Com- 
pany, to  be  charged  to  David  Espey,  Esq'r,  the  Capt.  to  be  account- 
able to  Mr.  Espey. 

Mr.  Towers  was  order'd  to  deliver  to  Capt.  Jacob  Hendershat, 
of  Col.  Woods'  Batt'n  from  Bedford  county,  3  Guns,  7  Shot  Bags 
<&  Powderhorns,  and  2  Blankets  for  the  use  of  his  Company. 

Jno.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  directed  to  pay  Sam'l  Mifflin,  Esq'r, 
£453  14  0,  for  349  Musket  Locks. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Richard  Del- 
lam,  Esq'r,  for  5000  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Rich'd  Dermond,  Waggon  Mas- 
ter, for  14  days'  service,  a  15s.  p  day,  ^10  10  0,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 


122  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  James  Eggerson  £15 
0  0,  for  going  express  to  Northumberland  County,  12  days. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  the  widow  of  Thomas  Rogers 
£5  10  0,  for  a  Gun  and  Blanket  lost  on  Long  Island,  Rogers  beipg 
a  Soldier,  belonging  to  Capt.  Peeblee's  Comp'y. 

Captain  Morton  Garrett  this  day  came  before  the  Board  and  Re- 
signed his  Commission  as  Captain  of  the  Pennsylv'a  State  Reg't, 
which  was  accepted  of.  * 

Capt."Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Philip  Mans  £3  15,  for  10 
days'  attendance  as  Constable. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philad'a.,  February  13th,  1777. 
present : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

David  Rittenhouse,     .  Joseph  Blewer, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  John  Bull, 

Andrew  Caldwell,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Geo.  Gray,  William  Lyon. 

Capt.  Geo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Sam'l  Samson  £8  15  6. 
or  13  y'ds  Swanskin. 
Mr.  tfesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Peter  Galagher  £12  18,  for  21] 
y'ds  Blanketing,  for  the  use   of  Col.  Watts'  Batt'n,  to  be  charged 
to  the  Colonel. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Daniel  Evins  £58  3,  for  Smith 
work  done  the  Gun  Carriages,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Jacob  Lawes  Wiler  be  appointed  paymaster 
of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Regiment,  with  the  rank  of  Captain. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  Joseph  Hart  £77  19  6, 
for  sundry  Expences,  £4  8  6  of  w'h  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress, 
£3  3  to  be  charg'd  to  this  State,  &  £70  8  to  be  charg'd  to^CcL 
Hartz. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Andrew  Caldwell,  Joseph  Blewer,  Jo- 
seph Marsh,  Emanuel  Eyres,  Paul  Cox,  &  Robert  Ritchie,  be  ap- 
pointed to  act  as  a  Navy  Board,  and  be  authorized  to  take  under 
their  care  all  the  Ves sells  of  War,  Armed  Boats,  fire-ships,  fire- 
Rafts,  &ca.,  Constructed  for  the  defence  of  this  City  by  Water, 
and  do  furnish  them  with  everything  necessary  to  attack  or 
repel  the  Enemy.  To  provide  and  to  have  a  general  super- 
intendance  of  the  Stores  necessary  for  their  department;  to  prepare 
and  keep  in  a  proper  state  of  defence  the  Fortifications  on  Fort  Is- 
land ;  To  examine  the  river  Channel,  and  to  Cause  Chevaux-de- 
Frize  to  be  sunk  in  such  places  as  they  may  Judge  proper,  to  ob- 
struct the  passage  of  the  Enemies'  Ships  i 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  123 

And,  That  for  the  above  purposes  they,  or  any  three  of  them,  have 
full  power  to  act,  and  to  draw  orders  on  the  Treasurer  of  this 
Board  for  such  sums  as  may  be  necessary,  subject  .always  to  the  di- 
rection &  control  of  the  Council. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Peter  Hoster  £6  2  0,  for  two 
Guns  and  one  Blanket. 

Capt.  G-eo.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  William  Evans  £41 
8  10 J  for  Blankets,  Stockings,  &ca. 

The  following  Letter  was  wrote  to  James  Young  &  Jacob  Scun- 
ner, Esq'rs,  Vizt : 

u  Gentlemen : 

As  it  appears  That  Joseph  Atkinson  was  Privy  to  the  Robery 
committed  by  Nilnet  and  Mahony,  shared  the  money  with  them, 
and  very  probably  has  it  in  his  power  to  give  information  concern- 
ing the  remainder  of  the  money,  not  yet  discovered,  which  he  re- 
fuses to  do ;  You  are,  therefore,  hereby  directed  and  required  to 
commit  the  said  Joseph  Atkinson  to  Close  Confinement  in  the  Com- 
mon Jail  of  this  City,  until  further  orders  from  this  Board,  or  un- 
till  he  be  discharged  by  a  due  course  of  Law. 
u  By  order  of  Council, 

"Sign'd  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Pres't." 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Doct'r  Beanes  -£11  5  0,  for  a 
month's  attendance  in  the  General  Hospital,  &,  £13  5  0  to  Doct'r 
Bowie,  for  a  month's  attendance  &  Lint,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Jn'o  Jameson  £13  16  4,  for 
2  days'  Wages  to  His  Company,  when  ordered  to  march  to  this  City 
&  countermanded,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Major  Coomb  £75  10  6,  for 
subsistance  of  himself,  Major  Cisna,  a  Capt.  &  23  men  of  Col. 
Wood's  Battalion,  Bedford  County. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Rosbothem  £9  5  0,  for  Riding 
Express  to  Bucks  &  Northampton  Countys,  with  Letters  to  the 
Colonels  of  the  different  Battalions  of  Militia,  to  make  a  return  of 
the  Public  Arms,  &ca. 


124  MINUTES  OF  THE 


la  Council  of  Safety. 

Philad'a,  February  14th,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Pres't. 

David  Rittenhouse;  Joseph  Blewer, 

Wm.  Moore,  Jon'a  B.  Smith, 

Saua'l  C.  iMorris,  John  Bayard,     , 

John  Bull,  Wm.  Lyon. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Herculus  Courtney  d610 
18  0,  for  recruiting  expences  for  Penn'a  Artillery. 

Mr.  Joseph  Ferree  was  directed  to  deliver  Doct'r  Wm.  Smith 
200  lb.  Salt  Petre.     ' 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Wm.  Lewis  ^40  18  0,  for  1636 
Bottoms  for  Shott,  delivered  at  the  Elaboratory. 

Resolved,  That  Doct'r  Abel  Morgan  be  appointed  Surgeon  of 
the  Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  Commanded  by  Colonel 
Rich'd  Humpton,  in  the  room  of  Doct'r  Mich'l  Jennings,  Resigned, 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philad'a,  February  15th,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

George  Gray,  Jonathan  B.  Smith, 

John  Bull,  William  Moore, 

Joseph  Marsh,  William  Lyon, 

Joseph  Blewer,  John  Bayard. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Wm.  Shoemaker  £7  19  0,  for 
nursing  a  sick  Soldier,  belonging  to  Col.  Haslet's  reg't  of  Delaware 
State,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Andrew  Epple  be  appointed  Paymaster  to 
the  11th  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  in  the  room  of  , 

who  has  never  attended  his  duty,  therefore  Superceeded. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Enoch  Morgan  be  appointed  Paymaster  to 
the  Sixth  Pen'a  Regiment,  Commanded  by  Col.  Rob't  Magaw. 

Resolved,  That  applications  for  Offices  in  the  Pennsylvania  Re- 
giments now  raising  for  the  Continental  Service,  will  be  received 
until  Monday  the  24th  Instant,  when  this  Board  will  certainly  pro- 
ceed to  fill  up  the  Vacancies  still  remaining. 

All  Officers  already  appointed  in  the  above  Regiments,  who  are 
not  on  Command,  are  required  forthwith  to  repair  to  their  duty. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  125 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Joseph  Stiles  £175  11  8,  for 
Work  done  in  the  Elaboratory,  and  his  pay  from  the  30th  Nov'rto 
the  10th  Feb'y  inst,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  Mr.  Benjamin  Rittenhouse  be  allowed  £350  ^  annum 
for  superintending  the  Public  Gun  lock  Manufactory,  to  commence 
the  20th  November  last. 

Whereas,  The  Honorable  Congress  has  authorized  and  directed 
this  Council  to  erect  a  Fortification  at  Billingsport,  for  the  defence 
and  security  of  the  City  and  Harbour  of  Philadelphia,  part  of 
which  Work  has  already  been  carried  on  under  the  direction  of  this 
Board;  and  as  it  is  necessary  that  some  proper  person  be  appointed 
not  only  to  superintend  the  said  Works,  but  to  command  such  par- 
ties, whether  regular  Soldiers,  Militia,  or  others,  as  may  be  em- 
ployed to  compleat  and  defend  them;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  John  Bull,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Colonel  Com- 
mandant of  the  Fortifications  at  Billingsport  and  Superintendant  of 
the  Works ;  and  that  all  Officers,  and  others,  employed  in  erecting 
or  defending  the  same,  do  pay  due  obedience  to  his  Commands  un- 
til the  Works  are  compleated,  or  further  orders  given  by  this 
Board,  or  other  proper  authority. 

Resolved,  That  Blathwaite  Jones,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Chief  En- 
gineer at  Billingsport,  with  the  Rank,  Pay,  and  Rations  of  a  Lieu't 
Colonel ;  and  all  Officers  and  Soldiers  under  his  Command,  as  well 
as  Workmen  employ'd  there,  are  to  obey  him  as  such,  until  the 
Fortifications  at  that  place  are  compleated,  or  until  it  shall  be  other- 
wise ordered  by  proper  authority. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Samuel  Smith  £13  1,  for  his 
services  in  collecting  Arms,  Shoes,  Stockings,  &c. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Thomas  Jones  £5  18  3,  for 
Diet  and  Lodging,  and  other  Expences  attending  2  Sick  Soldiers 
of  Col.  Miles'  Reg't,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress.  Also  to  pay  said 
Jones  £4  11  4,  for  Expences  attending  2  other  Sick  Soldiers  of 
said  Reg't,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  February  17th,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

OWEN  BIDDLE,  Chairman. 

Sam'l  Cad.  Morris,  Andrew  Caldwell, 

Joseph  Blewer,  John  Bayard, 

William  Lyon,  Joseph  Marsh, 

William  Moore,  Geo.  Gray. 
Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Brittingham  Dickeson's  order 

of  £23  17  6,  for  Waggon  hire,  for  bringing  up  Cash  from  Balti- 
more, to  be  charged  to  Congress. 


126  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Dellam  was  directed  to  pay  Major  James  Smith  £26  5,  for 
his  pay  for  1  month's  and  12  days,  as  Major,  Commanding  a  Rang- 
ing Party. 

Mr.  Ncsbitfc  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  William  Cook  £8  10,  for 
4  Blankets,  for  the  use  of  the  12th  Pennsylv'a  Reg't,  to  be  charg'd 
to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Henry  McKinley  ^651, 
for  Blankets  purehas'd  by  him  for  his  Comp'y  of  the  12th  Penn- 
sylv'a Reg't,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Captain  Bickham  was  Order'd  to  deliver  Lieutenant  Finlay  for 
five  men  of  the  Pennsylv'a  State  Reg't,  recruited  by  him,  viz  :  5 
Coats,  5  Jackets,  5  Shirts,  5  Pair  Breeches,  5  Pair  Shoes  &  Stock- 
ings, 5  Caps,  and  5  Blankets. 

Resolved,  That  in  Consequence  of  advice  from  Thomas  Savadge, 
at  the  Pennsylvania  Salt  Works  on  Tom's  River,  of  a  design  of  the 
Enemy  against  those  works,  and  of  a  Letter  from  Rob't  Morris, 
Esq'r,  one  of  the  members  of  Congress,  recommending  it  to  the  at- 
tention of  this  Council,  The  armed*  boat  called  the  Delaware,  under 
the  Command  of  Richard  Eyre,  Esq'r,  be  immediately  fitted  out 
and  ordered  to  proceed,  with  all  expedition,  to  the  said  Works,  there 
to  remain  for  the  defence  thereof,  untill  further  orders  from  this 
Board. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Capt.  Bickham,  in  favour  of  Capt.  Her- 
cules Courtney,  for  the  anio't  of  his  acco't,  £11  12  9,  for  sundry 
Expys  for  the  Artillery.. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  18th  February,  1777 

PRESENT : 

THOMAS   WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

John  Bull,  Joseph  Marsh, 

Geo.  Gray,  Jonathan  B.  Smith, 

William  Lyon,  Owen  Biddle, 

Sam'l  Cad.  Morris,  Andrew  Caldwell. 
Joseph  B lower, 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Colonel  Jost  Trisbach  ,£27  17 
7,  for  his  trouble  and  Expences  in  forming  and  attending  his  Batt'u 
of  Militia  of  Northampton  County,  And  expediting  the  March  of 
the  Companies  of  the  Flying  Camp,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Robert  Towers  ^93  19,  for  the 
amo't  of  his  weekly  acco't  of  the  purchase  of  Arms,  &c,  and  work 
done  in  the  Elaboratory,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

5  M  O*  (0WMi 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  127 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Josiah  Wood  £99,  for  300  Pikes 
deliver' d  Rob't  Towers. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Haulers  70  Dollars,  to  pro- 
vide for  4  Indians,  on  their  way  to  Maryland,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  John  Kerlin  £11  11  3,  for 
subsistence  of  different  Parties  of  the  Continental  Troops,  Flying 
Camp  and  Militia,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  John  Kerlin, 
for  £30,  to  be  charged  to  John  Moore,  Esq'r,  of  Westmoreland 
County,  to  whom  Lieut.  Col.  Lockry  is  to  Account,  being  Cash 
lent  s'd  Col.  Lockry  by  John  Kerlin,  for  the  subsistence  of  that 
Batt'n  on  their  March,  the  Cash  provided  the  Contractors  not  be- 
ing sufficient, 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  John  Arndt  <£334  18, 
for  amount  of  arms  &  Accoutrements,  being  private  Property,  and 
lost  in  actual  Service  in  the  two  Engagements  on  Long  Island  & 
Fort  Washington,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Dan'l  McDon- 
ald, for  five  Pounds,  to  enable  him  to  return  home  to,  Lake  Supe- 
riour,  he  being  a  disabled  Soldier  come  from  Camp,  to  be  charg'd 
to  Congress. 

Capt.  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Rowland  Pritchett  £l  17  6, 
for  5  Flax  Seed  Casks. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Jervis  -^11  li  9,  for  Ex- 
pences  in  bringing  Prisoners  from  Bucks  County 


In  Council  of  Safety,  February  19th,  1777- 

PRESENT  : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  Andrew  Caldwell5 

William  Moore,  John  Bull, 

Owen  Biddle,  Joseph  Marsh, 

Geo.  Gray,  Peter  Rhoads, 

Sam'i  C.   Morris,  Wm.  Lyon, 

Joseph  Blewer, 
Capt.  George  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  Mr,  Claypoole  dS20, 
for  the  purpose  of  providing  Shirts,  &ca. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  William  Pollard,  Samuel  Massey, 
Thomas  Barclay,  &  William  Bradford,  be  added  to  the  Navy 
Board. 

An  order  was  drawn  in  favour  of  Elias  Botner  for  J7  2  6,  on 
J.  M.  Nesbit. 


3  28  MINUTES  OF  THE 

\ 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Henry  Hagenbuck  £389 
6,  for  amount  of  arms  &  accoutrements  of  his  Company,  being 
Private  Property,  and  lost  in  actual  Service  on  Long  Island. 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  to  the  order  of  the  Navy 
Board  150  three  Pound  Shott,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Jno.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  directed  to  pay  John  Hart,  Esq'r, 
-€  L9  17  4,  for  repairing  arms  in  Bucks  County,  &  £3  0  0,  for  a 
Gun. 

Resolved,  That  Joseph  Hart  &  Henry  Wynkoop,  Esq'rs,  and  Mr. 
Richard  Gibbs,  be  requested  to  repair  immediately  to  the  House  of 
Isaac  Hicks,  Late  Clerk  of  the  Court  for  Bucks  County,  aud  there 
take  possession  of  all  the  public  papers  &  Records  that  may  be  in 
his  Possession;  they  are  also  requested  to  collect  together  and  Ex- 
amine all  the  Books  and  records  that  formerly  were  iu  the  care  of 
said  Hicks,  place  thu  same  in  the  Office  built  for  the  use  of  said 
County  to  keep  their  Publick  Books  and  Papers  in,  making  a  re- 
port to  this  Board  of  their  proceedings,  and  in  what  State  they  find 
said  Books  and  Papers,  particularly  if  any  are  missing;  The  Keys 
of  the  Office  to  be  left  in  the  Hands  of  Henry  Wynkoop,  Esq'r, 
untill  further  orders. 

Resolved,  That  the  public  Office  in  Newtown,  in  the  County  of 
Bucks,  now  made  use  of  as  a  magazine  for  Powder  &  other  War- 
like Stores,  be  immediately  cleared,  in  order  to  receive  the  Books, 
records,  and  Publick  Papers  belonging  to  said  County ;  &  Messrs. 
Hart,  Wynkoop,  &  Gibbs,  are  hereby  requested  to  order  said  Office 
cleared,  &  to  deposit  said  Books,  Records,  &  Papers  in  the  public 
Office  aforesaid. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Thomas  Corgee  <£33  3  0,  for 
Iron  work  for  Gun  Carriages  for  the  Ship  Montgomery. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  February  20th,  1777. 

present : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  Joseph  Blewer, 

John  Bayard,  Andrew  Caldwell, 

Peter  Rhoads,  John  Bull, 

William  Moore,  George  Gray, 

Owen  Biddle,  Sam'l  C.  Morris. 

Jonathan  B.  Smith, 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  to  John  Watson,  for  dressing  the 
wounds  of  men  of  armed  Boats  in  May  last,  ^1  4  0. 

Captain  Bickham  was  directed  to  pay  And'w  Burkart  £259  7, 
for  247  Pair  of  Shoes  @  21s. 


4,000 

do. 

6 

6,000 

do. 

4 

8,000 

do. 

3 

1,500 

do. 

2 

20 

Barr  Shot 

for  32 

80 

do. 

24 

740 

do. 

18 

360 

do. 

9 

100 

do. 

12 

.160 

do. 

4 

COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  129 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Ebenezer  Lundy  £151  16,  for 
253  Cartouch  Boxes  delivered  Mr.  Towers,  @  12s. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Benj.  Yard  £110  17,  for  Re- 
pairs  of  arms  done  for  the  2nd  Battalion  of  Philad'a  County. 

The  following  is  a  List  of  Shot  ordered  to  be  cast  by  Mr.  James 
Old  for  the  Service  this  State,  vizt : 

4,000  Round  Shot  for  9  pounders, 
p'rs. 
p'rs. 
p'rs. 
p'r3. 
p'r. 
p'r. 
P'r. 
p'r. 
p'r. 
p'r. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Peter  Rhoads,  Esq'r,  £3  13  0, 
for  two  Blankets,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Henry  Geiger,  of  North- 
anipton  County. 

Mr.  Robt.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Col.  Walton  of 
Georgia,  204  shot  for  18  p'rs,  156  do  for  12^'rs,  and  200  do. 
for  9  p'rs,  he  paying  for  ihe  same. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  "directed  to  pay  Elias  Botner  £4  8  0,  for  22 
Brag  Ropes,  delivered  to  David  Pancoast,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 

Jno.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  was  directed  to  continue  George  Smith, 
a  Seamen  that  lost  his  hearing  on  board  the  armed  Boat  Hancock, 
Capt.  Moore,  on  half  pay,  'till  further  orders. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Hilton  £8  8-  0,  for  four 
Guns  delivered  to  Mr.  Towers. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Joseph  Watkins  ^19  15  4,  for 
his  Wages,  &c,  as  an  Express,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Major  Lewis  Farmer  =£9  3  10, 
for  his  Expences  in  conducting  the  Hessian  Paymaster  to  Balti- 
more, to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Mr.  James  Old  or  order  400 
w't  of  Gun  powder  to  prove  Cannon, 


VOL,  XI.— 9. 


130  MINUTES  OF  THE 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  February  21st,  1777* 

PRESENT  I 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Pres't. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

John  Bull,  William  Lyon, 

Peter  Rhoads,  Jonathan,  B.  Smith. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  William  Armstrong  £24,  for  his 
wages  and  expences  in  removing  Stores  from  Billingsport  to 
Philad'a  and  Lancaster,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Elmslie  £46  7  6,  for  turn- 
ing, 855  molds  for  Grape  shott,  &c,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Frederick  Weir  £13  5,  for  his 
wages  as  an  Express  to  York  and  Cumb  ,-rland  Counties,  with  Cir- 
cular Letters  to  the  Commanding  Officers  of  the  Militia,  to  make 
a  return  of  the  Public  arms  and -accoutrements,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Doct'r  Story  Steward,  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Hospital,  £90  10,  for  Board,  &c,  of  sick  and  woun- 
ded men,  to  be  charged  to  Congress.  Also,  £2  for  the  Board  ol 
John  Crony,  who  was  hurt  by  a  fall  in  the  Province  Ship  Mont- 
gomery. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Joseph  Stile» 
for  £150,  to  purchase  Flannel  for  making  Cartridges  for  Field  Ar- 
tillery, to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Lieut.  Thos.  Boyd  £'5  17  6, 
for  cash  paid  by  him  for  Belts  &  repairing  Rifles  of  Capt.  Shades' 
co.,  Col.  Miles'  Regiment. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Geo.  Weiss  £1  10,  for  his 
Expences  as  an  Express,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Alexander  Galagher  £2  4,  for 
four  pair  Stockings. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  William  Bodlys  £178, 
for  the  pay  of  his  Company  of  Militia  of  the  5th  Batt'n  of  Cr„ 
County,  commanded  by  Col.  Richard  Thomas,  now  stationed  at  the 
Powder  mills  on  French  Creek,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Simon  Murray  £11  13  4,  for 
700  Strops  for  Bottoms  delivered  into  the  Elaboratory,  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  131 


In  Council  of  Safety. 
Philadelphia,  February  22nd,  1777, 

PRESENT : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  Jun'r  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

John  Bayard,  Sam'l  Cad.  Morris, 

Joseph  Dean,  William  Lyon, 

Peter  Rhoads,  William  Moore, 

Jonathan  B.  Smith,  John  Bull. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Isaac  Thomson  £2,  for  2  Blan- 
kets. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  John  Mitchell 
for  one  thousand  five  hundred  Pounds,  he  to  be  accountable. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Col.  Will'm 
Cook  for  Three  thousand  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service,  to  be 
charged  to  Colonel  Cook. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Major  Benezet 
for  four  Thousand  Dollars,  for  the  recruing  service  of  the  6th  Penn- 
sylvania Regiment,  to  be  charged  to  Lieut.  Col.  Becker. 

Mr  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  William  Pennell  £8  18  9,  for 
1788  feet  of  Oak  Scantling  for  4  Pounders,  deliver' d  to  Benj. 
Loxley. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Messrs.  Peter 
Dehaven  &  Co.,  One  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  their 
acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Col.  Lambert 
Cadwallader  for  Four  Thousand  Dollars,  for  recruiting  service  for 
the  fourth  Pen'a  Reg't,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Messrs.  Peter 
Dehaven  &  Co.,  for  One  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  their 
acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Casper  Di trick  £l  3,  for  1 
Blanket,  &  Geo.  Shrod  £2  4  6,  for  2  Blankets,  all  for  the  use  of 
Capt.  Mich'l  Snyder's  comp'y  of  Col.  Geyger's  Batt'n  of  North- 
ampton County. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  James  Old  or  his  order 
Fifteen  hundred  Pounds  for- Cannon  Ball,  &c,  to  be  charged  to  his 
acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Commodore 
Seymour,  for  One  thousand  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service  of  the 
Naval  Armament  of  this  State,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Owen  Biddle, 
Esquire,  for  twelve  hundred  and  forty-six  Pounds  14s  4£,  to  be 
charged  to  his  acco't. 


132  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Abram   Mason  £40  12  4,  for 
Workman's  wages  in  the  Elaboratory 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favor  of  Mr.  Alex'r  Hun- 
ter for  J!904,  towards  paying  the  Militia  of  Northumberland  County. 
Resolved.  That  all  able  bodied  men  who  will  enter  into  the  ser- 
vice of  this  State  (during  the  war)  on  board  of  any  armed  Vessell, 
shall  receive  a  bounty  of  twelve  Dollars  on  their  enlistment. 

Resolved,  That  the  pay  of  the  officers  and  privates  of  the  Naval 
Armament  of  this  State  be  as  follows,  viz  : 

Commodore,  75  Dollars  <p  mo. 

Captains,  48  Dollars  m  mo. 

First  Lieutenants,        30  Dollars  ^  mo. 
Second  Lieutenants,     20     Do.     *p  mo. 


Gunner, 

16     do.      f  do. 

Boatswain, 

16     do.      f  do. 

Carpenter, 

16     do.      f  do. 

Armour, 

13     do.      f  do. 

Clerk  &  Steward, 

16     do.      $  do. 

Cook, 

12     do.      f  do. 

Drummer, 

10     do.      f  do. 

Fiter, 

10     do.      f  do. 

Surgeon  of  the  Ship, 

48  Dollars  f  mo. 

Surgeon's  Mate, 

20     Do.     $  mo. 

Seamen, 

12     do.      ^  mo. 

Boys, 

6     do.      ^  do. 

Petty  Officers,  such  as  Quarter  Masters,  Gunners'  iVIates,  Boat- 

swains' Mates  &  Carpenters' 

Mates,  on  board  the  Ship  &  Floating 

Batteries,  13  Dollars^  mon 

th. 

The  Officers  pay  to  Commence  the  15th  November,  1776. 

The  privates  to  commence 

the  1st  of  February,  1777. 

In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  February  24th,  1777 

present : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
Owen  Biddle,  Joseph  Dean, 

Peter  Rkoads,  Sam'I  C.  Morris, 

Wm.  Lyon,  Jou'n  Bayard  Smith, 

Joseph  Blewer,  John  Bull. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Col.  Wm.  Cook, 
£6  10  0,  for  4  Blankets,  to  be  charged  to  Congress.  N.  B.  An 
acco't  for  said  sum  was  passed  the  17th  Inst,  &  lost  by  Col- 
Cook 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  133 

Mr.  Nesbitfc  was  directed  to  pay  Ebenezer  Cowell  £31  II  6, 
for  repairing  arms  last  Summer. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Robert  Towers  for  bis  Weekly 
Expences  for  work  in  Elaboratory,  &ca.,  £100  0  6,  to  be  charged 
to  CongressT  and  £15  10  0,  for  bis  Services  as  Commissary  of 
Stores  from  17  January  to  17  February,  Inst. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Pope  £15  17  11,  for  sup- 
plying a  number  of  Prisoners  discharged  from  New  York  at  Cros- 
wix,  &  £16  5  0  for  26  pair  of  Shoes,  £16  5  0  for  Col.  Hump- 
ton's  Reg't,  both  sums  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  February  25th,  1777. 
present  : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Pres't. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Peter  Rhoads,  Owen  Biddle, 

Joseph  Dean,  .  John  Bull, 

William  Lyon,  Sam'l  Cad.  Morris. 

Jonathan  B.  Smith, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Moses  Young, 
for  two  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Gabriel  Kline  £1  11,  for  sub- 
sistence of  31  men  of  Capt.  Geo.  Horlacher's  Company  of  the  5th 
Batt'n  of  Bucks  Co.,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Gabriel  Kline  £2  12,  for  sub- 
sistence of  52  men  of  Col.  Geiger's  Batt'n  of  Northampton  County 
Militia,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Richard  Dal* 
lum,  Esq'r,  for  5,000  Dollars,  for  the  purpose  of  paying  Militia,  to 
be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  George  Gentner  £32  5  0, 
for  riding  express. 

Resolved,  That  every  Person,  Seamen  or  Soldier  in  the  service 
of  this  State,  who  by  sickness  or  otherwise,  shall  be  rendered  un- 
fit to  do  his  duty,  shall  be  sent  to  the  nearest  Hospital,  to  be  taken 
care  of,  and  if  his  case  shall  by  the  director  or  Physician  thereof, 
be  thought  Incurable,  he  shall  certifie  the  same  to  the  navy  Board, 
or  to  this  or  the  executive  Council  of  this  State,  who  will  order 
proper  provision  to  be  made  for  him  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Stiller,  work  done  for  Ar- 
tillery Carriages,  £41  15  0. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Capt.  Wm. 
Richards,  £314  10  2  J,  being  the  Balance  of  his  acco't  to  3rd  In- 


134  MINUTES  OF  THE 

stant,  (exclusive  of  his  wages  to  be  hereafter  settled,)  to  be  charg- 
ed to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Connor  20  Dollars,  in 
Consideration  of  his  Loss  of  time  and  suffering  in  the  Militia  Ser- 
vice. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Major  Lewis 
Nicola,  for  ^61500,  to  pay  the  City  Guards,  to  be  charged  to  his 
acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Col.  Gurney, 
for  1000  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service,  to  be  charged  to  Col 
Humpton. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Colo.  Nagel, 
for  1000  Dollars  for  the  recruiting  Service,  to  be  charged  to  his 
acco't. 

The  Paymaster  is  directed  to  pay  to  Captain  Rich'd  Brown  all 
arrearages  due  to  the  Prisoners  of  his  Cornp'y  at  the  times  of 
their  Deaths  or  inlistment  with  the  Enemy,  on  Capt.  Brown's  giv- 
ing Bond  for  his  accounting  faithfully  to  their  Widows  or  Heirs, 
for  such  sums  due  to  them  as  may  be  in  his  handb. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Rich'd  Brown  £8  5, 
for  cash  advane'd  the  wives  of  the  Prisoners  who  were  taken  on 
Long  Island. 

Mr  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Frymost  £1  10,  for  a 
Rifle  purchas'd  from  him  for  the  use  of  the  Rifle  Batt'n  of  Pbilad'a, 
aud  left  at  Perth  Amboy,  by  order  of  General  fiercer,  to  be  charg'd 
to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Thomas  Nevill  Five  Hundred 
Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Thomas  Peel  12s  6,  for  a 
Blanket,  and  Thomas  Marie  £7  10,  to  purchase  5  Bushels  of  Salt 
for  salting  the  Beef  brought  from  Fort  Island  to  Billingsport,  to  bo 
charged  to  Congress. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  February  26th,  1776, 

PRESENT  : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

Wm.   Moore,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen'r 

John  Bull,    '  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Joseph  Dean,  George  Gray, 

Peter  Rhoads,  Win.  Lyon. 

Jonathan  B.  Smith, 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  Jno.  Proctor  £io  8  0,  | 
for  38  pair  of  Shoes  &  6  pair  of  Stockings,  for  his  Battalion  of 
Westmoreland  Militia. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  135 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Salter  &  Burr  £280  5  3,  for 
Boards,  Plank,  Scantling,  &ca.,  ior  the  use  of 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Mr.  Alex'r 
Benstead,  Paymaster  of  the  10th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  for  1500 
Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service,  to  be  charged  to  Col.  Penrose. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Messrs.  Wm.  Crispin,  Peter 
Stretch,  Job  Harvy  &  Capt.  Allen  £66  8  7,  for  Expences  in  Collect- 
ing Blankets,  &ca.,  in  Chester  County. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  William  Roberts  d6159  1  4,  for 
making  ammunition  Boxes,  &ca.,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Capt.  John 
Hazlewood,  for  300  Dollars,  for  recruiting  Service  for  the  fire 
Bafts  &  Guard  Boats,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Major  Sam'i 
Benezet,  for  1500  Dollars,  for  recruiting  Service  for  6th  Penn'a 
Regiment,  to  be  charged  to  Lt.  Col.  H.  Bicker. 

Mr.  Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Margaret  Welsh  £56  7  3, 
for  ferriage  of  militia  &  diet  of  do. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Patrick  McDowell  iS22  10  0, 
for  900  Bottoms  for  round  Shott  delivered  into  the  Elaboratory,  to 
be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Josiah  Hewes 
&  others,  wardens  of  the  City  of  Philad'a,  for  £800  0  0,  to  be 
charged  to  their  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Philip  Rodman, 
for  £3  10,  for  a  Gun  taken  out  of  the  Factory  by  mistake. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  February  27th,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Pres't. 
David  Rittenhouse,  Joseph  Dean, 

John  Bull,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

William  Moore,  Jon'a  B.  Smith, 

George  Gray,  Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r, 

Peter  Rhoads,  Wm.  Lyon. 

Owen  Biddle, 
Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mathias  Keely  i>l50,  to  to  be 
charged  to  his  account ;  and  Abram  Moore  ^30,  to  be  charged  to 
his  acco't. 

N.  B.     Keely  has  deliver' d  this  day  36  new  Guns,  &  Moore  22. 
Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.    David  Jackson,  Paymaster 
for  the  2nd  Batt'n  of  Philad'a  Militia,  Twelve  Hundred  Dollars, 
to  pay  off  the  said  Batt'n,  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Bayard. 


136  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Resolved,  That  Fergus  Purden  be  appointed  Steward  of  the  Pro- 
vince Island  Hospital,  and  that  he  be  allowed  26  Dollars  *$  month, 
and  is  to  render  His  Accounts,  properly  attested,  every  two  weeks  to 
this  Board. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  McGinley  £62  19  4?,  be- 
ing the  Balance  of  his  Acco't  for  work  done  Gun  Carriages,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Robert  Jewell  £203  10  5J, 
for  the  amo't  of  his  acco't  for  Diet  of  Prisoners,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philad'a,  February  28th,  1777. 
present : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  William  Lyon, 

Joseph  Dean,  John  Bull, 

Jon'a  B.  Smith,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  George  Gray. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Bates  £9  7  6,  for  751bs. 
Sheet  Iron,  delivered  Jacob  Myers. 

Resolved,  That  the  Navy  Board  be  empowered  to  draw  on  Jno. 
M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  to  this  Board,  for  Such  Sums  of  mo- 
ney as  may  be  wanting  for  that  department. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Bull  and  Colonel  Dean  be  a  Committee 
to  enquire  into  the  Quantity,  Situation  and  State  of  the  Public  Stores, 
and  make  report  to  this  Council,  in  order  that  such  part  thereof  as 
are  not  immediately  wanted,  may  be  removed  to  some  place  or  places 
of  Safety. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Brand  £9  18  7£,  for  Bed 
Cords  and  Twine  deliver'd  Rob't  Towers. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Win.  Thomas  &  Thomas  Foulke 
£9  0  0,  for  their  trouble  &  Expence  in  Collecting  Blankets,  Stock- 
ings, &ca.,  in  Bucks  County. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Sam'l  Morris, 
Sen'r,  for  £50,  in  part  for  his  wages  for  attendance  at  this  Council. 

Mr.  NCsbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Ludwig  Fohrer  £9  19  0,  for  a 
Stove  and  Pipe. 

Resolved,  That  the  Pennsylvania  Regiment  of  Artillery  shall  be 
raised,  to  serve  in  any  part  of  the  United  States  during  the  War, 
and  that  all  new  recruits  in  the  Pennsylvania  State  Regiment  of 
Foot  shall  be  enlisted  on  the  same  terms,  and  that  every  able 
bodied  man  who  shall  enlist  in  either  of  the  said  Regiments,  shall 
be  paid  a  Bounty  of  Twenty  Dollars. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  137 

Resolved,  That  every  able  Bodied  man  already  engaged  in  either 
of  the  above  regiments  for  a  Limited  time,  shall,  on  re-inlisting  to 
serve  during  the  war,  be  paid  ten  Dollars,  part  of  the  above  Boun- 
ty, and  the  remaining  Ten  Dollars  at  the  expiration  of  the  time  for 
which  he  was  first  inlisted. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Robert  Hare  and  Co.  £5  t>  8, 
for  2f  Barrels  of  Porter,  deliver'd  in  Nov'r  last. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Lieut.  Triesback,  of  Capt.  Shade's 
Company,  £7  0  3,  for  Tomhawks,  Powder  Horns,  &ca. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Frederick  Schnyder  £24  10, 
for  attendance  on  the  Council  from  the  10th  January  until  28th 
Feb'ry. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  March  1st,  1777. 

present : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Presid't. 
David  Rittenhouse,  Joseph  Dean, 

George  Gray,  Jona.  B.  Smith, 

John  Bull,  William  Lyon, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Samuel  C.  Morris. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  fav'r  of  Col.  L.  Cadwal- 
ader,  for  1,000  Dollars,  for  recruiting  service  for  4th  Pen'a  Reg't,  to 
be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Watt  £2,  for  carrying 
Sick  Soldiers  and  their  Baggage  35  miles,  and  John  Hamilton  10s, 
for  carrying  Sick  Soldiers,  both  of  the  4th  Batt'n,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  William  Lewis  £34  12,  for  1,384 
Blocks  deliver'd  Joseph  Stiles. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  James  Ennis  £14,  being  the 
Ball'e  of  his  acco't,  for  Horse  hire  and  Expresses,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  B.  Poultney  £210  6  0;  for  701 
Shovels,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  William  Webb  be  appointed  Paymaster  to 
the  Navy  and  Navy  Board  for  this  State. 

Resolved,  That  the  Gunsmiths  be  allowed  £5  10  Of  for  every 
Good  Musket  with  a  Bayonet  they  deliver  at  the  Factory,  from  this 
day  until  altered  by  this  Council  or  some  proper  authority. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay 
justice  Rebinhen  £29  12   1  J,  for  wheels,  &ca.,  for  Gun  Carriages. 
John  Gruver,  45     0  0.    for  do. 

Joseph  Pearson,       93     3  0     for  Iron  work  for  Gun  Carriages. 


138  MINUTES  OF  THE 


In  Council  of  Safety,  March  3rd,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
David  Rittenhouse,  V.  P. 

Samuel  Morris,  Sen'r,  Jona.  B.  Smith, 

Owen  Biddle,  Sarn'l  C.  Morris, 

Joseph  Dean,  Wm.  Lyon. 

John  Bull, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  fav'r  of  Major  Lewis 
Farmer,  for  One  Thousand  Dollars,  for  recruiting  Service  for  the 
Pen'a  State  Regiment,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Major  Benezet, 
for  1000  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service  of  the  6th  Pennsylvania 
Regiment,  to  be  charg'd  to  Lieut.  Col.  Becker. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain's  Erwin  <fe  McClelan, 
for  Expences  in  going  to  Westmoreland  to  Carry  money  to  differ- 
ent persons  to  pay  Militia,  £16  10  0,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Thomas  Marie  <£59  4  0,  for  wage3 
for  men  working  at  the  Peers  near  Fort  Island. 

Resolved,  That  the  Navy  board  be  empowered  to  take  the  Pro- 
vince Shallop  into  their  Possession  immediately,  to  be  employed 
for  such  purposes  as  they  may  think  proper. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Sam'l  Gowdy  <£3  0  0,  for  a  Gun 
delivered  to  Mr.  Towers  in  August,  1776. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Michael  Boyer  -£7  10,  for  his 
Wages  as  an  Express  to  Mr.  Rich'd  Tea,  six  days,  @  25s. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Geo.  Ginther  £3  15, 
for  his  Wages  as  an  Express  to  John  Evans,  Esquire,  3  days, 
@  25s. 

Resolved,  That  the  Sentance  of  the  Court  Martial  held  on  Lieu- 
tenant John  Dean  of  the  Arnold  Floating  Battery,  be  referred  to 
the  Navy  Board,  who  are  directed  to  order  a  hearing  of  the  parties. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  139 

la  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  March  4th,  1777. 


present  : 
THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Pres't. 
David  Ritten house,  V.  P. 

William  Lyon,  John  Bull, 

Samuel  Morris,  Sen'r,  Wm.  Moore, 

Samuel  Cad.  Morris,  Joseph  Dean 


Owen  Biddle,  Frederick  Kuhl. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Daniel  Queen  18s,  for  Ferriage 
and  Expences  of  4  Horses. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mary  Hunter  £5  15,  for  Nurs- 
ing and  Attendance,  and  Funeral  Expences  of  Ratchford  Duffield, 
deceas'd,  late  a  Private  in  Captain  Allbright's  Company  of  Col. 
Miles'  Battalion,  to  be  charg'd  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Peter  Rundes  £30,  on 
acco't  of  Rifles  &  accoutrements  lost  in  actual  Service  at  Fort 
Washington,  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  William  Baxter. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Hood  £2  12,  for  4  yards  of 
Blanketing  for  the  use  of  Col.  Watts'  Marching  Batt'n,  to  be 
charged  to  the  Col'o. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Thomas  Cuthbert  £3  4  11,  for 
Sundry  expences  while  acting  in  a  Committee  to  superintend  the 
Sale  of  Salt,  and  £19  9  for  the  same  purpose. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  James  Dundas, 
for  ^250,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Boyd  £17  12  6,  for 
travelling  Expences  while  on  Public  Business  up  the  Delaware,  and 
to  Shrewsbury  last  fall,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Michael  Grove  £16,  for  his 
Wages  as  an  Express,  to  be  charged  to 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Moses  Young, 
for  £100,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Capt.  Joseph 
Rice,  for  1200  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service  of  the  Pennsylv'a 
Artillery,  charge  to  Col.  Proctor. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Dehaven  & 
Carter,  for  £500,  to  be  charged  to  their  acco't. 

Resolved,  That  the  Teams,  &ca,  purchased  by  Colonel  Bull,  for 
the  Purpose  of  Carrying  on  the  Works  at  Billingsport,  be  charged 
to  Congress,  and  that  he  be  paid  the  necessary  disbursements  on 
that  account. 

\  n  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Simon  Murray, 
£20  19  8.  for  tin  Tubes,  &c. 


140  MINUTES  OF  THE 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  March  5th,  1777. 
present: 
DAVID  RITTEN  HOUSE,  V.  P. 

Joseph  Dean,  Sam'l  C  Morris, 

Frederick  Kuhl,  Owen  Biddle, 

William  Moore,  Wm.  Lyon. 

Samuel  Morris,  Sen'r, 
Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Jacob  Bishop  £10  19 
6,  for   the   amo'fc  of  arms  taken    from    Non-Associators  in   New 
Hanover  Township,  Philadelphia  County. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Duche- 
mon,  for  £20,  for  his  Services,  as  an  Interpreter  to  the  Polish 
Engineer. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Messrs.  Peter 
Dehaven  &  Co.,  for  £500,  to  be  charged  to  their  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Wm.  Thomp- 
son, for  one  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Resolved,  That  Robert  Allison  be  appointed  a  first  Lieutenant 
of  a  Company  of  Foot  in  the  Continental  Service. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Benjamin  Davis  £36  0  0,  for 
a  Barrel  of  Rum,  &  Doct'r  Wm.  Smith  £10  4  0,  for  medecinessent 
to  the  Salt  Works  &  Tom's  River. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  March  6th,  1777. 

present : 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  William  Lyon, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Samuel  C.  Morris, 

Joseph  Dean,  Fred.  Kuhl. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  James  Budden  &  Co.  £109  8  0, 
for  1,098  Bushels  of  Salt. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Doctor  Harris, 
for  £100,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Wm.  Bodley  for  a  month 
pay  for  a  Company  of  Guards  at  French  Creek  Powder  Mills. 

Mr.  Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Tho's  Heslep  £15 
0  0,  to  be  charged  to  this  State. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  141 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia,  March  7th,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Fred.  Kuhl, 

William  Lyon,  Jonathan  B.  Smith. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Robert  Towers  £154  9  0, 
for  his  last  week's  account  for  Workmens'  wages  in  the  Elaboratory? 
making  cartridges,  &ca.,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Townsend  &  John  White  £7 
15  9,  for  a  H'h'd  of  Brimstone  deliver'd  to  Mr.  Towers  in  June 
last. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Shearman  £104  0  0,  for 
4,160  Bottoms  for  Round  Shotfc  delivered  to  Capt.  Stiles,  to  bo 
charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Lieut.  Rob't 
Allison,  for  100  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  service,  to  be  charged 
to  his  acco't.* 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt.  in  favour  of  Col.  Rich'd 
Dallam,  for  £2,500,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Edw'd  Pote  £1  18  4,  for  480 
musket  Ball  delivered  to  Mr.  Towers. 


In  Council  of  Safety, 

Philad'a,  March  8th,  1777. 
present  : 
OWEN  BIDDLE,  Chairman. 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  G-eorge  Gray, 

Joseph  Dean,  William  Lyon, 

Johnathan  B.  Smith,  John  Bull. 
Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Mr.  Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Samuel  Johnson  £2  2 
6,  for  dieting  Militia  on  their  march  to  Camp,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Benjamin  Mintz  £99  4,  for 
128  Pair  of  Shoes  @  15s  6. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Moses  Youog, 
for  1,000  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 


142  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Nixon  £20  6  8,  for  Store 
Hire  for  Naval  Stores,  Beef  &  Pork. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  Colonel  John  Bull  £100  8  4,  & 
Colonel  Dean  £172  13  8,  for  sundries  bought  by  them  for  the 
Indian  Treaty  held  at  Easton,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Daniel  Evans  £121  8  4,  for 
Iron  Work  for  Gun  Carriages. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  March  10th,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

WM.  MOORE,  Chairman. 

Owen   Biddle,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Wra.  Lyon, 

Fred.  Kuhl,  John   Bull, 

Joseph  Dean, 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Rob't  Towers,  Commissary  of 
Stores,  £112  4  (5,  for  his  last  week's  account  for  workmens'  wages 
in  the  Elaboratory,  making  Cartridges,  &ca.,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Col  John  Bull  =£97  10  0,  for 
his  services  for  superintending  the  works  erecting  at  Billingsport 
from  27th  Sept'r,  1776,  to  2  Decern 'r  last,  6Q  days,  &  12  days'  ser- 
vice in  procuring  waggons,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  John  Bull  employ  as  many  Laborers  and 
artificers  to  compleat  the  Fortifications  at  Billingsport,  according  to 
the  plan  adopted  by  this  Board,  as  he  can,  not  to  exceed  five  Hun- 
dred, with  an  overseer  to  every  Thirty  men,  for  whose  service  he 
is  allowed  to  pay  each  man  j£4s  6  ^  diem,  or  such  a  less  sum  as  he 
can  contract  with  them  for;  and  that  he  immediately  set  about 
the  said  Business,  and  prosecute  it  with  all  the  diligence  in  his 
Power. 

Resolved,  That  William  Crispin,  Esq'r,  do  immediately  provide 
provisions  for  the  workmen  to  be  employed  at  Billingsport,  agree- 
able to  such  numbers  as  Colonel  John  Bull  may  direct  him. 

Resolved,  That  Major  Lewis  Farmer  march  all  the  officers  and 
men  belonging  to  the  Pennsylvania  State  Regiment  (except  the 
recruiting  Parties)  down  to  Billingsport,  and  put  himself  under  the 
direction  of  Colonel  Bull.  I 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Col.  Joseph  Dean  one  Thousand 
Dollars,  for  money  he  advanced  to  Capt.  Caleb  North,  for  recruiting 
service  for  5th  Pen'a  Reg't,  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Johnson. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  McGinley  £52  7  0,  for 
Iron  Work  for  Gun  Carriages,  delivered  to  David  Pancoast. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  143 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  £51,  for 
Sundry  Guns,  appraised  for  the  use  of  Capt.  M user's  Comp'y  of 
the  first  Batt'n  of  Lancaster  Co. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philad'a,  March  11th,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

OWEN  BIDDLE,  Chairman. 
George  Gray,  Wm.  Lyon, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Sam'IC.  Morris, 

John  Bull,  Joseph  Dean. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Mr.  Ilaun,  a  member  of  assem- 
bly for  York  County,  on  acco't  for  scabbards,  &ca,  £19  17  0,  to  be 
charged  to  this  State;  another  acco't  of  Mich'l  Eichelberger  «£77 
12  0,  for  dieting  10  Emigrants  at  Yorktown,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress;  also  £5  17  6,  for  Lodging  officers'  servants,  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Colonel  Bull  ^44  13  3,  for 
Guard  of  Stores  at  Norrington,  &  Sundrys  supplied  by  Col.  Butler 
at  Wyoming,  to  the  Indians  returning  from  the  treaty  at  Easton, 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Col.  Lamb't 
Cadwalader,  for  One  Thousand  Dollars,  for  recruiting  service  for 
the  fourth  Pen'a  Reg't,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  James  McClellan  £7  15  4,  for 
dieting  Militia  last  Summer. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Edw'd  Graham  £19  13 
0,  for  subsistance  of  bis  Company  of  Col.  Wats'  Battalion,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Captain  John 
Nelson,  for  £358  4  2,  for  pay  of  his  Independent  Company,  late 
annext  to  Col.  Dehaas'  Reg't,  while  at  Ticonderoga,  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Capt.  Henry  Shade  ^6241  1  3, 
for  Riffles,  &ca,  purchased  by  him  for  his  Company. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Joseph  Stiles  be  appointed  superinten- 
dant  of  the  Ordinance  of  this  State,  and  that  he  be  authorized  to 
take  into  his  charge  all  the  Artillery  belonging  to  this  State  not 
immediately  employed,  with  the  Carriages  and  all  appurtenances 
belonging  to  the  same. 

That  he  lay  before  this  board  a  plan  of  this  Buildings  necessary 
to  preserve  the  said  Artillery  and  Stores ;  That  he  may  employ 
one  assistant  and  one  Clerk  under  him,  and  that  a  regular  Account 
be  kept  by  him  of  all  such  Artillery  and   Stores,  and  a  report  be 


J  U  MINUTES  OF  THE 

made  of  the  Quantity  and  Condition  of  the  same  to  thifc  Board, 
once  in  every  week,  or  oftener,  if  required,  which  are  not  to  be  de- 
livered out  unless  by  special  orders  irom  the  executive  Council  or 
this  Board. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  George  Ingles  be  appointed  superintendant 
of  Gun  Carriages,  and  he  is  bereby  authorized  to  take  into  his 
Charge  all  the  Carriages  not  already  mounted,  and  the  mate- 
rials for  making  of  Carriages  belonging  to  this  State,  where- 
ever  they  may  be  found;  and  to  provide  timber  and  materials  to 
make  such  others  as  may  hereafter  be  ordered  to  be  made,  and  em- 
ploy workmen  for  that  purpose. 

Thajt  a  proper  Yard  be  procured  for  Storing  all  the  Gun  Timber 
belonging  to  this  State,  of  which  an  account  is  to  be  Kept  in  a  book 
for  that  purpose,  to  be  weekly  laid  before  this  board  for  Inspection, 
or  oftner,  if  required. 

The  Council  taking  into  their  consideration  the  necessity  of  es- 
tablishing some  Regulations  respecting  the  State  of  the  Troops 
quartered  in  this  City,  and  especially  in  regard  to  the  Health  of 
the  Inhabitants,  think  it  very  proper  the  following  Resolutions  be 
adopted. 

1st  That  General  Gates,  or  the  Commanding  officer  for  the  time 
being  in  this  City,  be  requested  to  order  an  officer  of  each  company 
at  present,  or  who  may  hereafter  be  quartered  in  this  City,  to  visit 
every  morning  the  Houses  occupied  by  the  respective  Companies, 
and  see  that  they  are  kept  clean  Such  officer  neglecting  this 
duty  to  be  confined  &  otherwise  punished,  as  the  General  shall 
think  proper. 

2nd.  That  the  Barrack  Master  General  be  directed  to  order  one 
of  his  Assistants,  or  some  other  person  acquainted  with  such 
Houses  as  have  soldiers  in  them,  to  visit  them  at  least  three  times 
a  week,  &  make  report  to  the  General  or  the  Town  Major,  to  be 
laid  before  the  General  every  visiting  day,  of  the  State  in  which 
they  find  such  Houses,  specifying  every  House,  and  the  Captain's 
name,  which  they  may  find  Dirty,  particularly  with  Human  or- 
dure, in  the  House,  out-houses,  or  yard. 

3rd.  That  the  Town  Major  be  ordered  to  visit  such  Houses  as 
ofteu  as  his  other  duties  will  permit,  as  a  Check  on  the  Officers 
aud  Assistants  Barrack  Masters,  and  report  accordingly  to  the  Gen- 
eral and  this  Council. 

4th.  That  the  Town  Major  furnish  the  Barrack  Master  with  a 
sufficient  number  of  Copies  of  the  above  orders,  that  each  Assis- 
tant may  be  provided  with  one,  and  Communicate  the  same  to  the 
officers  and  men  they  shall  from  time  to  time  quarter  in  this  City. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  145 


In  Council  of  Safety,  March  12th,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

DAVID  MTTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Sam'l  C.  Morris, 

Sam'l  Morris,  Sen'r,  Joseph  Blewer, 

George  Gray,  Wm.  Lyon. 

Joseph  Dean, 
Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  George  Reinhart,  for  porter- 
age of  Cannon,  Carriages,  Plank,  &ca.,  £2Q  9  0,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Joseph  Mather  £44  16  5,  for 
boarding,  Cloathing,  &  Schooling  Moses  Kirkland,  from  8th  May, 
1776,  to  8th  March,  1777,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Philadelphia.  March  13th,  1777. 
present : 
DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  V.  P. 

Owen  Biddle,  Joseph  Dean, 

Geo.  Gray,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen'r, 

Sam'l  Cad.  Morris,  Wm.  Lyon. 

Resolved,  That  a  Smith's  Shop  be  erected  at  or  near  the  Public 
Works  now  in  the  Possession  of  this  Board,  the  Corner  of  Chest- 
nut and  Fifth'  Streets,  and  a  sufficient  Quantity  of  Iron  and  Coals 
be  purchased  for  that  purpose,  and  that  a  master  workman  be  en- 
gaged to  Superintend  the  same. 

And  that  Joseph  Dean  be  empowered  to  engage  a  suitable  per- 
son, as  soon  as  possible. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  for  Drum  Snares,  Sticks,  &ca., 
&ca.,  £10  11  9. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Geo.  Putz  £6  4,  for  8  Pair  of 
Shoes,  a  15s.  6  p  Pair. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  James  Galbreath  £8  12  2£, 
for  36£  yards  Coarse  Linnen,  a  4s.  9. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Robert  M'Curdy  £19  4,  for 
24  Pairs  Shoes,  a  16s. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  James  Lynch  £60  18  6,  for 
Rammers  and  Spunge  heads,  Tomkins  &  Bottoms,  deliver'd  Dav'd 
Pancoast,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  John   Scott  £13  10,  for  27 
yards  Flannel,  a  10s.  p  yard. 
VOL.  xi. — 10. 


146  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  James  Galbreath  £50  13  3f 
for  Coarse  Linnen  and  Linsey. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  John  Ross  £14  16  7£,  for 
19f  y'ds  white  Swanskin,  a  13s.  6,  and  3  Pair  Hose,  a  10s. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Joseph  Ross  £16  14  8i,  for 
89 i  y'ds  Tow  Linnen,  a  3s.  9  p  yard. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Jacob  S.  Howell  be  allowed  thirteen  Shil- 
lings per  day  for  his  Services  as  Secretary  to  this  Council. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Jacob  S. 
Howell,  £92  5,  being  in  full  for  his  services  as  Secretary  to  this 
Council. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  pay  Frederick  Snider  £&  10,  for 
his  attendance  on  the  Council  from  the  1st  of  March  untill  the 
11th,  inclusive,  a  10s.  p  day. 

Moses  Young  was  directed  to  "pay  Geo.  Ginther  £8  15,  for  his 
wages  as  an  Express. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Styner  &  Cist,  £16  5  6,  the 
amo't  of  their  acco't  for  Printing  done  for  the  Council. 


Pennsylvania  War  Office,  ") 
21st  April,  1777.      j 

Resolved,  That  Francis  Richardson,  Reynold  Keene,  Colberson 
Read,  Ja's  Biddle  &  Henry  Haller,  or  any  three  of  them,  be  appointed 
Commissioners  for  the  County  of  Berks,  to  audit  &  Settle  the 
Accounts  of  the  Militia  &  flying  Camp  of  the  said  County,  for 
Arms  &  accoutrements  purchased  by  the  Officers  of  those  Corps, 
and  the  property  of  persons  lost  in  actual  Service.  Also  the  Ac- 
counts of  those  persons  who  have  been  killed,  died  in  the  service 
of  the  States,  or  were  made  prisoners. 

INSTRUCTIONS : 

Gentlemen  : 

As  the  individuals  in  your  County  who  have  rendered  service  to 
the  public  &  suffer'd  losses  in  Consequence  thereof,  meet  with  diffi- 
culties in  getting  their  accounts,  settled  by  reason  of  their  great 
distance  from  this  City,  we  therefore  have  appointed  you  to  audit 
&  Settle  their  respective  accounts,  and  that  justice  may  be  done 
both  to  the  Public  &  other  parties,  we  request  that  you  will  qualify 
all  persons  to  their  several  Accounts ;  and  where  any  persons  who 
have  had  demands  on  the  public  are  deceased,  that  you  obtain  proper 
certificates  and  other  authentic  documents,  that  the  persons  who 
make  claim  on  their  behalf  are  the  proper  representatives  of  such 
persons ;  many  frauds  have  been  practiced  against  the  public ;  we 
would  therefore  recommend  it  to  you,  to  scrutinize,  with  great  ex- 
actness, the  several  Accounts  that  may  be  laid  before  you,  that 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  147 

strict  justice  may  be  done  to  the  Public  and  the  claimants.  As  it  is 
unreasonable  that  any  persons  should  give  their  time  and  Labour 
to  the  public  without  reward,  you  are  to  be  allowed  perhaps  12s 
p'r  Diem  for  every  day's  service  which  you  shall  perform  in  this 
business. 


MEMORANDUM, 

AS    FOUN35    IN 


COUNCIL  BOOK,  NO.  8, 

FROM 

DEC.  31,  1776,  to  MARCH  17,  1777. 


Dec'r  31st,  1776. 

A  Request  Sent  to  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Supply  1  Serg't,  45 
Privates,  with  necessaries  to  Return  to  Camp  to-morrow,  under  the 
Command  of  Colin  Coke,  Lieut,  of  the  6th  Virginia  Reg't,  from 
their  Sick  Quarters. 

William  Edwards,  in  the  House  of  Bedford  Sadler,  a  Bucket  for 
the  use  of  the  sick. 

2  Blankets  for  Jos.  McWilliams  &  William  Jones,  in  Shields' 
House,  Sick* 


Jan'y,  1st,  1777. 

Matthias  Rusler,  at  W'm  Smilers's,  the  Corner  of  Seventh  & 
Arch  Street,  Sick.     Advanced  15s,  belong'g  to  Capt.  Nelson. 

2  Orders  for  Coffins  to  Mr.  Carpenter,  1  in  Taylor's  Alley,  1  in 
Semple's  Store. 

John  Thatcher,  of  Col.  Weedon's  Batt  3d  Virg'a,  A  White 
Shirt. 

Gave  Orders  to  Mr.  Roosen,  the  Barrack  Master,  Genres  assis't, 
for  f  Cord  of  Wood  to  each  of  the  4  Following  Sick  Quarters  : 
Semple's  Store,  Sproat's  Store,  Opposite  Do.,  &  McElroy,  also  | 
to  John  Shield's  House,  for  47  Sick. 

Cuthbert  Williamson,  of  Col.  Hasilet'  Batta'n,  a  Shirt. 

Gave  Matthias  Sheirey,  of  Major  Hayes'  Batta'n  of  the  Flying 
Camp,  3s  9.     Drew  Rations  of  the  Commissary  3  Days  for  Do. 

One  Lieu't,  1  Serg't,  6  Privates,  of  Capt.  McCormal's  Corop'a. 
Col.  Wat's  Battall'n,  in  Bedford's  House,  2d  Street. 


150  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Aq  order  to  Jasper  Carpenter  for  a  Coffin,  at  Mr.  Smeiler'a 
House,  the  Corner  of  Seventh  &  Arch  Streets  j  Matthias  Hesland, 
a  Soldier,  Batt'n  unknown. 


Jan'y  2d,  1777. 

Gave  to  a  poor  Distress'd  Widow  of  a  Soldier,  2s  6. 

Gave  to  Geo.  Sine,  of  €ol.  Ash's  Bat'n,  Peter  Trine  &  Geo. 
Shaffer,  of  Col.  Kichline,  5s  each.  15. 

John  Jett,  of  Capt.  Morris's  Comp,  8  Virg'a  Battalion,  a  p'r 
Shoes  <fc  Stockings. 

Rob't  Kelly,  the  6th  Yirg'a  Reg't,  p'r  Shoes,  Stock'gs  &  Shirt. 

P'd  for  Vegetables  2s  6,  six  Cups  3s,  a  Bucket  4s. 

John  Sears,  of  Smallwood's  Batt'l,  P'r  Shoes  &  Shirt. 

Mary  Traker,  Employ'd  as  Nurse  at  John  Shields*.  Also,  Mary 
Brown,  in  the  Same  Station,  lives  at  Jas.  Seeman's. 

Col.  Melchor,  Barrack  Master  Gen'l,  Releas'd  the  Committee  of 
the  77  Sick  return'd  Pris'ners,  under  the  Care  of  Serj't  Wilson, 
&  he  i3  accordingly  discharg'd  from  that  Service. 

Rec'd  a  Gun,  Bajonet,  &  CartoUch  Box,  of  Chris'n  Hosier,  of 
Col.  Swoop's  Battallion. 


Jan'y  3d,  1777. 

Gave  John  Sears,  of  Col.  Smallwood's  Batal'n,  5s,  he  going,  by 
permission,  to  New  Town,  Maryland,  till  he  gets  well. 

Gave  to  John  Copper,  of  Col.  Smallwood's  Batal'n,  Capt.  Va- 
zey'  Comp'y,  p'r  Lining  Breeches,  Shoes,  Stockings,  Shirt  &  Blan- 
ket. 

To  Charles  Spangler,  of  Capt.  Allbright's  Comp'y,  Col.  Miles' 
Bat'ln,  p'r  Stockings. 

To  Sam'l  Shaw,  of  Col'n  Montgomery's  Reg't,  P'r  Shoes. 

P'd  Unity  McKinzie,  for  Nursing  k  laying  out  a  Sick  Soldier, 
7s  6. 

Gave  2  distress'd  Soldiers,  return'd  Pris'ners  from  York,  Wil- 
liam Crawford,  of  the  5  Virginia  Batt'n,  a  P'r  Shoes  j  p'd  for  2  Q't 
Muggs,  Sugar  15s. 

Tho's  Kilpatrick,  Col.  Montgomery  Battalion,  a  Blanket. 

3  Soldiers  near  Doctor  Weed's. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  151 


-     Jan'y  4th,  1777. 

Marg't  Tryon,  Corner  of  Shippen  Street,  applys  for  a  Nurse. 

Also,  a  woman  next  door  to  the  widow  Gash. 

Paid,  for  Indian  Meal,  16s. 

Charles  Spangler,  of  Col.  Miles'  Battalion,  a  shirt  &  Blanket- 
James  Ford,  of  Col.  Durgy's  Battal.,  a  P'r  Stock'gs. 

Orders  to  the  Assistant  Barrack  Master. 

3-4  Cord  wood  in  Norris's  Alley. 

3-4         Do.  Shields. 

3-4         Do.  McElroy. 

3-4         Do.       to  Mr.  Sneider's  in  Front  Street. 

Rich'd  Sims,  of  3  Virginia  Battall.,  Shoes  &  Stock'gs. 

William  McCullock,         Do.  Shoes. 

Gave  2  poor  Soldiers  2s  6. 

Drew  Rations  for  Benja.  Belcher  of  Col.  Hausaker  of  the  Dutch 
Battalion,  for  21  days. 

Jacob  Jeffries  of  Gen'l  Small  wood  s  Battalion. 

A  Prisoner  from  New  York,  sent  by  order  of  Major  Peter  Ad- 
ams, and  Brought  by  Lieut.  Peal  in  Chancery  Lane,  to  be  particu- 
larly taken  Care  of,  is  placed  at  Mr.  Shneider's,  under  Care  of 
Doctor  Weede. 


Jan'y  6th,  1777. 

An  order  to  Jasper  Carpenter  for  John  Amesberger  of  CoL 
McAllister's  Batt'n,  a  Coffin. 

Drawn  Rations  for  10  Days  for  Rees  Jones,  of  Col.  Hall's 
Battal'n. 

Drawn  Rations  for  3  men  at  McElroy's,  1  of  Col.  Hall's,  1  of 
Col.  Weedon's,  and  one  of  Col.  Smallwood's,  for  3  Days. 

Geo.  Greenville,  of  Col.  Smallwood's  Batt'n,  Recommended  to 
Lieut.  Peel. 

Paid  for  taking  4  Sick  Soldiers  to  Better'g  House,  7s.  6. 

Return  to  the  Dep'y  Quarter  Master  for  3  Camp  Kettles  for  20 
men  of  Col.  Lawson's  Battal.  in  Pine  Street. 

Sent  2  sick  of  the  Small  Pox  to  the  Bettering  House,  to  D'r 
Young's  Ward,  and  p'd  for  carrying  them,  5s. 

Drew  Rations  for  2  men  of  Col.  McDugals  Battal.  for  9  Days, 
John  Malloway,  John  Neil. 

Receiv'd  from  each  of  the  above  a  Gun,  Bayonet,  Cartouch  Box, 
&c. 

John  Edinburgh,  of  the  6th  Virginia  Reg't,  Capt.  Toll,  a  shirt 
&  Blanket. 

Leo.  Bridger  of  the  4th  Virginia  Reg't,  a  P'r  Shoes. 


152  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Paid  for  Balm  Sage,  &ca,  6s. 

To  a  Soldier's  poor  sick  wife  &  2  Children,  17  6,  Doct'r  Glent- 
worth's  small  Pox  Hospital,  2  Doors  above  Peter  Knight's. 

John  Jett  of  the  3d  Virginia  Regim't,  Shoes,  Stock'gs,  Shirts* 
Robert  Currey  of  76th         Do.  Stock'gs  &  Shirt. 


Jan'y  7th,  1777. 

Drawn   Rations  for  8   Days,  for  a  Sick  Soldier  belong'g  to  the 
Delaware  BattalPn  quartered  in  Norris  Alley. 

Andrew  Beck  a  p'r  of  Stockings. 

Hannah  Smith  went  to  Nurse  in  Pine  Street. 

David  Burtle  of  Col.  Hall's  Battal.,  a  p'r  of  Stock'gs. 

Ordered  $  Cord  of  Wood  at  Shield's,  \  a  Cord  in  Pine  Street. 
I  a  Cord  at  Bedford's,  §  a  Cord  in  Norris  alley. 

|  a  Cord  at  xMcElroy's. 

Drew   Rations  for  6  Days   for  4  of  Col.  Hands'  &  1  of  Col. 
Montgomery's  Bat. 

Rec'd  a  Gun  and  Bayonet  belonging  to  Ephraim  Gundy  by  the 
Hands  of  Zabulon  Woodroff,  of  Major  Hand  in  the  Jersey. 

And  order  to  Mr.  Carpenter  for  a  coffin,  for  a  soldier  who  died 
en  Board  of  a  Shallop  coming  from  Camp  at  Trenton. 

P'd  for  taking  2  Soldiers  to  the  Hospital  in  ye  Small  Pox,  5s. 
1    Gave  Charles  Burnet,  late  of  Col.  Hall's  Batt'n,  Capt*  Maccu- 
bin,  a  discharg'd  soldier,  to  return  home,  7s  6. 

Gave  to  supply  a  Poor  Soldier  with  some  Necessaries,  in  the 
Small  Pox,  2s.  6.  }  Settled. 
Andrew  Beck,  7s.  6.  $  Mary  Orchard,  for  Nur'g. 


Jan'ry  8th,  1777. 

Gave  Isaac  Sterling,  of  Col.  Smallwood's  Batalion,  one  Shirt. 

An  order  to  Mr.  Carpenter  for  a  Coffin   for  James  Hill,  Battal, 
Unknown. 

A  n  order  to  Do.  for  a  Coffin  for  Edward  McGurney,  of 
in  Evan  Morgan's  house  on  the  Commons. 

A  Cord  of  Wood  to  Shields,  Drawn  upon  the  Barrack  Mas. 

Wm.  Bradley  of  Col.  Miles'  Battal.,  a  Blanket. 

Drew  Rations  for  3  Days  for  three  Men,  two  of  Col.  Miles'  &  1 
of  Col.  Smallwood's  Battal'n.  \ 

Drew  Rations  for  8  days  for  John  Hitchcock,  his  wife  &  child, 
of  ye  3d  Battal'n,  Virg'a. 

Paid  for  Sweep'g  5  Chimneys  5s, 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  153 

Brew  6  Gamp  Kittles  of  the  Quarter  Mast'r. 

Sent  1  camp  Kettle  to  McElroy's. 

John  Hithcock,  of  3d  Virgin'a  Batt'n,  a  Blanket. 


Jan'y  9th,  1777. 

Uziah  Woods  of  Col.  Atlee's  Batt'n,  a  P'r  Stockings. 

Gave  Samuel  Grimes  of  Col.  Montgoin'y's  Batt.,  Shoes  & 
Shirt. 

Gave  Isaac  Stirling,  to  Return  to  Maryland  to  recover  his  sick- 
ness (belon'g  to  Gen'l  Smallwood's  Battal'n,)  lis.  3d. 

Gave  ,  of  Col.  Miles'  Battal'n, 

shirt  and  stockings. 

Gave  an  order  for  4  half  cords  of  fire  wood,  &  An  order  to  the 
Commissary  for  3  men  of  the  5th  Virginia  Batt'n,  for  3  Days,  Capt, 
Tyrel,  at  McElroy. 

Gave  John  Brown  &  John  Henderson,  2  soldiers  in  the  Work- 
house, a  Blanket  each. 

Ordered  a  load  of  Wood  in  Pine  Street,  Do.  at  Shields'. 

Gave  Timothy  Kelly,  who  is  under  Pass  of  Gen'l  Sullivan  to  go 
to  Baltimore,  a  P'r  of  Shoes,  Stockings  &  Shirt,  and  5s. 


Jan'y  10th. 

Mary  McVey  apply s  for  a  Nurse;  lives  near  Mr.  Musgraves\ 

Gave  an  order  for  4  half  cords  fire  wood,  &c. 

Rec'd  a  Gun  &  Cartouch  box  of  Thom-as  Shorts,  late  of  CoL 
Weiden's  Batta'l,  (Now  deceased),  with  a  Cartouch  Box. 

Ordered  a  Load  of  Wood  in  7th  Street ;  a  Load  Do.  in  Chesnut 

Gave  Mary  Kingsland,  for  taking  care  of  a  Sick  Woman,  a  Dis- 
tressed Woman  drove  out  of  New  York,  Living  in  Biddle's  Alley, 
10s. 

Drew  Rations  for  3  Men  for  3  Days,  one  of  Col.  Hall's,  one  of 
Col.  Smallwood's  &  one  of  Col.  Weeden's  Batt'n,  at  McElroy's, 

Gave  Andrew  Beck  7s.  6. 

Drew  an  order  llth  for  4  half  cords  Fire  Wood,  which  was  re- 
ceiv'd  3  this  Day  &  the  other  the  15th ;  paid  for  writing  paper  2e. 
lOp. 

Drew  Rations  for  2  Men  of  Col.  Miles'  Battalion  for  3  Days, 
McElroy's. 

Drew  Rations  for  8  Men  for  4  Days,  part  of  the  4th  Virginia  Bat- 
tall'n. 

Lent  Hannah  Smith,  Nurse  at  McElroy's,  a  Blanket. 

Drew  Rations  for  John  Keas,  of  Capt.  Bower's  Comp'y,  for  5 
Days  past* 


154  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Drew  Rations  for  3  Men  for  5  Days,  of  Col.  Scott's. 

Drew  Rations  for  2  Men  7  Days  (to  ye  13th)  of  Col.  Mc- 
Dugall's. 

Gave  Mary  McVeigh,  Nurse  at  the  small  Pox  Hospital  in  Vine 
Street,  2s.  6d.,  to  buy  Sugar. 

P'd  Susannah  Mosson  for  3  a  Pound  of  Lint  for  Doctor  Glent- 
worth,  for  Wounded  Soldiers,  7s.  6. 


Jan'y  13th,  1777. 

Drawn  Rations   for  Rees  Jones,  of  Col.  Hall's  Batt'n,  for  S 
days  back. 

Do.  for  Duncan  McGinly,  4  Days,  a  Return'd  Pris'ner  from  New 
York. 

Do.  for  4  Days  for  3  men  of  5th  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Paid  for  Molasses  for  McElroy's  2s.  6. 

Paid  Mary  McVeigh  for  Necessaries  for  Small  Pox  >  3s.  9. 
Hospital  in  Pine  Street.  5  Settled. 

An  order  to  J.  Carpenter   for  a  Coffin  for  John  Coleman,  of 
the 

Gave  George  Chapman,  of  Col.  Lawson's  Batt'n,  4th  Virg'a; 
Capt.  Washington,  a  Shirt. 

Drew  Rations  for  3  Men  of  Col.  Miles', 

1  of  Col.  Montgomery's, 

1  of  Col.  McGaw's  Battal'ns. 

Gave  John  Thatcher  a  Blanket. 

Paid  for  hailing  Wood,  &c,  )  3s.  6. 

I  Settled,, 


Jan'y  14th,  1777- 

Paid  to  John  Reily,  of  Col,  Montgomrie's  Battal,  Capt.  Miller, 
7s  6. 

Drew  Rations  for  2  Men,  3  Days,  of  Col.  Miles'  Batt,  at  Mc~ 
Elroy's. 

Drew  Rations  for  2  Women,  Hester  McCormick  &  Elizb'h 
Evans,  Wives  of  2  Men  of  Col.  Miles'  Batt'n,  from  Nov.  16th  to 
this  Date. 

Gave  Wm.  Nixon,  of  Col.  Smallwood'a  Batt'n,  a  pair  Stockings 
&  Shoes. 

An  order  for  a  Coffin  for  Wm.  Mills,  a  Soldier  in  6  Virg'a 
Reg't. 

Gave  John  Hall,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Batt'n,  a  p'r  Stock'gs. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  I*5 

Drew  Rations  for  3  Men  for  2  Days,  1  of  Col.  Hall's,  one  of  Col. 
Haselet's,  &  1  of  Col.  Weeden's. 

Order' d  4  Loads  of  Wood  for  Sick  Quarters,  yesterday. 

Do.  4  Do.  this  day. 

Rec'd  None,  applied  for  by  Wm.  Derrack. 

Gave  Hugh  Kain,  of  the  1st  Batt'n  of  Musquettry. 

Col.  Atlee  a  p'r  Shoes,  &  to  his  Wife  a  Blanket. 

Paid  for  Sundry  Expences  10s. 


Jan'y  15th,  1777.     * 

Paid  James  Guy  for  hailing  a  Cord  of  Wood,  4s,  Settled. 
Rec'd  a  Return  to  the  Council  of  Safety,  made  by  Doctor  Young 
&  Benj'n  Paschall,  by  their  order. 

Benj'n  Paschal,  Dec,  16,  425 

Doc'r  Young,  20,  347 

Total,  772  >  T     ,,  m2 

From  Which  to  this  Day,  ^  400  S 

All  under  the  Inspection  of  the  Board* 

Drew  Rations  for  a  Sick  Soldier,  his  Wife  &  Child,  of  the  Dela- 
ware Batt'n,  for  8  Days. 

Do.  for  1  Man  of  Col.  Miles'  &  1  of  Col.  Smallwopd's  Batt'n. 

An  order  for  a  Coffin  for  Bedney  Talford. 

Also  Rec'd  of  Spencer  Anderson  a  Gun  &  Cartouch  Box,  of  the 
Deceas'd. 

Drew  an  order  on  the  Barrack  Master  for  4  Loads  of  Wood. 

An  order  for  a  Coffin  for  Tho's  Buckner,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Regi- 
ment. 

Mr.  Paschall  a  p'r  Shoes  &  Stockings,  for  a  Soldier  of  the  1st 
Batt,  Crawford's  Oomp'y — Paid  Expences. 


Jan'y  17th,  1777. 

Gave  Duncan  McGinly,  of  Col.  Montgomerie's  Batt'n,  a  Re- 
turn'd  Pris'ner  from  New  York,  in  order  to  proceed  home,  5s. 

Gave  Rees  Jones,  late  of  Col.  Hall's  Battl'n,  of  the  Flying 
Camp,  to  go  home,  7s  6. 

Drew  Rations  for  2  Men,  3  Days,  of  Col.  Miles'  Batt'n. 

Bought  I  a  Cord  of  Wood,  deliver'd  at  the  Door,  25s. 

Paid  for  Sawing  half  a  Cord  of  Wood,  Is  6. 

Paid  for  Sweeping  Chimney,  Is  3. 

Receiv'd  a  Box  of  Candles,  54  lb,  of  Mr.  Badge. 

Rec'd  a  Musquet  of  Alex.  Birk,  marked  W.  W. 

Return'd  the  above  to  himself,  Feb'y  27th. 


156  MINUTES  OF  THE 


Jan'y  18th,  1777, 

An  order  for  a  Coffin,  Marshall  of  the  6th  Virg'a  Reg't,  Sign'dl 
by  Capt.  Leech.       v 

Paid  for  Sweeping  a  Chimney,  Is. 

Confirm'd  a  Return  for  Rations,  for  Wm.  Singleton,  for  6  days 
in  Capt.  Prowell's  Company  of  Carpenters,  Drawn  by  the  Serg't 
of  the  Comp'a. 

Gave  William  Nices,  of  Col.  Bull's  Batt'n,  a  prisoner  from  New 
York,  2s  6— Settled  with  the  Treas'r. 

Drew  Rations  for  John  Sleas,  of  Capt.  Brewster's  Co,  7  Days. 

Gave  to  a  Soldier,  gone  to  Camp,  a  p'r  of  Shoes. 

Drew  Rations  for  Mullowny  &  John  Neill,  of  Col.  Miles7 

Batt'n,  7  Days. 

Drew  Rations  for  7  days,  for  Sani'l  Singleton,  of  the  4th  Vir- 
ginia Reg't. 

Rec'd  a  Waggon  Load  of  Wood  from  the  B.  Master. 

Paid  for  Sawing  i  a  Cord  of  Wood,  bought  at  the  Door. 


Jan'y  19,  1777. 

Drew  Rations  for  a  Sick  Man  of  Capt.  Hugg's  Artillery,  3  daye. 
Do.  1  Man. 


Jan'y  20th,  1777. 

An  order  to  Receive  David  Burden  into  the  Bettering  House,  ol 
Col.  Hall's  Batt'n,  with  the  Itch. 

2  orders  for  Coffins  to  Pine  Street  Small  Pox  House,  3d  Virg'a 
Batt'n.  To  Jasp'r  Carpenter,  1  order  for  1  of  Col.  McGaw's,  a 
return'd  Pris'ner  from  New  York,  at  Shields's.  To  Jasper  Car- 
penter, Came  into  town  last  Night. 

Agreed  with  Isabella  Redman  to  Nurse  Jeremiah  Loe,  of  Capt, 
Francis  Proctor's  Compa.,  for  2  Weeks,  at  205  ^  Week. 

Drew  Rations  for  2  Men  3  Days,  of  Col.  Miles's  Batt'n. 

An  Order  to  the  assis't  Barrack  Master  for  a  Load  of  Wood  to 
Pine  Street  Small  Pox  Hospital. 

An  Order  to  the  Pennsyl'a  Hospital  for  John  Hopwood,  of  Coh 
Rawlin's  Batt'n,  a  Wounded  Pris'ner  from  N.  Y. 

Sign'd  by  JACOB  SHOEMAKER. 

Gave  Nurse  Traker  at  Pine  Street  hospital  for  Sundries  79  6. 

Rec'd  of  Wm.  Bellamy  13  Rifle  Guns,  belonging  to  the  3  Vir- 
ginia Reg't,  Col.  Weedon. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  157 

Paid  for  some  Coffee  for  2  distress' d  Prisoners  from  York, 
2s  6. 

Paid  Mr.  Bock,  7s  6. 

Paid  for  Molasses,  Is  3. 

Drew  Rations  for  John  Thatcher  &  1  other  of  3  Virginia  Batt'n, 
for  3  Days. 

Drew  Rations  for  Wm.  Bradley  and  1  other  of  Col.  Miles' 
Batt'n. 


Jan'y  21st. 

Paid  Tim'y  Fisher,  for  Sawing  a  Cord  of  Wood,  5s. 

Drew  Rations  for  3  men  4  days,  Geo.  Nelson,  John  Scott  and 
Traverse  Finglad,  of  Col.  Weedon's  Batt'n. 

Rec'd  a  Gun  and  Cartouch  Box  belonging  to  a  Soldier  (Dead)  late 
of  Capt.  Lucas's  Comp'y  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Rec'd  of  William  Bellamy,  of  the  3d  Virgin'a  Reg't,  2  Rifle  Guns, 
5  Pouches  &  homes,  2  Pouches  only. 


Jan'y  22d. 

Paid  Andrew  Beck,  7s  6. 

Do.  Nurse,  Mary  Thraker,  at  the  Small  Pox  hospital  in  Pine 
Street,  5s  for  Necessaries. 

Rec'd  a  Load  of  Wood  from  Mr.  Masters,  3s  4. 

Rec'd  Do.  Do.  3s  4. 

Rec'd  9  Muskets  &  6  Bayonets  from  Barrel's  House,  &  2  Car- 
touch  Boxes. 

Received  32  Muskets,  12  Bayonets  &  14  Cartouch  Boxes  from 
Carpenter's  Hall. 

Rec'd  3  Muskets,  3  Bayonets,  Do.  Cartouch  Boxes,  from  Shields. 

Rec'd  6  Muskets,  4  Bayonets,  6  Cart'h  Boxes,  from  the  House 
opposite  Burnes'  Tavern,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Rec'd  5  Muskets,  Do.  Cartouch  Boxes,  2  Bayonets,  from  Mc- 
Elroys. 

Paid  Philip  Springer  for  hailing  the  above  Guns  from  Several 
Houses  to  the  office,  7s  6. 

Gave  an  Order  to  the  Bettering  house  to  Receive  Wm.  Walker^ 
of  the  11th  Reg't,  now  at  Mr.  Binders. 

Note — Mr.  Hugh  James  had  an  order  yesterday  Morn'g  to  Re- 
move him  but  has  neglected. 

Gave  David  Burton,  late  of  Col.  Hall's  Battall'nj  to  go  home  to 
Virginia,  by  order  (Capt.  Leech,  Mr.  Stillic)  15s. 

Paid  for  Sawing  2  Load  of  Wood  1£  Cord,  6s. 


158  MINUTES  OF  THE 


Jan'y  23d. 

Rec'd  of  Wm.  Scott,  a  Soldier  late  of  Col.  Watts*  Battall'n  of  the 
Flying  Camp,  a  Rifle  Gun. 

Drew  Rations  for  2  Men  3  Days,  of  Col.  Miles'  Batt. 

Sent  an  Order  to  Wm.  Peters,  to  Receive  2  men  of  Col.  Hands' 
Battal'n,  Capt.  Doyle's  Co. 

Receiv'd  |  Cord  of  Wood  from  Mr.  Masters. 

Drew  Rations  from  Wm.  Crawford  of  the  5th  Virg'a  Batt. 

Paid  Nurse  Traker  for  the  Small  Pox  hospital,  5s. 

Rec'd  of  Mr.  Masters  f  Cord  of  Wood. 

Receiv'd  from  the  Nurse  at  the  Hospital  opposite  the  Sign  of 
Noah's  Ark,  one  New  Musket,  Mark'd  Pennsylvania,  County. 

Paid  for  Sawing  the  above,  1 J  Cord  Wood,  6s  3. 

Gave  Mr.  Beck,  2s  6. 

Rec'd  a  Rifle  Gun,  Pouch  &  Home,  from  Sam'l  Davis,  of  Col. 
Scott's  Batt. 

Rec'd  from  Mr.  Masters  f  Cord  Wood. 

2  Young  men  of  Gen'l  Stevens'  Brigade,  Sam'l  Davis  &  his  Com- 
rade having  been  discharg'd  under  the  Hand  of  Doct'r  James 
Holmes  from  the  Bettering  house,  and  not  knowing  where  to  lie 
or  to  draw  Rations,  were  Receiv'd  under  the  Care  of  this  Board. 


Jan'y  24th,  1777. 

Rec'd  of  Spencer  Anderson,  a  Gun,  Cartridge  Box  &  Bayonet, 
of  3d  Virg'a  Batt. 

Rec'd  of  Vester  Moss,  a  Gun  and  Cartouch  Box  of  the  3d  Virg'a 
Reg't. 

Drew  Rations  8  Days  for  Hetty  Noland,  widow  of  Michael  No- 
land,  late  of  Col.  Smallwood's  Batt. 

Drew  Rations  for  16  Men  of  Gen'l  Stevens'  Brigade,  for  3  Days, 
en  the  Bank  in  Front  Street. 

Do.  for  3  men,  4  Days,  of  Col.  Weedon's   Batt'n. 

Paid  John  Wilson,  for  Putting  up  Advertisements  round  the 
City,  to  Secure  the  arms  of  Sick  or  Dead  Soldiers,  10s. 


Jan'y  25th,  1777. 

Drew  Rations  for  Benj'n  Betcher,  of  the  German  Batt'n,  7  Days. 
Drew  Rations  for  Mullowny  &  Neil,  fcr  3  Days,  of  Col.  McDu- 
gal's  Batt'n. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  159 

Drew  Rations  for  3  men  of  Col.  Weedon's  Batt'n,  for  2  Days. 

Do.  for  John  Sleas,  of  Capt.  Bowers'  Co.  of  Militia,  7  Days. 

Do.  for  Sam'l  Singleton,  7  Back  &  7  to  Come,  Rations  of  the 
4th  Virg'a  Batt'n. 

Returned  to  John  Mullowny  &  John  Neil  their  Guns,  &c.,  they 
having  a  Pass  from  Gen'l  Gates  to  go  to  Head  Quarters  at  Morris 
Town,  &  Gave  them  10s. 

P'd  Andrew  Beck  £3  12  6. 

Gave  an  Order  for  a  Coffin. 

Paid  Nurse  Thraker,  of  the  Small  Pox  Hospital,  10s. 

Gave  an  Order  for  Wood,  for  4  Men  in  the  Small  Pox,  in  Chests 
nut  Street,  of  Col.  Weedon's  Batt'n. 

Gave  Hetty  Noland,  Widow  of  Michael  Noland,  Deceas'd,  of  Col. 
Smallwood's  Batt'n,  15s,  and  a  p'r  of  Shoes. 

Paid  for  taking  2  Wheelbarrows  of  Wood  to  the  Small  Pox  Hos- 
pital in  Pine  Street,  Is  3. 


Jan'y  27th,  1777. 

Drew  Rations  for  12  men,  3  Days,  of  Gen'l  Stevens'  Brigade  in 
front  Street. 

Yesterday,  Order  to  Mr.  Carpenter  for  a  Coffin  for  Jos.  Par- 
sons, of  the  3d  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Do.  for  James  Floyd,  of  Capt.  Ranckin's  Co.  of  New  Castle  Mi- 
litia, Coloured  &  Seperate  Grave. 

Rec'd  Jos.  Parsons',  above  mentioned,  Gun  &  Cartouch  Box. 

Rec'd  a  Gun  of  Wm.  Malton.  ),    .,     .OJir    •  •    -d     u 

Do.  &  Cartouch  Box  of  Benj'n.  t bo*  °f  3*  V"%™  ReS  *• 
Bristol.  \     i"  the  Small  Pox. 

Do.  Do.  &  Bayonet  of  Fewel  Philberts,  Do.  Deceas?d. 

Rec'd  3  Guns,  4  Bayonets,  8  Cartouch  Boxes,  from  Shields' 
House. 

Rec'd  1  Gun,  Bayonet  &  Cartouch  Box  from  Do. 

Drew  A  General  order  for  Wood,  to  be  Deliver'd  to  Mr.  John. 
Hart. 

Drew  Rations  for  3  Men,  2  Days,  of  the  3d  Yirg'a  Reg't. 

Do.  for  4  Days  for  Wm.  Crawford,  of  the  5th  Do. 

Rec'd  3  Guns  &  4  Bayonets  from  Mr.  Adcocks,  Settled  with  Mr, 
Marshall. 


Jan'y  28. 

Paid  Nurse  Traker  for  Necessaries,  5s. 

Drew  Rations  for  6  men  ot  the  4th  Yirg'a  Reg't,  &  4  of  the  3d 
Yirg'a  Reg't,  in  the  Small  Pox,  6  Days. 


160  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Drew  Rations  for  15  men,  4  Days,  to  the  29th  Inst.,  of  the  3d 
Virg'a  Batt'n. 

Ditto  for  3  men,  7  Days,  of  Do.  Batt,  to  the  3d  Feb.  Included. 
Receiv'd  G  Guns  from  the  Corner  of  Cherry  Alley. 
16  Do.  from  Front  Street. 
10  Do.  from  Mr.  Hart's. 
3  Do.  from  Pine  Street,  the  6th  Batt'n. 
Drew  Rations,  30  Days,  for  Tho's  Turner,  of  the  Delaw'e  Batt. 

Do.  Tho's  Bailey,  of  4th  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Gave  Tho's  Turner,  a  p'r  of  Shoes  &  Stockings. 
Tho's  Bailey,  a  P'r  Shoes. 

Paid  Hetty  Noland,  for  attending  and  laying  out  James  Floyd, 
of  Capt.  Rankin's  Company  of  Newcastle  Militia,  7s  6. 


Jan'y  29th,  1777. 

Paid  Joseph  Stout,  for  a  Bushel  of  Indian  Meal,  lis  5. 

Drew  Rations  for  Wm.  Bradley,  Adam  Grouse  &  wife,  3  Days, 
Col.  Miles's  Batt'n. 

Drew  Rations  for  Geo.  Nelson  &  Wm.  Leech,  3  Days,  of  the  3d 
Virg'a  Batt'n. 

Gave  Nurse  Traker  7s  6. 

Drew  Rations  for  John  Scott  and  Traverse  Finlade,  3  Days,  3d 
Virg'a  Reg't. 

Rec'd  f  Cord  of  Wood  from  the  Barracks. 

Paid  for  Sawing  |  Cord  Wood  3s  6. 

Drew  Rations  for  John  Thatcher,  4  Days,  of  the  3d  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Rec'd  of  Geo.  Staley  a  Gun,  Bayonet  and  Cartouch  Box,  belong'g 
to  Nath'l  McKenny,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Batt'n,  Capt.  Lucas's  Co. 

Paid  for  Sawing  £  a  Cord  Wood  2s  6. 


Jan'y  30th,  1777. 

Receiv'd  7  Bayonets,  5  Cartouch  Boxes,  from  Sick  Quarters  in 
Front  Street. 

Rec'd  a  Gun  &  Cartouch,  from  John  Tillis. 

Rec'd  Do.  Do.  from  James  Vaughan,  all  4  of  the  3d 
Virg'a  Reg't,  Col.  Weedon. 

Gave  Nurse  Traker  at  the  Small  Pox  Hospital,  7s  6. 

Drew  Rations  for  4  Days  for  11  men  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Batt'n. 

Rec'd  1£  Cord  of  Wood  from  Mr.  Masters. 

P'd  James  Roberts  for  Sawing  some  Big  Logs  at  the  Small  Pox 
Hospital  in  Pine  Street,  Is  3. 

Rec'd  a  Gun,  Bayonet,  Cartouch  Box  &  Blanket,  belonging  to 
,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Batt'n,  Col.  Lawson. 


COUNCIL  OP  SAFETY.  161 


Jan'y  31st,  1777. 

Gave  an  order  for  a  Coffin  for  ye  James  Kennedy,  of  the  8d  Virg'a 
JReg't. 

Kec'd  f  Cord  of  Wood  from  Mr.  Masters,  sent  to  Pine  Street. 

Drew  Rations  for  10  Men  4  Days,  to  the  2d  Feb.,  for  3d  Virg'a. 
Batt'n. 

Gave  Thomas  Tracy  of  the  Delaware  Batt'n,  a  Pair  of  Shoes* 

Rec'df  Cord  of  Wood  from  Mr.  Masters  at  the  office. 

Paid  for  Hailing  some  Guns  from  Several  Places,  5s. 

Do.    for  Hailing  Some  Straw  from  Mr.  Bulls',  10s. 

Drew  Rations  for  Tiro's  Turner  &  Tho's  Baily,  6  days,  to  the  3d 
of  Feb'y  Inclusive,  4th  Virg'a  Batt'n.  • 

Do.    for  Wm.  Crawford  4  Days,  of  the '5th  Virg'a  Batt'n. 

Kec'd  If  Cord  Wood  from  Mr,  Masters. 


Feb'y  1st,  1777. 

Gave  an  order  for  a  Coffin  for  Peter  Taylor  of  the  3d  Virg'a 
Batt'n. 

Drew  Rations  for  3  Days  for  Wm.  Bradley,  Adam  Grouse'  k 
wife,  of  Col.  Miles's  Batt'n" 

Drew  Rations  for  Wm.  Wilcox,  Eliz  McDonald,  Sarah  Burk, 
of  Capt.  Bell's  Comp.,  4th  Virg'a  Batt'n.  4  Days. 

Drew  Rations  for  John  Kelley,  4  Days,  for  the  fourth  Virg'a 
Batt'n,  Capt.  Bell. 

Drew  Rations  for  John  Thatcher  k  5  others,  4  Days,  of  the  3<i 
Virg'n  Batt'n. 

Drew  an  order  for  Wood  to  the  ass't  Barr'k  Mast'r,  for  6  Met* 
In  the  Small  Pox,  in  Chestnut  Street. 

Settled  with  Mary  Traker,  and  paid  her  to  the  31st  ult. 

Gave  Mary  Traker  for  Necessaries,  7s  6. 

Drew  4  Days'  Rations  for  Sam'l  Singleton,  of  the  4th  Virg'a 
Eegiment. 


tfeVy  3d,  1777. 

$)rew  Rations  for  17  Men,  two  Days,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Batt'n 
Do.  for  Tho's  Dean,  for  10  Days  Back,  Col.  Knox's  Batt'n. 
The  above  being  Blind  &  Lame,  procured  him  a  pass  to  head 
Quarters,  &  gave  him  by  order  7s  6. 
Drew  Rations  for  10  Men,  4  Days,  of  the  4thVirg9a  Reg't 
TOE*,  xi.— TL 


, 


162  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Do.  for  David  Rice,  John  Thompson  &  John  Horton,  4  DaySj 
the  3d  Virg'a  Batt'n. 

Do.  4  Days,  for  13  Men  of  the  3d  Virg'a  Batt'n, 

Do.  4  Days  for  6  of  the  3d  &  7  of  the  4th,  Do.  in  the  Small 
Pox. 

Do.  3  Days,  Col.  Lawson,  2  Men. 

Do.  3  Days  for  Edmund  Ingles,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Batt'n. 

Do.  30  Days  for  Charles  Graham,  Capt.  Bell,  4th  Virg'a  Reg't- 

Gave  an  order  for  a  Coffin  for  George  Kelley,  belon'g  to  Capt, 
Courtney's  Comp'y  of  Artillery,  ^  Capt.  Leech. 

Gave  an  order  for  a  Coffin  for ■•-  -• ,  of  the  Virg'a  Reg't, 

in  the  Small  Pox  Hospital,  Pine  Street. 

Paid  for  Sawing  half  Cord  of  Wood,  2s  6. 

Rec'd  2  half  Cords  of  Wood  from  Mr.  Masters. 


Feb'y  4th,  1777. 

Drew  Rations  for  Win.  Bradley,  Adam  Grouse  k  wife,  4  Days, 
of  Col.  Miles's  Batt. 

Rec'd  of  Edmund  Inglish  two  Guns,  Bayonets  &  Cartouch  Boxes; 
belonging  to  Capt.  Bell's  Comp'y,  4th  Tirg'a  Reg't. 

Paid  Michael  Striber  for  hailing  Guns  from  the  Bettering  House 
&  other  Hospitals,  8s. 

Rec'd  2  Cord  of  Wood  from  Mr.  Masters. 

Gave  Nurse  Traker  for  Necessaries,  7s  6. 

Gave  Robert  Skinner  of  Gen'l  Smallwood's  Batt.,  a  Flannell 
Jacket. 

Gave  to  Edmund  Inglish,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Reg't,  a  Blanket 


Feb'y  5th,  1777. 

Paid  Andrew  Beck,  3s  9. 

Drew  4  Days  Rations  for  Traverse  Finglade  and  4  others,  of  ther 
4ih  Virg'a  Batt'n. 
Do.  for  Tho's  Turner  &  Tho's  Bailey,  4  Days, 

4th  Virg'a  Reg't. 
Paid  Thomas  Coil  for  sawing  2  Cord  of  Wood,  at  4s  ^  Cord,  8s- 
Drew  Rations  for  2  Men  five  Days,  of  Gen'l  Stevens'  Brigade,  3d 
Virg'a  Reg't. 

Drew  Rations  for  5  Men  4  Days,  of  CoL  Lawson's  Batt'n,  en- 
ter'd  above. 

Drew  Rations  for  Wm.    Wilcox,  Eliz'th    McDonald  &  Sarah 
Burk,  of  Capt.  Bell's  Comp'a,  4th  Virg'a  Reg't. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  163 

Brew  Rations  for  36  Back  Rations,  for  Ambrose  Gresham,  of  the 
Sixth  Virg'a  Reg't. 


Feb'y  6th. 

An  order  to  the  Barrack  Master  for  a  Load  of  Wood  to  Pine 
Street. 

Drew  Rations  for  10  Men  4  Days,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Reg't. 
Paid  Michael  Striber  for  Hawling  a  Load  of  Wood  into  Ches- 
nut  Street,  for  2  Sick  men  of  Capt.  Mill's  Company,  2s  6. 
Paid  a  Negroe  Man  for  Cleaning  Shields'  House,  £1  2  6. 
Rec'd  a  Gun,  Bayonet  &  Cartouch  Box  of  Robert  Burnes,  3d 

Virg'a  Reg't  Capt. 
Washington. 
Do.         Do.  Do.         of   John    Cooper,   of 

Capt.  Wallace's  Co.  3d  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Drew  Rations  for.  Edmund  Inglish  3  Days,  of  the  4th  Virg'a 
Reg't. 

Gave  Nurse  Traker  at  the  Small  Pox  Hospital,  15s* 


Feb'y7th,  1777. 

Paid  Michael  Striber  for  Hailing  a  Load  of  Wood  to  Pine  Street, 

Drew  Rations  for  9  men  4  Days,  of  the  third  Virg'a  Batt'n* 
Do.      for  3  Men  4  Day3,  of  the  3d  Virg'a  Batt'n. 


Feb'y  8th,  1777. 

Paid  Mr.  Beck  7s  6. 

Paid  Mr.  Duff,  (which  was  due  a  month  ago,)  10s. 
An  order  for  a  Coffin  for  John  Potts,  a  Child  of  Jesse  Potts,  in 
Capt.  Ross's  Comply,  in  the  Continental  Army. 

Drew  Rations  for  6  of  the  3d,  &  6  of  the  4th  Batt'n,  for  4 
Days,  from  7  to  11th  included. 
Do.       for  Tho's  Turner  &  Tho's  Baily,  4  Days,  of  the 
4th  Virg'a  Reg't. 
P'd  for  a  Scrubbing  Brush  5s. 

Drew  Rations  for  18  Men  for  4  Days,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Batt'n, 
Ditto,  for  Wm.  Bradley,  Adam  Grouse  and  wife,  4  days, 

of  Capt.  Miles's  Batten. 
Ditto,  for  J~ohn  Monroe  &  John  Pritchett,  4  Days,  of  the 
5th  Virg'a  Batt'n. 


164  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Drew  Rations  for  Traverse  Finlade  and  3  others,  till  the  lStii 
Included,  of  the  3d  Virg'a  Batt'n. 

Rec'd  from  the  Hospital  five  Muskets,  three  Bayonets,  five  Car* 
touch  Boxes,  Two  Rifles,  Pouches  &  Horns. 

Rec'd  from  Mr.  Masters  half  a  Cord  Wood. 

Rec'd  of  Tho's  Tracy  of  the  Delaware  Reg%  a  Gun  k  Bayonet. 

Gave  Tho's  Tracy  a  P'r  of  Stockings. 


Feb'y  10th,  1777. 

Rec'd  4  Guns  &  Cartouch  Boxes  of  Sick  Soldiers  in 
Rec'd  2  Do.  of  each,  1  From  a  Man  enlisted  in  another  Core,  and 
1  belonging  to  a  Deceas'd  Soldier. 

Drew  Rations  for  11  men  5  Days,  of  the  3d  Virginia  Reg't. 

Do.  for  Conrad  Benebeck,  4  Days,  of  Col.  Lawson's, 

Capt.  Bell's  Co. 
Do.  for  Charles  Graham  of  said  Core,  4  Days. 

Do.  for   Wm.    Wilcox,    Eliz'h    McDonald,   &    Sarah 

Burk,  4  Days,  Capt.  Bell's  Co.,  4th  Virg'a  Reg't, 
from  Yesterday. 
Do.  for   10  men   4   Days,  of  Capt.  Smith's  Co.,  4tfc 

Virg'a  Reg't. 
Do.  for  7  men  4  Days,  of  the  3d  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Do,  for  Edmond^English  4  Days,  of  Capt.  Bell's,  4iL 

Virg'a. 
Paid  Mr.  Beck  to  this  Day,  Included. 
Gave  Nurse  Traker  for  Necessaries,  10s. 
Rec'd  2  Loads  of  Wood  from  Mr.  Masters. 


Feb'y  11th,  1777. 

Drew  Rations  for  7  Men  4  Days,  of  the  3d  Virg'a  Batt'ru 

Do.  3  Men  4  Days,  of  the  3d  Virg'a  Batt'n. 

Paid  for  Hailing  Wood  to  Pine  Street,  2s  6, 


Feb'y  12th,  1777. 

Drew  Rations  for  Wm.  Bradley,  Adam  Grouse  &  his  wife,   3 
Days,  Col.  Miles'  Batt'n. 
Bo-  for   Tho's   Turner  &   Tho's  Baily  4   Days,   4tb 

Virg'a, 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  165 

Gave  an  order  for  a  Coffin  for  a  Soldier  in  the  Hospital  in  Pine 
i  Street. 

Drew  Rations  for  6  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Batt'n,  &  5  of  the  3d 
Virg'a  Reg't,  Pine  Street,  3  Days. 

Drew  Rations  for  7  men  for  3  Days,  of  y'e  3d  Virg'a  Reg't, 
Do.  for  Valentine   King  3   Days,  of  the   3d   Virg'a, 

Batt'n. 
Paid  for  a  Bushell  of  Indian  Meal,  10s. 
Ree'd  from  Mr.  Masters,  half  a  Cord  of  Wood. 


Feb'y  13th,  1777. 

Drew  Rations  for  10  men  3  Days,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  R't. 

Ditto         for    Wm.  Wilcox,    Eliz'h    McDonald,   &   Sarak 
Banks,  4  Days,  of  Capt.  Bell's  Co.,  4th  Virg'a 
Reg't. 
Do.  for  Edmond  Ingiish  4  Days,  of  said  Compa. 

Settled  with  Isabella  Redman  for  Nursing  &l  Boarding. 
Do  of  Capt.  Francis  Proctor's  Co.,  at  20s  18   week,  3  weeks, 
£3  0  0. 

Rec'd  2  Load  of  Wood  from  Mr.  Masters. 


Feb'y  14th,  1777. 

Drew  Rations  for  10  men  4  Days,  of  the  3d  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Rec'd  Three  Muskets,  One  Bayonet,  4  Cartouch  Boxes,  of  Benj'a 
Tercel,  of  the  3d  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Gave  John  Edingburgh,  of  the  6th  Virg'a  Reg't,  Capt.  Toles' 
Co.,  a  p'r  Stocking. 

Gave  John  &  Benj'n  Raymond,  of  Capfc.  Miles'  Compa.  of 
Carpenters,  to  go  to  Camp,  7s  6. 


*Wy  15th,  1777. 

Brew  Rations  for  2  Days  for  Barnaby  Boyde,  of  Capt.  Bell's  Co. , 

4th  Virg'a  Reg't. 
Do.  for  Valentine  King   4  Days,  of  the  3d   Virg'a 

Reg't. 
Do„  for  2  men  2  Days,  of  the  3d  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Do.  for  Wm.  Bradley,  Adam  Grouse  &  Wife,  4  Days, 

of  Col.  Miles's  Batt'n. 
Do.  for  7  Men  4  Days,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Batt'n. 


166  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Gave  an  order  for  a  Coffin  for • ,  of  the  4th  Virg'a 

Reg't,  in  Pine  Street. 

Paid  Thomas  Coil  for  Sawing  3  Cord  Wood,  12s  3. 

Drew  4  Days'  Rations  for  5  men  of  the  3d,  &  5  of  the  4th  Vir- 
ginia Regiments. 

Gave  the  Nurse  of  the  Small  Pox  Hospital,  for  Necessaries,  5s. 


Feb'y  17th,  1777, 

Drew  Rations  for  Tho's  Baily  &  Tho's  Turner,  of  the  4th  Virg'a 
Reg't,  from  16th  to  19th. 

Paid  for  Hailing  a  Load  of  Wood  to  Pine  Street,  3s  9. 

Paid  Mr.  Beck,  6s  3. 

Drew  Rations  for  6  Men  3  Days,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Reg. 

Do.  for  Lieut.  Holmes  &  3   Men  of  the  3d,  Do.  3 

Days. 
Do.  for  Edmond  Inglish  4  Days,  Capt.  Bell's  Co.,  4th 

Virg'a. 
Do.  for  Wm.  Wilcox,  &ca.,  4  of  Capt.  Bell's,  4  Days. 

Do.  for  8  Men  4  days,  Capt.  Lees  Co.,  3d  Virg'a, 

Reg't. 
Do.  for  John  Scott  4  Days,  3d  Virg'a  Batt. 

Do.  for  Charles  Graham  7  Days,  Capt.  Bells'  Co.,  4th 

Virg. 
Rec'd  from  John  Harvy  &  Wm.  Gwin,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Batt'n, 
two  Muskets,  1  Bayonet,  2  Cartouch  Boxes. 

Rec'd    from  the  Widow  Cunningham  1  Musket.     Returned  the 
sd.  Musket  to  the  owner,  March  18th. 

Gave  an  order  for  a  Coffin  for   a   Soldier  of  Capt.  Courtney's 
Compa. 

Gave  Mary  Commel,  Nurse  in  the   Small    Pox,  Pine  Street, 
7s.  6. 


Feb'y  18th,  1777. 

Paid  Nurse  Traker  Wages,  'till  15th,  in  full,  £l  10. 
Gave  Tho's  Turner  of  Col.  Haslett's  Batt'n,  David  Hall's  Compa., 
a  shirt. 

Gave  Mary  Commel,  at  the  Small  Pox  Hospital,  5s. 


Feb'y  19th,  1777. 

Gave  an  order  for  a  Coffin  for  John  Harvey,  of  the  4th  Virg's 
Batt'n. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  167 

Drew  Rations  for  4  Days  for  3  of  Col.  Miles'  Batt'n,  W'm 
Bradley. 
Do.  for  7  men  4  Days,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Gave  Thomas  Cragan  a  Rifle  Pouch  &,  Home,  (in  Lieu  of  his  Re- 
ceiv'd  by  "W'm  Bellany)  of  Capt.  Ashby's  Co.?  of  the  3d  Virg'a 
Batt'n. 
Drew  Rations  for  3  Days,  for  Tho's  Turner  &  Tho's  Baily, 
of  the  4th  Virg'a  Batt. 
Do.  for  9  for  3  Days,  at  the  Small  Pox  Hospital,  Pine 

Street,  4th  Virg'a  Batt'n. 

Gave  Mary  Commel,  Nurse  at  Pine  Street,  7s.  6. 


Feb'y  20th. 

Gave  to  James  Wishart,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Reg't,  a  shirt  and  p'r 
stockings. 

Drew  4  Days  Rations  for  Lieut.  Hemes  and  3  privates  of  Capt. 

— ■ Co.,  3d  Virg'a  Batt'n. 

*    Do.  for  5  men  4  days,  of  Col.  Stall's  Batt'n. 

Do.  for  4  men  &  2  Women  of  Capt.  Bell's 

Co.,  4th  Virg'a  Reg't. 
Do.  for  Edmund  Inglish,  4  Days,  Do.  Co.  k 

Reg't. 
Do.  for  6  men  4  Days,  4th  Virg'a  Reg't, 


Feb'y  21st. 

Ditto  for  8  men  4  days,  Capt.  Lees'  Co.,  4th 

Virg'a  Batt'n. 
Ditto  for  2  Men  2  Days,  3d  Virg'a  Reg't. 


22nd. 

Drew  Rations  for  9  men  4  Days,  6th  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Do.  for  3 2  men,  1  woman,  4  days,  Col.  Miles' 

Batt'n.1 
Do.  for  2  Men  4  Days,  3d  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Gave   Mary  Commel,  Nurse  in  Pine  Street,   for  Necessaries, 
8s.  9d. 

Paid  John  Roberts,  Assistant  at  said  Hospital,  5s. 
Drew  Rations  for  Ambrose  Gresham,  15   Days  Back,  Serg't  in 
the  6th  Virg'a  Reg't. 


168  MINUTES  OF  THE 


Feb'y  23d. 

Drew  an  Order  for  a  Coffin  for of  the  3d  Virg'a 

Reg't. 


Feb.  24th,  1777. 

Drew  Rations  for  6  men  3  Days,  4th  Virg'a  Reg't, 

Ditto.         for  5  men   4   Days,  Capt.   Bell's  Co.,  4th  Virg'a 

Reg't. 
Ditto         for  Charles  Graham  7  Days,  Do.  Do. 

Do.  for  Lieut.  Hemes  &  3  men,  3d  Yirg'a  Reg't. 

Gave  Nurse  Traker,  which  she  had  Expended,  2s.  8. 
Do.  John  Cooper  at  the    House   in  Pine  Street,  which  he  had 

expended  during  Nurse  Traker's  absence,  2s.  6. 
Do.  to  Mary  Commel,  Present   Nurse,  for  Necessaries  5s.,  In 
ihe  whole  10s.  2. 


Feb'y25th. 

Drew  Rations  for  2  Men  of  the  3d  Virg'a  Reg't,  4  Days. 
Do.  for  1  man  6  Days,  of  the  3d  Virg'a  Batt'n, 

Do.  for  2  men  4  days,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Gave  Mary  Commel,  Nurse  in  the  Small  Pox,  3s„  9, 


Feb'y  26th,  1777. 

Drew  Rations  for  7  for  3  Days,  4th  Virg'a  Batt'n 
Drew  Rations  for  3  for  3  Days,  Col.  Miles'  Batt'n. 
Paid  And'w  Beck,  10s. 

Drew  Rations  8  Men  3  Days,  4th  Virg'a  Reg't. 
Rec'd  of  John  Dean,  a  Gun,  Bayonet  &  Cartige  Box  belonging 
to  J.  Simpas,  Capt.  Booth's  Comp'y,  Head  of  Elk. 
Paid  for  Hailing  Wood  to  the  office,  7s  6. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  160 


Feb'y  27th,  1777. 


Brew  Rations  for  6  men  3  Days,  4th  Virg'a  Reg't. 
Do.  for  5  for  3  Days,  of  Capt.  Bell's  Co.,  Do. 

Do.  for  Charles  Graham  4  Days,  of  Do.     Do. 

Do.  for  Lieut.  Hemes  &  2  Men  4  Days,  3d  Virg'a  Reg't. 


March  1st,  1777. 

Drew  Rations  for  3  men  4  Days,  Col.  Miles'  Batt'n. 

Do.  for  2  Men  4  Days,  of  the  3d  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Drew  Rations  for  1   man  4  Days,   Capt.  Washington's  Co.,  3 
Virg'a  Reg't. 

Settled  with  And'w  Beck,  and  Paid  him  in  full  to  Yesterday  In- 
cluded, £&  13  9. 

Fd  Mary  Commel,  nurse  in  Pine  Street,  2  Week's  Nursing,  in 
full  to  this  Day,  £1  10. 

Paid  for  Sawing  half  a  Cord  of  Wood  at  the  Office,  2s  6. 

Drew  Rations  for  9  for  4  Days,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Reg't. 


March  3d,  1777. 

Drew  Rations  for  Cha's  Graham  3  Days,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Reg'fc, 

Capt.  Bell. 
Do.  for  Thomas  Turner  &  Tho's  Baily,  of  the  4th  Virg'a 

Reg't,  4  Days 
Do.  for  5  men  3  Days,  of  the  4th  Virg'a  Reg't. 

Do.  for  6  men  4  Days,  of  Do. 


March  5th. 

Drew  Ration  4  Days  for  2  men,  3d  Virg'a  Batt'n. 
Drew    Do.  for  Valentine  King,  3d  Virg'a  Reg't 

Paid  Andrew  Beck  in  full  £1  17  6. 


March  7th. 
Paid  for  Saw'g  Wood  at  Pine  Street,  2s  6. 


170       MINUTES  OF  THE  COUNCIL  OP  SAFETY. 


March  17th. 

Gave  Wm.  Clow,  Drummer  in  Capt.  Brown's  Co.,  Col.  Hufcch= 
inson  (New  England)  Battalion,  who  is  discharged  from  the  Hos- 
pital to  go  home,  15s. 


MINUTES 


OF   THE 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL 


or  THE 


COMMONWEALTH  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


THE  SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL, 


PHILADELPHIA,  Tuesday  March, the  4y  1117, 

PRESENT  I 

Thomas  Wharton,  Junior,  Esquire* 
John  Evans,  Esquire. 
Jonathan  Hoge,  Esquire, 
George  Taylor,  Esquire, 
John  Lowdan,  Esquire. 
John  Proctor,  Esquire. 

A  Quorum  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  being  assembled « 
and  information  thereof  given  to  the  General  Assembly, 

The  General  Assembly,  by  a  Member,  acquainted  the  Council 
that  they  are  ready  to  proceed  on  an  election  of  a  President  and 
Vice-President  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  if  the  Council 
shall  think  fit  to  join  them,  And  thereupon  It  was  Agreed, 

That  the  Council  are  ready  to  join  the  General  Assembly,  and 
proceed  to  the  Election  of  a  President  and  Vice  President  of  this 
Council. 

Agreed, 

That  the  Council  will  meet  again  at  the  Council  Chamber  to- 
morrow Morning  at  ten  o'CSock,  and  report  the  proceedings  at  the 
said  Election* 


tN  COUNCIL,  Philadelphia,  Wednesday  March  the  5,  177?, 

PRESENT  S 

Thomas  Wharton,  Junior,  Esquire t 
George  Bryan,  Esquire. 
John  Evans,  Esquire.; 
«    Jonathan  Hoge,  Esquire. 
George  Taylor,  Esquire. 
John  Lowdan,  Esquire,  and 
John  Proctor,  Esquire. 
Mr,  Evans  Reports  5 

That  the  Council  and  General  Assembly  had,  by  joint  BaSo^ 
duly  and  fairly  elected  Thomas  Wharton,  Junior,  Esq-aire,  Prefci 


174  MINUTES  OF  THE 

dent  of  this  Supreme  Executive  Council,  and  also  duly  and  fairly 
elected  George  Bryan,  Esquire,  Vice  President  of  the  same.  That 
the  Speaker,  immediately  after  the  Election  was  declared  in.  the 
House  of  General  Assembly,  had  Administered  to  the  President 
then  chosen,  the  Qualifications  required  by  the  Constitution  of  this 
Commonwealth  \  and  he  also  Reports, 

That  the  Council,  in  conjunction  with  the  General  Assembly,  had 
agreed  to  Publish  the  said  Election  at  the  Court  House  in  this 
City  this  day  at  twelve  0' Clock,  and  to  proclaim  the  President ; 
thereupon  Agreed, 

That  the  Council  will  proceed  to  the  said  Publication  and  Pro- 
clamation accordingly,  and  meet  again  in  the  Council  Chamber  to- 
morrow Morning  at  ten  O'Clock,  and  report  the  proceeding. 


•    The  Council  Met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  March  6th,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excellency  THOMAS  WHARTON,  Esq'r,  President.    ' 
The  Honorable  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President, 
John  Evans,  Esquire.  Jonathan  Hoge,  Esquire. 

George  Taylor,  Esquire.        John  Lowdan,  Esquire. 
John  Proctor,  Esquire. 

Mr.  Evans  Reports  : 

That  the  Election  of  the  President  and  Vice  President  had  been 
Published  at  the  Court  House  yesterday  at  Noon  ;  and  that  at  the 
same  time  the  President  was  proclaimed  by  the  Stile  and  Title  of 
"  His  Excellency  Thomas  Wharton,  Junior,  Esquire,  President  of 
the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, Captain  General  and  Commander-in-Chief  in  and  over  the 
same." 

His  Excellency  the  President  Administered  the  Qualifications 
directed  to  be  taken  by  the  Constitution  of  this  Commonwealth  to 
George  Bryan,  Esquire,  Vice  President,  who  Administered  the  said 
qualifications  to  all  the  Members  of  Council  then  Present,  Viz.  t 
to  John  Evans,  Jonathan  Hoge,  John  Lowdan,  and  John  Proctor, 
Esq'rs. 

The  Petition  of  Timothy  Matlack  being  laid  before  the  Council, 
praying  to  be  appointed  Secretary  to  this  Council,  Agreed  That 
Timothy  Matlack  be  Secretary  of  this  Council. 

Timothy  Matlack  appeared  and  took  the  Affirmation  required  by 
the  Constitution  to  Qualify  him  for  his  Office  of  Secretary  of  this 
Commonwealth.  .  . 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  175 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  procure  drafts  of  Licences  for  Pub- 
lic House  Keepers,  and  Commissions  for  the  several  Officers  of  Go- 
vernment, for  the  consideration  of  the  Council. 


The  Council  met, 

Philadelphia,  Friday  March  7th,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excellency  THOMAS  WHARTON,  jtra'r,  President, 
The  Hon'ble  George  BRyaN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Evans,  Jonathan  Lowdan,  And  ~\ 

George  Taylor,  John  Proctor,  !» Esquires, 

Jonathan  Hoge,  ) 

The  Resolve  of  Congress  of  December  11,  1776,  recommending 
in  the  following  words,  Vizt: 

"  Whereas,  the  just  War  into  which  the  United  States  of  Ame- 
rica have  been  forced  by  Great  Britain)  is  likely  to  be  still  con- 
tinued*  by  the  same  violence  and  injustice  which  have  hitherto 
animated  the  Enemies  of  American  Freedom;  And  Whereas,  it 
becomes  all  Public  Bodies,  as  Well  as  private  Persons,  to  reverence 
the  Providence  of  God*  and  look  up  to  him  as  the  Supreme  Dis- 
poser of  all  events,  and  the  Arbiter  of  the  Fate  of  Nations;  There- 
fore the  Congress  hereby  Resolve, 

"  That  it  be  recommended  to  all  the  States,  as  soon  as  possible, 
to  appoint  a  day  of  Solemn  fasting  and  humiliation,  to  implore  of 
Almighty  God  the  forgiveness  of  the  many  Sins  prevailing  among 
all  Ranks,  and  to  beg  the  countenance  and  assistance  of  his  Provi- 
dence in  the  Prosecution  of  this  just  and  necessary  War,  The 
Congress  do  also*  in  the  most  earnest  manner,  recommend  to  all 
the  members  of  the  United  States,  and  particularly  to  the  Officers* 
Civil  and  Military,  under  them,  the  Exercise  of  Repentance  and 
reformation;  and  further  do  require  of  the  said  Officers  of  the 
Military  Department,  the  strict  observation  of  the  Articles  of  War 
in  general,  and  particularly  that  of  the  said  Articles)  which  forbids 
Profane  swearing  and  all  other  immoralities ;  of  Which  all  such 
Officers  are  desired  to  take  Notice.  It  is  left  to  each  State  to  issue 
out  Proclamations,  fixing  the  day  that  appear  most  proper  for  their 
Beveral  bounds ;  *  being  laid  before  the  Council,  and  the  same  being 
considered;'  thereupon, 

"  Ordered,  That  Thursday  the  third  day  of  April,  be  appointed 
for  the  said  purpose.  A  Draft  of  a  Proclamation  thereof  being 
laid  the  Council)  was  read  and  approved)  and  is  in  the  words  follow- 
ing, Vizt . 


176  MINUTES  OF  THE 

"  By  the   Supreme   Executive  Council  of  the   Commonwealth  of 
Pennsylvania. 

"A  PROCLAMATION, 

u  Whereat)  the  Hon*ble  the  Continental  Congress,  pointing  out 
to  Public  bodies,  as  well  as  private  persons,  the  duty  of  reverene* 
ing  the  Providence  of  God,  and  looking  up  to  him  as  the  Supreme 
disposer  of  all  events,  <fe  the  Arbiter  of  the  fate  of  Nations  3  did, 
on  the  11th  day  of  December  last,  resolve  to  recommend  to  the 
several  States  the  appointment  of  a  day  of  Solemn  Fasting  and 
Humiliation,  to  implore  of  Almighty  God  the  forgiveness  of  the 
many  Sins  prevailing  among  all  Ranks,  and  by  the  countenance 
and  assistance  of  his  Providence,  in  the  prosecution  of  the  most 
just  and  necessary  War  into  which  the  United  States  have  been 
forced  by  Great  Britain,  and  which  is  still  likely  to  be  continued  by 
the  same  violence  and  injustice  that  has  hitherto  animated  the  Ene- 
mies of  American  Freedom,  and  did,  also,  in  the  most  earnest  man- 
ner, recommend  to  all  the  members  of  the  United  States,  and  par; 
ticularly  to  the  Officers^  Civil  and  Military,  under  them,  the  exercise 
of  Repentance  and  reformation)  leaving  it  to  each  State  to  fix  on 
such  day  for  the  same  as  may  be  most  proper  for  its  bounds : 

"  We,  therefore,  do  hereby  recommend  to  all  the  People  of  this 
Commonwealth,  to  observe  and  keep  Thursday  the  third  day  of 
April  next,  as  a  day  of  Solemn  Fasting,  Humiliation,  and  Prayer, 
for  the  purposes  before  mentioned,  of  which  the  inhabitants  of  this 
State  are  desired  to  take  notice. 
"  Given  in  Council,  under  my  hand  and  the  Seal  of  the  State,  at 

Philadelphia,  this  Seventh  day  of  March,  in  the  Year,  &c,  1777, 
"THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 

"Attest — T.  Matlack,  Sec'y. 

"GOD  SAVE   THE  COMMONWEALTH." 

Whereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  Published  in  all  the  Papers,  English 
and  German,  and  that  Five  Hundred  Copies  be  struck  off  and  for- 
warded by  the  earliest  opportunity  to  the  distant  parts  of  the  State, 
Three  Hundred  English  and  Two  Hundred  German. 

Adjourned  to  Monday  next,  Three  O'Clock,  Afternoon- 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  177 

The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  March  10th,  1777. 

present : 

His  Excell'y  THOMAS  WHARTON,  jute,  Esq'r,  President. 

The  Hon'ble  Geore  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  Jonathan  Hoge,      j  Esqu;res 

George  Taylor,  John  Lowdan,         ) 

John  Proctor,  Esq'r,  and  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  Counceller  elect 
for  the  County  of  Lancaster,  appeared  in  Council  and  took  the  Oaths 
required  by  the  Constitution  to  Qualify  him  for  the  said  Office,  and 
thereupon  took  his  seat  at  the  Board. 

The  Petitions  of  Mathew  Clarkson,  Paul  Fooks,  Steiner  &  Cist, 
Simon  Dricebach,  divers  Officers  of  the  Putnam  Galley,  &  James 
Smith,  were  read  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  Table. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  purchase  Burnes'  Justice,  and  Black- 
stone's  Commentaries,  for  the  use  of  the  Council. 

The  Council  of  Safety  representing  to  this  Council  That  the  Sum 
of  One  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars  is  immediately  wanted  for  the 
Paying  of  the  necessary  Current  expence  of  the  War,  and  request 
the  same  may  be  put  into  their  hands : 

Thereupon  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Evans  and  Mr.  Hubley  wait  on 
the  Honorable  House  of  Assembly,  and  inform  them  of  the  said 
Application. 

Mr,  Evans  &  Mr.  Hubley  Report : 

That  they  had  waited  on  the  Honorable  House  of  Assembly,  and 
informed  them  of  the  application  to  this  Council  from  the  Council 
of  Safety  for  a  supply  of  One  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars,  and  that 
the  House  were  pleased  to  say  they  would  take  the  same  into  their 
consideration. 

Adjourned  to  Ten  O'Clock  to-morrow  Morning. 


The  Council  met.  b 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  Ma'r  11,  1777,  P.  M. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

John  Evans,  John  Hubley,.  *] 

Jonathan  Hoge,  George  Taylor,    I  Esquires. 

John  Lowdan,  John  Proctor,    J 

Mr.  Parker  and  Mr.  Benezet,  a  Committee  of  the  Hon'ble  House 
of  General  Assembly,  appeared  in  Council  and  informed  the  Board 

vol.  xi.— 12. 


178  MINUTES  OF  THE 

That  the  House  had  taken  into  consideration  the  application  of  the 
Council  of  Safety  for  a  Sum  of  Money,  And  as  that  body  must  of 
necessity  continue  to  act  for  some  time  longer,  the  House  recom- 
mended to  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  to  apply  to  Congress 
for  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  put  into  the 
hands  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  to  be  accounted  for  by  them. 

Francis  Trumble  proposing  to   the  Council  to  give  security  for 
the  appearance  of  a  certain  Joseph  Worra  (now  a  Prisoner  in  this 

City  on  a  charge  of  having  grieviously  beaten  a  certain ) 

at  the  next  Court  of  Quarter  Session,  to  be  held  at,  then  and  there 
to  answer  the  said  charge. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Evans  take  the  said  Bail,  the  Principal  in 
the  Sum  of  Two  Hundred  and  Fifty  Pounds,  and 

A  Letter  from  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  to  the  Coun- 
cil of  Safety  was  laid  before  the  Council. 
Adjourned  to  half  after  Three  P.  M. 


Consideration  of  the  Commissions,  Licenses,  &ca. 
Adjourned  to-morrow  Morning,  10  O'Clock. 


The  Council  Met, 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  March  12,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excellency  THO'S  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r  President 
The  Hon'ble  John  Evans,  Jonathan  Hoge,      "\ 

George  Taylor,  John  Lowdan,  and  v  Esquires. 

John  Proctor,  John  Hubley,         J 

The  Petition  of  Giles  Hicks,  praying  that  some  Provision  be 
made  from  himself  and  others,  the  Orphan  Family  of  William 
Hicks,  deceased,  in  the  appointment  of  a  Person  to  the  Offices  of 
Prothonotary,  Recorder,  &ca.,  of  the  County  of  Bucks,  as  the  same 
had  been  by  Richard  Penn,  Esq'r,  under  the  late  Government,  was 
read  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  Table  for  Consideration. 

The  Petition  of  Wm.  Lyon,  Esquire,  praying  to  be  appointed 
Prothonotary  of  Cumberland  County,  was  read  and  ordered  to  lie 
on  the  Table. 

The  Petition  of  Wm.  Lyon,  praying  to  be  appointed  Prothono- 
tary of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  having  been  again  read,  was 
taken  into  consideration,  and  thereupon  Agreed, 

That  William  Lyon,  Esquire,  be  appointed  Prothonotary  of  the 
County  of  Cumberland,  and  that  he  be  Commissioned  accordingly 
Adjourned  to  half  after  Three  O'Clock  afternoon 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  1T9 


A  Return  of  the  Sheriffs  and  Coroners  elect  for  the  County  of 
Bucks,  being  made  to  the  Council,  was  now  read,  by  which  it  ap- 
pears that  John  Thompson  and  Garrat  Dungan  were  duly  elected 
to  3erve  as  Sheriffs,  and  Benjamin  Fell  and  Robert  Ransey  were 
duly  elected  to  serve  as  Coroners ;  and  the  said  John  Thompson  & 
Garrat  Dungan  attending  at  the  door,  were  introduced  to  the  Coun- 
cil, and  offered  their  service  in  the  Sheriff's  office  ;  and  they  having 
retired, 

Ordered,  That  John  Thompson  be  appointedJHigh  Sheriff  of  the 
County  of  Bucks,  and  that  on  his  giving  the  security  required  by 
Law,  He  be  Commissioned  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  Benjamin  Fell  be  appointed  Coroner  of  the  Coun- 
ty of  Bucks,  and  that  on  his  giving  the  Security  required  by  Law, 
he  be  Commissioned  accordingly. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  by  order  of  the  said 
Council,  laid  before  the  Board  the  list  and  arrangement  of  the  Offi- 
cers of  the  twelve  Battalions  of  this  State  : 

Arrangement  of  the  Field    Officers  of  the  Twelve  Pennsylvania 
Regiments  in  the  Continental  Service,  Viz : 

First  Regiment. 

Colonel,  Edward  Hand ;  Lieutenant  Col.,  James  Ross;  Major, 
Henry  Miller. 

Second  Regiment. 

Colonel,  James  Trwin  j  Lieutenant  Col.,  Jonathan  Jones;  Ma- 
jor, William  Williams. 

TJiird  Regiment. 

Colonel,  Joseph  Wood;  Lieutenant  Colonel,  Thomas  Craig, 
Major,  Josiah  Harmer. 

Fourth  Regiment. 

Colonel,  Lambert  Cadwalader ;  Lieutenant  Col.,  Wm.  Butler ; 
Major,  Marien  La  Mar. 

Fifth  Regiment. 

Colonel,  Francis  Johnson;  Lieutenant  Col.,  Percifer  Frazier; 
Major,  Thomas  Robison. 

Sixth  Regiment. 

Colonel,  Robert  Magaw ;  Lieutenant  Col.,  Henry  Becker ;  Ma- 
jor, Samuel  Benezet. 

Seventh  Regiment. 

Colonel,  William  Irwin ;  Lieutenant  Colonel,  David  Greer;  Ma- 
jor, Samuel  Hay, 


180 


MINUTES  OF  THE 


Eighth  Regiment. 

Colonel,   Daniel  Broadhead;  Lieutenant  Col.,  Richard  Butler  ; 
Major,  Stephen  Bayard. 

Ninth   Regiment. 

Colonel,  Ant'y  James  Morris ;  Lieutenant  Col.,  George  Nagel ; 
Major,  Mathew  Smith. 

Tenth  Regiment. 

Colonel,    James  Chambers ;  Lieutenant   Col.,  Adam   Hubley, 
ju'r;  Major,  Caleb  North. 

Eleventh  Regiment. 

Colonel,  Richard  Humpton  ;  Lieutenant  Col.,  Francis  Gurney ; 
Major,  Francis  Mentzes. 

Twelfth  Regiment. 

Colonel,  William  Cook;  Lieutenant  Col.,  Neigel  Gray;  Major. 
James  Crawford. 

Rank  of  the  field  officers  of  the  twelve  Pennsylvania  Regiments  in 
Continental  service : 


Colonels. 

Lieutenant   Colonels 

1. 

Robert  Magaw, 

1. 

George  Nagel, 

2. 

William  Irwin, 

2. 

Francis  Gurney, 

3. 

Edward  Hand, 

3. 

Henry  Becker, 

4. 

James  Irwin, 

4. 

Thomas  Craig, 

5. 

Lambert  Cadwalader, 

5. 

Neigle  Gray, 

6. 

Francis  Johnson, 

6. 

Percifer  Frazier, 

7. 

Anthony  James  Morris, 

7. 

David  Greer, 

8. 

Joseph  Wood, 

8. 

Richard  Butler, 

9. 

Richard  Humpton, 

9. 

James  Ross, 

10. 

William  Cook, 

10. 

William  Butler, 

11. 

Daniel  Broadhead, 

11. 

Jonathan  Jones, 

12. 

James  Chambers, 

12. 

Adam  Hubley. 

Majors. 

Captains. 

1. 

Francis  Mentzes, 

1. 

Patrick  Anderson, 

2. 

James  Crawford, 

2. 

James  Marshall, 

3. 

Mathew  Smith, 

3. 

John  Nice, 

4. 

Henry  Miller, 

4. 

Matthew  Scott, 

5. 

William  Williams, 

5. 

James  Francis  Moore, 

6. 

Thomas  Robison, 

6. 

John  Spears, 

7. 

Samuel  Benezet, 

7. 

John  Clark, 

8. 

Josiah  Harman, 

8. 

Robert  Gray, 

9. 

Marien  La  Mar, 

9. 

John  Robb, 

10. 

Stephen  Bayard, 

10. 

John  Carnagan. 

11. 

Caleb  North, 

12. 

Samuel  Hav. 

SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL. 


181 


First  Lieutenants. 


1.  Joseph  Findley, 

*2.  Thomas  Johnson, 

3.  Jacob  Mace, 

4.  Thomas  Boyd, 

5.  Joseph  Brownlee, 


6.  William  Moore, 

7.  George  Haffner, 

8.  Jacob  Schneider, 

9.  George  Geiger, 
10.  James  Wiley. 


Second  Lieutenants 


1.  James  McMichael, 

2.  John  Gregg, 

3.  Samuel  Henry, 

4.  Ambrose  Crane, 


1.  Peter  Boyle, 

2.  Robert  Gregg, 

3.  James  Bickham, 

4.  John  Parks, 

5.  James  Dugan, 


5.  William  Harris, 

6.  William  M'Cracken, 

7.  John  Vanpelt. 

Ensigns. 

6.  Joseph  Collier, 

7.  John  Vanwinkle, 

8.  Patrick  Fullerton, 

9.  Joseph  German. 


The  Council  Met. 


Philad'a,  Thursday  March  13th,  1777. 


PRESENT  ! 

His  Excellency  THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun.,  Esq.,  President, 
John  Evans,  John  Hubley,  ~\ 

Jonathan  Hoge,  George  Taylor,  and  >  Esquires. 

John  Lowden,  John  Proctor,  ) 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  that  the  Civil  Department 
of  this  Commonwealth  requires  great  attention,  and  will  for  some 
time  fully  employ  them  to  discharge  the  duties  thereof,  and  that  it 
is  also  of  great  importance  that  a  due  attention  be  still  paid  to  the 
War  which  we,  are  engaged  in ;  There/ore  Resolved,  That  A  Board 
of  War  for  the  Land  Service  of  the  State,  consisting  of  Nine  Per- 
sons, be  appointed,  and  have  full  Power  and  authority  to  do  and 
perform  all  matters  and  things  necessary  in  the  said  dejfartment, 
subject,  nevertheless,  to  the  direction  and  examan$tion  of  this 
Council  from  time  to  time,  as  we  may  deem  expedient,  and  saving 
to  ourselves  always  the  power  of  appointing  officers,  agreeable  to  the 
constitution  of  this  Commonwealth;  Thereupon  Resolved,  that 
David  Rittenhouse,  Owen  Biddle,  William  Moore,  Joseph  Dean, 
Samuel  Morris,  Senior,  Samuel  Cadwalader,  W.  Corris,  John  Bay- 
ard, George  Gray,  and  John  Bull,  Esquires,  Be  a  Board  of  War, 
and  that  they,  or  any  three  of  them,  be  Commissioned  and  empow- 


J  82  MINUTES  OP  THE 

ered  to  Act  agreeable  to  the  foregoing  Resolution,  the  commission 
to  continue  in  force  untill  revoked  by  this  or  a  future  Supreme  Ex- 
ecutive Council  j  And  a  Commission  being  made  out  accordingly, 
the  same  was  Signed  by  the  President :  Thereupon  Ordered,  That 
Mr.  Hubley  administer  to  the  several  members  of  the  Board  of 
War  the  qualifications  required  by  the  Constitution  of  this  State, 
for  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  office. 

The  Council  also  taking  into  consideration  the  necessity  of  ap- 
pointing a  Navy  Board  :  Thereupon  Resolved,  that  a  Navy  Board, 
consisting  of  Eleven  Gentlemen,  to  be  appointed,  and  liave  full 
power  and  authority  to  do  and  perform  all  Matters  and  things 
Relating  to  the  Navy  of  this  State,  subject  nevertheless  to  the  di- 
rections and  examinations  of  this  Council,  from  time  to  time,  as 
we  may  judge  expedient,  and  saving  to  ourselves  always  the  power 
of  appointing  Officers,  agreeable  to  the  Constitution  of  this  Com- 
monwealth ;  Thereupon  Resolved,  That  Andrew  Caldwell,  Joseph 
Blewer,  Joseph  Marsh,  Emanuel  Eyre,  Robert  Ritchie,  Paul  Cox, 
Samuel  Massey,  William  Bradford,  Thomas  Fitzsimmons,  Samuel 
Morris,  Jun'r,  and  Thomas  Barclay,  be  a  Navy  Board,  and  that  they, 
or  any  three  of  them,  be  Commissioned  and  empowered  to  Act 
agreeable  to  the  foregoing  Resolution ;  the  Commission  to  continue 
in  force  until  revoked  by  this  or  any  future  Supreme  Executive 
Council ;  And  a  Commission  being  made  out  accordingly,  the  same 
was  signed  by  the  President;  Thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hubley  administer  to  the  several  Members 
of  the  Navy  Board,  the  qualifications  required  by  the  Constitution 
of  this  State,  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  Office. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  War  be  directed  to  apply  to  Con- 
gress for  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  ac- 
counted for  by  this  State/' 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a.,  Saturday  March  15th,  1777.  P.  M. 

present : 
The*Ha$ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esquire,  Vice  President. 
John  Hubley,  John  Lowdan,  and 


IEj 


George  Taylor,  John  Procter,  ^Esquires. 

Jonathan  Hoge, 

Mr.  Fitzsimmons  and  Mr.  Ritchie,  from  the  Navy  Board,  were 
introduced,  and  presented  a  Memorial  respecting  the  Oath  or  Af- 
firmation of  Office,  with  the  Minutes  of  the  said  Board,  which  was 
Bead,  viz. : 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  183 

"  The  Honorable  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  Common- 
wealth of  Pennsylvania : 

"  Gentlemen : 

"By  the  Minutes  of  this  Board,  which  we  have  the  Honor  to  in- 
close, you  will  perceive  that  Nine  Members  present  have  resolved  not 
to  take  the  oath  or  affirmation  of  allegiance  tendered  to  them  by  a  mem- 
ber of  your  Honorable  Board.  We  do  not  apprehend  that  the  reasons 
on  which  our  dissent  are  founded  is  expected,  but  we  think  it  neces- 
sary to  make  known  to  your  honors  that  we  are  willing  and  ready 
to  take  an  Oath  of  Allegiance  to  the  United  States,  as  well  as  the 
Oath  of  Office  \  And  that  We  are  extremely  desirous  of  rendering 
every  service  in  our  power  to  this  State,  in  any  Capacity  in  which 
we  can  be  useful. 

"  We  are,  with  great  Respect,  Gentlemen, 

"  Your  most  Obed't  Humb'le  serv'ts, 
"  ANDREW  CALDWELL, 
"ROBT.  RITCHIE, 
"MANUEL  EYRE, 
"THOMAS  BARCLAY, 
«  THOMAS  FITZSIMMONS, 
"  WM.  BRADFORD, 
"  JOSEPH  BLEWER, 
"  SAMUEL  MASSEY, 
"PAUL  COX, 
"JOSEPH  MARSH. 
"State  Navy  Board,  March  14,  1777." 


State  Navy  Board,  March  14,  1777. 

PRESENT. 

Ten  Members. 

Mr.  Hubley,  from  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  having 
tendered  to  the  Members  of  this  Board  the  Oath  or  Affirmation  of 
Allegiance  prescribed  by  the  40th  Section  of  the  Frame  of  Gov- 
ernment formed  by  the  late  Convention  of  this  State,  it  was  agreed 
to  take  the  sense  of  the  Members  on  that  Subject,  and  the  question 
being  put,  there  appeared  Against  it, 

ANDREW  CALDWELL, 
ROBERT  RITCHIE, 
MANUEL  EYRE, 
THOMAS  BARCLAY, 
JOSEPH  MARSH, 
THOS.  FITZSIMMONS, 
WILLIAM  BRADFORD, 
SAM.  MASSEY, 
PAUL  COX. 
To  take  the  Oath  or  Affirmation, 

JOSEPH  BLEWER. 


184  MINUTES  OF  THE 

"  Whereupon : 

"  Ordered,  That  a  Copy  of  this  Minute  be  sent  to  the  Council^ 
with  an  Address  expressive  of  the  attachment  of  this  Board  to  the 
Independence  of  America,  and  their  readiness  to  serve  this  State  on 
any  occasion. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

"CORNELS  SWEARS,  Sec'y. 

Divers  Evidences  respecting  the  burning  of  the  Powder  Mills  at 
French  Creek  having  Been  examined  in  the  presence  of  Mr.  Beck, 
one  of  the  Powder  Makers,  and  on  the  whole  there  appeared  no 
proof  sufficient  to  justify  The  imprisonment  of  any  of  the  persons 
taken  on  the  suspicion  of  firing  the  said  Mills;  thereupon : 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Beck  and  his  Workmen  be  discharged. 

A  Remonstrance  of  Divers  Officers  of  the  Tenth  Battalion,  re- 
specting the  arrangement  of  the  Officers  of  that  Battalion,  was 
read  in  Council. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Remonstrance  lie  on  the  Table  for  Con- 
sideration. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  March  17,  1777,  P.  M. 

PRESENT  I 

The  Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esquire,  Vice  President. 
John  Hubley,  John  Lowdan,  and 'J 

George  Taylor,  John  Procter,  I  Esquires. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  J 

A  Letter  from  Henry  Fisher,  dated  Lewis  Town,  March  14th, 
1777,  was  received  from  the  Board  of  War,  informing  that  two  of 
the  Enemie's  Ships  and  a  Sloop,  came  into  our  Road  the  11th 
Iustant. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  laid  before  Congress. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  March  19th,  1777. 
present: 
His  Excell'y  THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun.,  Esq'r,  President 
The  Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Hubley,  John  Lowdan,  and  ~) 

George  Taylor,  John  Procter,  >  Esquires. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  J 

The  Remonstrance  of  the  Officers  of  the  Tenth  Battalion  was 
read ;  thereupon, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL,  135 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Lowdan  and  Mr.  Proctor  confer  with  the 
Board  of  War  concerning  the  Arrangement  of  Officers  against  which 
the  said  Remonstrance  is  made.  Mr.  Lowdan  &  Mr.  Proctor  Re- 
port, that  they  had  conferred  with  the  Board  of  War  on  the  said 
Remonstrance,  and  the  Board  of  War  give  for  reason  of  their  Con- 
duct, that  they  apprehend,  from  the  best  information  They  can  ob- 
tain, that  Captain  Shade  is  not  well  qualified  to  act  as  Major.  The 
Board  taking  into  consideration  the  appointment  of  Judges,  there- 
upon Agreed  That  Mr.  Hubley  and  Mr.  Taylor  attend  The  Honora- 
ble House  of  Assembly,  and  request  them  to  fix  the  Salary  of  the 
Chief  Justice  and  the  Assistant  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  be- 
fore they  are  appointed.  Whereupon  Mr.  Parker  and  Mr.  Brown, 
from  the  Assembly,  attended  the  council,  and  informed  the  Board 
that  the  Honorable  House  of  Assembly  had  taken  into  considera- 
tion the  Salary  to  be  allowed  the  Judges  respectively,  And  had 
Agreed  that  the  Chief  Justice  be  allowed  a  Sallary  at  the  Rate  of 
One  Thousand  Pounds  per  Annum,  and  that  the  Assistant  Judges 
be  allowed  at  the  Rate  of  Five  Hundred  Pounds  per  Annum. 

A  Letter  from  His  Excellency  William  Livingston,  Esq.,  Gov- 
ernor of  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  relating  to  the  Prisoners,  &ca., 
date  April  3d,  1777  : 

"  Dear  Sir : 

"  Our  State  not  having  delivered  yours  from  the  Prisoners  con- 
tained in  the  List  enclosed  in  your  favor  of  the  26th  of  March, 
(which  I  received  but  this  day,)  has  affected  me  with  singular  con- 
cern. The  difficulty  of  knowing  how  to  dispose  of  them  when  they 
arrived  here,  has  procrastined  the  Affair  and  given  me  great  anxiety. 
This  will,. I  hope,  apologize  for  having  so  long  put  you  to  the  trou- 
ble of  keeping  them  in  that  durance  in  which  they  were  consigned 
without  the  Agency  of  this  State,  But  as  G-eneral  Forman  is  now 
daily  expected,  who  I  am  informed,  is  able  to  point  out  their  several 
delinquencies,  or  to  direct  us  to  persons  who  can,  I  have  sent  Lieu- 
tenant Smith  with  a  Guard  to  receive  them  from  your  State,  and 
sincerely  acknowledge  our  obligation  to  the  Commonwealth  of  Penn- 
sylvania, for  securing  such  a  number  of  Miscreants,  at  a  time  when 
it  was  not  in  our  power  to  apply  the  same  remedy  against  the  Evo- 
lutions of  their  Treason  and  Rebellion  against  the  United  States  of 
America. 

"  I  am  Sir,  your  most 

"Obed.  h'bleserv't. 

"WIL.  LIVINGSTON. 

"Hon.  Tho's  Wharton,  Jun.,  Esq'r,  President,  Etca." 
The  same  was  read  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  Table. 


186  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,   Thursday  March  20th.  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Evans,  John  Hubley,      ~) 

George  Taylor,  Jonathan  Hoge,  V  Esquires. 

John  Lowden,  John  Proctor,      ) 

On  motion, 
Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hubley  be  Authorized  to  employ  as  many  of 
the  Hessian  Prisoners  as  he  may  find  occasion  for.  The  Council 
taking  into  consideration  the  appointment  of  Judges  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  of  this  Commonwealth,  and  thereupon  Agreed  that 
Joseph  Reed,  Esquire,  be  appointed  Chief  Justice  of  the  said  Com- 
monwealth. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  appointing  Sheriffs  & 
Coroners  of  the  several  Counties,  which  have  sent  in  the  returns 
of  the  Gentlemen,  elected  to  serve  in  these  Offices  respectively;  And 
thereupon, 

Order'd,  That 

[Blank  Page  in  Council  Book.] 


The  Council  Met. 


Philad'a,  Friday  March  21st,  1777. 


present  : 
His  Excell'y,  THO'S  WHAKTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble.  George  Bryan,  Esq'r.,  Vice  President. 
John  Evans,  John  Hubley,      ") 

Jonathan  Hoge,  George  Taylor,    >    Esquires. 

John  Lowdan,  John  Proctor,      ) 

Ordered,  That  Twenty-Six  Rifles  and  two  smooth  bore  Guns, 
now  in  the  hands  of  Colo  Lochry's  Battalion  of  Militia,  be  pur- 
chased and  put  in  the  hands  of  the  said  Archibald  Lochry,  Lieut, 
of  the  said  County,  for  the  use  of  the  Militia  of  that  County. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Archibald  Loch- 
ry, Esq'r,  for  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-nine  Pounds, 
Ten  Shillings,  for  the  above  mentioned  Twenty-eight  Guns.  On 
consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Samuel  Morris  be  appointed  Register  of  Philadel- 
phia County,  and  Commissioned  accordingly.  Dan'l  Levan,  Jun'r, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  187 

Esq'r,  Sheriff  elect  for  the  County  of  Berks,  now  offers  Baltzer 
Gehr  &  Daniel  Hunter,  of  the  said  County,  as  sureties  for  the  faith- 
ful discharge  of  the  Duties  of  his  Office  of  Sheriff  of  the  said 
County,  according  to  Law,  which  this  Council  approves.  On  con- 
sideration, 

Ordered,  That  Daniel  Levan,  Jun'r,  be  appointed  Sheriff  of  Berks 
County,  and  Commissioned  accordingly  ;  That  Sam'l  Morris  be  ap- 
pointed as  Register  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  and  Commissioned 
accordingly ;  That  Archibald  McLean  be  appointed  Prothonotary 
of  York  County,  and  Commissioned  accordingly;  That  John  Piper 
be  appointed  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Bedford,  and  Commis- 
sioned accordingly  ;  That  John  Armstrong  as  Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Cumberland  and  Commissioned  accordingly  ;  That 
Joseph  Hart  be  appointed  as  Register  of  Bucks  County,  and  Com- 
missioned accordingly ;  That  Robert  Lovers  be  appointed  Prothono- 
tary of  Northampton  County,  and  that  he  be  Commissioned  accord- 
ingly; That  James  Benezet  be  appointed  Prothonotary  of  the 
County  of  Bucks,  and  that  he  be  Commissioned  accordingly  ;  That 
Archibald  McLochry  be  appointed  Prothonotary  of  the  County  of 
Westmoreland,  and  that  he  be  Commissioned  accordingly.  The  Pro- 
thonotary's  Commission  granted  to  Mr.  Lochry  for  Westmoreland, 
is  with  the  express  condition  that,  on  General  Sinclair's  returning 
to  the  County,  and  requesting  to  have  the  Office  confirmed  to  him, 
that  Colonel  Lochry  resign,  which  condition  Colo.  Lochry  agrees 
to.     On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Robert  Galbraith  be  appointed  prothonotary  of 
the  County  of  Bedford,  and  that  he  be  Commissioned  accordingly. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  March  22d,  1777. 

present : 
His  Excell'y,  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Evans,  John  Lowden,  and   ") 

George  Taylor,  John  Proctor.  I  Esquires. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  J 

On  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  John  Hubley  be  appointed  Prothonotary  for  the 
County  of  Lancaster,  and  he  be  Commissioned  accordingly  ;  That 
William  McClay  be  appointed  Prothonotary  for  the  County  of  North- 
umberland, and  that  he  be  Commissioned  accordingly  ;  That  John 
Morris,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Master  of  the  Rolls  for  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  that  he  be  commissioned  accordingly.     A  Rep- 


188  MINUTES  OF  THE 

rcsentation  from  the  Board  of  War  of  the  small  number  of  which 
it  now  consists,  and  requesting  an  additional  number  of  Members, 
being  now  made  to  the  Council ;  Thereupon, 

Ordered,  That 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 

A  Circular  Letter  was  written  to  the  Prothonotarys  of  each 
County  in  the  State,  requesting  them  to  take  the  security  required 
by  Law  to  be  given  by  the  Sheriffs  respectively. 

Ordered,  That  Benjamin  Jacobs  (Son  of  the  Speaker)  be  ap- 
pointed Prothonotary  of  the  County  of  Chester,  and  that  he  be  com- 
missioned accordingly. 

John  Morris,  jun'r,  appeared,  and  took  the  Qualifications  required 
by  the  Constitution  to  Qualify  him  to  act  as  Master  of  the  Rolls 
for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

Robert  Galbraith  appeared,  and  took  the  Qualifications  required 
by  the  Constitution  to  Qualify  him  to  act  as  Clerk  of  the  Orphans' 
Court. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  March  27,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Evans,  John  Lowdan,  and") 

Jonathan  Hoge,  John  Proctor.  [■  Esquires. 

John  Hubley,  ) 

Petition  of  Robert  Patton,  praying  relief  from  abuse  he  has  suf- 
fered by  ill-treatment  of  his  family,  and  insult  to  his  Person,  by 
General  Dehaas,  &ca.,  Viz.: 

il  To  the  Honourable  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania. 

11  The  Petition  of  Robert  Patton,  of  Lebanon,  in  Lancaster  Coun- 
ty, Humbly  Sheweth: 

"  That  your  Petitioner  is  a  Freeholder  and  inhabitant  of  the  said 
Town,  and  a  Captain  of  the  Second  Battalion  of  Militia  of  Lan- 
caster County,  and  during  the  present  dispute  with  Great  Britain, 
has,  to  the  utmost  of  his  power,  contributed  to  the  support  of 
the  American  cause,  and  served  with  his  company  in  New  Jersey 
for  seven  Weeks,  untill  discharged  by  Gen'l  Meroer ;  That  your  Pe- 
titioner being  lately  on  Business  in  Virginia,  during  his  absence 
Gen.  Dehaas  sent  a  Sergeant  to  his  wife,  ordering  her  to  remove 
out  of  the  House  Your  Petitioner  dwelt  in,  that  he  might  make  a 
Store  House  of  it ;  That  Your  Petitioner's  Wife  not  knowing  where 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  189 

to  remove  to  with  her  family,  refused,  altho'  a  second  message  was 
sent  by  the  Sergeant ;  That  Your  Petitioner,  upon  his  return  home, 
being  informed  of  the  same  procedure,  incensed  at  such  arbitrary 
conduct  of  the  General,  in  endeavoring  tb  drive  his  family  out 
of  his  House  without  the  least  colour  of  right,  expressed  his  indig- 
nation and  resentment  in  the  strongest  Terms,  in  the  hearing  of 
many  persons,  some  of  whom  acquainted  the  General  with  it;  That 
the  same  day,  To  Wit :  The  Eleventh  day  of  March,  instant,  The 
said  Gen'l  Dehaas  came,  with  a  guard  of  Soldiers,  to  your  Peti- 
tioner's House,  entered  the  same,  and  arrested  Your  Petitioner,  and 
carried  him  to  the  Guard  House,  without  being  charged  with  any 
offence ;  That  from  the  Guard  House  your  Petitioner  was  after- 
wads  taken  by  a  Captain  to  the  General,  who,  upon  his  acknow- 
ledging the  words  he  had  spoken  of  him,  ordered  your  Petitioner 
to  be  put  in  Irons,  which  was  done  as  soon  as  these  Irons  could  be 
procured,  and  Your  Petitioner  remained  in  that  situation  for  an 
Hour  and  a  half;  That  Your  Petitioner  being  ordered  by  the  Gen- 
eral to  be  sent  to  Head  Quarters,  applied  to  John  Thorn,  Esq'r,  and 
by  his  influence  was  admitted  to  Bail,  and  accordingly  entered  into 
Bond,  with  Securities  in  the  Sum  of  one  thousand  Pounds,  for  his 
appearance  before  his  Excellency  Gen'l  Washington,  To  answer 
Whatever  charges  Gen'l  Dehaas  should  exhibit  against  him.  Your 
Petitioner  most  humbly  conceives,  that  by  this  arbitrary  and 
tyranical  proceedings  of  Gen'l  Dehaas,  not  only  he  is  greatly 
injured  and  aggrieved,  but  the  liberties  of  the  inhabitants  of  this 
state  endangered,  and  their  civil  rights  trampled  on ;  And  as  he 
cannot  as  yet  obtain  satisfaction  in  the  ordinary  course  of  Law  for 
the  particular  injury  done  to  himself,  he  thinks  it  his  duty  to  repre- 
sent these  matters  to  Your  Honours,  being  ready  to  verefy  by  due 
proofs  of  the  facts  alledged,  that  so  dangerous  and  alarming  an 
attempt  to  subvert  the  Civil  Authority,  and  subject  the  Inhabitants 
to  Military  Law,  may  not  escape  unpunished,  and  he  will  pray. 

"ROBERT  PATTON." 

The  petitioner  being  duly  sworn  in  Council,  deposeth  and  saith, 
That  the  several  matters  and  things  contained  in  the  foregoing 
Petition  is  the  Truth  and  the  Whole  Truth. 

Mar.  24th,  1777. 

Being  read,  Ordered  to  lie  on  the  Table  for  consideration. 

Mr.  Patton  was  examined  in  support  of  his  allegation  against 
General  Dehaas. 


190  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Tuesday  March  25,  1777,  A.  M- 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 
John  Evans,  John  Hubley,      ~\ 

Jonathan  Hoge,'  George  Taylor,     v  Esquires. 

John  Lowdan,  John  Proctor,      j 

The  Petition  of  Mr.  Lochry,  praying  to  be  appointed  Clerk  of 
the  Orphans'  Court,  was  read.  Mr.  John  Orndt  appeared,  and  took 
the  Qualifications  required  by  the  constitution  to  Qualify  him  to 
act  as  Register  and  as  Recorder  of  Deeds  for  the  County  of 
Northampton.  Mr.  Thomas  Tayler  appeared,  and  took  the  Quali- 
fications required  by  the  constitution  to  Qualify  him  to  act  as 
Register  and  as- Recorder  of  Deeds  for  the  County  of  Chester. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  George  Campbell  be  appointed  Prothonotary 
for  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  and  that  he  Commissioned  ac- 
cordingly. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  Mar.  26,  1777,  A.  M . 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Evans,  John  Hubley,        "1 

John  Lowdan,  Jonathan  Hoge,     I  Esquires. 

George  Taylor,  John  Proctor,        J 

Jacob  Weaver  being  brought  the  Council  as  a  disaffected  Person, 
and  a  Letter  from  Col.  Francis  Johnson,  charging  him  with  having 
expressed  sentiments  inimical  to  the  American  cause,  being  read; 
Thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Weaver  give  Bond,  with  one  or  more  secu- 
rities, for  his  appearance  before  this  Board. 

The  Representations  of  divers  Officers  of  the  10th  Battalion 
being  read  and  considered, 

Ordered,  That  the  Arrangement  of  Officers  of  the  Tenth  Bat- 
talion be  adhered  to,  and  the  Officers  Petitioning  attending  at  the 
door,  were  introduced,  and  informed  of  this  determination. 

Robert  Burton,  Leatherbury  Barker,  William  Bagwell,  William 
Millbey,  Prisoners  from  the  Delaware  State,  having  given  security 
to  the  said  State  for  their  appearance  at  the  Geueral  Quarter  Ses- 
sion of  the  Peace,  &ca.;  Thereupon, 
Ordered,  That  they  be  discharged 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  191 

Mr.  Robert  Levers  appeared,  and  took  the  Qualifications  required 
by  the  Constitution  of  this  State  to  Qualify  him  to  act  as  Protho- 
notary  for  the  County  of  Northampton,  and  received  his  Commis- 
sion, dated  this  26th  of  March,  1777. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  Mr.  Robert  Levers  be  appointed  Clerk 
of  the  Orphans'  Court  for  the  County  of  Northampton. 

On  motion,  agreed  That  Mr.  Walter  Shee  be  appointed  Tonnage 
Officer,  &ca.,  agreeable  to  the  Prayer  of  his  Petition. 

Archibald  McClean,  Commission  as  Prothonotary,  Register,  and 
Recorder  of  Deeds,  dated  March  27th,  1777,  for  the  County  of 
York. 

Robert  Levers,  Commission  as  Prothonotary  of  the  County  of 
Northampton,  dated  March  21st,  1777,  and  his  Commission  of 
Clerk  of  the  Orphans'  Court  of  the  said  County,  dated  March 
27th,  1777. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  March  27th,  1777. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun.,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Evan3,  John  Hubley, ") 

Jonathan  Hoge,  John  Lowdan,  v  Esquires. 

George  Taylor,  John  Proctor,  J 

Francis  Bayley,  the  Coroner  elect  for  the  County  of  Lancaster, 
appeared,  and  took  the  Oath  required  by  the  Constitution  of  this 
State  to  qualify  him  for  the  said  Office. 

A  Representation  from  the  State  Navy  Board,  acquainting  the 
Council  that  Captain  Eayres'  boat  was  fitted  out  for  the  Protection 
of  the  Salt  Works  at  Tom's  River,  and  waited  for  Orders,  was  now 
read ;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  that  the  State  Navy  Board  give  the  necessary  Orders 
to  Captain  Eayres  for  the  Protection  of  the  Salt  Works  on  Tom's 
River. 

Mr.  Rithchie  &  Mr.  Fitzsimmons,  from  the  Navy  Board,  attended 
the  Council,  and  laid  a  State  of  divers  Naval  affairs  before  the 
Board,  Vizt : 

"  State  Navy  Board,  March  27th,  1777. 
"  Gentlemen : 

"  JMly  impressed  with  the  weight  of  Business  that  in  the  Com- 
mencement of  your  Office  must  have  been  thrown  upon  you,  and 
desirous  to  render  what  services  we  could  to  our  Country,  we  have 
not  waited  for  any  instructions  respecting  the  duties  of  this  board, 
but  have,  as  well  as  in  our  power,  gone  through  the  Business  that 
has  come  before  us.     Many  things,  however,  has  occurred  which 


192  MINUTES  OF  THE 

/ 

we  think  it  our  duty  to  lay  before  you,  and  we  hope  you  will 
with  your  first  convenience  take  them  into  your  consideration, 
and  give  us  such  advice  and  instructions  respecting  them  as  you 
shall  seem  proper.  One  of  our  first  duties  was  to  enquire  into  the 
State  of  the  Vessels  and  Boats  belonging  to  this  Commonwealth, 
which  we  are  very-  sorry  to  inform  Your  Honours,  is  not  in  the  good 
condition  we  could  wish,  most  of  them  requiring  repairs  or  altera- 
tions and  many  of  them  shame; ully  deficient  in  their  complement 
of  Men.  From  the  enquiries  we  have  made  into  the  reasons  of 
these  deficiences,  it  appears  to  us  that  some  part  might  have  been 
remedied  had  the  Officers  exerted  themselves  as  they  ought )  but  at 
this  Time  it  will  be  very  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  get  them 
manned  without  your  interposition  ;  for  it  cannot  be  expected  that 
Men  will  enlist  themselves  in  this  Service  at  the  Wages  allowed  by 
the  State,  When  Seamen  in  the  merchants'  Service,  can  get  from 
Fifteen  Pounds  to  Eighteen  Pounds  P'r  Month,  and  Landsmen  from 
Ten  To  Twelve  pounds ;  We  would,  therefore,  recommend  to  your 
most  serious  Consideration,  whether  it  would  not  be  for  the  Public 
good  to  lay  an  Embargo,  to  prevent  any  Vessels  Sailing  from  this 
Port  for  a  few  days,  or  until  the  Armed  Vessels  intended  for  the 
Service  of  the  State  can  be  put  into  a  better  Condition :  with  due 
Submission  to  your  better  Judgments,  we  apprehend  a  measure  of 
this  kind  would  have  many  good  advantages,  as  well  to  the  general 
cause,  as  to  the  State  in  particular.  The  late  Council  of  Safety  of 
this  State  appointed  John  Hazlewood,  Esquire,  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  Fire  Vessels,  Boats  and  Rafts  belonging  to  the  State, 
subject,  however,  to  the  Commodore  of  the  Fleet  for  the  time  being ; 
Captain  Hazlewood  has  lately  informed  us  that,  though  he  is  heartily 
disposed  to  render  every  service  in  his  power  to  the  State,  he  does 
not  choose  to  continue  subject  To  the  orders  of  the  present  Com- 
modore of  the  Fleet  or  any  of  the  Captains,  who,  in  case  of  acci- 
dent, may  succeed  him ;  but  if  it  should  be  thought  consistent, 
would  wish  to  have  the  entire  direction  of  that  part  of  the  Arma- 
ment. How  far  his  desire  ought  to  be  complied  with,  we  submit  to 
you,  but  we  think  it  great  importance  that  it  should  be  immediately 
determined  ',  and  in  justice  to  Capt.  Hazlewood,  must  say  he  appears 
To  have  great  Merit  in  his  department.  There  are  at  present  some 
Officers  wanting  in  the  Fleet;  we  should  be  glad  to  know  whether 
any  recommendations  for  such  appointments  is  expected  from  us, 
and  whether  the  Warrant  Officers  are  to  be  appointed  by  the  Council. 
Some  account  have  been  brought  to  us,  and  more,  we  expect  may, 
of  services  performed  or  Contracts  made  previous  to  ou^  appoint- 
ment. We  are  apprehensive  a  great  loss  may  arise  to  the  State  if 
the  settlement  of  such  accounts  are  thrown  upon  us,  who  are  totally 
unacquainted  with  the  transactions,  and  have  no  Books  or  documents 
of  the  Council  to  refer  to ;  o*n  that  account  we  conceive  it  would  be 
more  eligible  to  appoint  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  of  settling  all 
Accounts  previous  to  our  appointment.     We  find  that  there  is  a 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  193 

great  number  of  Men  at  present  employed  in  throwing  up  works  at 
Billingsport,  which  we  should  not  presume  to  take  notice  of,  but, 
as  we  think,  it  will  very  materially  effect  the  defences  prepared  for 
this  River,  as  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  learn.  These  Works  are 
meant  to  be  upon  so  extensive  a  plan,  that  it  will  be  impossible  to 
compleat  them  in  time  for  this  Season.  The  Military  people  say, 
if  the  whole  was  complete  the  Post  is  not  tenable.  We  pretend  to 
no  judgment  in  these  matters,  but  as  we  know  this  business  is 
much  talked  of,  we  beg  leave  to  recommend  it  to  your  Considera- 
tion, whether  any  temporary  works  erected  there  could  not  be  easily 
turned  to  the  annoyance  of  the  Vessels )  and  if  so,  Whether  it 
should  not  be  discontinued.  These  things  we  have  thought  it  ne- 
cessary to  represent  to  you,  and  we  conceive  this  mode  will  take  up 
less  of  your  time  than  any  other.  We  shall  hope  for  directions  in 
consequence,  as  you  may  think  proper,  and  are,  with  great  respect, 
"  By  order  of  the  Board,  Gentlemen, 

"  Your  most  Obed't  humble  Servant, 

"WILLIAM  BRADFORD,  Chairman. 
"  Hon'ble  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Pennsylvania." 


A  Petition  from  Levi  Hallingsworth,  representing  the  State  of 
lithe  Salt  Works  at  Turtle  G-ut  inlet,  and  offering  the  same  to  sale? 
J  was  presented  and  read  ;  Thereupon, 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 


The  Council  Met. 

Phtlad'a,  Friday  March  28th,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

His  ExcelPy  THO'S  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Evans,  John  Hubley,      ~\ 

Johnathan  Hoge,  George  Taylor,     v-  Esquires. 

John  Lowdan,  John  Proctor,      J 

cil.  1  A  Representation  from  the  Navy  Board  respecting  the  present 
ay,  lltuation  of  the  Navy,  was  laid  before  the  Council,  and  the  same 
int.  leing  considered  ;  Thereupon,  Agreed,  That  the  Navy  Board  be  re- 
ested  to  recommend  such  Commissioned  Officers  aa  may  be  ne- 
ssary  for  the  approbation  of  this  Council,  and  that  the  said  Board 
i  ill3  appoint  The  Warrant  Officers ;  That  a  Committee  be  appointed 
jfc  If  Settle  the  Accounts,  which  may  be  done  out  of  the  Navy  Board 
d  War  Office.     Agreed,  That  the  Navy  Board  be  requested  to  at- 

VOL.  XI.— 13. 


194  MINUTES  OF  THE 

tend  the  Council  at  7  0' Clock  this  Evening,  to  confer  with  us  on 
the  subjects  of  their  representations  delivered  yesterday. 

On  motion.  Agreed,  That  James  Benezet,  Esq'r,  be  appointed 
Clerk  of  the  Orphan's  Court  for  the  County  of  Bucks,  and  that  he 
be  commissioned  accordingly. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  return  of  Justices  for  the 
City  of  Philadelphia,  as  elected  by  the  Freeholders  of  several  of  the 
"Wards,  &ca.  j  and  thereupon,  Jigreed,  That  James  Young,  John 
Ord,  Joseph  Redman,  sen'r,  Isaac  Howell,  George  Henry,  Plunket 
Fleeson,  Benjamin  Pascall,  and  Philip  Bcehm,  be  Commissioned  to 
Act  as  Justices  of  the  Peace,  &ca,  for  the  said  City. 

Ordered,  That  a  Dedimus  potestatem  be  issued,  impowering 
James  Young,  Esq'r,  to  Qualify  the  Magistrates  and  other  Officers 
of  this  City  and  Liberties. 

Ordered,  That  a  Dedimus  Potestatem  be  issued,  impowering 
James  Benezet,  Joseph  Kirkbridge  and  Samuel  Smith,  or  any  one 
or  more  of  them,  to  Qualify  the  Magistrates  and  other  Officers  in 
the  County  of  Bucks. 

Mr.  Samuel  Morris,  the  Elder,  Mr.  Owen  Biddle,  and  Mr.  Jo- 
seph Dean,  from  the  Board  of  War,  attended,  and  represented  the 
necessity  of  increasing  the  number  of  Members  at  that  Board,  seve- 
ral of  the  Gentlemen  appointed  to  that  service  having  left  the 
State. 

Mr.  Fitzimmons,  Mr.  Bradford,  and  Mr.  Massey,  Mr.  Coxe,  Mr. 
Marsh,  and  Mr.  Blewer,  of  the  State  Navy  Board,  attended  the 
Council. 

Return  from  Mr.  Bradford  and  Mr.  Nevill  of  the  state  of  the 
Old  Gaol. 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  County  Commissioners. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday,  March  29th,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  .THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Evans,  John  Lowdan,  and ") 

George  Taylor,  John  Proctor,  I  Esquires. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  J 

Mr.  John  Simpson  appointed  Register  of  Wills  and  Recorder  of 
Deeds  in  the  County  of  Northumberland,  produced  a  certificate  of 
his  having  given  security  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  trust 
in  the  said  Office,  and  having  taken  the  qualifications  directed  by 
the  Constitution,  he  was  Commissioned  accordingly. 

On  motion,  agreed,  That  Jacob  Morgan,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Lieu-  j 
tenant  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  and  that  he  be  Commissioned  to 
accordingly. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  195 

The  Council  took  into  Consideration  the  returns  of  justices  for 
the  County  of  Berks,  Lancaster,  and  Chester,  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Henry  Christ,  Jacob  Shoemaker,  James  Read, 
Daniel  Heister,  Peter  Spycker,  Jacob  Weaver,  John  Ludwig,  Benj'n 
Shott,  Chris'r  Schulfcz,  Samuel  Ely,  Jacob  Waggoner,  Dan'l  Roth- 
erwiell,  and  John  Old,  Be  appointed  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the 
County  of  Berks,  and  were  Commissioned  accordingly. 

A  Draft  in  favor  of  Gibbs  Jones  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State, 
was  issued  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  Pounds,  seventeen  Shillings  and 
six  Pence  for  Candles,  purchased  for  the  use  of  the  Council. 

Mr.  William  Stewart,  Commission  dated  October  18th,  1777,  Pe- 
ter Hoofnagle,  Esq'r,  attended  in  Council,  and  took  the  Oaths  re- 
quired by  the  Constitution  to  Qualify  him  for  the  execution  of  the 
offices  of  Register  and  Recorder  for  the  County  of  Lancaster,  and 
Received  his  Commission.  Robert  Smith  attended,  in  like  manner, 
and  took  the  Oaths  required  by  the  Constitution  to  qualify  him 
to  act  as  Sheriff  for  the  County  of  Chester,  and  received  his  Com- 
mission. 

Colo.  Antill  laid  before  the  Council  a  Resolve  of  Congress. 

A  Letter  was  written  To  Mr.  Reed,  requesting  him  to  return  and 
take  the  Qualifications. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  April  the  1st,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esquire,  Vice  President. 
John  Evans,  John  Hubley,  ") 

Jonathan  Hoge,  George  Taylor,  and    C  Esquires. 

John  Lowdan,  John  Proctor,  j 

On  motion, 
Ordered,  That  A  writ  be  issued  for  electing  a  Councellor  to  re- 
present the  County  of  Bedford  in  this  Council,  to  be  returned  on  the 
twelfth  of  May  next,  The  writ  to  be  directed  to  Thomas  Coulter, 
Cornelius  M'Cawley  and  George  Ashman,  Esq'rs,  of  that  County. 
On  motion,  agreed  That  Joseph  Redman,  Sen7r  be  appointed 
Clerk  of  the  Market  of  this  City. 
Letter  from  Mi*.  Campbell  declining  to  .take  the  Oaths. 


I 

196  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council.  Met, 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  April  2d,  1717, 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esquire,  Vice  President. 
John  Evans,  John  Lowdan,  and   ") 

George  Taylor,  John  Proctor,  5-  Esquires. 

John  Hubley,  ) 

A  representation  being  made  to  the  Counci  1  that  Mrs.  Galloway 
was  apprehensive  of  her  being  insulted  by  the  populace  on  account 
of  the  Conduct  of  her  Husband ;  Thereupon  Ordered,  That  the 
Sheriffs  and  Magistrates  of  the  County  of  Berks  exert  themselves 
for  the  preventing  any  insult  which  may  otherwise  be  offered  to 
Mrs.  Galloway,  or  injury  to  her  effects. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  William  Atlee,  Esq.,  be  appointed  one  of 
the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  this  Commonwealth. 

John  Connolly,  a  prisoner  confined  in  the  Goal  of  this  City,  be 
permitted  to  retire  to  the  Plantation  of  James  Ewing,  Esq.,  giving 
security  himself  in  Two  Thousand  Pounds,  and  Two  Freeholders 
in  One  Thousand  Pounds  each,  this  Security  being  given  for  his 
good  behaviour,  and  that  he  will  continue  within  five  Miles  of 
the  .  same,  vizt :  That  John  Connolly  do  not  either  write  to, 
speak  or  Correspond  with  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever, 
employed  by  or  under  the  Authority  of  the  King  or  Parliament 
of  Great  Britain,  nor  to  or  with  any  person  or  persons  unfriendly 
to  the  United  States  of  America,  knowing  them  to  be  such, 
nor  take  up  Arms,  or  employ  or  procure  any  other  person  or  per- 
sons to  take  up  Arms  against  the  said  States,  or  aid  or  assist  the 
Enemies  thereof  in  any  sort  whatsoever,  nor  do  or  say  any  matter 
or  thing,  directly  or  indirectly,  which  in  any  wise  is  or  may  be  in- 
jurious to  the  said  States  or  any  of  them  :  And  that  the  said  John 
Connolly  do  confine  himself  on  the  Plantation  of  the  above  named 
James  Ewing,  and  within  five  iMiles  of  the  said  Plantation,  situated 
in  the  County  of  York,  and  the  same  whereon  the  said  James  Ew- 
ing now  dwells,  and  that  he,  the  John  Connolly,  shall  be  and  appear 
before  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  Commonwealth,  when 
thereto  he  shall  be  required,  then  the  above  obligation  shall  be  void, 
cr  otherwise  remain  in  full  force  and  virtue. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.    .  197 

The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Friday  April  4th,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  ExeelFy  THO'S  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Honorable  G-eorge  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  John  Hubley,  >  E      ires 

George  Taylor,  John  Proctor,  5      4 

A  Letter  from  the  Hon'ble  John  Handcock,  Esq.,  President  of 
Congress,  enclosing  a  Letter  from  His  Excellency  General  Wash- 
ington, containing  Intelligence  from  the  Enemy  at  New  York,  was 
laid  before  the  Council. 

Ordered,  That  a  Copy  of  the  Letter  from  General  Washington 
be  immediately  sent  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Ordered,  That  Expresses  be  immediately  sent  to  Northumber- 
land and  Cumberland  Counties,  with  the  Sub-Lieutenants'  Commis- 
sions. 

The  Continental  Boar  I  of  War  laid  before  the  Council  The  ex- 
amination of  James  Molessworth,  who  was  executed  as  a  Spy. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  write  To  Richard  Tea,  Esq'r,  and 
request  his  attendance  in  Council. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  James  Reed,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Pro- 
thonatory  of  the  County  of  Berks,  and  that  he  be  Commissioned 
accordingly. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Walter  Shee  be  appointed  Collector  of 
the  duties  of  Tonnage. 

Agreed  that  a  Prothonatory  for  the  County  of  Chester  be  chosen 
by  ballot;  and  Benjamin  Jacobs  was  elected  and  appointed  Pro- 
thonatory of  the  County  of  Chester. 

Agreed  that  Jonathan  Bayard  Smith  be  appointed  Prothonatory 
of  the  City  and  County  of  Philadelphia,  and  that  he  be  Commis- 
sioned accordingly. 

Mr.  Isaac  Hazelhurst  represented  to  the  Council  that  a  Sum  of 
Money,  the  property  of  Robert  &  N.  Hyde  <fe  Company,  of  Man- 
chester, had  been  lodged  in  his  hands  by  William  Wild,  and  that 
lie  had  given  a  bond  to  the  Committee  of  Inspection  of  Philadel- 
phia, to  be  accountable  to  this  Council  for  the  said  Money,  and 
Prays  that  the  said  Bond  may  be  Cancelled. 

Colo.  Francis  Gurney,  who  was  acquainted  with  that  transaction, 
being  called  before  the  Council  and  examined,  and  there  appearing 
no  sufficient  reasons  for  detaining  the  said  Money  any  longer; 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Bond  be  delivered  up  to  Mr.  I  Hazle- 
iiurst. 


198  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Petition  of  Capt.  Blewer,  Mr.  Milton,  Mr.  Gardner  and  Doc- 
tor Phile,  were  read. 

On  motion,  Agreed  that  a  Naval  Officer  be  balloted  for ;  where- 
upon, Doctor  Frederick  Phile  was  chosen  and  appointed  Naval 
Officer  for  the  Port  of  Philadelphia. 

A  General  Commission  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Chester 
was  issued  this  day,  dated  the  31st  March,  1777,  and  the  Dedimus 
Potestatem  for  the  same  County  was  also  made  out,  dated  April 
10th,  1777. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  April  5th,  1777. 
present: 
His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  Esq'r  President. 
John  Evans,  Jonathan  Hoge,       ") 

George  Taylor,  John  Lowdan,  and    >  Esquires. 

John  Proctor,  ) 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Richard  Bache,  Esq'r,  be  added  to  the 
Board  of  War. 

Agreed  that  the  Delegates  of  this  State  apply  to  Congress  to  call 
out  the  Militia  of  Pennsylvania,  that  the  sense  of  Congress  be 
taken  on  the  Number  necessary,  and  for  how  long  time ;  And  as 
the  Militia  has  lately  been  out,  and  many  of  them  are  disgusted 
that  the  Non  Associators  of  this  State  have  not  yet  been  compell- 
ed to  contribute  any  thing  towards  the  Association,  or  in  support  of 
the  American  cause,  and  that  some  of  the  Associators  have  screened 
themselves  from  the  service  of  the  last  Campaign ;  And  they  com- 
plain very  heavily  that  the  burthen  lays  entirely  on  those  who  are 
willing  to  go  forth  :  there  is  also  great  complaints  of  some  of  the 
Militia  being  obliged  to  go  home  without  their  Pay ;  the  opinion  of 
Congress  is  desired  whether  a  Bounty  ought  not  to  be  given,  and 
how  much. 

Frederick  Phile  appeared  and  took  the  Oaths  required  by  the 
Constitution  of  this  State,  to  Qualify  him  for  the  Naval  Office ; 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  Commission  be  made  out  to  Frederick  Phile,  as 
Naval  Officer  for  the  Port  and  District  of  Philadelphia. 

Mr.  Jonathan  Bayard  Smith  acquainted  the  Council  that  the 
Representatives  of  this  State  desired  a  conference  with  the  Council, 
which  the  Council  agreed  to,  and  Mr.  Morris,  Mr.  Robberdeau,  Mr. 
Jonathan  Bayard  Smith,  Mr.  Wilson,  Mr.  Clymer,  were  intro- 
duced into  the  Council  Chamber.  They  laid  before  the  Council 
the  information  received  by  Congress  respecting  the  probability  o* 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  199 

GenT.  Howe's  intention  of  marching  across  New  Jersey  to  this  City. 

Gen'l.  Armstrong  having  resigned  by  Commission  as  Lieutenant 
of  the  County  of  Cumberland;  Thereupon, 

Agreed,  That  Ephraim  Blaine,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  and  Commis- 
sioned as  Lieutenant  of  the  said  County  of  Cumberland. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  John  Armstrong,  Esq'r,  be  appointed 
first  Brigadier  General  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  Agreed, 
That  John  Cadwallader,  Esq'r  be  appointed  second  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  Agreed,  That  James  Potter, 
Esq'r  be  appointed  Third  Brigadier  General  of  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania. Agreed,  That  Samuel  Meredith,  Esq'r,  be  appointed 
Fourth  Brigadier  General  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

Ordered,  That  the  Brigadier  Generals  be  immediately  Com- 
missioned. 

The  Board  of  War  informed  the  Council  that  the  Hundred 
Thousand  Dollars  borrowed  of  Congress,  and  put  into  their  hands, 
is  expended,  and  that  there  are  many  of  the  Troops  prevented 
from  Marching,  and  the  Recruiting  and  other  Public  Business  in- 
terrupted for  want  of  Money,  and  therefore,  they  request  a  Supply 
of  Two  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars ;  thereupon, 

Agreed,  That  the  Board  of  War  of  this  State  be  empowered  to 
apply  to  Congress  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars, 
for  the  purpose  aforesaid. 

Mr.  Hubley,  Representative  in  this  Council  for  the  County  of 
Lancaster,  presented  to  the  President  a  resignation  of  his  Seat  in 
Council;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  Writ  be  immediately  made  out  and  directed  to 
the  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  authorizing  and  command- 
ing him  to  hold  an  Election  for  the  choosing  a  Councellor  in  the 
room  of  Mr.  Hubley ;  on  motion, 

:  Agreed,  That  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Prothonotary  of 
the  County  of  Lancaster,  and  that  he  be  Commissioned  accord- 
ingly- 
Agreed,  That  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Clerk  of  the 
Orphans'  Court  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  and  that  he  be  Com- 
missioned accordingly.  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  appeared  and  took 
the  Qulifications  required  by  the  Constitution  to  Qualify  him  for 
the  said  Offices  :  he  was  Commissioned  accordingly. 

The  Navy  Board  presented  a  List  of  Officers,  whom  they  recom- 
mended to  be  Commissioned  on  Board  the  Navy,  as  follows :  Fire 
Sloop  Etna,  Capt.  William  Clerk ;  Fire  Brig  Volcano,  Lieut.  Wil- 
liam Rogers  ;  Fire  Ship  Strombulo,  Lieut.  James  McKnight ;  Ar- 
nold Battery,  1st  Lieut.  Thomas  Fell .;  Effingham,  1st  Lieut.  James 
Kirk  Patrick  ;  Thunder  Guard  Ship,  Capt.  Francis  Gilbert ;  Dragon 
Do.,  Capt  Benjamin  Thompson  ;  Lyon  Do.,  Capt.  Henry  Martin  ; 
Resolution  Do.,  Capt.  William  Lyell;  Repulse  Do.,  Capt.  John 
Harrison;  Argus  Do.,  Capt.  Nathanl.  Gait;  Viper  Do.,  Capt. 
Stephen  Beasley. 


200  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Agreed,  That  the  Officers  recommended  by  the  Navy  Board  be 
appointed  &  commissioned  accordingly. 

^  On  motion,  Agreed,  That  the  Delegates  of  this  State  in  Congress 
[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  April  7th,  1777* 

Present  His  Excell'y.  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  Presi- 
dent. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Evans,  Jonathan  Hoge,    )  r» 

John  Lowdan,  John  Proctor,        j       ^Ul 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Colo.  John  Shee  be  added  to  the  Board 
of  War. 

Messrs.  Steiner  &  Cist  laid  before  the  Board  their  Accounts  of 
Printing  Work  done,  Amounting  to  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred  and 
Twenty  Four  Pounds  nine  shillings ;  and  thereupon,  An  order 
was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  for  the  said  Sum. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Paul  Fooks,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  No- 
tary and  Tabellion  Public  for  the  English,  French  &  Spanish  Lan- 
guages, and  Interpreter  of  the  same. 

Walter  Shee  appeared  and  took  the  Oath  of  office  required  by 
the  Constitution  to  Qualify  him  for  the  Office  of  Collector  of  the 
duty  of  Tonnage. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  that  John  Creigh  be  appointed  Clerk  of  the 
Orphans'  Court  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  and  that  he  be 
Commissioned  accordingly. 

John  Connolly  having  given  Bail  for  his  good  behaviour  &  ap- 
pearance before  the  Council  when  called  upon,  was  ordered  to  be 
enlarged. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  April  8th,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  ExcelFy  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  Jonathan  Hoge,  >  -p 

John  Lowdan,  John  Proctor,     5  ^squires- 

Paul  Fooks  appeared  and  took  the  Oath  of  Office  required  by 
the  Constitution,  to  qualify  him  to  act  as  Notary  Public,  according 
to  appointment  of  this  Board. 


/ . 

SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  201 

Colo.  Coats  applied  to  Council  for  John  Norris,  (a  Son  of  William 
Norris,)  a  lad  of  fifteen  Years,  taken  with  Major  Stockton,  and 
now  in  our  Goal,  requesting  that  he  may  be  liberated,  on  the  fath- 
er's engaging  to  see  him  forth  coming  when  called  for.  Agreed 
that  he  be  liberated  accordingly. 

Mary  Taylor,  Wife  of  John  Taylor,  of  the  Township  of  Ridley, 
in  the  County  of  Chester,  complained  to  the  Council  of  a  violent 
assault,  committed  against  her  yesterday  by  Thomas  Forrest,  (for- 
merly a  Servant  of  Alexander  Kidd,)  he  presenting  at  her  a  gun, 
which  she  understands  was  loaded,  and  that  she  is  afraid  he  will  do 
her  some  bodily  hurt;  and  she  being  sworn  to  the  said  facts,  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Thomas  Forrest  be  committed  to  Goal, 
untill  he  finds  Security  to  keep  the  Peace. 

William  Dewees,  Esq'r,  late  Sheriff  of  the  City  and  County  of 
Philadelphia,  laid  before  the  Council  an  Account  of  the  Fees  due 
from  a  number  of  persons,  delivered  to  the  order  of  the  late 
Council  of  Safety. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Jacob  Plankenhorn  be  appointed  the 
Officer  for  inspecting  of  Flour  for  the  City  &  County  of  Philadel- 
phia. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  David  Rittenhouse,  Owen  Biddle, 
Joseph  Dean,  Richard  Bache  and  John  Shee,  be  appointed  and 
Commissioned  to  act  as  a  Board  of  War  for  this  State. 

Petition  of  John  Ord  praying  to  be  continued  Notary  Public, 
was  read ;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  John  Ord  be  appointed  a  Notary  Public,  and  that 
he  be  Commissioned  accordingly. 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State, 
Vizt : 

An  order  in  favor  of  Timothy  Berrett,  for  the  Sum  of  Nineteen 
Pounds  Ten  Shillings,  for  Candlesticks,  &c,  purchased  for  the  use 
of  the  Council. 

An  order  in  favor  of  Robert  Bell,  for  the  Sum  of  Nineteen 
Pounds  Ten  Shillings,  for  Books,  &ca,  purchased  for  the  use  of  the 
Council. 

An  order  in  favor  of  Michael  Boyer,  for  the  Sum  of  Ten 
Pounds  Ten  Shillings,  for  riding  several  times  as  an  express  for 
Council. 

Richard  Tea,  Esq'r,  Councellor  for  the  County  of  Berks,  sent  in 
a  Resignation  of  his  Seat;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  Writ  be  immediately,  issued  for  electing  a 
Councellor  for  the  County  of  Berks,  in  the  room  of  Richard  Tea, 
Esq'r. 

The  Petition  of  John  North  and  Caleb  North,  Two  lads  taken 
in  New  Jersey,  being  laid  before  the  Council,  and  their  case  being 
taken  into  Consideration ;  thereupon, 


202  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  on  Account  of  their  Youth  they  be  enlarged,  and 
the  Secretary  write  to  Gov'r  Livingston,  recommending  their  case 
to  his  consideration. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  a  Commission  be  given  to  William 
Atlee,  Esq'r,  to  hear  and  enquire  concerning  certain  charges  against 
Joseph  Richardson,  said  to  be  confined  in  the  Goal  of  Lancaster, 
for  certain  misdemeanor,  and  to  take  Bail  for  his  appearance  to  an- 
swer such  charge,  or  otherwise,  as  to  him  shall  seem  just. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  April  9th,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Honb.  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  Jonathan  Hoge,  £  EsQuireg 

John  Lowdan,  John  Proctor,     5 

Joseph  Reed,  Esq'r,  attended  the  Council,  and  informed  them 
that  some  conditional  engagements  to  Gen'l  Washington,  which  he 
had  entered  into  some  time  ago,  were  of  such  a  nature  that  until 
some  movements  of  the  Enemy  were  made,  and  their  designs  in 
some  measure  known,  and  for  some  other  reasons,  he  could  not  at 
present  accept  the  appointment,  but  that  he  held  himself  bound  to 
do  everything  in  his  power  for  the  Interest  of  his  Country,  and  as 
the  Council  intended  an  adjournment,  he  would  consider  farther  of 
the  matter  &  fix  his  resolution  on  this  subject,  &ca. 

The  State  Navy  Board  sent  in  a  recommendation  of  Two  Officers 
of  the  Navy,  Viz:  Brigantine  Convention,  first  Lieu't  Douglas 
Spence.     Battery  Putnam,  2d  lieu't  George  Myers. 

Agreed,  That  the  Paymaster  of  the  Pennsylvania  Fleet  be  al- 
lowed Captain's  Pay. 

Ordered,  That  Lieut.  Douglas  Spence,  and  Second  Lieut.  George 
Myers,  recommended  by  the  Navy  Board,  be  Commissioned  accord- 
ingly- 

The  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  War  laid  before  the  Council  a 
draft  by  Congress  on  John  Gibson,  Esq'r,  Auditor  General,  in  favor 
of  this  Council,  for  One  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars,  date  yester- 
day. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  made  payable  to  John  Maxwell  Nes- 
bitt,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Mr.  Clymer,  Mr.  Robberdeau,  Mr.  Smith,  and  Mr.  Wilson,  at- 
tended and  laid  before  the  Council  a  Letter  from  General  Putnam, 
dated  Yesterday,  respecting  the  motions  of  the  Enemy. 

Agreed,  That  Two  Members  of  the  Board  of  War  of  this  State 
be  requested  to  attend  the  Council. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  203 

Mr.  Dean  and  Mr.  Shee,  from  the  Board  of  War,  attended,  and 
the  Intelligence  received  from  Congress  being  communicated  to 
them ;  On  consideration, 

Agreed,  That  the  Council  will  this  Evening  confer  with  a  Com- 
mittee  of  Congress  on  the  measures  necessary  to  be  taken  on  the 
present  occasion,  and  that  Two  Gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  War, 
and  Two  from  the  Navy  Board,  be  requested  to  attend  in  the  said 
consultation. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  April  10,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

His  ExoelTy  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

John  Evans,  Jonathan  Hoge,  |  EsQU3*res 

John  Lowdan,  John  Proctor,      j      ^ 

Jacob  Morgan,  Esq'r,  having  declined  to  act  as  Lieutenant  of  the 
City  of  Philadelphia;  thereupon, 

Agreed.  That  James  Reed,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Lieutenant  of 
the  City  of  Philadelphia,  and  that  he  be  Commissioned  accord- 
ingly. 

Agreed,  That  James  Reed,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Sub-Lieutenant 
of  the  City  of  Philadelpnia,  in  the  room  of  George  Henry,  Esq'r. 

Richard  Tea,  Esq'r,  having  resigned  his  Seat  in  Council ;  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  a  writ  be  issued  to  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  of 
Berks,  requiring  him  to  hold  an  Election  for  choosing  a  Representa- 
tive of  the  said  County  in  this  Council,  and  make  return  thereof  to 
this  Council  on  the  12th  of  May  next. 

A  Letter  of  the  Eighth  instant,  from  Gcn'l  Putnam,  at  Prinee- 
town,  was  read. 

Ordered,  That  a  Copy  of  said  Letter  be  delivered  by  the  Dele- 
gates of  Pennsylvania  to  the  Executive  Council  of  the  said  State. 

The  following  Resolution  of  Congress  was  laid  before  the 
Council : 

"In  Congress,  Wednesday  April  9th,  1777. 

"  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  consider 
what  steps  are  proper  to  be  taken  by  Congress,  and  recommended 
by  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  for  opposing  the  Enemy  if  they 
should  attempt  to  penetrate  through  New  Jersey,  or  to  Attack  Phila- 
delphia; That  the  said  Committee  be  instructed  to  confer  on  these 


204  MINUTES  OF  THE 

subjects  with  the  Executive  Power  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  with  the  General  Officers  now  in  Philadelphia. 

"The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  Wilson,  Mr.  Clymer,  Mr.  Lee,  Mr. 
Clark,  and  Mr.  J.  Adams. 

"  Extracts  from  the  Minutes. 

"CHARLES  THOMPSON,  Sec'y." 
On  motion, 
Ordered,  That   the  following  Address   to  the  Public  be  imme- 
diately published  and  dispersed  :    , 

"In  Council,  Philadelphia,  April  9th,  1777. 
"  To  the  People  of  Pennsylvania : 

"  By  the  intelligence  which  the  Council  have  this  day  received 
from  General  Putnam,  the  Enemy  are  in  motion  toward  South 
Amboy,  and  it  is  probable  they  will  once  more  attempt  to  pass 
through  New  Jersey,  and  endeavour  to  gain  possession  of  Phila- 
delphia. The  Council  think  it  a  duty  which  they  owe  to  the  Pub- 
lic, to  give  them  the  earliest  intelligence  of  the  movements  of  the 
Enemy,  that  every  possible  effort  may  be  made  effectually  to  op- 
pose them,  and  prevent  the  many  great  inconveniences  and  disa- 
greeable consequences  which  must  arise  from  the  loss  of  the  City, 
consequences  which  will  effect  not  only  the  People  of  Philadelphia, 
&  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  but  also  the  whole  Continent  of 
America.  This  City  has  been  once  saved  by  the  vigorous,  manly 
efforts  of  a  few  brave  Associators,  who  generally  stept  forward  in 
the  defence  of  their  Country,  and  it  has  been  repeatedly  and  justly 
observed,  and  ought  to  be  acknowledged  as  a  signal  evidence  of  the 
favour  of  Divine  Providence,  that  the  lives  of  the  Militia,  in  every 
Battle  during  this  just  War,  has  been  remarkably  spared;  confi- 
ding, therefore,  in  the  continuance  of  his  blessing  who  is  indeed 
the  God  of  Armies,  let  every  Man  among  us  hold  himself  ready  to 
march  into  the  field  whenever  he  shall  be  called  upon  so  to  do ;  if 
the  Enemy  really  intend  to  make  an  attack  on  this  State,  no  time 
should  be  lost;  every  moment  should  be  employed  in  putting  our- 
selve  in  perfect  readiness  to  repel  them. 

u  The  inconveniencies  which  naturally  and  unavoidably  will  arise 
from  the  Militia  taking  the  field,  induseth  The  Council  to  wait  as 
long  as  may  be  consistent  with  the  Safety  of  the  State,  before  they 
call  them  to  Arms.  In  Justice  to  yourselves  and  posterity,  we  en- 
treat you  to  be  ready,  for  whenever  the  time  shall  come  wherein 
you  must  either  tamely  submit  yourselves  to  the  immediate  insults 
of  haughty  Tyrants,  whose  lust  and  avarice  will  make  a  prey  of 
every  thing  which  human  beings,  while  they  retain  their  senses, 
esteem  worth  possessing,  or  bravely  determine  to  oppose  your  ene- 
mies in  the  field.  The  notice  will  be  short.  The  call  must  and 
will  be  sudden,  and  it  is  too  probable,  may  happen  in  a  few  days. 
The  Militia  of  this  Sta*te,  it  is  feared,  cannot  be  arranged  under  the 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  205 

Law,  in  time  for  the  present  emergency.  Yet,  we  have  not  the 
least  doubt  but  that  the  same  spirit  of  Liberty  which  blazed  forth 
in  the  Winter  Campaign,  will  animate  every  virtuous  breast  to  act 
once^more  on  the  same  generous  principles,  which  in  the  depth  of 
Winter  led  you  forward  to  a  harvest  of  Glory  on  the  Hills  of 
Princetown.  The  cause  is  the  same,  and  the  Prize  we  contend  for 
far  from  losing  its  lustre,  is  become  more  valuable  to  Us,  b^  the 
price  we  have  already  paid  for  it.  Those  who  shall  go  into  the 
field  on  the  present  occasion,  will  be  considered  as  having  taken 
their  Tour  of  duty,  and  will  not  be  called  upon  again  untill  the 
Whole  Militia  of  the  State  shall  have  served  in  turn,  agreeable  to 
the  Spirit  of  the  Militia  Law.  Congress  propose  to  form  a  Camp 
near  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  to  which  the  Militia  of  Pennsylva- 
nia will,  when  called  upon,  repair.  Arms,  Tents,  and  the  necessary 
Camp  Equipage,  are  provided,  and  the  utmost  attention  will  be 
given  to  the  measures  necessary  to  make  a  Spring  Campaign  as 
agreeable  to  you  as  possible.  It  is  your  own  virtue  and  firmness, 
next  to  the  care  and  protection  of  Heaven,  that  you  must  depend 
for  your  Liberty  and  Safety,  and  a  spirited  conduct  in  the  time  of 
danger  will  fix  your  character  both  at  home  and  abroad. 

«  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President"  * 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That. James  Galbraith  be  appointed  Lieute- 
nant of  the  County  of  Cumberland  in  the  room  of  Ephraim  Blaine, 
who  declines  serving. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  in  favor  o.f 
John  Evans,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifty  Pounds  Twelve  Shillings 
ard  Six  Pence,  for  Thirty  days'  attendance,  and  Mileage  forty-five 
Miles,  at  Ten  pence  p.  Mile. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  in  favor  of 
Jonathan  Hoge,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Sixty-Eight  Pounds  Seven 
Shillings  &  Six  Pence,  in  full  for  his  attendance  as  Councellor,  and 
Mileage  one  Hundred  and  Eleven  Miles,  at  Ten  pence  p  Mile. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  in  favor  of 
John  Lowdan,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Eighty-five  Pounds  One  Shil- 
ling and  Eight  Pence,  in  full  for  his  attendance  as  Councellor,  and 
Mileage  one  Hundred  and  Seventy  Miles,  at  Ten  pence  p  Mile. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  in  favor  of 
John  Proctor.  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Ninety  Pounds,  Twelve  Shil- 
lings and  Six  Pence,  in  full  for  his  attendance  as  Councellor  for 
Sixty-Three  days,  and  Mileage  for  Two  hundred  and  Eighty-four 
Miles,  at  Ten  pence  *$  Mile. 

Mr.  Grnnning  Bedford  and  Mr.  Thomas  Nevil  having  examined 
the  Old  Goal  of  this  City,  and  reported  to  the  Council  that  con- 
siderable repairs  were  necessary ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Commissioners  to  have 
the  necessary  repairs  made  immediately. 


206  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  May  6th,  1777. 

PRESENT  I 

tfis  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

John  Evans,  Jonathan  Hoge,  j>  ™ 

JohnLowdan,  John  Proctor,     £  ^s(luires- 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  for  the  Sum 
of  Fifteen  Hundred  Pounds,  for  the  purpose  of  Paying  Substitutes 
and  purchasing  Blankets,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Lacey,  to  be  charged  to 
Colo.  Kirkbride,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Bucks. 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  May  7th,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Evans,  Jonathan  Hoge,  }  ™ 

John  Lowdan,  John  Proctor,     $  ^s(*uires- 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State,  for  the  Sum 
of  Five  Pounds,  in  favor  of  John  Contzat,  for  riding  Express  four 
days. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  May  8  th,  1777. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Evans,  Jonathan  Hoge,  >  ™ 

John  Lowdan,  John  Proctor,     5  ^S(lmres- 

James  Reed,  Esq'r,  appeared  before  His  Excellency  and  took 
the  Qualifications  required  by  the  Constitution  to  Qualify  him  to 
act  aa  Prothonotary  of  Berks  County. 

A  Commission  was  issued  to  John  Ord,  Esq'r,  as  Notary  and 
Tabellion  Public  for  this  State,  dated  April  8th,  1777. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  207 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Friday  May  9th,  1777. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

John  Evans.  Jonathan  Hoge,  >  Esquires. 

John  Lowdan,  John  Proctor,      $ 

Six  Blank  Commissions  were  sent  to  the  Navy  Board. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  May  12th,  1777. 

PRESENT  I 

His  ExcelFy  THO'S.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Evans,  Jonathan  Hoge,  £  EgQuireg 

John  Lowdan,  John  Proctor,      5 

An  order  was  this  day  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r, 
Treasurer  of  the  State,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifteen  Hundred  Pounds,  in 
favor  of  Colo.  Coates,  to  Pay  the  Militia  one  Month's  advance. 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Friday  May  16th,  1777. 


PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

John  Evans,  Jonathan  Hoge,  )  EsQuireg 

John  Lowdan,  John  Proctor,      j      4 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  for  the  Sum 
of  Three  Hundred  Pounds,  in  favor  of  Robert  L.  Hooper,  Junior, 
for  the  purpose  of  Paying  for  blankets  and  procuring  Substitutes 
in  the  County  of  Northampton,  to  be  charged  to  Colo.  Jonn  Wetzle, 
Lieutenant  of  the  said  County. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  for  the  Sum 
of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Coates,  Lieutenant  of 
the  County  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  Paying  of  Substitutes,  purchas- 
ing of  Blankets,  and  advance  of  Pay  to  the  Militia,  to  be  accounted 
for  by  him. 


208  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  May  20th,  1777. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Jonathan  Hoge,  )  EsQuireg 

John  Proctor,  I 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  May  21st,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Jonathan  Hoge,  )  ™ 

John  Proctor,  b  '\  Es1ulres' 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State,  for  the  Sum 
of  Eight  Hundred  Pounds,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Lacey,  to  be  charged 
to  Colonel  Kirkbride,  for  the  purpose  of  paying  substitutes  and  pur- 
chasing Blankets  in  Bucks  County. 

Colo.  Bull  and  Mr.  Whitehill,  a  Committee  of  the  House  of  As- 
sembly, attended  the  Council,  and  informed  them  that  the  House 
of  Assembly  were  now  met  and  ready  to  proceed  to  business. 

A  Certificate  of  the  appointment  of  Jas.  McDowell,  a  Sub-Lieu- 
tenant of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  in  the  Room  of  Rob't  McCoy, 
deceased,  was  laid  before  the  Council. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  May  22d,  1777. 
present  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  .  Jonathan  Hoge,  Esquires. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State,  in  favor  of 
Jacob  Morgan,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  Hundred  Pounds, 
to  be  charged  to  Colo.  Jacob  Morgan,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Berks,  to  be  applied  in  purchasing  of  Blankets  and  Pay- 
ing substitutes  in  the  County  of  Berks. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favor  of  Jonathan 
Hoge,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged 
to  Colo.  James  Galbraith,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Cumberland, 
to   pay  for  Blankets  and  procure  Substitutes  in  the  said  County. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  209 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Friday  May  23d,  1777. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  EyanSj  Jonathan  Hoge,  Esquires. 


The  Council  met, 

Philad'a,  Saturday  May  24th,  1777. 

present : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Evans,  Jacob  Morgan,  and  ?  ™g     . 

Jonathan  Hoge,  S 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State,  in  favor  of 
Colo.  Coats,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  applied 
to  purchase  Blankets  &  procure  Substitutes  in  the  County  of  Phila- 
delphia. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  May  29th,  1777. 

present : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Proctor,  John  Bailey,  Esquires. 

Generals  Armstrong  and  Potter  attended  in  Council. 
Generals  Armstrong  and  Potter  recommended  an  application  to 
the  Lieutenants  to  expedite  their  proportion  of  Militia  being  sent 
to  the  places  of  Destination.     President   orders  that  the  several 
Lieutenants  be  written  to  on  this  Subject. 


VOL.  XI. — 14. 


Jonathan  Hosre,  )  ™ 

John  Bailey,       £Es(*uires- 


210  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  June  2,  177' 

PRESENT  : 

His  Exceli'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Evans, 
John  Proctor, 

Mr.  John  Bailey,  Councellor  Elect  for  the  County  of  Lancaster, 
attended  in  Council,  and  took  the  Qualifications  required  by  the  con- 
stitution, to  qualify  him  for  a  Seat  in  Council;  and  thereupon  took 
his  Seat  accordingly. 

Mr.  Bayard,  the  Speaker  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Assembly, 
Colo.  Bull,  Mr.  McClean,  Colo.  Moore  and  Colo.  Coats,  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  House  of  Assembly,  attended  in  Council,  and  inform- 
ed the  Council  that  the  House  had  been  called  upon  by  Congress 
to  complete  the  Quotas  of  Troops  which  this  State  were  to  furnish 
to  the  Continental  Army,  and  requested  that  the  Council  will  furnish 
the  House  with  an  Account  of  the  Men  furnished  by  this  State  in 
consequence  of  the  requisition  of  Congress;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Board  of  War  be  requested  to  make  a  return 
to  the  Council  as  soon  as  possible,  of  the  number  of  men  furnished 
by  this  State  to  the  Continental  Army,  according  to  the  requisition 
of  Congress. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  June  3d,  1777 

PRESENT : 

His  Exceli'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Evans,  John  Bailey,    )  ™ 

Jonathan  Hoge,  John  Proctor,  \       ^ 

Colo.  Bradford  and  Captain  Bluer,  from  the  Navy  Board,  atten- 
ded and  informed  the  Council  that  the  Bridge  over  Schuylkill  was 
now  so  nearly  completed  that  Waggons  may  pass  over  it,  and  also, 
that  the  Navy  Board  are  in  want  of  Money. 

Mr.  Parker  &  Colo.  Lallor,  a  Committee  of  Assembly,  attended 
and  laid  before  the  Council  a  Memorial  of  the  Officers  of  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Regiment,  and  wherein  they  complain  that  by 
the  appointment  of  John  Bull,  Esq'r,  to  the  command  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania State  Regiment,  The  said  Memorialists  are  very  much  ag- 
grieved; And  also  the  Memorial  of  Major  Francis  McCurry,  of  the 
same  Regiment,  complaining  that  Capt.  Morrow,  an  officer  of  infe- 
rior Rank,  had  been  advanced  over  his  head. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  211 

A  Petition  of  a  number  of  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of  the 
Borough  of  Lancaster,  addressed  to  the  General  Assembly  of  Rep- 
resentatives of  the  Freemen  of  Pennsylvania,  and  to  the  Hon'ble 
the  Executive  Council  for  said  State,  setting  forth  the  great  incon- 
veniencies  which  that  Borough  labor  under,  from  the  want  of  Mag- 
istrates and  Borough  Officers,  and  praying  that  the  Honorable 
House  of  Assembly  and  Supreme  Executive  Council  will  provide 
a  remedy,  was  read. 

Mr.  Rittenhouse,  Mr.  Biddle,  Colo.  Shea,  and  Colo.  Dean,  from 
the  Board  of  War,  attended  in  Council,  and  represented  that  the 
Treasury  was  exhausted,  and  the  demands  for  it  very  large;  That 
they  are  informed  there  is  in  the  hands  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Gen- 
eral Loan  Office  near  Fifteen  Thousand  Pounds,  which  they  appre- 
hend may  be  borrowed  for  the  present  emergency,  to  be  replaced  as 
soon  as  the  Money  now  in  the  Press  is  ready  to  be  emitted.  And 
that  the  State  Battalion  and  the  Battalion  of  Artillery  are  found 
to  be  a  very  great  expence  to  the  State,  and  it  appears  to  them 
may  and  ought  to  be  put  into  Continental  Pay,  as  part  of  the 
Quota  required  of  this  State  by  Congress.  That  the  Expence  of 
the  Gun  Factory  and  the  Cannon  Foundery  established  in  this  State,, 
has  been  and  still  continues  to  be  very  great,  and  as  the  Conti- 
nent is  now  reaping  the  advantage  of  these  institutions,  the  Board 
of  War  propose  that  both  of  them  be  delivered  into  the  hands  of 
Congress. 

Ordered,  that  application  be  made  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of  As- 
sembly, requesting  the  House  will  order  the  Sum  of  Money  now  in 
the  hands  of  the  Trustees  of  the  General  Loan  Office,  be  paid  into 
the  hands  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  State,  to  serve  the  present  emer- 
gency, until  the  money  now  in  the  Press  is  ready  to  be  issued,  the 
same  to  be  replaced  as  soon  as  the  Money  appropriated  by  the  House 
for  the  Disbursements  of  Council  is  ready  to  be  issued. 

Ordered,  that  Mr.  Evans  and  Mr.  Hoge  lay  the  foregoing  Re- 
solve before  the  Hon'ble  House  this  Afternoon. 

It  appearing  that  John  Henry,  one  of  the  Magistrates  appointed 
for  the  Borough  of  Lancaster  is  dead,  and  that  Mr.  Shafner,  Mag- 
istrate elect,  declines  serving  in  that  Office  ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Michael  Hubly  and  John  Hobson  be  appointed 
Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Lancaster,  and  that  they  be 
Commissioned  accordingly.  ■ 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  in  favor  of 
Mr.  Beeks,  for  the  sum  of  Seven  Pounds  ten  Shillings,  in  full  for 
six  days  Express  riding. 

His  Excell'y  the  President  issued  a  Warrant  to  any  Constable 
to  assist  the  Lieutenant,  Sub-Lieutenant,  and  their  Officers,  in  col- 
lecting Blankets. 

The  Council  took  into  Consideration  the  returns  of  Justices  made 
by  the  Several  Districts  of  Northampton  County,  &  thereupon 
appointed  1st  Robert  Frail  ;  2d  Peter  Texell,  the  elder;  3d  Nicho- 


212  MINUTES  OF  THE 

las  Depui ;  4th  Christopher  Waggoner ;  6th  Jacob  Murray ;  (5th 
Felix  Lyn;  7th  John  Ardnt;  8th  Henry  Fullert;  9th  Thomas 
Sillyman;  10th  Thomas  Hartman  ;  11th  Benjamin  Dupui;  12th 
Samuel  Rea;  13th  William  McNair;  14th  Lewis  Straehery;  15th 
Manuel  Gonsoles ;  16th  James  Vauahan ;  17th  David  Deshler ; 
18th  Frederick  Lemboch;  19th  Matthias  Probst;  20th  Peter 
Moyer;  21st  Jacob  Horner;  22d  Daniel  Snyder;  23d  Nicholas 
Kern;  to  be  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  said  County  of  Northamp- 
ton, and  commissioned  accordingly. 

Colo.  Galbraith  having  now  made  application  for  Arms  for 
the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  now  called  into  Service ; 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  all  the  Arms  of  the  County  of  Lancaster  belong- 
ing to  the  State  be  immediately  delivered  into  the  Hands  of  Col. 
Bartram  Galbraith,  Lieutenant  of  the  same  County,  for  the  purpose 
of  Arming  the  Militia  of  that  County,  which  are  now  called  into 
Service. 

His  Excell'y  the  President  laid  before  the  Couneil  three  Strings 
of  Wampum,  which  had  been  delivered  to  him  some  time  before  by 
Thomas  Green,  a  Nominal  Indian  of  the  Nation,  requesting 
that  a  Flag  of  the  United  States  might  be  delivered  to  him,  to  take 
to  the  Chiefs  of  his  Nation,  to  be  used  by  them  for  their  security 
&  protection,  when  they  may  have  occasion  to  visit  us,  their  Breth- 
ren, And  that  His  Excell'y  had  referred  him  to  Congress  for  an 
Answer  to  his  request. 


The  Council  met. 

"Philad'a,  Wednesday  June  4th,  1777- 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Evans,  John  Bailey,    ?  E      ires 

Jonathan  Hoge,  John  Proctor.  $      4 

Robert  Levers,  Robert  Traill  and  Peter  Trexler,  Esq'r,  or  any 
one  of  them,  were  appointed  to  Qualify  the  Justices  of  the  County 
of  Northampton,  and  ordered  to  be  Commissioned  for  that  purpose 
accordingly. 

The  following  Resolve  of  Congress  was  sent  up  to  the  Council, 
Viz.  : 

"  In  Congress,  June  3d,  1777. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  War  be  directed  To  furnish  the 
Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  with  such 
Arms  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  use  of  such  of  their  Militia  as  are 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  213 

now  called  into  Service,  and  which  cannot  otherwise  be  supplied, 
the  said  State  to  be  accountable.  And,  That  it  be  strongly  recom- 
mended to  the  said  Council  to  make  use  of  the  most  effectual  means, 
that  the  Arms  so  furnished  may  be  returned  to  the  Commissary 
General  of  Military  Stores,  or  to  one  of  his  Deputies.  Extract  from 
the  Minutes. 

«  CHARLES  THOMPSON,  Sec'y." 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Continental  Board  of  War,  for  One 
hundred  and  fifty  Stand  of  Arms,  to  be  delivered  to  Colo.  William 
Coats,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  agreeable  to  the 
foregoing  Resolve  of  Congress. 

The  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  sent  to  the  Council, 
by  their  Clerk,  the  following  order,  To  Wit : 

"  Gentlemen  : 

"  By  virtue  of  a  Resolve  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Com- 
monwealth of  Pennsylvania  made  this  day,  I  hereby  order  you  to 
Pay  to  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  this  State,  the 
Sum  of  Twenty  Thousand  Pounds,  which  will  be  replaced  in  your 
hands  by  the  mode  prescribed  by  the  said  Resolve. 
"  I  am,  Gentlemen, 

"  Your  humble  Serv't, 

"JOHN  BAYARD,  Speaker. 
a  In  General  Assembly,  June  4,  1777. 

"  To  Samuel  Preston  Moore,  Amos  Strettel,  Abram  Chapman, 
Humphrey  Marshall,  and  Moses  Brihton,  Esq'rs,  Trustees  of  the 
General  Loan  Office  of  Pennsylvania." 

Colo.  Proctor  is  requested  to  deliver  the  said  order  to  Mr.  Rit- 
tenhouse, and  inform  him  that  the  Council  desire  he  will  apply  to 
the  said  Trustees  for  the  said  Money  as  soon  as  possible,  as  the 
Council  will  have  occasion  to  draw  upon  him  for  several  Sums  of 
Money  immediately. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  June  5, 1777. 
present  : 
His  ExcelPy  THOMAS  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Evans,  John  Baily,     >  ™ 

Jonathan  Hoge,  John  Proctor,  $  ^s(lmres- 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  in  favor  of 
Ool.  Joseph  Hart  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  Hundred  and  Fifty  Pounds, 


214  MINUTES  OF  THE 

to  be  charged  to  Colo.  Joseph  Kirkbride,  Lieutenant  of  tke  County 
of  Bucks,  to  be  applied  in  the  purchasing  Blankets  and  Arms,  and 
for  paying  of  Substitutes  in  said  County. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colo.  William 
Coates  for  the  Sum  of  Four  Hundred  Pounds,  to  pay  the  Militia, 
&ca,  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  for  which  he  is  to  Account. 

The  following  orders  were  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the 
State,  Viz  :  In  favor  of  Michael  Boyer,  for  riding  express,  the  Sum 
of  Eight  Pounds  Fifteen  Shillings ;  In  favor  of  Frederick  Weer, 
for  riding  Express,  the  Sum  of  Five  Pounds ;  in  favor  of  George 
Friend,  for  riding  Express,  the  Sum  of  Ten  Pounds ;  In  favor  of 
John  Bird,  for  riding  Express,  the  Sum  of  Twelve  Pounds  Ten 
Shillings  ;  In  favor  of  Robert  Irwin,  for  Wood,  part  of  which  was 
used  by  the  Assembly,  the  Sum  of  Twenty  Pounds  ;  In  favor  of 
James  Smither,  for  State  Seal,  lesser  Seal  of  the  State,  and  engra- 
ving the  same,  the  Sum  of  Eight  Pounds  ;  In  favor  of  Adam  Beek, 
for  riding  Express,  the  Sum  of  Seven  Pounds  Ten  Shillings  )  In 
favor  of  George  Gentner,  for  Riding  Express,  the  Sum  of  Twelve 
Pounds  Five  Shillings. 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Bartram 
Galbraith,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  for  the 
Sum  of  Two  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  applied  in  raising  the  Militia 
of  that  County,  and  purchasing  of  Blankets,  &ca,  for  which  he  is 
to  Account. 

On  Motion,  agreed  unanimously,  that  Brigad'r  Gen'l  John  Arm- 
strong be  appointed  a  Major  General,  and  Commissioned  accord- 
ingly. 


The  Council  Met. 


Philad'a,  Friday  June  6th,  1777. 


present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  Jonathan  Hoge,    >  E      ires 

John  Baily,  John  Proctor.       \     "4 

The  Petition  of  Walter  Hall,  Esq'r,  was  laid  before  the  Council, 
Wherein  he  complains  that  a  certain  John  Lynch,  who  is  indebted 
to  him  to  the  Amount  of  upwards  of  Five  Hundred  Pounds,  is  about 
to  depart  this  State  without  Paying  the  said  Debt,  or  giving  secu- 
rity for  the  same ;  and  as  the  courts  of  Justice  are  not  yet  open,  he 
finds  himself  under  the  necessity  of  applying  in  this  way  to  the 
Council,  in  hopes  that  some  measures  may  be  adopted  to  prevent 
the  said  Lynch  from  departing  out  of  the  State,  without  first  giving 
security  for  the  Payment  of  this  Debt,  or  otherwise  satisfy  him  for 
the  same. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.      215 

Ordered,  That  this  Petition  be  laid  before  the  Hori'ble  House  of 
Assembly,  and  that  it  be  recommended  to  their  consideration  the 
propriety  and  expediency  of  passing  a  Law  to  compel  persons  about 
to  depart  the  State  to  pay  their  Just  Debts,  or  otherwise  to  satisfy 
their  Creditors,  by  giving  security,  before  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  or 
otherwise  this  Law  to  have  force  until  the  Prothonotary's  Office  in 
each  County  in  the  State  Respectively,  shall  be  opened,  and  the 
Laws  in  these  respects  made,  have  their  force  and  effect. 

Doctor  Gardner  &  Mr  McClean,  a  Committee  of  the  Hon'ble 
House  of  G-eneral  Assembly,  attended  in  Council,  and  informed  the 
Board  that  the  House  having  received  from  them  some  intimation 
of  the  propriety  of  turning  over  the  State  Battalion,  and  the  Bat- 
talion of  Artillery,  had  taken  that  subject  into  their  consideration, 
and  were  disposed  to  attend  to  any  plan  for  this  purpose  which  the 
Council  shall  lay  before  them. 

The  Council  took  into  their  Consideration  the  returns  made  by 
several  of  the  Districts  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia  j  and  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  a  General  Commission  of  the  Peace,  &ca,  be 
made  out,  and  that  the  Names  of  the  following  Gentlemen  be  in- 
serted therein,  vizt :  Samuel  Ashmead,  George  Bryan,  James 
Young,  John  Moore,  John  Ord,  Jonathan  Paschall,  Joseph  Redman, 
Sen'r.,  Peter  Evans,  George  Henry,  Plunket  Fleeson,  Isaac  Howell, 
Benj'n  Paschall,  Seth  Qee,  Andrew  Knox,  John  Knowles,  David 
Todd,  Philip  Boehm,  Zebulon  Potts,  and  John  Richards. 

The  State  taking  into  consideration  the  State  of  the  Provincial 
Land  Force,  and  the  following  Letter  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of  As- 
sembly being  read,  was  Agreed  to,  signed  by  the  President,  and 
sent  to  the  Speaker  of  the  House,  Vizt : 

"  In  Council. 

"  Philad'a,  June  6th,  1777. 

"  The  House  taking  into  consideration  the  very  great  expence 
this  State  has  been  at,  and  which  is  likely  to  continue,  altho'  the 
utmost  economy  should  be  used  whilst  we  are  obliged  to  oppose  the 
Tyranny  of  Great  Britain,  think  it  our  Duty  to  represent  to  Your 
Hon'ble  House,  that  as  the  Troops  in  the  Pay  of  this  State  have 
been,  and  no  doubt  will  continue  to  be  of  General  Advantage  to  the 
United  States,  and  as  the  Hon'ble  Congress  has  allotted  Twelve 
Regiments  to  be  raised  by  Pennsylvania,  and  has  called  for  a  return 
of  the  Regiments,  in  order  to  know  how  far  we  are  deficient  in  the 
number  required  of  us,  it  is  our  opinion  it  will  be  prudent  to  put 
into  the  Continental  Service  and  Pay,  the  Battalion  now  called  the 
State  Battalion,  which  has  been  raised  chiefly  out  of  the  remains  of 
the  Battalion  lately  under  the  Command  of  Colo.  Miles  and  Colo. 
Atlee,  the  Regiments  of  Artillery  under  the  Command  of  Colo. 
Proctor,  and  a  Company  under  the  Command  of  Capt.  Pugh,  raised 


216  MINUTES  OF  THE 

for  guarding  the  Powder  Mills.  The  Council  of  Safety,  we  under- 
stand, were  induced  to  raise  these  troops  in  order  to  provide  for  the 
unfortunate  Officers  who  were  released  from  the  Enemy,  and  that 
the  said  Council  might  have  some  Forces  under  their  Command  for 
the  defence  of  the  State,  until  General  Washington  should  be  able 
effectually  to  oppose  the  Enemy,  which  time  we  hope,  with  the  As- 
sistance of  Providence,  is  now  come.  The  expence  that  will  attend 
the  support  of  the  Fleet  fitted  out  for  the  defence  of  the  River, 
should  we  be  obliged  to  pay  it,  that  of  sinking  the  Chevaux  de  Frize, 
and  the  incidental  expences  of  the  State,  will  be  very  heavy.  We 
therefore  recommend  to  the  Hon'ble  House  to  instruct  the  Dele- 
gates of  this  State  to  settle  this  matter  in  Congress,  in  such  a  way 
as  your  Hon'ble  House  may  judge  most  likely  to  answer  a  good 
purpose. 

"I  am,  &ca., 

"Hon'ble  JOHN  BAYARD,  Esq'r, 

"  Speaker  of  the  General  Assembly." 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  be  directed  to  write*  to  Thomas 
Taylor,  Esq'r,  Register  'and  Recorder  of  the  County  of  Chester,  to 
enquire  Whether  he  has  received  the  Papers  and  Records  belonging 
to  those  Offices,  and  to  inform  him  that  if  he  has  not,  the  Council 
expects  he  will  use  the  means  pointed  out  by  the  Law  passed  for 
such  purposes,  if  they  be  necessary,  to  gain  possession  of  them,  as  it 
is  of  great  importance  to  the  Public  that  they  be  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  proper  Officers. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  June  9th,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Baily,  Jonathan  Hoge,  >  E      ire3 

John  Proctor,  S  " 

Mrs.  Stockton,  wife  of  Major  Stockton,  applied  for  leave  to  at- 
tend her  Husband,  who  is  confined  in  Goal,  and  indisposed,  and 
leave  was  given  her  so  to  do. 

Daniel  Clymer,  Esq'r,  attended  the  Council, -And  laid  before  them 
some  reasons  tending  to  prove  that  Joseph  Richardson,  now  confined 
in  Lancaster  Goal  on  a  charge  of  counterfeiting,  &ca,  ought  to  be 
admitted  to  Bail,  which  he  is  ready  to  give.  The  Council  agreed 
to  take  the  matter  into  their  consideration,  and  inform  Mr.  Clymer 
of  their  determination. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.      217 

The  petition  of  James  Claypoole,  praying  to  be  appointed  Sheriff 
of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  the  Sheriff  elect  having  declined  to 
act,  was  presented  and  read,  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  Table. 

Benjamin  Fell,  Coroner  elect  for  the  County  of  Bucks,  appeared 
in  Council,  and  was  Qualified  according  to  the  direction  of  the  Con- 
stitution, and  ordered  to  be  Commissioned  accordingly. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a.,  Tuesday  June  10th,  1777. 

present : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r.,  Vice  President. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  John  Proctor, ")  ™ 

t  r>    *i  e  r  -EiSGUireS. 

J  no.  Bailey,  &  ) 

Joseph  Kirkbride,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Bucks, 
applied  for  money  to  pay  substitutes,  purchase  Blankets,  &ca.,  in 
the  County  of  Bucks ;  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State,  in  favor  of 
Colo.  Kirkbride,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  and  Five  Hundred 
Pounds,  for  the  aforesaid  purpose. 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Continental  Board  of  War,  for 
Fifty  Stand  of  Arms,  to  be  delivered  to  Colonel  Joseph  Kirk- 
bride. 

Captain  Blewer  and  Paul  Coxe,  from  the  Board  of  War  of  this 
State,  applied  in  the  name  of  the  said  Board  for  a  Sum  of  Money 
for  the  Payment  of  the  Navy  ;  whereupon. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  in  favor  of 
the  Chairman  of  the  Navy  Board,  to  be  accounted  for  by  that  Board 
to  John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq'r. 

Mr.  James  McLean  and  Dr.  Gardner,  a  Committee  of  General 
Assembly,  attended  in  Council  and  laid  before  them  the  following 
Minutes  of  General  Assembly,  Viz  : 

"In  General  Assembly,  Monday  June  9th,  1777. 
"  On  motion, 
"  Resolved,  That  Mr.  Parker  and  Mr.  McClean  be  a  Committee  to 
wait  on  His  Excell'y  the  President  and  Executive  Council  j  that 
this  House  is  in  hopes  to  get  through  the  business  now  before  them 
by  the  end  of  this  Week;  That  before  the  House  adjourns,  they 
are  desirous  of  confering  with  them  upon  the  State  of  Public  Af- 
fairs of  this  Commonwealth,  and  if  the  Council  concurs  with  the 
House  in  their  opinion  of  the  expediency  of  such  a  conference,  de- 


218  MINUTES  OF  THE 

sire  they  would  fix  a  proper  time  for  it,  and  give  notice  thereof  to 
the  House." 

The  said  Committee  of  Assembly  also  laid  before  the  Council  a 
plan  of  removing  the  Citizens  with  their  effects  out  of  the  City,  and 
requested  the  opinion  and  advice  of  Council ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Henry  be  requested  to  attend  the  Board  this 
Afternoon,  Three  O'clock,  to  inform  the  Council  of  the  State  of  the 
Militia  of  the  City. 

The  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  laid  before  the  Council  the 
Minutes  of  the  House  of  the  6th  instant,  and  of  this  day,  by  which 
it  appears  that  Will'm  Henry  is  appointed  Lieutenant  of  the  City 
of  Philadelphia,  and  Ephraim  Bonham  and  William  Simple  are  ap- 
pointed Sub  Lieutenants  of  the  said  City. 

Ordered,  That  they  be  Commissioned  acccordingly,  their 
Commissions  to  bear  date  on  the  day  of  their  respective  ap- 
pointments. 

Ordered,  That  a  dedimus  be  made  out,  authorizing  and  em- 
powering James  Young  and  Seth  Quee,  Esq'r,  to  administer  to 
such  Officers  as  have  been  or  may  be  Commissioned  by  this  Coun- 
cil, the  Oaths  of  Affirmation  required  by  the  Constitution  of  this 
Commonwealth  to  Qualify  them  to  perform  their  Offices  respec- 
tively. 

Application  being  made  by  the  Board  of  War  of  this  State  for  a 
Sum  of  Money  put  into  the  hands  of  their  Commissary,  and  for 
other  purposes,  An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurers  of  the  State 
in  favor  of  the  Chairman  of  the  said  Board  of  War,  for  the  Sum  of 
Two  Thousand  Pounds. 

Colo.  Morgan,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Berks,  attended  the 
Council,  and  requested  to  be  furnished  with  One  hundred  and  Fifty 
Stand  of  Arms ;  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Continental  Board  of  War  for  One 
hundred  and  fifty  Stand  of  Arms,  to  be  delivered  to  Jacob  Morgan, 
Esq'r.  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Berks,  and  also  One  Thousand 
Five  Hundred  Flints. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  in  favor  of 
the  aforesaid  Colo.  Morgan,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds. 

The  Council  having  taken  into  consideration  the  returns  of  Jus- 
tices from  the  several  Districts  of  the  County  of  Northumberland, 
Agreed,  That  the  following  Gentlemen  be  Commissioned  as  Justi- 
ces in  the  said  County,  Viz  :  Samuel  Hunter,  Thomas  Hewitt, 
Robert  Crawford,  John  Weitzel,  Robert  Martin,  Michael  Troy, 
John  Livingston,  Samuel  Allen,  John  Aurand,  William  Shaw. 

Ordered,  That  Samuel  Hunter  and  Tho's  Hewitt  be  Commis- 
sioned to  administer  to  the  Justices  of  the  County  of  Northum- 
berland, the  Oaths  or  affirmations  required  to  be  taken  by  them  by 
the  Constitution  of  this  Commonwealth. 

The  Townships  of  Bald  Eagle  and  Munsey  not  having  made- 
their  returns  according  to  Law,  Justices  for  these  Townships  not  to 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  219 

be  appointed  until  legal  Elections  are  held, and  returns  made  for 
these  Townships;  of  which  the  Secretary  is  desired  to  acquaint  the 
Representatives  of  the  County  of  Northumberland. 

Mr.  Egar  and  Mr.  Dunwiddee  informed  the  Council  that  Charles 
Lukens,  Sheriff  elect  of  the  County  of  York,  declines  serving  in  that 
Office. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  returns  of  Justices 
elected  in  York  County,  and  Agreed,  That  the  following  gentlemen 
be  appointed  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  York,  and 
Commissioned  accordingly,  Viz :  David  McCannaughy,  Richard  Mc- 
Allister, William  McClean,  William  Scott,  William  Leas,  David 
Jameson,  Josiah  Scott,  William  Smith,  Sam'l  Ewin,  David  Wat- 
son* John  Chamberlin,  Andrew  Thompson,  John  Hinkle,  John  Har- 
bach,  Robert  Stephenson,  Archib'd  McClean,  James  Nailor,  Thomas 
Douglas,  Dan'l  Messerly,  Benja.  Pedan,  Joseph  Reed,  Thomas 
Fisher,  John  Mickle,  jun'r. 

Ordered,  That  Archibald  McClean,  David  McCannaughy,  and 
William  Scott,  be  appointed  and  Commissioned  to  administer  to  the 
Justices,  &ca,  of  the  County  of  York,  the  Oaths  or  Affirmations 
required  to  be  taken  by  the  Constitution  of  this  Commonwealth. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  June  11th,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  ") 

Jonathan  Hoge,      v  Esquires. 
John  Proctor,        J 

Colo.  William  Henry  attended  the  Council,  &  he  was  requested 
to  Summon  the  Sub-Lieutenants  and  direct  them  to  exert  them- 
selvesto  Arrange  the  Militia  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  and  hold 
them  in  readiness,  effectually  to  oppose  the  enemy  on  the  shortest 
notice. 

The  Speaker  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  having 
informed  His  Excell'y  the  President,  that  the  House  desired  a  Con- 
ference with  the  Council,  And  his  Excellency  now  laying  the  same 
before  the  Board,  Agreed,  That  the  Council  will  meet  the  House  in 
conference  this  Afternoon  at  3  O'Clock. 

Benja.  Brannon,  Esq'r,  Sub-Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Ches- 
ter, informing  the  Council  that  there  were  several  Companies  of 
Artillery  Men  formed  in  that  County,  and  requested  that  they  may 
be  furnished  with  a  Piece  of  Artillery  proper  for  exercising  the 


220  MINUTES  OF   THE 

Men,  and  also  a  few  Pounds  of  Powder  for  practising  the  Firings 
with; 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Sam'l  Mifflin  be  requested  to  deliver  to 
Colo.  Brannon  a  proper  Piece  of  Artillery  for  exercising  a  Company, 
and  Twelve  Pounds  of  Powder. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  James  Young,  John  Ord,  Plunket  Flee- 
son,  Isaac  Howell,  and  Philip  Boehm,  be  appointed  Judges  of  the 
City  Court,  and  Commissioned  Accordingly. 

On  Motion,  Agreed,  That  John  Haley,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Clerk 
of  the  said  Court  and  Commissioned  Accordingly. 

The  Council  being  informed  of  a  Dissatisfaction  among  some  of 
the  People,  at  the  present  frame  of  Government,  Agreed  that  the 
following  representation  bo  made  to  the  General  Assembly,  to  wit : 

"  To  the  Hon 'lie  the  Representatives  of  the  Freemen  of  the  Common- 
wealth  of  Pennsylvania  in  General  Assembly  met: 

"  The  Supreme  Executive   Council  of  the  said  Commonwealth  beg 
leave  to  represent : 

14  That  they  are  sorry  to  find  the  present  Constitution  of  this  State 
so  dissatisfactory  to  any  of  the  well  affected  Inhabit  aits  thereof, 
and  would  gladly  concur  in  any  suitable  and  safe  measure  for  the 
removal  of  this  uneasiness;  That  they  are  of  opinion  this  might  be 
greatly  attained  by  taking  the  sence  of  the  Majority  of  the  Elec- 
tors throughout  the  Counties  on  the  important  Question,  whether 
a  Convention  be  holden  at  some  proper  time  to  reconsider  the  frame 
of  Government  formed  by  the  late  Convention  ?  That  to  fix  the 
exact  mode  of  obtaining  the  mind  of  the  Majority  on  this  subject, 
most  properly  belongs  to  their  Representatives ;  That  the  Council 
hope  that  if  some  suitable  mode  of  advising  &  getting  the  People 
at  large  to  declare  themselves,  and  if  this  were  advised  and  pub- 
lished at  this  time,  great  ease  and  relief  would  be  thereby  given  to 
some  persons  who  are  dissatisfied  as  aforesaid ;  and  that  unanimity 
in  the  common  cause,  so  necessary  at  this  time,  will  be  promoted. 

"  13y  Order  of  Council. 

"THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun.,  President. 

"  Council  Chamber,  Philad'a  June  11th,  1777." 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hoge  deliver  the  same  to  the  Speaker  of  the 
Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly. 

The  Council  took  into  Consideration  the  returns  of  Justices  for 
the  County  of  Westmoreland,  and  Agreed  to  appoint  the  following 
Gentlemen  for  Justices  of  the  said  County,  Viz :  Edward  Cook, 
John  Guthrey,  Charles  Forman,  John  More,  James  Marshall, 
Christ'n  Trubv,  Philip  Rogers,  Joseph  Huston,  Robt  Adams,  James 
Bair,  Hugh  Martin,  Jas.  McGarraugh,  John  Beard,  Andrew  Robb, 
Robt,  Richy. 

Ordered,  That  they  be  Commissioned  accordingly. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  221 

Ordered,  That  a  Dedimus  potestatum  be  issued  to  Archibald 
Locky,  Edward  Cook,  and  John  More,  of  the  County  of  Westmore- 
land, to  administer  to  the  Justices  of  the  said  County  the  Oaths  or 
Affirmations  required  to  be  taken  by  them  by  the  Constitution  of 
this  Commonwealth. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  the  Prothonotaries  of  the  several  Coun- 
ties be  appointed  and  Commissioned  to  be  Judges  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas  in  their  respective  Counties. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  June  12th,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  Jun.,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'bie  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Baily,  "J 

Jonathan  Hoge,  and  l>  Esquires. 
John  Proctor,  J 

Colo.  Morgan,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Berks,  applied  for 
One  hundred  and  fifty  Knapsacks,  Two  hundred  and  fifty  Canteens, 
One  hundred  and  fifty  Cartouch  Boxes,  for  the  Militia  of  Berks 
County,  and  an  order  was  drawn  en  the  Continental  Board  of  War 
for  the  same,  to  be  delivered  to  him  or  his  order. 

Application  being  made  by  the  Board  of  War  and  the  Navy 
Board,  for  a  sum  of  Money  to  each  of  them  ;  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  in  favor  of 
the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  War,  (or  his  order,)  for  the  sum  of 
Two  Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  that  Board  is  to  Account. 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  in  favor 
of  the  Chairman  of  the  Navy  Board,  (or  his  order,)  for  the  Sum 
of  Two  Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  that  Board  is  to  account. 

William  Lyons,  Esq'r,  Prothonotary  of  the  County  of  Cumber- 
land, appeared  in  Council,  and  took  the  Oaths  required  by  the 
Constitution  to  qualify  him  for  that  Office. 

Colo.  Coats  having  applied  for  a  Sum  of  Money  to  Pay  Substi- 
tutes, and  purchase  Blankets,  &c. ;  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  in  favor  of 
Colo.  William  Coats,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  Hundred  and  fifty  Pounds, 
Towards  raising  the  Militia  of  this  County,  and  for  which  he  is  to 
be  accountable. 


222  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Friday  June  13th,  1777, 


present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun.,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'blc  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Baily,  ~) 

John  Proctor,      I  Esquires. 
Jonathan  Hoge,  J 
Lewis  Nicola,  Town  Major,  in  the  Name  of  General  Mifflin,  re- 
quested an  order  to  the  Constables  of  different  townships  to  fur- 
nish, for  the  present,  One  hundred  Waggons,  and  expressed  that 
the  General  thinks  Two  hundred  will  be  necessary. 

[For  the  order  of  Council  on  this  request,  See  Minutes  of  June 
14th.] 

Agreed,  That  James  Claypoole  be  appointed  She&iff  of  the 
County  of  Philadelphia. 

On  motion,  agreed,  That  Will'm  Kelly  be  appointed  Sheriff  of 
the  County  of  Lancaster. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  June  14th,  1777. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun.,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  John  Proctor,  ?  ™ 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  S 

A  Circular  Letter  to  the  Lieutenants  of  the  Counties  of  Chester, 
Lancaster,  and  York,  Philadelphia,  Bucks,  Cumberland,  Berks, 
and  Northampton,  was  this  day  written,  to  forward  the  first  Class 
of  the  Militia  immediately,  and  to  hold  the  second  Class  in  readi- 
ness to  march  at  the  shortest  notice.  In  the  several  Letters  now 
written  to  the  Lieu'ts,  the  Sum  of  Money  sent  as  mentioned. 

Au  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  in  favor  of 
Colo.  Robert  Smith,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Chester,  for  the 
Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John 
Weitzel,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Northampton,  for  the 
Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  in  favor  of 
the  Secretary,  for  the  Sum  of  Oae  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  by  him 


I 

SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  223 

forwarded  to  Rich'd  McCallister,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  County 
of  York,  and  the  same  was  ordered  to  be  charged  to  the  said  Rich- 
ard McAllister. 

Gen  Mifflin  having,  by  the  Town  Major,  requested  that  One 
hundred  Waggons  be  immediately  furnished  by  the  State, 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieutenants  of  the  Counties  of  Philadelphia, 
Chester,  &  Berks,  be  desired  to  send,  Viz.  :  Philadelphia,  Thirty 
Waggons,  Chester,  Forty  Do.,  Berks,  Thirty  Do. 

The  Council  taking  into  their  consideration  the  appointing  of 
Burgesses,  Assistants,  and  other  Officers,  for  the  Borough  of  Lan- 
caster, Agreed  that  William  Bausman  &  Casper  Shaffner  be  appoint- 
ed Burgesses,  and  that  William  Bausman  shall  be  called  Chief 
Burgess  within  the  said  Borough ;  and  Paul  Zantzinger,  Christ'r 
Crawford,  Matthias  Graaf,  Will'm  Ross,  Adam  Reigart,  &  Ludowick 
Stone,  Assistants;  Peter  Rowhigh,  Constable,  &  Peter  Shaffner, 
town  Clerk,  of  the  said  Borough  of  Lancaster. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  June  15,  1777. 
present  : 
HisExcell'y  THOS  WHARTON,  Jan.,  Esq'r,  President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President, 
Jonathan  Hose,  and  )  ™ 
JohnProctorf  £%??•* 

Order  on  the  Contenental  Board  of  War  to  Capt.  Dougherty,  for 
Thirty-five  stand  of  Arms  &  accoutrements,  for  a  Company  of 
Volunteers,  who  propose  to  turn  out  with  two  Pieces  of  Cannon. 

His  Excell'y  reports  that  the  President  of  Congress  had  delivered 
to  him  an  order  on  the  Continental  Board  of  War  for  One  thousand 
stand  of  Arms,  and  that  he  had  endorsed  the  same  to  Capt.  John 
Campbell,  of  the  City  Guards. 

Capt.  Moulder  applied  for  Sixty  belts,  Sixty  Knapsacks,  Sixty 
Cartridge  boxes,  &  Sixty  Canteens,  and  an  order  was  drawn  on 
the  Board  of  War  of  this  State  for  the  same. 

A  Company  of  Artillery  offering  their  service  to  the  Public,  and 
the  Officers  of  it  requesting  to  be  Commissioned;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  following  Gentlemen  be  Commissioned  as 
Officers  of  the  said  Company,  Viz. :  Henry  Daugherty,  Capt. ;  Win- 
gate  Newman,  Capt.;  Lieu't  James  Craig,  1st  Lieu't;  Alex'd 
Henderson,  2d  Lieu't;  Will'm  Greenway,  Lieut's  fire-worker. 

The  following  resolution  of  Congress  was  before  the  Board,  and 
read,  Viz. : 


224  MINUTES  OF  THE 

"In  Congress  Assembled,  Saturday  14th  June,  1777. 

"  Resolved,  That  Maj'r  Gen'l  Arnold  be  authorized  to  take  upon 
him  the  Command  of  all  the  Militia  now  at  Bristol,  and  in  every 
other  part  of  the  River  to  the  Eastward  of  Philadelphia,  which  have 
been  called  forth  into  service  by  a  requisition  of  the  24th  Day  of 
April  last,  &  that  he  be  authorized  to  dispose  of  himself  &  the  Troops 
under  his  Command,  in  such  a  manner  as  he  shall  Deem  best 
adapted  to  promote  the  Public  Service." 

Ordered,  That  a  Copy  of  the  foregoing  resolution  be  sent  to  the 
President  and  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania for  their  concurrence. 

On  motion, 

Ordered,  That  the  2d  Class  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of 
Philadelphia,  Chester,  Bucks,  Lancaster,  York,  Cumberland,  Berks, 
&  Northampton,  be  Ordered  to  march  to  the  places  to  which  the 
first  Class  of  the  said  Counties  respectively  are  ordered;  and  that 
the  third  Class  be  got  in  readiness  to  march,  and  also  that  the  1st 
and  2d  Class  of  the  City  Militia  be  ordered  to  march  for  Bristol,  & 
that  the  3d  Class  hold  themselves  in  Readiness  to  march  at  the 
shortest  warning. 
On  motion. 

Resolved,  That  the  1st  class  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of 
Northumberland,  be  ordered  to  march  to  Bristol,  and  that  the  2d 
be  got  in  readiness  to  march  at  the  shortest  notice.  As  the  great 
demand  for  money  has  drained  our  Treasury,  and  a  Considerable 
Sum  is  immediately  wanted  for  paying  of  substitutes  and  other 
purposes,  necessary  to  get  the  Militia  ready  for  the  field,  and  the 
Money  ordered  to  be  struck  by  the  General  Assembly  cannot  be 
signed  in  time;  thereupon, 

Resolved,  That  Application  be  made  to  Congress  to  lend  the 
Council  the  Sum  of  Fifty  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  repaid  in  a  few 
days,  so  as  that  it  may  not  pass  to  the  General  Account  of  the 
State. 

The  Secretary  laid  before  the  Council  a  Letter  which  he  this  Day 
received  from  John  Kidd,  Esq'r,  dated  the  31st  May,  wherein  he 
expressed  that  he  is  obliged  to  decline  the  honor  of  becoming  one 
of  the  Executive  Council,  on  account  of  his  state  of  health. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  225 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  June  17th,  1777. 
present : 
His  ExcelPy  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun.,  Esq'r,  President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  John  Proctor,  ~)  -™ 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  j 

On  motion, 

Agreed,  That  Colo.  Bull  be  appointed  Adjutant  Gen'l  of  the 
Militia  of  this  State. 

On  Motion,  agreed,  That  Colo.  Walter  Stewart  be  appointed  Colo, 
t>f  the  State  Regiment  in  the  room  of  Colo.  Bull,  who  is  promoted 
to  be  Adjutant  General. 

One  of  the  Delegates  of  this  State  in  Congress,  informed  the 
Council  that  Congress  had  ordered  twenty  Copies  of  their  minutes 
to  be  Delivered  to  this  State. 

Ordered,  That  the^ecretary  apply  for  the  said  minutes,  retain, 
them  in  his  hands,  to  be  disposed  of  as  the  Council  shall  direct. 

Capt.  Montgomery  attended  the  Council  with  a  Message  from 
Gen'l  Mifflin,  informing  the  Council  that  Gen'l  Sullivan  had  or- 
dered the  Militia  collected  at  Coryel's  Ferry  to  march  forward  to- 
ward the  Enemy  in  New  Jersey,  and  that  is,  therefore,  necessary  to 
send  a  number  of  the  militia  to  occupy  that  Post,  which  is  now 
entirely  vacant. 

Jonath'n  Bayard  Smith,  Esq'r,  sent  in  by  the  Secretary,  a  draft 
of  Congress5  signed  by  the  Speaker,  on  John  Gibson,  Esq'r,  Au- 
ditor General,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifty  Thousand  Dollars,  payable  to 
the  Hon'ble  The  President  &  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania,  or  their  order,  it  being  advanced  to  said 
State,  for  which  it  is  to  be  accountable. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  made  payable  to  Dav'd  Rittenhouse? 
Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  the  State. 

Ordered,  That  a  Draft  be  made  out  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,, 
Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in  favor  of  John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  Trea- 
surer of  the  Board  of  War,  for  the  Sum  of  Twenty  Thousand 
Dollars,  for  which  sum  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favor  of  Lewis 
Granow,  Esq'r,  Sub-Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Chester,  for  the 
Sum  of  Four  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  Robert  Smith, 
Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  said  County,  for  the  purpose  of  procu- 
ring Substitutes,  Blankets,  &c. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favour  of  Will' m  Henry,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  City  of  Phik- 

n  ™ 


226  MINUTES  OF  THE 

delphia,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  thousand  Dollars,  for  the  purpose  of 
providing  Substitutes. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  case  of  Jos.  Richard- 
son, now  confined  in  the  Gaol  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  where 
he  has  been  for  near  Four  Months,  on  a  charge  of  Counterfeiting 
and  uttering  the  Bills  of  Credit  of  New  Jersey,  &ca,  &  no  applica- 
tion having  been  made  to  this  State  respecting  him ;  thereupon, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Jos.  Richardson  be  enlarged,  on  giving 
reasonable  bail  for  his  appearance,  &ca,  to  answer  the  said  charge. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Continental  Board  of  War  for  One 
Thousand  stand  of  Arms,  to  be  delivered  to  Colo.  Bull,  Adjutant 
General  of  the  State. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  June  18th,  1777 

present : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice-President. 

John  Evans,  John  Proctor,  /  .-, 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  '^squ.rea. 

Application  being  made  by  Wrm.  Coats,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of 
the  County  of  Philadelphia,  for  a  further  Sum  of  money ;  there- 
upon, 

An  order  was  drawn  in  his  favor  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r, 
Treasurer,  for  the  Sum  of  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  applied  in  pro- 
curing Substitutes,  and  purchasing  Blankets,  &ca. 

A  letter  from  Rich'd  Peters,  Esq'r,  Secretary  to  the  Continental 
Board  of  War,  enclosing  the  following  Resolves  of  Congress  of  the 
1st  April,  was  presented  by  his  Excell'y,  the  President  of  the  Board, 
and  read,  viz  : 

"By  the  United  States  in  Congress  assembled. 

"  April  1st,  1777. 

"  Resolved j  That  no  Officer  already  appointed,  or  to  be  hereafter 
.appointed,  in  the  Array  of  the  United   States,  shall  take  rank  by . 
virtue  of  a  Commission  antedated,  but  Rank  shall  be  determined 
by  the  time  of  appointment,  unless  otherwise  directed  by  special 
resolution  of  Congress. 

14  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Legislatures,  and  in 
their  recess  to  the  Executive  Powers  of  the  respective  States,  that 
they  forthwith  transmit  to  the  Board  of  War  exact  lists  of  all  offi- 
cers appointed  by  them  in  the  Continental  Army,  with  the  date  of 
their  Commissions,  and  time  of  appointment." 


■' 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL,  227 

Ordered,  That  a  Copy  of  said  Resolves  &  Letter  be  transmitted 
to  the  Board  of  War,  and  that  the  said  Board  be  requested  to  furnish 
this  Council  with  the  List  of  Officers  appointed  by  tnis  State,  with 
the  times  of  their  appointment,  and  the  dates  of  their  Commissions, 
and  an  account  of  all  Monies  expended  on  account  of  Prisoners  of 
War. 

The  following  Resolve  of  the  General  Assembly  being  laid  before 
the  Council  was  read,  viz. : 

"  In  General  Assembly,  Tuesday  June  10th,  1777. 

"  General  MifHin  desired  leave  to  be  introduced  into  the  House; 
which  being  done,  he  informed  that  he  had  it  in  charge  from  His 
ExcelPy  Gen^l  Washington,  to  Assure  them  that  it  was  his  firm 
opinion  that  the  Enemys  Army  meditated  a  sudden  &  immediate 
attack  upon  some  part  of  this  State,  and  that  he,  therefore,  ear- 
nestly requested  that  the  Militia  of  this  State,  and  particularly  of 
this  City  and  its  neighbourhood,  might  be  ordered  to  hold  them- 
selves in  readiness  to  march  at  a  moment's  warning  to  such  parts  as 
may  be  necessary,"     It  was  thereupon, 

Ordered,  that  Dr.  Gardner  &  Mr.  M'Clean,  be  a  Committee  to 
wait  on  the  President  and  Council,  and  inform  them  of  the  said 
intelligence,  and  request  them,  in  the  name  of  this  House,  to  take 
the  most  speedy  k  effectual  measures  to  answer  the  purposes  of  His 
ExcelPy  the  General's  message,  &  to  frustrate  the  hostile  intentions 
of  the  Enemy  ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  Copy  of  the  said  Resolve  be  delivered  to  the 
Delegates  of  this  State  in  Congress,  and  that  they  be  requested  to 
transact  this  business  with  Congress  in  the  way  they  shall  think 
most  proper. 

Ordered,  That  application  be  made  to  the  Board  of  War  for  an 
estimate  of  the  Expences  of  levying  &  clothing  the  State  Battalion 
now  commanded  fey  Colo.  Stewart,  The  Regiment  of  Artillery  corn- 
man  ded  by  Colo.  Proctor,  and  the  Company  under  Capt.  Pugh, 
with  the  state  of  the  said  Battalions  &  Company. 

Colo.  Kirkbrido  applied  for  a  further  Sum  of  Money  to  procure 
Substitutes  in  the  room  of  such  of  the  Militia  as  refuse  or  neglect 
to  go  into  service  ;  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  m 
favor  of  Colo.  Kirkbride,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand  Dollars, 
for  the  purpose  of  procuring  Substitutes,  &ca. 


228  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  June  19,  1777. 
present : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Evans,  John  Proctor,  >  ™ 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  S 

His  Excell'y  the  President  laid  before  the  Council  a  Letter  from 
Gen'l  Arnold,  dated  18  June,  1777,  enclosing  Copy  of  a  Letter 
irom  his  Excell'y  Gen*l  Washington,  relative  to  fortifying  Delaware 
River. 

James  young,  Esq'r,  attended  in  Council,  &  took  the  Oath  re- 
quired by  the  Constitution  to  Qualify  him  to  act  as  a  Justice  for 
the  City  &  County  of  Philadelphia. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Board  of  War  of  this  State  in  favor 
of  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  City,  for  as  many 
Knapsacks,  Canteens,  &ca.,  as  he  may  call  for. 

Mr.  Parker,  a  member  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assem- 
bly, laid  before  the  Council  the  following  Resolve  of  the  Hon'ble 
House,  viz : 

"In  General  Assembly,  Thursday  June  19,  1777. 

"  On  motion, 
"Resolved,  That  the  President  and  Council  be  Authorized  k  impow- 
ered  to  borrow  from  the  Congress  any  sum  of  Money  not  exceeding 
One  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars,  to  answer  the  immediate  exigen- 
cies of  the  State,  and  to  be  repaid  in  a  very  short  time,  out  of  the 
moneys  now  issuing  by  virtue  of  the  Two  Hundred  Thousand 
Pounds  Act  enacted  at  the  last  sitting  of  this  House. 
"  Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

"JOHN  MORRIS,  jun'r, 

"  Cl'k  of  General  Assembly/' 

On  motion,  agreed,  That  a  Copy  of  the  Resolve  of  General  As- 
sembly, empowering  this  Council  to  borrow  of  Congress  the  Sum 
of  One  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars,  be  delivered  to  the  Delegates 
of  this  State  in  Congress,  and  the  President  is  desired  to  write 
to  the  Hon'ble  John  Hancock,  Esq'r,  President  of  Congress,  re- 
questing that  Congress  will  lend  to  this  State  the  Sum  of  Fifty 
Thousand  Dollars,  in  addition  to  the  like  Sum  already  borrowed 
of  them,  to  serve  the  present  emergency. 

Mr.  Proctor  reports  that  Rob't  Levers,  Esq'r,  appeared  before 
him  some  time  ago,  and  took  the  Oaths  required  by  the  Constitu- 
tion to  qualify  him  to  act  as  Prothonotary  of  the  County  of  North- 
ampton, and  Qualify  the  Magistrates  of  that  County, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  229 

The  Representatives  of  the  Freemen  of  the  County  of  York 
having  informed  the  Council  that  Chas.  Lukens  had  declined  to 
accept  the  Sheriff's  office  for  that  County;  thereupon, 

Agreed,  That  Will'm  Roan  be  appointed  Sheriff  of  the  County 
of  York,  and  that  he  be  commissioned  accordingly. 

The  Council  again  resuming  the  consideration  of  the  appoint- 
ment of  Justices  for  the  County  of  Cumberland,  that  the  follow- 
owiag  Gentlemen  be  the  Justices  of  the  said  County,  and  that  a 
Commission  be  made  out  accordingly,  to  wit: — 1,  John  Rannels  ; 
2,  James  Maxwell ;  3,  James  Oliver  ;  4,  John  Holmes  ;  5,  John 
Agnew  ;  6,  John  McClay;  7,  Sani'l  Lyon;  8,  Will'm  Brown ;  9, 
John  Haines;  10,  Sam'l  Royer;  11,  John  Anderson;  12,  John 
Creigh;  13,  Hugh  Laird;  14,  And'w  McBeath;  15, Tho's Kennedy; 
16,  Alexa.  Laughlin  ;  17,  Sam'l  McClune  ;  18,  Pat'k  Vance ;  19, 
Geo.  Matthews;  20,  Will'm  McClure;  21,  Sam.  Culbertson ; 
22,  James  Armstrong;  23,  John  Work;  24,  John  Trendle;  25, 
Stephen  Duncan;  26,  Ephraim  Steele;  27,  W'm  Brown,  (Car- 
lisle); 28,  Rtfb't  Peoples;  29,  Henry  Taylor;  30,  Jas.  Taylor; 
31,  Charles  Leiper;  32,  John  Scouler;  33,  Matt'w  Wilson;  34; 
David  McClure. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Friday  June  20,  1777. 

PRESENT  I  f 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Evans,  "J 

Jonathan  Hoge,  and  I  Esquires, 
John  Proctor,  J 

The  great  inconveniences  arising  from  the  Waggoners  bringing 
their  Waggons  into  the  State  House  Yard,  &  the  noise  of  the  Drumsr 
which  greatly  incommodes,  not  only  the  Council,  but  also  the  Con- 
gress and  General  Assembly,  whenever  the  Companies  or  Battal- 
ions exercise  or  Parade  in  the  Yard,  &  having  been  observed  by 
the  Council  with  great  concern ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  no  Drums  be  admitted  into  the  State  House  Yard7 
&  that  the  Waggoners  be  forbid  to  bring  their  Waggons  into  the 
State  House  Yard  without  permission  so  to  do. 

Robert  Smith,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Chester,  ap- 
plied for  Arms  for  the  Militia  of  the  said  County;  whereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  or  Captain  Cainp- 
ble,  in  favor  of  the  said  Colo.  Robert  Smith,  for  Four  hundred 
Stand  of  Arms. 


230  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  following  Resolve  of  the  Gen'l  Assembly  was  laid  before  the 
Board,  Viz : 

"In  General  Assembly,  Monday  June  16,  1777. 

"  On  motion, 
"  Resolved,  That  all  the  Militia  men  of  the  State  now  going  into 
the  Field,  be  allowed  A  Gill  of  Rum  or  Whiskey  each  man  per 
day,  over  and  besides  the  Rations  allowed  by  Congress,  and  that 
the  President  &  Council  take  the  proper  means  for  s«pplyi#g  the 
same." 

Doct.  Robert  Wilcox  applied  for  a  pass  to  go  to  Providence,  in 
New  England. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  make  out  and  sign  a  pass  for 
him. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  appointing  of  a  Pro- 
thonotary  of  the  County  of  Chester,  in  the  room  of  Benja.  Jacob, 
who  declines  accepting  that  Office ;  thereupon, 

Agreed,  That  Caleb  Davis  be  appointed  Prothonotary  of  the 
County  of  Chester,  &  Commissioned  accordingly. 


The  Council  met. 

Philab'a,  Saturday  June  21,  1777- 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Evans,  John  Proctor.  ")  ™ 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  j 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenbouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  Wm.  Crispin,  for  the  Sum  of  Eight  Thousand  Dpllars,  for 
the  purpose  of  purchasing  Rum  or  Wisky  for  the  Militia  of  this 
State,  agreeable  to  a  Resolve  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Assembly, 
for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Capt.  Campbell,  in  favor  of  Rob't  Smithy 
Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Chester,  for  four  hundred  Cau- 
teens,  four  hundred  Knapsacks,  four  hundred  Priming  Wires,  four 
hundred  hrushes,  and  Four  hundred  Cartoueb  Boxes,  for  the  Militia 
of  that  County. 
On  motion, 
Agreed,  That  John  Beaton  be  appointed  Paymaster  of  the  Ches- 
ter County  Militia. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  Rob't  Smith,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Chester, 
for  the  Sum  of  two  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  applied  in  paying  Sub- 
stitutes, &ca. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  231 

Gen'l  Mifflin,  Mons.  de  Coudray,  wi'h  Nicholas  Rogers,  who 
speaks  the  French  and  English  Languages,  attended  the  Council, 
and  laid  before  the  Council  a  Copy  of  the  report  of  the  Committee 
of  Congress  for  viewing  the  works  erected  for  the  defence  of  our 
River,  and  the  resolves  of  Congress  thereon  of  the  11th  June  Instant. 

Colo.  Stewart  waited  on  the  Council,  &  informed  them  that,  hav- 
ing received  orders  to  march  his  Battallion  to  Billingsport,  he  had 
Paraded  his  men,  and  was  about  to  march  accordingly,  but  that  he 
had  received  intelligence  from  the  Hon'ble  John  Hancock,  Esq'r, 
that  a  resolution  of  Congress  of  yesterday,  respecting  this  Battalion 
being  taken  into  Continental  Service,  which  would  render  an  imme- 
diate compliance  with  the  orders  he  had  received  rather  inconveni- 
ent; that  the  said  Resolution  of  Congress  had  been  given  in  charge 
to  the  Delegates  of  this  State  to  communicate  to  the  Council,  which 
would  probably  alter  his  Orders. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a.,  Tuesday  June  24,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jonathan  Hoge,  &  John  Proctor,  Esquires. 

An  order  of  Congress  on  John  Gibson,  Esq'r,  Auditor  General, 
in  favor  of  the  Council,  for  Fifty  Thousand  Dollars,  was  sent  up  to 
Council,  and  thereupon,  the  President  endorsed  the  same,  making 
it  payable  to  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  the  State. 

James  Claypoole  now  offered  Blair  iMcClenagan  &  David  Cham- 
bers as  security  for  his  faithful  performance  of  the  duty  and  Office 
of  Sheriff  in  the  City  &  County  of  Philadelphia ;  was  agreed  to  by 
Council. 

The  Council  resuming  the  consideration  of  the  orders  given  to 
the  Lieutenants  of  the  Counties  for  marching  the  Militia, 

Agreed,  That  Philadelphia  &  Bucks  Counties  do  send  the  first  & 
second  Class,  and  hold  the  third  in  perfect  readiness.  That  Lan- 
caster, Berks,  and  Northampton,  send  forward  the  first  Class,  and 
hold  the  second  in  perfect  readiness.  That  Cumberland,  York,  & 
Northumberland,  hold  the  1st  Class  in  readiness,  and  that  Letters 
be  written  to  the  Lieutenants  of  the  respective  Counties  accordingly. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  Colo.  Benj.  Brannon,  Sub  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of 
Chester,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand  Dollars,  for  the  purpose  of 
Paying  Substitutes. 


332  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  June  25,  1777 

present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  .  John  Proctor,  >   -p 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  j 

A  curious  performance  of  I.  Stewart,  of  London,  the  Senators'1 
.remembrancer,  consisting  of  Fourteen  Copper  plates,  done  on  white 
satten,  and  most  elegantly  framed  and  gilt,  presented  to  the  Public 
by  Doc't  Benja.  Franklin,  were  placed  in  the  Council  Chamber. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  the  Pay  of  the  Commodore  of  the 
Navy  of  this  State  be  allowed  and  paid  at  the  rate  One  hundred  and 
Twenty-five  Dollars  P.  Month,  inclusive  of  Rations. 

On  motion,  agreed,  That  the  Pay  of  Capt.  Hadewood,  the  se 
cond  in  Command  in  the  Navy  of  this  State,  be  allowed  &  paid  at 
the  rate  of  one  hundred  dollars  P.  Month,  inclusive  of  Rations. 

Mr.  Cox  and  Mr.  Eyres,  from  the  Navy  Board,  having  requested 
A  farther  Sum  of  Money,  and  the  Board  of  War  having  also  made 
<ipplication  for  Money,  An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse, 
Esq'r,  in  favor  of  John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  the  Treasurer  of 
the  Board  of  War,  &ca.,  for  the  Sum  of  Twenty-five  Thousand  Dol- 
lars ;  Board  of  War  Twelve  thousand  Dollars,  &  Navy  Board  thir- 
teen thousand  Dollars. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  intelligence  received 
by  Congress  from  Gen'l  Washington,  respecting  the  movements  of 
the  Enemy,  and  the  extreme  inconveniency  arising  from  the  march 
of  the  Militia  in  the  time  of  Harvest,  Agreed,  That  the  Lieut's  of 
the  Counties  of  Lancaster,  Berks,  &  Northampton,  be  informed  that 
the  Council  think  it  unnecessary  for  the  1st  Class  of  Militia  re- 
spectively, to  march,  but  that  they  hold  the  first  class  in  the  most 
perfect  readiness  to  march  at  the  shortest  warning.  That  the  Lieu- 
tenants of  the  Counties  of  Philadelphia  and  Chester,  be  informed 
that  it  is  unnecessary  to  march  the  2d  Class  of  their  respective 
Counties,  but  that  the  1st  Class  be  marched,  and  the  2d  Class  held 
in  perfect  readiness  to  march  at  the  shortest  notice. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL  233 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  June  26,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  John  Proctor,      ?  E      ires. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  3       l 

Coi.  Andrew  Boyd,  Sub-Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Chester, 
attended.  The  members  of  Council  met,  &  requested  to  be  fur- 
nished with  a  Sum  of  Money  for  procuring  Substitutes,  Blankets, 
&ca. ;  thereupon,  An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r, 
Treasurer,  in  favor  of  Col.  Andrew  Boyd,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of 
Two  Thousand  Dollars,  for  the  aforesaid  purposes. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Jamas  Loughead  be  appointed  Pay- 
master of  the  Militia  of  the  City  &  Liberties  of  Philadelphia. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  James  Loughead,  Paymaster  of  the  City  and  Liberties 
aforesaid,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand  Dollars. 

Mr.  Bache,  Col.  Shee,  and  Col.  Dean,  of  the  Board  of  War,  at- 
tended Council,  &  complained  of  a  certain  Wm.  Sykes,  who  had 
taken  an  opportunity  of  bringing  off  a  very  considerable  quantity 
of  Goods  which  had  been  removed  out  of  the  City,  from  the  place 
where  they  had  been  deposited  by  order  of  the  Committee  appointed 
for  that  purpose,  and  this  at  a  time  when  it  was  generally  believed 
the  Enemy  was  bending  threir  force  against  this  city. 

Jos.  Gamble,  WilPm  Marshall,  Mich'l  Dawson,  Chevaux  de  Fri#e 
Pilots,  informed  the  Council  that  they  had  this  day  applied  to  the 
Commissioners  of  Appeal,  setting  forth  their  employment  as  a  plea 
against  their  being  fined  as  Non-Associates  under  the  late  Law, 
&ca.,  and  that  the  plea  was  rejected  as  insufficient. 
On  motion, 

Resolved,  That  this  Council  are  clearly  of  opinion  that  the  Pi- 
lots employed  by  the  State  are  not  chargeable  with  any  Fines  as 
Non-Associates,  their  duty  being  of  such  a  nature  as  to  make  it 
highly  improper  for  them  to  be  absent  on  any  occasion  whatsoever, 
&  do  recommend  to  the  Commissioners  of  Appeal  to  revise  their 
judgment  thereon. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  for 
the  Sum  of  Seventeen  Pounds  Sixteen  Shillings  &  Nine  Pence,  in 
favor  of  Will'm  Trickett,  for  Books,  &ca.,  purchased  for  the  use  of 
Council. 


234  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a.  Friday  June  27th,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  John  Proctor.    }  ™ 

t       a      u         s  r  Esquires. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  j 

Colo.  Donaldson  of  York  County  brought  in  a  number  of  plates 
said  to  be  found  in  the  possession  of  a  certain  James  Steward,  who 
was  arrested  and  committed  to  York  Jail,  but  has  since  made  his 
escape,  and  apparently  designed  for  the  counterfeiting  the  Conti- 
nental Currency,  To  Wit ;  A  back  and  front  plate,  with  impressions 
similar  to  a  Continental  Thirty  Dollar  Bill  ;  A  Back  &i  front  plate, 
with  impressions  similar  to  a  Continental  Four  Dollar  Bill ;  A  back 
&  front  plate  of  a  two-thirds  of  a  Dollar  Continental  Bill ;  and  a 
blank  plate  of  the  same  size,  together,  also,  with  a  Thirty  Dollar 
Bill  &  four  Dollar  Bill,  struck  from  the  same  plates,  and  a  Bill 
struck  with  the  four  Dollar  plate  on  one  side  &  the  Thirty  Dollar 
Bill  on  the  other  side,  with  a  deposition  concerning  the  same,  which 
the  Committee  of  the  said  County  of  York  hath  directed  him  to 
deliver  to  the  Council  or  some  other  Public  bod}7. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  receive  the  same,  give  Colo.  Don- 
aldson a  receipt  for  them,  and  Seal  them  up. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  Thomas  Urie  be  appointed  Sheriff  of  the 
County  of  Bedford,  &  that  he  be  immediately  Commissioned  ac- 
cordingly. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  James  Loughead, 
Paymaster,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Dollars. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Wm.  Henry, 
Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Dollars,  to  Pay  Substitutes, 
&ca. 

Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Lisle,  Mr.  Loughead,  &  Mr.  Evans  attended  the 
Council  by  the  direction  of  this  Board,  and  they  being  interrogated 
respecting  the  complaint  made  by  them  against  William  Sykes; 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  further  consideration  of  the  said  complaint 
be  referred  to  Monday  Afternoon. 

Ordered,  That  a  Writ  be  now  issued  to  John  Thompson,  Esq'r, 
Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Bucks,  commanding  him  to  hold  an  elec* 
tion  for  the  chusing  of  one  fit  person  to  represent  the  said  County 
in  Council,  and  make  return  thereof  of  the  said  Writ  to  his  Ex- 
cellency in  Council  on  or  before  the  Twenty-first  day  of  July 
next. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  235 

Agreed,  That  John  Griffin  be  appointed  Coroner  of  the  County, 
of  Westmoreland,  &  that  a  Commission  for  that  purpose  be  issued 
accordingly. 

Agreed,  That  Will'm  Parker,  Colo.  John  Piper,  Sam.  Moore, 
John  Cesna,  Chas.  Cesna,  &  John  Moore,  or  any  two  of  them,  be 
accepted  as  security  for  Thomas  Urie,  Sheriff  of  the  County  of 
Bedford,  for  his  faithful  performance  of  the  said  Office. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  July  1st,  1777. 
present  : 

His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  John  Proctor,  Esquires. 

Commission  to  Caleb  Davis,  Esq'r,  as  Clerk  of  the  Quarter  Ses- 
sions of  the  peace  for  the  County  of  Chester,  dated  this  day. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Colo.  Flower,  in  favor  of  Colonel 
Henry,  Lieutenant  of  the  City  ot  Philadelphia,  for  Seventy  Stand 
of  Arms. 

An  order  was  drawn  in  favor  of  Colo.  Henry  on  David  Ritten- 
house,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  for  the  Sum  of  Eight  Thousand  Dollars, 
to  pay  substitutes,  &ca. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  D'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  Thousand 
dollars.  i 

An  order  was  drawn  in  favor  of  James  Loughead,  Paymaster  of 
the  Militia,  for  the  sum  of  one  thousand  &  five  hundred  dollars. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  July  2d,  1777. 

present : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  John  Proctor,  >  ^ 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  '£  Esquires. 

An  order  was  drawn* on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treas'r,  in 
favor  of  John  Maxwell,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Six 
hundred  Dollars. 


236  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  Petition  of  Simon 
Gore,  a  Militia  man  of  this  City,  who  was  wounded  at  Perth  Ani- 
boy,  last  Summer  j  thereupon 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Petition  be  enclosed  to  James  Young, 
Esq'r,  &•  that  he  be  requested  to  hold  an  Orphans'  Court,  agreeable 
to  the  Act  to  regulate  the  Militia  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Penn- 
sylvania, for  the  purpose  of  relieving  the  said  Simon  Gore  and 
others,  according  to  the  said  Act. 

An  order  was  drawn  in  favor  of  Colo.  Kirkbride,  Lieut,  of  the 
County  of  Bucks,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand  Dollars,  for 
which  he  is  to  account. 

A  Letter  from  Christian  Wirtz,  Town  Major  of  the  Borough  of 
Lancaster,  in  the  County  of  Lancaster,  dated  June  25, 1777,  was 
read  in  Council.  Among  other  things  Mr.  Wirtz  represents,  that 
the  British  Prisoners  threatened  the  destruction  of  Lancaster,  and 
that  it  alarmed  the  inhabitants,  &  proposing  for  consideration  re- 
moving of  the  said  Prisoners  to  some  other  place ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Delegates  of  this  State 
in  Congress,  to  represent  the  matter  to  the  Continental  Board  of 
War,  &  that  the  said  Letter  written  by  Mr.  Wirtz  be  laid  before 
them. 

The  Petition  of  Abigail  McKay,  now  a  Prisoner  in  the  Goal  of 
this  City,  praying  to  be  enlarged  on  giving  bail,  was  read ',  and 
thereupon 

Ordered,  That  she  be  enlarged  on  Bail,  with  more  or  one  suffi- 
cient sureties,  in  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  conditioned 
that  she  appear  at  the  next  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  and  answer 
the  charge  which  shall  be  brought  against  her  \  &  that  in  the  mean- 
time she  shall  not  reside  or  come  nearer  to  the  City  of  Philadelphia 
than  the  West  side  of  Schuylkill  on  the  Westward,  and  not  nearer 
than  three  Miles  of  the  said  City  to  the  Northward,  for  &  during 
one  Year. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  July  3d,  1777. 

present: 

His  ExcelFy  TITO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  John  Proctor,  >  ^ 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  '£  Esquires. 

Agreed  that  instructions  be  given  to  the  delegates  of  this  State  I 

in  Congress,  that  the  Troops  lateljr  arrived  from  Carolina  may  be  j 

employed  to  assist  the  Militia  of  this  State  and  that  of  New  Jersey  I 

in  completeing  the   works  at  Billingsport,  unless  these  Troops  can  i 
render  more  essential  service  elsewhere. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  237 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Friday  July  4,  1777. 
present; 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Evans,  John  Proctor, }  -^       . 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  5 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  Colo.  William  Henry,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds, 
for  which  he  has  to  account. 

On  motion,  agreed,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Magistrates 
of  the  City  to  exert  themselves  in  preventing  any  kind  of  Riot 
happening  in  the  City  this  Evening;  that  the  Town-  Mayor  be 
ordered  to  parade  with  his  Guard  from  eight  O'Clock  'till  Eleven, 
to  prevent  any  disturbance  which  might  otherwise  happen  this 
Evening ;  That  a  Bellman  be  sent  round  to  give  notice  to  the  in- 
habitants, that  the  Council  do  expressly  order  all  the  lights  made 
use  of  to  illuminate  the  City  this  Evening,  be  extinguished  at 
Eleven  O'Clock.  The  Wardens  are  requested  to  order  the  Watch- 
men to  attend  at  their  Stands  at  8  O'Clock  this  Evening,  in  order 
to  assist  in  preventing  any  riots  which  may  otherwise  happen, 

James  Hopkins,  Esq'r,  applied  to  the  Board,  and  Informed  that 
he  had  orders  from  Gen'l  Washington  to  go  down  the  River  Dela- 
ware on  an  expedition,  and  Gen'l  Arnold  requesting  that  he  may 
be  supplied  a  small  Vessel  &  Four  Batteaus  for  the  said  purpose  ; 
thereupon 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Hazlewood  supply  the  said  Jas.  Hopkins, 
Esq'r,  with  a  small  Vessel  and  four  Batteaus,  agreeable   to  the 
request  of  Gen'l  Arnold. 
On  motion, 

Ordered,  That  Will'm  Sykes  be  summoned  to  attend  the  Conn- 
cil  to-morrow  Morning  at  10  O'Clock,  to  answer  the  charge  of  Jas. 
Loughead  &  others,  that  he  had  seized  a  considerable  quantity  of 
Provisions  &  other  Goods,  which  had  been  removed  out  of  the 
City  by  proper  Authority,  to  prevent  their  falling  into  the  hands  of 
the  Enemy,  &  that  he  had  brought  them  into  the  City  again  without 
having  obtained  permission  so  to  do  of  the  Committee  under  whose 
direction  they  were. 

It  having  been  represented  to  the  Council  that  Mr.  Hobson  had 
declined  accepting  the  appointment  of  the  Justice  of  the  Peace  in 
the  Borough  of  Lancaster ;  And  on  consideration,  Agreed  That 
Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the 
County  of  Lancaster,  in  the  room  of  John  Hobson,  Esq'r. 

Ordered,  That  a  Dedimus  Potestatum  be  issued,  authorizing  and 
empowering  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  to  qualify  the  Chief  Burgess  of 
Lancaster. 


238  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  July  5,  1777. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S   WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  John  Proctor,  )   -p^  ,  •„ 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  \      fe  "• 

Will'm  Sykes  attended  the  Council,  according  to  the  order  of 
yesterday,  and  also  Jos.  Loughead,  Robert  Smith,  John  Lisle  &  Mr. 
Young,  and  the  Council  having  heard  the  Parties,  it  appears  that 
the  said  William  Sykes  had,  in  contempt  of  the  authority  of  the 
Committee  appointed  to  remove  the  Provisions  and  Goods  out  of  the 
City,  to  prevent  their  falling  into  the  Enemies'  hauds,  brought  back 
to  the  City  a  large  Quantity  of  Rice  &  Indigo,  which  had  been  re- 
moved by  them ;  whereupon  the  Council 

Ordered ',  That  Will'm  Sykes  do  return  the  Rice  and  Indigo 
which  now  remains  unsold,  to  the  place  from  whence  he  brought 
them,  &  re-deliver  them  into  the  hands  of  the  Committee  appointed 
to  remove  the  Goods  out  of  the  City,  to  prevent  their  falling  into 
the  hands  of  the  Enemy,  and  that  he  give  Security  himself  in  the 
Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  and  Two  sufficient  Freeholders  in 
the  Sum  of  five  hundred  Pounds,yeach,  for  his  good  behaviour  for 
One  Year. 

Ordered,  That  the  following  Advertisement  be  published  in  the  j 
Public  Papers,  Viz. : 

"  In  Council,  Philad'a,  July  5,  1777. 

"  Whereas,  The  Constitution  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennrj 
sylvania,  in  Section  30th,  Ordains  that  Justices  of  the  Peace  shall) 
be  elected  by  the  Freeholders  of  each  Ward,  District,  or  Township, | 
as  the  Law  shall  direct,  &  that  their  names  shall  be  returned  to  thej 
President  in  Council,  who  shall  Comraissionate  one  or  more  of  theml 
for  each  Ward,  District,  or  Township  so  returning,  for  Seven  Years:; 

"  And  tvhereds,  An  act  of  Assembly  intitled  '  An  Act  directing) 
the  modes  &  times  of  electing  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  City  of 
Philadelphia,  &  the  several  &  respective  Counties  of  this  Common- 
wealth, &  for  other  purposes  therein  mentioned,'  was  passed  on  the 
11th  of  February  last : 

"  And  whereas,,  By  inattention,  mis-apprehension,  absence  oil 
great  uumbers  of  Freeholders  in  the  defence  of  their  Country,  (thd 
Militia  of  several  Counties  being  then  in  actual  Service,  shortness  on 
the  times  that  had  been  appointed,  neglect  &  other  causes,  som(j 
Districts,  &  also  some  Townships  in  Counties  in  which  a  Townshijj 
has  been  made  a  District  for  this  purpose,)  did  not  hold  the  election 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  239 

of  Justices  on  the  days  by  the  said  Act  appointed,  and  it  was  likely 
that  like  omission  would  happen  in  other  places,  of  which  the  times 
for  such  Elections  had  not  then  elapsed: 

*'  And  whereas.  On  the  15th  day  of  March  last  past,  A  Supple- 
ment to  the  said  recited  Act  of  Assembly  was  passed,  to  remedy  all 
mistakes  &  lapses  thereby  given  to  the  Freeholders  in  such  cases  to 
make  their  Election,  which  time  is  now  also  passed : 

"  And  whereas,  In  &  by  the  said  supplement,  further  provision 
was  made  in  the  Premises  in  the  words  following : 

"  And  whereas,  The  Freeholders  of  the  several  Wards  in  the 
City  of  Philadelphia  have  neglected  to  Elect  Justices  of  the  Peace, 
as  by  the  said  Act  was  directed,  and  it  may  happen  that  some  other 
parts  of  the  State  may  also  neglect  to  elect  Justices,  at  the  time  in 
the  said  Act,  &  by  this  Act  directed. 

"  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid,  That  where  any  such 
neglect  has  been,  or  may- be,  at  the  time  by  the  above  recited  Act, 
or  by  this  Act  directed,  for  the  election  of  Justices  for  any  district, 
in  any  or  either  of  the  said  Counties,  the  Commissioners  and  As- 
sessors of  such  County  or  Counties,  or  any  five  of  them,  (in  such 
County  or  Counties  where  they  are  directed  so  to  do  by  the  said 
Act,)  are  hereby  enjoined  &  required  to  appoint  a  time  and  place  for 
Election  of  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  such  district,  and  give  notice 
thereof  to  the  Freeholders  who  shall  hold  the  said  Election,  and  in 
all  things  relating  thereto,  act  &  do  agreeable  to  the  directions  of 
the  Act  to  which  this  Act  is  a  Supplement  j  and  when  they  shall 
have  elected  Justices  they  shall  be  deemed  &  taken  to  be  Justices 
of  the  Peace,  as  is  in  and  by  the  said  Act  declared ;  And  whereas, 
notwithstanding  the  last  recited  section  of  the  said  Supplementary 
Act,  the  Freeholders  of  some  Districts  may  yet  neglect  to  Elect 
Justices  of  the  Peace  in  manner  aforesaid ;  Provision  by  said  Sup- 
plement is  further  made,  that  upon  application  in  Writing  by  Twenty 
or  more  of  the  Freeholders  of  any  such  District  to  the  President  of 
this  State,  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  President  in  Council  to  appoint 
&  Commissionateone  or  more  Justice  or  Justices  of  the  Peace,  as  the 
case  may  require,  for  any  such  District  which  may  still  neglect  to 
elect  Justices  of  the  Peace;  Wherefore,  Notice  is  hereby  given  to 
the  Freeholders  of  any  District  as  aforesaid,  wherein  no  Election 
of  Justices  of  the  Peace  hath  been  hitherto  holden,  of  the  remedy 
provided  by  Law,  and  of  the  mode  in  which  they  ought  to  proceed 
in  order  to  have  justice  duly  Administered,  and  it  is  recommended , 
because  of  these  words  in  the  3d  Section  of  said  Supplement  above 
transcribed,  "  in  such  County  &  Counties  where  they  are  so  directed, 
to  do  by  the  said  Act,'  Words  which  seem  to  confine  the  appoint- 
ment of  the  time  and  place  of  the  Election  to  the  Commissioners 
&  Assessors  of  the  Counties  of  Philadelphia,  Bucks,  Chester,  Lan- 
caster, Berks,  York  &  Northampton,  that  in  case  of  the  return  of 
any  choice  yet  to  be  made  of  Justices  in  Cumberland,  Bedford, 
Northumberland  and  Westmoreland,  that  said  returns  be  accom 


240  MINUTES  OF  THE 

panied  with  an  application  in  Writing  from  Twenty  or  more  of  the 
Freeholders  of  the  District  to  the  President,  to  appoint  as  aforesaid, 
in  order  to  make  the  Commission  valid,  whatever  said  recited  words 
may  purport,  at  the  same  time  the  Freeholders  may  be  assured  that 
their  elections  and  the  return  thereof  shall  be  regarded  as  in  other 
cases. 

"  N.  B.  Some  Districts  have  perhaps  made  Elections  regularly, 
but  their  Officers  may  not  have  made  returns  of  the  Persons  Elec- 
ted, or  having  their  returns,  their  returns  may  have  mis-carried  or 
fallen  into  the  hands  of  ill-disposed  persons,  &  may  have  been  sup- 
pressed ;  in  such  cases  new  returns  are  wanted,  and  it  would  be 
safe  to  send  Duplicates.  ' 

"These  lapses  and  defects  prevent  a  Second  Commission  of  the 
Peace  for  each  County  from  being  issued,  while  they  should  include 
all  the  vacant  Districts  for  single  Commissions,  being  a  great  ex- 
pence  on  the  Counties. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes, 

"TIMOTHY  MATLACK,  Secret'y." 

Ordered,  That  the  resolution  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General 
Assembly,  respecting  the  boundary  Line  between  the  State  of  Vir- 
ginia and  this  State,  be  sent  by  the  President  to  the  Delegates  of 
Virginia  in  Congress.  John  Riordon,  Comm'r,  of  the  Sloop  Su- 
sanna, a  Danish  Flag  of  Truce,  from  St.  Croix  to  this  City,  to  carry 
the  family  of  the  Marcoos  from  hence  to  that  place,  attended  the 
Council,  &  represented  some  Difficulties  which  he  labored  under 
in  consequence  of  being  prevented  from  going  on  board  the  Men  of 
War  now  laying  at  the  Capes  of  Delaware,  in  order  to  obtain  per- 
mission from  them  to  eome  up  to  Wilmington,  where  Mr.  Marcoo  & 
his  family  now  are.  The  Council  thereupon,  recommended  to  Cap:. 
Riordon  to  apply  to  the  President  of  Congress  for  recommendation, 
such  as  he  may  think  proper,  to  Henry  Fisher,  and  pointing  out 
what  he  may  judge  expedient  in  this  case,  or  to  the  President  of  the 
Delaware  State,  the  said  recommendation,  As  the  Flag  of  Truce, 
as  the  matter  is  now  situated,  does  not  relate  to  this  State,  and 
that  a  Pass  be  made  out  to  Capt.  Riordon  under  the  lesser  Seal,  k 
signed  by  His  ExcelPy  the  President. 

On  motion,  agreed,  That  Maj.  Solomon  Bush  be  appointed  Depu- 
ty Adjutant  General  of  the  Militia  of  this  State. 

On  motion,  agreed,  That  John  Haley,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Clerk  j 
of  the  Orphans'  Court  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia. 

Wra.  Kelly,  the  Sheriff  of  Lancaster  County,  offers  James  An- 
derson,  Sen'r,  and  James  Anderson,  jun'r,  of  Donegal,  as  security  j 
for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  Office,  which  the  Council  ap-  i 
prove. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL  241 

The  Council  met.  , 

Philad'a,  Monday  July  7,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  John  Proctor,  Esquires. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Robert  Gal- 
braith,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred  Dollars,  to  be  by  him 
delivered  to  Colo.  John  Piper,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Bedford, 
and  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  call  on  WilPm  Sykes  for  the  Secu- 
rity which  he  is  ordered  to  give  for  his  good  behaviour. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds  be  sent  by 
Rob't  G-albraith,  Esq'r,  to  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  of  Lancaster,  to  be  by 
him  forwarded  to  Bartram  Galbraith,  Esq'r,  Lieut,  of  the  County 
of  Lancaster,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  Muskets,  for  which 
Sum  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  the  Secretary,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand 
Pounds,  to  be  forwarded  as  aforesaid. 

N.  B. — The  Money  was  paid  the  Secretary  according  to  order, 
but  Mr.  Galbraith  going  out  of  Town,  An  order  was  drawn  on  the 
Treasurer  aforesaid,  in  favor  of  Will'm  Henry,  for  the  like  Sum, 
and  the  Secretary  paid  the  Money  to  him,  and  exchanged  the  order 
with  the  Treasurer. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Beck,  for 
riding  express,  by  order  of  Maj.  General  Armstrong,  for  the  Sum 
of  Thirteen  Pounds. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  July  8th,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WARTON,  jun.,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  John  Proctor,  Esquires, 

James  Hopkins,  Esq'r,  applied  to  the  Council  for  eight  men,  to- 
assist  him  in  the  expedition  down  the  Delaware^  ordered  by  Gen'I 
Washington. 

VOfc.  XI. — 16, 


1:42  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  Commodore  Seymour  furnish  James  Hopkins, 
Esq'r,  with  eight  men  from  the  Fieet. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  supply  James  Hopkins,  Esq'r, 
with  the  Provisions  which  he  may  have  occasion  for. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  Lieut,  of  Philadelphia, 
for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  pounds,  for  the  purpose  of  paying 
Substitutes,  &  purchasing  Blankets,  &ca,  for  which  Sum  he  is  to 
account. 

Gen'l  Roberdeau  informed  the  Council  that  Congress  had  or- 
dered the  Virginia  &  South  Carolina  Troops  now  in  the  City, 
to  march  to  Billingsport,  to  assist  in  completeing  the  works  to  be 
erected  there. 

Orders  were  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  Pounds  fifteen  Shillings,  in  favor  of 
George  Gintner,  for  riding  express;  for  the  Sum  of  Fifteen  Pounds 
Two  Shillings  &  Six  Pence,  in  favor  of  Mich'l  Boyer  for  ditto;  k- 
for  the  Sum  of  Three  Pounds  Fifteen  Shillings,  in  favor  of  Edw'd 
Stroud,  for  ditto. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  July  9,  1777* 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  John  Proctor,     Esquires. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esquire,  Treasurer 
of  the  State,  in  favor  of  John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  E^q'r,  for  the 
Sum  of  Two  thousand  pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Stiles  be  requested  to  send  to  this  Board 
an  account  of  the  Artillery  with  which  he  has  lately  supplied  the 
Militia  at  Bristol,  Trenton,  &  Coryell's  Ferry,  to  guard  the  River 
Delaware. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  oi 
the  State,  in  favor  of  John  Smith,  for  the  Sum  of  Twelve  Pounds,     j 
for  riding  express. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  Colo.  Benja.  Brannon,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds, 
to  pay  Substitutes,  to  be  Charged  to  Colo.  Smith,  Lieut,  of  the 
<  bounty  of  Chester,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  many  great  inconve- 
Diencys  arising  to  the  good  people  of  this  State  from  the  practice  of 
enlisting  of  Servants  &  Apprentices, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  243 

Ordered,  Thatt  the1  following  Proclamation  be  inserted  in  the 
several  Newspapers  of  this  City  : 

"  By  the  Supreme  Executive  Council. 

"  A  PROCLAMATION. 

u  Whereas,  great  inconveniences  hath  happened  to  many  persons 
in  this  State  by  the  Continental  Officers  mistaking  a  recommenda- 
tion of  the  Hon'ble  Congress,  addressed  to  the  several  States,  that 
they  would  permit  Servants  to  be  enlisted  into  the  Continental 
Service,  for  an  authoritative  direction  in  the  premises;  And  Where- 
as, many  of  the  said  Officers  are  also  Officers  in  the  Pay  of  this 
State,  have  thereupon  proceeded  to  enlist  bought  Servants,  under 
indenture,  to  the  great  damage  of  their  masters. 

u  And  Whereas,  the  Legislature  of  the  Commonwealth  having 
had  opportunity  of  perceiving  that  such  inlistments,  though  dis- 
tressing to  the  Masters,  had  not  promoted  the  General  Service  to 
any  proportionable  degree,  have  declined  giving  their  concurrence 
in  said  measure  : 

M  Jind  Whereas,  some  persons,  pretending  ignorance,  may  still 
inlist  Servants ;  these  are  therefore,  strictly  to  forbid  all  Recruit- 
ing Officers  in  the  Continental  Service,  and  all  others,  from  enlist- 
ing Servants  or  Apprentices  within  this  State,  on  pain  of  being 
prosecuted  with  the  utmost  rigour  of  the  Law. 

"  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President, 

"  Philad'a,  July  9,  1777. 
*  Attest—  Timothy  Matlack,  Secretary." 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  July  10,  1777. 

The  Members  of  Council,  Board  of  War,  &  Navy  Board,  went 
down  to  Billingsport  with  Gren'l  Armstrong,  Mons'r  du  Caudray, 


I  &ca 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Friday  July  11,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r  Esq'r,  President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  John  Proctor,     Esquires. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  Lieut,  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 


244  MINUTES  OF  THE 

for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounda,  for  the  purpose  of  Paying 
Substitutes  &  purchasing  Blankets,  &ca. 

Caleb  Davis,  Esq'r,  Prothonotary  of  the  County  of  Chester,  ap- 
peared, &  took  the  Affirmation  required  by  Law  to  Qualify  him  for 
that  Office,  and  offered  Thomas  Cheney,  Esq'r,  as  surety,  with  giv- 
ing One  Thousand  Five  Pounds  security  ;  And  he  having  been  ap- 
pointed Clerk  of  the  Orphans'  Court  of  the  said  County  of  Ches- 
ter, took  the  Affirmation  required  by  the  Constitution  to  Qualify 
him  to  act  in  the  said  Office. 

Will'm  Lyon,  Esq'r,  having  informed  the  Council  (by  Letter) 
that  Mr.'  Agnew,  the  late  acting  Prothonotary  of  the  County  of 
Cumberland,  had  refused  to  deliver  up  the  Seals  &  papers  belong- 
ing to  the  said  Office,  and  requesting  the  direction  of  Council  there - 
on, 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  write  to  Mr.  Lyon,  &  let  him 
know  the  mode  of  obtaining  the  Seals  &  Papers  belonging  to  said 
Office,  as  the  Law  directs,  and  that  if  Mr.  Agnew  persists,  so  as  to 
make  the  interposition  of  Council  necessary,  on  receiving  attested 
Copies  of  the  proceedings  thereon,  Council  will  take  further  order 
thereon. 

The  Committee  for  driving  off  Cattle  for  the  City  and  County 
of  Philadelphia  having  represented  to  the  Board  that  they  thought 
their  number  too  few,  &  recommended  that  the  City  &  County  of 
Philad'a  be  divided  into  five  Classes,  &  that  the  Gentlemen  named 
in  each  Class  be  appointed  to  the  said  duty,  Vizt : 

First  Class.  For  Oxford,  Lower  Dublin,  Moreland,  &  By  berry 
Townships,  which  comprehends  all  between  Frankford  &  Poques- 
ton  Creeks  ;  Jacob  ^ible,  Sam'l  Potts,  Rudolph  Neff,  James  Dun- 
gan,  Sam'l  Neaswinger,  John  Keen,  Sen'r,  &  Sam'l  Swift,  Sam'l 
Erwin,  Casper  Fetters,  Will'm  Tilyer,  John  Britain,  and  Benjamin 
Watson. 

Second  Class.  This  District  includes  from  Frankford  to  the 
bounds  of  the  City;  Conrad  Baker,  John  Stillwagon,  John  Hall, 
Isaac  Coates,  &  Jacob  Hill. 

Third  Class.  For  the  City;  William  Carson,  Dean  Timmons, 
Nathan'l  Donnell,  Andrew  Carson. 

Fourth  Class.  For  Southwark,  Moyamensing,  and  Passyunk  ; 
Edw'd  Tew,  Rich'd  Dennis,  James  Wbitton,  Henry  Maag,  Samuel 
Penrose,  George  Young,  &  Jacob  Whitman. 

Fifth  Class.  For  Kinsess.  &  Blockley ;  Philip  Price,  Adam 
Guyer,  &  Joshua  Ash,  jun'r. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  the  said  plan  be  adopted,  &  the  Gentle- 
men therein  recommended  for  the  respective  Districts  be  appointed 
for  the  said  purpose,  and  have  full  power  to  remove  all  kinds  of  live 
Stock,  whenever  the  approach  of  the  Enemy  shall  make  it  neces- 
sary so  to  do. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  245 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  July  14th,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jonathan   Hose,    ")  ™ 
John  Proctor.        j  Es(luires- 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  Colo.  Joseph  Kirkbride,  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Bucks, 
for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  five  hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he  is 
to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  in  favor  of  Will'm  Crispin,  Esq'r,  on  David 
Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  five  hundred 
Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account.  j 

N.  B.  These  two  orders  were  drawn  when  the  Secretary  was  not 
present,  they  are  likely  to  have  been  dated  the  15th  instead  of 
the  14th. 

Gen'l  Du  Coudray  laid  before  the  Council  a  "  definite  project  to 
correct  the  fort  of  Billingsport,"  with  a  plan  of  the  Construction 
of  it. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  July  15,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jonathan  Hose,  and  }  ^ 

John  Proctor,  J  Esquires. 

Colo.  Coxe  informed  the  Council  that  he  had,  by  direction  of  the 
Field  Officers,  applied  to  Mr.  Butler  for  Tents  for  the  Militia  now 
at  Billingsport,  and  was  informed  by  Mr.  Butler  that  he  not  sup- 
ply them. 

The  Council  being  informed  that  there  is  not  any  Money  in  the 
Treasury,  nor  likely  to  be  any  until  Friday  next,  &  as  there  is 
Money  due  Col.  Proctor's  Regiment,  now  under  Marching  orders, 
&  the  demand  for  other  purposes  being  very  considerable  & 
pressing, 

Agreed,  That  application  be  made  to  Congress  for  Sixty  Thou- 
sand Dollars,  to  be  accounted  for  to  Congress. 


246  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Roberdeau,   Mr.  Morris,  &   Mr.  Wilson,  Delegates  of  this 
State,  having  attended  in   Congress,  attending  the  Council,  Gen'l 
du  Coudray's  "  definite  project    to   correct  the  fortifications  at  Bil 
lingsport"  was   laid    before  them,  &  they  were  requested   to  lay  it 
before  Congress  for  consideration. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  July  16, 1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jonathan  Hose,  and  >  ™ 

t  i       n      *  r  Esquires. 

John   Proctor,  ^       ^ 

Agreed,  That  Col.  Bull,  Adjutant  Gen'l  of  the  Militia  of  this 
State,  is  requested  to  procure  the  number  of  Carts  &  the  Timber 
and  other  materials  which  may  be  necessary  for  carrying  on  the 
fortifications  at  Billingsport. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  Col.  Will'm  Coats,  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia, 
for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  four  hundred  Pounds,  for  the  purpose 
of  paying  the  Militia,  &  for  which  Sum  he  is  to  account. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  John  Morris,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  be  &  he  is 
hereby  authorized  to  appear  in  the  City  Court  &  prosecute  in  the 
name  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  Hon'ble  Congress  having  ordered  the  Sum  of  Sixty  Thousand 
Dollars,  to  be  paid  to  the  President  &  Council  of  this  State, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  made  Payable  to  Dav'd  Rittenhouse, 
Esq'r,  Treasurer,  &  it  was  indorsed  by  the  Vice  President  accord- 
ing1}'- 

As  order  was  drawn  in  favor  of  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  (as  the 
Treasurer,)  for  the  Sum  of  Thirty  thousand  Dollars,  of  which  Sum 
Twenty  thousand  is  intended  for  the  payment  of  Drafts  by  the 
Board  of  War,  &  Ten  thousand  Dollars  for  the  Payment  of  the 
drafts  of  the  Navy  Board. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  -247 

The  Council  met, 

Philad'a,  Thursday  July  17,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  Esq'r,  President. 
The  Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

/       Jonathan  Hose,  &  ~)  ™ 

7        t  u     -d      *  r  -Esquires.  v 

John  Proctor,  \       ? 

/An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  Col.  Will'm  Henry,  Lieut,  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 
fir  the  sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  for  the  purpose  of  Paying 
Substitutes,  purchasing  Blankets,  &ca.,  for  which  Sum  he  is  to  ac- 
count. 

The  Council  being  informed  by  the  Hon'ble  Navy  Board,  that 
application  has  been  made  to  them  by  the  Hon'ble  Continental 
Board  of  War  for  Two  Fire  Ships,  to  act  in  conjunction  with  a 
Fleet  intended  to  be  sent  down  the  Cape  May  Channel,  and  the 
Navy  Beard  requested  our  advice  and  direction  of  therein, 

On  consideration  that  the  Fire-Ships  were  intended  to  annoy  the 
Enemy  in  the  narrow  part  of  the  River,  &  is  considered  as  a  res- 
pectable pirt  of  the  defence  of  this  City,  the  Council  cannot  con- 
sent to  pait  with  them  but  on  the  strongest  assurance  of  others 
being  immediately  prepared  to  supply  their  place  with  all  possible 
espedititn. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  probability  of  a  de- 
mand of  Waggons  being  made  in  the  County  of  Northampton,  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  where  Waggons  are  necessary  for  the  use  of  the 
Continental  ^rmy,  that  the  Waggon  master  of  the  said  County  of 
Northampton,^  application  to  him  for  that  purpose,  do  furnish 
with  all  possib,  expedition  the  number  of  Waggons  which  may  be 
necessary,  any  irection  which  he  may  have  received  from  this 
Council  to  the  cc^trary  in  anywise  notwithstanding. 


248  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Friday  July  18, 1777. 

PRESENT  *. 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Fsq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jonathan  Hoge,  &  ?  E      ireg 
John  Proctor,         $ 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer, 
for  the  Sum  of  Seven  Pounds,  in  favor  of  Henry  Emhard,  for  riding 
express  for  and  by  order  of  Major  Gen'l  Armstrong. 

Gen'l  Potter  having  applied  to  Council  for  Boats  to  bring  the 
Militia  now  at  Chester  from  thence  to  Billingsport;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Navy  Board  be  requested  to  supply  Get! 
Potter  with  as  many  Boats  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  purpose, 
when  he  shall  demand  them. 

Gen'l  Armstrong  &  Gen'l  Potter  attended  the  Council  on  the 
general  situation  of  our  Military  affairs. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  return  of  Jistices  for 
the  Township  of  Little  Britain,  &  there  appearing  some  objections 
to  the  appointment  of  one  of  the  Gentlemen  returned, 

Ordered  That  Tuesday  the  12th  day  of  August  next,  he  ap- 
pointed for  the  hearing  of  the  parties,  at  Ten  O'Clockin  the  fore- 
noon, in  this  Chamber,  and  that  notice  thereof  be  given  to  the  In- 
spector &  Judges  who  made  the  return. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Kittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  Edw'd  Stroud,  for  the  Sum  of  Ten  Pounds,  forriding  Ex- 
press. 

Agreed,  That  Capt.  Downy  be  ordered  up  from  Bilingsport. 


The  Council  met. 

/ 

Philad'a,  Monda^uly  21,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  W*,  President. 
Hon'ble  Jonathan  Hoge,  Esq'r. 

Ordered,  That  Gen'l  Armstrong  be  furni^  with  the  late  Re- 
solutions  of  Congress  respecting  the  FortiP^s  intended  to  be- 
erected  at  Billingsport,  &  that  he  be  reque^  to  give  the  neces- 
sary orders  to  have  the  same  carried  into  ^mediate  execution. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenb^  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  Wm.  Crispin,  (Commissary),  f  "*  Sum  of  Six  Thou- 
sand Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  249 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday,  July  22,  1777 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  John  Proctor,  \  E      .^ 

John  Evans,  &  J 

The  Council  being  informed  that  Mr.  Thomas  Barclay  had  im- 
ported a  small  Cargo  of  Salt  in  Tom's  River,  in  New  Jersey,  &  that 
Mr.  Barclay  had  been  offered  Ten  Dollars  ^  Bushel  for  it,  at  which 
price  he  is  willing  to  sell  it  to  the  Council  for  the  use  of  the  People 
of  this  State, 

On  motion,  agreed,  That  the  Secretary  be  ordered  to  purchase  the 
said  Cargo  of  Salt  at  the  said  price,  on  condition  that  it  remain  at 
the  risque  of  the  present  Owner  for  eight  days  from  this  time. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  thousand 
Pounds,  for  which  Mr.  Nesbitt  is  to  account. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  July  23,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  Jos.  Hart,  &    )   -n      . 

Jonathan  Hoge,  John  Proctor,  j        " 

John  Thompson,  Esq'r,  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Bucks,  made 
return  of  an  Election  for  the  choosing  a  Councellor  for  the  said 
County,  by  which  it  appears  that  Joseph  Hart,  Esq'r,  was  duly 
elected  Councellor  for  the  said  County  of  Bucks;  And  Jos.  Hart, 
Esq'r,  attended,  took  the  Oath  required  by  the  Constitution  to 
Qualify  him  to  act  as  Councellor,  and  thereupon  took  his  seat  in 
Council. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Benjamin  Davis  be  requested  to  assist  Capt. 
Downy  in  Surveying  the  Ground  near  the  River  Delaware,  as  far 
downward  as  they  may  find  practicable  and  advantageous. 

Joseph  Reed,  Esq'r,  attended  the  Council  &  gave  (in  writing) 
bis  reasons  for  declining  to  accept  the  office  of  Chief  Justice. 


250  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  July  24,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y,  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq>,  President. 
Hon'ble  G-eorge  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Evans,  ~) 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  V  Esquires. 

Joseph  Hart.  J 

The  Petition  of  Catherine  Murphy  <fc  Mary  Green,  setting  forth, 
That  at  the  City  Court  holden  the  Twenty-third  instant,  they  were 
sentenced  to  receive  fifteen  lashes  a  piece,  on  Saturday  next,  at  the 
Public  Whipping  Post,  on  a  Conviction  for  two  several  felonies, 
and  praying  for  their  reasons  therein  mentioned,  that  the  Council 
will  free  them  from  the  Punishment  that  is  ordered  to  be  imposed 
on  them,  &  the  Judges  of  the  said  Court  having  recommended  the 
Petitioners  to  the  Clemency  of  the  Council;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Catherine  Murphy  &  Mary  Green  be  pardoned, 
so  far  as  relates  to  the  inflicting  of  the  Corporal  Punishment  ordered 
by  the  City  Court. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittcnhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Ten  thousand 
Dollars,  (intended  to  be  subject  to  the  draft  of  the  Board  of  War.) 

The  Board  of  War  having  informed  the  Council  that  the  last  De- 
tachment of  Col.  Proctor's  Regiment  was  to  march  this  day,  in 
consequence  of  which  Fort  Island  would  be  left  without  a  Guard; 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Gen.  Potter  be  requested  to  send  a  proper  guard 
to  take  care  of  the  Artillery  Stores,  &ca.,  on  the  said  Island. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  a  letter  from  Gen'l 
Washington,  dated  9th  instant,  requesting  that  a  survey  may  be 
made  of  such  parts  of  the  River  Delaware,  &  land  adjacent,  as  m  .y 
be  of  Military  use,  in  case  the  enemy  should  bend  their  force  thrs 
way;   And  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Nathan  Sellers  be  directed  to  make  a  Sur- 
vey of  the  River  Delaware,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  from  Schuyl- 
kill to  Christiana  Creek. 

That  Colo.  Lalor  be  directed  to  make  a  like  survey  from  Chris- 
tiana Creek  downward. 

That  on  the  East  side  of  the  River,  Capt.  J.  Downey  be  author- 
ized to  make  a  like  Survey,  begiuning  at  Cooper's  Ferry  &  extending 
downward  to  Salem;  And,  That  Mr.  Benja.  Davis  be  appointed 
to  make  a  like  Survey,  beginning  at  Salem  &  extending  downward  ; 
and  that  proper  instructions  be  drawn  aud  delivered  to  each  of 
them. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  251 

Ordered,  That  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r.  Treasurer,  do  supply 
Messrs.  Sellers,  Lollar,  Downy  &  Davis,  with  what  Money  shall  be 
necessary,  from  time  to  time,  for  completeing  the  Surveys  ordered 
to  be  made  on  the  Delaware. 

Mr.  John  Adams,  Mr.  Sam'l  Adams,  Colo.  Lee,  and  Colonel  Har- 
rison, of  the  Continental  Board  of  War,  attended  in  Council  to 
consult  with  them  on  the  means  of  procuring  the  earliest  intelli- 
gence of  the  approach  of  the  Enemies'  Fleet  on  our  Coast,  should 
they  come  this  way,  and  laid  before  them  a  Letter  from  His  Excell'y 

Gen'l  Washington,  dated instant,  recommending  this  measure; 

thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Hunn,  Benja.  Jones,  &  James  Martin,  go 
immediately  down  to  the  Capes  for  the  said  purpose,  and  that  in- 
structions be  given  them  for  their  conduct  therein  ;  &  An  order 
was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of 
Capt.  Hunn,  for  ihe  Sum  of  One  Hundred  Pounds,  to  hire  expres- 
ses &  Pay  such  Expenses  as  may  accrue,  and  for  which  Sum  he  is  to 
account  to  the  Board. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Friday  July  25,  Ylll, 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHA.RTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon.  George  Bryan.  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Evans,  ~] 

Jonathan  Hoge,  and  J-Esq'rs. 
Joseph  Hart,  J 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  returns  of  Justices  elect 
from  several  Counties,  &  thereupon  were  commissioned  accord- 
ingly. 

Agreed  that  Rob't  Patterson,  John  Vandergrist,  Tho's  Long,  & 
Martin  Shipe,  be  appointed  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County 
of  Bucks;  &  That  Will'm  McMullen  be  appointed  a  Justice  of 
Peace  for  the  County  of  Philadelphia  ;  And  That  Thomas  Levis, 
Tho's  Boyd,  Rob't  Ralston,  John  Hart,  and  Rich'd  Reiley,  be  ap- 
pointed Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Chester ;  And 
That  Cha's  Shoemaker,  Giddy  Myer,&  Jac'b  Morgan,  be  appointed 
Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Berks,  &  were  Commis- 
sioned accordingly ;  And  That  John  Read,  David  Jenkin,  &  George 
Reed  be  appointed  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Lan- 
caster, &  were  Commissioned  accordingly ;  James  Whitesides  k 
Patrick  Ewing,  appointed  August  12th,  and  the  Commission  in- 
cluding these  bears  that  date;  ditto  John  Hubley,  Esq'r. 


262  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  Michael  Hay,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Pounds  Fifteen  Shil- 
lings, for  riding  express. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rifccenhouse,  Esqr'r,  Treasurer, 
in  favour  of  George  Gintner,  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  Pounds  five 
Shillings,  for  riding  express. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  July  26,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

HisExcell'y,  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Evans,  ~) 

Jonathan  Hoge,&  >Esqr's. 
Joseph  Hart,         J 

On  Motion,  Agreed,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Navy  Board 
to  furnish  Gen.  Du  Coudray  with  a  convenient  Boat,  whenever  he 
may  call  upon  them  for  one. 

Gen.  Du  Coudray  attended  the  Council,  &  enquired  what  Ordi- 
nances  had  been  provided  for  the  Fortifications  at  Billingsport; 
and  thereupon,  after  enquiry  made  on  this  subject, 

Order ed.  That  the  Secretary  be  directed  to  inform  Gen.  Du-  ! 
Coudray  of  the  number  of  Pieces  of  Ordnance  in  the  State  House ! 
Yard,  as  returned  by  Capt.  Stiles. 

The  Council  being  informed  on  Oath,  that  the  Public  Records  j 
of  the  County  of  Westmoreland  had  been  in  an  unlawful  &  Clan- 
destine manner,  removed  &  Secreted,  and  that  there  is  reason  to  I 
suspect  that  they  are  removed  to,  and  secreted  in  the  Borough  of  I 
Lancaster,  and  that  Mich'l  Hoofnagle,  late  Deputy  Prothonotary! 
of  the  said  County,  had  removed  &  Secreted  the  said  Records,  &ca.;; 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  John  Hubly,  Esq'r,  of  the  Borough  of  Lancaster,' 
be  authorized  &  empowered  to  search  for,  demand,  take,  &  receive! 
the  said  Books,  Records,  Papers,  &  Seals,  or  such  of  them  as  may; 
be  found  :  And  for  the  more  effectual  recovery  of  the  same,  that  he, 
be  directed  to  apply  to,  and  demand  of  Mich'l  Hubley,  Esq'r,  &' 
Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Lan- 
caster, for  their  Special  Warrant,  enabling  the  Sheriff  of  the  said) 
County,  or  any  Peace  Officer,  to  enter,  in  the  day  time,  into  anyl 
dwelling,  or  other  House,  within  the  said  County  of  Lancaster,  and 
there  to  make  diligent  search  for  the  said  Records,  Books,  Papers,j 
&  Seals,  and  if  the  same,  or  any  of  them  be  there  found,  to  bring 
them  before  the  said  Justices,  in  order  that  they  may  be  delivered 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL,  253 

into  the  Custody  of  the  said  John  Hubley ;  And  That  Mich'l  Hub- 
ley  &  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  be  commanded  &  empowered  to  grant 
the  search  Warrant  before  mentioned,  to  search  any  particulrr  House 
or  Houses,  as  aforesaid,  due  cause  to  suspect  that  the  said  Records, 
Books,  Papers,  &  Seals,  or  any  of  them,  be  concealed  therein,  be  to 
you  shewn ;  And  That,  as  the  said  Mich'l  Hoofnagle  is  now  at 
Camp,  His  ExcelPy  Gen.  Washington  be  requested  to  send  the  said 
Mich'l  Hoofnagle  to  this  City  immediately,  to  answer  his  conduct 
herein. 


[  Esq'rs. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Sunday  July  27,  1777. 

present  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  John  Proctor, 

Jonathan  Hoge,  & 

Mr.  Wynkoop,  from  Bucks  County,  attending,  and  having  repre- 
sented that  the  Committee  for  driving  off  Cattle  from  that  County 
are  too  few ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  John  Vandegrift,  Arthur  Watts,  James  Wallace, 
Joshua  Anderson,  &  Joseph  Thomas,  be  added  to  the  Committee 
for  removing  Cattle,  in  the  County  of  Bucks. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  for  removing  of  Cattle  be  informed 
of  the  arrival  of  part  of  the  Enemy's  Fleet  at  Egg  Harbor,  and 
reminded  of  the  necessity  of  holding  themselves  in  readiness  to 
perform  that  duty  whenever  their  judgment  shall  point  it  out  to  ba 
I  necessary. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  July  28,  1777. 

present : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  John  Proctor,  ?  «    , 

Jonathan  Hoge  &,  $  Es(l  rs' 

Gen'l  Wayne  &  Gen'l  Nash  attended  the  Council,  &  laid  before 
them  the  situation  of  the  Army  now  marching  towards  this  City, 


2$4  MINUTES  OF  THE 

A  Petition  signed  by  a  number  of  Inhabitants  of  the  Borough  of 
Bristol,  praying  a  redress  of  a  grievous  insult  offered  to  that  Bo- 
rough by  a  certain  Capt.  Sims,  was  presented  &  read. 
Ordered  to  lie  on  the  Table. 

Caleb  Davis,  Esq'r,  Prothonotary  of  the  County  of  Chester,  com- 
plained that  Henry  Hale  Graham,  Esq'r,  late  Prothonotary,  had  un~ 
del?  divers  pretences,  neglected  to  deliver  up  to  him,  the  said  Davis, 
the  Books,  Records,  Papers  &  Seals  belonging  to  the  said  Office; 
Whereupon  the  Council,  taking  into  consideration  the  great  danger 
to  which  the  same  are  exposed,  by  reason  of  the  approach  of  the 
Enemy, 

Ordered,  That  a  Warrant  be  made  out  &  directed  to  the  said  Ca- 
leb Davis,  Esq'r,  authorizing  &  empowering  him  to  enter,  in  day 
time,  with  proper  assistants,  the  dwelling  House  &  Out  Houses  of 
the  said  Henry  Hale  Graham,  Esq'r,  &  search  for  &  take  possession 
of,  &  secure  in  some  safe  place  the  Books,  Records,  Papers  &  Seals 
belonging  to  the  said  Office,  &  requiring  him  to  make  returns  of 
what  he  may  do  herein  to  the  Council. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Tho's  McKean,  Esq'r,  be  appointed 
Chief  Justice  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  or- 
dered to  be  Commissioned  Accordingly. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Jonathan  Dickinson  Sergeant,  Esq'r, 
be  appointed  Attorney  General  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

The  Hon'ble  Congress,  by  their  Resolve  of  this  date,  wherein  it 
is  recommended  in  the  following  manner,  Viz : 

"United  States  in  Congress  Assembled,  Monday  July  28,  1777. 

"Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Executive  Council  of 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania  to  call  out  Four  thousand  of  the  Militia, 
in  addition  to  those  already  called  forth,  &  as  their  service  is  imme- 
diately wanted,  that  they  call  forth  such  as  can  be  soonest  collected. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  the  City  of  Philadelphia  furnish  One 
Class  of  the  Militia,  Philadelphia  County  Two  Classes,  Bucks 
County  One  Class,  Chester  County  One  Class,  Lancaster  County 
One  Class,  York  County  One  Class,  Cumberland  County  One 
Class,  &  Northampton  County  One  Class,  &  that  orders  be  immedi- 
ately issued  to  the  Lieutenants  to  bring  out  the  said  Militia  with 
all  possible  expedition.  Also,  that  a  detachment  of  the  Artillery  of 
the  City  of  Philadelphia,  equal  to  three-eighths  parts  of  the  whole, 
be  called  into  service. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  255 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Tuesday  July  29,  1777 


PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  Joseph  Hart,  }  „     , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  }      ^ 

Ordered,  That  a  Writ  be  issued  to  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  of 
York,  for  holding  an  Election  for  a  Councellor  for  the  said  County, 
&  to  be  returned  to  the  President  in  Council,  on  or  before  the  19th 
day  of  August  next. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  drive  off  the  Stock  (in  case  of  the 
Enemies  approach)  from  the  frontier  part  of  Chester  County,  rep- 
resented to  Council  that  Mr.  Ash  &  Mr.  Harvey  cannot  attend  that 
duty,  &,  they  request  an  addition  to  their  number, 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  John  Pearson,  Nicholas  Deihl,  Isaac 
Hendrickson,  Isaac  Serril,  Harvey  Lewis,  &  Ja'c  Richards,  be  ad- 
ded to  the  Committee  for  driving  off  the  Stock  on  the  Enemies' 
approach. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Will'm  Henry, 
Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  Hundred  Pounds,  for  which  Sum  he  is 
to  account.        .      ' 

Ay  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  Robert  Smith,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  five 
hundred  Pounds,  for  the  purpose  of  Paying  Substitutes,  &  purcha- 
sing Blankets,  &ca.,  &  for  which  Sum  he  is  to  account, 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  July  30,  1777. 

His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice-President. 

John  Evans,  Joseph  Hart,  )  ™    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  \  ^sq  rs" 

r  The  State  Navy  Board  informed  the  Council  that  u  the  Congress 
has  empowered  the  Continental  Navy  Board  to  purchase  twelve 
Vessels,  to  be  fitted  out  as  Fire  Ships,  &  that  the  Continental 
Navy  Board  had  applied  to  them  to  fit  out  those  Vessels,"  &  ask 
the  Council  to  signify  their  approbation  of  the  measure,  and  at  the 
same  time  informing  them  that  there  is  combustibles  for  Four 
Eire  Ships  now  ready. 


256  MINUTES  OF  THE 

On  consideration,  agreed,  That  the  Council  approve  of  the  State 
Navy  Board  undertaking  to  fit  out  the  Fire  Ships  ordered  by  Con- 
gress, &  recommend  to  the  Navy  Board  to  take  care  that  there  is 
no  misunderstanding  respecting  the  mode  of  paying  this  expence. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  July  31,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  Joseph  Hart,  )  ™    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  '  j  usq  rs. 

Agreed,  That  application  be  made  to  Congress  for  the  Sum  of 
One  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars  for  the  Payment  of  Debts  con- 
tracted, or  which  may  be  contracted  for,  or  by  order  of  Congress, 
for  the  Payment  of  the  Militia,  &ca. 

An  order  on  Thomas  Smith,  Esq'r,  Committee  of  the  Loan 
Office  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  was  accordingly  sent  up  to  the 
Council,  &  by  the  President  made  Payable  to  Dav'd  Rittenhouse, 
Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  the  State,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred  Thou- 
sand Dollars. 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieutenant  of  the  City  &  Liberties  of  Phila- 
delphia furnish  Colo.  Nichola  with  One  Hundred  and  Fifty  Men  of 
the  Militia,  to  assist  the  City  Guards  in  the  charge  of  their  impor- 
tant duty. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  John  Proctor,  to  be  forwarded  by  Sebas- 
tian Levan,  Esq'r,  to  Colo.  Jacob  Morgan,  Lieutenant  of  the  County 
of  Berks,  & 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  Charged  to  the  said  Colo.  Jacob  Mor- 
gan, Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Berks,  which  was  delivered  to  Sebas- 
tian Levan,  Esq'r,  for  the  said  Colo.  Morgan. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  25* 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a.  Friday  August  1st,  1777, 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  Oeoege  Bryan.  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans, 

rs» 


Joseph  Hart,  &  )  E    , 
John  Proctor,    j       ^ 


Jonathan  Hoge, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favour  of  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Four 
Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Dean  Timmons,  for  the  sum  of  Seven  Hun- 
dred Dollars,  and  directing  the  same  to  be  charged  to  Commodore 
Tho's  Seymour,  agreeable  to  his  order,  in  favor  of  the  said  Dean 
Timmons. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  the  Secretary,  for  the  Sum  of  Eighteen  Thou- 
sand Pounds,  to  be  by  him  forwarded  to  the  following  Lieutenants 
&  Sub-Lieutenants  of  the  Counties,  To  Wit :  To  Col.  Rob't  Smith, 
Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Chester,  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand 
Pounds,  to  be  accounted  for  by  him  :  To  Colo.  Joseph  Kirkbride;, 
Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Bucks,  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand 
Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account:  To  Colo.  Bartram  Galbraith, 
Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  the  Sum  of  Four  Thousand 
Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account;  To  Colo.  James  Gregory,  Suh- 
Lieutenant  of  Cumberland,  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand  Pounds, 
for  which  he  is  to  account;  To  Colo.  Richard  McCallister,  Lieutenant 
of  the  County  of  York,  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand  Pounds,  for 
which  he  is  to  account ;  To  Colo.  John  Wetzell,  Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Northampton,  the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand  Pounds,  for 
which  Sum  he  is  to  account.  And  the  Secretary  is  directed  to  for- 
ward it  accordingly. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Will'm  Crispin,  Esq'r,  Commissary,  for  the 
Sum  of  Two  Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Will'm  Coates,  Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  for 
which  he  is  to  account. 

And  the  following  Orders  were  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse, 
Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  the  State,  viz : 

In  favor  of  Abraham  Bennett,  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  Pounds 
ten  Shillings,  for  riding  express  from  Cape  May  to  this  City,  on 
public  business. 

VOL.  XT. — 17. 


258     -  MINUTES  OF  THE 

V 

In  favor  of  James  Wilson,  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  Pounds  ten 
Shillings,  for  riding  express  from  Cape  May  to  this  City,  on  Public 
Business. 

In  favor  of  John  Hart,  Esq'r,  for  such  Sums  as  he  may  occa- 
sion for,  in  completeiug  the  survey  from  Salem  downwards. 

Sam'l  Morris,  Esq'r,  Register  of  Wills  for  the  City  &  County  of 
Philadelphia,  attended  the  Council,  and  represented  that  he  appre- 
hended the  Records  &  Papers  belonging  to  the  said  Office  is  in 
danger  from  the  approach  of  the  Enemy,  &  prayed  the  advice  & 
direction  of  the  Council  therein.    On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Samuel  Morris,  Esq'r,  Register  of  Wills  for  the 
City  &  County  of  Philadelphia,  be  directed,  in  case  of  the  approach 
of  the  Enemy,  to  remove  at  the  Public  Expenee,  all  the  Records  & 
Papers  belonging  to  his  Office,  to  a  place  of  Safety. 


Esq' 


rs« 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  Aug't  2d,  177 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Son'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Evans,  John  Proctor, 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  iavor  of  Matthew  Welden,  for  the  Sum  of  Seven 
Pounds  Ten  Shillings,  for  riding  express  from  Cape  May,  on  public 
Business. 

On  motion, 

Agreed,  That  John  Morris,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  to  attend 
the  next  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  at  Lancaster  &  Reading,  as  At- 
torney of  this  Commonwealth  at  the  said  Courts. 

An  order'was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Two 
Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL,.  259 

The  Council  met. 

Philad^a,  Monday  Aug't  4,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  John  Proctor,  and   }  jwrs 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart.  \     i* 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Dav'd  Hand,  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  Pounds 
Ten  Shillings,  for  riding  express  from  Cape  May  to  this  City,  on 
Public  Business. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  John  Smith,  for  the  Sum  of 

,  for  riding  express  several  times  on  Public  Business. 

An  order  was  Drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Will'm  Coates,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Two 
thousand  Pounds,  to  Pay  Substitutes,  &  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  pay  to  Will'm  Coates,  Esq'r,  Lieu- 
tenant of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand 
Pounds,  remaining  of  the  Eighteen  thousand  drawn  for  in  nis  favor, 
he  having  sent  to  Colo.  Galbraith  the  sum  of  .Three  thousand 
Pounds,  instead  of  Four  thousand  Pounds,  &  that  he  inform  David 
Rittenhouse,  JBsq'r. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  Aug't  5, 1777, 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President, 

John  Evans,  John  Proctor,  &    3  _,    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart.         J m* 1 


r,3 


260  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  Aug.  6,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  John  Proctor,  &  >  ™ 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart.        5 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Sam'l  Smith,  Esq'r,  Sub  Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Bucks,  for  the  Sum  of  Nine  hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  Colo.  Jos.  Kirkbride,  Lieiutenant  of  the  said  County, 
for  the  purpose  of  Paying  Substitutes,  purchasing  Blankets,  &ca., 
for  which  sum  he  is  to  account. 

The  Petition  of  upwards  of  Twenty  of  the  Freeholders  of  the 
Town  &  Township  of  Easton,  and  of  Forks  Township  in  the  County 
of  Northampton,  setting  forth  that  Rob't  Traill  &  Henry  Fullert, 
Esq'rs,  had  declined,  &  still  continue  to  decline  to  take  the  Oaths 
necessary  to  qualify  them  to  act  in  the  Office  of  Magistrate,  &  that 
great  inconveniences  unavoidably  &  daily  arise  from  there  being  no 
Magistrate  resident  in  the  said  Town  of  Easton,  &  also  setting  forth 
that  it  is  necessary  that  one  or  more  Magistrates  should  be  seated 
in  the  said  Town  of  Easton,  &ca.,  &ca.,  was  read,  &  the  same  be- 
ing considered ;  thereupon, 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Rob't  Levers  and  Abraham  Berlin  be 
appointed  &  Commissioned  as  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  said 
County  of  Northampton,  &  that  they  be  Commissioned  accordingly, 
in  the  room  of  the  said  Rob't  Traill  &  Henry  Fullert. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Ja's  Loughead,  Paymaster  of  the  City  Mili- 
tia, for  the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand  Dollars,  for  which  he  is  to  ac- 
count. 

Francis  Hopkinson,  Esq'r,  from  the  Continental  Navy  Board,  ap- 
plied to  Council  &  requested  that  a  Pilot  may  be  put  on  Board  each 
of  Two  Ships  intended  to  be  ordered  down  the  Bay  by  the  said 
Navy  Board;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  States  Navy  Board  be  directed  to  furnish  the 
Continental  Navy  Board  with  Two  Pilots,  either  from  among  the 
Chevaux-de-Frize  Pilots  now  in  the  Pay  of  this  State,  or  any  other 
Pilots  which  they  may  be  able  to  obtain  for  the  said  Purpose. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  that  there  does  not  re- 
main any  great  necessity  of  continuing  the  board  of  War,  &  that 
strict  attention  ought  to  be  given  to  the  saving  the  public  money ; 
thereupon, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  261 

Ordered,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Council  be  given  to  the  Gen- 
tlemen of  the  Board  of  War,  for  their  services  to  the  State,  &  that 
they  be  discharged  from  further  service  as  a  board  of  War. 

Dr.  Witherspoon,  by  a  Card,  ^presented  his  Compliments  to  the 
Vice  President,  &  request  that  Ja's  Scott,  David  Walker,  &  John 
Carson,  (who  were  committed  to  gaol  some  time  ago,  as  suspicious 
persons,)  may  be  delivered  to  his  Custody ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  they  be  delivered  to  Doc't  Witherspoon's  care,  to- 
be  retured  when  called  for. 

Ordered,  That  a  writ  be  issued  for  imprisoning  Lewis  Gordon,, 
Esq'r,  late  Prothonotary  of  the  County  of  Northampton,  under  the 
late  Government. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  Aug.  7,  1777. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Exceli'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 


John  Evans,  John  Proctor,  & 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart, 


Esq'rs. 


Jacob  Hiltaheimer,  in  behalf  of  the  Quarter  Master  General,  ap- 
plied to  Council  for  sixty  Waggons,  for  the  service  of  the  Army ; 
thereupon. 

Ordered,  That  the  Waggon- Master  of  the  Several  Counties,  each 
of  them  furnish  a  proportion  of  that  number,  according  to  the 
number  out  of  each  County,  having  regard  as  much  as  may  be  to 
the  conveniency  of  individuals. 

A  Letter  from  Gen'l  Hand,  dated  Fort  Pitt,  24th  July,  1777, 
requesting  that  orders  may  be  given  to  the  Militia  Officers  of  West- 
moreland &  Bedford,  to  furnish  him  with  what  Men  they  can  spare, 
for  the  purpose  of  penetrating  the  Indian  Country  &  destroying 
their  settlements,  which  he  apprehends  to  be  necessary  to  prevent 
the  continuance  of  the  Cruelties  which  they  have  lately  practised, 
as  appears  inclosed  in  the  General's  letter, 

Ordered,  That  the  Letter  from  Gen'l  Hand,  dated  Fort  Pitt, 
24th  July,  1777,  with  paper  contained  therein,  be  sent  to  Congress, 
for  their  consideration  &;  direction  thereon. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Col.  Coats,  Lieut,  for  the  County  of  Phila- 
delphia, for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  for  the  purpose  of 
Paying  Substitutes  &  purchasing  Blankets,  &ca.,  for  which  he  is  to 
account. 


262  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Pav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favour  of  Mr.  John  Beaton,  Paymaster  of  the  Chester 
County  Militia,  for  the  Sura  of  One  Thousand  Eight  hundred 
Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account.  §  ■ 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Frederick  Schneyder,  for  the  Sum  Fifty-Two 
Pounds  Three  Shillings  and  Nine  Pence,  for  his  Wages  &  several 
small  Articles  purchased  by  him. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esquire,  Treasurer 
of  the  State,  in  favor  of  Adam  Strieker,  for  the  Sum  of  Eleven 
Pounds  Two  Shillings  &  three  Pence,  for  riding  express. 

Ordered,  That  John  Bautlett,  a  Prisoner  in  the  new  Goal,  be 
enlarged  on  Parole. 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Friday  August  8th,  1777. 


present : 
His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  John  Proctor,  (^  -p    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart,   j       ^ 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  that  there  remains  many 
accounts  yet  open  in  consequence  of  the  Contracts  made  by  the 
Board  of  War,  which  will  for  some  time  require  the  attention  of 
a  Clerk  to  adjust  and  settle  them,  as  well  as  to  pay  the  Balances 
which  may  be  yet  due  ;  thereupon 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  S.  Howell,  late  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  War, 
be  continued  to  settle  the  Accounts  of  that  Board,  &  that  Money 
be  put  into  his  hands  from  time  to  time,  to  pay  such  Balances  as 
may  appear  to  be  due. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Jacob  S.  Howell,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thous- 
and Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. . 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  263 

The  Council  met. 


Philad'Aj  Saturday  August  9,  1777. 

■DBPfililWT  • 


PRESENT 

His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jonathan  Hoge, ") 
John  Proctor,  &  lEsq'rs. 
Joseph  Hart,       J 

An  o¥der  -was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  WilPm  Crispin,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred 
Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

The  Continental  Board  of  War  having  made  application  to  the 
Council  for  a  guard,  in  case  it  shall  be  found  necessary  to  remove 
the  Prisoners  from  Lancaster;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  on  application  of  the  Commissary  of  Prisoners? 
or  his  Deputy,  the  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  do  fur- 
nish the  Gruard  which  may  be  necessary  for  the  said  purpose. 

Mr.  James  Dundass  applied  for  Money  to  pay  off  several  Con- 
tracts with  Workmen,  for  tools,  &ca.,  and  an  order  was  drawn  on 
Jacob  S.  Howell,  in  favour  of  said  James  Dundass,  for  the  Sum. 
of  One  thousand  five  hundred  pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account 

On  motion,  agreed,  That  Mr.  John  White  be  appointed  paymas- 
ter of  the  Militia  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  John  Sullivan,  a  Prisoner  on  Parole,  having  prayed  an  en- 
largement of  his  Bounds  j  thereupon,  Agreed,  That  he  be  indulged 
with  the  liberty  of  the  City  &  County  on  the  West  side  of  Dela- 
ware for  Six  Miles, 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Monday  August  11,  1777, 


PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  John  Evans,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jonathan  Hoge,  1 
John  Proctor,  &  lEsq'rs. 
Joseph  Hart,      J 

The  Petition  of  Negro  Harry,  formerly  a  Slave  of  Jo'n  Humphrey's 
setting  forth,  that  he  was  Manumitted  in  due  form  by  his  said  Mas- 
ter, &  Ann  Humphreys,  the  Widow  of  his  deceased  master,  is  about 
to  sell  him  to  a  person  whom,  he  is  apprehensive,  will  immediately 


264  MINUTES  OF  THE 

carry  him  out  of  this  State  to  places  far  remote  from  his  Witness, 
&  where,  it  is  probable,  he  may  be  detained  during  his  life,  &ca  ; 
&  that  by  reason  of  the  Courts  of  Justice  being  shut,  he  can  pro- 
cure no  process  whereby  his  person  may  be  secured  till  the  matter 
in  dispute  can  be  legally  determined  ;  &  therefore  prays  that  meas- 
ures may  be  taken,  so  as  to  secure  his  person  from  injury  till  the 
Courts  of  Justice  shall  be  opened,  as  to  this  Council  may  seem 
expedient  ;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Mrs.  Ann  Humphreys  (Widow  of  Mr.  Jonathan 
Humphreys,  late  of  this  City,)  be  written  to,  requesting  that  she 
will  not  proceed  in  selling  the  aforesaid  Negro  Harry,  until  she 
shall  make  it  clearly  appear  that  she  has  a  right  so  to  do# 

WilPm  Mollaston,  one  of  the  Pilots  engaged  in  the  service  of 
this  State  by  the  late  Council  of  Safety,  applied  for  his  discharge 
from  that  duty,  in  order  to  go  on  Board  the  Delaware  Frigate  ; 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  aforesaid  Wm.  Mollaston  be  discharged  ac- 
cording to  his  request. 


The  Council  Met. 

Ppiilad'a,  Tuesday  August  12,  1777. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
The  Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  John  Procter,  &  \  ^    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart,        J       *• 

Mr.  Penrose,  Mr.  Dunlap,  Mr.  Hall,  Mr.  Hunter,  &  other  Gen" 
tlemen  of  the  Light  Horse,  waited  on  the  Council  &  informed  that 
Benja.  Chew,  Esq'r,  was,  in  conformity  to  the  order  of  Council, 
made  Prisoner,  and  remained  at  his  own  House  as  a  Prisoner ;  and 
that  the  Hon'ble  John  Penn,  Esq'r,  was  also  made  Prisoner,  & 
would,  at  12  O'Clock  this  day,  be  at  the  House  of  Will'm  Allen, 
Esq'r,  subject  to  the  orders  of  the  Council ;  And  the  Council  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  information  be  given  to  Congress,  that  the 
Hon'ble  John  Penn,  Esq'r,  late  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  &  Benja. 
Chew,  Esq.,  Chief  Justice,  Register  General  of  Wills,  &ca,  &  one 
of  the  Governor's  Council  of  the  same,  have  been  made  Prisoners 
agreeable  to  the  recommendation  of  Congress  ,*  That  both  of  them 
refuse  to  sign  a  Parole  of  any  kind  ;  and  that  Congress  be  requested 
immediately  to  order  them  to  be  removed  out  of  the  State. 

.  An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Jacob  S.  Howell,  for  the  Sum  Seven  thousand 
Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  2G5 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Jacob  S.  Howell  for  the  Sum  of  Five 
thousand  Pounds,  in  €avor  of  Joseph  Blewer,  Esq'r,  Chairman  of 
the  Naval  Committee,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Agreeable  to  the  order  of  the  day,  Francis  Armstrong  of  the 
Township  of  Little  Britain,  in  the  County  of  Lancaster,  Complain- 
ant against  James  Whitesides,  Justice  elect  of  the  said  Township, 
George  Ewing  of  the  same  place,  &  John  Allison,  one  of  the-Judges 
of  the  Election  for  the  choosing  of  Justices  for  the  said  Township, 
appeared  and  laid  before  the  Council  divers  depositions  and  evi- 
dences said  to  be  respecting  the  said  Complaint,  which  having  been 
duly  examined,  do  not  appear  to  contain  any  matter  immediately 
relating  either  to  thWisqualification  of  the  said  Whitesides  to  fill 
the  Office  of  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  or  tending  to  prove  ai*y  unfair 
proceedings  at  said  Election. 

And  the  Council  taking  the  return  of  Justices  for  the  Township 
of  Little  Britain,  in  the  County  of  Lancaster,  into  their  considera- 
tion, Agreed,  That  James  Whitesides  &  Patrick  Ewing  be  appointed 
Justices  for  the  County  of  Lancaster. — [See  a  Minute  of  this  ap- 
pointment, antea  pa.  251.] 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  Aug.  13,  1777» 

present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  J  John  Proctor,  &  ~)  ™    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart,       3 

The  Continental  Board  of  War  having  in  writing  desired  that  this 
Council  will  procure  an  Officer  &  Six  Gentlemen  of  the  Philadel- 
phia Light  Horse  to  escort  John  Penn  &  Benja.  Chew,  Esq'rs,  as 
Prisoners  to  Fredericksburg,  in  Yirginia,  and  direct  them  to  call  at 
the  War  Office  &  receive  their  instructions  as  soon  as  possible,  and 
the  resolutions  of  Congress  respecting  the  removal  of  the  aforesaid 
Gentlemen  being  read  ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Officers  of  Light  Horse  of  this  City  be  re- 
quested to  select  from  among  themselves  &  their  escort  an  officer  & 
Six  Gentlemen  to  escort  John  Penn  &  Benj'a  Chew,  Esq'rs,  as  Pri- 
soners to  Fredericksburg,  in  Virginia,  &  that  the  escort  call  at  the 
Continental  War  Office  &  receive  their  instructions  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible. 

GenT  Du  Coudray  having  applied  to  Council  for  a  House  at  Fort 
Island, 


266  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  Gen'l  Du  Coudray  be  furnished  with  the  House 
on  Fort  Island  which  may  best  his  conveniency. 

A  Letter  from  Gen'l  Potter  respecting  the  promise  of  the  Sub- 
Lieutenants  of  Bucks  County  to  their  people,  that  they  shall  be 
discharged  when  the  time  of  those  that  entered  first  is  out. 

Ordered,  That  a  Copy  of  the  said  Letter  be  sent  to  Col.  Kirk- 
bridge,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Bucks. 

Mr.  White,  lately  appointed  Paymaster  of  this  State,  having  de- 
clined to  accept  that  appointment,  as  he  chose  to  enter  the  Service 
in  another  line, 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Capt.  Thos.  Dorsey  be  appointed  Pay- 
master of  the  Militia  of  this  State. 

An  ^rder  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  Will'm  Crispin,  for  the  Sum  Two  Thousand  Pounds,  for 
which  he  is  to  account. 

The  Committee  of  Philadelphia  County  appointed  to  drive  off 
Cattle,  &ca,  request  that  Joseph  Ash  ton  &  Simon  Bennett,  of  Lower 
Dublin,  &  John  Bode  and  John  Stevenson,  of  Byberry,  be  added 
to  that  Committee ;  &  on  consideration,  Agreed  that  they  be  added 
to  the  said  Committee  accordingly. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Col.  Nicola  furnish  a  proper  guard  over 
John  Penn  &  Beirja.  Chew,  Esq'rs,  to  relieve  the  Gentlemen  of  the 
Light  Horse  from  that  duty  until  the  Continental  Board  of  War 
shall  take  charge  of  them. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Capt.  Tho's  Dorsey,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia 
of  this  State,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he 
is  to  account. 

Divers  depositions  relating  to  abuses  offered  to  several  persons 
therein  named,  of  the  County  of  York,  by  Lieut.  Reynolds,  Lieut. 
McCoy,  of  Capt.  Steele's  Company,  &  one  Ogilvie,  being  laid  be- 
fore the  Council  &  read,  thereupon  a  Warrant  was  issued*  directed 
to  James  Claypoole,  Esq'r,  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia, 
to  apprehend  the  said  Lieut.  Reynolds,  Lieut.  McCoy,  and  Ogilvie, 
&  bring  them  or  either  of  them,  before  this  Council,  to  answer  the 
complaints  contained  in  the  depositions  aforesaid. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Mr.  Marshall  Edwards  be  appointed 
Paymaster  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia  Militia. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  267 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  Aug't  13th,  1777. 

present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Estj'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  •  John  Proctor,  and?  w  > ,: 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart,  $    •    'y 

The  Rev'd  Doct.  Ewing,  in  behalf  of  Benja.  Chew,  Esquire,  ap- 
peared in  the  Council,  &  declared  Mr.  Chew's  willingness  now  to 
sign  the  Parole  offered  to  him,  &  requested  that  he  might  be  per- 
mitted to  do  so,  at  the  same  time  declaring  that  Mr.  Chew  had  not 
refused  to  sign  the  Parole  offered  to  him,  from  any  want  of  respect 
to  the  Council,  but  from  a  desire  that  the  cause  of  his  Arrest  might 
have  been  inserted  in  the  Warrant  for  arresting  him,  in  order  that 
he  might  be  able  to  satisfy  his  friends  upon  what  he  is  Arrested,  & 
that  it  may  not  be  supposed  that  he  stands  charged  with  having 
committed  any  crime  against  the  States,  but  that  he  is  arrested  as 
an  Officer  under  the  late  Government  of  Pennsylvania. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Peter  Dehaven,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of 
One  Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Will'm  Crispin,  for  the  Sum  of  four  Thous- 
and Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Lieut.  Will'm  McCoy,  &  Ensign  John  Reynolds,  were  brought 
by  the  Sheriff  before  the  Council,  &  on  examination,  it  appearing 
that  they  were  the  persons  charged  with  being  guilty  of  a  riot  in 
the  County  of  York,  on  the  2nd  of  this  instant,  August,  &  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Will'm  McCoy  &  John  Reynolds  do  give 
security  for  their  appearance  at  the  next  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions 
in  the  County  of  York,  there  to  answer  the  said  charge,  each  of 
them  himself  in  the  Sum  of  ^150.  &  two  sufficient  securities  for 
each,  in  the  Sum  of  ^6150  for  such  appearance,  and  that  they  stand 
committed  until  such  security  is  given. 

Whereas,  In  the  course  of  the  examination  of  the  aforesaid 
Will'm  McCoy  &  John  Reynolds,  it  appears  that  Serjeant  And'w 
Byer,    in    Capt.    Nichols'  Company;  Ezekiel    Sample,  in   Capt. 

Steele's  Company;  Davis,  in    Capt.  Butler's    Company; 

Ensign Wilson,  of  Erwin's  Comp'y,  Will'm  Coyle,  or  Kyle, 

John  Hogg,  Ensign,  &  John  Magee,  Ensign,  have  been  active  in 
the  said  Riot;  therefore  the  Council  issued  a  Writ,  directed  to  the 
Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  authorizing   him  to  appre- 


268  MINUTES  OF  THE 

hend  the  said  Andrew  Byer,  Ezekiel  Sample,  Davis, 

Wilson,  Coyle,  or  Kyle,  John   Hogg,  &   John    Magee,  & 

bring  them,  or  any  of  them,   before   this  Council,  to  answer  the 
complaints  aforesaid. 

Doctor  Drummond  having  applied  to  the  Council  by  Petition, 
praying  to  be  enlarged  on  Parole,  the  same  was  now  taken  into 
consideration,  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  his  parole  be  taken  to  confine  him  to  his  House, 
&  on  the  West  Side  of  Delaware,  within  Two  Miles  of  the  same. 

The  Parole  to  contain  the  conditions  in  other  respects  contained 
in  Mr.  Smith's  Parole,  lately  taken. 

Colo.  Bull,  Adjutant  General,  applied  to  Council  for  assistance 
in  removeing  the  Troops  from  Billingsport  to  Fort  Island ;  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Navy  Board  do  give  the  necessary  assistance 
in  removing  the  Troops  from  Billingsport  to  Fort  Island. 

On  motion,  , 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Matthias  Bush  procure  One  thousand  Knap- 
sacks for  the  use  of  the  Militia  of  this  State,  on  the  best  terms  they 
can  be  had,  for  which  he  shall  be  allowed  One  Shilling  each  as 
Commission — the  price  of  materials  &  making  to  be  charged  at  the 
first  cost. 

And'w  Byers,  John  Hogg,  &  Ezekiel  Semple,  were  brought  be- 
fore the  Council  &  examined.  Whereupon,  John  Hogg  &  Ezekiel 
Semple  were  discharged,  the  evidence  against  them  being  insuffi- 
cient to  justify  the  detaining  them.  And'w  Byers  appearing  to  have 
been  concerned  in  the  above  mentioned  riot,  was  ordered  to  give 
security  for  his  appearance  at  the  next  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions 
for  the  aforesaid  County  of  York,  to  answer  the  said  charge  himself, 
in  the  Sum  of  Fifty  Pounds,  &  one  sufficient  surety  in  the  like 
Sum. 


The  Council  met. 


Piiilad'a,  Friday  August  15,  1777. 


present : 
His  Exccll'y  TIIO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Evans,  John  Proctor,  &  )  T?SQ»rs 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart,       j       ^ 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Michael  Boyer,  for  the  Sum  of  Twenty-Two 
Pounds  fourteen  Shillings  &  Six  Pence;  for  riding  express. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  269 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Michael  Hay,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  Pounds  Fif- 
teen Shillings,  for  riding  express. 

The  Petition  of  Henry  Funk  &  George  Kreibel,  complaining  that 
they  have  been  for  some  days  past,  confined  in  the  Goal  of  North- 
ampton County,  by  commitment  of  Henry  Lumbeck,  Esq'r,  because 
they  had  refused  to  take  the  Test  of  Allegiance  directed  to  be  taken 
by  the  Act  of  Assembly  passed  the  13th  day  of  June  last,  &  pray- 
ing a  day  might  be  appointed  for  the  hearing  of  said  complaint, 
was  read,  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  write  to  the  said  Frederick  Lem- 
boch,  jJsq'r,  &  inform  him  of  the  said  Petition,  and  explaining  the 
Law  respecting  the  foundation  on  which  a  Commitment  on  a  suspi- 
cion of  a  Spy  is  to  be  founded,  &  also  to  desire  the  said  Magistrate 
not  to  extend  the  said  Law  in  the  execution  thereof,  beyond  what 
it  will  justify,  &  to  recommend  to  the  said  Magistrate,  in  case  any 
difficulty  should  arise  in  the  discharge  of  the  Petitioners,  to  take 
two  other  Magistrates  to  his  assistance,  &  re-consider  the  case  :  And 
if  any  difficulty  shall  prevent  the  enlargement  of  the  Petitioners, 
Tuesday  the  ninth  of  September  is  appointed  for  hearing  of  the 
Parties. 

A  Resolve  of  Congress  of  this  Date,  recommend  to  this  Council, 
for  the  reasons  therein  mentioned,  to  Arrest  &  confine  Thomas  Light- 
foot,  being  read ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Congress  be  informed  that  Thomas  Lightfoot  is 
not  an  inhabitant  of  this  State. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  demand  made  by  Gen- 
eral Gates,  of  Seven  Hundred  Si  Fifty  Men  to  his  Assistance  in 
the  Northern  Department, 

Ordered,  That  the  second  Class  of  the  Militia  of  Bucks  County, 
<&  the  second  Class  of  the  Militia  of  Northampton,  repair  imme- 
diately to  Peckskiln,  &  there  wait  the  orders  of  G-en'l  Gates. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  James  Hamilton,  John  Lawrence, 
Edward  Shippen,  jun'r,  Joseph  Shippen,  jun'r,  &  James  Humph- 
reys, Esq'r,  have  the  bounds  prescribed  in  their  respective  Paroles 
enlarged  to  the  whole  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Melchoir,  Barrack  Master,  applied  to  Council  by  Letter, 
requesting  to  be  supplied  with  Money  for  laying  in  a  Stock  of  Wood 
for  the  Barracks,  against  the  coming  Winter;  on  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Melchoir  be  informed  that  Council  do  not 
think  the  application  to  this  Board  for  Money  to  purchase  a  Stock 
of  Wood  is  proper  or  necessary,  as  it  is  no  part  of  the  Business  of 
the  Council  to  furnish  Wood  for  the  Troops,  &  therefore  decline 
supplying  the  Money  he  asks  for. 


270  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  Aug't  16,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHAKTON,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart,  )  ™     , 

John  Proctor,&  $       ^ 

Colo.  Cook  applied  to  the  Council  for  a  certified  copy  of  the 
Minutes  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  respecting  the  appointment  of 
Colo.  Johnson,  Colo.  Humpton,  &  himself;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  J.  g.  Howell  furnish  Colo.  Cook  with  the 
said  Minutes. 

On  Motion,  Agreed,  That  Will'm  Augustus  Atlee,  Esq'r,  of  the 
Borough  of  Lancaster,  be  appointed  &  commissioned  Second  Judge, 
&  that  John  Evans,  Esq'r,  of  the  County  of  Chester,  be  appointed 
&  commissioned  Third  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  Com- 
monwealth.    Commissions  made  out  &  dated  this  day. 

Ordered,  That  the  Navy  Board  do  supply  Major  Gen'l  Arm- 
strong on  his  application,  with  Boats  from  time  to  time,  to  remove 
the  Militia  from  Billingsport,  or  for  other  purposes,  as  he  may  see 
occasion. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a.,  Monday  Aug't  18, 1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 


Esq'rs. 


John  Baily,  John  Proctor,  & 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Benja.  Brannon,  Lieut,  of  the  County 
of  Chester,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Dollars,  for  the  purpose 
of  Paying  Substitutes  &  purchasing  Blankets,  &ca. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Capt.  Thos.  Dorsey,  or  his  order,  for  the 
Sum  of  Two  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  applied  to  Pay  the  Militia, 
&  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Jacob  S.  Howell,  in  favor  of  Mr.  James 
Dundas,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to 
account. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  171 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  Aug't  19,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President, 
John  Baily,  "J 

Jonathan  Iioge,  &    lEsq'rs. 
John  Proctor,  J 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Isaac  Mackey  &  Joseph  Gardner,  of 
the  County  of  Chester,  Esq'rs,  they,  or  either  of  them,  be  appointed 
&  Authorized,  by  Dedimus  Potestatum,  to  administer  to  Thomas 
McKean,  Esq'r,  Chief  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  this  State,  the 
Oaths  or  Affirmations  required  to  Qualify  him  for  the  said  Office, 
according  to  the  Constitution  &  Laws  of  this  Commonwealth  ;  And 
also,  to  administer  to  John  Evans,  Esq'r,  Third  Judge  in  &  for  the 
said  State,  the  Oaths  or  Affirmations  required  to  Qualify  him  for 
the  said  office,  according  to  the  Constitution  &  laws  of  this  Com- 
monwealth ;  and  that  Michael  Hubley  &  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  be 
appointed  &  authorized  as  aforesaid,  to  administer  the  said  Oaths  or 
Affirmations  to  Will'm  Atlee,  Esq'r,  Second  Judge  of  the  said 
State. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thou- 
and  Five  hundred  Pounds,  towards  defraying  the  Expences  of 
building  a  Powder  Magazine  &  Store  Houses  at  Lancaster,  he  being 
appointed  a  Commissioner  for  that  purpose  by  the  Council  of  Safety, 
for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One 
thousand  Pounds,  for  the  purpose  of  defraying  the  expences  of  the 
Militia  in  &  about  Lancaster  last  Winter,  when  on  their  March  to 
this  City,  to  be  paid  to  the  Hon'ble  Will'm  Atlee,  Esq'r,  &  for  which 
he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hun- 
dred &  fifty  Pounds,  to  be  also  paid  to  the  Hon'ble  William  Atlee^ 
Esq'r,  to  purchase  Blankets  with,  &  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Jacob  S.  Howell,  in  favor  of  Mr. 
Isaac  Melchor,  Barrack  Master,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  Hundred 
Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Hillary  Baker,  jun'r,  was  recommended  by  Six  of  the  Justices 
of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  to  be  a  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Quar> 
ter  Sessions  of  the  Peace  for  the  said  County. 


272  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  Aug.  20,  1777 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  John  Proctor.  }    ™    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  ) 

Peter  Dehaven  applied  to  Council  for  a  Still  bottom  of  Copper, 
to  be  used  in  the  Gun  Factory,  and  an  order  was  given  to  him  for 
the  same  j  accordingly  directed  him  to  go  &  take  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  Peter  Dehaven  call  on  Rob't  Morris,  Esq'r,  for 
the  Gun  Locks  in  his  hands  belonging  to  this  State. 

Ordered,  That  application  be  made  to  Congress  for  their  advice 
respecting  the  Militia  now  coming  in,  whether  the  situation  of  Pub- 
lic Affairs  will  admit  of  their  being  discharged  or  not. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  John  Carithers,  of  East  Pennsborough, 
in  the  County  of  Cumberland,  be  appointed  Lieut,  of  the  said  Coun- 
ty, &  that  he  be  commissioned  accordingly. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Lieut.  Col.  Will'm  Clerke  be  ap- 
pointed Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  & 
that  Philip  Marsteller,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Paymaster  of  the  Militia 
of  the  County  of  Lancaster. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Will'm  Crispin,  Commissary,  for  the  Sum 
of  Four  Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Jacob  S.  Howell,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thou- 
sand Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

The  Council  being  informed  that  Capt.  Jos.  Watkins  had  ordered 
the  Copper  belonging  to  this  State  to  be  brought  to  this  City; 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Watkins  be  ordered  to  deliver  the  said 
copper  to  Peter  Dehaven  without  delay. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  the  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of  this 
State  be  allowed  Pay  and  Rations  as  a  Colonel,  with  a  reasonable 
allowance  for  his  expences  &  loss  of  time  in  settling  his  accounts,  if 
this  shall  happen  when  he  is  not  in  Pay. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  the  respective  County  Paymasters  of 
the  Militia  be  allowed  Pay  &  Rations  as  a  Major,  with  a  reasonable 
allowance  for  his  expenses  &  loss  of  time  in  settling  his  Accounts, 
if  this  shall  happen  when  he's  not  in  Pay. 

Colo.  Berker,  of  the  Sixth  Pennsylvania  Battalion  in  Continental 
Service,  sent  in  an  arrangement  of  the  Officers  of  his  Battalion,  & 
recommended  John  Markland,  Philip  Sneider,  John  Foster,  and 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  273 

Charles  Mackenett,  to  be  appointed  Ensigns  in  the  said  Battalion  ; 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  John  Markland,  Philip  Sneider,  John  Foster,  & 
Charles  Mackenett,  be  appointed  Ensigns  in  the  Sixth  Pennsylva- 
nia Battalion  in  the  Continental  service,  &  that  the  Commissions  of 
the  first  named  of  them  bear  date  this  day,  &  the  others  in  the 
order  as  they  stand  named,  each  one  day  later  than  the  Commission 
of  him  who  stand  named  next  before  him. 

Peter  Dehaven,  one  of  the  Supervisors  of  the  Factory  of  Mus- 
kets &  other  Arms,  heretofore  established  at  French  Creek,  in 
Chester  County,  by  the  late  Council  of  Safety,  representing  to  the 
Council  that  the  Committee  of  Assembly  now  setting  on  the  ac- 
counts of  the  said  Council  of  Safety,  &  also  of  the  late  Committee 
of  Safety,  do  not  consider  themselves  authorized  to  proceed  to  ex- 
amine &  settle  the  Accounts  of  said  Supervisors  later  than  the  5th 
day  of  March  last,  the  date  of  the  dissolution  of  the  said  Council 
of  Safety;  &  the  same  objection  being  made  by  the  said  Commit- 
tee of  Accounts  on  the  application  of  Council  to  them  j  Council 
do  hereby  request  and  authorize  the  Gentlemen  of  the  said  Com- 
mittee of  Accounts,  to  proceed  to  examine  &  Settle  the  Accounts 
of  Peter  Dehaven  and  James  Carter,  Superintendents  of  said  Fac- 
tories, and  of  all  other  persons  employed  by  or  continued  in  employ 
by  the  late  Board  of  War  of  this  State,  inasmuch  as  their  Ac- 
counts must,  from  their  circumstances,  necessarily  be  settled  for  & 
during  the  existence  of  said  Board  of  War,  in  connection  with 
former  accounts  of  said  persons  under  the  Committee  &  Council  of 
Safety. 


The  Council  Met 

Philad'a,  Thursday  Aug't  21,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  John  Proctor.  ]  ™    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  \  ^  rs* 

WilPm  Dewees,  Esq'r,  late  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Philadel- 
phia, applied  to  Council  some  time  ago,  representing  that  by  order 
of  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  the  20th  of  May,  1776,  he  had  de- 
livered to  Colo.  Shee,  for  the  recruiting  of  his  Battalion,  Thirty-one 
Criminals,  and  he  exhibited  an  account  of  the  Fines,  (due  to  the 
Governor  &  other  Officers,)  charges,  &ca,  from  the  said  Criminals, 
amounting  to  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  &  Forty-four  Pounds,  Eleven 
vol.  xi. — 18. 


274  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Shillings,  &  four  Pence,  besides  the  Sum  of  Six  Pounds  nine  Shil- 
lings and  Six  Pence,  due  for  Turnkey's  Fees,  which  the  Council 
conceiving  to  be  unreasonable,  &  that  it  ought  not  to  be  paid,  di- 
rected Mr.  Dewees  to  make  out  an  Account  of  the  Fees  really  due 
to  him,  which  being  now  exhibited,  Amounting  to  the  Sum  of  Fifty- 
six  Pounds  Nineteen  Shillings  &  Six  Pence,  and  the  same  being 
examined,  was  allowed  &  ordered  to  be  paid.  John  Hubley,  Esq'r, 
appeared,  &  his  Account  of  attendance  at  the  Council  being  adjus- 
ted, an  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  said  John 
Hubley,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  nineteen  pounds,  Vizt : 

For  attendance,  days. 

From  24  Novem.,  1776,  to  the  12  Decern.,  inclusive,      -  19 

From  3  Jan'ry  to  the  12  Feb'ry,  1777,  inclusive,      -  41 

From  10  March  to  the  5  April,  inclusive,         -  27 


87  days,  @  25s, £108  15 

3  Mileages,  132  Miles  each,  at  5d  each  time,  8     5 


87 


mv 


An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Thomas  Dorsey,  (Paymaster,)  for  the  Sum  of 
Three  Thousand  Pounds,  for  the  purpose  of  Paying  the  Militia. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Edw'd  Stroud,  for  riding  express,  for  the  Sum 
of  Nine  Pounds  nineteen  Shillings  &  Six  Pence. 

An  order  was  Drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  John  Peck,  for  riding  express,  for  the  Sum  of 
Four  Pounds  Eight  Shillings  &  Six  Pence. 

Ordered,  That  Archibald  McClean  be  appointed  &  Commissioned 
as  Clerk  of  the  Orphans'  Court  of  the  County  of  York. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Friday  Aug't  22,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Baily,  John  Proctor.  7  ™    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  5  ^  r3, 

Caleb  Davis,  Esq'r,  appeared  in  Council,  &  took  the  affirmation 
required  by  the  Constitution  of  this  State  to  Qualify  him  to  act  as 
one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  the  County 
of  Chester. 


'    SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  275 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  WilPm  Henry,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  & 
empowered  to  employ  Workmen  to  make  Arms  for  the  use  of  the 
Militia  of  this  State. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Jacob  S.  Howell,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  Thous- 
and Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Jacob  S.  Howell,  in  favour  of  the  Chair- 
man of  the  State  Navy  Board,  on  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Three 
Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  the  said  Board  is  to  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  Aug.  23, 1777. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 


John  Bailey,  John  Proctor, 


Esq'rs. 


Jonathan  Hoge,  & 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Col.  Will'm  Coats,  Lieut,  of  the  County  of 
Philadelphia,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  &  fifty  Pounds,  for  the 
purpose  of  purchasing  &  Paying  Substitutes. 
On  motion, 

Ordered,  That  the  first  &  Second  Class  of  the  Militia  of  North- 
ampton be  ordered  to  march  to  Lancaster,  &  there  wait  the  orders  of 
Gen'l  Washington,  any  orders  to  the  contrary  thereof  heretofore 
given  notwithstanding. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Col.  Henry,  Lieut,  of  the  City  &  Li- 
berties of  Philadelphia,  do  immediately  complete,  in  the  fullest 
manner,  the  third  Class  of  the  City  &  Liberties  of  Philadelphia,  & 
March  the  same,  without  loss  of  time,  to  Downingstown,  in  Chester 
County,  &  also  that  he  embody  a  Detachment,  with  suitable  Officers, 
of  the  Artillery  of  the  City  &  Liberties  of  Philadelphia,  equal  to 
three-eights  of  the  whole  of  said  Corps,  &  send  them  forthwith, 
with  suitable  Cannon,  in  the  following  Divisions,  That  is  to  say  : 
One-half  of  them  to  the  Borough  of  Chester,  &  the  other  half  to 
Downingstown,  in  Chester  County,  there  to  receive  Gen'l  Washing- 
ton's orders. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  orders  be  immediately  sent  to  Colo. 
Kirkbride,  to  send  down  the  rest  of  the  third  Class  of  the  Militia  of 
Bucks  County,  or  as  Gen'l  Armstrong  may  otherwise  order. 

The  Navy  Board  informed  the  Council  by  Letter  that  the  Conti- 
nental Navy  Board  had  requested  that  Three  of  our  armed  Galleys 
&  two  fire  Vessels,  may  be  sent  down  to  the  assistance  of  Capt.  Al- 
exander, &  requested  the  order  of  Council  thereupon. 


276  MINUTES  OF  THE 

On  consideration,  Agreed,  That  the  request  of  the  Continental 
Navy  Board  be  complied  with;  but  that  it  be  recommended  to  the 
State  Navy  Board  to  inform  the  Gentlemen  aforesaid,  that  the 
Council  think  it  necessary  to  observe,  that  the  Galleys  are  not  con- 
structed for  rough  water,  &  that  they  hope  the  Boats  will  not  be 
run  into  unnecessary  danger. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  Aug7t  25,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  John  Proctor,  )   ™    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  j 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  John  Morris,  jun'r,  Esquire,  be  ap- 
pointed to  attend  the  next  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace 
for  the  County  of  Chester,  as  Attorney  of  this  Commonwealth  in 
the  said  Court. 

Ordered,  That  Jonathan  B.  Smith,  Esquire,  Prothonotary  of  the 
County  of  Philadelphia,  do  bring  the  Books  &  Papers  belonging  to 
the  said  Office  to  the  City  of  Philadelphia. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Colo.  Dan'l  Hunter  be  appointed  Pay- 
master of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Berks. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Mathias  Bush,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand 
Dollars,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Treasurer  of  the 
State,  in  favor  of  Thomas  Dorsey,  Paymaster,  for  the  Sum  of  Two 
Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  John  Smith,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand 
five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Colo.  Joseph  Kirkbride, 
Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Bucks,  (to  whom  said  Smith  is  to  deliver 
it,)  for  the  purpose  of  paying  Substitutes  and  purchasing  Blankets, 
&ca. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  277 

The  Council  met. 

Phxlad'a,  Tuesday  Aug't  26,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President.. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  John  Proctor,  >  ^    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  S  ^Sq  rS' 

Gen'l  Potter  informed  the  Council  that  Col.  WilPm  Henry  had 
in  his  possession  four  hundred  or  five  hundred  stand  of  Arms  more 
than  is  wanted  for  the  third  Class  of  City  Militia,  and  that  the 
Militia  of  some  of  the  Counties  are  in  want  of  Arms,  &  propose 
that  these  be  put  into  his  hands  for  the  purpose  of  Arming  them ; 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Henry  be  desired  to  deliver  such  Arms  as 
he  can  spare  to  Gen'l  Armstrong,  to  be  put  into  the  hands  of  the 
Militia. 

The  Navy  Board  having  represented  to  Council  that  Com- 
modore Hazlewood's  Pay  during  the  time  of  his  attending  & 
directing  the  fitting  of  the  Fire  Ships  &  Rafts,  &  recommending  it 
to  the  consideration  of  the  Council  to  make  him  a  handsome  al- 
lowance for  his  extra  trouble  &  great  attention  to  that  department ; 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Commodore  Hazlewood  be  allowed  &  paid  for  his 
extra  service  in  fitting  out  the  Fire  Ships  &  Fire  Rafts,  the  Sura 
of  One  Hundred  Pounds. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Jacob  S.  Howell,  in  favor  of  James 
Dundas,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to 
account. 

Tho's  Hale,  Deputy  Waggon  Master  General,  applied  to  Council 
for  Seven  Waggons  for  Gen'l  Nash's  Brigade,  the  Quarter  Master 
not  being  able  to  furnish  him ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Justices  of  the  County  of  Chester,  or  any  of 
them,  supply  the  said  Mr.  Hale  with  Seven  Waggons,  &  that  if 
they  do  not  immediately  furnish  them,  that  Mr.  Hale  be  empowered 
&  authorized  to  impress  them. 

An  order  was  Drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Thomas  Dorsey,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the 
Militia  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  Sum  of  four  thousand 
Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  as  it  does  not  suit  the  conveniency  of 
Colo.  Hunter  to  continue  Paymaster  of  the  County  of  Berks,  Mr. 
Henry  Spyker  be  appointed  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of  the  County 
of  Berks. 


278  MINUTES  OF   THE 

Colo.  Ayres  &  Capt.  Brown,  of  the  Artillery  of  this  City  &  Lib- 
erties, laid  before  the  Council  some  inconvenience*  which  will  arise 
from  ordering  out  three-eighths  parts  of  the  Artillery  Militia  in  the 
City,  &  proposed  that  instead  thereof,  two  complete  Companys  of 
Militia  Artillery  Men  now  go  into  service. 

Application  was  now  made  by  Colonel  Flower,  in  the  name  of 
Gen.  Knox,  to  borrow  the  two  brass  twelve  Pounders  Field  Pieces 
belonging  to  this  State,  and  he  offers  to  leave  in  exchange  for  the 
present,  two  brass  six  Pounders  for  the  use  of  the  Militia ;  and 
Congress,  by  their  resolve  of  this  date,  having  recommended  it  to 
Council  "to  lend  the  Commander-in-Chief'  the  said  two  brass 
twelve  Pounders ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Council  will  lend  to  the  Commander-in-Chief 
the  Two  brass  Twelve  Pounders  belonging  to  this  State,  &  that  they 
be  delivered  to  Colo.  Flower,  on  condition  that  two  good  brass  six 
pounders  be  left  in  their  stead,  for  the  use  of  the  Militia. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Jas.  Irwin,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  a  Brig- 
adier Gen'l  of  this  State. 

Ordered,  Than  an  express  be  sent  to  French  Creek,  with  orders 
to  Mr.  Dehaven  to  send  down  immediately  all  the  Arms  in  his  pos- 
session which  are  fit  for  service,  &  an  account  of  the  Lead  in  his 
possession. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  John  Weitzel,  Lieut,  of  the  County  of 
Northampton,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  and  Five  hundred 
Pounds,  which  he  is  to  account  for. 

Ordered,  That  application  be  made  to  the  Board  of  War,  for  an 
order  to  their  Commissary  of  Stores  to  supply  the  Militia  of  this 
States,  thro'  Mr.  Robert  Towers,  our  Commissary,  with  such  Stores 
as  they  may  have  occasion  for  &  which  he  cannot  furnish  them 
with. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Bittenhouse,  Esquire,  Treasurer 
of  this  State,  in  favor  of  Mr.  James  Sutter,  for  the  Sum  of  Five 
Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  by  him  delivered  to  Mr.  Tho's  Savage,  & 
charged  to  said  Savage  as  director  of  Salt-works. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  Aug't  27,  1777. 

present  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHABTON,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  John  Proctor.  >  ™    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  $  ^S(*  rs* 

The  Congress  by  a  Resolve  of  yesterday,  having  recommended 
to  this  Council  that  "  the  leaden  Spouts  in  Philadelphia  be  taken 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  279 

down  for  the  use  of  the  Laboratory,"  &  it  appearing  to  this  Coun- 
cil to  be  a  Salutary  &  necessary  measure )  therefore, 

Resolved,  ThatEvan  Evans,  Robert  Allison,  &  James  Worrell, 
be  appointed  to  take  down  all  such  Spouts  accordingly,  &  make  a 
just  valuation  thereof. 

And  in  conformity  with  another  Resolve  of  the  same  date,  found- 
ed on  evident  necessity  &  sound  Policy, 

Resolved,  That  the  Colonel  or  Commanding  officer  of  each  Re- 
giment of  the  City  Militia,  do  appoint  one  or  more  Officers  &  a 
sufficient  number  of  men  in  each  ward,  who  shall  search  the  Houses 
of  all  such  of  the  "  inhabitants  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  who 
have  not  manifested  their  attachment  to  the  American  cause,  for 
Fire  Arms,  Swords  &  Bayonets;  That  the  owners  of  the  Arms  so 
found  be  paid  for  them  at  an  appraised  Value,  &  that  they  be  de- 
livered to  sueh  of  the  Militia  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  who 
are  at  present  unarmed  &  have  been  called  into  the  field,"  and  that 
a  Constable  attend  each  party  during  the  said  search,  in  order  to 
keep  the  Peace. 

And  another  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  same  date,  "  requesting 
this  State  to  cause  all  persons  within  the  same  notoriously  disaf- 
fected, forthwith  to  be  apprehended,  disarmed,  and  secured,  till 
such  time  as  the  State  shall  think  they  may  be  released  without 
injury  to  the  common  cause  j"  the  same  was  referred  t©  further 
consideration. 

N.  B.  The  above  mentioned  Arms  are  to  be  put  into  the  hands 
of  the  Lieut,  of  the  City,  for  the  aforesaid  purpose. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Michael  Boyer,  for  the  Sum  of  Fourteen 
pounds  &  fourteen  Shillings,  for  riding  express  on  Public  Business. 

Mr.  Robt.  McGee  petitioned  the  Council,  praying  to  receive  in 
Exchange,  One  large  Copper  bottom,  one  small  raised  ditto,  and 
four  parts  proposed  for  large  still  heads  for  Copper,  of  equal  quality 
in  substance. 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Petition  be  granted,  &  that  the  Commis- 
sary in  whose  hands  the  above  mentioned  Copper  is,  do  exchange 
it  accordingly. 

Mr.  Anthony  Butler,  agent  for  the  Quarter  Master  General,  ap- 
plied to  Council  &  requested  to  be  supplied  with  forty  Waggons  & 
Twenty-four  Artillery  Horses. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Justices  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia  be 
required  to  send  down  immediately  Twenty-five  Waggons,  &  that 
the  Justices  of  the  County  of  Chester  be  required  to  send  down 
Twenty-five  Waggons,  to  be  Subject  to  the  orders  of  the  Quarter 
Master  General  or  his  Agents. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  Philip  Boehm  be  appointed  Paymas- 
ter of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Northampton. 


280  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  Aug't  28,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  John  Proctor,  )  ™    > 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  Joseph  Hart.    \       ' 

Mr.  McG-ee  acquainted  the  Council  that  Mr.  WatkiDS,  in  whose 
hands  the  Copper  ordered  to  be  exchanged  yesterday,  has  refused 
xo  be  at  the  trouble  of  exchanging  it ;  therefore, 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Watkins  deliver  the  Copper  in  hanus  be- 
longing to  this  State,  to  Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Will'm  Crispin,  Esq'r,  for  the  sum  of  Three 
Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  Account. 

Mr.  Joshua  Williams  having  represented  to  the  Council  that 
the  late  Council  of  Safety  had  encouraged  him  to  enlist  a  Company 
of  Men,  &  had  engaged  to  give  him  a  Captain's  Commission,  on 
condition  that  he  should  do  so,  and  that  he  has  in  consequence 
thereof,  enlisted  about  Thirty  Men  to  serve  during  the  War,  who 
are  now  ready  to  be  marched  to  Camp;  whereupon, 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Joshua  Williams  be  entitled  to  receive  a 
Captain's  Commission,  on  his  marching  to  Camp  any  number  of 
effective  Men  not  less  than  Twenty -five,  enlisted  to -serve  three 
Years,  or  during  the  War;  and  that  a  Captain's  Commission  be 
lodged  in  the  hands  of  Major  G-en'l  Armstrong,  to  be  delivered  to 
Mr.  Williams,  on  his  producing  a  Certificate  from  a  Gren'l  Officer, 
that  he  has  complied  with  the  above  condition. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Friday  Aug't  29,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  John  Proctor,  >  ™    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  Joseph  Hart.     3     ^ r&' 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  the  Chevaux  de  Frize  Pilots  now  in 
Pay  of  the  State,  be  discharged. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  drive  off  Cattle  in  the  County  of 
Bucks,  having  recommended  the  following  persons  to  be  added  to 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  281 

their  assistance,  they  are  appointed  to  the  assistance  of  the  said 
Committee   accordingly,  Viz't : 

Of  Bensalem. — Benja.  Severns,  Laurence  Johnson   and  Henry 
Bouser.  I 

Of  Bristol  Township. — Robt.  Patterson  &  John  Barnsley. 

Of  Bristol  Borough. — David  Kennedy. 

Of  falls  Township.— ^fho's  Harvey,  Will'm  Kilpatrick  &  Henry 
Pitner. 

Of   Middletown. — Jonathan   Hibbs,   Will'm   Goslin  &  James 
Gregg. 

Of   Southampton. — Simon  Vanarsdale,  Nich's    Varnarsdale   & 
Seth  Beans. 

Of  Northampton. — G-arrat  Dungan,  Jacob  Bennet  &  Christian 
Hegeman. 

Of  Newtown. — Peter  Lefferty  &  Abram  Johnson. 

Of  Lower  Makefield. — Peter  Vansant,  Cornelius  Slack  &  Cor- 
nelius Vansant. 

Of  Upper  Makefield. — Jas.  Mathews,  Jas.  McMear  &  Jas.  Tal- 
bot. 

Of  Wright's  Town. — Jas.  Barron  &  Henry  McKinstry. 

Of  Warwick. — Benja.  Snodgrass,  jun'r,  And'w  McMicken  & 
John  Ramsay. 

Of  Warminster. — Tsaac  Hoff  &  Charles  Garrison. 

Of  Warrington. — Will'm  Long  &  Robt.  Weir. 

Of  New  Britain. — Sam'l  Weir  and  John  Barton. 

Of  Buckingham. — John  Carr,  John  Sample,  Will'm  Simpson  & 
Will'm  Bennett. 

Of  Salesbury. — Barnet  Vanhorn,  Will'm  Neily  &  Josiah  Winter. 

Of  Plumstead. — Robt.  Gibson,  John  Dunlap  &  Dav'd  Nesbitt. 

Of  Bedminster. — And'w  Armstrong,  Robt.  McReily  &  Peter 
Stout. 

Of  Hill  Town. — James  Armstrong  &  Henry  Lewis. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  John  Gill,  Esq'r,  Sub-Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Bucks,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  Colo.  Joseph  Kirkbridge,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  said 
County. 

Orders  were  sent  to  Peter  Dehaven,  at  French  Creek,  to  send 
down  as  many  Arms  as  are  fit  for  service,  &  to  send  also  as  many 
Continental  Arms  as  he  can  do,  on  an  enclosed  order  from  the 
Board  of  War;  also  to  forward  the  Arms  in  the  hands  of  John 
Baker,  of  Providence,  if  not  already  sent  down. 


282  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  Aug.  30, 1777. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  Joseph  Hart.      \ «    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  J     ^ 

Commission  to  James  Benezet,  Esq'r,  as  Justice  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas  for  the  County  of  Bucks,  dated  this  day.* 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Benj'a.  Brannon,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One 
thousand  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  Bob't  Smith^Esq'r,  Lieut,  of 
the  County  of  Chester,  for  the  purpose  of  Paying  Substitutes  & 
Purchasing  Blankets,  &ca.,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Robert  Dorsey,  Esq'r,  Paymaster,  for  the  Sum 
of  Four  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  applied  in  Paying  the  Militia  of 
this  State,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Jacob  S.  Howell,  in  favor  of  Mr.  Joshua 
Williams,  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  Hundred  dollars,  for  the  purpose 
of  Paying  Recruits  inlisted  by  him  to  serve  in  the  Pennsylvania 
line,  for  which  Sum  he  is  to  account. 

The  Petition  of  Stephen  Jos.  Rouget,  praying  to  obtain  "  a  War 
Commission  for  his  Brigatine  James,  of  the  Burthen  of  Eighty 
Tons,  mounting  Ten  Carriage  Guns  of  Four  Pounders  &  Eighteen 
Swivels,  navigated  by  Eighty  Men,  now  lying  in  this  river,  Com- 
manded by  himself,  was  read,  &  Martin  Jugiez  offering  himself  as 
Surety,  &ca.;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Commission  be  issued  by  the  Secretary. 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r, 
Treasurer  of  the  State,  for  riding  Express,  in  favor  of  John  Bird, 
for  the  Sum  of  Two  Pounds  Ten  Shillings  j  in  favor  of  Jonathan 
Grey,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Pounds  Five  Shillings;  in  favor  of 
Lesher,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Pounds  Five  Shillings. 

Alexander  Ramsey  having  had  incouragement  from  the  Council 
of  Safety  to  raise  a  Company  of  Men  for  the  Continental  Army, 
and  exerted  himself  in  the  attempt,  but  that  he  has  only  raided 
twelve  Men,  now  prays  that  he  may  be  indulged  Six  weeks  longer 
to  complete  his  Company,  &  in  the  mean  time,  that  he  will  deliver 
over  the  twelve  Men  to  some  Continental  officer  in  Service,  who 
shall  be  accountable  to  Mr.  Ramsey  for  them  when  demanded ;  to 
which  the  Council  agreed. 

Mr.  Ramsey  proposes  Robert  Brackenridge  as  Second  Lieuten- 
ant. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  283 

The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Sunday  Aug.  31,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  John  Proctor,  &  >  ™    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart.     |5 

Mr.  Rittenhouse,  Colo.  Bradford,  Colo.  Delany  &  Capt.  Peel, 
attended,  in  consequence  of  an  invitation  from  Council,  and  the 
resolutions  of  Congress  of  the  Twenty-eighth  instant  was  commu- 
nicated to  them  in  confidence,  &  their  assistance  asked  in  forming 
out  a  List  of  persons  dangerous  to  the  State,  &  who  ought  to  be 
arrested  ;  and  also  in  forming  a  list  of  Gentlemen  proper  to  be  au- 
thorized to  arrest  such  dangerous  persons;  and  the  several  Gentle- 
men expressed  the  utmost  readiness  in  complying  with  the  request 
of  Council,  &  the  following  resolution  was  thereupon  made,  Viz't : 

Whereas,  the  Congress  of  the  Thirteen  United  States  of  North 
America  have  by  their  Resolves  of  the  21st  inst.,  recommended  to 
the  Executive  Powers  of  the  several  States  to  apprehend  &  secure 
all  persons  who  have  in  their  General  conduct  &  conversation  evi- 
denced a  disposition  inimical  to  the  Cause  of  America,  particularly 
Joshua  Fisher,  Abel  James,  Jas.  Pemberton,  Henry  Drinker;  Israel 
Pemberton,  John  Pemberton,  John  James,  Sam'l  Pleasants,  Thos. 
Wharton,  Sen'r,  Thomas  Fisher,  (Son  of  Joshua,)  &  Sam'l  Fisher 
(Son  of  Joshua,)  together  with  all  such  papers  in  their  possession 
as  may  be  of  a  Political  nature,  and  that  the  persons  so  seized  be 
confined  in  such  places,  &  treated  in  such  manner  as  shall  be  con- 
sistant  with  their  respective  Characters,  &  the  security  of  their  Per- 
sons j  and  that  the  Records  &  Papers  of  the  Meeting  of  Sufferings 
of  the  Society  of  People  called  Quakers,  in  the  several  States,  be 
forthwith  secured,  &  that  such  parts  of  them  as  may  be  of  a  politi- 
cal nature,  be  forthwith  transmitted  to  Congress  : 

And  whereas,  it  is  necessary  for  the  Public  safety  of  this  time, 
when  a  British  Army  is  landed  in  Maryland,  with  a  professed  de- 
sign of  enslaveing  this  free  Country,  &  is  now  advanceing  towards 
this  City,  as  a  principal  object  of  hostility,  that  such  dangerous 
persons  be  accordingly  secured ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  a  suitable  number  of  the  friends  to  the  Public 
cause  be  authorized  forthwith  to  seize  &  Secure  the  Persons  of  the 
said  xJoshua  Fisher,  xAbel  James,  xJames  Pemberton,  xHenry 
Drinker,  xlsrael  Pemberton,  John  James,  xSam'l  Pleasant,  xTho's 
Wharton,  sen'r,  xTho's  Fisher  &  Sam'l  Fisher,  (both  Sons  of 
Joshua,)  and  also  xMyers  Fisher,  Elijah  Brown,  xHugh  Roberts,, 
xGeo.   Roberts,   Jos.   Fox,   xJohn  Hunt,  xSaml  Emlen,  junv 


284  MINUTES  OF  THE 

xAdam  Kuhn,  D.  M  ,  xPhineas  Bond,  x  Will'm  Smith,  D.  D., 
xRev'd  Tho's  Combe,  xSam'l  Shoemaker,  Cha's  Jervis,  Will'm 
Drewett  Smith,  Cha's  Eddy,  xTho's  Pike,  (Dancing  Master,)  xOwen 
Jones,  jun'r,  xJerem'h  Warder,  Will'm  Lennott,  xEdw'd  Penning- 
ton, xCaleb  Emlen,  Will'm  Smith,  xSam'l  Murdock,  Alex'd 
Stedman,  Cha's  Stedman,  jun'r,  xTho's  Ashelton  Merch,  Will'm 
Imlay,  xTho's  Gilpin,  xSam'l  Jackson,  xTho's  Afflick  &  xJohn 
Pemberton. 

Ordered,  That  the  following  instructions  be  also  given  : — Early 
attention  should  be  given  to  John  Hunt,  who  lives  on  the  German- 
town  Road,  about  five  Miles  off  the  City,  &  to  John  Pemberton, 
Sam'l  Emlen  &  others,  leaders  in  the  Society  of  Quakers,  concern- 
ing Books  &  Papers.  As  to  the  rest,  your  own  prudence  must  direct. 
Congress  recommend  it,  &  we  wish  to  treat  Men  of  reputation  with 
as  much  tenderness  as  the  Security  of  their  Persons  &  Papers  will 
admit.  We  desire,  therefore,  that  if  the  persons  whose  names  in 
the  list  are  marked  with  a  Cross  x  thus,  offer  to  you,  by  promise 
in  writing,  to  remain  in  their  Dwellings,  ready  to  appear  on  the 
demand  of  Council,  &  meanwhile  to  refrain  from  doing  any  thing 
injurious  to  the  United  Free  States  of  North  America,  by  Speak- 
ing, Writing  or  otherwise,  &  from  giving  intelligence  to  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief  of  the  British  Forces,  or  any  other  Person  what- 
ever, concerning  public  Affairs,  you  dismiss  from  further  confine- 
ment of  their  Persons;  but  if  such  engagement,  or  a  promise 
equivalent  thereto,  cannot  be  obtained,  we  desire  that  in  such  a 
case  you  confine  the  refusers,  together  with  the  others  to  whose 
names  the  said  mark  is  not  prefixed,  in  some  convenient  place 
under  a  Guard,  with  which  the  Town  Major,  Colo.  Nichola,  will 
supply  you.  The  Free  Masons'  Lodge  may  be  perhaps  procured. 
It  would  serve  as  well  as  any  other  place  for  this  purpose.  You 
may  perceive  that  Council  would  not  without  necessity  commit  many 
of  the  persons  to  the  Common  Goal,  nor  even  to  the  State  Prison. 

Lieut.  Colo.  Clarke,  of  Cumberland  County,  representing  to 
Council  by  direction  of  Gen'l  Armstrong,  the  unfurnished  condi- 
tion of  great  numbers  of  the  Militia  of  this  State  under  the  Com- 
mand of  Gen'l  Armstrong,  in  respect  of  warm  Cloathing  &  Blank- 
ets, without  a  supply  whereof  the  Men  must  in  the  approaching 
Season  Suffer  &  Sicken  ;  The  Council,  to  relieve  in  some  measure 
those  who  are  called  out  in  the  defence  of  their  Country,  &  consid- 
ering the  repeated  collections  of  Blankets  made  in  this  City,  &  the 
impossibility  of  purchasing  such  goods  from  Traders  at  this  time, 

Resolve,  That  Gen'l  Armstrong  employ  proper  persons  to  pur- 
chase Blankets  of  all  persons  disposed  to  sell,  for  the  use  of  the 
Militia ;  they  also 

Resolve  and  authorize  Gen'l  Armstrong,  if  such  purchases  seem 
impracticable,  to  make  as  equal  &  moderate  a  levy  of  Blankets  as 
circumstances  will  permit,  upon  the  inhabitants  of  the  County  of 
Chester  in  this  State,  for  the  use  of  the  Militia,  confineing  the  same 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  285 

to  persons  who  refuse  to  bear  Arms  or  take  an  active  part  in  the 
defence  of  their  bleeding  Country,  now  invaded  by  a  cruel  Enemy  : 
And  that  Gen'l  Armstrong  do  name  &  employ  proper  &  discreet 
persons  to  levy  &  collect  the  same,  first  having  the  Blankets  which 
may  be  taken  from  each  person  appraised,  &  a  certificate  of  the 
numbers  &  value  delivered  to  the  Owner,  and  that  a  List  of  the 
names  of  persons  levied  on  their  townships,  number  of  Blankets 
&  the  valuation,  be  sent  in  due  time  to  this  Board,  so  that  satisfaction 
may  be  made  to  all  concerned.  And  Council  recommend  to  G-en'l 
Armstrong  &  his  Officers,  to  keep  accounts  of  the  Blankets  collect- 
ed &  purchased  as  aforesaid,  distributed  to  the  Militia,  in  order  that 
they  may  be  transferred  to  succeeding  Corps  called  into  service. 

Signed  by  the  Vice  President. 

On  motion,  Agreed,  That  John  Morris,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  be  &  he's 
hereby  appointed  &  authorized  to  appear  at  the  next  Court  of 
Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Philadelphia, 
there  to  prosecute  in  the  name  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

James  Tilghman,  Esq'r,  having  applied  to  Council  &  expressed 
a  desire  to  visit  his  family  in  Maryland  ;  thereupon, 

Agreed,  That  Jas.  Tilghman,  Esq'r,  be  permitted,  under  the 
Parole  lately  signedtby  him,  to  visit  his  family  in  Maryland,  to  re- 
turn in  one  Month,  or  sooner  if  called  for. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  Septem.  1,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  John  Proctor,  &  )  -p    » 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart,       ]"     s(l rs" 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Peter  Dehaven,  for  the  Sum  of  five  hundred 
Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'cJ  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Jacob  S.  Howell,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thou- 
sand &  Five  hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Jacob  S.  Howell,  for  the  Sum  of  One 
Thousand  &  Five  Hundred  Pounds,  in  favor  of  Jas.  Dundas,  for 
which  he  is  to  account. 

Mr.  John  Reed  represented  to  the  Council  that  the  Banks  of 
Fort  Island  wanted  some  repair : 


286  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Navy  Board  to  view 
the  Banks  of  Fort  Island,  &  order  the  necessary  repairs  to  be  made 
therein. 

The  Gentlemen  of  the  Navy  Board  having  some  time  ago  repre- 
sented the  advantages  &  necessity  of  having  a  Floodgate  at  Fort 
Island,  made  so  as  to  admit  the  Guard  Boats,  &ca,  in  the  Winter ; 
thereupon,  4 

Ordered,  That  the  Navy  Board  do  make  such  a  Flood  Gate  as 
will  answer  the  aforesaid  purpose. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  persons  be  appointed  and  authorized 
to  carry  into  execution  the  Resolves  of  Yesterday,  respecting  the 
Arresting  such  persons  as  are  deemed  inimical  to  the  cause  of 
American  Liberty,  Vizt :  Will'm  Bradford,  Sharp  Delany,  James 
Claypoole,  Wm.  Hsysham,  John  Purviance,  Jos.  Blewer,  Paul 
Cox,  Adim  Kimmel,  Will'm  Graham,  Wm.  Hardy,  Cha's  W. 
Peale,  Capt.  M.  Culloch,  Nath.  Donnel,  Rob't  Smith,  Wm.  Car- 
son, Lazarus  Pine,  Capt.  Birney,  John  Downey,  John  Galloway, 
Wm.  Thorpe,  John  Lisle,  James  Loughead,  James  Cannon,  Jas. 
Carr,  Tho's  Bradford,  together  with  such  other  persons  as  they 
shall  call  to  their  assistance. 

Note. — That  the  foregoing  Resolution  (with  those  before  relating 
to  this  Business)  was  signed  by  the  Hpn'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r, 
Vice  President. 

Resolved,  That  Colo.  Nicola,  the  Town  Mayor,  do  furnish  Colo. 
Bradford,  on  application,  with  a  detachment  of  the  City 
Guards. 

The  Justices  of  the  County  of  Chester  having  recommended 
Caleb  Davis,  Wm.  Blair,  &  Rich'd  Thomas,  in  order  that  one  of 
them  may  be  Commissioned  as  Clerk  of  the  Peace  of  the  said 
County ;  and  Council  taking  in  consideration  the  same, 

Resolved,  That  Caleb  Davis,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Clerk  of  the 
Peace  for  the  County  of  Chester. 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Tuesday  Septem.  2,  1777 


present  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Johu  Proctor,  &?  t?  Q*r, 

John  Bailey,  Joseph  Hart,      $       ^ 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favour  of  Bob't  Smith,  Esq'r,  Lieut,  of  the  County 
of  Chester,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  thousand  Dollars,  for  the  pur- 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  287 

pose  of  Paying  Substitutes  &  purchasing  Blankets,  &ca.,  for  which 
he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Tho's  Dorsey,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia 
of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  thousand 
Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Ludwig  Hautman,  a  Militia  Man  from  Westmoreland  County, 
who  was  badly  wounded  at  Woodbridge,  in  New  Jersey,  last 
February,  and  now  on  his  way  home  in  a  very  weak  State,  solicited 
some  assistance  to  enable  him  to  reach  it ;  on  consideration  of  his 
peculiar  circumstance, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  the  said  Ludwig  Hautman,  for  the  Sum  of 
Six  pounds,  to  be  charged  to  the  State. 

Colo.  Bradford,  Paul  Cox,  &  Capt.  Blewer,  informed  the  Council 
that  among  a  number  of  other  persons  mentioned  in  the  Warrant 
of  Council  of  the  31st  Ult'o,  Alex'd.  Stedman,  Chas.  Stednian,  jun'r, 
&  Dav'd  Lenox,  were  apprehended  &  confined  at  the  Free  Masons' 
lodge;  on  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Alex'd.  Stedman,  Chas.  Stedman,  jun'r, 
&  Dav'd  Lenox,  be  committed  to  the  State  Prison. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  Septem.  3, 1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President.. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r.,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  John  Proctor,  &  7  ™    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart,       j  ^  rs' 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Joseph  Blewer,  Esq'r,  Chairman  of  the  State 
Navy  Board,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  thousand  Pounds,  for  which  that 
Board  is  to  account. 

John  Reed  applied  to  Council  for  permission  to  pass  into  the 
Delaware  State,  (near  Cantweli's  Bridge,)  which  Council  have  no 
objection  to,  provided  that  Gen'l  Washington  has  not  ordered  the 
Communication  with  that  Country  to  be  cut  off. 

Jacob  Morgan,  Esq'r,  Councellor  for  the  County  of  Berks,  ap- 
pear'd,  took  the  Oath  required  by  the  Constitution  of  the  Com- 
monwealth to  qualify  him  to  sit  in  Council,  &  took  his  seat 
accordingly. 

The  Gentlemen  appointed  &  authorized  to  arrest  the  persona 
hereafter  named,  &ca,  made  the  following  report,  Yiz  : 


288  MINUTES  OF  THE 

"Joshua  Fisher  was  so  ill  that  he  could  not  be  moved,  but  gave 
his  verbal  Promise  as  far  as  required  by  our  instructions ;  no  Papers 
on  Public  affairs. 

$  Abel  James,  His  Son  being  very  ill,  &  no  papers  of  public 
nature,  we  allowed  him  to  remain  on  his  Plantation,  on  his  promis- 
ing (verbally)  to  appear  on  demand  of  the  President,  &  not  in  any 
manner  to  speak,  Write,  or  give  any  Intelligence  to  the  Enemies 
of  the  United  free  States  of  America. 

"James  Pemberton,  Prisoner,  no  papers  found  of  a  Public 
nature. 

"  Israel  Pemberton. 

"Henry  Drinker,  Prisoner,  a  number  of  Papers  found  of  a  Pub- 
lic nature,  belonging  to  the  Monthly  meetiDg. 

"John  Pemberton,  Prisoner,  a  number  of  Papers  in  a  brown 
Bag. 

"  John  James,  not  to  be  found,  being  in  the  Country. 

"  Sam'l  Pleasants. 

"Tho's  Wharton,  Sen'r,  Prisoner,  no  papers. 

"  Tho's  Fisher,  (Son  of  Joshua)  Prisoner,  no  papers. 

"  Samuel  Fisher,  (Son  of  Joshua)  Prisoner,  no  papers. 

"  Myers  Fisher,  Prisoner,  no  papers. 

"  Elijah  Brown. 

"  Hugh  Roberts,  70  years  or  upwards,  says  that  he  has  never  in 
any  manner  Spoke,  or  in  any  ways  shewn  himself  inimical  to  the 
Liberties  and  independence  of  America  since  the  commence'nt  of 
the  disputes;  We  have  his  verbal  word,  agreeable  to  our  instruc- 
tions, &  we  are  to  wait  on  him  at  2  O'Clock  this  Afternoon;  we 
found  no  papers. 

"  Geo.  Roberts,  his  Wife  very  big,  &  otherwise  ill,  He  has  passed 
his  word  as  above,  &  appears  at  the  same  hour  with  his  Father,  & 
we  beg  the  directions  of  His  Excellency  &  Council. 

"Jos.  Fox,  Prisoners,  no  papers. 

"John  Hunt,  Prisoner,  some  papers. 

"Sam'l  Emlen,  jun'r,  confined  to  his  Bed;  we  broke  open  his 
Desk,  but  found  no  papers  of  a  public  nature. 

"Adam  Kuhn,  D.  M.,  produced  the  Certificate  of  his  having 
taken  the  Oath  to  the  United  States  2d  June,  is  to  be  forth  coming 
at  1  O'Clock  today. 

"Phineas  Bond  on  Parole,  no  Papers. 

"  Will'm  Smith,  D.  D. 

"  Rev'd  Tho's  Combe,  Prisoner,  no  papers. 

"  Sam'l  Shoemaker  has  given  his  Promise  not  to  go  from  his 
House;  that  he  has  never  had  any  thing  to  do  in  the  meetings  of 
Sufferings,  &  has  disapproved  of   the  proceedings  signed   by 
Pemberton 

"Chas.  Jervis,  Prisoner,  no  papers. 

"  Will'm  Drewit  Smith,  Prisoner,  no  papers. 

"  Pike,  Dancing  master,  on  Parole,  no  papers. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  289 

"Owen  Jones,  jun'r,  Prisoner,  no  papers. 

"Will'm  Lenox,  jun'r,  Prisoner,  had  a  Pocket  Book  &  soms 
papers, 

6<Edw'd  Pennington,  Prisoner,  some  papers. 

"  Jerem'h  Warder,  aged  &  very  infirm,  having  an  inflamation,  haa 
given  his  verbal  Parole,  agreeable  to  our  instruction;  we  found 
some  Papers. 

"  Caleb  Emlen,  not  to  be  found. 

"  WilPm  Smith,  (Broker)  Prisoner,  his  Chamber  is  locked  up  for 
the  inspection  of  his  Papers,  &  the  Key  in  the  possession  of  Cap*, 
Smith. 

"  Chas.  Eddy,  Prisoner,  no  papers. 

"  Sam'l  Murdock,  on  Parole,  no  papers. 

''Alx'd  Stedman,  Prisoner. 

u  Cha's  Stedman,  jun'r,  Prisoner. 

"Tho's  Asheton,  (Merchant,)  on  Parole. 

"  Wm.  Imlay,  Prisoner,  no  papers. 

"  Thomas  Gilpin,  Prisoner,  no  papers. 

"  Sam'l  Jackson,  out  of  Town,  no  search  has  been  made  for  Pa- 
pers as  yet. 

"Tho's  Afflick,  Prisoner,  no  papers. 

"  N.  B.  Caleb  Emlen,  on  being  arrested,  took  the  Oath  required 
by  Law,  &  was  thereupon  discharged." 

Colo-  Bradford,  Colo.  Will.  Major  Keer,  &  Mr.  Loughead, 
reported  That  they  had  Arrested  Israel  Pemberton,  John  Hunt,  & 
Sam'l  Pleasants,  but  that  they  all  refused  to  go  from  the  house  of 
the  said  Pemberton's,  where  they  now  are,  unless  they  were  arrested 
by  some  Civil  Officer;  thereupon, 

Ordered j  That  Colo.  Nicola,  Town  Mayor,  do  take  a  proper 
Guard  &  seize  Israel  Pemberton,  John  Hunt,  &  Sam.  Pleasants,  & 
conduct  them  to  the  Free  Mason's  Lodge,  &  there  confine  them  un- 
der Guard  until  further  Orders. 

And  Phineas  Bond,  Esq'r,  having  by  Letter  declared  his  renun- 
ciation of  the  Parole  he  has  signed  ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Nichola  do  also  seize  <fc  confine  him  in  like 
manner,  until  further  orders. 


VOL.  XI.— 1ft- 


290  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  Septem.  4,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq' r, President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  Joseph  Hart,  &") 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Jacob  Morgan,    v    Esq'rs. 

John  Proctor,  j 

The  Gentlemen  of  the  Navy  Board  represented  the  necessity  of 
some  person  or  persons  having  a  more  immediate  care  of"  the  Hospi- 
tal on  the  Province  Island ;  on  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Hospital  on  Province  Island  be  put  under 
the  care  &  direction  of  the  Navy  Board. 

Israel  Pemberton,  John  Hunt,  &  Sam'l  Pleasants,  attended  by 
Mr.  Lewis  and  Mr.  Robeson,  (Attorneys,)  &  also  by  Sam'l  Rhoads, 
jun'r,  sent  in  by  the  Secretary  a  request  to  be  heard  by  the  Coun- 
cil; To  which  the  Council,  by  the  Secretary,  answered  That  the 
Arrest  has  been  made  by  order  of  Congress,  &  that  at  present  the 
Council  decline  hearing  them.  That  the  Secretary  returned  &  ia- 
formed  Council  that  Mr.  Pemberton,  on  behalf  of  himself,  M'rs 
Hunt  &  Pleasants,  observed,  no  Arrest  had  been  made  by  the  Town 
Mayor,  &  that  one  of  them  had  not  been  seen  or  spoken  to  by  him. 
That  as  Freemen  they  claimed  the  right  of  being  heard  in  their  de- 
fence before  the  Council.  That  nothing  on  their  part  should  be 
gaid  but  what  was  decent  &  proper.  That  theirs  is  a  case  in  which 
every  Freeman  in  the  State  is  interested,  and  that  this  right  of  be- 
jng  heard  they  demanded  &  insisted  on. 

To  which  the  Council,  by  the  Secretary,  answered,  That  "  Council 
has  ordered  this  Arrest  in  cousequence  of  a  recommendation  of 
Congress,  &  they  do  not  at  present  think  proper  to  hear  Mr.  Pem- 
berton, Mr.  Hunt,  &  Mr.  Pleasants. " 

A  Remonstrance  from  the  aforesaid  was  presented  &  read. 

An  order  was  Drawn  on  Dav'd  Ritteuhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Will'm  Crispin,  Esq'r,  for  the  sum  of  Four 
thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Colo.  Nicola  reports,  That  he  has  executed  the  orders  of  yester- 
day, &  had  conducted  Israel  Pemberton,  John  Hunt,  Sam'l  Plea- 
sants, &  Phiueas  Bond,  to  the  Free  Masons'  Lodge,  &  secured  them 
jnder  Guard. 

Ordered,  That  the  Prisoners  now  confined  in  the  Freemasons' 
Lodge,  be  sent  to  Stanton,  iu  Augusta  County,  in  the  State  of  Vir- 
ginia, agreeable  to  the  Resolve  of  Congress,  there  to  be  secured  & 
treated  in  such  manuer  as  shall  be  eonsistaut  with  their  respective 
Characters  &  the  security  of  their  persons. 


SUPKEME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  291 

Ordered,  That  Jared  Ingersoll,  Esq'r,  be  directed  immediately 
io  depart  to  the  State  of  Connecticut,  in  conformity  to  his  Pa- 
role. 

Ordered,  That  Thirty  Waggons  be  sent  from  the  upper  part  of 
Bucks  County;  Forty  from  the  County  of  Philadelphia ;  Thirty 
from  the  County  of  Northampton,  &  Twenty-five  from  the  County 
of  Lancaster,  to  rendezvous  at  Philadelphia,  &  to  be  subject  to  the 
orders  of  the  Council. 

N.  B.  The  Twenty-five  from  Lancaster  Ordered  to  be  sent  to 
Camp. 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieutenants  of  the  respective  Counties  do 
furnish  proper  guards  of  Militia  for  Prisoners,  whether  Tories  or 
others,  when  application  shall  be  made  to  them  for  such  purposes. 

Resolved,  That  Tho's  Ashleton,  now  a  Prisoner  at  his  own 
House,  on  Parole,  be  indulged  with  liberty  of  going  at  large  within 
the  bounds  of  the  City. 

Resolved,  That  the  Militia  of  this  State  who  are  now  in  the 
Field,  or  who  shall  hereafter  go  into  the  Field  &  take  with  them 
their  Arms  or  Blankets,  &  the  same  be  taken  by  the  Enemy  or 
otherwise,  be  unavoidably  lost,  on  producing  a  Certificate  of  such 
Lops,  &  the  time  it  shall  have  happened,  signed  by  a  Field  Officer, 
or  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Battalion  to  which  the  losers  may  at 
the  time  belong,  shall  have  the  value  thereof  paid  by  the  State ; 
and  for  this  end  the  respective  Colonels  or  Commanding  Officers  of 
the  Battalions  now  in  the  Field,  are  hereby  authorized  to  have  all 
such  Arms  &  Blankets  justly  appraised;  And  the  Lieutenants  or 
Sub-Lieutenants  of  the  respective  Counties,  are  hereby  directed  to 
appoint  a  suitable  number  of  proper  persons  in  each  County,  to 
appraise  the  Arms  &  Blankets  belonging  to  the  Militia  who  may 
hereafter  go  into  the  Field. 


The  Council  met. 

Phxlad'a,  Friday  Septem'r  5, 1777. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHAKTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon^ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  Joseph  Hart,  & ") 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Jacob  Morgan,  C  Esq'rs, 

John  Proctor,  J 

Ordered,  That  Will'm  Lenox,  Esq'r,  now  confined  in  G-oal,  be 
enlarged,  on  James  Craig  engaging  his  Word  &  honor  to  see  him 
forthcoming,  when  called  for  by  Council,  &  be  answerable  for  the 
good  behaviour,  in  the  mean  time,  of  the  said  Wm,  Lenox, 


202  MINUTES  OF  THE" 

The  Secretary  reports  that  James  Craig  had  pledged  Ms  H(Wj. 
/or  the  good  behaviour  of  the  said  WilFrn  Lenox,  &  that  he  shall 
he  forthcoming  when  called  upon  :  and  also  that  he  will  in  form 
enter  into  Bonds  for  bis  good  behayiour. 

The  President  laid  before  the  Council  a  Remonstrance  delivered! 
to  him  last  Evening,  by  John  Reynell,  James  Craig,  &  Owen  Jones, 
signed  by  the  Gentlemen  confined  in  the  Masons'  Lodge,  which  was 
read ;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  remonstrance  be  laid  before  Congress,  <fc 
that  application  be  made  to  Congress  to  know  whether  they  had 
v.ny  objections  to  such  of  the  aforesaid  Gentlemen  as  shouM  now 
fake  an  Oath  or  Affirmation  of  allegiance  to  this  State  being  en~ 
krged  y  to  which  Congress  return  the  following  Resolve,  Viz7t. : 

"In  Congress,  September  5,- 1777. 

bi  Resdveiy  That  the  Supreme  Executive  Coismcil  be  informed' 
that  Congress  have  no  objection  to  the  enlargement  of  such  Persons 
mow  confined  in  the  Lodge,  as  will  swear  or  affirm  allegiance  to  tbb 
Stated 

^Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

"CHA'S  THOMPSON,  Se^y."' 

Thereupon,. 

fiesoived,  That  susa  of  the  Persons  now  conSned  in  'the  Lodge 
as  shall  take  &  Subscribe  the  Oath  or  Affirmation  of  Allegiance  re- 
quired by  Law  in  this  Commonwealth,,  or  that  shall  take  k>  Sub- 
scribe the  following  Oath  or  Affirmation,  to  wit?  "I  do  Swear 
(or  affirm)  that  I  will  be  faithful  &  bear  true  allegiance  to  the 
Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  as  a  free  &  independent  State/y 
shall  be  thereupon  discharged. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Davrd  Rittenhouse,  Es^'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  Stats,  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ole  George  Bryan,  Esc/r,  for  the 
Sum  of  Two  Hundred  &  Fifty  Pounds,  for  Six  Months'  Service  as- 
Vice  President :  Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  write  to  Colo, 
Bradford  &  request  him  to  communicate  the  last  mentioned  Ke- 
solve  to  the  Gentlemen  confined  in  the  Lodge, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL,  W& 

3  Council  Met., 

Pkilad'a,  Saturday  Septem'r  6,  1777 

PRESENT : 

His  Ewsell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  Gegrge  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  Joseph  Hart,  &  1 

Jonathan  Hoge,  k  Jacob  Morgan,  V  Esqfrs. 

John  Proctor,  j 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Bav'<i  Kiittenhouse,  Treasurer  of  tbe 
State,  in  favor  of  Ja's  Worrell,  Evan  Evans,  &  Rob't  Allison,  for 
the  Sum  of  One  hundred  k  forty -eight  Pounds  Seventeen  Shillings 
&  Six  Pence,  for  taking  down  the  Spouts,  &ca,  to  be  charged  to 
account  of  Congress. 

Congress  by  tkeir  Resolve  of  the  fourth  ins'fc,  having  recom- 
mended this  Council  to  give  orders  that  all  the  Militia  of  this  State 
hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  march  at  a  Moment's  warning,  & 
that  they  see  that  their  Arms  be  put  in  as  good  condition  as  possi- 
ble, k  that  the  Council  call  out  five  thousand  Militia  from  the  City 
&  County  of  Philadelphia,  &,  the  Counties  most  adjacent,  <&ca. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  one  Class  of  the  Militia,  in  addition  to  those  al- 
ready in  Service,  be  ordered  into  Service  from  the  City  of  Philadel- 
phia, &  the  Counties  of  Philadelphia,  Chester,  York,  Cumberland, 
«&  Northumberland. 

Ordered,  That  on  the  present  emergency,  when  the  Enemies* 
Army  endeavouring  to  penetrate  to  this  City,  may  be  aided  by  a 
.Fleet  in  the  Delaware,  the  actual  Command  of  the  Naval  force  be 
committed  to  John  Haslewood,  Esq9r,  as  Commodore  in  this  Depart- 
ment, on  account  of  the  Age  k  infirmities  of  Tho's  Seymour,  Esq'r, 
his  superior  OJBeer,  as  it  is  manifest  to  Council  that  Commodore 
Seymour,  in  the  present  State  of  his  Health,  cannot  be  capable  of 
of  that  vigour  &  activity  which  are  essential  to  the  service  at  this 
time  of  danger,  in  whiek  the  most  strenuous  efforts  of  the  stoutest 
will  be  necessary. 

A  resolve  of  Congress  of  this  date,  recommending  to  this  Coun- 
cil to  hear  what  Israel  Pemberton,  k  divers  others  therein  named, 
can  alledge  to  remove  the  suspicion  of  their  being  disaffected  or 
-dangerous  to  the  United  States,  being  read  k  considered, 

Resolved,  That  the  President  do  write  to  Congress  &  let  them 
know  that  the  Council  has  not  time  to  attend  to  that  business,  in 
the  present  alarming  crisis,  k  that  they  were,  agreeably  to  the  re- 
commendation of  Congress,  at  the  moment  the  said  Resolve  was 
brought  into  Council,  disposing  of  every  thing  for  the  departure  of 
the  Prisoners- 


294  MINUTES  OF  TEE 

The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Sunday  Septem.  7,  17 77. 


present  : 
f"     His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  Joseph  Hart,   & 

Jona'n  Hoge,  Jacob  Morgai 

John  Proctor, 

And  completed  the  Business  relating  to  the  calling  of  the  Militia 
ordered  out  yesterday. 


as,     VEsq'rs. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philab'a,  Monday  Septem.  8,  1777. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  Jun'r,.  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Brya>7,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  Joseph  Hart,  &^j 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Jacob  Morgan,     vEsq'rs. 

John  Proctor,  y 

The  Council  being  informed  that  there  is  great  uncertainty  of  a 
.supply  of  Wood  for  the  Salt  Works  now  erecting  in  New  Jersey ; 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Hon'ble  John  Coxe,  Esq'r,  be  requested  and 
authorised  to  purchase  a  Tract  of  Wood  Land,  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  the  Salt  Works  in  New  Jersey,  belonging  to  this  State,  on  the 
best  terms  it  can  be  obtained,  for  the  use  of  the  said  works. 

Jonathan  Mifflin,  Esq  r,  D.  Q.  M.  G.,  having  applied  to  Coun- 
cil by  Letter  for  a  number  of  Waggons,  &  there  appearing  to  be  a 
necessity  of  a  considerable  number  for  various  purposes ;  there- 
upon, 

Resolved,  That  one  hundred  Waggons  be  ordered  to  be  sent  in 
from  Berks  County,  &  one  hundred  Waggons  from  the  County  of 
Lan  caster. 

A  Remonstrance  from  the  people  confined  in  the  Mason's  lodge, 
was  presented  by  the  Secretary,  &  read;  thereupon,  the  Secretary 
was  ordered  to  acquaint  Doct.  Hutchinson,  one  of  the  Gentlemen 
who  delivered  the  said  Remonstrance  to  him,,  that  Council  had  re- 
ferred their  case  to  Congress. 

Resolvedy  That  John  Morris,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  and  au- 
thorized to  appear  at  the  next  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of  the' 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.      395 

Peace,  for  the  County  of  Bucks,  there  to  Prosecute  in  behalf  of 
this  Commonwealth. 

Congress,  by  their  resolve  of  this  day,  having  recommended  to 
Council  to  discharge  Will'm  Imlay,  now  a  Prisoner,  on  his  Parole, 
that  he  will  forthwith  repair  to  Kingston,  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
&  take  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  to  the  said  State,  of  which  he  is  a 
citizen  ;  thereupon, 

Resolved,  That  the  Council  do  agree  to  the  discharge  of  the  said 
William  Imlay  accordingly. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  Septem.  9, 1777. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Yice  President. 

John  Bailey,  Joseph  Hart,  &")  • 

John  Proctor,  Jacob  Morgan.  !■  Esq'rs. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  J 

The  Secretary  reports,  that  he  waited  on  Will'm  Imlay,  and  gave 
to  him  the  Resolve  of  yesterday,  but  that  he  had  not  Signed  the 
Parole  offered  him  by  the  recommendation  of  Congress. 

Colo.  Will'm  Bradford  now  attended  the  Council  &  reported, 
That  he  had  on  Friday  Evening  last,  waited  on  the  Prisoners  now 
confined  at  the  Masons'  Lodge,  &  shewn  to  them  the  Certified  Copy 
of  the  Resolve  of  Council  relating  to  them  of  the  5th  inst,  and  had 
given  them  a  Copy  thereof,  but  that  the  Prisoners  had  given  him. 
no  reason  to  expect  a  compliance  with  the  terms  proposed  them. 
The  following  Resolve  of  Congress  was  read,  to  Wit: 

"  In  Congress,  Septem.  8,  1777. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  would  be  improper  for  Congress  to  enter  into 
any  hearing  of  the  Remonstrants  or  other  Prisoners  in  the  Masons' 
lodge,  they  being  inhabitants  of  Pennsylvania,  and  therefore,  as 
the  Council  decline  giving  them  a  hearing,  for  the  reasons  assigned 
in  their  Letters  to  Congress,  that  it  be  recommended  to  said 
Council,  to  order  the  immediate  departure  of  such  of  the  said  Pri- 
soners as  yet  refuse  to  swear  or  affirm  allegiance  to  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania,  to  Stanton  in  Virginia. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes, 

"CHARLES  THOMPSON,  Sec'y." 

On  consideration, 

Resolved,  That  James  Pemberton,  Henry  Drinker,  Israel  Pem- 
berton, John  Pemberton,  Sam'l  Pleasants,  Tho's  Wharton,  Sen., 


296  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Tho's  Fisher,  (Son  of  Joshua,)  Sam'l  Fisher,  (Son  of  Joshua,) 
Myers  Fisher,  10  Elijah  Brown,  11  John  Hunt,  12  Phineas  Bond, 
13  Rev'd  Tho's  Coombe,  14  Cha's  Jarvis,  15  Will'm  Drewitt  Smith, 
16  Cha's  Eddy,  17  Tho's  Pike,  18  Owen  Jones,  iun'r,  19  Edw'd 
Pennington,  20  Will'm  Smith,  Broker,  21  Tho's  Gilpin,  22  Tho's 
Afflick,  apprehended  by  Council  as  persons  who  have  uniformly 
manifested  by  their  general  conduct  &  conversation  a  Disposition 
highly  inimical  to  the  cause  of  America,  imprisoned  in  the  Free 
Masons'  lodge  in  this  City,  they  refusing  to  confine  themselves  to 
their  several  dwellings,  <&  thereby  making  the  restraint  of  their 
persons  in  another  manner  necessary,  &  having  refused  to  promise 
to  refrain  from  corresponding  with  the  Enemy,  &  also  declined 
giving  any  Assurance  of  Allegiance  to  this  State,  as  of  right  they 
ought,  do  thereby  renounce  all  the  priviledges  of  Citizenship,  & 
that  it  appears  they  consider  themselves  as  subjects  of  the  King  of 
Great  Britain,  the  Enemy  of  this,  &  the  other  United  States  of 
America,  &  that  they  ought  to  be  proceeded  with  accordingly. 

Resolved,  That  persons  of  like  Character,  &  in  emergencies  equal 
to  the  present,  when  the  Enemy  is  at  our  Door,  have  in  the  other 
States  been  Arrested  &  Secured  upon  suspicions  arising  from  their 
general  behaviour  &  refusal  to  acknowledge  their  Allegiance  to 
the  State  of  which  they  were  the  proper  Subjects ;  and  that  such 
proceedings  may  be  abundantly  justified  by  the  conduct  of  the 
freest  Nations  &  the  authority  of  most  judicious  Civilians;  there- 
fore, -» 

Resolved,  That  the  persons  whose  names  are  mentioned  above, 
be  without  further  delay  removed  to  Stanton,  in  Virginia,  there  to 
be  treated  according  to  their  Characters  &  Stations,  as  far  as  may 
be  consistent  with  the  securing  of  their  persons. 

Also  Resolved,  That  Will'm  Imlay,  said  to  be  a  Subject  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  having  behaved  in  like  manner  as  the  persons 
above  mentioned,  &  in  particular  declined  to  give  Assurance  of 
Allegiance  to  the  State  of  New  York,  be  removed  and  secured  with 
the  rest. 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Nicola,  Town  Mayor,  secure  the  Prisoners 
above  named  in  the  Masons'  lodge,  &  assist  in  removing  them  out 
of  the<»City. 

The  representation  of  the  Corporation  of  the  rector,  Church 
Wardens  &  Vestrymen  of  the  United  Episcopal  Churches  of  Christ 
Church  &  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  in  the 
Province  of  Pennsylvania,  was  read. 

Will'm  Imlay  now  solicited  by  the  Secretary,  that  he  may  be 
permitted  to  sign  a  Parole  agreeable  to  the  Kesolve  of  Congress, 
&  that  he  be  enlarged  thereupon ;  and  the  Secretary  reports  that 
he  has  signed  the  Parole  accordingly. 

Sam'l  Murdoch  having  petitioned  to  be  enlarged  from  his  present 
confinement,  &  be  allowed  the  bounds  of  the  City  in  order  to  take 
care  of  his  private  affairs ;  thereupon, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  297 

Ordered,  That  Sam'l  Murdoch  be  enlarged  from  his  present 
confinement  in  his  House,  &  allowed  the  bounds  of  the  City,  in 
order  that  he  may  take  care  of  his  private  Affairs. 

Several  Accounts  of  Provisions  furnished  by  George  Henry  & 
James  Wilkins  to  the  Westmoreland  Militia,  being  laid  before 
Council, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  examined  by  Mr.  Howell,  &  paid  if 
found  right,  a  2s  6  <$  Ration. 

Resolved,  That  William  Scott  be  appointed  paymaster  of  the 
Militia  of  the  County  of  Bucks. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  Septem.  10,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 


Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  Joseph  Hart,  & 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Jacob  Morgan,   [-  Esq'rs. 

John  Proctor, 


■■} 


An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Jac.  S.  Howell,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand 
Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Rob't  Towers,  Esq'r,  Commissary  of 
Stores,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Lochry,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  West- 
moreland, for  Three  hundred  weight  of  Gunpowder  &  Eight  hun- 
dred weight  of  Lead.  t 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Archibald  Lochry,  Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Westmoreland,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  and  five 
hundred  Pounds,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  riffled  barrel  Guns, 
for  the  use  of  the  Militia  of  the  said  County,  and  for  hiring  substi- 
tutes, for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  James  Carter,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred 
Pounds,  to  Pay  Workmen  for  repairing  Arms,  &c,  &  for  which  he 
is  to  account. 

Resolved,  That  Will'm  Fullerton,  Warwick  Coats,  Rateliffe 
Albertson,  in  the  South  part  of  the  City  &  Suburbs,  &  that  Jacob 
Miller,  Sam  Brewster  &  Israel  Castle,  in  the  North  part  of  the  City 
&  suburbs,  be  appointed  to  collect  &  detain  all  the  boats,  fiats, 
Canoes  &  Batteaus  &  other  embarkations  whatever,  in  the  Dela- 
ware near  this  City,  provided  that  no  hindrance  be  given  to  the 
Temoval  of  families  by  Water  in  Shallops  or  other  Craft,  that  leave 
Town  &  proceed  to  &  distaee?  or  to  Ferries. 


298  MINUTES  OF  THE 

That  the  Continental  Board  of  War  be  reminded  of  the  great 
number  of  Prisoners  of  War  now  in  the  New  Goal. 

Resolved,  That  Major  Casdrop  be  directed  to  attend  with  a  Ser- 
geant's Guard,  at  the  Bridge  over  Schuylkill,  in  order  to  remove  it 
when  ordered  by  this  Board  or  the  Commanding  officer,  and  that 
he  remove  the  Boats  from  the  West  Side  of  Schuylkill. 

Resolved,  That  no  person  be  suffered  to  go  over  the  West  side 
of  Schuylkill,  unless  they  produce  a  pass  signed  by  Benj'n  Paschall, 
Esq'r,  orW'ra  Heysham,  or  unless  they  produe  a  Certificate  of  their 
having  taken  and  Subscribed  an  Oath  or  Affirmation  of  Allegiance 
to  this,  or  the  United  States  of  America,  but  persons  bringing  pro- 
visions to  Market  are  to  be  permitted  to  pass  &  re-pass  without 
interruption. 

Resolved,  That  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Light  Horse  of  this  City, 
except  two  who  are  to  attend  the  prisoners  now  at  the  Lodge  to 
Reading,  on  their  March  to  Staunton,  in  Augusta  County,  in  the 
State  of  Virginia,  do  proceed  immediately  to  Camp  on  a  Tour  of 
duty,  &  that  the  said  two  Gentlemen  join  the  Corps  after  they  have 
discharged  the  said  duty,  .as  soon  as  possible. 

Intelligence  having;  been  received  of  the  Enemies'  motion  towards 
the  Citv,  the  following  Proclamation  having  been  read  &  proposed 
to  be  published,  Vizt. : 

"Philad'a,  Septem.  10,  1777. 

"  By  the  Supreme  Executive   Council  of  the    Commonwealth  of 
Pennsylvania. 

"A  PROCLAMATION: 

"  The  time  is  at  length  come  in  which  the  fate  of  ourselves,  our 
Wives,  Children,  &  Posterity  must  be  speedily  determined;  Gen'l 
Howe,  at  the  head  of  a  British  Army,  the  only  hope,  the  last  resource 
of  our  Enemies'  has  invaded  this  State,  dismissing  his  ships  &  disen- 
cumbering himself  of  his  heavy  Artillery  &  baggage,  he  appears  to 
have  risked  all  upon  the  event  of  a  movement  which  must  either  de- 
liver up  to  plunder  &  devastation,  this  Capital  of  Pennsylvania  & 
of  America,  or  forever  blast  the  cruel  designs  of  our  implacable 
foes.  Blessed  be  God,  Providence  seems  to  have  left  it  to  ourselves 
to  determine,  whether  we  shall  triumph  in  victory  k  rest  in  free- 
dom and  peace,  or  by  tamely  submitting,  or  weakly  resisting,  deliver 
ourselves  up  a  prey  to  an  enemy,  than  whom  none  more  cruel  & 
perfidious  was  ever  suffered  to  vex  &  destroy  any  people.  View 
then  on  the  other  hand,  the  freedom  &  independence,  the  glory  & 
the  happiness  of  our  rising  States,  which  are  set  before  us  as  the 
reward  of  our  courage.  Seriously  consider  on  the  other  hand,  the 
wanton  ravages,  the  Rapes,  the  Butcheries,  which  have  been  per- 
petrated by  these  men  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  &  on  the  froa- 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  299 

tiers  of  New  York ;  above  all  consider  the  mournful  prospect  of 
seeing  Americans  like  the  wretched  inhabitants  of  India,  stripped  of 
their  freedom,  robbed  of  their  property,  degraded  beneath  the 
brutes,  &  left  to  starve  amid  plenty,  at  the  will  of  their  lordly 
Masters,  and  let  us  determine  once  for  all,  that  we  will  Die  or  be 
Free. 

"The  foe  are  manifestly  aiming  either  by  force  to  conquer,  or  by 
Stratagem  &  Stolen  marches  to  elude  the  vigilence  of  our  brave 
Commander;  Declining  a  battle  with  our  Countrymen,  they  have 
attempted  to  steal  upon  us  by  surprise.  They  have  been  hitherto 
defeated,  but  numbers  are  absolutely  necessary  to  watch  them  on 
every  Quarter  at  once 

"  The  neighbouring  States  are  hurrying  forward  their  Militia, 
&  we  hope  by  rising  as  one  Man,  &  besetting  the  foe  at  a  distance 
from  his  Fleet,  we  shall  speedily  inclose  him  like  a  Lion  in  the 
toils. 

The  Council  therefore  most  humbly  beseech  and  intreat  all  Per- 
sons whatsoever,  to  exert  themselves  without  delay,  to  seize  this 
present  opportunity  of  crushing  the  foe,  now  in  the  bowels  of  our 
Country,  by  marching  forth  instantly  under  their  respctive  officers, 
to  the  assistance  of  our  great  General,  that  he  may  be  enabled  to 
environ  &  demolish  the  only  British  army  that  remains  formidable 
in  America,  or  in  the  World.  Animated  with  the  hope  that  Heaven, 
as  before  it  has  done  in  all  times  of  difficulty  &  danger,  will  again 
crown  our  righteous  efforts  with  success,  we  look  forward  to  the 
prospect  of  seeing  our  insulting  foe  cut  off  from  all  means  of  escape, 
&  by  the  goodness  of  the  Almighty,  the  Lord  of  Hosts  &  God  of 
Battles,  wholly  delivered  into  our  hands. 

"  Attest,     THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r  Presid't. 

"  Timothy  Matlack,  Secretary. 

"GOD  SAVE  THE  PEOPLE." 

Resolved,  That  the  foregoing  Proclamation  be  published. 

Resolved,  That  the  Lieutenant  of  the  City  be  ordered  to  Call  out 
all  the  well  affected  Militia  of  this  State,  to  meet  on  the  Commons, 
near  the  centre  House,  to-morrow  Morning  at  10  0' Clock,  with  their 
Arms,  Accoutrements,  Muskets  &  intrenching  tools,  of  all  kinds. 

Colo.  Nichola,  Town  Major,  representing  that  he  could  not  pro- 
cure the  horses  necessary  for  the  Guards  ordered  to  escort  the- 
prisoners  from  the  Masons'  lodge  towards  Reading, 

A  Warrant  to  impress  Six  Horses  with  Saddles  was  issued,  direc- 
ted to  him. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favor  of  Mr.  Alexa. 
Nesbitt  &  Sam'l  Caldwell,  Gentlemen  of  the  Light  Horse,  ordered 
to  escort  the  Prisoners  on  their  way  to  Augusta,  for  the  Sum  of 
One  hundred  Pounds,  to  pay  their  Expenses,  as  far  as  the  present 
escort  may  go,  &  for  which  they  are  to  account. 


300  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Resolved,  That  the  fifth  &  Sixth  Classes  of  the  Militia  of  this 
City,  &  the  Townships  &  district  annexed,  be  immediately  ordered 
out. 

The  Rev'd  Tho's  Coombe  having  by  the  Rev'd  Mr.  White  and 
Colo.  Cadwallader,  requested  to  be  permitted  to  go  to  Virginia 
under  Parole,  &  from  thence  to  the  Island  of  St.  Eustatia,  on  con- 
sideration, 

Resolved,  That  he  be  enlarged  on  Parole  accordingly. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble  Jacob  Morgan,  Esq'r,  for  the 
Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Jacob  Morgan, 
Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Berks,  for  which  he  is  to  ac- 
count. 

Mr.  Morgan  represented  to  Council  that  divers  of  the  People  of 
the  County  of  Berks  were  desirous  of  having  Tho's  Parry  appoint- 
ed one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  the  said  county ;  there- 
upon, 

Resolved,  That  Thomas  Parry  be  appointed  one  of  the  Justices 
of  the  Peace  of  the  County  of  Berks. 

Phineas  Bond,  Esq'r,  by  Doctor  Tho's  Bond,  &  requested  to  be 
permitted  to  go  to  Virginia  under  Parole  &  from  thence  to  the 
West  Indies  j  on  consideration, 

Resolved,  That  he  be  enlarged  on  Parole  Accordingly. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  Septem.  11,  1777 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President- 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  Joseph  Hart,  &  ^ 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Jacob  Morgan.    5-Esq'rs. 

John  Proctor,  ) 

An  order  was  given  to  Mr.  Savage  on  Mr.  Crispin  for  four  Bar- 
cells  of  Salt  Provisions. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
•the  State,  in  favor  of  Bartram  Galbraith,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of 
Lancaeter  county,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  thousand  Pounds,  for 
which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Tho's  Dorsey,  Paymaster  for  the  Militia  of 
the  County  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  thousand  Pounds, 
for  tfhieh  he  is  to  account. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  301 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Towers,  in  favour  of  Bartram  Gal- 
braith,  Esq'r,  for  One  thousand  Musquet  Cartridges,  One  hundred 
Founds  of  Powder  &  Two  hundred  &  fifty  pounds  of  Lead. 

The  two  Armies  being  now  engaged,  &  the  event  doubtful, 

Ordered,  That  all  Shops  &  Stores  be  immediately  Shut  up,  ex- 
cept those  only  where  workmen  are  employed  in  making  or 
repairing  the  Public  Arms,  &  that  every  Man  capable  of  bearing 
arms,  or  repairing  Arms  repair  to  his  Captains'  Quarters  at  Two 
O'Clock  this  Afternoon. 

The  Commissioned  Officers  are  hereby  Commanded  to  exert 
themselves  in  the  execution  of  this  Order,  &  order  that  the  Drums 
beat  to  Arms  immediately. 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Heister,  Colo.  Corsey,  Colo.  Antis,  &  Colo, 
Bean's  respective  Battalions,  do  immediately  rendezvous  at  the 
Sweed's  Ford,  &  that  Colo.  Moore,  Colo,  McVeaugh,  rendezvous  at 
the  Falls  of  Schuylkill,  &  Colo.  Warner's  at  Derby. 

Ordered,  That  the  issuing  Commissary  supply  Provisions  to  the 
Militia  at  the  Sweed's  Ford,  Schuylkill  Falls,  &  Derby . 

As  the  Enemy  is  near  at  hand  &  this  minute  engaging  our  Army 
under  the  Command  of  his  ExcelPy  Gen'l  Washington, 

Ordered,  That  every  able  bodied  man  in  the  County  of  Bucks; 
turn  out  with  his  Arms,  accoutrements  &  blankets,  &  that  those 
who  cannot  furnish  themselves  with  Arms  to  take  with  them  Axes, 
spades,  &  every  other  kind  of  entrenching  Tools,  &  that  Colonel 
Roberts,  Erwin,  &  Killer,  rendezvous  at  the  Sweed's  Ford,  and  that 
Colo's  Toomb  &  McElwaine  rendezvous  at  this  City. 

An  or4er  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favour  of  Colo.  Melchior,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hun- 
dred &  thirty-eight  Pounds,  Two  Shillings  &  Seven  Pence,  ballance 
of  his  Account,  to  the  Twentieth  of  August,  as  settled  by  Caleb 
David,  Will'm  Thorne  &  Philip  Marstiller,  a  committee  of  Con- 
gress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favour  of  Jacob  S.  Howell,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hun- 
dred Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account.  /: 

The  Petition  of  Thomas  Robison,  praying  to  be  appointed  Pro- 
thonatary  of  the  County  of  Northumberland,  and  also  the  Petition 
of  Cap't  David  Harris,  praying  to  be  appointed  Prothonatary  of  the 
said  County,  were  Read.     On  consideration, 

Resolved,  That  Cap't  Dav'd  Harris  be  appointed  Prothonatary 
of  the  County  of  Northumberland,  &  was  Commissioned  accord- 
ingly. 

A  Warrant  was  granted  to  Joseph  Watkins  to  impress  Twenty 
Horses  for  the  Artillery. 

On  consideration  of  the  returns  of  Justices  Elected  for  the 
County  of  Bedford,  and  a  recommendation  by  upwards  of  twenty 
Freeholders  of  Robert  Galbraith,  for  the  said  Office, 


302  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Resolved,  That  James  Mastin,  2d  Will'm  Parker,  3d  Joshua 
Milott,  4th  Martin  Longstreath,  5th  Tho's  Paxton,  6th  Robert 
Scott,  7th  Robert  Galbraith,  be  appointed  Justices  of  the  Peace 
for  the  said  County  of  Bedford. 

Ordered,  That  a  Dedinius  Potestatum  be  made  out  Authorizing 
<fe  empowering  Robert  Galbraith,  Esq'r,  James  Martin,  &  Thomas 
Urie,  Esq'rs,  to  Administer  the  Oaths  required  by  the  Constitution 
&  laws  of  this  Commonwealth,  to  Qualify  the  aforesaid  Magistrates 
&  the  other  Civil  Officers  appointed  or  to  be  appointed  in  the  said 
County  of  Bedford. 

Ordered,  That  the  Officers  commanding  the  Militia  of  the 
County  of  Bucks,  now  at  the  Barracks,  do  immediately  send  a 
guard  of  Four  Men  to  Robin  Hood  Ford,  over  the  Schuylkill,  four 
Men  to  the  upper  Ferry,  Four  Men  to  the  Bridge,  &  four  Men  to 
Gray's  Ferry,  to  take  care  of  the  Artillery  placed  at  those  places. 


The  Council  Met. 

Piiilad'a,  Friday  Septem.  12,  1777. 

present: 
His  Exccll'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  Joseph  Hart,  &~\ 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Jacob  Morgan,    y  Escp's. 

John  Proctor,  ) 

A  Warrant  to  Peter  Dehaven  to  impress  Waggons  to  carry  of 
Gunpowder  &  Stores  from  French  Creek,  &  to  raise  a  guard  in  con- 
junction with  the  Justice's  Warrant  issued  to  Rob't  Towers,  Com- 
missary of  Stores,  to  press  Waggons  in  Radnor  to  remove  Lead. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  Stat£,  in  favor  of  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Three 
Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Ordered,  That  the  Justices  of  the  County  of  Chester  immedi- 
ately send  in  as  many  Waggons  as  can  be  procured,  and  that  Colo. 
Will'm  Evans  be  employed  in  the  County  of  Chester,  &  that  a 
Press  Warrant  be  given  him  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  the  Bucks  County  Militia  be  employed  as  a  guard 
to  conduct  the  British  Prisoners  to  Reading,  &  such  others  as  may 
be  necessary  to  be  added. 

Ordered,  That  the  Third  &  fourth  Class  of  the  Militia  of  Berks 
County,  the  third  &  fourth  Class  of  Northampton  County,  the 
third  Class  of  York  County,  the  fourth,  Class  of  Chester,  &  the 
Second  Class  of  Northumberland  Counties,  be  Called  into  immedi- 
ate service. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  303 

The  Board  of  War  in  very  pressing  terms,  request  that  the 
Bakers  of  the  Militia  may  be  employed  in  bakeing  for  the  Army  j 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Henry  do  permit  &  encourage  the  Bakers 
in  the  Militia  to  enter  the  Service  under  Mr.  Ludwick. 

Ordered,  That  two  more  Companies  of  Artillery  be  called  into 
service  immediately. 

Col.  Charles  Stewart  represented  that  the  Army  is  in  want  of 
Bread;  thereupon, 

Ordeerd,  That  Colo.  Cha's  Stewart  be  authorized  &  empowered 
to  seize  all  the  hard  Bread  which  can  be  found  in  the  City,  Paying 
for  the  same  at  the  usual  price. 

Council  appoints  Tho's  Urie  &  James  Martin,  Esq'rs,  to  be  Sub- 
Lieutenants  of  Bedford  County,  in  the  room  &  stead  of  Rich'd 
Brown  &  Abraham  Cable,  who  have  declined  to  take  upon  them  the 
Office. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a.,  Saturday  Septem.  13,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  Joseph  Hart,  &") 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Jacob  Morgan.    [►Esq'rs. 

John  Proctor,  J 

Rob't  Galbraith,  Esq'r,  appeared  before  Council  and  took  the 
Oaths  required  by  Law  to  qualify  him  to  act  as  one  of  the  Justices 
of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Bedford,  &i  as  one  of  the  Justices 
of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas;  and  also  the  Oath  required  to 
qualify  him  to  act  according  to  the  Powers  mentioned  &  named  in 
a  Dedimus  Potestatum  dated  this  day. 

Ja's  Martin,  Esq'r,  also  appeared  &  took  the  Oath  required  to 
qualify  him  to  act  according  to  the  powers  mentioned  in  &  granted 
to  him  &  others,  by  a  Dedimus  Potestatum  dated  this  day. 

A  pass  to  Ja's  Hamilton,  Esq'r,  to  Northampton,  &;  a  protection 
for  a  Waggon  with  Baggage;  and  also  a  Protection  for.  his  Goods, 
Houses,  Lands,  &  Effects,  were  granted. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Joseph  Blewer,  Esq'r,  Chairman  of  the  State 
Navy  Board,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  thousand  Pounds,  for  which 
said  Navy  Board  is  to  account. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  appointed  to  collect  Boats,  do 
immediately  furnish  Mr.  Butler  with  the  number  of  Boats  necessary 
to  bring  up  the  wounded. 


304  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Will'm  Dallap,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Pounds, 
•for  a  Ream  of  Writing  Paper. 

A  Certificate  signed  by  Jos.  Gardner,  Esq'r,  was  laid  before  the 
Council,  certifying  that  Tho's  McKean,  Esq'r,  had  taken  &  sub- 
scribed  the  several  Oaths  &  declaration  required  by  the  Laws  & 
Constitution  of  this  State  to  Qualify  him  to  act  as  Chief  Justice 
of  this  Commonwealth. 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Proctor  be  appointed  Paymaster  of  the 
Militia  of  the  County  of  Westmoreland. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Proctor,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred 
&  forty  eight  Pounds  Six  Shillings  and  Eight  Pence,  Vizt : 

For  109  days  attendance  in  Council  @  25s,  £136  5  0 

For  290  Miles  @  lOd,  12  1  8 

£148  6  8 


Ordered,  That  the  fourth  &  fifth  Classes  of  the  Militia  of  the 
Counties  of  Philadelphia  &  Bucks  \>q  called  into  immediate  ser- 
vice. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  tfhe  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Jonathan  Hoge, 
Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  fifty-eight  Pounds  Seven 
Shillings  &  Six  Pence,  for  his  attendance  in  Council,  Viz : 

For  123  days  attendance  in  Council  @  25s,         £153  15     0 

Mileage  on  111  Miles  @  lOd,  4  12     6 

£158     7     6 


Ordered,  That  the  fourth  &  fifth  Classes  of  the  Militia  of  Buck? 
County,  &  the  fourth  &  fifth  Classes  of  the  Militia  of  Philadelphia 
County,  &  the  fifth  &  Sixth  Classes  of  the  City,  be  immediately 
Called  into  service. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Sunday  Septem.  14,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Ilon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  Jacob  Morgan,  )  ™    , 

Joseph  Hart,  &  '  }  ^ rs" 

A  Resolve  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly,  dated 
Yesterday,  desireiDg  &  empowering  this  Council  to  take  the  most 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.      305- 

speedy  &  effectual  means  to  remove  the  Public  Moneys  belong'g 
to  the  General  Loan  Office,  to  such  place  as  the  Council  may  think 
necessary  &  secure,  being  read,  thereupon 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Lowden  &  Mr.  Hoge  be  appointed  to  have 
the  Money  &  Papers  belonging  to  the  Public  Loan  Office  removed 
to  Easton,  in  the  County  of  Northampton,  and  John  Snyder,  Hen'y 
Bartholomew,  was  employed  with  a  Waggon  to  convey  it  to  the  said 
place. 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Nicola  furnish  a  guard  of  Two  Men  to  go 
with  the  said  Waggoners.  These  Papers,  &ca.  are  contained  in  a 
case,  a  Barrel,  &  an  Iron  Chest. 

Mr.  Tilghman  and  Mr.  Reed,  by  order  of  Gen'l  Washington, 
request  that  the  Bridge  may  be  immediately  removed  ;  thereupon 

Ordered,  That  Major  Casdorp  do  immediately  &  effectually  re- 
move the  Bridge  at  the  Middle  Ferry  on  Schuylkill,  &  bring  it 
away  into  Delaware,  &  bring  over  all  the  Boats  of  every  kind 
from  the  West  of  Delaware  j  Two  boats  are  to  be  removed  from 
the  upper  Ferry  into  the  cove  below  Mr.  Morris's,  &  placed 
under  a  guard,  the  other  Boats  to  be  placed  so  as  to  be  entirely 
out  of  the  reach  of  the  enemy ;  but  the  Orders  of  the  general 
officers  are  to  be  obeyed  on  these  heads,  whether  they  are  to  be 
exactly  ordered  as  above,  or  a  new  arrangement  made. 

Ordered,  That  Matt'w  Irwin  be  appointed  Quarter  Master  of  the 
Militia   of    this   State,   &  that  he  Rank  as  Lieutenant  Colonel. 
The  Treasury  nearly  exhausted, 

Ordered,  That  application  be  made  to  Congress  for  the  Sum  of 
Two  hundred  Thousand  Dollars,  to  Pay  the  Militia  &  other  neces- 
sary expences. 

An  order  of  Congress  on  John  Gibson,  Esq'r,  Auditor  General, 
for  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  paid  to  the. 
Supreme  Executive  Council,  "advanced  for  the  Public  use,  the  said 
Council  to  be  accountable." 

Ordered,  That  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  Thousand  Dollars  be 
paid  into  the  hands  of  DavM  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  the 
State. 

Dav'd  Harris,  Esq'r,  appeared  &  took  the  Oath  required  by  the 
Constitution,  &  the  Oath  required  to  Qualify  him  to  enter  upon  the 
duty  of  Protnonotary  of  the  County  of  Northumberland,  &  also  the 
Oath  required  to  Qualify  him  to  enter  upon  the  duty  of  a  Justice 
of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  the  said  County. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esquire,  Treasurer 
of  the  State,  in  favor  of  Tho's  Dorsey,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the 
Militia  for  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  thou- 
sand Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Robert  Towers,  for  the  Sum  of   Sixty-One 
VOL.  xi.— -20, 


306  MINUTES  OP  THE 

Pounds  &  Seven  Shillings,  to  be  charged  to  account  of  Jacob  S, 
Howell. 

Note — After  Three  Waggons  are  provided  for  the  Council,  two 
are  to  be  furnished  to  Mr.  Cannon  &  Mr.  Lisle. 

Ordered,  That  all  the  Boats  that  are  now  in  Schuylkill  be  im- 
mediately hauled  upon  the  land. 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Flower  employ  Jas  Worrell,  Francis  Alli- 
son &  Mr.  Evans,  Carpenters,  or  such  other  workmen  as  he  may 
think  proper  to  employ,  to  take  down  the  Bells  of  all  the  public 
Buildings  in  this  City,  &  convey  them  to  a  place  of  safety. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Lowden  &  Mr.  Hoge  be  appointed  to  have 
the  Money  &  Papers  belonging  to  the  Public  Loan  Office  removed 
to  Easton,  in  the  County  of  Northampton,  and  John  Snyder  &  Henry 
Bartholomew  was  employed  with  a  Waggon  to  convey  it  to  the  said 
place. 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Nicola  furnish  a  Guard  of  Two  Men  to  go 
with  the  said  Waggoners.  These  papers,  &ca.  are  contained  in  a 
Case,  a  Barrel  &  an  Iron  Chest. 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Monday  Septem.  15,  1777. 


PRESENT  *. 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Yice  President. 

John  Bailey,  Jacob  Morgan,  )  -p    , 

Joseph  Hart,  &  i 

John  Halev,  Esq'r,  lately  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Orphans'  Court7 
represented  to  Council  that  he  had  applied  to  Jas  Humphreys,  Esq'r, 
for  the  Records  &  papers  belonging  to  the  said  Court, 

Resolved  &  Ordered,  That  John  Haley,  Esq'r,  who  has  been 
appointed  Clerk  of  the  Orphan's  Court  of  the  City  &  County  of 
Philadelphia,  do  demand  of  Jas  Humphreys,  Esq'r,  late  Clerk 
of  the  late  Orphans'  Court  of  the  City  and  County  of  Philadelphia, 
the  immediate  delivery  of  all  the  Records,  Papers  &  Seals  to  the  said 
late  Office  of  Clerk  to  the  Orphans'  Court,  belonging,  or  which 
have  been  used  in  the  said  Office,  and  that  the  said  John  Haley  be 
empowered  to  remove  the  said  Records  &  Papers  to  a  place  of  safety, 
.&  in  case  Mr.  Humphreys  make  any  difficulty  in  the  Premises,  Mr. 
Haley  is  to  report  the  same  to  Council  without  delay,  that  further 
order  may  be  had  in  the  Premises. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum 
of  Twenty  Thousand  Dollars,  in  favor  of  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r, 
Treasurer,  for  which  Mr.  Rittenhouse  is  to  be  accountable. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  307 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r. 
Treasurer  of  the  State,  in  favor  of  Fred'k  Snyder,  for  the  Sum  of 
Thirty  Pounds  Sixteen  Shillings  &  three  Pence,  for  Forty  days  at- 
tendance as  doorkeeper,  &  for  Wafers,  Nails,  &  a  Map. 

In  favor  of  Edw'd  Stroud  for  the  Sum  of  Ten  Pounds  Four  Shil- 
lings, for  riding  Express. 

In  favor  of  Mich'l  Bowyer  for  the  Sum  of  Twenty-four  Pounds 
Twelve  Shillings,  for  Riding  Express. 

Mr.  Lowdan  &  Mr.  Hoge,  appointed  to  remove  the  Public  Monies 
&  Papers  of  the  Loan  Office  of  this  State  to  some  place  of  security, 
Report,  That  they  had  applied  to  Sam'l  Preston  Moore,  Esq'r,  one 
of  the  Trustees  of  the  said  Loan  Office,  for  the  said  Monies  &  Books 
&  Papers  thereto  belonging,  and  that  they  had  received  of  the  said 
Mr  Moore  a  large  Iron  Chest  containing  Forty-two  bundles  of 
Paper  money,,  said  to  be  the  balance  of  Principal  &  Interest  re- 
maining in  the  hands  of  the  Trustees  of  the  General  Loan  Office  of 
Pennsylvania,  as  settled  by  a  Committee  of  Assembly  in  August 
last,  Amounting  to  Thirteen  Thousand  One  Hundred  &  Thirty- 
•Eight  Pounds  Eighteen  Shillings  &  Two  Pence,  &  the  Mortgages 
taken  by  the  said  Trustees  for  Money  lent  out,  together  with 
another  bundle  of  Paper  Money  said  to  contain  the  Ballance  of 
sundry  Mortgages  due  to  the  old  Loan  office  &  Committed  to  the 
care  of  the  said  Mr.  Moore,  amounting  to  the  Sum  of  Seven  hun- 
dred &  Seventy-four  Pounds  &  nine  Shillings,  & '  that  the  said  Mr. 
Moore  also  delivered  to  them  the  Keys  of  said  Chest,  but  the  said 
Monies  had  not  been  counted  for  want  of  time. 

Mr.  Moore  acquainted  them  that  the  Deeds  of  the  borrowers 
lodged  in  the  said  Office,  were  in  the  posession  of  Humphrey  Mar- 
shall of  Chester  County  ;  another  of  the  Trustees  of  said  Office,  & 
the  Books  of  said  Office,  had  already  been  delivered  to  the  said 
Committee. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Chest  with  its  said  contents,  be  immedi- 
ately sent  to  East  town  &  committed  to  the  care  of  Rob't  Levers, 
Esq'r,  of  said  place. 

Some  information  by  affidavit  &  verbally,  being  given  to  Coun- 
cil by  George  Stevenson,  Esq'r,  of  Carlisle,  of  divers  treasonable 
&  dangerous  intentions  and  designs  of  levying  men  &  destroying 
the  Public  Stores  at  York,  Lancaster  &  Carlisle  &  elsewhere,  in 
which  Will'm  Willis,  of  Newberry,  &  James  Rankin  of  Manches- 
ter, in  York  County,  John  Ferree  of  Lancaster  County,  Yoemen,  & 
divers  other  persons,  are  said  to  be  actually  concerned  j  and  it  ap- 
pearing that  Daniel  Shelly,  of  Shelly  Island,  in  Lancaster  County, 
Yeoman,  hath  been  actively  concerned  in  the  Treasonable  designs 
aforesaid,  &  that  he  is  now  in  Custody  on  a  charge  on  Oath,  as  one 
of  the  persons  actively  concerned  in  the  Treasonable  designs  afore- 
said, &  that  he  is  willing  &  offers  to  discover  &  give  evidence  in 
the  Premises  against  the  accomplices  &  all  others  concerned  in  the 
said  Conspiracy  &  every  of  them,  as  he  knoweth,  so  as  to  convict 


308  MINUTES  OF  THE 

his  said  accomplices ;  The  Council  thereupon  after  due  considera- 
tion had,  do  Promise  to  the  said  Dan'l  Shelly,  that  if  he  shall  fairly 
reveal  &,  make  known  the  designs  of  said  persons,  &  conduct  him- 
self in  the  Premises  as  a  witness  ought  to  do,  he  will  thereby  merit 
his  Pardon,  for  any  thing  he  may  have  acted  or  done  of  a  treason- 
able nature,  &  may  be  assured  of  receiving  it. 

The  Petition  of  Jerman  Davis,  John  Bailey,  Isaac  Johnson, 
James  Chalfont,  Tho's  Agnew,  Benja.  Trego,  Jos.  Trego,  Jas 
Chalfont,  jun'r,  &  John  Simkins,  setting  forth  that  they  had  been 
committed  to  Prison  by  Capt.  Bailey  without  any  just  cause,  de- 
claring their  innocence  of  any  charge  which  may  be  alledged  against 
them  as  disaffected  persons,  &  praying  a  hearing, 
On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the   said  Prisoners  be  enlarged  on  their  sign 
ing  a  Promise  or  Parole  that  they  will  do  nothing  injurious  to  the 
American    cause,  and  appear  to  answer  any  charge  which  may  be 
made  against  them. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  Septem.  16,  1777> 
present : 
His  Exoell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon.  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  Jacob  Morgan,  >  ^    t 

Joseph  Hart,  &  5 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Joseph  Blewer,  Esq'r,  Chairman  of  the  Navy 
Board,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  the  said 
Board  is  to  Account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favour  of  Will'm  Crispin,  Esq'r,  for  the  sum  of  Four 
Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Ordered,  That  Maj.  Will'm  Scott  be  appointed  Paymaster  of  the 
Militia  of  the  County  of  York,  in  the  room  of  Michael  Hahn,  Esq'r, 
who  is  a  member  of  the  House  of  Assembly,  whose  attendance  is 
at  this  time  highly  necessary. 

Mr.  Alexa.  Nesbitt,  one  of  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Light  Horse 
appointed  to  escort  the  Prisoners  to  Winchester,  in  Virginia,  re- 
ports that  Isr'l  Pemberton,  &  divers  others  of  them,  had  obtained 
writs  of  hebeas  Corpus,  ordering  Lewis  Nicola  to  bring  the  bodies 
of  said  Isr'l  Pemberton  &  others  before  him  on  the  17th  inst,  at 
the  place  in  the  writ  expressed  ;  and  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Gene  - 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  309 

ral  Assembly  having  this  day  passed  an  Act  entitled  "  An  Act, 
&ca.," 

Ordered,  That  a  Writ  be  issued  authorizing  and  empowering  Sam'l 
Caldwell  &  Alexa.  Nesbitt  to  receive  the  bodies  of  Isr'l  Pemberton, 
John  Hunt,  James  Pemberton,  John  Pemberton,  Tho's  Wharton, 
Edw'd  Pennington,  Henry  Drinker,  Tho's  Fisher,  (son  of  Joshua) 
Sam'l  Fisher,  (son  of  Joshua)  Myers  Fisher,  Sam'l  Pleasants,  Owen 
Jones,  jun'r,  Tho's  Gilpin,  Cha's  Jervis,  Tho's  Afflick,  Will'm 
Brewit  Smith,  Tho's  Pike,  Will'm  Smith,  Elijah  Brown,  &  Charles 
Eddy,  who  have  been,  in  consequence  of  the  recommendation  of 
Congress,  Arrested  &  sent  forward  towards  Winchester  in  Yirginia, 
and  them  to  deliver  to  Jacob  Morgan  or  John  Old,  to  be  forwarded 
to  the  place  of  their  destination. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  James  Dundas,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred 
Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Jac'b  S.  Howell,  and  applied  to  the  pay- 
ing Workmen,  &ca,  for  which  he  is  to  account.  This  order  was 
omitted  on  the  15th,  being  dated  yesterday. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r.  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favour  of  his  Excell'y  the  President,  for  the  Sum  of 
Seven  Hundred  &  Fifty  Pounds,  being  one  half  Year's  Salary  due 
to  him. 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieutenants  or  Sub-Lieutenants  of  County 
of  Berks  &  Cumberland,  do  provide  Guards  from  the  Militia  that 
are  called  into  service,  or  may  hereafter  be  called,  to  guard  Ammu- 
nition, Stores  or  Prisoners,  when  necessary,  unless  a  sufficient  num- 
ber can  be  hired  on  reasonable  terms,  to  perform  that  duty. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  Septem.  17,  1777. 
present: 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON",  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  Jacob  Morgan,  >  -^    , 

Joseph  Hart,  &  5  ^S(*  rs' 

Ordered,  That  the  fifth  Class  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of 
Chester  be  immediately  sent  into  the  field. 

Ordered,  That  the  Books  in  the  Library  belonging  to  the  State 
be  sent  immediately  to  Easton  in  Northampton  County,  &  com- 
mitted to  the  care  of  Robert  Levers,  Esq'r,  of  the  said  county,  to 
whose  care  a  case  &  a  Barrel,  containing  the  Books  &  Papers  of  the 
late  Council  of  Safety  &  the  Board  of  War,  have  already  been  sent 
with  the  Loan  Office  Money  &  Papers. 


310  MINUTES  OF  THE 

(N.  B.  Fourteen  Boxes  &  Two  Trunks  sent  by  Philip  Mosser 
&  Jacob  Kuhn,  accordingly.) 

Major  Casdrop  being  called  into  service  in  the  Militia, 

Ordered,  That  Rich'd  Dennis  be  appointed  in  his  stead,  to  take 
charge  of  the  Boats  and  Ferry  in  Schuylkill,  &  to  take  care  of  the 
bridge  now  in  the  River  Delaware. 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Joseph  Stiles  take  charge  of  Wort  &  Brooks* 
two  shallops  with  Ammunition  on  board,  &  remove  them  to  a  place 
of  safety. 

Bristol  may,  at  present  a  place  of  safety. 

The  two  following  orders  were  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse, 
Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  the  State,  &  ordered  to  be  charged  to  Jacob  S. 
Howell,  Vizt: 

In  favor  of  Rob't  Towers  for  the  Sum  of  Fifty  Pounds,  for 
which  he  is  to  account. 

In  favor  of  Captain  Joseph  Stiles  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred 
&  fifty  Pounds. 

Mr.  Pearson  &   others  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  drive  off 
the  Cattle,  complain  that  persons    in  whose  Pastures  they  are  ne- 
cessarily put  from  time  to  time,  threaten  to  turn  them  out. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  respective  Committees  appointed  to  drive  off 
the  Cattle  on  the  approach  of  the  Enemy,  do  make  use  of  such 
Meadows  or  Pastures  as  they  may  find  necessary,  k  give  to  the 
Owners  or  Occupiers  of  such  Meadows  or  Pastures  a  Certificate  of 
the  Number  of  the  Cattle  pastured,  &  the  time  they  were  continued, 
this  Certificate  to  be  directed  to  Jacob  S.  Howell,  who  will  pay  the 
same  price  as  is  allowed  by  the  Continental  Army  in  like  cases. 

The  following  Recommendation  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  As- 
sembly being  read,  vizt: 

"  In  General  Assembly,  Septem.  16,  1777. 

"  On  motion, 
u  Ordered,  That  Benja.  Yancampen,  Esq'r,  be  recommended  to 
His    Excell'y  the  President  &  Council,  to    be  Commissioned  as  a 
Sub-Lieutenant  for  the  County  ot  Northampton. 
"  Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

"JOHN  MORRIS,  Cl'k  of  General  Assembly." 

Thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Benja.  Yan  Campen  be  Commissioned  accord- 
ing^- 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Abram  Mason,  (sail  maker,)  for  the  Sum  of 
One  hundred  &  forty  eight  Pounds  Eighteen  Shillings  &  Niue  Pence, 
for  work  done  for  the  State  Laboratory. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  311 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  Septem.  18,  1777. 
present : 
His  ExceU'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 
The  Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  Jacob  Morgan,  >  ]7sa>rc, 

Joseph  Hart,  &  $>■/'" 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Joseph  Hart,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifty-nine 
Pounds  fourteen  Shillings  and  Six  pence,  for  Arms  put  into  the 
liands  of  the  Militia  of  Bucks  County  last  year,  &  charge  the  same 
to  Jacob  S.  Howell. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favour  of  George  Spangler,  for  the  Sum  of  Six 
Pounds  &  ten  Shillings,  for  his  Services  riding  Express  on  Public 
Business. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  Septem.  20,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,       "j 
Joseph  Hart,  &   v-Esq'rs. 
Jacob  Morgan.  J 
An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Joseph  Blewer,  Esq'r,  Chairman  of  the  State* 
Navy  Board,  for  the  Sum  of  Eight  Thousand   Dollars,  for  which 
said  Board  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  James  Carter,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Four 
Thousand  Dollars,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Will'm  Henry,  Lieutenant  of  the  City 
of  Philadelphia,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  Thousand  Dollars,  for  which 
he  is  to  account. 


312  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  Septem.  22d,  1777. 
present  : 
HisExcell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,      ~) 
Joseph  Hart,  &  vEsq'rs. 
Jacob  Morgan.  J 
An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Tho's  Dorsey,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the  Mili- 
tia for  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  Sum  of  Twelve  Thou- 
sand Dollars,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Tho's  Hewitt,  Esq'r,  to  be  delivered  by  him 
to  (Jolo.  Sam'l  Hunter,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Northum- 
berland, for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Dollars,  &  to  be  charged 
to  the  said  Colo.  Hunter,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  Septem.  23,  1777. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  Jacob  Morgan,  )  p,    , 

Joseph  Hart,  <fc  5 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
.the  State,  in  favor  of  Joseph  Blewer,  Esq'r,  Chairman  of  the  State 
Navy  Board,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifteen  Thousand  Dollars,  for  which  he 
is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Will'm  Crispin,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Twen- 
ty Thousand  Dollars,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  William  Henry,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  Oity 
of  Philadelphia,  for  the  sum  of  Fifteen  Thousand  Dollars,  for  which 
he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Tho's  Dorsey,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia 
of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  Sum  of  Twenty  Thousand 
Dollars,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.      3]  3 

Note. — That  the  President  wrote  to  Colo.  Benj'a  Flower,  to  supply 
Lieut.  Grant  with  three  hundred  Riffles,  five  hundred  Pounds  of 
Powder,  &  One  thousand  Two  hundred  pounds  of  Lead,  for  which 
the  said  Grant  is  to  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  Octo.  1,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Jonathan  Hoge,  &  )  r,    , 

John  Bailey,  John  Lowdan,  J       ^ 

The  Petition  of  Capt.  Jos.  Brady's  Company  of  Militia,  of  the 
County  of  Cumberland,  addressed  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Assem- 
bly, setting  forth  in  effect,  that  they  had  drawn  Lots  in  Quotas, 
consisting  of  a  Class,  for  the  number  .of  the  Class  in  which  the 
Quotas  respectively  shall  stand  ranked  &  be  called  into  service;  that 
some  objections  had  afterwards  arisen  to  the  mode,  &  praying  advice 
therein,  being  read  &  considered,  &  it  appearing  that  this  mode  of 
casting  Lots  is  according  to  the  Law  for  regulating  the  Militia  of 
this  State,  however  it  may  differ  from  the  practice  of  o^her  Compa- 
nies; thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  first  &  second  Class  of  the  said  Company,  do 
immediately  March  &  join  General  Washington  without  further  de- 
lay, and  that  the  third  Class  March  to  Carlisle  to  guard  the  Stores 
there,  according  to  the  direction  of  the  Lieut,  of  the  said  County. 

Ordered,  That  the  fourth  &  fifth  Class  of  the  Militia  be  called 
into  service  immediately. 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Galbraith,  Lieutenant,  of  the  County  of 
Lancaster,  do  immediately  send  the  hundred  of  the  Militia  of  the 
County  to  the  Borough  of  Lancaster,  and  that  he  do  furnish  a  guard 
for  Prisoners,  whenever  the  same  may  be  necessarily  required  of 
him. 

Note. — The  following  orders  were  drawn  Septem,  18th  ult'o,  & 
from  the  situation  of  our  Public  affairs,  may  probably  have  been 
omitted  to  be  entered  in  the  Minutes  of  that  day. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Adam  Poht,  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  Pounds 
Seventeen  Shillings  &  Six  Pence,  for  the  hire  of  his  Horse,  and  in 
favor  of  Leonard  Lasher,  for  the  Sum  of  Ten  Pounds  Two  Shillings 
k  Six  Pence,  for  the  hire  of  his  Horse. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Rob't  Towers,  in  favor  of  Capt.  Watkins, 
for  Sixty  Pounds  of  Sulphur  &  ninety  thousand  Musquet  Cartridges, 
t )  be  charged  to  Congress. 


314  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  October  3,  1777. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jonathan  Hoge.  >  ™    , 

John  Bailey,  &  S 

Mr.  Peter  Dehaven  attended  &  asked  the  direction  of  Council  as 
to  the  place  the  Gun  Factory  should  be  now  established ;  On  con- 
sideration, 

Resolved,  That  the  Gun  Factory  be  established  at  Hummel' s- 
Town,  in  Derry  Township,  in  this  County,  for  the  present;  if  on  re- 
viewing it  he  finds  it  practicable  otherwise,  to  enquire  after  a  more 
convenient  place,  &  exercise  his  best  discretion  therein. 

Mr.  Parker  &  Mr.  Whitehill,  the  Members'  Committee  of  the 
Hon'ble  house  of  Assembly,  now  in  the  City,  attended  the  Council 
&  represented  that  the  Hon'ble  House  are  desirous  of  having  ex- 
presses established  to  pass  &  repass  from  Council  to  the  Army,  the 
expence  of  which  the  Hon'ble  House  are  ready  to  defray. 

The  Council,  sensible  of  the  necessity  of  this  measure,  there- 
upon, 

Resolved,  To  establish  the  Expresses  to  pass  &  repass  from 
Council  to  Camp  once  in  two  days. 

Resolved,  That  the  Doorkeeper  be  immediately  sent  forward  to- 
Easton,  to  bring  to  the  Borough,  the  Papers  belonging  to  Council. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Peter  Dehaven,  for  One  hundred  &  Thirty- 
two  Pounds,  for  One  hundred  &  Thirty-two  days  attendance  at  the 
Gun  Factory  as  director,  ending  the  first  instant ;  and  An  order  was 
drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  the  State,  in  favor 
of  Peter  Dehaven,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 


■  v 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  315 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  October  4,  1777. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  John  Lowdan.  1  j*    , 

Jacob  Morgan,  &  3 

Council  having  receiv'd  intelligence  that  Brooks  &  McKinley, 
two  Prisoners  on  their  way  to  Virginia,  had  made  their  escape  from 
the  Prison  of  this  County, 

Ordered,  That  Wm.  Kelly,  the  Sheriff,  attend  the  Council  im- 
mediately, and  he  attended  accordingly,  but  not  being  able  to  give 
the  necessary  information  on  the  subject  of  the  said  Prisoners'  es- 
cape, thereupon  Wm.  Immel,  the  Goaler,  was  sent  for  &  appeared. 

On  examination  of  his  own  confession  it  appears,  That  he  rose  at 
3  O'Clock  in  the  Morning,  opened  the  back  door  &  let  out  a  Hes- 
sian Baker,  &  a  Servant  to  assist  him  in  bakeing  Bread,  according 
to  his  custom  ;  that  he  did  not  again  lock  the  door,  but  went  to  bed ; 
That  he  rose  early  in  the  Morning  &  went  to  Market  &  left  the 
Kitchen  door  unlocked,  depending  on  the  Gentry  at  the  door  for 
the  safety  of  the  Prisoners. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sheriff,  now  present,  take  Will'm  Immell  into 
his  Custody,  &  him  safely  keep  until  he  shall  be  further  examined 
by  this  Council. 

The  Sheriff  having  informed  the  Council  that  a  certain  Caleb 
Johnson  of  this  Borough,  Dealer,  had  yesterday  received  McKin- 
ley's  Horse  from  a  certain  Rob't  Spear, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Caleb  Johnson  be  immediately  arrested 
&  brought  before  the  Council,  &  thereupon  a  Warrant  was  issued 
for  that  purpose,  and  Caleb  Johnson  being  brought  before  the  Coun- 
cil, &  declaring  that  he  had  delivered  the  said  Horse  to  Christian 
Foutz,  Esq'r,  of  this  Borough,  the  said  Foutz  being  sent  for,  report 
was  made  by  the  Constable  that  Mr.  Foutz  was  not  at  home ;  the 
account  that  is  given  by  Caleb  Johnson  not  being  satisfactory, 

Ordered,  That  Caleb  Johnson  be  committed  to  Goal  until  further 
examination  be  had  before  this  Council. 

Ordered,  That  Christian  Foutz,  Esq'r,  be  arrested  &  brought  be- 
fore this  Council,  there  appearing  sufficient  reason  to  suspect  that 
he  was  concerned  in  assisting  the  said  Brooks  &  McKinley  in  their 
escape  from  the  Prison  of  this  County. 

Ordered,  That  Rob't  Spear  be  arrested  &  brought  before  this 
Council,  to  account  for  his  conduct  in  the  aforesaid  transaction,  re- 
specting McKinley's  Horse. 


316  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  call  on  Mich'l  Hillegas,  Esq'r, 
Treasurer  of  the  Continental  Congress,  now  in  the  Borough,  &  re- 
quest him  to  Pay  to  the  Secretary  the  Sum  of  Fifty  Thousand  Dol- 
lars, &  take  the  said  Secretary's  Receipt  for  that  Sum,  as  part  of 
Two  hundred  thousand  Dollars  ordered  by  Congress  to  be  paid  to 
John  Gibson,  Esq'r,  to  this  Council,  &  by  them  endorsed  to  Dav'd 
Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  the  State,  for  which  said  Sum  this 
Council  will  account  to  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  as  part  of  the  said  order 
of  Congress. 

Mr.  Hillegas  having  sent  forward  the  Money,  this  order  was  not 
complied  with. 

Rich'd  McAllister,  Esq'r,  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  York,  having 
requested  to  be  supplied  by  the  hands  of  Mr.  Tho's  Amor,  with  a 
further  Sum  of  Money,  for  the  purpose  of  sending  out  the  Militia 
of  that  County  j  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  John  Gibson,  Esq'r,  in  favor  of  the  said 
Rich'd  McAllister,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  thousand  Dollars,  &  for- 
warded the  same  to  him  by  the  hands  of  Mr.  Thomas  Amor. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  October  6,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  John  Proctor,  >  ™    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  k  3      &  ■ 

Robert  Spear  being  before  the  Council  k  examined,  it  does  not 
appear  that  he  had  any  knowledge  of  the  design  of  supplying  Me- 
Kinley  with  a  Horse  to  make  his  escape  upon,  the  Secretary  reports 
that  Mr.  Hilligas  having  sent  forward  the  Money  to  York  Town, 
could  not  comply  with  the  order  of  Saturday  last. 

His  Excell'y  The  President  reports,  that  John  Gibson,  Esq'r? 
had  paid  into  his  hands  the  Sum  of  twenty-eight  thousand  Eight 
hundred  k  Two  Dollars,  in  part  of  the  last  order  of  Congress  on 
him  for  Two  hundred  Thousand  dollars,  in  favor  of  this  Council,  & 
that  he  had  deposited  the  same  in  the  hands  of  the  Secretary. 

Ordered,  That  Fifteen  Waggons  be  ordered  from  the  County  of 
Northampton,  to  Trenton  or  Bristol,  to  bring  away  some  Indigo  & 
other  public  property  now  lying  there  under  the  care  of  John  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq'r,  The  Speaker  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  As- 
sembly, informed  the  Council  that  a  Committee  was  appointed  to 
confer  with  Council  on  the  present  State  of  Public  Affairs;  &  desired 
to  know  when  they  may  attend. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  317 

Ordered,  That  the  Hon'ble  the  Speaker  be  informed  that  the 
Council  are  now  ready  to  receive  the  Committee  of  the  House,  and 
Mr.  Bayard,  the  Speaker,  Mr.  Parker,  Colonel  Kirkbride,  Doct 
Gardner,  Colo,  Davis,  Mr.  Cuningham,  Mr.  McClean,  &  Mr 
Whitehill,  a  Committee  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assem- 
bly, attended  in  Council. 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  October  7,  1777, 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jonathan  Hoge,  &  )  p^  , 

John  Bailey,  John  Lowdan.         $     "" 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  present  State  of  our 
public  affairs,  &  Spent  the  greatest  part  of  the  day  thereupon  j  in 
the  Evening  the  Committee  appointed  by  the  Hon'ble  House  to 
confer  with  Council,  again  attended  the  Council  in  conference,  & 
spent  some  time  with  the  Council. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  October  8,  1777. 

PRESENT. 

His  Bxcell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jonathan  Hoge,  &  ?  ^    > 

John  Bailey,  John  Lowdan.  5 

The  Council  resumed  the  consideration  of  the    Business  under 
Consideration  with  the  Committee  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Gen 
eral  Assembly. 

Colo.  Hart  took  his  seat  in  Council. 

An  order  was  Drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo  Clerke,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  for  the 
County  of  Cumberland,  for  the  Sum  of  Eight  thousand  Dollars; 
for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Philip  Marstiller,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the 
Militia  of  Lancaster  County,  for  the  Sum  of  four  thousand  Dollars, 
for  which  he  is  to  Account, 


318  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  Octo'r  9,  1777. 
present : 
His  ExcelFy  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  John  Lowdan,  &^| 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jos.  Hart.  ^Esq'rs. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Lollar,  for  eleven  days'  service  in  sur- 
veying the  ground  near  the  River,  for  the  Sum  of  Eleven  Pounds 
for  said  service. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  October  10, 1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  John  Lowdan,  & ") 

John  Bailey,  Jos.  Hurt.  v  Esq'rs. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  ) 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittcnhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  Lieut,  of  the  City  of 
Philadelphia,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand  dollars,  for  which  he 
is  to  account. 

Colo.  Boyd,  Sub-Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Chester,  now  applying 
for  Ammunition,  to  be  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Militia  of  that 
County,  for  their  immediate  defence, 

Ordered,  That  Maj.  Wirtz  supply  Colo.  Boyd  with  Ammunition, 
to  be  by  him  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Militia  of  Chester  County, 
for  their  immediate  defence. 

Ordered,  That  the  Militia  of  the  fifth  Class  of  the  County  of 
Chester,  be  employed  in  defending  the  inhabitants  from  the  excur- 
sions of  the  Enemy,  &,  that  the  Lieutenant  use  his  utmost  endea- 
vours to  mount  fifty  of  the  Militia  on  Horseback,  for  the  same  pur- 
pose. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esquire,  Treasurer 
of  the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Boyd,  Lieut,  of  the  County  of 
Chester,  for  One  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  to  be  charged  to 
Colo.  Smith,  for  which  the  said  Colo.  Smith  is  to  account. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  319 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  October  11,  1777. 

present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  Jonathan  Hoge,  &  >  ™     , 

Jacob  Morgan,  John  Lowdan.         $ 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Styner  &  Cist,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred 
and  Seventy  five  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  their  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Sunday  October  12,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jonathan  Hoge,    ") 
Jacob  Morgan,  &  >■  Esq'rs. 
John  Lowdan.       J 

And  adjourned  'till  to-morrow  Morning. 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  October  13,  1777. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Yice  President. 

John  Bailey,  Jonathan  Hoge,  &  i  «j    •> 

Jacob  Morgan,  John  Lowdan.  $ 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Will'm  Coats,  Lieut,  of  the  County  of 
Philadelphia,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he 
is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Fred'k  Snyder,  for  Two  Reams  of  Paper  & 
three  Boxes,  for  the  Sum  of  Eight  Pounds  five  Shillings,  being 
the  purchase  of  the  same. 


320  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Jos.  Kirkbride,  for  the  Sum  of  Two 
Thousand  dollars,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  October  14,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
The  Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  Robt.  Whitehill, 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Jonathan  D.  Serjeant,  &  J^Esq'rs. 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jac'b  Orndt. 

That  Mr.  Cunningham  be  requested  to  purchase  as  many  Blan- 
kets as  he  can  procure,  &  for  this  purpose, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse.  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Sam'l  Cunningham,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of 
One  thousand  Dollars,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

John  Swiney,  a  private  of  Capt.  Thompson's  Company,  in  Colo, 
Hazen's  Regiment,  having  made  his  escape,  was  examined,  &  per- 
mitted to  pass  to  Tyrone  Township  in  York  County,  to  return  to 
Oarap  in  fifteen  days  from  this  date. 


I 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  Octo.  .15,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  Rob't  Whitehill,  )  ™     , 

Jonathan  D.  Serjeant,      Jacob  Orndt.        $     8(* rs" 

Colo.  Miles  Attended  &  requested  that  Colo.  Pipers'  family  may 
be  furnished  with  his  Pay,  as  they  were  in  necessity,  &  no  Pay- 
master now  on  duty,  and  also  requested  that  some  Money  may 
be  advanced  to  Colo.  Atlee's  Lady,  agreeable  to  an  order  from 
him. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  Pounds  be  paid  to  Colo. 
Miles,  to  be  by  him  paid  to  Colo.  Piper's  Lady,  &  charged  to 
Colo.  Piper,  and  accordingly, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  JDav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Sam'l  Miles,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  hun- 
dred Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Colo   Miles, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  321 

And  an  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasu- 
rer of  the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Sam'l  Miles,  for  the  Sum  of 
Two  hundred  Pounds,  for  the  use  of,  and  to  be  charged  to  Colo. 
Atlee. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  John  Morris,  junV,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of 
Sixty  Pounds,  for  his  services  in  prosecuting  in  behalf  of  the 
State  at  several  Courts. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble  John  Lowdan,  Esq'r,  for  the 
Sum  of  Fifty  Pounds  Sixteen  Shillings  &  Eight  Pence,  for  thirty- 
five  days  attendance  in  Council,  &  Mileage  on  one  hundred  and 
seventy  miles. 

Mich'l  Renthart  was  sent  express  to  Head  Quarters. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  October  16,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Jonat.  D,  Sergent,  &  1 

John  Bailey,  Rob't  Whitehill,  I  Esq  Vs. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Tho's  Cheny,  Sub-Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Chester,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Dollars,  to  be 
Charged  to  Colo.  Smith,  Lieutenant  of  the  said  County,  for  the 
purpose  of  Paying  Substitutes  &  purchasing  Blankets,  for  which 
Sum  he  is  to  account. 

The  Secretary  laid  before  the  Council  a  receipt  signed  by  Dav'd 
Rittenhouse,  dated  the  14th  ins't,  by  which  it  appears  the  Secre- 
tary-had paid 

Dollars, 
To  Rich'd  Humphreys,  by  order  of  Council,  9,995 

Wm.  Clarke,  Paymaster  of  Cumberland  County  Militia,        8,000 
Ph'p  Marsteller,  ditto  of  Lancaster  County  Militia,  4,000 

The  said  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  the  State, 

the  Sum  of  6,807 


Amounting  to  the  Sum  of  28,802 

Which  is  equal  to  the  Sum  paid  into  his  hands  by  His  Excell'y 
Tho's  Wharton,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President,  on  the  6th  instant. 
VOL.  XI. — 21. 


322     MINUTES,  SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL. 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  October  17,  1777. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  John  Bailey,  I  p     , 

Jacob  Morgan,  &  )\  ' 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Stephen  Sutton,  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  Pounds 
Ten  Shillings,  for  his  service  riding  express  to  Head  Quarters. 


MINUTES 

OP   THE 

COUNCIL    OF    SAFETY 

FOR    THE 

STATE  OF  PENNSYLVANIA, 


\ 


IN  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  FOR  THE  STATE  OF  PENN- 
SYLVANIA : 

Friday,  October  the  17th,  1777. 

present : 

His  Excellency  the  President,  Honorable  Vice  President,  Mr, 
Bailey,  Mr.  Hoge,  Colonel  Morgan,  Mr.  Whitehill  and  Mr.  Ser- 
geant. 

The  following  Proclamation  having  been  Read  and  considered ; 
Thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  published  in  the  following  words.,, 
vi'z  : 

uBy  the  Council  of  Safety  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania  : 

"A  PROCLAMATION. 

"  Whereas,  The  Representatives  of  the  Freemen  of  the  Com- 
monwealth of  Pennsylvania  in  General  Assembly  met,  in  and  by  a 
certain  Act  made  and  passed  at  Lancaster,  the  thirteenth  day  of 
this  instant5  October,  entitled  "An  Act  for  constituting  a  Council 
of^afety  and  vesting  the  same  with  the  powers  therein  mentioned/' 
have  enacted  and  declared  as  follows,  viz  : 

"  Whereas,  The  British  Troops  have  penetrated  into  this  State T 
and  after  much  devastation  and  great  cruelty  in  their  progress, 
have  seized  the  Metropolis  :  Jind  Whereas,  in  times  of  such  danger 
and  confusion,  the  ordinary  powers  of  Government  cannot  be  regu- 
larly administered,  more  especially  as  the  term  for  which  the 
present  Legislative  Body  of  the  Commonwealth  have  been  chosen. 
will  speedily  expire ;  whereby  evil-minded  persons  may  be  encour- 
aged by  open  or  secret  practices  to  assist  the  common  Enemy,  and 
further  to  distress  the  good  people  of  this  Commonwealth ;  For 
prevention  whereof,  it  hath  become  necessary,  for  a  limited  time,  to 
vest  St  persons  with  summary  and  adequate  powers  to  punish  offen- 
ders and  restrain  abuses : 

"  Be  it,  therefore,  enacted,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the  Rep- 
resentatives of  the  Freemen  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania, 
in  General  Assembly  met,  And  by  the  Authority  of  the  same? 
That  the  members  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  this  State, 
together  with  John  Bayard,  Jonathan  Sergeant,  Jonathan  B, 
Smith,  David  Rittenhouse,  Joseph  Gardner,  Robert  Orndt,  Curtis 
Grubb,  James  Cannon  and  William  Henry,  of  Lancaster,  Esquires, 


326  MINUTES  OF  THE 

be  constituted,  and  they  are  hereby  constituted,  a  Council  of 
Safety,  with  full  power  to  promote  and  provide  for  the  preservation 
of  the  Commonwealth,  by  such  regulations  and  ordinances  as  to  them 
shall  seem  necessary,  and  to  proceed  against,  seize,  detain,  imprison, 
punish,  either  capitally  or  otherwise,  as  the  case  may  require,  in  a 
summary  mode,  either  by  themselves  or  others  by  them  to  be 
appointed  for  that  purpose,  all  persons  who  shall  disobey  or  trans- 
gress the  same  or  the  laws  of  this  State  heretofore  made,  for  the 
purpose  of  restraining  or  punishing  traitors  or  others,  who,  from 
their  General  conduct  and  conversation  may  be  deemed  inimical 
to  the  common  cause  of  liberty  and  the  United  States  of  North 
America. 

"  And  the  said  Council  of  Safety  are  hereby  authorized  and  em* 
powered,  by  the  Authority  aforesaid,  to  take  and  seize,  where  it 
may  be  needful,  provisions  and  other  necessaries  for  the  Army  or 
the  inhabitants,  and  to  appraise  and  value  the  same  so  taken,  and 
for  this  eDd  to  appoint  proper  persons  under  them  to  take,  seize, 
and  appraise  as  aforesaid ;  And  the  said  Council  of  Safety  shall 
in  general  regulate  the  prices  of  such  articles  as  they  may  think 
necessary,  and  compel  a  sale  thereof,  where  they  shall  be  wanted, 
with  full  powers  also  to  call  to  their  aid  all  officers  and  other  per- 
sons, civil  or  military,  in  the  execution  of  the  Premises. 

"  Jind  be  it  further  enacted,  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That  the 
President  or  Vice  President  of  the  Executive  Council,  and  any  six 
of  the  said  members  of  the  said  Council  of  Safety,  shall  be  a  quo- 
rum  to  do  business. 

"Provided  always,  That  the  exercise  of  the  ordinary  course  of 
Justice  in  the  trial  and  punishment  of  offenders  shall  proceed  and 
take  its  effects,  and  that  original  writs  and  process  in  the  Law  for 
debts  and  demands  may  be  issued  and  carried  on,  notwithstanding 
this  Act  or  any  thing  therein  contained,  and  that  all  other  civil 
and  lawful  business  and  actings  be  done  and  performed  in  the 
manner  practised  at  the  time  of  passing  this  Act,  as  far  as  the 
present  condition  of  the  state  will  admit,  so  as  that  the  exercise 
of  the  authority  and  jurisdiction  hertofore  given  and  granted  to  the 
said  Council  of  Safety,  or  the  authority  given  to  the  Supream  Ex- 
ecutive Council  by  an  Act  of  General  Assembly,  passed  in  the 
present  year,  entitled  •  An  Act  to  empower  the  Supreme  Execu- 
tive Council  of  this  Commonwealth  to  provide  for  the  security 
thereof  in  special  cases,  where  no  provision  is  already  made  by  law/ 
be  not  obstructed  or  questioned. 

u  Jlnd  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid,  That 
the  members  of  the  said  Executive  Council,  and  the  said  John 
.Bayard,  Jonathan  Sergeant,  Jonathan  li.  Smith,  David  Kitten- 
house,  Joseph  Gardner,- Robert  Whitehill,  Christopher  Marshall, 
James  Smith  of  Yorktown,  Jacob  Orndt,  Curtis  Grubb,  James 
Cannon,  and  William  Henry  of  Lancaster,  or  any  other  persons 
acting  under  their  authority  in  the  premises;  or  any  of  them,  shall 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  327 

not  at  any  time  hereafter  be  liable  to  any  suit,  action,  or  prosecu- 
tion, for  anything  done  in  pursuance  of  this  Act  or  the  powers 
hereby  given  and  granted,  but  that  they  and  each  of  them,  shall 
be  collectively  and  severally  indemnified,  saved  harmless,  and  dis- 
charged of  the  same,  and  that  all  suits,  actions  and  prosecutions 
shall  be  barred,  abated  and  discontinued,  by  the  Court  before 
whom  the  proceedings  shall  be  brought. 

"  And  be  it  further  Enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid,  That. the 
Supreme  Executive  Council  of  this  State,  may  at  any  time  during 
the  continuance  of  the  powers  and  authorities  hereby  granted,  by 
Proclamation  or  other  public  act,  renounce,  determine  and  extin- 
guish the  same,  and  every  part  thereof,  and  that  thereupon  the 
said  powers  and  every  of  them,  shall  cease  and  become  void,  and  be 
no  longer  exercised  and  enforced. 

U  Provided  lastly,  That  the  powers  hereby  given  and  entrusted  to 
the  said  Council  of  Safety,  shall  continue  and  remain  in  force,  (un- 
less otherwise  sooner  determined)  to  the  end  of  the  next  sitting  of 
General  Assembly,  and  no  longer. 

u  We  therefore,  the  Members  of  the  said  Council  of  Safety,  being 
convened  in  pursuance  of  the  said  Act  of  General  Assembly,  do  give 
this  Public  notice  of  our  said  appointment,  hereby  Requiring  all 
manner  of  Persons,  as  well  officers  Civil  and  Military  as  others,  to 
Govern  themselves  according  to  the  just  laws  of  this  Commonwealth, 
and  the  necessary  provisions  which  have  or  shall  be  made  for  the 
protection  thereof,  in  this  time  of  Public  danger  and  Calamity.— 
We  do  also  most  expressly  charge  and  Require,  that  all  persons  do 
utterly  forbear  from  furnishing  the  Armies  or  Fleets  of  the  King 
of  Great  Britain  with  provisions  or  other  necessaries  or  aid,  and 
from  transporting  or  carrying  the  same  provisions  or  other  necessa- 
ries aforesaid,  to  any  City,  Town  or  place  in  the  power  or  possession 
of  the  said  Fleet  or  Armies,  most  eernestly  entreating  them  to  save 
us  the  Irksome  task  of  punishing  them  with  immediate  death,  as 
their  crimes  deserve.  And,  we  do  most  solemnly  charge  and  corn-* 
mand  all  Forestallers  and  Ingrossers  of  provisions  and  other  neces- 
saries, by  whose  most  horrible  and  pernicious  practices  and  exam- 
pies  we  are  threatened  with  want  in  the  midst  of  plenty,  that  they 
do  wholly  cease  and  abstain  from  preying  on  the  necessitous,  abus- 
ing the  Publick,  and  aggravating  the  distresses  of  their  Country, 
lest  they  be  overtaken  in  their  Iniquities,  and  dealt  with  according 
to  their  demerits.  And  it  is  Recommended  to  all  persons  possessed 
of  Provisions  and  other  necessaries,  cautiously  to  avoid  selling  the 
same  to  such  forestallers  and  ingrossers,  but  to  dispose  of  them  for 
the  use  of  the  American  Army,  or  to  persons  who  may  be  in  want 
of  them  for  their  own  immediate  use,  at  a  Reasonable  price,  other- 
wise this  Council  must  interpose  their  Authority  to  prevent  and  Re- 
dress such  abuses.  And  all  the  good  people  of  this  Commonwealth 
are  called  upon  and  invited  to  Join  with  us  in  the  most  speedy  and 
Vigorous  exertions  for  Rescuing  this  State  from  the  Tyranny,  de- 


328  .  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Fustation  and  oppression  of  her  cruel  enemies,  that  we  may  again 
^ee  good  days,  and  enjoy  the  inestimable  blessings  of  liberty  and 
peace. 

Given  at  Lancaster,  the  17th  day  of  October,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord,  1777." 


In  Council  of  Safety, 

Lancaster,  Octo'r  17th,  1777. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Bartram  Galbraith,  Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Lancaster,  be  empowered  to  collect  all  the  Blanketts  for 
the  Sick  which  can  be  spared  by  the  inhabitants,  and  that  he  em- 
ploy such  persons  for  this  purpose  as  he  may  think  proper. 

Ordered,  That  John  Hobson,  Ludwig  Lowman  and  William 
Hamilton,  Esquires,  be  appointed  to  Value  on  Oath,  such  blankets 
as  may  be  taken  and  collected  in  consequence  of  the  foregoing 
order. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Saturday,  October  18th,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

Excellency  President,  Mr.  V.  President,  Colonel  Morgan,  Mr. 
Bailey,  Mr/Hoge  and  Mr.  Hart,  Mr.  J.  D,  Serjeant,  Mr.  Grubb, 
Mr.  Whitehill. 


In  Council  of  Safety, 

Tuesday,  October  21st,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excellency  the  President,  Honb'e  Vice  President,  Col. 
Morgan,  Col.  Hart,  Mr.  Bailey,  Mr.  Hoge,  Mr.  Serjeant  and  Mr. 
Henry. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Evan  Evans,  Colonel  William  Evans,  Col. 
Thomas,  Col.  Gibbons,  Captain  Thomas  Levis,  Capt.  William  Brooks, 
and  Capt.  Jacob  Rudolph,  be  authorized  and  required  to  collect  with- 
out delay,  from  such  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Chester  County  as  have  not 
taken  the  Oaths  of  Allegancc  and  abjuration,  or  who  have  Aided  or 
assisted  the  Enemy,  Arms  and  Accoutrements,  blankets,  shoes  and 
stockings,  for  the  use  of  the  Army ;  that  they  appraise  the  same  when 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  329 

taken,  according  to  their  Quality,  allowing  at  the  Rate  of  three 
pounds  for  a  new  single  blanket,  and  give  certificates  for  the  same 
to  the  owners;  That  they  call  to  their  Aid  the  Militia  of  this  Com- 
monwealth, who  are  hereby  ordered  to  obey  and  assist  them  in  the 
execution  of  this  Order,  and  that  they  deliver  the  same  so  taken  to 
the  Order  of  the  Clothier  General,  or  his  Agent,  with  whom  they 
are  to  correspond  in  the  discharge  of  this  business. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Bartram  Galbraith,  Major  Cook,  Captain 
George  Franciscus,  and  Captain  Craig,  be  appointed  for  the  same 
purposes,  and  with  the  like  instructions  &  Authority,  in  the  County 
of  Lancaster. 

The  following  Ordinance  being  Read  and  Considered,  Viz't : 

"  Whereas,  divers  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Commonwealth, 
not  Regarding  their  duty  to  the  State,  but  Renouncing  their  Alle- 
giance thereto,  and  disclaiming  the  protection  thereof,  have  wicked- 
ly joined  themselves  to  our  unnatural  Enemies,  giving  to  them  aid 
and  assistance  by  furnishing  them  with  provisions  and  otherwise, 
thereby  contributing  as  far  as  in  them  lies,  to  increase  the  distresses 
of  their  injured  Country;  and  whereas,  it  is  highly  unjust  and  Re- 
pugnant to  the  practice  of  all  Nations  to  protect  and  preserve  the 
property  of  their  avowed  Enemies  ;  Therefore, 

Be  it  Ordained,  Resolved  and  declared,  and  by  Virtue  of  the 
powers  and  Authorities  to  us  committed  by  the  Legislature  of  this 
State,  it  is,  by  the  Council  of  Safety  of  the  Commonwealth  of 
Pennsylvania,  hereby  ordained,  Resolved  and  declared,  that  all 
and  every  the  personal  Estate  and  effects  whatsoever  of  such  of 
the  Inhabitants  of  this  Commonwealth  as  have,  or  hereafter  shall 
abandon  their  Families  or  habitations,  &  Joined  the  Army  of  the 
King  of  Great  Britain,  and  of  all  such  as  shall  Resort  to  any  City, 
Town  or  place  within  this  Commonwealth  in  possession  of  the 
Troops  or  Armies  of  the  said  King  of  Great  Britain,  carrying  to 
them  Provisions,  or  that  shall  otherwise  afford  to  them  such  pro- 
visions or  intelligence  or  other  Aid,  shall  be  seized  upon  and  safely 
Kept  by  the  Commissioners  hereinafter  Appointed,  for  the  use  and 
purpose  herein  after  declared,  and  all  sales  and  alienations  thereof, 
and  of  all  or  any  of  the  Real  Estates  of  such  Offenders  in  the  mean 
time  made  by  them,  or  any  of  them,  their,  or  either  Agents,  Factors, 
or  Attornies,  are  hereby  declared  to  be  null  and  void,  to  all  intents 
and  purposes  whatsoever;  And  be  it  further  Resolved,  ordained 
and  declared,  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  that  the  Commissioners  for 
the  Respective  Counties  hereinafter  appointed,  or  any  or  either  of 
them,  shall  and  may,  with  all  convenient  speed  after  the  Publication 
of  this  Ordinance,  seize  upon  and  into  his  or  their  Custody,  aod 
make  a  true  and  perfect  inventory  of  all  the  personal  Estate  and 
effects  of  every  such  Offender,  and  dispose  of  all  the  perishable- 
part  thereof,  and  "at  his  or  their  discretion,  convey  away  and  Re- 
move to  places  of  safety,  sell,  or  otherwise  dispose  of,  where  it  may 


330  MINUTES  OF  THE 

be  necessary,  all  such  goods  and  effects  of  the-  said  Offenders  as 
they  shall  apprehend  to  be  in  danger  of  falling  into  the  hands  of 
the  Enemy,  and  the  said  Monies  and  Goods  so  by  them  taken  or 
Received,  the  said  Commissioners  are  Required  to  Retain  and  keep 
safely,  subject  to  the  future  disposition  of  the  Legislature  of  this 
Commonwealth,  Keeping  true  Accounts  of  their  proceedings,  and 
Receiving  for  their  trouble,  over  and  above  their  Costs  and  charges, 
at  the  Rate  of  five  ^  centum.  And  the  said  Commissioners  are 
hereby  also  further  directed  and  enjoined,  with  all  convenient  speed 
after  the  making  such  inventory  and  sale  or  sales  as  aforesaid,  to 
•deliver,  on  Oath,  to  the  Treasurer,  a  true  Copy  of  such  Inventory  or 
account  of  sales. 

And  be  it  further  Resolved,  Ordained  and  declared  by  the  au- 
thority aforesaid,  that  the  several  persons  hereinafter  named,  (or 
in  their  or  either  of  their  stead  and  place,  in  case  they  or  either  of 
them  shall  refuse  or  be  disabled  to  perform  the  duties  upon  them 
•enjoined,  in  and  by  this  Ordinance,  such  other  person  or  persons  as 
this  Council  shall  from  time  to  time  appoint,)  shall  be  and  they 
are  hereby  appointed  Commissioners  for  the  purposes  aforesaid,  to- 
Wit: 

For  the   City  of  Philadelphia,  William    Will,    Sharp  Delany, 
-Jacob  Schriner,   Charles  Wilson  Peale,    Robert  Smith,    (Hatter,) 
Samuel  Massay. 

For  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  William  Antis,  Robert  Lollar, 
'James  Stroud,  Daniel  Hiester,  Archibald  Thompson. 

For  the  County  of  Chester,  William  Evans,  William  Gibbons, 
Thomas  Cheney,  Isaac  Taylor,  Thomas  Levis,  Capt'n  William 
-Brooke,  and  Patterson  Bell. 

For  the  County  of  Bucks,  Richard  Gibbs,  Joseph  MTlvaine 
John  Lacey,  Samuel  Smith,  John  Crawford,  Nicholas  Potter. 

For  the  County  of  Lancaster,  William  Bauseman,  Casper  Shaff- 
ner,  Robert  Patton,  George  Steward,  Francis  Armstong,  James, 
Cunningham. 

For  the  County  of  York,  William  White,  Robert  Stevenson,  James 
Nailor,  Matthew  Dill,  William  Chesney,  John  Ewing. 

For  the  County  of  Cumberland,  George  Stevenson,  John  Boggs, 
and  Joseph  Brady. 

•  For  the  County  of  Berks,  Thomas  Parry,  David  Morgan,  Peter 
Nagle,  Henry'Natter,  Daniel  Ultree  Speiker,  Joseph  Neister. 

For  the  County  of  Northampton,  Conrad  Krider,  —  Keichline, 
■  Paul  Balliot,  Robert  Levers,  Daniel  Depuy. 

For  the   County  of  Bedford,  Robert  Galbraith,  Thomas   Urie, 
John  Piper. 
'For  the  County  of  Northumberland,  John  Kelly,  Thomas  Hewitt. 

For  the  County  of  Westmoreland,  Colonel  John  Proctor,  Thomas 
«»a)braith. 

Aud  be  it  lastly  resolved,  ordained  and  declared  by  the  authority 
foresaid;  that  the  said  Commissioners,  or   any  or  either  of  them, 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  331 

shall  be  fully  authorised  and  empowered  to  search  for  and  seize 
the  said  goods  and  effects  of  such  offenders,  and  for  this  end  to  send 
for,  call  before  them,  and  examine  persons  and  papers,  to  use  force 
and  to  break  open  doors  in  all  Cases  where  the  same  goods  may  be 
secreted  and  concealed,  to  commit  such  as  shall  absolutely  Resist 
their  Authority,  and  to  call  to  their  Aid  Officers  and  others,  civil 
and  Military,  who  are  hereby  Required  and  commanded  to  Aid  and 
assist  them  accordingly. 

On  Motion,  agreed,  That  the  foregoing  Ordinance  be  passed  and 
Published  immediately. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Wednesday,  October  22d,  1777. 

Presentj  the  Council  of  Safety,  and  Mr.  Serjeant  and  Dr.  Gard- 
ner. 

General  Armstrong  attended  and  laid  before  the  Council  the  State 
of  the  Militia,  and  requested  that  a  further  proportion  of  the  Mili- 
tia of  the  State  be  Ordered  into  Service. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Thursday,  October  23d,  1777. 
Present  as  Yesterday. 

Peter  Dehaven  informed  the  Council  that  he  was  not  able  to  fur- 
nish the  Gun  Factory  at  Hummels-town  with  provisions,  there  be- 
ing none  to  be  purchased  in  that  Neighbourhood  ;  On  Considera- 
tion, 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Joshaa  Elder,  Sub-Lieutenant  of  this 
County,  be  authorized  and  Required  to  take  effectual  measures  to 
supply  the  Factory  at  Hummels  Town  with  Provisions ;  And  if  he 
shall  find  it  necessary  to  seize  provisions  for  this  purpose,  he  is  to 
give  Certificates  for  the  same  to  the  Owners,  to  be  Paid  for  at  such 
prices  as  this  Council  shall  hereafter  agree  upon  and  Order. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Friday  October  24th,  1777. 
Present  as  Yesterday. 
The  Council  took  into  consideration  " An  Ordinance  for  the  more 
effectual  levying  the  monies  advanced  for  substitutes  in  the  Militiat 


832  MINUTES  OF  THE 

and  fines  due  to  the  Publick  for  disobedience  to  the  Militia  Laws;" 
And  having  spent  some  time  thereon, 
Adjourned  to  to-Morrow,  Usual  Hour. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Saturday  October  25th,  177 T. 

Present  as  yesterday,  and  Colonel  Bayard. 

The  Council  Resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Ordinance  in- 
titled  "An  Ordinance  for  the  more  effectual  levying  the  monies 
advanced  for  Substitutes  in  the  Militia,  and  fines  due  to  the  Pub- 
lick  for  disobedience  to  the  Militia  Laws ;"  And  agreed  that  the 
following  Ordinance  be  passed  and  Published,  Vizt : 

u  An  Ordinance  for  the  more  effectual  levying  the  Monies  ad- 
vanced for  Substitutes  in  the  Militia,  and  fines  due  to  the 
Publick,  for  disobedience  to  the  Militia  Laws. 

u  Whereas,  in  Consequence  of  the  delinquency  of  the  Personal 
service  of  many  Male  inhabitants  in  this  State,  liable  to  serve  in 
the  Militia,  they  have  become  bound  to  pay  and  Re-imburse  to  this 
Commonwealth  Sums  of  Money  advanced  to  Substitutes  in  their 
Room  and  Stead,  and  others  in  like  manner  delinquent,  for  whom 
no  Substitutes  had  been  found,  have,  become  liable  to  payment  of 
money  equal  to  a  medium  of  the  advances  to  Substitutes  Provided 
to  serve  in  the  Class  of  Militia,  Respectively,  in  which  such  per- 
sons has  been  alotted ;  And  Whereas,  many  of  the  Persons  afore- 
said, have  not  yet  paid  the  Sums  of  Money  so  due  as  aforesaid,  and 
great  dimcultys  and  delays  have  happened  in  the  Premises,  where- 
by large  and  heavy  advances  of  the  Publick  treasure  Remain  dis- 
persed and  useless  to  the  State,  and  in  danger  of  being  lost;  for 
Remedy  whereof,  and  to  prevent  like  mischiefs  in  the  further  Em- 
bodying of  Militia,  who  are  now  drawing  out,  or  may  hereafter  be 
drawn  out,  for  the  Publick  defence  : 

u Be  it  Ordained  by  the  Council  of  Safety  of  the  Common- 
wealth of  Pennsylvania,  And  it  is  hereby  ordained  by  the  au- 
thority of  the  same,  That  from  and  after  the  date  of  this  Ordinance, 
the  Lieutenant,  or  one  of  the  Sub-Lieutenants  of  the  County  in 
which  any  such  person  doth  or  may  Reside,  shall,  after  an  Oppor- 
tunity of  appeal  has  been  afforded  to  such  delinquent,  and  in  five 
days  after  demand  of  the  sum  of  Money  due,  or  which  may  become 
due,  by  such  delinquent  as  aforesaid,  by  a  Collector  Authorized  by 
3uch  Lieutenant  or  deputy  Lieutenant;  and  upon  Refusal  of  ne- 
glect of  payment  thereof,  that  such  Lieutenant  or  Sub-Lieutenant 
shall   issue  an  order  to   a  proper  person,  to  be  appointed  by  the 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  333 

Lieutenant  or  Sub-Lieutenant,  to  levy  the  sum  due  by  such  person, 
with  charges,  by  distress  and  sale  of  the  Goods  and  Chatties  of  such 
Person,  and  to  support  and  render  effectual  such  order  by  calling 
in  the  Aid  of  the  Militia,  where  the  same  may  be  necessary  : 

u  Provided  ahoays,  That  any  person  delinquent  as  aforesaid, 
who  may  yet  be  in  arrear  for  any  sum  of  Money  as  aforesaid,  shall 
be  discharged  and  Exonerated  of  the  same,  in  case  he  shall  join 
with  and  serve  for  two  Months  in  the  next  class  of  Militia  which 
shall  be  marched  in  the  Public  service,  and  shall  notify  his  inten- 
tion so  to  do  to  the  Lieutenant  or  Sub-Lieutenant,  and  become 
bound,  with  sufficient  surety,  to  perform  said  service  or  yield  such 
payment, 

u  And  whereas,  Many  of  the  fines  by  law  due  to  the  State  from 
divers  Persons  for  non-att:ndance  on  the  Musters  and  days  of  ex- 
ercise under  the  late  Association,  have  not  been  as  yet  collected; 
and  fines  already  incurred,  or  that  may  hereafter  be  incurred  by  the 
non-Observance  of  the  Militia  Laws  of  this  Commonwealth,  ought 
to  be  strictly  collected  : 

u  Be  it  therefore  Ordained,  by  the  authority  aforesaid.  That  ail 
such  fines  shall  be  levied  and  recovered  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
sums  due  for  Substitutes  are  by  this  Ordinance  ordered  to  be 
levied. 

u  And  be  it  further  Ordained,  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That 
the  Collectors  aforesaid  shall  Retain  five  per  Centum  out  of  all 
Monies  which  they  may  receive  in  pursuance  of  this  Ordinance ; 
the  same  in  case  of  Monies  due  for  neglect  of  personal  Service  in 
the  Militia,  to  be  added  to  and  levied  with  the  Respective  Sums 
and  Charges  thereon,  so  due  as  aforesaid.  •  ; 

"  And  be  it  further  Ordained,  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That 
if  any  person  or  Persons  to  whom  the  Lieutenant  or  Sub-Lieu- 
tenant of  any  County  shall  direct  an  order,  Commanding  such  Per- 
son to  levy  the  Money  hereinbefore  directed  to  be  levied  on  delin- 
quents as  aforesaid,  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  perform  the  duty  to 
which  he  shall  be  so  called  and  enjoined  as  aforesaid,  that  upon 
such  neglect  or  refusal,  the  said  Lieutenant  or  Sub-Lieutenant  may 
and  shall  Commit  such  person  to  the  Common  Goal  of  the  County, 
there  to  be  kept  for  and  during  the  space  of  Sixty  days." 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Peter  Grubb  be  directed  to  attend  this 
Council  on  Tuesday  next. 

Agreed,  That  the  following  Ordinance  be  passed  and  Published, 
Vizt : 

"  An   Ordinance  for  appointing  and  authorizing  an  additional 
number  of  Sub -Lieutenants,  to  act  in  the  County  of  Lancaster. 

"  Whereas,  the  Inhabitants  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  from 
their  great  numbers  and  the  disposition  of  some  to  oppose  or  delay 
the  Operation  of  the  Militia  laws  of  this  State,  have  Rendered  the 


334  MINUTES  OF  THE 

duties  of  the  Lieutenant  and  sub-Lieutenants  of  the  said  county 
not  only  difficult,  but  also  very  extensive  and  burdensome,  whereby 
it  hath  become  necessary  to  appoint  a  greater  number  of  sub-Lieu- 
tenants than  is  mentioned  in  the  Militia  law.  It  is,  therefore. 
Ordained  by  the  Council  of  Safety  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Penn- 
sylvania that  Curtis  Grubb,  Esq'r,  William  Ross,  of  the  borough 
of  Lancaster,  and  Simon  Snyder  of  the  said  Borough,  be  appointed, 
and  they  are  hereby  appointed  sub-Lieutenants  of  the  said  County 
of  Lancaster,  and  that  they  and  each  of  them  shall  have,  use,  and 
exercise  all  the  powers  and  authorities  which  the  sub-Lieutenants 
appointed  in  the  Militia  Law  of  this  State  are  authorized  and  em- 
powered to  have,  use  or  exercise,  and  shall  be  allowed  the  like  pay 
for  their  services  as  to  the  Sub-Lieutenants  appointed  by  virtue  of 
the  said  Militia  law  is  or  hath  been  allowed. 
"  By  order  of  the  Council  of  Safety. 

"THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Sunday  26th  October,  1777. 
Present  as  Yesterday. 
A  letter  was  written  to  William  Buchanan,  Esquire,  Commissary 
General,  on  the  subject  of  obtaining  a  Supply  for  the  Army,  and 
affixing  the  Prices  of  some  material  Articles  ;  Wheat  8s  6 ;  Rye 
8s  6 ;  Indian  Corn  6s  6 ;  Beef  10  dollars,  (sinking  5  lb  q'r);  Pork 
Eight  dollars  f  C't. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Tuesday  October  28th,  1777 
Present  as  Yesterday. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Wednesday  October  29th,  1777 
Present  as  Yesterday. 
Several  of  the  Commissioners  appointed   to  collect  and  appraise 
blankets  in  this  Country  being  now  at  Camp, 

Ordered,  That  John  Jordan,  David  Watson,  David  Whitehill, 
and  David  Jenkins,  be  added  to  the  Committee  appointed  to  Col- 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  335 

iect  and  appraise  Blankets  in  this  County  for  the  use  of  the  Army. 
Letters  were  written  to  General  Mifflin  and  to  Colonel  Biddle,  on 
the  subject  of  forage,  And  the  following  prices  Recommended  : 
Oats  5s  f  bushel;  spelts  5s  f  bushel;  Hay  (first  Crop)  £7  <§  ton  ; 
second  crop  £i  10  "&  ton. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Thursday  October  30th,  1777. 
Present  as  yesterday,  &  Col.  Curtis  Grubb. 

Colonel  Grubb  Represented  to  the  Council  that  his  Furnace  is 
now  in  blast  for  the  purpose  of  Casting  Salt-pans,  and  that  the 
blast  cannot  be  continued  without  the  assistance  of  Thomas  Ed- 
wards, Manager  ;  David  Short,  founder ;  John  Campbell  and  John 
Forster,  Colliers;  and  John  Peters,  Carpenter;  that  these  Men 
being  called  out  in  the  Militia  in  the  Classes  now  ordered,  must 
March  without  the  particular  order  of  this  Council ;  On  Conside- 
ration, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Thomas  Edwards,  David  Short,  John 
Campbell,  John  Forster  and  John  Peters, 'who  are  employed  at 
Grubb's  furnace  in  Casting  Salt-pans  for  the  making  of  Salt,  be 
permitted  to  continue  at  the  said  furnace  until  the  said  Salt-pans 
be  compleated,  and  that  they  then  proceed  to  Camp  with  all  expe- 
dition, and  serve  out  their  Tour  in  the  field. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Friday  October  31st,  1777, 

Ordered,  That  Christian  Wirtz  of  this  Borough,  be  appointed 
a  sub-Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  in  the  *Room  and 
stead  of  William  Ross,  who  hath  declined  serving  in  that  Office. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Saturday  Novem'r  1st,  1777« 
Present  as  Yesterday. 


326  MINUTES  OF  THE 

In  Council  of  Safety. 

Monday  November  3d,  1777 
Present  as  on  Saturday,  &  David  Rittenhouse,  s'r. 


In   Council  of  Safety. 

Tuesday  November  4th,  1777. 
Present  as  yesterday,  and  John  Hambright  and  James  Edgar. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Wednesday  Nov'r  5th,  1777. 
Present  as  Yesterday. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Wirtz  deliver  to  John  Swanick  the  Goods, 
Cattle  and  Negroes  lately  seized  as  the  propercy  of  his  Father,  and 
that  Mr.  Bauseman  make  out  a  list  of  the  same,  and  deliver  it  tc 
this  Council,  in  order  to  having  them  appraised  and  security  given 
for  the  re-delivery  thereof,  when  called  for. 

Agreed,  That  it  be  Recommended  to  the  Commissary  General 
and  Quarter-Master  General,  and  their  Deputy s,  to  fix  the  prices  of 
the  following  articles,  as  below  is  mentioned,  Viz't :  Wheat  8s  6; 
Rye  8s  6;  Indian  Corn,  6s  6  ^  bushel;  Whiskey,  full  spirit,  8s 
6  ^  Gallon ;  Hay,  best  first  crop,  at  £7  10  ^  ton ;  second  crop, 
M  f  ton. 

Agreed,  That  it  be  Recommended  to  the  Commissary  General, 
that  he  allow  for  good  Pork  seven  dollars  per  hundred,  and  that 
he  allow  for  good  Beef  Ten  dollars  per  hundred,  (sinking  the  fifth 
quarter,)  agreeable  to  a  former  Resolve. 


In  Council  of   Safety. 

Thursday  November  6th,  1777. 

Present  as  Yesterday. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  appointing  of  an  ad- 
ditional number  of  Commissioners  in  the  several  counties  for  col- 
lecting Arms,  Accoutrements,  blankets,  &ca. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  337 

In  Council  of  Safety. 

Friday  November  7th,  1777. 
Present,  as  Yesterday. 

The  petition  of  divers  Workmen  employed  in  the  State  Factory, 
was  Read;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Removal  of  the  Families  of  the  said  Work- 
men be  a  public  expence ;  and  that  the  prices  of  the  under-men- 
tioned Articles  in  the  said  Factory,  be  paid  to  the  Workmen  as 
mentioned  opposite  to  each  of  them,  agreeable  to  the  recommen- 
dation of  iWr.  Benjamin  Rittenhouse,  Viz't :  Stocking  a  Musket, 
15s;  Splicing  a  Stock,  3s  9 ;  Dressing  Mounting,  3s  9  ;  Sawing 
Stocks,  Is  3.  And  that  the  said  Workmen  be  allowed  seven  shil- 
lings and  six  pence  ^  day,  from  the  time  they  left  off  Working  at 
Philadelphia. 

The  following  Ordinance  being  Read  and  Considered,  Viz't : 

"  Whereas,  Many  persons,  regarding  only  their  private  Inter- 
est by  buying  up  and  engrossing  divers  kinds  of  Merchandises, 
particularly  provisions  and  necessaries  for  the  Army,  have  greatly 
Raised  the  prices  of  Goods  in  general,  to  the  manifest  Injury  of  the 
public,  and  to  the  distress  of  the  Soldiery  : 

"  And  Whereas,  The  mode  of  Restraining  &  punishing  engross- 
ers by  the  usual,  course  of  Common  law,  is  at  this  time  of  invasion 
in  a  great  degree  become  impracticable,  and  is  withal  too  slow 
and  uncertain  to  prevent  such  Enormities,  which  if  not  Restrained 
and  corrected  must  weaken  and  Ruin  our  efforts  against  the  enemy  : 

Be  it  there/ore  Ordained,  and  it  is  hereby  Ordained  by  the 
Council  of  Safety  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  That 
if  any  person  within  this  state  shall  buy  up,  engross,  forestal,  or 
get  into  his  or  her  hands,  Bar-Iron,  Leather,  Salt,  wheat,  Cattle  or 
ether  Merchandise,  or  Vitual,  in  greater  quantities  than  such  per- 
son shall  make  to  appear,  to  be  proper  and  suitable  for  his  or  her 
own  need  and  supply,  and  shall  be  thereof  convicted,  in  the  manner 
herein  after  directed,  every  such  Person  shall  for  the  first  Offence, 
forfeit  all  the  Goods,  Merchandise  and  Vitual  so  engrossed  as  afore- 
said ;  and  for  the  second  offence,  over  and  above* like  forfeiture,  shall 
be  imprisoned,  without  bail  and  Mainprize,  for  the  space  of  three 
months  ;  and  for  the  third  offence,  besides  like  forfeiture  and  im- 
prisonment, shall  be  adjudged  to  stand,  and  shall  stand  in  the  Pil- 
lory, and  forfeit  all  his  or  her  Goods,  as  by  Common  and  Statute 
Law  is  directed  : 

"  Provided  always,  That  Millers  purchasing  wheat,  and  G-raziers 
purchasing  lean  Cattle,  and  other  persons  buying  goods  for  the 
purposes  of  their  trade  and  occupations  only,  shall  not  be  consider- 
ed as  engrossers  or  forestallers  j  so  as  such  dealers  sell  not  again 
the  same  goods  unmanufactured  or  unimproved  by  art. 
VOL.  xi. — 22. 


338  MINUTES  OF  THE 

M  And  be  it  further  ordained,  That  if  any  person  or  persons  shall 
offend  in  the  premises,  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  the  President 
or  Vice  President,  and  two  Members  of  the  Executive  Council,  or 
for  any  three  justices  of  the  peace  for  any  County,  to  inquire  con- 
cerning the  same,  and  thereof  to  hear  and  determine,  and  for  that 
purpose  arrest  the  accused,  and  to  seize  and  secure  the  goods  by 
him  or  her  engrossed  or  bought  up,  and  to  summon  a  Grand  Jury, 
and  if  the  party  accused  shall  traverse  the  Indictment,  to  award  a 
petty  Jury,  and  upon  their  Verdict  to  adjudge  and  execute,  accord- 
ing to  the  law  of  the  land  and  this  Act. 

"  By  Order  of  the  Council  of  Safety." 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Lancaster,  November  7th,  1777. 

"Whereas,  the  great  quantities  of  Whiskey  made  and  consumed 
in  this  Commonwealth,  and  the  enormous  price  at  which  it  is  sold, 
is  attended  with  many  inconveniencies  and  dangers,  more  especially 
that  of  Raising  the  price  of  bread  Corn,  and  if  not  prevented,  of 
creating  a  scarcity  of  that  most  necessary  article: 

a  Be  it  therefore  Ordained,  and  it  is  hereby  ordained  by  the 
Council  of  Safety  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennnsylvania,  That 
from  and  after  the  first  day  of  December  next  following,  no  person 
or  persons  whatsoever,  other  than  guttlers  in  Camp,  licensed  and 
appointed  According  to  the  Articles  of  War,  shall  presume  to  take 
or  Receive  greater  or  higher  prices  than  at  the  Rate  of  eight  Shil- 
lings and  Sixpence,  Pennsylvania  Currency,  by  the  Gallon,  includ- 
ing a  sufficient  Cask,  for  any  Spirituous  Liquors  distilled  from  grain 
or  fruit,  commonly  called  Whiskey,  of  Merchantable  strength  and 
proof,  upon  pain  of  forfeiting  the  double  value  of  the  spirituous 
liquors  so  sold  for  the  first  offence,  and  of  treble  Value  for  the 
Second  and  every  other  Offence,  to  be  Received  and  Recovered 
by  an  action  of  debt,  to  the  use  of  the  informer,  before  one  Justice 
of  the  peace,  or  in  any  Court  where  debts  of  the  like  Value  are 
Cognizable  : 

"  Provided  always,  and  it  is  hereby  Ordained  by  the  Authority 
aforesaid,  That  this  Ordinance,  or  any  thing  herein  contained,  shall 
not  extend  to  the  price  of  Spirituous  liquors  sold  in  small  quanti- 
ties  of  less  than  one  quart  by  Retailers  of  liquor,  licensed  accord- 
ing to  law,  the  prices  of  which  shall  be  Regulated  by  the  Justices 
in  Sessions,  according  to  the  laws  heretofore  used  or  appointed  : 

"  And  be  it  further  Ordained  by  the  Authority  aforesaid,  That  if 
any  person  or  persons  shall  deliver,  sell,  Offer  to  sell,  or  expose  to 
sale,  any  such  spirituous  liquors  as  hereinbefore  described,  which 
shall  not  be  of  proper  Merchantable  strength  and  goodness,  all  per- 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  339 

sons  selling  or  exposing  to  sale  any  such  adulterated  and  unmer- 
chantable Spirituous  liquors,  shall  be  liable  to  a  forfeiture  of  eight 
Shillings  and  sixpence,  like  Money,  for  every  Gallon  of  such  liquors 
so  delivered,  sold,  offered  or  exposed  to  sale;  the  same  to  be  Recov 
ered  of  the  oifender,  to  the  use  of  the  informer,  by  action  of  debt, 
in  like  manner  as  hereinbefore  is  directed. 

"By  Order  of  the  Council  of  Safety." 
On  Motion,  agreed,  That  the  foregoing  ordinances  be  passed  and 
published  immediately. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Saturday  Nov'r  8th,  1777.. 
Present  as  yesterday,  &  also  James  Smith,  Esq'r. 
Ordered,  That  the  persons  hereinafter  named,  in  the  Respective 
Counties,  be  authorized  and  Required  to  collect  without  delay,  from 
such  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  said  Respective  counties  as  have 
not  taken  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  and  Abjuration,  or  who  have»m 
aided  or  assisted  the  enemy,  arms  and  accoutrements,  blaokets,  Wol  ■ 
len  &  Linsey  Woolsey  Cloth,  Linnen,  shoes  and  stockings,  for  the 
Army  :  that  they  Appraise  the  same  when  taken,  according  to  their 
quality,  allowing  at  the  following  rates,  Vizt :  For  a  New  single 
blanket  "'three  pounds,  and  in  proportion  for  inferior  kinds:  For 
strong,  large,  well  made  shoes,  twenty -five  shillings  p  Pair :  For 
good  yarn  stockings  twenty-two  shillings  and  six  pence  p  pair  : 
For  good,  well  manufactured  Cloth,  f  wide,  30  shillings  p  yard : 
For  good  Linsey  Woolsey,  yarde  wide,  15  shillings  per  yard  :  For 
good  y'd  wide  linnen,  for  soldiers'  shirts,  (about  an  800) 

15  shillings  p  yard  :  For  good  tow  linnen  8  shillings  p  yard ;  And 
that  the  same  be  delivered,  when  so  taken,  to  the  Clothier  General 
or  his  Agent,  with  whom  they  are  to  Correspond  in  the  discharge 
of  this  business.  Also,  that  the  Commissionors  be  allowed  for 
every  day  which  they  shall  be  employed  in  this  business,  the  sum 
of  twenty  shillings  p  day,  each. 

For  the  County  of  Chester. 

Col.  Evan  Evans,  Capt'n  John  Gardiner, 

Philip  Scott,  Esq'r,  Samuel  Holliday, 

Elijah  McClenaghan,  Col'l  Wm.  Evans, 

Capt'n  John  Ramsay,  Capt'n  Israel  Whellan, 

Patterson  Bell,  Esq'r,  John  Wilson, 

Thomas  Boyd,  Esq'r,  Capt'n  Sam'l  Vanleer, 

Capt'n  Benj'n  Wallace,  Thomas  Levis,  Esq'r, 

William  Gibbons,  Capt'n  Wm.  Brookes, 

Col'l  George  Pierce,  Capt'n  David  Coupland, 

Capt'n  McCay  (Concord),  Col'l  Thomas  Taylor, 

Major  Cromwell  Pieroe,  Capt'n  Allen  Cuningham 


340  MINUTES  OF  THE 

For  the  County  of  Bucks. 
Joseph  Mcllvaine,  Nicholas  Patterson, 

John  Lacey,  Junior,  John  Vanhorn,  (Solebury,) 

Richard  Gibbs,  James  Benezet, 

Samuel  Smith,  Hugh  Adams, 

John  Crawford,  William  McHenry. 

For  the  County  of  Lancaster. 
Bartram  Galbraith,  David  Watson, 

Christopher  Coucher,(of  Lebanon, )Stephen  Hornberger, 
Richard  Fence,  Col'l  Sam'l  Jones, 

Capt'n  Robert  Craig,  James  Watson, 

Col'l  Cowden,  John  Jordan, 

Christ' r  Franciscus,  Lodwick  Shell. 

Col'l  John  Rogers, 

For  the  County  of  York. 
Joseph  Donaldson,  John  Nesbitt, 

George  Erwin,  Henry  Cotton, 

Thomas  Stockton,  Jacob  Staley, 

Frederick  Gelwix,  John  Andrew, 

Thomas  Weems,  Robert  Smith.  * 

For  the  County  of  Cumberland. 

J.ohn  Boggs,  Samuel  Williamson, 

Abraham  Smith,  James  Purdy, 

John  Andrew,  William  Blair. 
William  McClure, 

For  the  County  of  Berks. 

Henry  Christ,  Nathan  Lewis, 

Henry  Haller,  John  Lower, 

Thomas  Parry,  Godfried  Ream, 

Daniel  Utree,  Jacob  Seltzer, 

Philip  Millar,  Nich's  Shaffer. 

For  the  County  of  Northampton. 

Thomas  Sellman,  John  Cambers, 

Rob't  Lattimore,  Peter  Trexler,  sen'r, 

Nich's  Karn,  Peter  Koller, 

Abram.  Arndt,  Jacob  Woods. 
Henry  Alless, 

For  the   County  of  Philadelphia.  o 

Matthew  Sheuffley,  Andrew  Knox,  c 

Dan'l  Heister,  jun'r,  John  Hamilton,  (Plymotb,) 

Col'l  John  Moore,  John  Wendtz,  Jun'r, 

Major  Wright,  Philip  Markley, 
William  Antis,  and 

Samuel  Dewees,  John  Brookes.  * 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  ZU 

In  Council  of  Safety, 

Monday  Nov'r  10th,  1777. 
Present  as  yesterday  (except  James  Smith,  Absent). 


In  Council  of  Safety, 

Tuesday  Novem'r  11th,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excellency  the  President,  Hon'ble  Vice  President,  Colonel 
Morgan,  Colonel  Hart,  Mr.  Bailey,  Mr.  Hoge,  Mr.  Sergeant,  Mr- 
Henry,  Colonel  Bayard,  and  Mr.  Rittenhouse. 

Orderedj  That  the  Justices  of  the  peace  of  this  State,  who  shall 
attend  on  the  days  of  Appeal  appointed  by  the  Lieutenants  of  the 
Counties  respectively,  shall  be  allowed  and  paid  by  the  Lieutenant 
of  the  County  Twenty  shillings  p.  day  for  every  day  they  shall  at- 
tend such  Appeals. 


In  Council  of   Safety. 

Wednesday  Nov'r  12th,  1777. 
Present  as  Yesterday. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Thursday  Novem'r  13th,  1777. 
Present  as  Yesterday. 

George  Ross,  Junior,  Dep.  Qu'r  M.,  applied  to  Council  for  assis- 
tance in  procuring  about  one  hundred  Waggons,  which  are  now  very 
pressingly  demanded  of  him  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  Army 
with  Provisions;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  Warrant  be  issued  commanding  the  assistance 
of  all  Civil  Officers  to  be  aiding  and  assisting  in  providing  and  pro- 
curing the  said  Waggons  out  of  the  following  Townships,  to  wit . 
Earl  township,  12 ;  Carnarvon,  15;  Cocalico,  8;  Strassburg,  10; 
Leacock,  8 ;  Warwick,  8 ;  Manheim,  10 ;  Rapho,  10 ;  Hempfield,  9 
— Ninety  Waggons. 


342  MINUTES  OF  THE 

It  being  represented  to  Council,  that  John  James,  of  the  City  of 
Philadelphia,  hath  been  of  late  employed  and  sent  out  of  the  City 
by  the  Enemy,  upon  designs  which  are  inimical  to  these  United 
States;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  good  people  of  this  Commonwealth,  as  well 
officers  Civil  and  Military  as  others,  do  exert  themselves  to  seize 
and  apprehend  the  said  John  James,  and  bring  him  before  this 
Council,  that  he  may  be  dealt  with  according  as  to  Right  and  Jus- 
tice Appertains. 


Council  of  Safety  met. 

Friday  November  14th,  17' 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Saturday  November  15th,  1777. 
Present  as  Yesterday. 
Ordered,  That  Ferguson  Mcllvaine  be  appointed  Waggon  Mas- 
ter of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  and  he  is  authorized  and  directed 
to  jaominate  and  appoint  a  suitable  number  of  Deputies  to  make  out 
a  list  of  the  Waggons  in  the  said  County. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Sunday  November  16th,  1777. 
present  : 

Hon'ble  Vice  President,  Mr.  Bayard,  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  Mr.  Ser- 
jeant, Dr.  Gardner,  Colo;  Hart,  Mr.  Baily,  Mr.  Hambright,  and 
Mr.  Urie. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  representations  made  by 
the  Inhabitants  of  the  County  of  Westmoreland,  Respecting  the  in- 
cursion made  into  that  county  by  the  Indians ;  and  after  some  time 
spent  in  deliberation  thereon ;  agreed,  That  it  be  referred  for  further 
consideration,  as  it  appears  that  General  Hand  has  taken  the  most 
proper  measures  for  defending  the  frontiers  to  the  Westward. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  S43 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Monday  November  the  17th,  1777. 

PRESENT  *. 

Mr. Vice  President,  Mr.  Bayard,  Mr.  Serjeant,  Doctor  Gardiner, 
Mr.  Marshall,  (the  first  time,)  Mr.  Arndt,  Mr.  Urie,  and  Mr.  Ham- 
bright.     Also,  Mr.  Baley. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Tuesday  November  the  18th,  1777. 

Present  as  yesterday,  and  Mr.  Rittenhouse. 

Application  being  made  again  by  Major  Ross  for  a  further  num- 
ber of  Waggons  to  remove  stores,  &c. 

Ordered,  That  .-a  Warrant  be  issued  commanding  the  assistance 
of  the  civil  officers  to  be  aiding  and  assisting  in  procuring  the  said 
waggons  out  of  the  following  Townships,  Vizt: — Manheim,  7; 
Hempfield,  10;  Manor,  10  j  Connestogo,  5;  Lampeter,  8  ;  Mar- 
tick,  5;  Sadsbury,  12;  Denny,  6;  London  Derry,  6  j  Donegal,  6; 
Mountjoy,  6  ;  Salisbury,  10 — 91. 


In  Council  of  Safety* 

November  19,  1777. 

Present  as  yesterday  \  also,  Mr.  Whitehill,  Mr.  President,  and 
Mr.  Rittenhouse. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Bayard^,  Mr.  Urie,  and  Mr.  Smith,  be  a 
Committee  to  confer  with  the  delegates  of  this  State  in  Congress, 
on  the  subject  of  the  Indian  depredations  on  the  frontiers. 

Application  being  made  by  Colonel  Davis  for  a  number  of  Wag- 
gons to  remove  stores,  &c, 

Ordered,  That  a  warrant  be  issued,  commanding  the  assistance 
of  the  civil  officers  in  the  counties  of  Cumberland  and  York  to  be 
aiding  and  assisting  in  procuring  the  said  Waggons  out  of  the  fol- 
lowing Townships,  Vizt : 

County  of  York — Mananghan,  2  j  Warrington,  6  j  Huntingdon, 
6;  Reading,  6;  Dover,  3;  Newberry,  6;  Manchester,  6;  Hal- 
lam,  4 ;  Yorktownship,  4  ;  Yorktown,  2 ;  Hopewell,  2 ;  Chance- 
ford,  2;  Fawn,  4;  Shrewsberry,  4;  Windsor,  6;  Codorus,  6; 
Heidleberg,  6 ;  Germany,  6  ;  Paradise  6 ;  Berwick,  4 ;  Mount- 
joy,  3 j  Mountpleasant,  3;  Stra-ban,  3;  Tyrone,  4  j  Manallin,  3  ; 
Cumberland,  3  )  Hamiltooban,  3 ;  Manheim,  5 — 118. 


344  MINUTES  OF  THE 

County  of  Cumberland. — East  pennsborough,  12;  Allen,  10; 
Middleton,  10 ;  West  pennsborough,  10 ;  Newtown,  10  ;  Hopewell, 
10;  Lurgan,  10;  Letterkenny,  10;  Guilford,  10;  Hamilton,  10; 
Peters,  12  ;  Antrim,  12—126. 


^    In  Council  cf  Safety. 

Thursday  November  20th,  1777. 

Present  his  Excellency  the  President,  Hon'ble  Vice  President, 
Colonel  Morgan,  Doctor  Gardiner,  Mr.  Baily,  Mr.  Sergeant,  Mr, 
Marshall,  Mr.  Orndt,  Mr.  Edgar,  Mr.  Hambright,  Mr.  Whitehill 

On  the  application  of  Mr.  John  Mease  of  the  Troop  of  light 
Horse  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  that  3  Waggons  may  be  em- 
ployed by  him  to  Remove  his  household  goods  and  effects  from 
Trenton  in  New  Jersey  to  Lancaster  County  in  this  State ;  The 
Council,  in  consideration  of  his  spirited  services  in  said  Troop,  and 
other  good  grounds,  grant  him  their  protection  in  the  use  of  said 
three  Waggons  as  aforesaid,  and  do  forbid  the  impressing  of  them. 

It  appearing  to  Council  that  a  certain  Thomas  Bulla  (Son  of 
Thomas  Bulla)  of  Sadsbury  Township,  Chester  County,  has  by 
writing  endeavoured  to  discourage  people  from  taking  up  arms  in 
defence  of  this  Country,  and  hath  given  false  and  injurious  intelli- 
gence of  Public  affairs,  and  expressed  the  most  violent  enmity  to 
the  Cause  of  the  United  States,  and  the  measures  prosecuting  by 
them  ;  Whereupon  a  warrant  was  issued  to  Apprehend  the  said 
Thomas  Bulla,  and  bring  him  before  this  Council,  to  be  dealt  with 
according  to  Law. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Friday  November  21st,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excellency  the  President,  Hon'ble  Vice  President,  Colonel 
Morgan,  Doctor  Gardiner,  Mr.  Bailey,  Mr.  Sergeant,  Mr.  Marshall, 
Mr.  Orndt,  Mr.  Edgar,  Mr.  Hambright,  Mr.  Mackey,  Mr.  White- 
hill,  Mr.  Henry. 

The  following  Resolution  of  Congress,  and  order  of  the  Board  of 
War,  was  produced  to  Council  by  Mr.  Henry : 

"  In  Congress,  November  18th,  1777. 

<i  Wherkas,  Congress  is  informed  that  there  is  now  in  York- 
town  a  certain  John  Brown,  who  after  the  Enemy  took  possession 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  345 

of  Philadelphia,  came  out  of  that  City,  as  he  says  on  private  busi- 
ness, and  obtained  leave  from  our  General  to  Pass  into  the  Coun- 
try ;  that  after  going  through  a  part  of  this  State  he,  the  said  John 
Brown,  returned  to  Philadelphia,  and  is  again  come  out  without  a 
Flag  or  pass  from  any  General  or  other  Officer  in  the  service  of 
the  United  States,  pretending  that  he  is  charged  with  a  Verbal 
message  to  Congress  from  General  Howe  :  And  WJiereas  such  con- 
duct administers  Just  grounds  of  Suspicion  that  he  is  employed  by 
the  Enemy  for  purposes  inimical  to  these  States  : 

"Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  War  cause  the  said  John  Brown  to 
be  arrested  and  sent  under  guard  to  the  Executive  Council  of 
Pennsylvania,  to  be  dealt  with  as  they  in  their  Wisdom  may  deem 
fit  and  proper."  • 

"  Ordered j  By  the  Board  of  War,  in  Virtue  of  the  above  Resolve 
of  Congress,  that  the  said  John  Brown  be  delivered  to  the  care  of 
and  Custody  of  William  Henry,  Esquire,  one  of  the  Council  of  the 
said  State,  who  is  to  Conduct  the  said  John  Brown  to  the  Hon'ble 
the  Council,  at  Lancaster,  to  bo  dealt  with  agreeable  to  the  said 
Resolution  of  Congress, 

"By  Order  of  the  Board, 

"  PvIC  HARD  PETERS,  Secretary.. 
"  War  Office,  } 

York,  Nov'r  19th,  1777."  $ 

In  Consequence  of  the  foregoing  resolution  and  order,  the  said 
John  Brown  was  brought  before  Council,  and  after  examination 
was  committed  to  the  common  Jail  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  for 
aiding  &  assisting  the  Enemies  of  this  Commonwealth,  and  forming 
Combinations  with  them  for  betraying  the  United  States  into  their 
hands. 

Ordered,  That  the  examination  of  John  Brown  be  inserted  in 
the  Minutes  of  the  Council,  and  is  as  follows  : 

The  Examination  of  John  Brown,  late  of  Philadelphia  : 

u  Who  saith,  that  he  left  the  City  on  the  4th  of  November,  in- 
stant, in  consequence  of  the  application  of  Mr.  Thomas  Willing, 
who  shewed  this  Examinant  a  note  from  General  Howe,  requesting 
to  see  him,  (Mr.  Willing,)  that  Mr.  Willing  told  this  examinant 
that  General  Howe  desired  to  accommodate  the  difference,  and  pre- 
vent the  effusion  of  human  blood  ;  that  he  and  his  brother  had  full 
power  to  treat  with  Congress,  as  Congress,  or  any  Men  they  should 
Appoint,  provided  they  would  Rescind  Independency;  that  he 
(General  Howe)  desired  this  to  be  made  known  to  some  Member 
of  Congress,  And  Mr.  Willing  desired  this  Examinant  to  be  the 
Messenger ;  that  he  (General  Howe)  would  put  them  in  the  same 
State  they  were  in  1763,  and  give  them  more  priviledges  than  they 
had  ever  Asked ;   that  he  did  not  desire  us  to  lay  down  Our  Arm3 


316  MINUTES'  OF    THE      ■ 

nor  cease  from  our  preparations  'till  matters  were  accommodated ; 
that  upon  6uch  accommodation  he  would  withdraw  his  Fleet  and 
Army,  and  no  Standing  Army  should  be  kept  up  in  this  Country; 
And  that  the  paper  Currency  should  be  established  :  That  some  of 
these  Articles,  of  which  the  last  was  one,  were  added  upon  Mr.  Wil- 
ling's  Returning  to  General  Howe,  in  Consequence  of  this  Exami- 
nant's  hesitating  to  come  out  without  them,  upon  which  this  Exami- 
nant  undertook  the  business,  aud  engaged  not  to  communicate  his 
business  to  any  person,  until  he  should  have  first  communicated  it 
to  some  Member  of  Congress;  that  this  Examinant  passed  the 
Schuylkill  in  consequence  of  a  Passport  from  the  Aid-de-Camp  of 
General  Howe;  that  he  passed  General  Potter  in  the  Evening 
without  Communicating  his  business  to  him,  or  obtaining  a  pass 
from  him,  and  travelled  up  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Robert  Morris,  at 
Manheim,  and  there  waited  from  Thursday  eyefiing  to  Saturday 
Evening  following,  for  the  Arrival  of  Mr.  Morris,  And  when  he 
Arrived  communicated  the  matter  first  of  all  to  him  ;  that  Mr. 
Morris  then  called  in  Mr.  Duer,  another  Member  of  Congress,  and 
these  were  the  first  persons  to  whom  he  revealed  the  business : 
And  from  Manheim  he  Returned  toLancaster,when  he  was  first  called 
before  this  Council,  and  Bailed  by  Mr.  Morris  and  Mr.  Duer,  to  go 
to  York,  and  that  he  has  communicated  this  business  hitherto  only 
to  Mr.  Morris,  Mr.  Duer,  and  now  to  the  Members  of  this  Council; 
but  that  he  understood  the  matter  had  been  mentioned  by  Mr. 
Morris  and  Mr.  Duer,  or  one  of  them,  to  other  members  of  Con- 
gress at  York,  and  was  there  freely  spoken  of;  but  this  Examinant 
was  not  called  before  the  Congress,  and  that  this  Examinant  had  no 
Writing,  or  flag,  or  public  testimonial,  Relative  to  this  business, 
from  General  Howe,  or  others  in  Philadelphia,  except  what  passed 
by  Word  of  Mouth  between  him  and  Mr.  Willing,  as  herein  before 
is  mentioned  and  set  forth.  And  this  Examinant  further  adds, 
that  he  recollects  Mr.  Willing  told  him  that  General  Howe  assured 
him  (Mr.  Willing)  that  Great  Britain  would  never  give  way  to  the 
Independence  of  North  America ;  that  more  men  would  be  out  in 
the  Spring,  and  they  would  Harrass  our  trade,  so  that  we  could  not 
go  on.     Taken  before  me, 

"  JOHN  BROWN. 
"Tho.  Wharton,  Jun'r,  President." 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Saturday  Novem'r  22d,  1777. 

Present-,  his  Excellency  the  President,  Hon'ble  Vice  President, 
Mr.  Bailey,  Colonel  Morgan,  Mr.  Mackey,  Mr.  Orndt,  Mr.  Ed- 
gar, Mr.  Serjeant,  Mr.  Marshall,  Mr.  Whitehill,  Doctor  Gardiner, 
Mr.  Henry,  Mr.  Hambrigbt. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  347 

Ordered,  That  John  Smith,  a  prisoner  in  the  Jail  of  Lancaster, 
committed  by  Mr.  Henry,  for  Seditious  Speeches,  &c,  be  discharged, 
he  having  testified  Repentance,  and  the  Justice  being  now  satisfied 
that  he  may  be  set  at  liberty,  on  condition  of  his  Marching  to  Camp 
with  the  Militia,  as  he  offers  to  do. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Monday  Novem'r  24th,  1777. 

Present,  his  Excellency  the  President,  Hon'ble  Vice  President, 
Mr.Mackey,  Mr.  Bailey,  Mr.  Urie,  Col'l  Morgan,  Mr.  Whitehill, 
Mr.  Marshall,  Col'l  Bayard,  Mr.  Orndt,  Doctor  Gardiner,  Mr.  Ser- 
jeant. 

Ordered,  That  the  Examination  of  John  Brown,  taken  before 
this  Council  the  21st  instant,  be  published,  with  remarks  thereon, 
<fc  That  Mr.  Vice  President,  and  Mr.  Serjeant  be  appointed  to  make 
a  draft  of  Remarks  for  the  consideration  of  Council. 

Ordered,  That  no  person  be  admitted  to  converse  with  Jno.  Brown, 
cow  a  prisoner  confined  in  the  Jail  of  thig  County,  without  leave  of 
some  one  Member  of  this  Council. 


In  Council  of  Safety, 

Tuesday  Novem'r  25th,  1777. 

Present,  his  Excellency  the  President,  Hon'ble  Vice  President, 
Mr.  Orndt,  Mr.  Bayley,  Mr.  Mackey,  Colonel  Morgan,  Mr.  Urie, 
Mr.  Bayard,  Mr.  Sergeant,  Mr.  Marshall,  Mr.  Hambright. 

Mr.  Bayard  and  Mr.  Urie,  two  of  the  Committee  appointed 
19th  instant,  to  confer  with  the  Delegates  of  this  State  in  Con- 
gress on  the  subject  of  the  depredations  of  the  Indians  on  the 
frontiers,  having  produced  a  Letter  from  the  President  in  closing 
a  Resolution  of  Congress,  which  were  Referred  to  the  Hon'ble 
House  of  Assembly  for  their  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Ellis  Pusey,  Wm.  Downing  Gibbons,  and 

Brown,  do  attend  this  Council  at  twelve  0' Clock  this  day. 

On  application  of  Mr.  William  Harris  that  a  Waggon  which 
may  be  employed  by  him  to  Remove  his  effeets  from  Springfield,  in 
Chester  County,  to  Fredericktown,  in  Maryland,  be  not  impressed, 

Ordered,  That  said  Waggon  be  not  impressed  while  in  this  State, 
and  in  the  Pay  of  said  Harris. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Adam  Kimmel  be  impowered  to  hire  two 
Waggons  for  Public  service^  or  impress  them  if  he  find  neces- 
sary. 


348  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  William  Dean,  Dr.  Archibald  McClean, 
and  Colonel  George  Smith,  be  added  to  the  Commissioners  ap- 
pointed for  the  County  of  Philadelphia  by  an  Ordinance  of  this 
Council  the  21st  October  last,  for  seizing  and  securing  the  personal 
Estates  of  such  persons  as  have  Joined  the  Enemies  of  the  United 
States  of  America. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  made  a  draft  of  Remarks  on  the 
Examination  of  John  Brown,  Reported  a  draft,  which  was  agreed 
to,  and  is  as  follows  : 

"  The  base  Artifices  of  Tyrants  are  not  less  dangerous  than  their 
Arms;  of  this  truth,  the  present  Contest  is  one  among  a  thousand 
examples.  The  British  leaders  have  proved  themselves  alike 
bloody  &  deceitful.  The  faith  of  publick  Proclamations ,  and  even 
the  words  and  sacred  honour  of  their  Chiefs  in  person,  most  solemn- 
ly plighted  to  Individuals  for  the  protection  of  their  property,  have 
been  violated.  The  misserable  wretches  starving  in  the  Jails  of 
New  York  and  Philadelphia,  were  tempted  to  enlist  with  the  Ene- 
my by  assurances  that  General  Washington  had  Refused  to 
Exchange  them,  when,  in  truth,  General  Howe  had  broke  the 
Cortel  which  he  had  settled,  and  had  eluded  every  offer  he  had 
afterwards  made,  as  fast  as  they  were  Complied  with  on  our  part. 
But  above  all,  the  Repeated  Attempts  of  our  Enemies  to  seduce 
the  people  of  this  Country  from  their  virtuous  efforts  by  the  false 
Ideas  of  peace  and  Reconciliation  ,  which  they  never  meant,  are 
highly  insidious  and  delusive. 

The  last  year  General  Sullivan,  then  a  Captive,  was  sent  by 
Lord  and  General  Howe  from  Long  Island  to  Philadelphia, with  very 
plausible  terms,  but  when  a  Committee  of  Congress  waited  on  the 
British  Commissioners,  they  Receded  from  everything  they  had 
told  him.  The  opportunity,  however, was  very  diligently,  for  the  dou- 
ble purpose  of  blasting  our  negotiations  in  Europe,  by  Assurances  to 
foreign  Courts  that  the  Quarrels  was  settled,  and  of  striving  to  de- 
bauch the  minds  of  the  Americans  with  the  pretence  that  Congress 
was  Averse  to  peace  y  thus  at  the  very  instant  that  their  Ernisariea 
were  buzzing  about  in  this  Country,  that  Congress  Refused  to  lis- 
ten Jo  the  most  Reasonable  terms  of  Accommodation,  Lord  Stor- 
moutwas  very  industriously  pledging  his  honour  to-  the  Court  of 
France  that  the  Treaty  was  far  Advanced  if  not  finally  Ratified, 
No  sooner  was  the  World  undeceived  on  this  head,  than  the 
attempt  was  Renewed  through  the  means  of  the  unfortunate  General 
Lee ;  but  still  the  Commissioners  declined  to  pledge  themselves  for 
any  thing.  Nothing  appears  from  them ;  nothing  in  writing  is 
sent  forward,  but  the  Commissioners  were  left  at  liberty  to  Retract 
;and  deny  everything  as  soon  as  they  had  answered  the  end  of 
misleading  the  people  here,  and  A-musing  foreign  nations.  And 
now,  lo  :  Mr.  John  Brown  is  employed  to  tell  a  Ridiculous  tale  of 
peace,  and  at  the  same  time  a  large  number  of  Emissaries  are  let 
loose  to  propagate  the  story  through  the  State.     Still  nothing  ap- 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  349 

pears  in  writing ;  a  mere  Verbal  talk  from  Mr.  Willing,  that  he 
(Mr.  Willing)  had  had  a  talk  with  General  Howe.  Were  we  a 
tribe  of  Savages,  this  talk  would  at  least  be  accompanied  with  a 
belt  of  Wampum,  but  to  us,  not  even  the  slightest  token  was  vouch- 
safed. The  sole  word  of  John  Brown  is  again  to  gull  us  into  a 
sham  treaty,  which  is  again  to  be  spread  throughout  Europe,  to  de- 
feat our  most  promising  hopes  from  that  Quarter,  and  again  to  de- 
ceive and  mislead  our  own  people,  while  his  Excellency  is  again 
Ready  to  unsay  all  that  he  is  pretended  to  have  told  Mr.  Willing 
to  tell  John  Brown,  and  to  laugh  at  the  mischief  he  has  made. 
Friends  and  Countrymen,  be  not  deceived.  If  Gen'l  Howe  has 
anything  to  propose  to  Congress,  the  way  is  oped  to  him  thro'  the 
usual  Channels.  He  can  send  a  flag  of  truce ;  he  can  write ;  he  is 
under  no  necessity  of  sending  out  an  obscure  Body  like  a  thief  or 
a  spy,  to  steal  through  our  Camp,  without  passports,  without  Li- 
cence. He  can  send  a  flag  of  truce  to  desire  General  Washington 
to  prevent  the.  cutting  of  boulting  Cloths ;  does  the  settling  a 
treaty  of  peace  require  less  ceremony  ?  No ;  but  a  Message  in 
writing  by  a  flag  of  truce,  is  not  so  easily  evaded.  General  Howe 
might  be  loth  to  deny  his  handwriting,  tho'  it  seems,  he  has  not 
hesitated  to  deny  his  word.  France  and  Spain,  are  likely  now  to 
take  a  decisive  part  in  our  Quarrel ;  a  few  months  perseverance 
will  establish  our  liberty  and  Independence  for  ever,  if  we  are  not 
false  to  ourselves  ;  if  we  are  not  driven  to  and  fro,  and  deceived  by 
every  Idle  Artifice  of  our  perfidious  enemies;  trusting  to  Providence 
we  may  l^ok  forward  with  confidence  to  the  hope  of  being  speedily 
and  forever  delivered  from  the  perfidy  and  Tyranny  of  Britain ; 
from  the  bloody  and  Vindictive  Malice  of  our  cruel  enemies. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Wednesday  Novem'r  26th,  1777. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excellency  the  President,  Mr.  Mackey,  Colonel  Morgan, 
Mr.  Hambright,  Mr.  Orndt,  Mr.  Urie,  Colonel  Hart,  Mr.  Bayard, 
Mr.  Sergeant,  Mr.  Marshall,  Mr.  Jonathan  B.  Smith. 

It  being  Represented  to  Council,  by  Major  George  Ross,  D.  Q. 
Master  General,  that  Jocob  Stakes,  Christian  Bauchman,  Peter 
Wetmer,  Christian  Hershey  and  Benjamin  Miller,  who  were  em- 
ployed with  their  Waggons  in  public  service,  have  not  performed 
their  Agreement, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Jacob  Stakes,  Christian  Bauchman, 
Peter  Wetmer,  Christian  Hershey  and  Benjamin  Miller,  appear 
before  this  Council  to-morrow  Morning,  at  Eleven  O'Clock,  to  An- 
swer the  complaint  of  Major  Ross. 


350  MINUTES  OF  THE 

It  being  Represented  to  Council  that  Thomas  Edwards,  Manager 
of  Colonel  Grubb's  Furnace,  has  gone  into  the  field, 

Ordered,  That  Hugh  Lusk,  who  is  now  employed  as  Manager  at 
Grubb's  furnace,  in  Casting  Salt  Pans  for  the  making  of  Salt,  be 
permitted  to  continue  at  the  said  furnace  until  the  said  Salt  pans 
be  completed,  and  that  he  then  proceed  to  Camp. with  all  expedi- 
tion, and  Serve  out  his  tour  in  the  field. 

Whereas,  many  Farmers  and  others  inhabiting  the  Neighbour- 
hood of  Lancaster,  have  been  deterred  from  supplying  the  Inhabi- 
tants with  Wood  and  provisions,  through  fear  of  having  their 
Waggons  impressed  j  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  no  Waggons  or  Horses  by  which  Wood  or  Pro- 
visions shall  be  brought  to  Market  in  the  Borough  of  Lancaster, 
3hall  be  seized  or  liable  to  be  impressed,  coming  to  or  going  from 
Market. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Thursday,  Novem'r  27th,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excellency  the  President,  Mr.  Mackey,  Colonel  Morgan, 
Mr.  Hambright,  Mr.  Orndt,  Mr.  Urie,  Colonel  Hart,  Mr.  Bayard, 
Mr.  Sergeant,  Mr.  Marshall,  Mr.  Jonathan  B.  Smith. 

Resolved,  That  the  Lieutenant  and  Sub-Lieutenants  of  Bedford 
County  be  Authorized  and  impowered  to  Raise  a  Company  of  Men 
out  of  the  Militia,  to  Guard  the  frontiers  of  said  County,  and  Escort 
Provisions,  &c. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Friday  Novem'r  28th,  1777, 

PRESENT : 

His  Excellency  the  President,  Mr.  Hambright,  Mr.  Mackey, 
Mr.  Orndt,  Mr.  Urie,  Colonel  Hart,  Colo.  Morgan,  Mr.  Serjeant, 
Mr.  Marshall,  Mr.  Jonathan  B.  Smith. 

Council  having  been  Repeatedly  informed  that  the  troops  Raised 
by  this  State,  are  not  so  well  Cloathed  as  the  other  troops  in  Camp, 

Resolved,  That  Colo.  Bayard  and  James  Young,  Enquire,  be  di- 
rected to  proceed  to  head  Quarters,  and  confer  with  his  Excellency 
General  Washington  on  the  subject;  these  Gentlemen  are  to  notice 
as  the  great  inducements  to  Council  to  interfere  in  this  instance, 
the  Reproaches  brought   on  this  State  by  the  bad  appearance  and 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  351 

suffering  of  their  troops,  and  the  great  discouragement  to  the  Re- 
cruiting service.  They  are  also  to  remind  his  Excellency  that, 
by  our  order,  a  collection  of  Cloathing  for  the  Army  is  now  ma- 
king in  this  State, which  they  hope  will  be  to  a  considerable  effect,  and 
that  we  have  ordered  it  into  the  hands  of  the  Clothier  General's  Dep- 
uty at  Camp  *  But  that  under  the  informations  Received,  and  the  evil. 
consequences  they  apprehend  therefrom  to  the  service  in  general,  the 
Council  have  thought  it  their  duty  to  direct  them  to  inquire  par- 
ticularly into  the  Real  circumstances  of  the  Pennsylvania  battalions 
with  Respect  to  cloathing,  and  Report  thereon  to  this  Council ;  And 
in  the  mean  time  to  Represent  to  his  Excellency  the  most  earnest 
Request  of  Council,  that  as  great  a  proportion  of  the  Cloathing 
collected  in  this  State  for  the  Army  as  may  consist  with  the  Gene- 
ral Service,  be  Appropriated  to  the  Battalions  Raised  therein. 
Council  being  also  informed  by  a  letter  laid  before  them  this  Day 
by  Commissary  Magee,  that  the  Army  is  in  great  danger  of  suffering 
for  want  of  Flour,  do  further  direct  the  said  Colonel  Bayard  & 
James  Young,  Esquire,  to  make  inquiry  into  that  matter,  and  if  they 
Sod  a  scarcity  of  that  Article,  or  any  other  provisions,  to  Arise  from 
any  Circumstances  in  the  power  of  the  Council  to  prevent,  that  in. 
that  case  the  said  Gentlemen  be  vested  with  full  power  and  Au- 
thority to  take  such  measures  as  to  them  shall  Appear  to  be  necessary 
and  effectual :  &  that  they  communicate  this  Resolution  to  his  Ex- 
cellency, and  in  particular  Recommend  to  his  consideration  the  pro- 
priety of  employing  some  of  the  Militia  of  this  State  to  thresh  out 
the  Grain  of  such  persons  as  Refuse  to  do  it  themselves. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Saturday  Novem'r  29th,  1777, 
present I 
His  Excellency  the  President,  Colo.  Morgan,  Colonel  Hart,  Mr  - 
Urie,  Mr.  Mackey,  Mr,  Smith,  Mr.  Orndt,  Mr.  Marshall,  Mr,  Scott, 
Mr  Sergeant,  Mr,  Hambright,  Mr.  Rittenhouse. 


352  MINUTES  OF  THE 

In  Council  of  Safety. 

Monday  Decem'r  1st,  1777. 

present : 
His  Excellency  the  President,  Colonel  Hart,  Mr.  Sergeant,  Mr, 
Smith,  Mr.  Marshall,  Mr.  Orndt,  Mr.  Urie,  Mr.  Scott,  Mr.  Henry 
On  motion, 
Ordered,  That  a  certain  Doctor  Shannon,  who  is  known  to  have 
conducted  the  Enemy  on  their  way  to  Philadelphia,  be  Arrested  and 
sent  under  a  Guard  to  this  Council. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Tuesday,  December  2d,  1777. 
Present  as  Yesterday. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Wednesday  Decem'r  3d,  1777< 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excellency  the  President,  Mr.  Bailey,  Colonel  Hart,  Colonel 
Morgan,  Mr.  Urie,  Mr.  Scott,  Mr.  Sergeant,  Mr.  Marshall,  Mr. 
Henry. 


In  Council  of  Safety. 

Thursday  Decem'r  4th,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excellency  the  President,  Colonel  Hart,  Colonel  Morgan. 
Mr.  Bailey,  Mr.  Scott,  Mr.  Orndt,  Mr.  Urie,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Mar- 
shall, Mr.  Sergeant,  Mr.  Henry. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  an  Ordinance  of 
this  Council  of  the  eighth  day  of  November  last,  to  collect  Arms, 
blankets  and  cloathing,  he  empowered  to  appoint  Assistants,  and  to 
use  force  where  it  may  be  necessary;  And  all  Officers,  Civil  and 
Military  &  others,  are  required  and  Commanded  to  Aid  and  Assist 
them  in  the  execution  of  the  premises,  and  the  said  Commissioners 
are  empowered  to  allow  Reasonable  wages  to  their  Assistants  dur- 
ioer  the  time  thev  shall  be  so  emDloved. 


COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY.  353 

The  following  proclamation  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council 
of  Pennsylvania,  for  dissolving  the  Council  of  Safety,  was  omitted 
in  the  proceedings  of  the  executive  Council,  and  is  found  Among 
the  proceedings  of  the  Council  of  Safety. 

**  By  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of the  Commonwealth  of  Penn- 
sylvania',. 

"A  PROCLAMATION. 

il  Whereas,  by  an  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Com- 
monwealth of  Pennsylvania,  made  and  passed  at  Lancaster,  the  13th 
October,  1777,  entitled  "An  Act  for  Constituting  a  Council  of 
Safety,  and  vesting  the  same  with  the  powers  therein  mentioned," 
It  is  Enacted  that  the  Members  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council 
of  this  State,  together  with  John  Bayard,  &c,  should  be  constitu- 
ted a  Council  of  Safety,  with  the  powers  and  for  the  purposes  in  and 
by  the  said  Act  particularly  mentioned  and  declared  :  And  where- 
as, in  and  by  the  same  Act  of  Assembly  it  is  further  enacted,  that 
the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  this  State  might  at  any  time  dur- 
ing the  powers  and  Authorities  thereby  granted  by  Proclamation  or 
other  publick  Act,  Renounce,  determine  and  extinguish  the  same, 
and  every  part  thereof;  And  that,  thereupon,  the  said  powers,&  every 
of  them,  should  cease  and  become  void,  and  be  no  longer  exercis- 
ed or  enforced  :  And  vjhereas,  by  the  blessing  of  Heaven,  the 
progress  of  the  Enemy  hath  been  Restrained,  in  so  much  that  the 
Elections  for  Members  of  Assembly  have  in  most  parts  of  the  Com- 
monwealth been  Regularly  held,  and  the  Ordinary  powers  of  Gov- 
ernment are  at  full  and  free  liberty  to  proceed  in  their  usual  course, 
whereby  the  designs  of  the  Legislature  in  framing  the  said  Act  are 
now  at  an  end :  We,  therefore,  the  said  Executive  Council,  do  here- 
by make  known  to  all  persons  whatsoever,  that  all  and  every  the 
powers  and  Authorities  by  the  said  Act  granted  to  the  said  Council 
of  Safety,  are  extinguished  and  determined,  and  that  the  same  and 
every  part  thereof,  shall  from  henceforth  cease  and  become  void,  and 
be  no  longer  exercised  or  enforced. 

"  Given  at  Lancaster  this  6th  day  of  December,  1777. 
M  By  Order  of  Council. 

"THO'S  WHARTON,  Presid't. 

u  Attest— Tim'y  Matlack,  Sec'y." 


^ol.  xi.— 22\ 


MINUTES 


OF   THE 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL 


OF   THIS 


COMMONWEALTH  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.. 


THE  SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  October  13,  1777, 

PRESENT : 

His Exceil'y  THO'S  WHARTON*  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jonathan  Hoge,  &,  )  *»    , 

John  Bailey,  Joseph  Hart*  J    J"^- 

Ordered,  That  John  Morris,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  &  au- 
thorized to  attend  the  next  Courts  of  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace 
for  the  Counties  of  York  &  Cumberland,  &  there  prosecute  in  be- 
half of  this  Commonwealth. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Major  ¥/irtz,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifty-five 
Pounds,  for  a  Horse  bought  for  an  Express. 

Ordered,  That  Michael  Immel  be  close  confined  until  further 
orders  from  this  Council* 

•  An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favor  of  James  Old, 
Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  &  five  hundred  Pounds,  pay* 
able  in  Ten  days  from  the  date  hereof,  &  to  be  charged  to  him. 


The  Council  Met 

Lancaster,  Monday  October  20,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Exceil'y,  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jonathan  Hoee.  &  ?  r«      » 

John  Bailey,  &        JEsqra. 

Capt.  Joshua  Williams  attended  the  Council  &  complained  that 
he  had  applied  Will'm  Lees,  Esq'r,,  of  the  County  of  York,  &  re- 
quested him  to  hear  a  complaint  against  Stephen  Foulke,  who  was 
there  arrested  by  Warrant,  on  information  of  his  having  concealed 
divers  Deserters  belonging  to  Capt.  Williams,  but  that  the  said 
Will'm  Lees,  Esq'r,  possitively  refused  to  hear  the  said  complaint, 


358  MINUTES  OF  THE 

<&  permitted  the  said  Steph'n  Foulke  to  return  home,  &  had  also  ini' 
prisoned  Capt.  Williams'  evidence,  on  the  the  charge  of  his  being  a 
Deserter,  as  alledged  by  the  said  Steph'n  Foulke. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
f.he  State,  in  favor  of  Benja.  Blyth,  Esq'r,  Sub-Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Cumberland,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  John  Crothers,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  said  County,  it 
being  for  the  purpose  of  Paying  Substitutes  &  purchasing  blankets, 
for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Dan'l  Levau,  jun'r,  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Berks,  laid  before 
the  Council  returns  of  the  Election  of  the  said  County,  &  the  re- 
turns are  as  follows,  to  Wit:  For  Representatives  of  the  said 
County,  James  Reede,  Adam  Whitman,  Benja.  Spyker,  Sebastian 

Levan,  Dan'i  Hunter,  &  BaltzerGehr Commissioner,  John 

K.erlin ;  Assessors,  John  Hartman,  Mich'l  Forree,  John  Robinson, 
John  Egnar,  George  Kelchner,  &  Joseph  Sands;  Sheriffs,  Dan'1 
Levan,  jun'r,  &  John  Rice;  Coroners,  Philip  Kreamer,  &  James 
Whitehead. 

Ordered,  That  Dan'l  Levan,  jun'r,  be  appointed  &  commissioned 
to  be  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Berks.  Dan'l  Levan,  jun'r,  offers 
Isaac  Levan,  sen'r,  &  Isaac  Levan,  jun*r,  as  sureties  for  the  faithful 
performance  of  the  said  Office,  which  is  approved  of. 


The  Council  met, 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  October  21,  177?. 
present  t 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President* 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq*r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jonathan  Hoge,  )  -™    > 

Joseph  Hart,  &  J         ,     . 

Abrara  Morrow,  Gun  Smith,  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  laid 
before  the  Council  a  Certificate  relating  to  his  having  supplied  a 
number  of  Arms  for  the  use  of  the  State. 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieut,  of  the  said  County  do  attend  to  the 
cetling  the  said  Morrow's  accounts,  &  pay  him  the  Money  which  shall 
appear  to  be  due  to  him. 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Cumberland  do  set- 
tie  with  &  Pay  the  inhabitants  of  that  County  for  such  Arms  as 
they  have  furnished  for  the  use  of  the  Public  &  not  returned  to 
the  Owners,  &  receive  k  keep  such  Arms  for  the  use  of  the  State. 

Ordered,  That  a  Captain's  Commission  be  made  out  for  Mr.  Joshua 
Williams,  agreeable  to  encouragement  given  him  August  28  last,, 
;:nd  That  a  Lieutenant's  Commission  be  made  out  to  Mr.  Alxa. 
Ramsay*  as  Lieutenant  of  the  said  Company. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  85$ 

An  order  Was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Capt.  Joshua  Williams,  for  the  Sum  of  Four 
hundred  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Hart,  for  three  Pounds  Ten  Shillings^ 
for  Seven  days'  Horse  hire  on  Public  Business. 

The  Petition  of  John  Swan  wick,  praying  that  the  Cows,  Oxen> 
Horses,  &  Negroes,  seiz'd  as  the  property  of  his  Father*  may  be  re- 
turned to  his  Mother's  farm,  she  giving  ample  security  that  they 
shall  not  be  moved  from  thence,  &ca;  &  that  such  of  his  Father's 
papers  as  may  relate  to  his  transactions  &  connections  in  France,, 
England,  &ca,  &  have  no  connections  with  politics  or  the  present 
War,  &  that  such  other  Articles  as  will  on  examination  be  found 
immediately  requisite  to  his  Mother's  sustenance  &  farm,  entering 
into  like  engagements  as  aforesaid,  being  read  &  considered  j  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Prayer  of  the  Petition  be  granted,  on  Security 
being  given  to  the  value  of  such  Articles  as  the  Petitioner  of  his 
friend  may  Choose  to  take  into  their  hands,  to  be  accounted  for  on 
demand. 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  October  22,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon,  George  Bryan.  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  John  Bailey,  &  \  ~    , 

Joseph  Hart,  Jonathan  Hoge,  j  Asq  rs' 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Isaac  Milchoir,  for  the  Sum  of  One 
thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  October  23,  I???. 

PRESENT : 

Mis  ExcellV  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  John  Bailey,  k  )  v     $ 

Joseph  Hart,  Jonathan  H  oge,  $  f**  rs* 

Ordered,  That  the  following  Classes  of  the  Militia  of  this  State 
be  immediately  called  out,  vias't  i    "  Of  Philadelphia  County  the 


360  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Seventh  &  Eight ;  of  Bucks  County  the  Sixth  &  Seventh;  of  Chester 
County  the  Sixth  &  Seventh  j  of  Lancaster  County  the  sixth  &  se- 
venth j  of  York  County  the  fourth  &  fifth  j  of  Cumberland  County, 
the  third  &  fourth;  of  Berks  County  the  Sixth  &  Seventh;  of  North- 
umberland County  the  third  &  fourth  ;  of  Northampton  County  the 
fifth  &  sixth  ;  and  that  orders  be  sent  to  the  several  Lieutenants 
accordingly;  The  Eighth  of  Lancaster  also  ordered,  &  others  ^condi- 
tionally." 


The  Council  cneL 

Lancaster,  Friday  October  24,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  ExceJl'y  THO'S.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  John  Bailey,  &  ?  ™     > 

Joseph  Hart,  Jonathan  Hoge,  5    J 

Colo.  Cheny  &  Colo.  Gibbons,  having  written  to  the  Council  re- 
presenting Jonathan  Hunter  &  George  Hunter,  who  are  now  con- 
fined in  the  Goal  of  .this  County  on  a  Suspicion  of  their  being  un- 
friendly to  this  State  &  attached  to  the  King  of  Great  Britain, 
u  representing  them  as  illiterate  Men,  closely  attached  to  their  In- 
terest, never  known  to  be  active  in  Public  Affairs,"  &  that  they 
"  cannot  suppose  that  they  have  done  any  thing  to  aid  or  abet  the 
Enemy,  but  that  the  Reason  of  their  going  to  Philadelphia  was  to 
obtain  Pay  for  Cattle  &  Horses  that  the  Enemy  had  taken  from 
them,"  &  that  "  they  are  considerable  sufferers  by  the  State  also;" 
On  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  Jonathan  Hunter  &  Geo.  Hunter,  now  Confined 
in  the  Goal  of  this  County  on  a  suspicion  of  their  h  iving  supplied 
the  Enemy  with  Provisions,  be  enlarged,  on  their  producing  Cer- 
tificates of  their  having  taken  the  Oath  or  Affirmation  of  Allegiance 
to  this  State,  as  required  by  Law,  and  giving  security  in  the  Sum 
of  five  hundred  Pounds  for  their  good  behaviour  for  oue  year,  &  ap- 
pearance to  answer,  &ca,  at  such  time  &  place  as  they  shall  be  law- 
fully called  upon,  to  answer  the  said  charge  against  them. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  361. 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster., 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob   Morgan,  John  Bailey,  &  ?  ™    , 

Joseph  Hart,  Jonathan  Hoge,  5  ' 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  Howell  be  sent  to  Red  Bank  with  Money 
for  the  Navy  Board  from  the  Treasurer. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Jacob  S.  Howell  be  authorized  &  empowered 
to  borrow,  if  he  finds  it  necessary  for  the  immediate  use  of  the 
Navy,  any  Sum  of  Money  not  exceeding  Ten  thousand  Dollars, 
which  this  Council  will  Pay  to  the  Lenders  in  a  very  short 
time. 

Ordered,  That  Commodore  Hazel  wood  be  authorised  &  em- 
powered to  seize  &  take  the  necessary  Provisions  for  the  Fleet 
under  his  Command,  where  it  may  be  found  in  this  State,  giving  to 
the  Owners  Certificates  for  the  same,  which  shall  be  paid  for  at 
rates  hereafter  to  be  fixed  by  this  Council;  And  all  Magistrates  & 
Civil  Officers  are  hereby  required  to  aid  &  assist  Commodore  Hazel- 
wood  herein. 


The  Council  met, 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  October  28,  1777, 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President.. 
Hon'ble  G-eorgs  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jonathan  Hoge,  )  w    t 

John  Bailey,  &  '  \  M(*  re' 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Bav'd  Kitten  house,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Clarke,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of 
Ike  County  of  Cumberland,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  One 
hundred  &  Sixty-three  Pounds  &  nineteen  Shillings,  being  the 
Amount  of  the  Rations  of  Rum  due  to  the  first  Class  of  Cumber- 
land Militia  to  the  Twelfth  instant,  as  signed  by  Q-en'l  Potter. 

Whereas,  John  Temple,  of  the  County  of  Chester,  was  some 
time  ago  taken  up  on  suspicion  of  being  an  Enemy  to  the  Cause  of 
America,  &  Committed  to  the  Goal  of  this  County,  but  no  mitti- 
mus has  been  sent  to  the  Sheriff  or  Coaler  to  keep  the  said  John 
Temple  until  he  shall  be  further  examined;  thereupon, 


362  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  a  mittimus  be  now  issued  &  sent  to  the  Goaler, 
directing  him  safely  to  keep  the  said  John  Temple  until  he  shall  be 
further  examined  concerning  the  said  charge. 

The  Council  having  received  information  of  the  four  Pound  Bills 
of  Credit  of  this  State,  now  Current,  have  (by  mistake  of  the 
Printer)  on  their  backs  the  impression  intended  for  the  Bills  of 
Credit  of  Forty  Shillings,  &  that  a  Number  of  Bills  of  Credit  of 
Forty  Shillings  have  on  their  backs  the  impression  intended  for  the 
backs  of  the  Four  Pound  Bills;  And  as  the  continueing  to  circu- 
late the  said  Bills  may  be  attended  with  many  disadvantages  to  the 
State;  therefore, 

Ordered,  That  a  Proclamation  be  immediately  issued  requiring 
all  persons  possesed  of  Bills  of  Credit,  so  as  aforesaid  differing 
in  the  denomination  on  the  back  &  front,  to  bring  them  in  to 
the  Treasurer,  &  receive  from  him  the  value  expressed  on  the  front 
of  the  said  Bills, 


The  Council  met, 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  October  29,  1777. 
present  : 
His  ExcelFy  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'ry  President.. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Viee  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jonathan  Hoge,  >   ™     , 

John  Bailey,  &  )  ^  rs' 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  ox 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Mich'}  Lindt,  for  repairing  the  Court  House 
for  the  use  of  the  Assembly  &  Council,  for  the  Sum  of  ftve  pounde 
tighteen  shillings. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  October  30,  1777- 

present  : 

His  ExcelFy  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  Present. 

.Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Yice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jonathan  Boge,  >   ™    , 

John  Bail?y,  &  *     }  ^1  r* 

A.  return  of  the  General  Election  of  the  County  of  Bedford  was- 
laid  before  the  Board  &  read,  by  which  it  appears  that  the  following 
Gentlemen  were  duly  elected,  to  Wit ; 


0' 

SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  363 

Councell  or— Thomas  Urie. 

Representatives — Harman  Husband,  Chas.  Cisna,  Will' in  Mc- 
Comb,  John  Burd,  John^Stevenson,  &  John  Stewert. 

Commissioner — James  Martin. 

Assesors — Wm.  Montgomery,  Sam'l  Moore,  Tho's  Ferguson, 
Jas.  Little,  Hugh  Orlton,  &  Dan'l  McConnell. 

Sheriffs— John  Cessna  &  Francis  Clugage. 

Coroners — Cornelius  Aulay  &  John  Moore. 
On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  John  Cessna  be  appointed  Sheriff  of  the  County 
of  Bedford,  &  Gideon  Richey,  Abram  Miley,  Rob't  Bradshaw,  & 
Beynard  Woolfe,  being  offered  to  this  Council  as  surety  for  the 
said  John  Cessna,  his  performing  the  Duties  of  his  Office  faith- 
fully, according  to  Law. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Gideon  Richey,  Abram  Miley,  Rob't 
Bradshaw,  &  Reynard  Woolfe,  or  any  two  of  them,  be  taken  &  ad- 
mitted as  surety  for  the  said  John  Cessna  as  Sheriff,  according  to 
Law. 

Ordered,  That  Cornelius  Auley  be  appointed  Coroner  of  the 
County  of  Bedford. 


The  Council  met, 

Lancaster,  Friday  October  31,  1777, 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jasob  Morgan,  Jonathan  Hoge,  )  -™     , 

John  Bailey,  &  ) 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
'the  State,  in  favor  of  Stephen  Sutton,  for  Eighteen  Pounds  fifteen 
Shillings,  for  his  service  for  riding  Express. 


,    The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  Novem*  1,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WTHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  t  Jonathan  Hoge,  >  v    , 

John  Bailey,  &  5      q  ^ 

The    Petition   of    divers  Gunstockers,  employed    in   the   State 
Factory,  praying  an  increase  of  their  Wages,  &ca,  was  read ; 


364  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Benja.  Rittefchouse  &  Peter  Deliaven  take 

the  Case  of  the  Petitioners  into  their  consideration,  &  allow  them 

eueh   reasonable    Pay  as    the  alteration  of  times    shall  appear   to 

>cender  just  and   necessary,  they   being   fully  competent   to  this 

business. 

Henry  Dehuff,  Esq'r,  elected  chief  Burges  of  the  Borough  of 
Lancaster,  appeared  before  the  Council  &  took  the  Affirmations  re- 
quired by  Law  to  qualify  him  for  the  execution  of  the  said 
Office. 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Monday  Novem.  3,  1777, 


PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 


Jacob  Morgan,  Jonathan  Hoge,  )  ™     , 


re. 


John  Bailey,  & 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Mich'l  Reinhart,  for  the  Sum  of  Thirty-two 
Pounds  &  five  Shillings,  for  riding  Express. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  Novem..  4,  1777 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y,  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  John  Hambright,  &  "J 

John  Bailey,  Jas.  Edgar,  lEsq're- 

Jonathan  Hoge,  J 

The  Petitition  of  John  Rice,  a  Prisoner,  convicted  of  Felony, 
and  adjudged  to  suffer  Corporal  Punishment  &  pay  a  fine  of  Thirty 
Pounds,  was  read ;  in  which  Petition  it  is  set  forth,  that  the  Pe- 
titioner had  suffered  the  Corporal  Punishment,  but  was  unable  to 
Pay  the  fine,  &  praying  that  he  maybe  enlarged;  And  Will'm 
Henry  &  Mich'l  Hubley  having  recommended  the  said  petitioner 
as  an  object  of  Charity,  &  informed  the  Council  that  ho  is  a 
Soldier  belonging  to  one  of  the  Maryland  Battalions;  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Petitioner's  fine  be  remitted,  <&  that  he  be 
delivered  to  an  Officer  of  the  Maryland  Battalion  to  which  he 
belongs. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  365 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  Novem.  5,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

Hie  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  John  Hambright,  &~j 

John  Bailey,  Jas.   Edgar,  vEsq'rs. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  J 

Ordered,  That  Peter  Dehaven  deliver  to  Colo.  Galbraith  wh&£ 
Arms  are  now  in  his  hands  fit  for  service. 

The  Hon'ble  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  the  State, 
laid  before  the  Council  an  order  drawn  on  him  by  Will'm  Bradford,  in 
favor  of  Colo.  Bayard,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  &  fifty 
Pounds; 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  paid,  &  charged  to  the  Navy  Board 
of  this  State. 

The  Returns  of  an  Election  for  the  County  of  Northampton  be- 
ing now  made  &  considered,  by  which  it  appears  that  the  following 
Gentlemen  were  duly  elected,  to  Wit : 

Councellor — Jacob  Arndt. 

Representatives — Peter  Burkholder,  John  Ralston,  Simon  Dries- 
back,  John  Vancampen,  &  Peter  Rhodes. 

Sheriff — John  Jennings. 

Coroner — Jesse  Jones. 

Ordered,  That  John  Jennings,  Esq'r,  elect,  be  appointed  Sheriff 
for  the  County  of  Northampton,  and  John  Jennings  offers  Dav'd 
Deshler  and  Philip  Boehm,  Jun'r,  as  sureties  for  the  faithful  per- 
formance of  the  Duties  of  his  Office  as  Sheriff,  &  the  same  are 
approved. 

The  Justices  of  the  County  of  Cumberland  having  recommended 
George  Stephenson,  John  Agnew  &  Capt.  John  Byers,  as  persons 
qualified  to  act  as  Clerks  of  the  Peace  of  the  said  County, 

Ordered,  That  John  Agnew,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Clerk  of  the 
Peace  of  the  County  of  Cumberland. 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Dyuykinck,  now  at  Easton,  be  immediately 
brought  Prisoner  to  this  Borough,  here  to  continue  until  Congress 
shall  otherwise  order. 


366  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Thursday  Novem.  6,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President- 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice-President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  John  Hambright,  &  *) 

John  Bailey,  Ja's  Edgar,  V  Esq'rs. 

Jonathan  Hoge,  ) 

Resolved,  That  Will'm  Bradford  be  appointed  Paymaster  of  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Navy. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble  Jonathan  Hoge,  Esq'r,  for  the 
Sum  of  Sixty-eight  Pounds  Two  Shillings  &  six  pence,  for  fifty- 
three  days  attendance  in  Council,  &  Mileage  on  forty-five  Miles. 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  Cauffman's  waggons,  said  to  be  impressed 
while  employed  in  bringing  Wood  to  the  Borough,  be  immediately 
discharged. 

Felix  M'Carkey  laid  before  the  Council  a  receipt  from  William 
Henry,  Esq'r,  for  Six  hundred  &  thirty-eight  Stand  of  Arms> 
brought  by  him  from  Bethlehem  to  be  tried  and  repaired. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  Novem.  7, 177T. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
John  Bailey,  John  Hambright,  &  ?  p     » 

Jacob  Morgan,  Ja's  Edgar,  5 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
this  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Clarke,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of 
the  County  of  Cumberland,  for  the  Sum  Two  thousand  Pounds,  to 
be  charged  to  the  Paymaster  of  the  State  Militia. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'cl  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Mr.  Peter  Dehaven,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum 
of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  Election  of  the  Coun- 
ty of  Cumberland,  by  which  it  appears  that  the  following  Gentle- 
men were  duly  Elected,  to  Wit  : 

Representatives — Will'm  Duffield,  Jas.  M'Clean,  Will'm  Clark, 
James  Brown,  Rob't  Whitehill  &  John  Harris. 
Sheriffs — James  Johnson  &  Will'm  Brown. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  367 

Coroners — John  Martin  &  Mathew  Laird. 

Commissioner — John  Andrew. 

Assessors — James  Lyon,  Will'm  M'Clune,  Will'm  Finley,  James 
M'Kee,  James  Laird,  George  Robinson,  Mill. 

Ordered,  That  Jas.  Johnston  be  appointed  Sheriff,  &  John  Mar- 
tin be  appointed  Coroner  for  said  County  of  Cumberland,  Sam' I 
Finley,  John  Boggs  and  Thomas  Johnston,  being  offered  by  the 
said  James  Johnston  sureties  for  his  faithful  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  the  Office  of  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  the 
same  or  any  two  of  them,  were  approved  by  the  Council. 

The  Hon'ble  James  Edgar,  Jacob  Arndt  &  the  Hon'ble  John 
Hambright,  Esq'r,  took  the  Oaths  required  by  the  Constitution  to 
qualify  them  respectively  to  act  as  Councellors,  &  took  their  Seats 
in  Council  accordingly. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Will'm  Henry,  Lieutenant  of  the  City 
of  Philadelphia,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Pounds,  for  the 
purpose  of  Paying  Substitutes  &  purchasing  Blankets,  for  which 
lie  is  to  account. 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Saturday  Novem.  8,  1777. 


PRESENT : 

His  ExcelFy  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  Jas.  Edgar,  &     1 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jacob  Arndt,       £■  Esq'rs. 

John  Hambright,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Coio.  Cunningham,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum 
of  Eighteen  Pounds,  for  John  Cruikshanks  riding  express. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  return  of  the  Elections' 
for  the  County  of  Northumberland,  viz  : 

Councellor — John  Hambright. 

Representatives — Sam'l  Deal,  Rob't  Fruit,  Jas.  Murray,  Will'm 
Irwin,  Simon  Hemrod  k  Rob't  Fleming. 

Sheriffs — Jonathan  Lodge  &  Peter  Hosterman. 

Coroners — Jas.  M'Mahan  &  Archibald  Simpson. 

Ordered,  That  Jonathan  Lodge  be  appointed  Sheriff  of  the  said 
Oounty  of  Northumberland,  the  following  Gentlemen  being  men- 
tioned to  Council  as  sureties  for  Jonathan  Lodge,  Esq'r,  faithful 
f>erformance  of  the  duties  of  the  Office  of  Sheriff  of  the  County  of 
Northumberland,  Viz : 


368  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Samuel  Hunter,tRob't  Martin,  Laughlin  M'Cartaey,  John  Simp- 
son, Archibald  Simpson,  John  Morrow,  WilFm  Morrow,  Tho's 
Hewitt,  Walter  Clark  &  John  Lowdan,  &  the  Council  approve  of 
them  or  any  two  of  them. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State,  in  favor  of 
the  Hon'ble  John  Bailey,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  & 
thirty-four  Pounds  eleven  Shillings  &  Eight  Pence,  for  One  hun- 
dred &  five  days  attendance,  <fe  Mileage  for  Eighty  Miles. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  in  favor  of 
Philip  Marstiller,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of  this  County, 
for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  five  hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he 
is  to  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  Novem.  10, 1777. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey  James  Edgar,  &~) 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jac.  Arndt,  v  Esq'rs. 

John  Ham  bright,  J 

Francis  Bailey  of  this  Borough  being  now  appointed  Coroner  of 
the  County  of  Lancaster,  appeared  &  took  the  Affirmation  required 
by  law  to  qualify  him  to  act  in  the  said  office. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Tho's  Dorsey,  Paymaster  General  of 
the  Militia,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is 
to  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  Novem.  11,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George   Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  Jas.  Edgar,  &     ~) 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jac.  Arndt,  v  Esq'rs. 

John  Hambright,  j 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Dan'l  Evans,  for  the  Sum  of  Thirty-Two 
Pounds  &  seven  Shillings,  for  Iron  work  done  by  him  for  the  State. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.,  368 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  Novem  12,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Exeell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  John  Hambright,  &  >  ™    , 

James  Edgar,  Jacob  Arndt,  5 

The  Hon'ble  the  Continental  Congress,  having  recommended  the 
setting  apart  Thursday  the  Eighteenth  day  of  December  next  for 
Solemn  thanksgiving  &  praise,  &  this  Council  having  duly  weighed 
the  importance  of  this  duty,  do  in  the  following  words,  recommend 
it  to  the  people  of  this  Commonwealth,  Viz  : 

"By  the  .Supreme  Executive    Council  of  the  Commonwealth  of 
Pennsylvania : 

"A  PROCLAMATION: 

u  Whereas,  The  Hon'ble  the  Continental  Congress  have  recom- 
mended in  the  following  words,  to  Wit : 

"  Forasmuch  as  it  is  the  indispensable  duty  of  all  Men  to  adore 
the  superintending  Providence  of  Almighty  God,  to  acknowledge 
with  gratitude  their  obligations  to  him  for  benefits  received,  <&  to 
implore  such  further  obligations  as  they  stand  in  need  of;  And  it 
having  pleased  him  in  his  abundant  Mercy,  not  only  to  continue  to 
us  the  inumerable  blessings  of  his  Common  Providence,  but  also  to 
smile  upon  us  in  the  prosecution  of  a  just  &  necessary  War,  for 
the  defence  &  establishment  of  our  unalienable  rights  &  liberties, 
particularly  in  that  he  hath  been  pleased  in  so  great  a  manner  to 
prosper  the  means  used  for  the  support  of  our  Troops,  &  to  Crown 
our  Arms  with  most  signal  success  ;  it  is  therefore,  recommended  to 
the  Legislative  or  Executive  Powers  of  these  United  States,  to  set 
apart  Thursday  the  Eighteen  day  of  December  next,  for  Solemn 
thanksgiving  &  praise,  that  at  one  time  &  with  one  voice,  the  good, 
people  may  express  the  grateful  feelings  of  their  hearts,  &  conse- 
crate themselves  to  the  service  of  their  divine  benefactor,  &  that 
together  with  their  sincere  acknowledgments  and  offerings,  they 
may  join  the  penitent  confession  of  their  manifold  sins,  whereby 
they  had  forfeited  every  favor,  &  their  humble  &  earnest  supplica- 
tion, that  it  may  please  God,  through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,, 
mercifully  to  forgive  &  blot  them  out  of  his  remembrance ;  that  it 
may  please  him  graciously  to  afford  his  blessings  on  the  Government 
of  these  States  respectively  &  prosper  the  Councils  of  the  whole  * 
vol*  xi.— 24, 


370  MINUTES  OF  THE 

to  inspire  our  Commanders  both  by  land  &  Sea,  &  all  under  them, 
with  that  wisdom  &  fortitude  which  may  render,  them  fit  instru- 
ments under  the  Providence  of  Almighty  G-od,  to  secure  for  these 
States  the  greatest  of  all  human  blessings,  independence  &  peace  ; 
that  it  may  please  him  to  prosper  the  Trade  &  manufactures  of  the 
people,  &  the  labor  of  the  husbandman,  that  our  land  may  yet  yield 
its  increase;  To  take  Schools  &  Seminaries  of  Education,  so  neces- 
sary for  Cultivating  the  principles  of  true  liberty,  virtue  and 
piety,  under  his  nurtering  hand,  &  to  prosper  the  means  of  Reli- 
gion, for  the  promotion  &  enlargement  of  that  Kingdom  which 
consisteth  in  righteousness,  peace  &  joy,  in  the  Holy  Ghost.  And 
it  is  further  recommended,  that  Servile  labor,  &  such  recreations  as, 
tho'  at  other  times  innocent,  may  be  unbecoming  the  purpose  of 
this  appointment,  may  be  omitted  on  so  solemn  an  occasion.  We 
therefore,  do  hereby  call  upon  the  good  people  of  this  Common- 
wealth, to  set  apart  Thursday  the  Eighteenth  day  of  Depember 
next,  for  the  purpose  of  Solemn  thanksgiving  and  praise. 
u  By  order  of  Council, 

«  THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President 
"  Attest — Timothy  Matlack,  Secretary. 

"GOD  SAVE  THE  COMMONWEALTH." 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  Novem.  13,  1777 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  John  Hambright,  &  ?  p    > 

James  Edgar,  Jacob  Arnt,  $     ^ T& 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Rob't  Smith,  Ijieu't  of  the  County  pf 
Chester,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  for  the  purpose  o. 
purchasing  Blankets,  &ca.,  for  which  he  is  to  account, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  371 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  Novem.  14, 1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice-President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Urie,  &  ?  -p     >' 

James  Edgar,  John  Bailey,       $ 

Ordered,  That  the  Pay  of  the  County  Waggon  Master,  be 
Twenty-two  Shillings  &  Six  Pence  1$  Day,  &  the  Pay  of  the 
Deputy  Waggon  Masters  be  Twenty  Shillings  %  day  for  every  day, 
in  actual  Specie. 

-  Colo.  Davis  reports  that  John  Temple,  now  a  prisoner  in  the 
'Goal  of  this  County,  had  given  Security  to  appear  &  answer,  &ca., 
at  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  in  the  County  of  Chester,  &  that 
the  said -Temple  has  took  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  to  the  State. 
(Bond  in  Colo.  Davis's  hand.) 

Ordered,  That  John  Temple,  now  in  the  Goal  of  this  County,  be 
Enlarged,  he  having  taken  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  &  given  Security 
for  good  behaviour,  &c.  Mr.  Matt'w  Irwin,  Quarter-Master  of  Mi- 
litia, laid  before  the  Council  his  proceedings  in  that  office,  &  pro- 
posed that  the  Brigade  Quarter- Master  be  allowed  Major's  Pay  & 
Rations,  they  acting  at  the  same  time  as  Commissaries  of  Military 
Stores. 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Brigade  Quarter-Masters,  who  act  as  Commis- 
saries of  Military  Stores  in  the  Militia  of  this  State,  be  allowed 
Major's  pay  &  Rations. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  return  of  the  Elec- 
tion for  the  County  of  York  ;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Will'm  Rowan  be  appointed  Sheriff  of  the  County 
of  York,  &  that  Joseph  Adlum  be  appointed  Coroner  of  the  said 
County  of  York. 

A  Return  of  the  General  Election  for  the  County  of  York  is  as 
follows,  vizt :  Councellor,  James  Edgar,  Esq'r  ;  Representatives, 
Matthew  Dill,  James  Dixon,  John  Agnew,  John  Orr,  Mich'l  Hahn 
&  Dav'd  Dunwoody;  Sheriffs,  Will'm  Rowan  &  Will'm  Scott; 
Coroners,  Joseph  Adlum  &  David  Candler;  Commissioner,  Will'm 
Mitchell;  Assessors,  John  Sample,  Jacob  Eichelberger,  Thomas 
Lilly,  Will'm  Adams,  Joseph  Chambers  &  Lewis  Williams. 

Tho's  Urie,  Councellor  of  the  County  of  Bedford,  appeared  & 
took  the  Oaths  required  by  the  Constitution  to  Qualify  him  to  act 
as  Councellor,  he  swearing  with  an  uplifted  hand,  and  took  his  seat 
accordingly.       .  * 


372  MINUTES  OF  THE 

A  return  of  the  General  Election  for  the  County  of  Bucks  was 
laid  before  the  Board  &  read,  by  which  it  appears  that  the  follow- 
ing Gentlemen  were  duly  elected,  to-Wit :  Representatives,  John 
Keller,  Will'ra  Cornel,  Joseph  Kirkbride,  Arthur  Watts,  John 
Folwell  &  Matt'w  Greer;  Sheriffs,  John  Thompson  &  George 
Wall;  Coroners,  Benja,  Fell  &  Rob't  Ramsay;  Commissioners, 
Jas  Morgan ;  Assessors,  John  Krewson,  John  Sample,  Benja. 
Seigle,  Tho's  Folwell,  Will'm  Means  &  Joseph  Thomas. 

Ordered,  That  John  Thompson  be  appointed  Sheriff  of  the 
County  of  Bucks,  &  that  Benja.  Fell  be  appointed  Coroner  of  the 
said  County  of  Bucks. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  Novem.  15,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Urie,  &  ]  ™    , 

•        James  Edgar,  John  Bailey,       J  ^S(* rs* 

Thomas  Jordan  being  recommended  by  Gen'l  Potter,  as  a  suit- 
able person  for  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Northum- 
berland ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Thomas  Jordan  be  appointed  Paymaster  of  the 
Militia  of  the  County  of  Northumberland. 

Ordered,  That  John  Lacey  be  appointed  one  of  the  Justices  of 
the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Bucks,  in  the  room  &  stead  of  James 
Wallace,  (deceased,)  And  that  Andrew  Long  be  appointed  one  of 
the  Justices  of  the  said  County  of  Bucks,  in  addition  to  the  num- 
ber of  Justices  already  appointed  for  the  same. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  Novem.  17,  1777 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  John  Hambright,  &  )  ™    , 

Jacob  Arndt,  Thomas  Urie,  }  ^ rs* 

It  appearing  to  this  Council,  on  the  oath  of  Rob't  Galbraith, 
jKsq'r,  &  Will'm  Parker,  Esq'r,  that  Thomas  Smith,  Esq'r,  late 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  373 

Prothonotary  of  the  County  of  Bedford,  hath  been  duly  required 
<&  summoned  by  a  demand  in  writing,  to  deliver  up  the  Seals, 
Papers,  Books  &  Records  belonging  to,  or  in  use  in  the  said  Office, 
to  the  said  Rob't  Galbraith,  who  hath  been  appointed  by  this  Coun- 
cil to  the  said  Office,  which  demand  the  said  Thomas  Smith  hath 
refused  to  comply  with ;   therefore, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Thomas  Smith,  Esq'r,  be  Arrested  & 
Confined  in  the  Goal  of  the  said  County  of  Bedford,  according  to 
Law. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday,  Novem.  18,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  John  Hambright,  &  ?  ™    »  i 

Jacob  Arndt,  Thomas  Urie,  5 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  return  of  the  Election 
for  the  County  of  Westmorland,  vizt : 

A  Return  of  the  General  Election  for  the  County  of    Westmor- 
land, is  as  follows,  vizt :         % 

Councellor,  Thomas  Scott ;  Representatives,  James  Smith,  John 
Carmichael,  Thomas  Galbraith,  Dav'd  Sample,  Christ'r  Hays  & 
John  Shield,  Esquires ;  Sheriffs,  Will'm  Perry  &  John  Giffen ; 
Coroners,  Will'm  Waddell  &  Sam'l  Slone ;  Assessors,  James 
Moore,  George  Glenn,  John  Niesbit,  Isaac  Wilson,  Thomas  Ficher 
<fc  James  Beard  ;  Commissioner,  George  Reading. 

Ordered,  That  Will'm  Perry  be  appointed  Sheriff  of  the  said 
County,  <fe  that  Will'm  Waddell  be  appointed  Coroner  of  the  said 
County  of  Westmorland. 

Will'm  Perry  now  appointed  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  West- 
morland, offered  John  Perry  &  Charles  Ferman,  Esquires,  of  the 
Said  Counties  as  Sureties,  for  his  due  performance  of  the  said  Offioe, 
which  the  Council  approve  of. 


m 


374  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday,  Novem.  19,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  Jacob  Morgan,  >  -^    , 

Jacob  Arndt,  &  5 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  James  Davidson,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Five 
hundred  Pounds,  to  be  applied  for  the  use  of  the  Salt  Works,  &  for 
which  he  is  to  be  accountable. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Capt.  Thomas  Dorsey,  Paymaster  of  Militia, 
for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Peter  Bollinger,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  Pounds 
&  Eight  Shillings,  for  services  done  the  Council. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  Novem.  20,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  John  Bailey,  &  >  ™    , 

Jacob  Arnd,  James  Edgar,    $     ™ 

James  Reed  &  Rob't  Whitehill,  Esq'rs,  waited  on  the  Council  & 
acquainted  them  the  Assembly  had  made  a  House,  &  proposed  to 
proceed  to  the  Choice  of  a  President  &  Vice  President  of  the  Coun- 
cil, at  such  time  as  should  be  convenient;  whereupon  the  President 
proposed  to-morrow  forenoon,  at  11  O'clock,  as  a  proper  time  for 
Council  to  join  the  Assembly  in  said  Business. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  375 

The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  Novem.  21,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Exeell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jacob  Morgan,  John  Hambright,  ~) 

Jacob  Arndt,  James  Edgar,  &    vEsq'rs. 

John  Bailey,  John  Mackey,       J 

John  Mackey,  Esq'r,  Councellor  Elect  for  the  County  of  Ches- 
ter, attended  in  Council,  &  having  taken  the  Oath  required  by  the 
Constitution  to  qualify  him  for  said  Office,  took  his  seat  accord- 

His  Excellency  the  President  &  the  Members  of  Council,  joined 
the  House  of  Assembly,  agreeable  to  the  appointment  of  yesterday, 
in  Electing  a  President  &  Vice  President  of  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council  of  this  Commonwealth  for  the  ensuing  Year. 

The  Council  being  again  apart,  the  President  reports  that  Thom- 
Wharton,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  was  duly  Elected  President,  &  George  Bry- 
an, Esq'r,  Vice  President,  Accordingly. 

Will'm  Rowon,  Esq'r,  appointed  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  York, 
offered  John  Finley  &  Matthew  McCall  of  said  County,  as  sureties 
for  the  due  performance  of  said  Office,  which  the  Council  approve  of. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  Novem.  22,  1777 

PRESENT  : 

His  Exeell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  Jacob  Arndt, 

Jacob  Morgan,  James  Edgar,  k     ^  Esq'rs. 

John  Mackey,  John  Hambright, 


MMiM 


376  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  Novem.  24,  1777, 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  1 

Jacob  Morgan,  Tho's  Urie,  lEsq'rs. 

John  Mackey,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Henry  Davis,  for  Three  Pounds  four  Shillings 
&  Eleven  Pence,  for  two  days  riding  express. 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  Novem.  25,  1777, 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble  Gegrge  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jacob  Arndt,  Jacob  Morgan,        ) 

John  Bailey,  Thomas  Urie,  &      v  Esq'rs 

Jacob  Mackey,  John  Hambright,   ) 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  Novem.  2G,  1777 
present  : 
His  Exeell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  McKay,  Jacob  Arndt,     1 

Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Urie,  &  I  Esq'rs. 

John  Hambright,  Joseph  Hart,      J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Tho's  Dorsey,  Paymaster  General  of  the 
Militia,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to 
scoount. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL,.  377 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Thursday  Novem.  27,  1777. 


PRESENT  *. 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq  r,  President, 
Jacob  Morgan,  John  Mackey,        ~) 

Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Urie,  &     lEsq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  John  Hambright,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colo.  John 
Piper,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Bedford,  for  the  Sum  of  three 
hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Application  being  made  by  Will'm  Perry,  Esq'r,  Sheriff  of  West- 
moreland County,  for  the  Loan  of  a  Sum  of  Money  to  purchase  Salt 
for  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  County, 

Resolved,  That  an  order  be  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  for  Five 
hundred  Pounds  for  said  purpose,  provided  John  Shelds  and  John 
Carmioh^el  be  security  that  said  Sum  be  paid  into  the  hands  of 
Archibald  Lochry,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  said  County,  &  that  the 
Salt  when  purchased,  be  equally  distributed  among  such  of  :the  in- 
habitants of  the  County  aforesaid,  as  have  taken  the  Oath  or  Affir- 
mation of  Allegiance   to  the   State. 

Agreeable  to  the  Foregoing  Resolve, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Will'm  Perry,  Esq'r,  for  Five  hundred  Pounds, 
to  be  charged  to  Arch'd  Lockry,  Esq'r,  Lieut,  of  the  County  of 
Westmorland. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  Novem.  28,  1777. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Hambright,  Thomas  Urie,    ") 

John  Mackey,  Joseph  Hart,  &  l  Esq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  Jacob  Morgan,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Capt.  Tho's  Dorsey,  for  the  Sura  of  Four 
thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account, 


378  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Saturday  Novem.  29,  1777. 

present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  John  Hambright,"} 

Tho's  Urie,  Thomas  Scott,  &    {  Eg  , 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  f      ^ 

John  Mackey,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Ja's  Young, 
Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Eighty  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  the  said 
James  Young,  Esq'r,  until  it  can  be  transfered. 

Thomas  Scott,  Esq'r,  Councellor  Elect  for  the  County  of  West- 
morland, attended  in  Council,  &  having  taken  the  Oath  required 
by  the  Constitution  of  this  State  to  qualify  him  to  act  in  said  Office, 
took  his  seat  accordingly. 

John  Thompson,  Esq'r,  appointed  Sheriff  of  the  County  pf  Bucks, 
&  Benja.  Fell,  appointed  Coroner  of  the  said  County;  John  Thompson 
offered  Henry  Wynkoop,  Joseph  Sackett,  Esq'r,  &  Gradus  Wyn- 
koop,  Yeoman  of  this  County,  as  sureties  for  the  due  performance 
of  his  Office  as  Sheriff,  which  the  Council  approve  of. 

Council  received  from  the  Assembly  an  order,  setting  forth  the 
appointment  of  George  Stewart,  Esq'r,  to  be  Sub-Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Cumberland,  of  which  the  Council  approve. 

Ordered,  That  a  Commission  be  made  out  accordingly. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer,  in 
favor  of  Mich'l  Reinhart,  for  Twenty  Two  Pounds  Ten  Shillings, 
for  te%  days  Riding  Express. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  December  1,  1777. 

PRESENT  ! 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,  &   "J 

Jacob  Arndt,  John  Hambright,   y  Esq'rs. 

Thomas  Urie,  J 


An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Thomas  Dorsey,  Esq'r,  Pay  Master  General 
of  the  Militia,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he 
is  to  account. 


SUPREEME  XECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  379 

His  Excell'y  Thomas  Wharton,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President,  laid  be- 
fore the  Council  a  Letter  from  Henry  Laurens,  Esq'r,  President  of 
Congress,  inclosing  a  Copy  of  the  Confederation,  which  is  to  be 
sent  to  the  different  States  for  their  approbation ;  and  after  being 
read,  was  referred  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Assembly  for  their  con- 
sideration. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Mr.  Peter  Dehaven,  for  Five  hundred  Pounds, 
for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  John  Burd,  for  furnishing  Two  hundred  &; 
Sixty  Two  Rations,  at  One  Shilling  per  Ration,  to  Colo.  Piper's 
Battalion,  of  the  second  of  January  last,  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  Decern.  3,  1777. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Morgan,     ") 

Thomas  Urie,  Jacob  Ardnt,  &     v  Esq'rs. 

Thomas  Scott,  John  Hambright.  J 

Council  received  from  the  Assembly  an  order,  setting  forth  the 
appointment  of  Tho's  Urie,  jun'r,  &  Will'm  Halliday,  jun'r,  Esq'rs, 
of  the  County  of  Bedford,  &  Will'm  Cochran,  Esq'r,  of  the  County 
of  Westmorland,  to  be  Sub-Lieutenants  of  the  said  Counties  re- 
spectively. 

Ordered,  That  Commissions  be  made  out  for  them  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  Will'm  M.  Henry  &  John  Ball,  Esq'rs,  be  ap- 
pointed Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Bucks. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster  Thursday  Decern.  4,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,     ") 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jacob  Arndt,  &    I  Esq'rs. 

John  Bailey,  Thomas  Urie,      J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Capt.  Joseph  Potts,  for  One  thousand  Pounds, 


380  MINUTES  OF  THE 

to  be  charged  to  Colo.  Smith,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Chester, 
for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  Blankets,  Paying  Substitutes,  &ea,, 
for  which  Sura  he  is  to  account.  ' 


The  Council  met.. 

Lancaster,  Friday  December  5,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,  &") 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jacob  Arndt.         WEsq'rs. 

John  Bailey,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Tho's  Dorsey,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  General  of 
the  Militia  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  thou- 
sand Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

It  being  represented  to  Council,  by  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  that 
the  following  Men  can  be  usefully  employed  in  making  Arms  for  the 
use  of  the  State,  viz  :  Henry  Gingerich,  John  Eberly,  Christian 
Oberholtzer,  Henry  Myer,  Caspar  Halburn,  Adam  Deterer,  Mich'l 
DeReiner,  &  George  Radfang;  it  is  therefore, 

Ordered,  By  the  Executive  Council  that  the  above  named  Per- 
sons be  excused  from  going  10  Camp,  provided  they  continue  in  the 
employ,  under  the  direction  of  the  said  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  upon 
such  terms  as  he  may  think  reasonable. 

Ordered,  That  John  Jordan  be  appointed  Waggon  Master  of 
the  County  of  Lancaster,  in  the  room  of  Ferdinand  M'Elvain,  and 
he  is  authorized  &  directed  to  nominate  a  suitable  number  of  Depu- 
ties to  make  out  a  list  of  waggons  in  the  said  County,  &  to  take  or- 
der that  the  Waggons  employed  from  time  to  time  in  the  pub- 
lic service,  perform  their  duty  in  their  turn,  &  to  proceed  therein 
agreeable  to  such  directions  as  he  shall  from  time  to  time  receive 
from   this  Council. 


1 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  38}. 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  Decern.  6,  1777. 

PRESENT  ! 

His  Exoell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  G-eorge  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
\  Jacob  Morgan,  Trio's  Scott,  1 

John  Bailey,  John  Hambright.  lEsq'rs. 

\  Jacob  Arndt,  J 

Upon  representation  of  Mr.  Adam  Kimmel,  that  one  of  the  Wag' 
^ons  which  he  had  impressed  by  virtue  of  a  Warrant  from  this 
Council,  has  been  rescued  from  him  by  Jacob  Keller,  George  Adam 
Fiance,  Dav'd  Menser,  Sam'LBowman&  Henry  Brental,  in  defiance 
of  me  said  Warrant;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Sheriff  apprehend  the  said  persons,  &  bring 
■thern  before  this  Council,  and  that  a  warrant  issue  for  that  purpose. 
On  motion, 

Ordered,  That  a  Circular  Letter  be  written  to  the  Lieutenants 
•of  the  several  Counties,  to  exert  themselves  in  Collecting  the  Fines 
-due  frQm  Delinquents,  &  remit  the  same  to  the  Treasurer,  and 
likewise  to  send  forward  returns  of  all  the  Militia  in  the  several 
Counties,  who  have  from  time  to  time  turned  out  in  the  several 
Olasses. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  Memorial  of  Benja. 
Wallace,  Betting  forth  that  his  brother,  Mich'l  Wallace,  had  been 
f)ut  uader\Guard,  by  order  of  Col.  Boyd,  of  Pequea,  &  had  been 
threatened\to  be  Marched  to  Camp  for  this  reason,  that  he,  Mich 'I 
Wallace  hatt  obtained  a  warrant  for  a  substitute,  in  the  said  Colo. 
Boyd's  Battalion,  fqr  abuse. 

Ordered,  'That  the  said  Mich'l  Wallace  be  discharged  from  his 
confinement.  \ 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Monday  Decern  8,  1777. 
\  present i 

His  Exoell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  John  Hambright, "] 

John  BaileJ,  Jacob  Arndt,  &      I  Esq'rs. 

Thomas  Scott,  Thomas  Urie,        J 

His  Exoell'y,  the.  President,  laid  before  the  Council  a   Letter 
from   Henry  Laurels,  Esq'r,  inclosing  two  Resolves  of  Congress, 


382  MINUTES  OF  THE 

one  of  them  recommending  it  to  the  Legislatures  of  the  several 
States  to  enact  Laws  for  the  Calling  in  the  Old  Bills  of  Credit, 
struck  under  the  authority  and  sanction  of  the  King  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, &  the  other  recommending  to  the  Legislatures  of  this  State 
to  repeal  the  clause  in  the  Militia  Law  which  permits  the  hireing 
of  substitutes.' 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Capt.  Ja's  Francis  Moore,  tor  One  hundred 
Pounds,  in  part  of  his  Account,  to  be  charged  to  Jacob  S.  Howell, 
to  be  by  him  charged  to  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Regiment 
late  of  this  State,  and  now  Commanded  by  Colonel  Stewart. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  Decern.  9,  1777. 
present : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Urie,         "J 

John  Bailey,  Jacob  Arndt,  &       WEsq'rs. 

Thomas  Scott,  John  Hambright,  J 

By  virtue  of  a  Warrant  issued  by  this  board  on  the  6th  instant,, 
Jacob  Keller,  George  ,  Adam  France,  David  Menser,  Samuel 

Bowman  &  Henry  Brintall,  being  Arrested,  and  a  report  made  to 
Council, 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  Keller  be  now  brought  before  the  Coun- 
cil, and  it  appearing  by  his  own  confession  that  he  had,  in  contempt 
of  the  Warrant  of  this  Council,  taken  several  Horses  from  Adam 
Kimmel,  which  had  been  impressed  by  order  of  Council  for  Public 
Service,  and  George  Adam  France,  Dav'd  Menser,  Sam\'  Bowman 
&  Henry  Brental  being  now  brought  in,  and  it  appearing  by  their 
own  confession  that  the  said  George  Adam  France,  DavM  Mensery 
Sain'l  Bowman  &  Henry  Brental,  were  concerned  with  Jacob  Kel- 
ler, in  taking  several  Horses  from  Adam  Kimmel,  in  contempt  of  a 
Warrant  issued  by  this  Council  \  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Jacob  Keller,  George  Adam  France? 
Dav'd  Menser,  Sam'l  Bowman  &  Henry  Brental  be  committed  to 
the  common  Goal  of  this  County. 

Several  letters  from  the  County  of  Bedford,  relating  to  the 
incursions  made  by  the  Indians,  being  now  read  and  considered, 

Ordered.  That  the  Lieutenants  of  the  County  of  Bedford,  &  of 
the  County  of  Westmorland,  be  authorized  and  directed  to  call  out 
from  time  to  time,  such  parts  of  the  Militia  of  the  said  Counties  as 
may  be  necessary  for  the  immediate  defence  of  the  Inhabitants 
against  the  Indians,  &  to  take  such  measures  as  may  most  effectu- 
ally cover  the  inhabitants  while  they  are  securing  their  grain,  and 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  383 

it  is  recommended  to  the  said  Lieut's  to  confer  &  correspond  with 
each  other  on  this  Subject  as  occasion  may  require,  so  as  to  act  in 
conjunction,  as  far  as  may  be,  for  the  Public  safety. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  Decern.  10,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 


Jacob  Morgan,  Tho's  Urie,  ") 

John  Bailey,  John  Hambright,  &  I 

Jacob  Arndt,  Tho's  Scott.-  f 


Esq'rs. 
James  Edgar,  j 


Esq'] 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  Decern.  11,  1777, 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jacob  Arndt,  Thomas  Scott, 

John  Edgar,  Jacob  Morgan, 

John  Hambright,  John  Bailey. 

Thomas  Urie, 

A  Letter  from  Mr.  Joseph  Nourse,  Deputy  Secretary  of  the  Board 
of  War,  inclosing  several  Resolves  of  Congress,  Several  Letters  from 
Owen  Jones,  jun'r,  to  divers  persons  in  Lancaster,  &  one  from  Mat- 
thias Slough  to  the  said  Owen  Jones,  jun'r,  and  the  depositions  of 
several  persons  relating  to  the  conduct  of  the  Quaker  Prisoners  at 
Winchester,  k  also  a  resolve  of  the  Board  of  War  for  the  removing 
the  said  Prisoners  to  Staunton,  in  the  County  of  Augusta,  in  Vir- 
ginia. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  laid  before  the  Hon'ble  House  of 
Assembly. 

Ordered,  That  application  be  made  to  the  Board  of  War  for  a 
number  of  Arms,  to  be  repaired  and  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Mi- 
litia of  the  County  of  Bedford,  for  their  immediate  defence  against 
the  incursions  of  the  Indians. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State^  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble  John  Hambright,  Esq'r,  for  the 


384  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Sura  of  Fifty-eight  pounds  eight  shillings  &  nine  pence,  for  forty- 
five  attendance  &  half  Mileage  on  one  hundred  &  five  miles,  (he 
having  removed  his  Family  from  his  late  dwelling  to  this  Borough.) 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday,  Decern.  12,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Jacob  Arndt,  ^) 

John  Bailey,  Thomas  Scott,    &       I  „    , 

James  Edgar,  John  Hambright.         [      ^ 

Tho's  Urie,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  John  Bayard,  Esq'r,  for  the  sum  of  Five 
thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant 
of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  being  so  much  money  advanced  by  John 
Philips  &  Co.  to  the  said  Will'm  Henry,  &  by  him  assigned  to  the 
said  Colo.  John  Bayard. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  George  Boss,  Esq'r,  for  Eleven  Month's  rent 
of  an  office  for  Public  Papers,  (according  to  an  Agreement  made 
with  him  by  Will'm  Parr,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Thirty-Three 
Pounds. 


The  Council  met, 

Lancaster,  Saturday  Decern.  13,  1777, 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  Thomas  Scott,  &  \  ^     , 

Thomas  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,       j       ^ 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Stephen  Sutton,  for  the  Sum  of  Thirty-six 
Pounds  eighteen  Shillings  and  nine  Pence,  for  riding  Express  on 
Public  business. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  John  Tyler,  (Gunsmith,)  for  the  Sum  of 
Two  Hundred  Pouuds,  &  ordered  to  be  charged  to  Jacob  S.  Howell, 
to  whom  the  said  John  Tyler  (Gunsmith)  is  to  be  accountable. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  385 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  John  Tyler  send  what  Rifles  he  has  by  him 
fit  for  service,  immediately  forward  to  this  Borough,  to  the  Council. 

The  General  Assembly  of  Representatives  of  the  Freemen  of 
Pennsylvania,  sent  into  Council  the  following  Certificate,  vizt : 

a  In  General  Assembly  of  the  Commonwealth    of   Pennsylvania, 
Wednesday  Dec'r  10,  1777,  P.  M. 

"  On  motion,  Resolved,  That  this  House  will  now  proceed,  agrea- 
ble  to  the  order  of  the  day,  to  the  Election  of  Delegates  to 
serve  this  State  in  Congress  for  the  ensuing  year,  every  one  of 
whom  shall  have  forty  Shillings  for  each  days'  service. 

u  Whereupon,  The  said  Election  being  made  by  Ballot,  Doctor 
Benjamin  Franklin,  Rob't  Morris,  Dan'l  Roberdeau,  Jonath'n 
Bayard  Smith,  James  Smith,  Yorktown,  Will'm  Clinghan  &  Jo- 
seph Reed,  Esq'rs,  were  Chosen. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

"JOHN  MORRIS,  jun'r,  Clerk  of  General  Assembly.'7 

Thereupon,  Ordered,  That  a  Certificate  of  the  said  Election  and 
appointment  bemade  out,  under  the  Seal  of  the  Comonwealth, 
signed  by  his  ExcelPy  the  President,  &  Attested  by  the  Secretary. 


Esq'rs. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  Decern.  15,  1777. 

present: 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,  & 

John  Hambright,  Thomas  Scott, 

William  Henry,  Esq'r,  informed  the  Council  that  very  frequent 
applications  had  been  made  to  him  for  Payment  of  Waggonhire, 
due  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  County  for  service  done  last  Sum- 
mer; thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  application  be  made  to  Gen'l  Mifflin,  requesting 
that  he  will  take  immediate  &  effectual  measures  for  the  payment 
of  the  said  Waggoners. 

The  Petition  of  Jacob  Keller  &  Peter  Miller,  on  behalf  of  Ja- 
cob Keller,  jun'r,  Sam'l  Bowman,  Jacob  Brindle,  Dav'd  Meinzer, 
George  Adam  Frantz,  now  prisoners  in  the  Goal  of  this  County, 
being  read,  &  the  Petitioners  heard ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Sam'l  Bowman,  David  Meinzer,  &  George  Adam 
Frantz,  who  appear  to  have  been  drawn  in  to  aid  &  abet  Jacob 
vol.  xi. — 25. 


38G  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Keller  in  forcibly  taking  away  two  Horses  from  Adam  Kimmel, 
which  were  in  the  service  of  Council,  thro'  a  deception,  be  dis- 
charged on  taking  &  Subscribing  the  Oath  or  Affirmation  of  Alle- 
giance to  the  State,  and  that  Jacob  Keller,  jun'r,  &  Jacob  Brindle, 
on  their  taking  &  subscribing  the  Oath  or  Affirmation  of  Allegiance 
to  the  State,  and  giving  Security  for  their  good  behaviour  for  one 
year,  themselves  each  in  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred  Pounds,  &  one 
Sufficent  Freeholder  in  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  Pounds,  be  en- 
larged. 

Colo.  Bayard  &  Colo.  Coats  attended  the  Council  in  the  name  of 
the  Hon'ble  House  of  Assembly,  requested  a  conference  with 
Council,  (either  in  the  Assembly  Room  or  in  the  Council  Cham- 
ber, as  the  Council  think  fit,)  on  the  situation  of  the  State,  with 
respect  to  the  Continental  Army  going  into  Winter  Quarters; 
thereupon, 

Agreed,  That  this  Council  will  attend  the  House  in  the  Assembly 
Room. 

The  Conference  with  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly 
having  been  had,  &  it  being  unanimously  agreed  to  remonstrate  to 
Congress  against  the  Army  going  into  Cantonments, 

Ordered,  That  the  Hon'ble  Vice  President  &  J\lr.  Scott  be  ap- 
pointed to  join  with  a  Committee  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Gen- 
eral Assembly  to  draw  up  the  said  Remonstrance,  to  be  laid  before 
the  Council  &  the  House  to-morrow  morning. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  Decern.  16,  1777 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

James  Edgar,  Tho's  Urie,  &  >  H    , 

John  Hambright,  Tho's  Scott.     5  ^s(*  rs* 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  case  of  Doctor  Shan- 
non, who  has  been  arrested  as  a  person  unfriendly  to  the  cause  of 
America,  and  suspected  as  being  dangerous  to  liberty ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Doctor  Shannon  do  give  security  for  his  appear- 
ance at  this  Board  when  called  upon,  to  answer  such  Charge  as  may 
be  brought  against  him,  and  in  the  mean  time  to  be  of  good  beha- 
viour, himself  in  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Pounds,  &  one  or 
more  sufficient  Freeholders  in  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  Pounds. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  387 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Wednesday  Decern.  17,  1777. 


\ 


PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  & 

James  Edgar,  Tho's  Scott.  J.Esq'rs. 

Tho'sUrie,  < 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  WilPm  C.  Bradford,  Paymaster  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Fleet,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand  Pounds,  for  which 
he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Will'in  C.  Bradford,  for  the  Sum  of  Four 
thousand  Pounds,  to  be  delivered  to  Mr.  Will'm  Crispin,  Commis- 
sary to  the  Pennsylvania  Fleet,  to  be  charged  to  the  account  of  the 
said  Will'm  Crispin,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  Presi- 
dent, for  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  &  Fifty  Pounds  additional  Pay, 
voted  to  him  in  Assembly  the  12th  of  October  last,  for  half  a  year, 
ending  the  first  day  of  September  last. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  Decern.  19,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,       ~) 

Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Scott,  &    vEsq'rs. 

John  Hambright,  Thomas  Urie,       J 

Application  being  made  to  Council  to  fix  the  Pay  of  trfe  Horse 
Men  who  entered  into  Service  from  Chester  County, 

Ordered,  That  the  Gentlemen  who,  instead  of  doing  duty  in  the 
Foot  Militia,  have  entered  into  the  service  as  horsemen,  be  allowed 
over  and  besides  the  Pay  of  Militia,  all  the  expences  which  they 
have  actually  paid  for  foreage,  when  it  could  not  be  supplied  by  the 
Commissary. 


MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  Decern.  20,  3777. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Tho's  Scott,  &  ) 

James  Edgar,  Jacob  Morgan,   }*Esq'r3. 

John  Hambright,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Philip  Mar- 
stiller,  Paymaster  of  Militia  for  this  County,  for  the  Sum  of  Four 
thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Frederick  Sneyder,  for  eighty  five  days  at- 
tendance, and  for  riding  express  to  Easton,  &  for  sundry  small  ex- 
pences  paid  by  him,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Pounds  Eight 
Shillings  &  Six  Pence. 

The  recommendation  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  the  County 
of  York  of  three  persons  as  qualified  to  act  as  Clerk  of  the  Peace, 
heing  now  read  &  considered;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Arch'd  McClean,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Clerk  of  the 
Peace  for  the  County  of  York. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  Decern.  22,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Ewing,  &    ~\ 

Tho's  Scott,  John  Hambright,  v  Esq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  ) 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  great  inconveniences 
arising /rom  the  present  irregular  mode  of  providing  Waggons  for 
the  Army. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  389 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Tuesday  Decern.  23,  1777. 


PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Tho's  Urie,  &~) 

James  Edgar,  Tho's  Scott,     lEsq'rs. 

John  Hambright,  J 

The  Council  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  mode  of  supply- 
ing the  Army  with  Waggons. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Peter  Dehaven,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred 
Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Council  being  informed  that  there  is  a  quantity  of  Gun  powder, 
Salt  Petre,  &  Sulphur,  belonging  to  either  this  State  or  to  the 
Continent,  which  is  at  present  in  the  hands  of  Tho's  Himeburg, 
near  the  Yellow  Springs,  which  appears  to  be  insecure  ;   therefore, 

An  order  was  given  for  the  delivery  of  the  same  to  the  Hon'ble 
Tho's  Urie,  Esq'r,  to  be  by  him  secured,  and  an  order  was  also 
drawn  directing  Mr.  Rob't  Towers,  to  deliver  to  the  said  Tho's 
Urie  such  Public  Stores  as  are  now  in  his  hands  belonging  either 
to  the  Continent  or  to  this  State. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Mr.  Blaithwaite  Jones,  for  the  Sum  of  Two 
hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Congress,  in  part  Pay  for  his 
services  in  superintending  the  Works  at  Billingsport. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  Decern.  24,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Hambright,  Thomas  Scott,  &  ?  p    , 

James  Edgar,  Joseph  Hart,         $  ^ rS' 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Adam  Kimmel,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred 
&  Fifty  Pounds  Six  Shillings  &  Eleven  Pence,  for  Whiskey,  &  Car- 
riage of  it  to  our  Fleet.  The  following  Representation  to  the  Re- 
presentatives of  the  Freemen  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  being 


390  MINUTES  OF  THE 

read  and  agreed  to,  was  sent  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  As- 
sembly now  sitting,  viz't: 

"In  Council,  Lancaster,  Decern.  24,  1777. 

"  To  the  Representatives  of  the  Freemen  of  the  Commonwealth  of 
Pennsylvania: 

"The  Council  having  found  great  inconvenience  and  mischief  arise 
from  the  want  of  a  Law  for  regulating  Carriages  employed  in  the 
Service  of  the  Army ;  That  such  Laws  having  been  found  proper  & 
useful  in  former  times,  when  Soldiers  have  been  employed  &  Quar- 
tered in  Pennsylvania,  are  become  more  necessary  than  ever,  from 
the  great  extent  &  burden  of  that  duty  at  present  ■  That  contrary 
to  the  Policy  of  free  States,  Quarter  Masters,  Commissaries,  & 
other  persons  of  Character,  purely  Military,  have  been  left  through 
necessity,  to  press  Waggons  &  Horses,  a  practice  big  with  mischief 
&  oppression,  such  Officers  regarding  merely  their  own  convenience 
&  ease,  &  burdening  chiefly  the  neighbourhood  where  they  reside, 
&  forcing  into  Service  Carriages  carrying  in  the  Town  food  &  fuel 
to  the  immediate  distress  of  the  inhabitants ;  That  Council  have 
endeavoured  to  interpose  their  influence  in  extending  the  burden 
of  this  necessary  duty  to  the  People  generally,  but  that  want  of  au- 
thority to  enforce  their  Rules  by  punishing  offenders  &  restraining 
the  Military  Officers  aforesaid,  have  undermined  all  their  efforts, 
and  must  continue  to  do  so,  whereby  the  Waggon  Service  will  be- 
come an  intolerable  grievance  to  many  worthy  Farmers,  and  will 
be  performed  with  reluctance  &  insufficiency ;  That  the  need  of  a 
better  reward  than  Thirty  Shillings  P.  Diem,  for  the  service  of  a 
Team  of  four  Horses  &  a  Waggon,  has  been  fully  manifest  to 
Council ;  That  they  have  represented  to  our  Delegates  in  Congress 
that  adequate  Wages  are  essentially  necessary  to  the  performance 
of  this  important  Service,  &  they  have  recommended  that  Forty- 
five  Shillings  or  Fifty  Shillings  Per  Diem  be  hereafter  allowed; 
Council  therefore,  are  of  opinion  that  a  Law  on  the  Subject  of  Car- 
riages &  Horses  for  Continental  Service  is  indispensibly  necessary, 
&  if  it  should  be  considered  as  proper,  Council  will  frame  heads  of 
a  Bill  for  expediting  the  same. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  Decern.  25,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  Geo.  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  &  Tho's  Scott,    Esq'rs. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  391 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  Decern.  26,  1777. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  ?  -^    , 

Tho's  Scott,  &  S       q 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  Decern.  27,  1777. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Esquire. 
An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Colo.  Will'm  Coats,  Lieu't  of  the  County  of 
Philadelphia,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  &  five  hundred  Pounds, 
for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Will'm  Scott,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia 
of  the  County  of  Bucks,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Pounds,  to 
be  charged  to  Thomas  Dorsey,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the  State. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  Decern.  29,  1777. 

present  : 
His  Excll'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President/ 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,  )  ™    , 

John  Hambright,  &  \  ^  TS' 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  Marshall  Edwards,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  Phila- 
delphia County  Militia,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  Two  hundred 
&  fifty  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Tho's  Dorsey,  Esq'r,  Paymaster 
of  the  Militia  of  the  State. 


392  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Colo.  Proctor  represented  to  the  Council  that  a  considerable 
Sum  of  Money  was  due  to  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Westmor- 
land, for  services  done  by  them,  and  that  there  is  a  necessity  of  a 
Sum  of  Money  being  sent  into  the  said  County  to  purchase  Provi- 
sions for  the  Men  now  in  service  &  that  may  be  called  into  service 
against  the  Indians  j    thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  John  Proctor,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia 
of  the  County  of  Westmoreland,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  & 
five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  applied  in  Paying  the  said  Militia,  &  to 
be  charged  to  Thomas  Dorsey,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the  State. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  John  Proctor,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Five 
hundred  Pounds,  to  be  by  him  delivered  to  Colo.  Arch'd  Lockry, 
Lieu't  of  the  County  of  Westmorland,  to  procure  Provisions  for  the 
Militia,  &  to  be  charged  to  the  said  Colo.  Lockry. 

And  an  order  was  drawn  on  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer 
of  the  State,  in  favor  of  Wm.  Holliday,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  hun- 
dred Pounds,  to  Pay  for  Provisions  purchased  to  supply  the  Militia 
of  Bedford  County,  &  to  continue  the  Supply,  which  Sum  is  to  be 
charged  to  Colo.  Piper,  Lieu't  of  said  County. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  Decern,  80,  1777, 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S   WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 


Esq'rs. 


Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott, 

John  Hambright,  & 
An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  State,  in  favor  of 
Michael  Reinhard,  for  the  Sum  of  Thirteen  Pounds  &  ten  Shillings, 
for  Riding  Express. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL  393 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  Decern,  31,  1777= 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  Geoege  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,  &  ?  ™    > 

John  Hambright,  Thomas  Urie,       $      ^ 

On  Monday  last  Mich'l  Smith,  Waggon  Master,  delivered  to 
Council  Nine  Bales  of  Woollens  &  five  small  Bales  of  Shalloons, 
which  had  been  Seized  by  Colo's  Smith  &  Keiklein,  of  the  County 
of  Bucks,  &  sent  forward  for  the  purpose  of  Cloathing  of  Troops; . 
and  an  order  was  drawn  on  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  favor  of  the  said  Mich'l  Smith,  for  the  Carriage  of  the 
said  Goods,  for  the  Suimof  Ninety-four  Pounds  &  ten  Shillings,  to 
be  charged  to  account  of  Cloathing  the  Troops  of  this  State. 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  John  Harrison  be  appointed  to  the  Com- 
mand of  the  Dickinson  Arm'd  Boat,  and  that  he  be  commissioned 
accordingly. 


The  Council  met. 

Thursday  January  1,  1778. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  &  ?  ™     > 

Tho's  Urie,  John  Bailey,  $      q  ™* 

Joseph  Green,  of  the  County  of  Northumberland,  laid  before  the 
Council  an  Account  of  Expences  in  supplying  the  Militia  of  that 
County  with  Provisions,  on  an  expedition  up  the  West  branch  of 
Susquehanna  River,  to  defend  the  frontiers  against  the  Indians, 
Amounting  to  One  thousand  Four  hundred  &  Sixty  Six  Pounds  Se- 
ven Shillings  &  Six  Pence,  as  he  has  stated  it;  but  Council  not 
having  before  them  the  vouchers  necessary  to  support  the  said  ac- 
count, &  it  appearing  that  a  considerable  Sum  of  Money  will  be 
wanted  in  that  department,  this  account  is  ordered  to  be  rendered 
to  the  Lieu't  of  the  County;  And  an  order  was  drawn  on  the  Trea- 
surer, in  favor  of  Joseph  Green,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  & 
Six  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  by  him  paid  into  the  hands  of  Samuel 
Hunter,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  said  County,  &  to  be  charged  to 
the  said  Hunter. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favor  of  Jacob  S.  How- 
ell, for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  ac- 
count. 


394  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Sam'l  Caldwell  rendered  an  account  of  the  Expences  paid 
by  him  &  Mr.  A.  Nesbitt,  in  conducting  the  Quaker  Prisoners  to 
Reading,  Amounting  to  One  hundred  &  Fifty-Nine  Pounds  Three 
Shillings  &  four  Pence ;  And  an  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer, 
in  favor  of  Mr.  Sam'l  Caldwell,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifty-Nine  Pounds 
Three  Shillings  &  four  Pence,  balance  of  the  aforesaid  Account. 

Order  dated  yesterday. 

Mr.  James  Read  &  Colo.  Clarke,  a  Committee  of  the  Hon'ble 
House  of  General  Assembly,  attended  in  Council  &  laid  before  them 
the  Petition  of  Forty-four  respectable  Persons  of  this  County,  pro- 
posing the  calling  out  the  whole  strength  of  this  State  against  the 
Enemy,  and  proposed  a  conference  between  the  Council  &  General 
Assembly. 

Ordered,  That  John  Brown  be  allowed  the  liberty  of  the. Goal, 
as  other  Prisoners  usually  are. 

The  President  &  Council  having  attended  in  consultation  with  the 
General  Assembly,  &  it  being  agreed  that  the  proposal  made  in  the 
above  mentioned  Petition  be  communicated  to  Congress,  A  Com- 
mitteee  was  appointed  to  draft  a  Letter  to  Congress  for  this  pur- 
pose. 


The  Council  met. 

Friday  January  2,  1778. 
present  : 

His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  <fc  >  p     , 

Tho's  Urie,  John  Bailey.  $  T* rS# 

Letter  to  Congress,  drafted  by  the  Committee,  was  laid  before  the 
Council,  approved  &  sent  into  the  House  of  Assembly. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Peter  Dehavan  &  George  Fry,  directing 
them  to  deliver  to  Colo.  John  Shields,  of  Westmorland  County, 
Thirty-six  Riffle  Guns,  or  such  number  as  are  in  their  possession,  to 
be  delivered  to  Colo.  Arch'd  Lochry,  Lieut,  of  the  said  County; 
and  also  an  order  was  drawn  on  William  Henry  of  this  borough, 
for  all  the  Riffles  in  his  possession,  to  be  delivered  to  Colo.  Archi- 
bald Lochry,  Lieut,  of  the  said  County. 

Ordered,  That  the. Board  of  War  be  requested  to  furnish  Her- 
man Husband,  Esq'r,  with  Two  hundred  Pounds  of  Powder  &  Six 
hundred  Pounds  of  Lead,  for  the  use  of  the  Militia  of  Westmore- 
land County,  in  defending  themselves  against  the  Indians,  and  the 
like  quantity  for  the  use  of  the  Militia  of  Bedford,  for  the  said 
purpose. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favor  of  Jacob  S. 
Howell,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to 
account. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  395 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Philip  Boehm, 
Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of  Northampton,  for  the  Sum  of 
One  thousand  and  five  hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  January  3d,  1778. 
present: 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  &  ?  i?cnv« 

Tho's  Urie,  John  Bailey.  5  *" 

Mr.  Anderson,  Colo.  Dill  &  Colo.  Clarke  attended  in  Council,  & 
laid  before  them  a  Resolve  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  As- 
sembly, (dated  December  29,  1777,)  authorizing  them  to  open  the 
Loan  Office  Chest,  &ca.,  thereupon  requested  the  Key  of  the  said 
Chest,  which  had  been  put  into  the  hands  of  Colo.  Hart;  where- 
upon, Colo.  Hart,  with  the  concurrence  of  Council,  delivered  the 
Keys  to  the  said  Mr.  Anderson,  Colo.  Dill  &  £)olo.  Clarke. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Tolbert, 
for  the  Sum  of  Seven  Pounds  &  ten  Shillings,  for  riding  express  for 
General  Armstrong. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  January  5, 1778. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  &  ")  y    , 

Thomas  Urie,  Thomas  Scott.  j      " 

A  Memorial  from  the  Prisoners  sent  from  Philadelphia  to  Win- 
chester in  Virginia,  was  read. 

The  Council  having  considered  the  State  of  the  Militia  now  in 
the  field, 

Ordered,  That  the  Sixth  &  Seventh  Classes  of  Militia  of  York 
County  ;  The  Fifth  &  Sixth  Classes  of  Militia  of  the  County  of 
Cumberland;  and  the  Fifth  Class  of  Militia  of  the  County  of  North- 
umberland, be  immediately  sent  to  Head  Quarters. 

Ordered,  That  Congress  be  informed  that  the  Prisoners  now  at 
Winchester,  are  considered  by  this  Council  as  the  Prisoners  of  the 
United  States,  <fc  that  a  considerable  expence  hath  been  paid  by 
this  State  removeing  them  to  Winchester.  f 


390  MINUTES  OF  TEE 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  January  6,  1778, 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Tho's  Scott,  & 

Tho's  Urie,  John  Bailey. 

John  Ham  bright, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colo.  Clark. 
Paymaster  of  Cumberland  County,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  Thousand 
Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Thomas  Dorsey,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the 
State. 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  be 
directed  to  enquire  for  some  Block  Tin  &  Lead,  which  has  been 
sent  to  Carlisle  &  lodged  there,  &  procure  One  block  of  the  Tin  & 
a  Pig  of  Lead,  &  send  it  to  Council  by  the  first  opportunity. 


lEsq'rs. 


(.Esq'rs. 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  January  7,  1778 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  .  John  Hambright,  & 

Tho's  Urie,  Tho's  Scott. 

Jos.  Hartley, 

Major  Gen'l  Armstrong  attended  in  Council  &  conferred  with 
them  on  the  situation  of  our  Army. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Maj.  Gen'l 
Armstrong,  for  the  sum  of  One  hundred  &  Fifty  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  account  of  Thomas  Dorsey,  Esq'r,  Paymaster. 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Lacy,  take  the  Command  of  the  Militia  of 
this  State,  which  may  be  Stationed  between  Schuylkill  &  Delaware, 
until  further  orders. 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Kirkbride  be  directed  to  send  out  Thirty 
Light  Horse,  to  be  commanded  by  a  Cornet,  to  do  duty  in  the 
Camp  under  Colo.  Lacy.  Complaint  being  made  that  several 
Waggons  had  been  impressed  contrary  to  the  assurance  given  by 
Council  to  the  Farmers  sending  in  Wood,  Hay,  &ca.  to  this- 
Borough, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.      397 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Hartley,  the  Commanding  Officer  now  here, 
be  directed  to  attend  the  Council  this  Afternoon  :  &  Colo.  Hartley 
attended,  &  being  informed  of  the  Complaint,  assured  the  Council 
that  he  had  not  ordered  the  impressing  of  the  Waggons  above 
mentioned,  &  that  he  would  immediately  order  them' to  be  dis- 
charged. 

Capt.  Blewer  laid  before  the  Council  a  Receipt  signed  by  Sam'l 
Smith,  Lieut.  Colo.  &  Commander  of  Fort  Mifflin,  for  Two  hun- 
dred &  Twenty-four  pair  of  Stockings,  One  hundred  &  Twelve  pair 
of  Shoes,  One  hundred  &  Ninety  Shirts,  k  Twenty  Coats,  for  the 
use  of  the  Party  under  his  Command  in  the  said  Garrison. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  communicated  to  the  Clothier  Gene- 
ral, that  he  may  charge  the  said  Cloathing  to  the  said  Colo.  Smith, 
&  credit  this  State  therewith. 

The  Petition  of  Lambartus  Scheline,  Setting  forth  that  he  has 
been  confined  in  the  Goal  of  Berks  County,  on  the  common  allow- 
ance, upwards  of  Two  Years  &  Three  Months,  under  sentence  of 
Death  for  passing  of  false  counterfeit  Bills,  in  the  form  &  simili- 
tude of  the  true  genuine  Bills,  the  Currency  of  Pennsylvania;  that 
he  is  upwards  of  Seventy  Years  of  Age,  &  that  shortly  after  his 
confinement,  thro'  sickness  and  distress  he  has  entirely  lost  his  Eye- 
sight, &  praying  a  discharge,  &ca.,  now  laid  before  the  Council  & 
read ;  And  after  mature  deliberation  on  his  case,  it  was 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Lambertus  Scheline  be  Pardoned  &  dis- 
charged from  his  confinement,  on  paying  the  costs  of  prosecution  & 
Prison  Fees. 

Mr.  Joseph  Carson,  to  whom  the  Goods  lately  brought  from 
Bucks  County  belong,  requested  that  he  may  be  supplied  with  the 
Sum  of  Seven  thousand  Pounds  in  Loan  Office  Certificates,  in  part 
of  the  Amount  of  the  said  Goods ;  &  it  appearing  that  there  is  a 
considerable  sum  of  Money  yet  due  on  the  last  order  of  Congress 
on  the  Treasury  in  favor  of  this  Council,  &  that  the  Sum  required 
by  Mr.  Carson  may  be  had  at  the  Loan  Office  in  Certificates,  toward 
the  Payment  of  the  said  order  of  Congress;  whereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasur3r  in  favor  of  the  said  Jos. 
Carson,  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  paid  to  him 
in  Continental  Loan  Office  Certificates  &  charged  to  him. 


MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Thursday  January  8,  1778- 


present: 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  & 

John  Bailey,  Tho's  Scott. 

Tho's  Urie, 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  a  return  of  Justices  made 
by  the  Township  of  Munsey,  in  the  County  of  Northumberland ; 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Andrew  Culbertson  &  Mordecai  M'Kinney  be 
appointed  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Northumberland, 
&  their  Commissions  were  dated  this  day. 


(►Esq'rs. 


lEsq'rs. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  January  9, 1778. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  John  Ham  bright, 

John  Bailey,  Tho's  Scott,  & 

Tho's  Urie,  Jac'b  Arndt. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  appointing  of  a  Wag- 
gon Master  for  the  State,  &  Waggon  Masters  for  the  respective 
Counties,  according  to  Law ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  James  Young,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Waggon  Mas- 
ter of  the  State,  &  that  the  following  persons  be  appointed  Wag- 
gon Masters  of  their  respective  Counties  :  Philadelphia  County, 
Colo.  John  Moore ;  Chester  County,  Tho's  Boyd,  Esq'r;  Bucks 
County,  John  Thompson,  Esq'r ;  Lancaster  County,  James  Bayly; 
Berks  County,  Leonard  Reed  ;  York  County,  Jos.  Jefferys;  Cum- 
berland County,  Matt'w  Gregg;  Northampton  County,  Conrad 
Kuider ;  Bedford  County,  John  Cesna;  Northumberland  County, 

Jas.  Mc- ;  Westmoreland  County,  And'w  Linn. 

The  Council  agreed  unanimously,  that  there  is  a  necessity  of  ap- 
pointing another  Brigadier  General ;  And  thereupon,  being  voted  for 
by  Ballot,  John  Lacey,  jun.,  was  elected  by  an  unanimous  vote  to 
be  Brigadier  General. 

Ordered,  That  the  seventh  &  Eight  Classes  of  the  Militia  of  the 
County  of  Northampton  be  called  into  the  field. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  399 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  Jan'ry  10,  1778.. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  Geo.  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Jac'b  Arndt,  ") 

John  Bailey,  John  Hambright,  &  v  Esq'rs. 

Tho's  Urie,  Tho's  Scott.  ) 

Colo.  Hart  went  this  day  for  Newtown. 


The  Council  met, 

Lancaster,  Monday  January  12,  1778. 

present : 
The  Hon'ble  GEO.  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  Tho's  Urie,  & 


John  Hambright,  Tho's  Scott.      y  Esq'rs. 

Jac'b  Arndt, 


(.Esq'i 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Tuesday  January  13,  1773 


I  Esq'rs. 


present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,  Tho's  Urie,  & 

John  Hambright,  Tho's  Scott. 

Jac.  Arndt, 

Colo.  Bull  attended  &  hinted  to  Council  that  about  five  hundred 
Arms  fit  for  service  were  sent  to  Colo.  Antis',  that  Arms  generally 
suffer  in  removing  them  from  place  to  place,  for  want  of  Boxes 
to  carry  them  in. 

Colo.  Bull  exhibited  an  account  of  Work  done  by  him  at  Billings- 
port  &  Red  Bank,  Amounting  to  Four  hundred  &  Sixty  Seven 
Pounds  j  Three  Pounds  &  of  money  received  by  him  at  several 
times,  amounting  to  Two  hundred  &  One  Pounds  Ten  Shillings  & 
five  Pence,  &  it  appears  that  a  balance  of  Two  hundred  &  Sixty 
five  Pounds  Twelve  Shillings  &  Seven  Pence,  is  due  to  him 
thereon, 


400  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Jacob  S.  Howell  for  the  Payment  of  the 
said  Balance. 

Colo.  Bull  requesting  that  his  pay  as  Colo.  Commandant  at  Bil- 
lingsport  &  Bed  Bank,  from  the  time  of  his  appointment  to  that 
Office  on  the  15th  Feb'ry,  1777,  to  the  i7th  June,  1777,  &  from 
the  last  mentioned  date  to  this  day,  as  Adjutant  General  of  the 
Militia  of  this  State  j  on  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Bull  be  allowed  "  As  Colo.  Commandant " 
at  Billingsport  &  Red  Bunk  : 

4  Mo.  &  2  days,  @  85  Dollars  ^  Mo.,  -     -    -     -      j  ^F!' 

As  Adjutant  General  of  the  Militia  of  Pennsylvania: 

6  Mo.  &  26  days  @  100  Dollars  f  Mo.,    -    -     -    I    6861 


1032* 


And  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favour  of  Colo.  John 
Bull,  for  the  said  Sums  of  Three  hundred  &  forty-five  Dollars  & 
Two-thirds  of  a  Dollar,  &  Six  hundred  &  Eighty-six  Dollars  & 
Two-thirds  of  a  Dollar,  both  of  them  to  be  charged  to  the  Pay- 
master of  the  Militia  of  this  State. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  situation  of  our  Mili- 
tia now  in  the  Field,  <fc  the  probability  of  what  number  may  be 
called  into  the  Field,  were  of  opinion  that  an  Adjutant  General  will 
not  be  necessary  ;  &  therefore, 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Bull  be  informed,  in  the  most  respectful 
terms,  that  the  Council  are  of  opinion  that  his  Services  as  Adju- 
tant General  will  not  be  any  longer  necessary ;  &  lest  he  should 
consider  it  as  intended  as  a  dismission  of  him  from  the  service  in 
consequence  of  some  disapprobation  of  his  conduct,  that  he  be  in- 
formed that  it  is  not  intended  to  appoint  another  Person  in  his 
room. 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  January  14,  1778. 

present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Bailey,    ~) 
Jacob  Arndt,    v  Esq'rs. 
Tho's  Urie.       ) 
An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Jacob  S.  How- 
ell, or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred  Pounds,  for  which 
he  is  to  account. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.      401 

Capt.  John  Dav'd  Woelper,  of  the  German  Battalion  in  Conti- 
nental Service,  laid  before  the  Council  an  Account  of  Four  Pounds 
&  Ten  Shillings,  paid  by  him  for  taking  up  four  deserters,  agreeable 
to  the  direction  of  an  Act  of  General  Assembly  of  this  State,  pas- 
sed Feb'ry  20,  1777  j  On  consideration, 

The  Council  ordered  the  same  to  be  paid  by  the  State  Treasurer, 
&  informed  Capt.  Woelper  that  they  have  granted  this  order  from  a 
desire  of  avoiding  the  discouragement  of  the  taking  up  of  Deser- 
ters, rather  than  from  the  justice  of  the  claim,  as  they  apprehend 
he  ought  to  have  reimbursed  himself  out  of  the  pay  of  the  Soldiers 
so  taken  up. 

Rob't  Levers,  Esq'r,  of  the  County  of  Northampton,  having  had 
orders  to  send  forward  a  quantity  of  Indigo  to  Boston  to  be  sold 
there,  &  the  Money  laid  out  in  Clothing  for  the  Troops,  &  he  now 
representing  that  it  will  be  necessary  to  send  a  number  of  Wag- 
gons to  bring  the  said  Clothing  back,  more  than  will  be  necessary 
to  carry  the  indigo  there, 

Ordered  That  three  hundred  &  Fifty  Pounds  be  put  into  his 
hands  to  purchase  Iron,  &  send  by  the  said  Waggons  for  the  like 
purpose,  & 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  his  favour  for  the  said 
Sum  of  Three  hundred  &  Fifty  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  ac- 
count. 

-  Council  having  repeatedly  had  under  their  consideration  the  re- 
commendation of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  of  the 
2d  inst.,  respecting  the  Recruiting  Men  to  complete  one  Quota  of 
the  Continental  Army,  &  being  fully  satisfied  that  men  qualified  & 
willing  to  perform  this  business  cannot  be  found,  And  that  an  at- 
tempt to  carry  into  execution  the  plan  therein  recommended,  would 
be  attended  with  great  inconvenience  &  loss  of  time,  if  not  with 
fatal  Consequences  ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  this  Council  will  write  to  His  Excell'y  Gen'l 
Washington,  lay  before  him  the  said  recommendation,  &  request 
him  to  nominate  two  Officers,  who  he  may  think  best  qualified,  in 
each  Battalion  of  this  State,  to  Recruit  Men  for  the  said  Battalions, 
who  shall  repair  to  the  different  Counties  of  this  State  &  attend 
immediately  to  this  important  duty,  and  acquaint  His  Excell'y  that 
Council  will  deposit  in  the  hands  of  the  Lieutenant  of  the  respec- 
tive Counties  a  Sum  of  Money  to  Pay  the  bounty  ordered  by  the 
Honorable  House  of  Assembly,  to  whom  the  said  Officers  may  apply 
from  time  to  time  for  the  same,  as  they  shall  inlist  men. 


vol.  xi. — 26. 


402  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  Jan'ry  15,  1778. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  Thomas  Urie,  ") 

Jacob  Morgan,  John  Hambright,  &  C  Esq'rs. 

Thomas  Scott,  Jacob  Arndt.  ) 

Jacob  Dingee  &  Rich'd  Strode  delivered  the  body  of  Charles 
Dingee,  late  of  the  County  of  Chester,  to  the  order  of  this  Coun- 
cil, agreeable  to  the  condition  of  a  Bond  by  them  given,  with 
Thos's  Meeter,  to  his  Excell'y  the  President,  taken  by  Elias  Bou- 
dinot,  Esquire,  Commissioner  of  Prisoners,  when  he  was  attempt- 
ing to  go  into  Philadelphia  while  in  the  Possession  of  the  Enemy, 
contrary  to  law ;  And  being  there  examined,  &  it  appearing  that  he 
hath  not  taken  the  Oath  or  Affirmation  of  Allegiance  directed  by 
the  Laws  of  this  State,  the  same  was  read  &  tendered  to  him,  and 
he  being  requested  to  withdraw  &  take  time  to  consider  of  the 
same,  withdrew  accordingly,  &  after  some  time,  voluntarily  returned 
&  declared  he  could  not  take  the  said  Oath  or  Affirmation ;  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Charles  Dingee  be  committed  to  the 
Goal  of  this  County,  there  to  remain  until  he  shall  take  the  Oath 
or  Affirmation  aforesaid,  <&  give  further  security  of  his  Allegiance 
by  Two  able  &  sufficient  sureties,  each  bound  in  the  Sum  of  Five 
hundred  Pounds. 


The  Council  set. 

Lancaster,  Friday  January  16,  1778. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r, President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Bailey,  Thomas  Urie,  ~\ 

Jacob  Morgan,  John  Hambright,  &  I    Esq'rs. 

Thomas  Scott,  Jacob  Arndt.  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  John 
Hubley,  for  the  Sum  of  Nine  Pounds,  for  Money  paid  by  him  to 
an  express  sent  by  Council  to  Northumberland. 

The  case  of  W'm  Montgomery,  now  confined  in  the  Goal  in  the 
County  of  York,  being  properly  within  the  authority  of  the  Jus- 
tices of  that  County,  is  referred  to  them. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  403 

The  Council  having  had  for  some  time  past  the  State  of  the  Salt 
works  belonging  to  Pennsylvania,  erected  at  Tom's  River,  &  the 
necessity  of  an  assistant  Director, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  James  Davidson  be  employed  to  assist  in  the 
direction  of  the  said  works,  &  an  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer 
in  favour  of  Mr.  James  Davidson,  for  One  Thousand  Pounds,  to 
be  applied  in  procuring  necessaries  for  the  Salt  works,  &  for  which 
tie  is  to  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  January  19,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Tho's  Urie. 

Jacob  Arndt,  Tho's  Scott.       J-Esq'rs, 


John  Hambright, 


} 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Tuesday  January  20,  1778. 


PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Urie  &  "1 

John  Hambright,  Thomas  Scott.      vEsq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 


The  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Northumberland  having  re- 
presented that  several  inhabitants  of  that  County  had  been  lately 
killed  by  the  Indians,  and  that  there  was  reason  to  apprehend  that 
a  considerable  body  of  them  was  now  meditating  a  blow  against 
the  frontiers  of  the  said  County;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Northumberland 
use  his  best  discretion  with  respect  to  the  Class  of  Militia  now 
called  out,  &  apply  such  part  thereof  to  the  defence  of  the  inhabi- 
tants as  may  appear  to  be  necessary ;  he  giving  this  Council  from 
time  to  time  intelligence  of  his  proceedings  herein. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Peter  Deha- 
ven,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  Hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  ac- 
count. 

James  Dunn,  a  wounded  Militia  Man,  applied  to  Council  for  re- 
lief $  thereupon, 


404  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  Wm.  Henry,  Esq'r,  Lieut,  of  Philadelphia,  be 
requested  to  supply  the  said  Dunn  with  such  Money  as  appears  to 
be  necessary  for  him  in  his  present  Situation. 

Gen'l  Fulsom  &  Mr.  Danae,  Members  of  Congress,  two  of  the 
Committee  appointed  by  that  Hon'ble  Body,  to  take  into' conside- 
ration the  proposed  attack  on  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  attended  in 
Council  &,  laid  before  them  the  following  Resolve  of  Congress,  to 
wit : 

"  In  Congress,  January  16,  1778. 

"  Resolved,  That  Congress  highly  applaud  the  rising  spirit  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Pennsylvania  to  regain  the  Capital  of  their  State 
and  drive  out  our  cruel  invaders  ;  That  Congress  are  ready  &  wil- 
ling, with  all  their  power,  toco-operate  with  them  for  effecting  this 
Salutary  purpose  :  That  to  this  end  the  Committee  appointed  to  go 
to  the  Camp,  be  directed  to  consult  with  the  President  &  Council 
of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  &  with  Gen'l  Washington,  on  the 
Subject,  &  if  upon  consultation  the  measure  shall  be  deemed  prac- 
ticable, that  they  be  fully  empowered  to  call  on  the  neighboring 
States  for  such  aids  as  they  shall  think  necessary,  &  take  every 
measure  which  they  shall  think  proper  for  effecting  the  end  pro- 
posed. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes, 

"  Signed   CHA.  THOMSON,  Scc'y." 

The  same  was  read  &  a  free  conference  had  thereupon. 

The  Act  entitled  "An  Act  for  the  better  Supply  of  the  Armies 
of  the  United  States  of  America/'  was  read,  so  far  as  it  relates  to 
the  procuring  Provisions,  in  order  to  shew  the  measures  taken  by 
this  State  for  the  said  purpose,  &  the  probability  of  supplying  the 
Militia  if  called. 

Council  taking  into  their  consideration  the  Act  last  above  men- 
tion'd,  observe  that  there  are  no  Commissioners  appointed  therein 
for  the  County  of  Berks,  &  being  fully  satisfied  of  the  necessity 
of  having  Commissioners  in  the  said  County,  for  collecting  &  pur- 
chasing Provisions  &  forage  therein  for  the  Army  j  That  the  omit- 
ting to  name  in  the  Act  Commissioners  for  the  said  County,  was 
owing  to  a  mistake  in  the  Clerk ;  and  that  very  dangerous  conse- 
quences may  arise  from  the  delay  thereof  until  the  next  meeting 
of  the  General  Assembly;  thereupon,  for  the  Public  Safety  &  from 
the  necessity  of  so  doing, 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Valentine  Eckhard  &  John  Lasher,  of  the 
County  of  Berks,  be  &  they  are  hereby  appointed  &  authorized  to 
act  as  Commissioners  for  purchasing  Provisions  &  Forage  for  tho 
Army  in  the  said  County,  &  to  use  &  exercise  like  powers  &  au- 
thorities as  are  given  by  the  said  Act  to  any  of  the  Commissioners 
therein  named,  until  the  General  Assembly  shall  otherwise  order 
herein. 


( 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  405 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  January  21,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'yTHO'S  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Urie,  &  ^ 

John  Ham  bright,  ,  Thomas  Scott.      J-Esq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 

Jacob  Morgan,  Esq'r,  went  this  afternoon  for  Reading. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Shriver,  Sum- 
mers &  Lasky,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand  Pounds,  towards  the 
Amount  of  their  Bill  for  supplying  the  Fleet,  to  be  charged  to 
Will'm  Crispin,  Commissary  of  Provisions  for  the  said  Fleet. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  return  of  Justices  for 
the  Township  of  Penn,  in  the  County  of  Northumberland, 

Ordered,  That  BeDJa.  Weiser  be  appointed  &  commissioned  as 
a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  said  County,  &  was  accordingly  Com- 
missioned, bearing  date  this  day. 

A  Petition  from  Mich'l  Hubley,  Esq'r,  Barrack  Master  of  the 
Borough  of  Lancaster,  being  read  &  considered, 

Ordered,  That  in  consideration  of  the  great  increase  of  the  duty 
in  his  department,  the  Pay  &  Rations  of  Mich'l  Hubley,  Esq'r, 
Barrack  Master  of  the  Borough  of  Lancaster,  be  equal  to  that  of  a 
Major;  that  he  be  allowed  Forage  for  One  Horse  ;  that  he  be  al- 
lowed such  assistance  from  time  to  time  as  may  be  necessary ;  and 
that  he  be  allowed  Forage  for  a  Horse  from  the  day  of  his  first  ap- 
pointment as  Barrack  Master. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  January  22;  1778. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Thomas  Urie,  John  Hambright;  & 

Jacob  Arndt,  Thomas  Scott. 


i  Esq'rs. 


I  Esq'rs. 


406  MINUTES  OF   THE 

The  Council  met. 
i 

Lancaster,  Friday  January  23,  1778. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Thomas  Urie,  John  Hambright,  & 

Jacob  Arndt,  Thomas  Scott. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  case  of  John  Brown, 
now  confined  in  the  Goal  of  this  County,  after  very  mature  delibe- 
ration, 

Ordered,  That  John  Brown,  now  confined  in  the  Gaol  of  this 
County,  be  enlarged  from  his  present  confinement  &  be  permitted 
to  reside  at  the  Town  of  Manheim,  in  the  County  of  Lancaster,  & 
within  five  Miles  of  the  same,  he  giving  Bail  to  be  &  appear  at 
such  Court  within  the  State  before  which  he  shall  be  called,  & 
answer  such  charges  as  shall  be  brought  against  him,  within  One 
Year  from  this  day ;  That  he  shall  abide  the  Judgment  of  such 
Court;  And  that  he  shall  in  the  meantime  be  of  good  behaviour, 
himself  to  be  bound  in  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand  Pounds,  &  one 
Sufficient  Freeholder  in  the  like  Sum. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  January  24,  1778, 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r.  President. 

Thomas  Urie,  Thomas  Scott,  &  ^ 

Jacob  Arndt,  Joseph  Hart.  y  Esq'rs. 

John  Hambright,  J 

Will'm  Scott,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of  York  County. 
laid  before  Council  a  Letter  from  Ric'd  McCallister,  Esq'r,  propo- 
sing among  other  things,  that  an  order  be  drawn  on  him  in  favor 
of  Mr.  Scott,  for  the  Money  in  his  hands,  arising  from  Fines,  &ca. 
On  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  an  order  be  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of 
Will'm  Scott,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  York, 
for  the  Sum  of  Four  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Tho's 
Dorsey,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the  State ;  And  that  it  be  recommend- 
ed to  D.  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  to  endorce  on  the  order  a  Certificate 
to  Rich'd  McCallister,  Esq'r,  Lieut,  of  said  County;  that  the  said 
Will'm  Scott's  Receipt  thereon  will  be  allowed  as  a  Sufficient 
voucher  for  the  Money  paid  him  in  virtue  of  the  said  Order. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  407 

John  Brown  having  given  Bail  for  his  appearance  agreeable  to 
the  order  of  yesterday, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  John  Brown  be  enlarged  from  his  pre- 
sent confinement,  he  Paying  the  Fees,  &ca. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  January  26,  1778. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  £>ryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Urie,  &  ") 

Jacob  Arndt,  Thomas  Scott.        j-Esq'rs. 

John  Hambright,  J 

Mr.  John  White  Swift  attended  the  Council  &  informed  that  he 
had  become  bound  with  surety  to  the  Gov'r  of  Maryland,  for  his 
appearance  before  this  Council,  in  consequence  of  his  having  re- 
fused to  take  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  required  by  the  Laws  of  that 
State,  and  that  he  now  attends  the  Council  in  consequence  of  the 
said  obligation. 


The  Council  met. 

m 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  January  27, 1778. 
1 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Urie,  &  *) 

Jacob  Arndt,  Thomas  Scott.       |>  Esq'rs. 

John  Hambright,  J 

Council  taking  into  consideration  a  Letter  laid  before  them  by 
Capt.  Lang,  addressed  to  him  from  Colo.  Francis  Johnson,  Wherein 
among  other  things,  he  says  that  he  "  still  continues  so  unwell  and 
infirm  that  he  cannot  undertake  the  duties  of  his  Office," 

Speaking  of  the  Office  of  Clothier  General,  &ca;  Whereupon, 
Ordered,  That  Jacob  S.  Howell,  be  appointed  Receiver  General 
of  Clothing,  in  the  room  of  Colo.  Francis  Johnson,  whose  indis- 
position of  body  renders  him  incapable  of  performing  the  duties 
of  the  said  Office  required  by  Law. 


408  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  January  28,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y,  THO'S  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  "] 

Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Scott,  &      !  ™    *, 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,  ^»   sq  r  . 

Thomas  Urie,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Tho's  Dorsey, 
Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  Militia,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  thousand  Pounds, 
for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
Jacob  Morgan,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  hundred  &  fifty  Pounds, 
to  be  charged  to  Colo.  Isaac  Melchior,  Barrack  Master. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  January  29,  1778. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,         "J 

Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Scott,  &    !  -™    , 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,  j       ^ 

Thomas  Urie,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer 'in  favor  of  Mr.  Jos.  Brad- 
ford, for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  &  five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  Will'm  Crispin,  Esq'r,  Commissary  of  Provisions  for  the 
Navy,  &  to  be  delivered  to  him  by  Mr.  Bradford. 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Will'm  Cris- 
pin, Esq'r,  for  the  further  Sum  of  One  Thousand  &  five  hundred 
Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  extravagant  price  of 
Spirituous  Liquors,  &  the  extreme  difficulty,  if  not  impossibility,  of 
procuring  a  supply  for  our  Navy, 

Ordered,  That  the  Men  of  the  Navy  be  allowed  One  shilling 
each  Man  P  Diem,  in  lieu  of  their  Rations  of  Rum,  until  the 
General  Assembly  shall  otherwise  order  herein. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Tyler, 
Armourer,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to 
his  account. 


^      SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  409 

A  Petition  of  a  number  of  respectable  Germans,  praying  for  some 
assistance  in  establishing  &  Circulating  a  German  Newspaper,  being 
now  read  &  considered;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Council  do  take  &  distribute  five  hundred  Ger- 
man Newspapers  Weekly,  at  the  same  price  at  which  they  now  pay 
to  Mr.  John  Dunlap  for  the  English  Paper,  and  that  Mr.  Bayley, 
printer  of  this  Borough,  be  informed  thereof. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  January  30,  1778. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President.  / 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,       ~] 

Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Scott,  &  !  „    , 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,       \     h^ 

Thomas  Urie,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Ebenezer  Co- 
well,  for  the  sum  of  Three  hundred  Pounds,  on  account  of  repair- 
ing  Muskets,  &ca.,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Application  being  made  by  Letter  from  Colo.  Lutterlish,  for  Two 
hundred  &  Eighty  Waggons,  for  the  immediate  service  of  the  Army, 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  furnished  by  the  following  Counties, 
Viz: 

Philadelphia  County,  30 
Dr.  Gardner,  Chester  do.        60 

Bucks  do.        50 

By  Mr.  Anderson, 

(Assemblyman)         Lancaster   p        do.        CO 

Order  sent  by  Colo.  Berks  do.        50 

Weitzel,  Northampton     do.        30 

—  280  Waggons. 
John  Gottlieb  Metscher,  a  suspected  person,  was  brought  before 

the  Council,  &  Committed  by  the  Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r. 


410  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  January  31,  1778. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  ")  t 

Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Scott,  &    I  ]?s0»rs 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,  j      ^ 

Thomas  Urie,  J 

A  Petition  of  a  respectable  number  of  Militia  of  the  fifth  bat- 
talion of  Cumberland  County,  representing  their  exposed  situation 
&  danger  from  the  incursion  of  the  Indians,  &  praying  (in  effect,) 
that  the  Classes  now  ordered  into  service  may  be  permitted  to  go 
against  the  Indians,  was  now  read  &  considered,  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  agreeable  to  the  order  of  the  9th  of  December 
last,  in  the  case  of  the  Counties  of  Bedford  &  Westmoreland,  the 
fifth  &  sixth  Classes  of  the  fifth  Battalion  of  Militia  of  the  said 
County  of  Cumberland,  now  under  orders  to  march  to  Camp,  be  em- 
ployed in  the  immediate  defence  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  frontiers 
of  that  and  the  neighboring  Counties  against  the  Indians ;  and 
that  the  Lieutenant  of  the  said  County  be  empowered  to  call  out 
from  time  to  time,  such  part  of  the  Seventh  &  Eighth  Classes  of 
the  Militia  of  the  said  County  as  shall  be  absolutely  necessary  for 
the  defence  of  the  Frontiers.  And  it  is  recommended  to  the  Lieut, 
of  the  County  of  Cumberland  to  Correspond  with  the  Lieut's  of 
Bedford,  Westmoreland,  &  Northumberland,  so  as  to  act  in  con- 
junction, as  much  as  may  be,  for  the  public  safety,  and  give  this 
Council  the  earliest  intelligence  of  his  proceedings  herein. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  January  2,  1778. 

present: 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,         "") 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,  &      I  -^    , 

Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Scott,         i 

John  Hambright,  J 

Ordered,  That  such  of  the  fifth  &  sixth  Classes  of  the  fifth  Bat- 
talion of  the  County  of  Cumberland  as  are  now  on  their  March,  do 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  411 

proceed  on  to  Camp,  as  it  was  not  the  intention  of  the  order  of  the 
31st  of  last  Month  to  Stop  those  already  on  their  March. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colo.  Hugn 
Davison,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to 
Colo.  John  Piper,  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Bedford,  &  by  Colo. 
Davison  to  be  delivered  to  Colo.  Piper. 

A  Letter  from  Colo.  John  Piper,  Lieut,  of  Bedford  County,  was 
read. 

,  A  Petition  from  divers  inhabitants  of  that  County,  &  a  Letter 
from  Colonel  Davison  were  also  read,  the  whole  representing  the  sit- 
uation of  that  County.  And  Colo.  Piper's  Letter  informed  Coun- 
cil that  he  was  about  to  enlist  a  number  of  Men  for  nine  Months; 
the  same  being  considered, 

Ordered,  That  a  Letter  be  written  to  Colo.  Piper,  informing  him 
that  Council  were  surprized  at  his  having  adopted  such  a  measure, 
which  he  not  been  authorized  to  do  by  this  Council,  nor  was  it  in 
the  power  of  this  Council  to  have  done  so. 

^  Brig'r  G-en'l  Lacey  having  been  appointed  one  of  the  Commis- 
sioners for  Collecting  of  Clothing  in  the  County  of  Bucks,  which 
his  duty  as  Brig'r  G-en'l  will  so  far  interfere  with  the  said  appoint- 
ment as  to  make  it  necessary  to  appoint  another  Commissioner  in 
his  stead ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  John  Kerr,  of  the  County  of  Bucks,  be  appointed 
Commissioner  for  the  Collecting  of  Cloathing  in  the  said  County, 
in  the  room  &  stead  of  John  Lacey,  Esq'r,  appointed  to  be  a  Brig- 
adier General. 

(Copy  sent  by  Express.) 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  February  3d,  1778. 

PRESENT  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,         *") 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,  1  ™    , 

Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Scott,  &    fm<*  rs' 

John  Hambright,  John  Bailey,  J 

A  Letter  from  the  Board  of  War  of  31st  January,  with  a  Re- 
solve  of  Congress  of  the  30th,  respecting  the  Flag,  was  read. 


412  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Wednesday  February  4,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,         *) 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie, 

Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Scott,  & 

John  Hambright,  John  Bailey,         J 


j>Esq'rs. 


The  Council  met* 

Lancaster,  Thursday  Feb'ry  5,  1778. 

PRESENT  I 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President.     . 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt, 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,         I  j*    , 

Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Scott,  &    ^sq  rS" 

John  Hambright,  John  Bailey, 

Colo.  Joshua  Elder  informed  the  Council  that  he  had  several  ac- 
counts of  Expenses  incurred  by  divers  Classes  of  the  Militia  of  the 
County  of  Lancaster  before  the  appointment  of  a  Commissary,  and 
the  Council  taking  the  same  into  consideration;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Philip  Marsteller,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the  said 
County,  do  examine  the  said  accounts,  &  pay  the  same,  so  far  as  they 
shall  appear  to  be  just  &  equitable. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  Feb'ry  6,  1778. 
present: 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  "j 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,  &     !  r,    , 

Jacob  Morgan,  Thomas  Scott,         j      ^ 

John  Hambright,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
Tho's  Scott,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  one  hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  his  account. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  413 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  Feb'ry  7,  1778. 

Ordered,  That  the  Paymasters  of  the  several  Counties  examine 
the  accounts  of  expences  which  have  occurred  in  the  supply  of  the 
Militia  with  Provisions,  before  they  could  have  been  supplied  by 
the  Commissaries,  &  Pay  such  Sums  as  shall  appear  just  &  equi- 
table. 

Ordered,  That  .Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  supply  Colo.  Buchanan's 
Battalion  of  Militia,  from  Cumberland  County,  with  12  Axes&  12 
Camp  Kettles. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  Feb'ry  9,  1778. 
Present  as  on  Saturday. 

It  being  represented  to  Council  that  John  G-otlieb  Metscher,  now 
confined  in  G-oal  as  a  Suspicious  person,  has  given  strong  evidence 
of  his  being  a  friend  to  the  United  States;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  on  his  taking  the  Oath  or  Affirmation  of  Alle- 
giance required  by  Law,  he  be  discharged. 

Ordered,  That  fifteen  coarse  Coverlids,  which  were  as  Wrappers 
round  the  Cloths  lately  purchased  of  Mr.  Carson,  be  sent  to  the 
Hospital. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favor  of  His  Excell'y 
Tho's  Wharton,  jun'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  hundred  &  fifty 
Pounds,  for  half  a  Year's  Salary  as  President  of  this  Council. 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Tuesday  Feb'ry  10,  1778, 
Present  as  Yesterday. 


414  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Wednesday  Feb'ry  11,  1778. 
present : 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jacob  Arndt, 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,  &  J-Esq'rs. 

John  Hambright,  Thomas  Scott, 


It,       -) 

•ie,  &  VEsq'i 

30tt,      J 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  Feb'ry  12,  1778. 

PRESENT  I 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Jacob  Arndt,       ") 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,  &  >  Esq'rs. 

John  Hambright,  Thomas  Scott,     ) 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  Feb'ry  13,  1778, 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Jacob  Arndt,       1 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,  &  W  Esq'rs. 

John  Hambright,  Thomas  Scott,     J 

The  Hon'ble  W.  A.  Atlee,  Esq'r,  Commissary  of  Prisoners,  in- 
formed the  Council  that  there  was  a  number  of  Prisoners  to  be 
now.  forwarded 'to  York  Town,  &  that  Capt.  Long,  with  a  Company 
of  the  York  County  Militia,  was  now  in  the  Borough  on  their  way 
home,  whose  time  of  Service  expired  this  day ;  &  that  they  were 
willing  to  take  charge  of  the  Prisoners  &  conduct  them  to  York- 
town,  on  condition  that  they  draw  Rations  &  receive  Pay  during 
the  time  they  shall  be  employed  in  this  serviee;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Long  &  his  Company,  employed  in  con- 
ducting Prisoners  from  this  Borough  to  York  Town,  be  continued 
in  Pay  &  receive  Rations  from  this  day  until  they  shall  have  per- 
formed that  Service. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  415 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  February  14,  1778. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Jacob  Arndt,        ") 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,  &   V  Esq'rs. 

John  Hambright,  Thomas  Scott,      ) 

The  Resolve  of    Congress  of    February  the   third,   1778,  was 
now  read : 


"In  Congress,  February  3d,  1778. 

"Resolved,  That  every  Officer  who  holds,  or  shall  hereafter  hold, 
a  Commission  or  Office  from  Congress,  shall  take  &  Subscribe  the 

following  Oath  or  Affirmation  :     I, — do  acknowledge 

the  United  States  of  America  to  be  Free,  Independent,  &  Sovereign 
States,  and  declare  that  the  People  thereof  owe  no  allegiance  or 
obedience  to  George  the  Third,  King  of  Great  Britain ;  &  I  renounce, 
refuse,  and  abjure  any  allegiance  or  obedience  to  him ;  &  I  do 
Swear  (or  affirm)  that  I  will,  to  the  utmost  of  my  power,  sup- 
port, maintain,  &  defend  the  said  United  States  against  the  said 
King  George  the  Third,  his  heirs  &  successors,  &  his  &  their  abet- 
tors, assistants,  &  adherents,  &  will  serve  the  said  United  States  in 

the  Office  of which  I  now  hold,  with  fidelity,  according 

to  the  best  of  my  skill  &  understanding,  So  help  me  God. 

"  That  all  Officers  of  the  Army  shall  take  &  subscribe  the  foregoing 
Oath  or  Affirmation,  before  the  Commander-in-Chief,  or  any  Major 
General,  or  Brigadier  General ;  That  all  Officers  of  the  Navy  shall 
take  &  Subscribe,  before  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  Navy 
Boards,  or  before  a  Judge  or  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  the  State 
wherein  they  respectively  reside,  or  shall  receive  their  Commissions 
or  Warrants;  That  all  persons  holding  any  Civil  office  of  trust  or 
profit,  under  the  Congress  of  these  United  States,  shall  take  &  sub- 
scribe the  said  Oath  or  Affirmation,  before  a  Judge  or  Justice  of 
the  Peace  of  the  State  wherein  they  respectively  reside;  That  every 
Officer  having  the  disposal,  or  who  is  or  shall  be  intrusted  with  the 
charge  or  distribution  of  Public  Stores,  shall,  at  the  time  of  taking 
&  Subscribing  the  foregoing  Oath  or  Affirmation,  also  take  an  Oath 
or  Affirmation  of  Office  in  the  following  words : 

"  <  I, do  Swear  (or  Affirm)  that  I  will  faithfully, 

truly,  &  impartially  execute  the  Office  of to  which   I 

am  appointed,  &  render  a  true  account  when  thereunto  required,of  all 
Public  Monies  by  me  received  or  expended,  &  of  all  Stores  or  other 
effects  to  me  intrusted,  which  belong  to  the  United  States,  &  will, 


416  MINUTES  OF  THE 

in  all  respects,  discharge  the  trust  reposed  in  me  with  justice  &  in- 
tegrity, to  the  best  of  my  skill  <fc  understanding.' 

"  That  every  Officer  taking  the  foregoing  Oaths  or  Affirmations,  or 
either  of  them,  shall  obtain  from  the  person  administering  the  same, 
duplicate  certificates  specifying  the  time  of  his  taking  it  or  them,  &  also 
his  name  &  rank  or  employment;  That  every  Military  Officer  shall  de- 
liver or  transmit  one  of  the  certificates  so  obtained  to  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief, or  the  Commander  of  a  Department,  or  to  such 
person  as  by  General  Orders  shall  be  appointed  to  receive  the  same, 
&  the  said  commanding  Officers  shall  cause  the  certificates  so  re- 
ceived to  be  sent  to  the  Secretary  of  Congress,  &  shall  keep  an 
exact  list  of  the  names  of  all  Officers  whose  certificates  shall  be 
received  &  forwarded,  together  with  their  several  rank,  &  the  times 
of  their  being  qualified;  That  every  Officer  in  the  Navy  shall  de- 
liver or  send  one  of  the  certificates  by  him  obtained  to  the  Navy 
Board  most  convenient,  who  are  requested  to  transmit  the  same,  & 
also  a  certificate  of  their  own  qualifications  to  the  Marine  Com- 
mittee, as  soon  as  conveniently  may  be  ;  That  every  other  person 
employed  in  any  civil  department,  or  Officer  as  above  mentioned  , 
shall  send  or  deliver  one  of  the  certificates  by  him  obtained  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  State  to  which  he  belongs,  or  to  such  other  person 
or  persons  as  the  Governor  or  President  of  such  State  shall  direct; 
And  the  Governors  or  Presidents  of  the  several  States  are  hereby 
requested  to  attend  to  this  matter,  &  to  cause. the  certificates  when 
received  to  be  transmitted  to  the  Secretary  of  Congress ;  That  each 
deponant  or  affirmant  shall  retain  &  keep  the  other  certificate  by 
him  obtained,  as  a  voucher  of  his  having  complied  with  what  is 
hereby  enjoined  him. 

"Resolved,  That  every  Officer,  civil  or  military,  now  in  Office, 
shall  take  &  subscribe  the  qualification  above  mentioned,  within 
Twenty  days  after  notice  hereof;  &  every  person  hereafter  appointed 
to  any  office,  by  or  under  the  authority  of  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  shall  take  &  subscribe  the  same  previous 
to  his  acting  in  such  Office;  And  every  Officer  who  shall  continue 
or  presume  to  exercise  any  Commission,  civil  or  military,  under 
the  authority  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
without  taking  the  qualification  in  time  and  manner  above  directed, 
shall  be  cashiered  &  forfeit  two  {Months'  Pay  to  the  use  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  &  be  rendered  incapable  of  serving  in  the 
Army  of  the  said  States,  &  of  executing  thereafter  any  Office  under 
Congress. 

"  And  whereas,  many  persons  employed  as  Deputy  or  Assis- 
tant Commissaries,  or  Quarter  Masters,  or  in  other  civil  departments, 
are  dispersed  in  various  parts  of  the  continent,  over  whom  neither 
Congress  nor  the  head  of  their  respective  departments  can  have  the 
immediate  inspection  : 

"  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Legislature  &  Execu- 
tive authority  of  every  State  to  take  effectual  measures  for  prevent- 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  417 

Ing  any  person  within  their  State  from  exerciseiDg  any  Office  in  the 
civil  department  of  the  Army,  or  in  any  other  civil  department 
under  Congress,  who  shall  not,  when  thereunto  required  by  any 
Magistrate,  produce  a  legal  appointment  to  that  office,  &  a  certifi- 
cate of  his  having  taking  the  foregoing  Oaths  or  affirmations, 
or  who  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  take  &  Subscribe  the  said  oaths  or 
affirmations  within  the  time  above  limited. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  resolutions  passed  the  21st  day  of  October, 
1776,  prescribing  the  form  of  an  oath  or  affirmation,  &  directing 
the   same  to  be  subscribed  by  Officers  holding   Commissions   or 
Offices  from  Congress,  be  &  they  are  hereby  repealed. 
u  Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

"CHARLES  THOMSON,  Secretary." 

Thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  said  Resolution  be  published  in  the  News  Papers; 
and  all  persons  whom  they  do  or  may  concern,  are  to  take  notice  of 
the  same  &  act  accordingly. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favor  of  Jacob  Hoster- 
man,  for  the  Sum  of  Eighteen  Pounds,  for  riding  express. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  February  16;  1778. 

PRESENT  : 

His  ExcelPy  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Jacob  Arndt,       1 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,  &    lEsq'rs. 

John  Hambright,  Thomas  Scott,     J 

Philip  Marsteller,  Esq'r,  having  represented  that  the  Guards  at 
Lebanon  were  in  a  condition  that  required  augmentation;  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  the  first  Class  of  Colo.  Greena wait's  battalion  of 
Militia  be  called  out  to  serve  as  guards  at  Lebanon. 


TOL.  XI.— 27, 


418  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  February  17,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Jacob  Arndt,      ~\ 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,  &  v  Esq'rs. 

John  Hambright,  Thomas  Scott,    ) 

Council  having  written  to  His  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington  &  re- 
quested him  to  recommend  some  proper  persons  to  recruit  the  Bat- 
talion of  this  State  in  the  Continental  Army,  &  a  list  being  accord- 
ingly recommended  by  him, 

Ordered,  That  they  be  sent  to  the  Counties  as  follows,  Yiz't.  : 

York  County  150,  Lieu.  Campbell. 

Cumberland  County  150,  Capt,  Matt'w  Scott,  (13  Batt'n ;)  150 
Lieu't  Wm.  Brown;  150  Lieu't  Gab'l  Peterson;  150  Adjutant 
Crawford  j  156  Lieu't  Ja's  Williamson. 

(BfiJ"Capt.  Will'm  Alexander's  Instructions  dated  23d  April.) 

Northumberland  County  150,  Lieutenant  Hooper;  150  Capt. 
Alexa.  Patterson;    150  Capt.  Oldham. 

Lancaster  County  150,  Lieu.  Benja.  Carpenter;  150  Lieu.  David 
Ziegler;  150  Capt.  Bull. 

Chester  County  150,  Lieu.  Ja's  Armstrong;  15  Lieu.  John 
Marshall,  (13th;)  150  Lieu.  Wm.  Henderson. 

Bucks  County  150,  Lieu.  John  Stoy  :  150  Lieu.  Ch's  McHenry ; 
150  Captain  Sam'l  Tolbert. 

Berks  County  150,  Capt.  Edw'd  Scull. 

Northampton  County  150,  Lieu.  John  Boyd ;  600  Capt.  John 
Grant;  600  Capt.  Will'm  Wilson. 

Mr.  Jacob  S.  Howell,  receiver  General  of  Cloathing,  reports  that 
he  had  delivered  to  the  Clothier  General  of  the  United  States,  the 
following  Articles  of  Cloathing,  Viz't.: 

322  Coats,  322  Vests,  198  P'r  Bucksin  Breeches,  48  pair  of 
Overalls,  62  P'r  of  Stockings,  413  P'r  of  Shoes,  136  Wool  Hats. 

Ordered,  That  the  Clothier  General  be  requested  to  forward  the 
said  Clothing  to  his  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington,  for  the  use  of  the 
3d,  6th,  9th,  &  12th  Pennsylvania  Battalions,  in  such  proportion 
as  his  Excell'y  shall  order. 


'SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL..  419 


The  Council  met* 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  Feb'ry  18,  1778., 

PRESENT : 

His  ExcelFy  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President., 
Jacob  Morgan,  Jacob  Arndt       ~\ 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,<&  y    Esq'rs. 

John  Ham  bright,  Thomas  Scott,     ) 

Colo,  Coats,  Lieu't  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  being  now  a 
Prisoner  with  the  Enemy, 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  x\rchfd  Thompson,  Sub-Lieu' t  of  the  County 
of  Philadelphia,  be  authorised  &  empowered  to  act  in  the  behalf  of 
the  said  Colo  Coats  as  Lieutenant,  &  to  exert  himself  in  recover- 
ing the  Substitution  Money  in  that  County,  which  greatly  is 
wanted  for  the  Recruiting  Service. 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  for  the  Re- 
cruiting Service,  to  be  accounted  for  by  the  respective  gentlemen. 
Viz't.: 

In  favor  of  Capt,  Wm.  Wilson,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  Dol- 
lars. 

Of  Capt.  John  Grant,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  Dollars. 

Of  Lieu.  Boyd,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  Dollars. 

Of  the  following  Officers  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  fifty 
Dollars  each,  Vis't. : 

Lieu.  Campbell,  Lieu.  Will'm  Brown,  Lieu.  Gah^l  Peterson,  Ad- 
jutant Crawford,  Lieu.  Ja's  Williamson,  Lieu.  Rob't  Hooper,  Capt. 
Alexa.  Patterson,  Capt.  Oldham,  Lieu.  Benja.  Carpenter,  Lieu. 
Dav'd  Zigler,  Lieu.  Ja's  Armstrong,  Lieu.  Will'm  Henderson, 
Lieu.  John  Stoy,  (see  21st  ins.)  Lieu.  Cha's  MeHenry,  Capt. 
SamTTolbert,  Capt.  Edw'd  Scull,  Lieu.  John  Marshall,  (13,) 
Capt.  Matt'w  Scott,  Capt.  Bull,  and  that  the  following  orders  be 
given  them: 

"In  Council,  Lancaster  Feb'ry  14,  1778, 
«  Sir  :— 

"  You  being  appointed  to  Recruit  in  the  County  of  ,  in  order 
to  fill  up  the  Quota  of  this  State  in  the  Continental  Army,  You  wilt 
proceed  immediately  to  that  place  &  use  the  utmost  diligence  in  & 
attention  to  this  great  &  important  duty,  in  the  discharge  of  which 
you  are  to  attend  to  the  regulations  established  by  Congress : 
Among  which  it  is  ordered  that  every  recruit  shall  have  the  liberty 
of  chusing  in  what  Battalion,  Troop,  or  Company  he  will  serve;  & 
if  the  Company  he  shall  chuse  to  serve  in  be  full,  he  shall  serve  in 
such  other  Company  as  he  shall  chuse.  To  each  Recruit,  on 
his  taking  the  Oath  or  Affirmation  directed  to  be  taken  by  Con- 
gress, that  he  will  serve  for  three  Yeirs,  or  during  the  War,  you. 


420  MINUTES  OF  THE 

are  to  Pay  down  Sixty  Dollars,  &  Forty  Dollars,  part  of  the  bounty 
of  One  hundred  dollars  Ordered  by  the  General  Assembly  of  this 
State,  taking  a  Receipt  for  the  same,  expressing  the  Payment  of 
the  Twenty  Dollars  ordered  by  Congress ;  the  remaining  Sixty  Dol- 
lars is  to  be  paid  on  the  Recruit  passing  muster,  at  such  place 
shall  be  appointed  by  His  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington,  or  by  this 

Council.     You  are  to  apply  to Lieu't  of  the  said  County, who 

will  advance  to  you  hundred  Dollars,  and  on  the  expenditure 

of  this  Sum,  you  are  to  apply  to  him  again  for  such  further  Sum  as 
may  from  time  to  time  be  necessary,  &  deliver  to  him  Certificates, 
signed  by  the  Justice  before  whom  the  Recruits  which  you  shall 
have  enlisted  shall  have  been  qualified,  containing  a  description  of 
each  such  Recruit,  &  the  time  of  his  enlistment,  <&  retaining  a  du- 
plicate of  such  Certificates  in  your  own  hands.  Instructions  will  be 
given  to  the  Lieutenant  of  the  County  on  this  subject,  as  well  as 
orders  to  him  to  give  you  such  assistance  as  may  be  necessary  from 
the  Militia  on  any  occasion.  It  will  probably  be  in  your  power  to 
secure  a  number  of  Deserters,  &  you  will  be  allowed  five  Dollars  for 
each  Deserter  which  you  shall  apprehend,  &  for  this  end  you  are  to 
make  dilligent  search  after  them,  &  deliver  to  the  persons  appointed 
to  receive  the  Recruits.  You  must  be  particularly  careful  not  to 
advance  any  bounty  Money  to  Deserters,  if  they  should  offer  to  en- 
list again.  You  are  also  to  be  careful  not  to  enlist  any  person  who 
is  by  any  means  rendered  incapable  of  doing  Millitary  duty.  Eight 
Dollars  will  be  paid  you  for  every  Recruit  you  shall  enlist.  You 
will  see  the  propriety  &  necessity  of  transmitting  to  this  Council  a 
Monthly  return  of  your  proceedings,  or  oftner  if  'necessary ;  &  also 
to  transmit  to  His  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington  an  account  of  your 
proceedings  from  time  to  time,  as  often  as  may  be  necessary,  in 
order  that  the  Recruits  may  be  sent  for  by  proper  Officers.  It 
would  be  unnecessary  to  remind  you  that  the  people  of  the  State 
have  a  right  to  be  treated  with  decency  &  respect,  but  that  it  can- 
not be  doubted  that  more  success  in  a  free  Country  is  to  be  ex- 
pected in  the  business  you  are  engaged  in  from  a  strict  propriety 
of  behaviour,  than  from  any  unfair  or  indirect  practices/' 


"  In  Council,  Lancaster  Feb'ry  14,  1778. 

"Sir:— 

"  Capt.  ,  of  the  Pennsylvania  Regi- 

ment, is  appointed  to  recruit  in  your  County  for  the  Continental 
Army.  He  is  ordered  to  call  on  you  for  money.  You  will  please 
to  Pay  him  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  Dollars,  with  which  he  is  to 
enter  upon  this  Duty.  Council  have  directed  him  to  apply  to  you 
from  time  to  time,  for  such  further  Sums  as  the  service  shall  re- 
quire, &  at  the  same  time  he  is  to  lay  before  you  a  Certificate  of 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  42L 

the  time  of  enlistment  &  qualification,  &  a  description  of  the  person 
of  each  Recruit  which  he  shall  enlist,  signed  by  the  justice  before 
whom  he  shall  have  been  attested.  He  is  to  pay  to  each  Recruit, 
on  his  being  attested,  the  Twenty  Dollars  bounty  ordered  by  Con- 
gress, &  Forty  Dollars,  part  of  the  One  hundred  Dollars  ordered  by 
this  State.  The  remainder  is  to  be  paid  on  their  passing  Muster,  at 
such  place  as  shall  be  appointed  by  G'l  Washington  or  this  Council. 
From  this  you  will  be  enabled  to  judge  of  the  necessity  of  further  sup- 
plies of  Money,  from  time  to  time,  which  be  in  some  degree  left  to 
your  judgment  &  prudence,  not  exceeding  the  Sum  above  mentioned 
at  any  one  time.  If  any  assistance  from  the  Militia  shall  be 
wanted  to  prevent  the  ill  consequences  of  any  disturbances  which 
may  happen  in  the  prosecution  of  this  business,  you  are  to  give  him 
every  countenance  which  is  consistant  with  the  rights  &  liberties  of 
the  People,  taking  care  at  same  time  that  no  insult  or  injury  is  offered 
to  any  person.  The  great  importance  of  filling  up  the  Continental 
Army  with  all  possible  expedition,  we  hope,  will  induce  you  to 
exert 'yourself,  so  as  that  the  Recruiting  Service  may  not  be  at  a 
Stand  for  want  of  Money.  The  General  Assembly  have  depended 
upon  the  collecting  of  the  Substitution  Money  for  this  purpose.. 
This  you  know  must  rest  on  your  dilligence  &  attention,  &  you 
will  be  accountable  for  the  Consequences  of  a  deficiency  or  delay. 

"  The  Delegates  of  Pennsylvania  having  forwarded  to  Council  by 
Will'm  Rowan,  Esq'r,  a  Sum  of  Money  for  the  purchase  of  Provi- 
sions, Forage,  &ca,  &  The  same  being  counted  by  the  Secretary, 
there  appears  toXe  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  Thirty-nine  Thou- 
sand Dollars,  agreeably  to  the  Sum  mentioned  in  their  Letters. 

"  Capt.  Sam'l  Dean,  of  the  11th  P.  B.,  to  go  to  Bucks  County, 
and  an  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  his  favor,  for  one 
Hundred  &  Fifty  Dollars,  as  entered  the  20th  ins." 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Thursday  Feb'ry  19,  1792. 


PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Jacob  Arndt,     "J 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,  &  i-Esq'rs. 

John  Hambright,  Thomas  Scott,    J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  James  Bick- 
ham,  Lieu't  of  the  13th  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  to  be  charged  to 
Colo.  Walter  Stewart,  for  Three  hundred  Dollars,  Recruiting 
Service. 


422  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  the  Sum  of  Eighteen  Thousand  Dollars  be  delivered 
to  the  Hon'ble  Jacob  Arndt,  Esq'r,  to  be  by  him  delivered  to  John 
Arndt  &  Dav'd  Deshler,  EsqVs,  Commissioners  appointed  by  Law 
to  purchase  Provisions,  &  that  a  Receipt  for  the  same  be  taken  as 
of  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer. 

The  Petition  of  the  Elders  &  Trustees  of  the  Lutheran  Reformed 
German  Congregation  at  Easton,  in  the  County  of  Northampton, 
setting  forth  that  they  are  indebted  near  the  Sum  of  Pour  hundred 
Pounds  more  than  has  been  raised  for  the  building  the  Church  be- 
longing to  the  said  Congregation,  &  Praying  this- Council  "  to  grant 
a  Licence  to  Mr.  Philip  Hellick  to  ask  the  Charitable  contribution 
of  the  well  disposed,  within  this-  State,  towards  the  discharge  of  the 
said  Debt,  was  now  read.  The  Council  taking  the  said  Petition 
into  consideration,  and  b^ing  disposed  to  countenance  the  same, 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  Certify  that  the  said  application' 
has  been  made  to  this  Council. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Will' m  Rowan ■> 
Esq'r,  for  his  service,  with  that  of  his  servant,  in  bringing  139,000 
Dollars  from  York  Town  to  this  Borough,  for  the  Sum  of  Nine- 
Pounds  &  Ten  Shillings. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Peter 
Dehaven,  for  the  sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  for  which-  he  is  to 
account. 

Ordered,  That  Rob't  Traill,  Esq^r,  be  appointed  Storekeeper  to 
inspect,  receive,  store  &  take  care  of  the  Provisions  collected  in 
the  County  of  Northampton,  and  to  issue  the  sSme  upon  the  or- 
ders of  the  Board  of  War. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  February  20,  1778. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jacob  Morgan,  Jacob  Arndt,   "J 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,   j-Esq'rs. 

John  Ham  bright,  Thomas  Scott,  J 

An   order  was   drawn    on  the  Treasurer  in    favor  of  Jacob  S- 

iiowcll,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to 
account. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  necessity  there  is  of 
supplying  the  Citizens  of  the  County  of  Bedford  with  Arms  to 
defend  themselTes  against  the  Indians, 

Ordered,  That  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  be  directed  to  supply  the 
Hon'ble  Tho's  Urie,  Esq'r,  with  One  hundred  Riffles,  to  be  by  him 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  423 

sent  to  the  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Bedford,  for  the  purpose  of 
arming  the  people  of  the  said  County. 

Ordered,  That  the  sum  of  Eighteen  Thousand  Dollars  be  sent 
to  Mr.  Tho's  Edwards,  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  the  purchase 
of  Provisions  in  the  County  of  Laneaster,  &  the  same  was  accor- 
dingly sent  by  Mr.  Christ'r  Tren  of  this  Borough. 

Ordered,  That  Mr  John  Mitchell  be  appointed  Storekeeper  to 
inspect,  receive,  store  and  take  care  of  the  Provisions  to  be  stored 
at  Pottsgrove  by  order  of  Congress,  &  to  issue  the  same  by  order 
of  the  Board  of  War;  and  also  the  following  Gentlemen  for  the 
like  service,  in  the  place  against  their  names  respectively  mentioned^ 
Vizt: 

Colo.  Will'm  Will,  at  Borough  of  Lancaster;  Colo.  Jos.  Cop- 
perthwaite,  at  Heading;  Capt.  Elijah  Weed,  at  Downings  Town. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  Sam'I 
Dean,  of  the  11th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  for  the  Recruiting  service, 
to  be  charged  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sum  of  Twenty  four  Thousand  Dollars  be 
sent  by  Hon'ble  Jacob  Morgan,  E3q'r?  to  Mr.  John  Lesher  &  Val- 
entine Eckhart,  Esq'r,  Commissioners  for  purchasing  of  Provisions 
in  the  County  of  Berks. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sum  of  Four  thousand  Dollars  be  sent  to 
Will'm  Gray  k  John  Little,  to  purchase  Provisions  within  the 
County  of  Northumberland,  and  that  the  same  be  sent  by  the 
hands  of  Capt.  John  Grant. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sum  of  Eighteen  Thousand  Dollars  be  sent 
to  Dav'd  Watson  of  this  County,  one  of  the  Commissioners  for 
purchasing  Provisions,  the  same  to  be  sealed  up  and  directed  to 
him,  and  forwarded  by  Mr.  John  Burke. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  Feb'ry  21,  1778. 

present  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,  & ") 

John  Hambright,  Thomas  Scott,      VEsq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 

The  Hon'ble  John  Hambright,  Esq'r,  reports,  That  he  had  com" 
mitted  the  Sum  of  Four  thousand  Dollars  ordered  to  be  sent  to  the 
County  of  Northumberland,  to  purchase  Provisions  with,  sealed  up 
&  directed  to  Will'm  Gray  &  John  Little,  Commissioners  of  the  said 
County,  to  the  care  of  Capt.  Will'm  Wilson  &  Capt.  John  Grant, 


424  MINUTES  OF  THE 

And  Mr.  John  Burke  attended  the  Council,  &  received,  Sealed  up,. 
&  directed  to  Dav'd  Watson,  Esq'r,  Commissioner  for  the  purcha- 
sing of  Provisions  in  the  County  of  Lancaster,  the  Sum  of  Eighteen 
Thousand  Dollars,  as  ordered  yesterday. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  Tho's 
Dorsey,  Paymaster  of  Militia,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  Thousand  Dollars, 
for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Lieu't  John  Cobeas  of  the  2d  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  attended 
the  Council  ft  represented  that  he  was  appointed  by  the  Colo,  of 
this  Regiment  to  recruit  in  the  room  of  Capt.  Stoy,  who  was  absent, 
&  Capt.  Tolbert  being  present,  represented  that  he  was  the  oldest 
first  Lieutenant  of  the  said  Regiment. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  an  order  be  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  his  favor, 
for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  fifty  Dollars,  &  that  he  be  furnished 
with  an  order  on  the  Lieu't  of  the  County  of  Berks  for  Money,  in 
the  like  manner  as  hath  been  done  in  the  case  of  other  Recruiting 
Officers ;  and  that  the  order  drawn  in  favor  of  Capt.  Stoy,  on  the 
18th  instant,  be  retained. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sum  of  Six  thousand  Dollars  be  sent  to 
Tho's  Heslip  &  Sam'l  Culbertson,  Esq'rs,  Commissioners  for  the 
purchasing  of  Provisions  in  the  County  of  Chester,  and  that  the  same 
be  Sealed  up,  directed  to  them,  &  forwarded  by  Capt.  Stephen 
Cochran  ;  which  was  done  accordingly. 

James  M'Lenc  and  James  Reed,  Esq'rs,  a  Committee  from  the 
Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly,  attended  in  Council  &  in- 
formed the  Council  that  the  House  was  now  met,  &  desired  to 
know  if  the  Council  had  any  business  to  lay  before  the  House. 
The  Council  informed  the  Committee  of  their  having  appointed 
Jacob  S.  Howell  to  be  Receiver  General  of  Cloathing  in  the  room 
of  Colo.  Francis  Johnson,  and  delivered  to  them  a  Copy  of  his  said 
appointment. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sum  of  Ten  thousand  Dollars,  to  Peter  Evans 
and  Colo.  John  Moore,  Commissioners  for  purchasing  Provisions 
in  Philadelphia  County,  &  the  Sum  of  Six  thousand  to  And'w 
Kichlien  &  Jos  Green,  Commissioners  for  the  said  purpose  in  the 
County  of  Bucks,  be  sealed  up,  directed  &  forwarded  by  Mr.  Jas 
Cummins,  &  was  forwarded  accordingly. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  425 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  February  23,  1778, 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Urie,  &  )  j£sa>rs 

John  Hambright,  Thomas  Scott,     )       ° 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
George  Bryan,  Vice  President,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifty  Pounds  on  ac- 
count of  his  salary. 

The  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly,  by  a  Committee,  ac- 
quainted the  Council  that  they  apprehend  that  the  board  of  War 
had  given  orders  to  their  Superintendants  of  Provisions,  &ca.,  which 
the  House  conceived  to  be  a  violation  of  the  laws  of  the  State,  & 
requested  that  the  Council  will  join  them  in  a  free  conference  on 
this  subject, 

Ordered ,  That  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  be  in- 
formed, that  the  Council  will  confer  with  them  in  the  Assembly 
room,  at  four  O'Clock  this  Afternoon. 

♦His  Excell'y  the  President  &  the  Council  having  conferred  with 
the  Hon'ble  House  of  Representatives,  agreeable  to  the  order  of  the 
day,  &  the  House  requesting  to  be  furnished  with  the  following  pa- 
pers relating  to  the  subject  of  conference,  Vizt.  : 

"  The  instructions  of  the  Board  of  War  to  their  Superintendants 
of  Provisions. 

li  The  plan  laid  down  by  the  Superintendants  for  the  purchase^ 
&ca.,  of  Provisions. 

"The  instructions  for  the  Millers,  dated  lith  Jan'ry,  1778. 

"  A  Letter  from  the  Superintendants  to  the  Board  of  War,  dated 
Feb'ry  11,  1778. 

"  A  Letter  dated  Feb'ry  12,  1778,  Signed,  R.  S.  Hooper,  Deputy 
Q'r  General,  to  the  Purchasers  under  the  Superintendants;"  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  a  Letter  be  written  to  the  Hon'ble  J.  B.  Smith, 
Esq'r,  requesting  that  he  will  procure  Copies  of  the  said  Papers, 
and  forward  them  by  express  to  this  Board  immediately. 


426  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  February  24,  1778 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,  &~\ 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,        >  Esq'rs. 

Thomas  Urie,  J 

The  following-  Address  was  read,  to  Wit : 

"  To  the  President  &  Council,  notv  sitting  at  Lancaster: 

11  These  may  show  that  We,  the  Subscribers,  being  appointed  on 
behalf  of  the  Westerly  quarterly  Meeting  of  the  People  called 
Quakers,  in  order  to  lay  before  you  various  deeply  distressing  cases 
&  circumstances  that  nearly  effect  us  as  a  Religious  Society,  request 
an  admittance,  to  be  heard  by  you  for  the  purpose  abovesaid,  which 
favor  will  be  acknowledged  by  Your  real  friends. 

(Signed,)  "  WARNER  MIFFLIN, 

"JOSEPH  HUSBAND, 
"JAMES  JACKSON,  « 

"ABR'M  GIBBONS, 
"  W'M  JACKSON,  jun'r, 
«  JACOB  LINDLEY. 
"  Lancaster,  the  23d  of  the  2nd  Month,  1778." 

Ordered,  That  the  Subscribers  of  the  said  request  be  informed 
that  the  Council  are  willing  to  attend  to  their  representation,  to  be 
made  in  WTriting,  &  are  disposed  to  hear  them  on  such  matters  as 
may  be  contained  therein,  so  far  as  is  within  the  cognizance  of 
Council. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Christ'n  Zorn, 
for  Twelve  Pounds  Seven  Shillings  &  Six  Pence,  for  riding  ex- 
press. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Tho's  Lieper, 
James  Hunter,  Will'm  Hall,  &  John  Dunlap,  for  the  Sum  of  Six- 
teen Pounds  Ten  Shillings,  for  their  expences  in  takeing  the  Paroles 
of  John  Penn,  James  Hamilton  &  Joseph  Shippen,  Esq'rs,  by 
order  of  Council. 

The  following  representation  was  read,  Viz  : 

"  Lancaster,  24th  2  mo.,  1778. 

u  To  the  President  &  Council,  now  sitting  at  Lancaster  : 

11  We  the  Subscribers,  are  desirous  to  lay  before  you,  i  First/  the 
case  of  a  number  of  our  Friends,  now  under  confinement  at  Win- 
chester in  Virginia,  by  the  Authority  of  your  body,  as  We  apprehend, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  "    427 

whose  release  we  strongly  desire,  or  if  that  cannot  be  obtained,  that 
three  or  more  of  them,  on  behalf  of  the  rest,  may  be  heard  in 
their  own  vindication,  either  before  Council  or  Congress,  as  you 
may  direct.  Secondly,  That  you  would  weightely  consider  the 
situation  of  four  of  our  Friends,  closely  confined  in  the  common 
Goal  of  this  Borough.  Thirdly,  That  you  would  interpose  for 
our  relief  in  case  of  exorbitant  Fines,  taken  from  us,  because  of 
our  Conscience  sake,  we  cannot  yield  our  personal  service  in  War. 
Fourthly,  We  desire  redress  of  grievance  in  a  certain  Law,  com- 
mon! v  called  the  Test  Law. 

(Signed,)     "WARNER  MIFFLIN, 
"JOSEPH  HUSBAND, 
"JAMES  JACKSON, 
"AB'M  GIBBONS, 
"WILL'M  JACKSON,  jun'r, 
"JACOB  LINDLEY. 
"  Lancaster  24th  2  mo.,  1778." 

And  the  Subscribers  of  the  said  representation  having  requested 
to  be  heard  in  Council  on  the  several  subjects  mentioned  therein, 
were  accordingly  admitted  &  heard.  The  Council  in  the  course  of 
a  conference  with  these  People,  which  continued  several  hours,  in- 
formed them  That  the  Council  had  it  in  contemplation  to  represent 
the  case  of  the  said  Prisoners  at  Winchester  to  the  Hon'ble  House 
of  General  Assembly,  &  that  they  judged  it  was  probable  the 
House  would  take  the  same  into  their  consideration;  That  the 
Arrest  of  the  said  Prisoners,  &  their  removal  to  Virginia,  was  at 
the  request  &  under  the  direction  of  Congress,  before  whom  that 
matter  at  present  wholly  lies ;  That  as  to  the  other  matters  con- 
tained therein,  they  are  not  any  of  them  within  the  power  or  au- 
thority of  the  Council ;  They  appear  to  be  cases  wherein  the  law 
is  executed ;  &  that  Council  are  not  vested  with  any  authority  to 
alter  them  in  any  case  whatever;  That  if  any  person  be  confined 
contrary  to  Law,  their  case  may  be  laid  before  the  Judges,  or  one 
of  them,  whose  duty  it  is  to  hear  them ;  And  that  if  it  is  appre- 
hended that  the  Law  in  any  instance  is  grievous  or  oppressive,  the 
Legislative  authority  may  be  applied  to  for  alteration  or  amend- 
ments in  such  instance. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  Marshall, 
for  the  Sum  of  Three  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service,, 
for  which  he  is  to  account.     Order  dated  yesterday. 


423  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  February  25,  1778. 
present : 
His  Exceil'y  THO'S.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,      ~\ 

John  Harnbright,  James  Edgar,  &  >■  Esq'rs. 

Thomas  Urie,  Jacob  Morgan,    ) 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  Willis, 
for  the  Sum  of  eight  Dollars,  in  part  of  his  expences  in  forwarding 
dispatches  to  the  Commissioners  for  purchasing  of  Provisions,  and 
to  the  Waggon  Masters,  of  the  Counties  of  Bucks  &  Philadelphia. 
An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colo.  Is'c  Mel- 
ehior,  Barrack  Master,  for  the  Sum  or  Two  Thousand  Dollars,  for 
which  he  is  to  account. 

Leonard  Reed,  appointed  to  be  Waggon  Master  of  the  County  of 
Berks,  having  resigned ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Henry  Haller  be  appointed  Waggon  Mas- 
ter of  the  County  of  Berks,  in  the  room  of  Leonard  Reed,  who  has 
resigned. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Jacob  S. 
Howell,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to 
account. 

And  an  order  was  drawn  on  Jacob  S.  Howell  for  the  Sum  of 
One  thousand  Pounds,  in  favor  of  Jas  Dundas,  Paymaster  of  the 
People  employed  at  Billingsport,  for  which  he  is  to  acco't. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  Feb'ry  26,  1773. 
present : 
His  Exceil'y  THO'S.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,    ~) 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,  &  V  Esq'rs. 

Thomas  Urie,  Jacob  Morgan,    ) 

His  Exceil'y  Gen'l  Washington  having  enclosed  to  His  Exceil'y 
the  President,  an  Address  to  the  inhabitants  of  New  Jersey,  Penn- 
sylvania, Delaware,  Maryland  &  Virginia,  requesting  that  the  same 
may  be  published,  &  submiting  to  the  consideration  of  Council 
whether  it  may  not  serve  to  encrease  its  effects,  if  it  were  ushered 
into  the  Papers  of  this  State  with  a  recommendation  from  His 
Exceil'y  the  President. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  429 

On  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  the  following  Proclamation  be  published,  with 
His  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington's  address  above  said  : 

"  By  the  Supreme  Executive   Council  of  the    Commonwealth  of 
Pennsylvania. 

"  A  PROCLAMATION  : 

"  Whereas,  His  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington  hath  thought  proper 
to  address  the  inhabitants  of  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware, 
Maryland  &  Virginia,  recommending  it  to  them  to  put  up  <&  feed 
immediately  as  many  of  their  Stock  Cattle  as  they  can  spare  for 
the  supply  of  the  Army,  in  the  Months  of  May,  June  &  July  next, 
as  in  the  said  address  hereunto  subjoined  doth  more  at  large  ap- 
pear : 

"  We,  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  being  desirous  to  promote 
a  measure  so  essentially  necessary  at  this  time,  do  earnestly  recom- 
mend it  to  the  good  people  of  this  State,  to  exert  themselves  in  an- 
swering the  purposes  of  His  Excell'ys  address,  as  all  circumstances 
seem  happily  to  conspire  in  rendering  the  approaching  Campaign 
decisive,  &  the  fruit  of  our  toil  is  not  only  in  view,  but  even  within 
reach ;  we  hope  all  those  who  wish  well  to  their  Country,  &  have 
it  in  their  power  to  contribute  anything  to  the  support  of  our 
Army,  in  the  way  recommended  by  the  General,  will  exert  them- 
selves on  this  occasion.  We  can  have  no  doubt  of  the  virtuous  in- 
tentions of  the  good  people  of  this  State,  in  a  cause  so  righteous 
as  the  present  contest  with  Great  Britain  most  certainly  is,  &  there- 
fore, firmly  rely  on  their  exertions  to  afford  the  relief  required  in 
due  time. 

"    "  By  Order  of  the  Council, 

"(Signed)      THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
"  (Attest) — T.  Matlack,  Secretary. 

"  Lancaster,  Feb'ry  27, 1778." 


"  To  the  Inhabitants  of  New  Jersey,   Pennsylvania,    Delaware, 
Maryland  and  Virginia : 

"  Friends,  Countrymen  and  Fellow  Citizens : 

"After  three  Campaigns,  during  which  the  brave  Subjects  of  these 
States  have  contended,  not  unsuccessfully,  with  one  of  the  most 
powerful  kingdoms  upon  earth,  we  now  find  ourselves  at  least  upon 
a  level  with  our  opponents ;  &  there  is  the  best  reason  to  believe 
that  efforts  adequate  to  the  abilities  of  this  Country  would  enable 
us  speedily  to  conclude  the  War,  &  to  secure  the  invaluable  blessh 
iings  of  Peace,  Liberty  &  Safety.     With  this  view,  it  is  in  contain- 


430  MINUTES  OF  THE 

plation  at  the  opening  of  the  next  Campaign,  to  assemble  a  force 
sufficient  not  barely  to  cover  the  Country  from  a  repetition  of  those 
depredations  which  it  hath  already  suffered,  but  also  to  operate  of- 
fensively, &  strike  some  decisive  blow.  In  the  prosecution  of  this 
object,  it  is  to  be  feared,  that  so  large  an  Army  must  suffer  for 
want  of  Provisions.  The  distance  between  this  &  the  Eastern 
States,  whence  considerable  supplies  of  Flesh  have  been  hitherto 
drawn,,  will  necessarily  render  those  supplies  extremely  precarious  ; 
And  unless  the  virtuous  Yeomanry  of  the  States  of  New  Jersey, 
Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland  &  Virginia,  will  exert  them- 
selves to  prepare  Cattle  for  the  use  of  the  Army  during  the  Months 
of  May,  June  &  July  next,  great  difficulties  may  arise  in  the  course 
of  the  Campaign.  It  is  therefore  recommended  to  the  inhabitants  of 
those  States,  to  put  up  &  feed  immediately  as  many  of  their  Stock 
Cattle  as  they  can  spare,  so  as  they  may  be  driven  to  this  Army 
within  that  period.  A  bountiful  price  will  be  given,  and  the  pro- 
prietors may  assure  themselves  that  they  will  render  a  most  essen- 
tial service  to  the  illustrious  cause  of  their  Country,  &  contribute 
in  a  great  degree  to  shorten  this  bloody  contest.  But  should  there 
be  any  so  insensible  to  the  common  interest  as  not  to  exert  them- 
selves upon  these  generous  principles,  the  private  interest  of 
those  whose  situation  makes  them  liable  to  become  immediate  Sub- 
jects to  the  enemy's  incursions,  should  prompt  them  at  least  to  a 
a  measure  which  is  calculated  to  save  their  property  from  plunder, 
their  families  from  insult,  &  their  own  persons  from  abuse,  hopeless 
confinement,  or  perhaps  a  violent  death. 

(Signed)     "  G.   WASHINGTON. 
"  Head  Quarters,  Valley  Forge, ") 
"  February  28,  1778."       } 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  February  27,  1778. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,      1 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,  &  lEsq'rs. 

Thomas  Urje,  Jacob  Morgan,     J 

The  Justices  of  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace  for 
the  County  of  Westmoreland  having  recommended  Archibald 
Lochry,  Esq'r,  to  be  a  person  qualified  to  act  as  Clerk  of  the  said 
Court;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Archibald  Lochry,  Esq'r,  be  appointed 
Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace  for  the  said 
County  of  Westmoreland. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL,  431 

The  following  representation '  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives having  been  now  read  and  considered,  Vizt : 

"  Lancaster,  February  26th,  1778. 
b 

"  To  the  Honorable  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Freemen  of 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania  : 

u  The  Supreme  Executive   Council  of  the  said  State  represent: 

"  That  from  the  excessive  price  of  all  the  necessaries  of  life,  and 
other  circumstances  attending  the  present  situation  of  this  State, 
the  salaries  and  fees  heretofore  established,  or  allowed  to  the  re- 
spective Civil  Officers  of  this  State,  is  found  not  to  be  now  a 
reasonable  compensation  for  the  duties  of  such  Officers,  whereby 
the  execution  of  the  laws  hath  been  greatly  impeded,  and  in  some 
cases  rendered  impracticable  to  be  executed,  and,  therefore,  claims 
the  serious  attention  of  the  Legislature;  That  after  having  made 
enquiry  for  proper  persons  to  engage  in  the  recruiting  service,  upon 
the  encouragement  given  by  your  Honourable  House,  the  Council 
was  obliged  to  apply  to  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  to 
recommend  Officers  of  the  Army  for  this  purpose.  The  gentlemen 
named  by  him  have  entered  upon  the  business  under  great  disad- 
vantages, confiding  that  their  case  will  be  considered  by  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly,  and  such  further  compensation  allowed  them  as  the 
House,  in  their  wisdom,  shall  judge  to  be  reasonable  and  adequate 
to  the  expense  of  this  duty;  And  we  have  assured  them  that 
Council  would  endeavour  to  obtain  the  attention  of  the  Honorable 
House  to  this  matter;  That  it  appears  to  Council  to  be  worthy  of 
the  consideration  of  your  Honorable  House,  whether  the  exempting 
from  militia  duty  for  a  certain  time  each  man  who  shall  take  up  a 
Deserter  from  the  Continental  Army  and  deliver  him  to  some 
proper  officer,  may  not  be  attended  with  considerable  success  in  fill- 
ing up  a  Quota  of  Troops  in  the  Army,  and  preventing  of  de- 
sertion ;  That  the  case  of  those  Prisoners  arrested  as  dangerous 
and  disaffected  persons,  agreeable  to  the  recommendation,  and  under 
this  authority  sent  into  the  State  of  Virginia  as  a  place  of  more 
security  than  this  State  was  at  that  time  supposed  to  bej  appears  to 
require  your  serious  attention  ;  not  only  as  it  relates  to  these  gen- 
tlemen in  particular,  but  also  to  a  great  number  of  others  who  have 
refused  or  neglected  to  give  the  assurance  of  allegiance  to  the  State 
which  is  required  by  law;  And  that  there  are  several  persons  con- 
fined in  the  Goals  of  this  State  for  refusing  to  give  assurance  of 
allegiance,  who  cannot,  as  the  law  now  stands,  be  sent  into  the 
State  to  which  they  belong,  although  they  may  be  able  and  willing 
to  give  security  for  their  immediate  return  there,  and  to  submit 
themselves  to  the  Laws  of  such  State. 

N.  B. — A  Memorial  from  these  people  addressed  to  the  Council? 
is  sent  herewith. 


432  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  The  same  be  presented*  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  together  with  the  remonstrance  received  from  the 
Prisoners  sent  from  this  State  into  the  State  of  Virginia,  under  the 
authority  of  Congress. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  return  of  Justices  from 
the  several  Townships  in  the  County  of  Bedford, 

Ordered,  That  Henry  Rhodes,  Will'm  Tyshur,  James  Wells, 
Francis  More  &  David  Jones,  be  appointed  Justices  of  the  Peace  for 
the  said  County  of  Bedford,  &  that  they  be  Commissioned  accord- 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  February  28,  1778. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,       "\ 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,  &    vEsq'rs. 

Thomas  Urie,  Jacob  Morgan,     J 

Lieutenant  John  Cobea  having  laid  before  Council  a  Certifi- 
cate signed  by  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  that  Peter  Magee,  Amos 
Tharp  &  Dan'l  Ramsdale,  have  voluntarily  inlisted  with  him,  and 
were  sworn  before  the  said  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  and  requested  a 
further  supply  of  Money ;  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieut.  John 
Cobea,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  and  Fifty  Dollars,  for  which  he 
is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr,  John  Dun- 
lap,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  hundred  &  two  Pounds,  Two  Shillings. & 
Six  Pence,  for  Printing  Work  done  by  him. 

Archibald  Lochry,  Esq'r,  Prothonotary  of  the  County  of  West- 
morland, having  made  Oath,  that  on  or  about  the  16th  day  of  this 
instant,  Feb'ry,  agreeable  to  an  Act  of  General  Assembly  of  Penn- 
sylvania, he  had  demanded  in  Writing  of  Mich'l  Hoofnagle,  Esq'r, 
late  Prothonotary  of  the  County  of  Westmorland,  all  the  Books, 
Papers,  Records  &  Seals  belonging  to  the  Prothonotary's  Office,  of 
&  for  the  said  County,  and  that  the  said  Mich'l  Hoofnagle  then  did, 
and  hitherto  hath  refused  &  neglected  to  deliver  the  same  or  any 
part  thereof;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Mich'l  Hoofnagle,  Esq'r,  be  Arrested  & 
confined  according  to  Law,  and  that  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  of 
Cumberland  be  authorized  &  directed  to  aid  &  assist  the  said  Archi- 
bald Lochry,  Esq'r,  in  the  searching  for,  &  procuring  the  said 
Books,  Papers,  &ca.,  and  if  necessary,  to  break  open  in  the  day 
time,  any  House  or  Houses  where  the  same  may  suspected  to  be. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  433 

The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  March  2,  1778- 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,      ~\ 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,  &    >  Esq'rs. 

Thomas  Urie,  Jacob  Morgan,      ) 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Christ'n 
Wirtz,  Town  Major,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  hundred  &  Eighty-nine 
Pounds  Two  Shillings  &  Seven  Pence,  Money  advanced  by  him,  & 
bis  Pay,  &ca. 


The  Council  met, 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  March  3,  1778. 
present : 
His  ExcelFy  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,     ~) 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,  &    i-  Esq'rs. 

Thomas  Urie,  Jacob  Morgan,     J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'bie 
Tho's  Urie,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  him. 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  March  4,  1778. 

present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,     *) 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,  &  >•  Esq'rs. 

Thomas  Urie,  Jacob  Morgan,    J 

Some  difficulties  having  arisen  with  respect  to  the  Pay  of  the 
Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Council  of  Safety  to  purchase 
Cloathing,  &  the  same  being  now  considered, 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Council,  that  the  allow- 
ance  ordered  by  the  Council  of  Safety,  made  to  the  Commissioners 
appoint^,  by  them  for  collecting  of  Cloathing,  be  paid  by  the 
toi.  xi.— 28. 


434  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Clothier  General  of  the  United  States;  &  if  he  shall  judge  that 
any  charge  made  for  this  service  is  too  high,  it  is  recommended 
to  him  not  to  Pay  the  same,  unless  the  Party  shall  qualify  to  the 
truth  of  his  account. 

The  Hon'ble  House  of  Assembly  having  been  informed  that  the 
Council  had  received  the  Resolves  of  Congress  respecting  the 
Magazines  to  be  laid  up  for  the  Army; 

The  orders  of  the  board  of  War  to  their  Superintendants ; 

The  orders  issued  by  the  Superintendants  to  the  Militia;  &  divers 
other  Papers  relating  to  this  business,  the  whole  No.  1  @  9  in- 
clusive ; 

A  Committee  of  the  House  attended  in  Council  to  confer  on  this 
important  business.  This  Committee  consisted  of  Mr.  Bayard, 
(the  Speaker  of  the  House,)  Mr.  Knox,  Mr.  Lollur,  Mr.  Lowman, 
Mr.  McLene,  Mr.  Whitehil],  Mr.  Lowry  &  Mr.  Ralston. 

And  the  said  Papers  from  No.  1  @  9  inclusive,  were  read,  &  the 
same  being  taken  into  consideration,  &  some  time  being  spent  there- 
on, 

Agreed,  That  a  Representation  of  the  situation  of  the  business 
of  establishing  the  Magazines  be  drawn  up  &  laid  before  the 
House  of  Assembly,  &  with  their  approbation  presented  to  the 
Hon'ble  Congress. 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  March  5,  1778. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,      1 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,  &  lEsq'rs. 

Thomas  Urie,  Jacob  Morgan,    J 

The  Committee  of  General  Assembly  again  met  in  conference 
on  the  business  of  establishing  Magazines,  and  the  following  repre- 
sentation was  read,  Viz't. : 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 

And  after  a  second  reading,  Agreed  : 
That  the  said  Representation  be  laid  before  the  Hon'ble  House 
of  General  Assembly,  &  that  the  same  be  forwarded  to  Congress, 
with  the  approbation  of  the  House,  be  signed  by  the  President  & 
the  Speaker  of  the  House. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  435 

* 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  March  6,  1778. 

present  : 

His  Excell'y  THQ'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,      ") 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,  &    v  Esq'rs. 

Thomas  Urie,  Jacob  Morgan,      ) 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Peter  Dehaven, 
for  the  Sum  of  Five  Hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  ac- 
count. 

A  Letter  from  His  Excell'y  the  President  of  Congress,  dated. 
March  1st,  1778,  enclosing  Resolves  of  Congress  of  26th  of  Feb'ry, 
respecting  Prisoners  &  Quota  of  Troops,  and  return  of  deficiencies 
in  the  Quotas  of  the  several  States  of  the  Continental  Army  j 

A  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Congress  at  Camp,  proposing 
that  this  State  furnish  250  Horses  for  the  Army ; 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  laid  before  the  Hon'ble  House  of 
G-eneral  Assembly. 

A  Committee  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  in- 
formed the  Council  that  James  McLene  &R.  Whitehill,  Esq'rs,  are 
appointed  by  the  House  to  attend  the  Congress  at  Yorktown,  &ca, 

Ordered,  That  the  Hon'ble  Tho's  Scott,  Esq,  be  appointed  to 
attend  on  Congress,  io  conjunction  with  the  Committee  of  the 
Hon'ble  House  of  G-eneral  Assembly,  to  present  the  joint  represen- 
tation of  Council  &  General  Assembly  respecting  the  establishing 
of  Magazines  for  the  Army,  and  to  confer  with  the  Delegates  of 
Pennsylvania  in  Congress,  &  such  others  as  Congress  may  appoint 
on  this  business  j  and  also  on  the  Subject  of  the  Prisoners  now  in 
Virginia,  and  others,  mentioned  in  the  address  of  this  day,  which 
last  mentioned  Address  is  as  follows,  Viz't.  : 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 


436  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  March  7,  1778 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,     ") 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,  &  (-  Esq'rs. 

Thomas  Urie,  Jacob  Morgan.    J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colo.  Adam 
Hubley,  for  One  Thousand  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service,  for 
which  he  is  to  account. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hambright  procure  as  maay  Saddles  as  he 
oan  get  made  in  this  Borough,  until  further  orders,  on  the  best 
terms  he  is  able. 


The  Council  Met. 


Lancaster,  Monday  March  9,  1778- 


PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,       ~\ 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,  &     V  Esq'rs. 

Thomas  Urie,  Jacob  Morgan.       ) 

Letter  from  Gen'l  Washington,  dated  7th  inst.,  respecting  Wag 
gonH,  were  read  and  considered ; 

Ordered^  That  extracts  from  the  joint  Representations  of  the 
Council  &  Gen'l  Assembly  to  Congress  of  the  6th  instant  &  of  a 
Letter  of  the  —  instant,  in  reply  to  his  Letter,  &  such  remarks  as 
may  further  explain  these  extracts. 


The  Council  Met. 


Lancaster,  Tuesday  March  10,  1778„ 


present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,      ~) 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,  &    I  Esq'rs. 

Thomas  Urie,  Jacob  Morgan.      J 

The  Council  having  consulted  with  the  members  of  General  As- 
sembly, 

Ordered,  That  blank  in  Council  book 


:}  &   iEsq'rs. 
in.    J 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  437 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  "Wednesday  March  11,  1778. 

present : 

His  ExcelTy  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott, 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar, 

Thomas  Urie,  Jacob  Morgan. 

Letter  from  Henry  Laurens,  Esq'r,  inclosing  Six  blank  Commis- 
sions for  private  Shipfl  of  War. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  Thomas 
Dorsey,  Paymaster  of  Militia,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  thousand  Dol- 
lars, for  which  he  is  to  account.     (Paid  Postage  7s  6,  Ex.  7  letters.) 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mich'l  Muh- 
lenberg, for  the  Sum  of  Seventy-five  Pounds,  in  part  of  his  account 
for  carrying  the  Quaker  Prisoners  to  Winchester,  in  Virginia,  and 
to  be  charged  to  his  account  until  the  same  can  be  settled,  and  be 
finally  charged  to  Congress. 

The  Clerk  of  the  House  presented  to  Council  a  minute  of  Gene- 
ral Assembly  of  yesterday,  appointing  Rob't  Wilson,  Esq'r,  a  Sub- 
Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Chester,  in  the  room  and  stead  of 
Colo.  Tho's  Strawbridge,  &  the  same  being  read, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Rob't  Wilsott  be  Commissioned  accord- 
ingly. 

Rob't  Trail,  Esq'r,  having  declined  to  accept  of  the  Oflice  of 
Store-keeper  for  the  County  of  Northampton ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Cha's  Desler  be  appointed  Store-keeper  for 
the  County  of  Northampton,  to  receive,  inspect,  store  and  take  of 
the  Provisions  to  be  Stored  in  the -County  of  Northampton,  by  or- 
der of  Congress,  &  to  issue  the  same  by  order  of  the  board  of  War; 
paid  14s  6. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  March  12,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excelly  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott, 


John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,  &   J-Esq'rs, 

Thomas  Urie,  Jacob  Morgan. 


I 


438  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  March  13, 1778. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Tho's  Scott,  ~) 

John  Harnbright,  James  Edgar,  &   vEsq'rs. 

Thomas  Urie,  Jacob  Morgan.      J 

Hon'ble  T's  Scott,  Esq'r,  having  receive^  Forty  thousand  Dol- 
lars on  a  Warrant  of  Congress,  dated  the  10th  ins.,  drawn  in  favor 
of  this  Council,  &  paid  the  same  to  the  Treasurer  of  this  State, 
now  laid  the  Treasurer's  receipt  for  the  said  40,000  Dollars  before 
the  Council. 

James  Patton,  Deputy  Waggon  Master  for  the  township  of  Con- 
estoga,  represented  to  Council  that  divers  persons  in  the  said  Town- 
ship who  were  duly  summoned  according  to  Law,  to  attend  with 
their  Waggons  for  the  service  of  their  Army,  had  neglected,  &  still 
continued  to  neglect  to  attend ;  and  that  on  application  by  him 
made  to  Colo.  Michael  Haberstick,  for  assistance  from  the  Militia, 
that  he  had  not  been  supplied  therewith  ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Col.  Michael  Haberstick  be  commanded  forth- 
with to  furnish  a  sufficient  Guard  to  the  said  James  Patton,  to  bring 
in  the  said  delinquents. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colo.  Jacob 
Morgan,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Pounds,  paid  by  him  for  an  express, 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  resolve  of  Congress 
for  recommending  a  Fast ;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  following  Proclamation  be  Published  : 

"  Lancaster,  March  18. 

By  the    Supreme    Executive    Council  of  the    Commonwealth    of 
Pennsylvania. 

"A  PROCLAxMATION  : 

u  Whereas,  The  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  America,  by 
their  Resolve  of  the  Seventh  day  of  March  instant,  have  recom- 
mended in  the  following  words,  Vizt : 

"  '  Whereas  Almighty  God,  in  the  righteous  dispensation  of  his 
Providence,  hath  permitted  the  continuation  of  a  cruel  &  desolating 
war  in  our  land ;  &  it  being  at  all  times  the  duty  of  a  people  to 
acknowledge  God  in  all  his  ways,  &  more  especially  to  humble 
themselves  before  him  when  evident  tokens  of  his  displeasure  are 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  439 

manifested,  to  acknowledge  his  righteous  government,  confess  & 
forsake  their  evil  ways  &  implore  his  Mercy  :' 

"  Resolved^  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  United  States  of 
America  to  set  apart  Wednesday,  the  Twenty-Second  day  of  April 
next,  to  be  observed  as  a  day  of  Fasting,  Humiliation,  &  Prayer; 
that  at  one  time  and  with  one  voice,  the  inhabitants  may  acknowl- 
edge the,  righteous  dispensation  of  divine  Providence,  &  confess 
their  iniquities  &  transgressions,  for  which  the  land  mourneth;  that 
they  may  implore  the  mercy  &  forgiveness  of  God,  &  beseech 
him  that  vice,  profaneness,  extortion,  &  every  evil,  may  be 
done  away,  &  that  we  may  be  a  reformed  &  happy  people;  that 
they  may  unite  in  humble  &  earnest  Supplication,  that  it  may 
please  Almighty  God  to  Guard  &  defend  us  against  our  enemies  and 
giv$  vigour  and  success  to  our  military  operations  by  Sea  &  land  ; 
that  it  may  please  him  to  bless  the  civil  rulers  &  people,  strengthen 
<k  perpetuate  our  Union,  &  in  his  own  good  time  establish  in  the 
peaceable  enjoyment  of  our  rights  &  liberties;  that  it  may  please 
him  to  bless  our  Schools  &  Seminaries  of  learning,  &  to  make 
them  nurseries  of  true  piety,  virtue  &  useful  knowledge1;  that  it 
may  please  him  to  cause  the  earth  to  yield  its  increase,  &  to  crown 
the  year  with  his  goodness.  And  it  is  recommended  to  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  United  States,  to  abstain  on  that  day  from  labor  & 
recreation.'' 

uAnd  Whereas,  it  hath  pleased  God  to  suffer  the  enemy  to  take 
possession  of  our  Capital,  &  the  distresses  attending  on  War  have 
fallen  heavy  on  the  State,  whereby  it  is  become  peculiarly  neces- 
sary for  the  inhabitants  to  humble  themselves  before  him  who 
governs  the  Universe  &  turneth  the  hearts  of  men  as  he  pleaseth. 
And  therefore,  as  well  as  in  due  respect  to  the  said  recommenda- 
tion of  Congress,  We  do  hereby  most  earnestly  recommend  to  the 
good  people  of  this  Commonwealth  to  set  apart  Wednesday,  the 
Twenty-Second  day  of  April  next,  for  the  pious  purposes  mentioned 
la  the  said  resolve,  &  that  they  abstain  on  that  day  from  labor  & 
recreation. 

K  Given  at  Lancaster  this  thirteenth  day  of  March,  in  the  Year  of 
our  Lord  One  thousand  Seven  hundred  &  Seventy-Eight. 
"  By  order  of  Council, 

"THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  President. 
"  Attest  Timothy  Matlack,  Secretary." 


440  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Saturday  March  14,  1778. 


present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,      ~) 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,  &    tEsq'rs. 

Thomas  Urie,  Jacob  Morgan,      J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Thomas  Bar- 
tholomew Bowen,  of  the  9th  Penn'a  Reg't,  for  the  Sum  of  Six 
hundred  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service. 


• 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  March  16,  1778. 

present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Urie, 

Jacob  Morgan,  John  Hambright,  &  ^-Esq'rs. 


James  Edgar,  Thomas  Scott, 


} 


Ordered,  That  Major  Watkins  be  directed  to  send  a  Block  of  Tin, 
&  about  three  times  its  weight  of  Lead,  to  Mr.  J.  S.  Howell,  Re- 
ceiver General  of  Cloathing,  to  make  Buttons  of  for  Soldiers' 
Cloathing. 

Mr.  Will'm  Crispin,  Commissary,  having  written  to  the  Presi- 
dent &  Council  in  the  following  words,  Vizt :  * 

"  To  the  President  &  Council  at  Lancaster. 

''Dear  Sir  : 

"  I  jpought  of  Mr.  Irwin  21  hhds.  Rum,  before  we  left  Phila., 
amounting  to  2396  Gal's,  at  35s  P  Gallon ;  he  has  called  on  me 
for  the  money,  which  I  had  not ;  he  desired  a  draught  for  the 
amount,  which  is  £4193,  which  please  to  give  an  order  to  Mr.  Rit- 
tenhouse,  who  will  charge  me  with  it.     I  am  yours  to  serve, 

"  (Signed)  WM.  CRISPIN. 

«  Trenton,  Jan'y  20,  1778." 

And  the  same  was  underwritten  thus,  u  Please  pay  the  above 
•contents  to  Mr.  John  Dunlap,  or  Order. 

"(Signed,)      MATH'W  IRWIN/' 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  441 

And  an  order  was  drawn  on  the  same,  in  the  following  Words, 
Vizt  : 

•         "  In  Council. 

"  Lancaster,  Mar.  16,  1778. 
"  Sir : 

"  Pay  to  Mr.  John  Dunlap  the  Amount  of  the  within  order,  & 
charge  the  same  to  Mr.  Will'm  Crispin,  Commissary 

"  (Signed)  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r. 
<*To  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer/' 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  March  17,  1778. 

PRESENT  I 

His  ExcelFy  THO'S  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Urie,  1 

Jacob  Morgan,  John  Hambright,   &  VEsq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Scott.  J 

The  Clerk  of  General  Assembly  sent  in  to  the  Council  the  fol- 
lowing Resolve,  Vizt : 

"In  General  Assembly,  Monday  Mar.  16,  1778,  P.  M. 

"  On  motion, 
"  Resolved,  That  the  Wages  of  each  Member  of  the  Hon'ble 
the  Executive  Council  of  this  State,  during  the  time  he  shall  at- 
tend the  Public  Service,  shal*  be  Thirty  Shillings  Sjp  Diem;  And 
that  they  be  allowed  Ten  Pence  for  each  Mile,  for  their  travelling 
charges. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes, 

"  Signed,  JOHN  MORRIS,  jr., 

"  Cl'k  of  the  Gen'l  Ass'y." 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissaries  for  the  Navy  Department,  who 
have  heretofore  been  employed,  be  allowed  three  ^  centum  on  the 
amount  of  their  Purchases,  in  full  for  their  services  in  buying  and 
issuing  Provisions  &  Liquors. 


442  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  March  18, 1778. 
present  : 

His  ExcelFy  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 
Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  &  "] 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Scott.  J>Esq'rs. 

Tho's  Urie,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Wm.  C.  Brad- 
ford, Pay  Master  of  the  Navy,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifty  Pounds,  for 
which  he  is  to  account. 

Col.  Gibson,  Commanding  Officer  at  this  Station,  informed  the 
Council  that  he  had  orders  from  His  ExcelFy  General  Washington, 
to  march  the  Troops  under  his  Command  to  Camp  with  all  expe- 
dition; thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  eighth  Class  of  Militia  of  the  County  of 
York,  be  immediately  called  into  service  &  sent  to  this  Borough. 

The  Council  being  informed  That  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  has  re- 
ceived orders  from  the  Board  of  War  to  remove  the  Powder  and 
other  Ammunition  from  this  Borough  over  the  Susquehanna ;  and 
as  the  necessity  of  keeping  a  supply  of  Cartridges  for  the  Guards, 
&ca,  is  evident ;  therefore, 

Ordered,  That  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  be  directed  to  supply  Ma- 
jor Wirtz  with  as  much  Gunpowder  as  will  fill  Twenty  thousand 
Cartridges;  &  that  Maj.  Wirtz  make  up  that  number  of  Cartrid- 
ges for  the  Guards  of  this  Borough. 

Ordered,  That  Bart'm  Galbraith,  Esq'r,  Lieut,  of  this  County, 
be  directed  to  furnish  a  guard  of  200  Militia,  to  serve  in  this  Bo- 
rough, to  guard  the  Prisoners  &  other  purposes. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  March  19,  1778. 

PRESENT  *. 

His  ExcelFy  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  John   Hambright,   &  ^ 

James  Edgar,  Tho's  Scott.                  [►Esq'rs. 

Tho's  Urie,  J 

Mr.  James  Patton,  Deputy  Waggon  Master  of  this  County,  at- 
tended the  Council  &  informed  that  Colo.  Haberstick  has  not  fur- 
nished him  with  the  Guard  ordered  by  Council ;  thereupon, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  443 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  write  to  Col.  Haberstick  &  desire  his 
immediate*  attendance,  to  assign  the  reason  why  he  hath  not  fur- 
nished the  said  Guard. 

Mr.  Peter  Dehaven  being  upon  business  to  Camp,  &  informing 
Council  that  the  piece  of  ground  on  which  the  Powder  Mills  were 
erected  may  suffer  for  want  of  care;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Peter  Dehaven  be  directed  to  let,  for  this 
season,  the  piece  of  Ground  on  which  the  Powder  Mills  stood,  on 
the  best  terms  he  can,  reserving  nevertheless,  a  right  to  rebuild  the 
Mills  if  it  shall  be  found  necessary. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster  Friday  March  20,  1778. 

PRESENT. 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  &  ~\ 

James  Edgar,  Tho's  Scott,  I  Esq'rs. 

Tho's  Urie,  J 

ACommiitee  o/the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  attended 
in  Council,  &  desired  to  be  informed  at  whose  expence  the  Public 
buildings  in  this  Borough  &  elsewhere  has  been  erected,  and  they 
were  referred  to  the  Minutes  of  the  Council  of  Safety. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  March  21,  1778. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  & 

James  Edgar,  Tho's  Scott, 

Tho's  Urie, 

The  application  of  Twenty-three  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
York,  in  the  County  of  York,  praying  that  Jacob  Eichelberger, 
(who  was  elected  with  Will'm  Leas,  Esq'r,  on  the  10th  March 
last;)  &  also  Mich'l  Kahn,  of  the  Town  of  York  aforesaid,  may  be 
appointed  &  Commissioned  to  be  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  said 
County  of  York,  being  now  read  &  considered ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  Eichelberger  be  appointed  &  Commissioned 
to  be  a  Jus:ice  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  York. 


J.  Esq'rs. 


444  MINUTES  OF  THE 

There  appearing  to  be  no  Money  in  the  hands  of  the  Lieutenant 
of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  &  the  Recruiting  Parties  in  that 
County  being  in  want  of  Money,  An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Trea- 
surer, in  favor  of  Colo.  Will'm  Clark,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Thou- 
sand Dollars,  to  be  delivered  to  Col.  John  Caruthers,  Lieutenant 
of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  to  be  by  him  paid  into  the  hands  of 
the  Officers  recruiting  for  the  Battalions  of  this  State.  Mich'I 
Kuhns  was  proposed  by  Col.  Clarke  to  forward  this  Money  by. 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Viz't. : 

In  favor  of  Mr.  John  Beaton,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of  Ches- 
ter County,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged 
to  Tho's  Dorsey,  Pay-master  of  Militia. 

In  favor  of  Col.  Will'm  Clark,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of  Cum- 
berland County,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  Tho's  Dorsey,  Paymaster  of  Militia. 

In  favor  of  Colo.  Rich'd  McCallister,  for  the  Sum  of  Three 
Thousand  Pounds,  the  same  to  be  by  him  delivered  to  Mr  Will'm 
Scott,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of  York  County,  to  be  charged  to 
Tho's  Dorsey,  Paymaster  of  Militia. 

Col.  Rich'd  M'Callister  paid  to  the  Secretary  the  Sum  of  2833 
Dollars,  Bills  of  Credit  of  New  York,  which  he  received  of  the 
Council  last  Spring,  &  hath  not  been  able  to  pass,  &  has  therefore 
returned  them. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  March  23,  1778. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jonn  Hambright,  &") 

James  Edgar,  Tho's  Scott,  >Esq'rs. 

,      Tho's  Urie,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  Samuel 
Atlee,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to 
him. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  in  favor  of  Col. 
Sam'l  Hays,  Sub  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Westmorland,  for  Eighty 
Riffles,  to  be  put  into  the  hands  of  Arch'd  Lochry,  Esq'r,  Lieut, 
of  the  said  County,  for  the  use  of  the  Militia. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Burgh, 
for  the  Sum  of  Three  Pounds,  for  riding  express  with  Money  to 
Colo.  Watson,  Commissary,  for  purchasing  Provisions,  &ca.,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 

Col.  Hubley  having  recommended  to  the  Council  Lieu.  John 
Steel  as  an  Officer  well  qualified  for,  and  proper  to  be  employed  in  the 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  445 

Kecruiting  Service,  &  desired  that  he  may  be  furnished  with  Money 
for  this  Purpose,  to  recruit  in  this  County  or  York  County  ;  (Or- 
der to  Recruit  in  Lancaster;)    Thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieu.  John 
Steel,  of  the  — th  Penns'a  Reg't,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  Dol- 
lars, for  the  recruiting  Service. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
Tho's  Scott,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred  &  Thirty-twG 
Pounds  Sixteen  Shillings  &  Eight  Pence,  Balance  due  for  his  at- 
tendance in  Council  210  days,  a  35s.  &  Mileage  274  Miles  going  & 
same  distance  coming,  equal  to  548  Miles,  a  lOd.  each. 

Ordered,  That  Philip  Kreamer  be  appointed  Coroner  of  the 
County  of  Berks. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Christ'r  Hays, 
Esq'r,  Sub-Lieut,  of  Westmorland  County,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifty 
Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Arch'd  Lochry,  Esq'r,  the  Lieut,  of  the 
said  County. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Town  Major  in  favor  of  Colonel 
And'w  Boyd,  Sub-Lieut,  of  Chester  County,  for  2000  Musket  Cart- 
ridges. 

It  being  represented  to  Council  that  the  People  of  the  County 
of  Chester  continued  to  carry  provisions  into  the  City  of  Philadel- 
phia, and  that 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
John  Hambright,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  Ninety- 
nine  Pounds  &  ten  Shillings,  balance  due  to  him  for  147  days'  at- 
tendance in  Council,  &  Mileage. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Tho's  Heslip, 
Esq'r,  One  of  the  Commissioners  for  purchasing  Flour  in  the 
County  of  Chester,  for  the  Sum  of  Nine  thousand  Dollars,  for 
which  he  is  to  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster-,  Tuesday  March  24,  1778, 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Urie,  &    )  ™     , 

James  Edgar,  John  Hambright,  J     s(*  rs' 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
John  Hambright,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  &  five  hun- 
dred Pounds,  to  purchase  Horses  with  for  the  purpose  of  mount- 
ing the  Cavalry,  agreeable  to  the  request  of  a  Committee  of  Con- 
gress, at  Head  Quarters  ;  for  which  Sum  he  is  to  account. 


446  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Congress  by  their  Resolve  of  19th  instant,  having 

Resolved,  That  the  Government  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania 
be  requested  to  Station  five  hundred  Militia  at  the  following  places 
in  this  State,  under  active  &  prudent  Officers,  Yizt :  Two  hun- 
dred men  at  Easton,  One  hundred  at  Bethlehem,  and  Two  hundred 
at  Reading,  for  the  defence  of  the  Magazines  of  Military  &  other 
Stores  &  Provisions  at  these  places ;  &  to  keep  the  communication 
Secure  from  any  sudden  incursions  of  the  Enemy,  until  the  board 
of  War  or  Gen'l  Washington,  shall  think  it  expedient  to  discharge 
the  said  Militia;  Thereupon,  .     > 

Ordered,  That  three  hundred  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of 
Northampton  be  ordered  for  Guards  at  Bethlehem  &  Easton,  & 
200  Militia  of  the  County  of  Berks  for  guards  at  Reading. 

The  Council  having  received  information  that  Henry  Sckiles, 
who  &ca.,  and  Tho's  Boyd,  James  Wilson,  John  Hastings  &  Cha's 
Caldwell,  who,  &ca.,  have  not  yet  been  taken,  &ca. ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  reward  of  Two  hundred  Dollars  be  offered  by 
Proclamation,  for  each  &  every  of  the  said  Henry  Skeles,  &ca. 

The  following  being  approved  was  ordered  to  be  Published  in 
due  form : 

"  By  the  Supreme    Executive   Council  of  the   Commonicealtk  of 
Pennsylvania: 

"A   PROCLAMATION: 

% 

"  Whereas,  A  certain  Benjamin  Hammon  was  lately  most 
cruelly  &  barbarously  murdered,  in  the  County  of  Chester,  in  this 
Commonwealth  : 

"And  Whereas,  an  inquisition  taken  on  the  body  of  the  said 
Benjamin  Hammon,  &  by  depositions  taken  before  sundry  Justices 
of  the  said  Commonwealth,  there  is  great  reason  to  believe  that  a 
certain  Henry  Skyles,  late  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  in  the  said 
Commonwealth,  Yeoman,  did  feloniously  kill  and  murder  the  said 
Benjamin   Hammon,   &  that  Thomas   Boyd,   Jas  Willson,   John 

Hastings, ,  and  Charles  Caldwell,  of  the  said  County 

of  Lancaster,  Yeomen,  together  with  others  who  have  surrendered 
themselves,  were  feloniously 'present,  comforting,  abetting  &  aid- 
ing the  said  Henry  Skyles,  to  do  &  commit  the  said  murder  : 

"  And  Whereas,  it  is  at  all  times,  but  more  especially  in  the 
present  situation  of  our  affairs,  of  the  utmost  consequence  to  the 
peace  of  the  Commonwealth,  that  the  perpetrators  of  such  attrocious 
offences  should  be  brought  to  condign  &  exemplary  punishment, 
and  the  endeavours  hitherto  used  for  apprehending  &  securing  the 
Baid  offenders  have  proved  ineffectual : 

"  We  have  therefore  thought  fit  to  issue  this  Proclamation,  hereby 
offering  &  promising  a  Reward  of  Two  hundred  Dollars,  to  be  paid 
out  of  the  Public  Treasury  of  this  Commonwealth,  to  such  person 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  447 

or  persons  who  shall  apprehend  the  said  Henry  Skyles,  &  deliver  him 
into  the  Custody  of  the  Keeper  of  the  Goal  of  either  of  the  Counties 
of  Lancaster,  Berks  or  York,  in  this  Commonwealth ;  And  also, 
hereby  offering  &  promising  a  like  reward  of  Two  hundred  Dollars, 
for  each  &  every  of  them  the  said  Thomas  Boyd,  James  Wilson, 

John  Hastings, ,  &  Charles  Caldwell,  to  be  paid  as 

aforesaid,  to  such  person  or  persons  who  shall  apprehend  &  secure 
them,  or  any  of  them,  in  either  or  any  of  the  gaols  aforesaid. 

"  And  we  do  hereby  strictly  charge  &  command  all  Judges,  Jus- 
tices, Sheriffs,  Constables  &  other  Officers,  &  all  other  the  Citizens 
of  this  Commonwealth,  to  make  diligent  search  &  pursuit  after 
the  said  Henry  Skyles,  Thomas  Boyd,  James  Wilson,  John  Has- 
tings,   ,  <fe  Charles  Caldwell,  &  to  use  their  utmost 

endeavours  to  apprehend  &  secure  them,  that  they  may  be  pro- 
ceeded against  according  to  Law. 

"  Given  under  the  Seal  of  the  said  Commonwealth,  at  Lancaster, 
the  Twenty-fourth  day  of  March,  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  One 
thousand  Seven  hundred  &  Seventy-eight. 

"(Signed,)     THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Pres'fc. 
"  Attest— T.  Matlack,  Secret'y." 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  March  25,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Tho's  Urie,  &         >  ~,     , 

James  Edgar,  John  Hambright,  S 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  State  of  the.  Militia 
bow  in  the  Field, 

Ordered,  That  the  Seventh  &  Eighth  Classes  of  the  Militia  of 
Cumberland,  the  first  Class  of  Philadelphia  County,  be  called  into 
service  immediately,  &  sent  to  Gen'l  Lacy's  Camp. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  Clarke, 
for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Capt.  Tho. 
Dorsey,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia. 

Mr.  Adam  Reigart  informed  the  Council  that  he  had  begun  to 
purchase  Horses,  agreeable  to  his  orders,  &  desired  to  know  where 
they  were  to  be  sent  to  for  the  present. 

Ordered j  That  Mr.  Reigart  be  directed  to  apply  to  Mr.  Ross, 
deputy  Q'r  M'r,  for  an  apartment  of  the  Continental  stables  in 
this  Borough,  &  forage  for  the  Horses  which  he  shall  procure; 
And  that  Mr.  Reigart  appoint  a  Trusty  person  to  take  care  of 
them. 


448  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Marshall  Edwards,  late  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of  the 
County  of  Philadelphia, 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Rob't  Lollar  be  appointed  Paymaster  of  the 
Militia  of  Philadelphia  County. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colo.  John 
Shields,  for  the  Sum  of  Thirty-five  Pounds,  for  the  Carriage  of  72 
Riffles  from  Shippensburgh  to  Westmorland. 


tj  Esq'r*. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  March  26,  1778. 
present : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Tho's  Urie,  & 

James  Edgar,  John  Hambright, 

The  Hon'ble  John  Hambright,  Esq'r,  being  now  about  to  go 
into  the  County  of  Northumberland,  &  its  being  doubtful  whether 
Mr.  Wm.  Gray  &  Mr.  John  Little,  Commissioners  for  the  pur- 
chasing of  Provisions  in  that  County,  have  been  able  or  will  be 
able  to  lay  out  any  considerable  Sum  of  the  Four  thousand  Dollars 
sent  to  them  for  that  purpose ;  therefore, 

Ordered,  That  the  Hon'ble  John  Hambright,  Esq'r,  be  requested 
to  call  on  the  said  Will'm  Gray  &  John  Little,  &  enquired  what 
they  have  done  in  said  business;  k  he  is  hereby  authorized  to  receive 
from  th(&m,  &  each  of  them,  what  Monies  may  remain  in  their 
hands. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Philip  Mars- 
teller,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  thousand  Pounds,  for  paying  the 
Militia  with,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Will'm  C. 
Bradford,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  by  him 
delivered  to  Will'm  Crispin,  Commissary  of  the  State  Fleet,  and 
to  be  charged  to  the  said  William  Crispin. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Will'm  Co 
Bradford,  Paymaster  of  the  State  Fleet,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  Thou- 
sand Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  m 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  March  27,  1778. 

present  : 

His  ExcelFy  THO'S  WHARTON,  jira'r,  Esq'r,  President 

Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,  &  \  ™    , 

Jonat'n  Hogc,  Tho's  Urie,         j     ™ 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  James  Young, 
Esq'r,  Waggon  Master  of  the  State,  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  hundred 
<&  fifty  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account, 

Mr.  Young  &  Mr,  Bailey,  th«  Waggon  Master  of  Lancaster 
County,  having  now  represented  to  Council  that  the  Pay  of  the 
Officers  in  the  Waggon  department  is  so  low  that  they  are  not  able 
to  procure  suitable  persons  to  execute  the  law,  <fe  that  many  of 
those  who  huve  acted  hitherto  are  under  the  necessity  of  resigning; 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  Tkat  this  Council  will  represent  to  the  Hon'ble  House 
-of  General  Assembly  the  low  Pay  allowed  to  the  Officers  under  the 
Waggon  Law,  <&  will  use  their  influence  with  the  House  to  induce 
them  to  make  the  same  more  adequate  to  the  duty. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Shriver,  Sum- 
mers, <fe  Lasky,  for  the  Sum  of  Eight  hundred  &  fourteen  Pounds 
five  Shillings  &  one  Penny,  for  Provisions  furnished  to  the  Fleet,  & 
•charge  the  same  to  Witi'm  Crispin,  Commissary  of  the  Fleet. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  March  28,  1778 

present: 
His  Eseeiry  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Edgar,  &  ?  ™    > 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Tho's  Urie,  J  &sq  rS' 

The  Hon'ble  the  Speaker  of  the  Hon'ble  Bouse  of  General  As- 
sembly presented  in  Council  the  following  order,  to  Wit: 

"In  General  Assembly,  Pennsylvania,  March  28,  1778. 

"OentleHten  :— 

<;  Pay  to  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  this  State,  or  to 
Ids  order,  the  Sum  of  Thirty  Thousand  Pounds,  in  Bills  of  Credit, 

VO&.  XI. — 10« 


450  MINUTE?  OF  THE 

issued  by  Congress,  or  by  this  Commonwealth,  for  the  rase  of  thh 
State. 

"(Signed)     JOHN  BAYARD,  Speaker. 
"To  John  Thome  &  John  Agnew,  Eaq'rs,  Trustees  of  the  Gene- 
ial  Loin  Office  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania/* 

* 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  delivered  to  the  Treasurer. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Henry  Spyker7 
Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of  Berks  County,  for  the  Sum  of 
Five  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Capt.  Tho's  Borsey,  Pay 
M'r  of  Militia. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Arndt 
&  DavM  Deshler,  Esq'rs,  Commissioners  appointed  by  Law  to  pur- 
chase Provisions,  &ca,  in  Northampton  County,  for  the  use  of  the 
Army,  they  to  be  accountable. 

The  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  having  this  day  ap- 
pointed Capt.  John  Trevis  to  be  one  of  the  Sub-Lieutenants  of  the 
County  of  York,  in  the  room  &  stead  of  James  McCandless7 

Ordered,  That  he  be  Commissioned  accordingly. 

The  Sum  of  Thirty-five  thousand  Dollars  was  this  day  paid  into 
the  hands  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  State,  being  what  n-ow  remains 
undistributed  of  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred  &  Thirty-nine  Thou- 
sand Dollars  sent  to  Council  by  Congress,  for  the  purchase  of  Pro- 
visions, &ca7  as  appears  by  the  Receipt  of  the  said  Treasurer.    ' 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster  Monday  March  30,-  1778. 

PRESENT  : 

.    His  ExcelFy  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  Jj  Esa'rs 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Tho's  Urre.  3 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Stephen  Sut- 
ton, for  the  Sum  of  Thirteen  Pounds  Ten  Shillings,  for  riding  ex- 
press, by  order  of  the  Council*. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  Benj'c 
Bartholomew,  (of  the  5th  Penns'a  Batt'n,)  for  the  Sum  of  Three 
Hundred  &  Forty-eight  Dollars,  for  ishe  Recruiting  Service,  for 
which  he  is  to  account. 

The  Hon'ble  John  Bailey,  Esq'r,  having  by  his  Letter  of  the 
23d  instant,  resigned  bis  Seat  as  Counsellor  for  the  County  of  Lan- 
caster; thereupon, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL,  451 

Ordered,  That  a  Writ  be  issued  to  the  Sheriff  of  the  said  Coun- 
ty, to  hold  an  election  of  a  Councellor  for  the  said  Couuty  of  Lan- 
caster, in  the  room  &  stead  of  the  said  John  Bailey,  Esq'r,  &  make 
return  thereof  on  or  before  Tuesday   the  28th  day  of  April  next. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  March  31,  1778. 

PRESENT  : 

HisExeelfy  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President* 
Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  \  J.'    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Tho's  Urie.         j     B  * 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of 
Tho's  Urie,  Esq'r,  Vizt : 

For  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  Fifty-six  Pounds  Eighteen 
Shillings  &  four  Pence,  being  the  balance  due  to  him  for  140  days 
attendance  in  Council,  &  Mileage,  143  Miles. 

For  the  Sum  of  Ninety-Seven  Pounds  &  ten  Shillings  for  the 
Carriage  of  164  Riffles  from  this  place  to  Bedford,  to  be  charged 
to  John  Piper,  Esq'r,  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Bedford. 

For  the  Sum  of  Eight  Pounds  fifteen  Shillings  &  Six  Pence,  for 
his  extra  expences  on  thirteen  days  journey  on  Public  Service  by 
order  of  Council.     And  also, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Ralston, 
Esq'r,  for  the  sum  of  One  Thousand  &  five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
by  him  delivered  to  Abraham  Lavan,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing 
Horses  to  mount  the  Cavalry,  agreeable  to  a  request  of  the  Com- 
mittee from  Congress,  at  Camp,  to  be  charged  to  Mr.  Levan. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Peter  Burk- 
holdcr,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  by 
him  delivered  to  Mr.  Philip  Boehm,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of 
Northampton  County,  to  be  charged  to  Capt.  Thomas  Dorsey,  Pay 
Master  of  the  State  Militia. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Adam 
Reigart,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand  Pounds  to  purchase  Horses 
with,  agreeable  to  the  request  of  the  Committee  of  Congress  at 
Camp,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

And  the  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Viz't : 

In  favor  of  Rob't  Curry,  for  taking  up  a  Deserter,  &  his  expen- 
ces, for  £4  13  3,  (Butler's  Co.,  3d  Penns'a  Reg't.) 

In  favor  of  Will'm  Clark,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  Cumberland 
Militia,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to 
€apt.  T.  Dorsey,  Paymaster  of  the  State. 

In  favor  of  Will'm  C.  Bradford,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand 
Pounds,  for  Paying  the  Fleet,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 


452  MINUTES  OF  THE 

In  favor  of  Capt.  Joseph  Irwin,  of  the  9th  Penna'a  Reg't,  for 
the  Sum  of  Eight  hundred  &  twelve  Dollars,  for  the  purpose  of  Re- 
cruiting, for  which  he  is  to  account. 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  April  1,  1778 
present : ~ 
Hi*  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jonat'n  Hoge,  &  ?  ™     > 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jac.  Arndt.  $  ^sq  r8* 

The  following  Resolves  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assem- 
bly being  read,  Viz't : 

"In  General  Assembly,  April  1,  1778,  P,  M 

"  A  Letter  from  Tho's  Hartley,  Esq'r,  Colonel  of  one  of  the 
Congress  Regiments,  to  the  Speaker,  desiring  leave  to  inlist  for  his 
Regiment  within  this  State,  &  to  be  furnished  with  the  bounty 
granted  by  this  State  for  Recruits,  &  inclosing  a  resolve  of  Con- 
gress, that  the  men  so  inlisted  should  be  considered  a  a  part  of  the 
quota  of  this  State,  was  read,  &  it  was  thereupon 

"  Resolved,  That  the  said  Col.  Hartley  be  permitted  to  enlist  with- 
in this  State,  k  that  the  men  so  by  him  recruited,  be  entitled  to 
the  bounty  lately  granted  by  this  State  for  Soldiers  inlisted  for  the 
Regiments  of  this  State." 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Tho's  Hartley, 
Esq'r,  Colo   of  the  Congress  Reg't,  for  the  Sum  of  Five 

Thousand  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  for  which   he  is  to 
account. 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  first  Class  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of 
Bucks  be  immediately  called  into  service,  &  sent  to  Gen'l  Lacy's 
Camp. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colo.  Will'm 
Clark,  Pay  Master  of  Militia  for  Cumberland  County,  for  the  Sum 
of  Six  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Capt.  Tho.  Dorsey,  Pay 
Master  of  Militia. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  Matthew 
Scott,  of  the  13th  Penns'a  Reg't,  for  the  Sum  of  Eight  hundred  & 
twelve  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 
An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colonel  Fred'k 
Antis,  or  to  his  order,  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  and  Five  hundred 
Pounds,  to  be  delivered  to  Col.  Weiss  of  Philadelphia  County,  to 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.      453 

purchase  Horses  with,  agreeable  to  the  request  Committee  of  the 
from  Congress  at  Camp,  for  which  Colo.  Weiss  is  to  account. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  case  of  John  Brown, 
now  under  Parole  at  Manheim;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  John  Brown,  now  on  Parole  at  Manheim,  be  di- 
rected to  attend  in  this  Borough,  &  that  he  be  here  discharged  from 
the  same. 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Fred'k  Watt,  John  Stuart,  Alexa.  Murry,  jun'r, 
&  Church  Coxe,  be  appointed  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County 
of  Cumberland. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Tho's,Jor 
dan,  Pay  M'r  of  Militia  in  the  County  of  Northumberland,  for  the 
Sum  of  Five  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Capt.  Thomas  Dor- 
sev,  Pay  Master  of  Militia. 

The  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  having  this  day  ap- 
pointed George  Wall,  Esq'r,  to  be  Sub-Lieutenant  of  the  County 
of  Bucks ; 

Ordered,  That  the  said  George  Wall,  Esq?r,  be  Commissioned 
accordingly. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  April  2d,  1778. 
present  : 

His  Exceil'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jos.  Hait,  Jonat'n  Hoge,  &  >  ™    , 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jac'b  Arndt,         $ 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Peter  De 
haven,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to 
acco't. 

It  having  been  reported  that  Rich'd  Backhouse,  of  Easton,  a  Dep- 
uty under  R.  L.  Hooper,  D.  Q.  M.,  has  lately  sent  to  Boston  a 
Brigade  of  Waggons,  which  it  is  suspected  were  Public  Waggons, 
drawing  Public  Forage,  &  that  they  have  been  employed  in  bring- 
ing Merchandize  from  Boston  on  some  private  account ;  whereupon^ 

Ordered,  Tho's  Silliman,  Sam'l  Rea,  Esq'rs,  of  the  County  of 
Northampton,  be  required  to  Summons  such  persons  as  may  be 
probably  acquainted  with  the  said  transaction,  &  fully  examine 
them  on  Oath  concerning  it,  &  to  take  the  necessary  measures  for 
securing  all  persons  which  may  be  concerned  in  carrying  on  this  or 
any  other  public  fraud,  and  make  Report  of  their  proceedings  here- 
in, as  well  to  do  justice  to  the  United  States  as  to  the  Character  of 
Mr,  Backhouse,  if  the  report  shall  appear  to  have  been  without 
foundation. 


454  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  having  entered  into'  the 
f.hree  following  Resolves  : 

"In  General  Assembly,  April  1,  1778,  A.  M. 

"  Whereas,  It  is  absolutely  necessary  that  the  quota  of  this 
State  towards  the  Continental  Army  should  be  raised  with  the  ut- 
most expedition,  And  that  all  means  should  be  used  for  attaining 
that  important  end, 

1.  "Resolved,  That  the  Sum  of  Sixteen  Dollars,  lately  resolved 
by  this  House  to  be  paid  to  the  recruiting  Officer  for  each  Soldier 
he  shall  inlist,  shall  also  be  paid  to  any  person  within  this  State,  who 
shall  procure  an  able-bodied  recruit  to  inlist  in  any  regiment  belong- 
ing to  this  State,  which  said  Sum  shall  be  paid  to  the  said  person 
by  the  Lieutenant  or  nearest  Sub- Lieutenant  of  the  County,  upon 
his  delivering  the  said  Ilecruit  to  him,  together  with  an  attestation 
of  such  inlistment,  under  the  hand  &  Seal  of  some  Justice  of  the 
County. 

2d.  "  Resolved,  That  it.be  recommended  to  the  Supreme  Execu- 
tive Council  to  call  upon  the  Lieutenants  &  Sub  Lieutenants  of  the 
several  Counties  of  this  State,  for  fair  &  exact  lists,  distinguishing 
battalions  &  Companies,  of  all  the  Officers  &  Soldiers  within  this 
State,  which  shall  be  delivered  in,  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  May 
next. 

3d.  "  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  said  Supreme 
Executive  Council,  to  endeavour  to  procure  the  most  exact  &  accu- 
rate accounts  of  what  will  be  the  deficiency  of  the  quota  of  this 
State  on  the  said  first  day  of  May  next ;  and  that  thereupon,  &  as 
soon  as  the  said  deficiency  shall  be  known,  theCouncil  will  fix,  ascer- 
tain &  allot  to  each  of  the  said  battalions  the  quota,  proportion,  or- 
number  of  men  required  of  it  for  completing  the  Troops  of  this 
State ;  and  as  soon  as  the  said  requisition  and  allotment  are  made 
known  to  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Battalion,  the  Field  Offi- 
cers thereof  shall  meet  together  &  allot,  fix  &  ascertain  the  number 
of  men  required  of  each  Company  of  the  said  battalion  ,  and  the 
same  being  notified  to  the  Commanding  Officer  of  each  Company, 
the  Officers  thereof  shall  procure  by  draught,  lot,  or  any  other 
means  whatsoever,  the  number  of  Men  required  of  the  said  Com- 
pany ;  And  the  said  men  shall  be  delivered  by  the  Commanding 
Officers  of  the  Companies  respectively,  to  the  Lieutenant  or  nearest 
Sub-Lieutenant  of  the  County,  within  ten  days  after  such  requisition 
made  to  the  Company,  who  shall  give  a  Certificate  of  their  being 
received ;  and  the  said  Lieutenant  or  Sub-Lieutenant  shall  deliver 
the  same  men  to  the  nearest  recruiting  Officer,  who  shall  also  give 
a  Certificate  of  their  receipt.  And  the  said  men  so  draughted  or 
otherwise  procured,  shall  serve  as  Soldiers  in  the  Continental  Army 
for  the  space  of  uiue  months,  or  during  the  Campaign,  unless  sooner 
discharged. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  455 

4th.  "Resolved,  That  every  Militia  Man  who  shall  voluntarily 
inlist  himself  without  draughting  or  lot,  in  pursuance  of  these  Re- 
solves, shall  be  exempted  from  all  Taxes  for  one  Year  after  his 
time  of  Service  elapsed;"  Thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieutenants  of  the  several  Counties  be  re- 
quired immediately  to  make  the  returns  to  this  Council  as  ordered 
by  the  above  2nd  Resolve,  &  that  he  take  care  to  have  them  made 
on  or  before  the  said  first  day  of  May. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favor  of  Colo.  John 
Bird,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  &  five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
by  him  forwarded  to  Mr.  James  Ramsay,  of  Bedford  County,  to 
Purchase  Horses,  agreeable  to  the  request  of  the  Committee  of 
Congress. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colo.  Rob't 
Culbertson,  of  Cumberland  County,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand 
Pounds,  to  purchase  Horses  with  to  mount  the  Cavalry,  agreeable  to 
the  request  of  the  Committee  of  Congress  at  Camp. 

The  Hon'ble  House  of  Assembly  having  nominated  Thomas 
Levis,  Esq'r,  to  be  a  Sub-Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Chester, 

Ordered,  That  he  be  commissioned  accordingly. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Tresurer  in  favor  of  Stephen  Coch- 
ran, "Esq'r,  for  the  Suin  of  Two  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  by  him 
paid  to  Mr.  Sam'l  Futhey,  of  the  County  of  Chester,  to  purchase 
Horses  with  to  mount  the  Cavalry,  agreeable  to  the  request  of  the 
Committee  of  Congress,  lately  at  Camp. 

The  Hon'ble  House  of  Assembly  having  appointed  George  Read- 
ing, Esq'r,  to  be  a  Sub-Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Westmorland, 
in  the  room  and  stead  of  James  Pollock,  who  is  superceeded  be- 
cause he  hath  not  taken  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  to  tj^s  State, 

Ordered-,  That  he  be  Commissioned  accordingly. 


i 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  April  3,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

His  EecelFy  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jona'n  Hoge,  &  ?  -p    » 

Jacob  Morgan,  Jac.  Arndt,        $  *S° 

The  following  Resolve  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assem- 
bly of  yesterday  being  read,  in  the  following  words,  Viz : 

"In  GenT  Assembly,  April  2d,  1778,  A.  M. 

u  Resolved,  That  the  Hon'ble  tytyr .  Speaker,  Colo.  Knox,  Doct. 
Caxdner,  Colo.  Clark  h  Mr.  McLene,  be  a  Committee  to  confer  with 


456  MINUTES  OF  THE 

the  Council  on  the  best  means  of  reducing  three  Reg'ts  belonging 
to  the  quota  of  this  State,  &  also  to  resolve  &  determine  in  conjunc- 
tion with  Council,  which  Regiments  and  what  officers  shall  be  so 
Teduced;&  that  they  make  report  of  their  proceedings  to  this  House 
at  their  next  Sitting." 

The  Hon'ble  the  Speaker  of  the  House,  Colo.  King,  Col  Clark, 
k  Mr.  McLene,  of  the  Committee  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  Re- 
solve of  the  Hon'ble  House,  &  also  the  Hon'ble  Joseph  Reed, 
Esq'r,  one  of  a  Committee  of  Congress  lately  at  Camp,  attended 
In  Council. 

The  present  State  of  the  Thirteen  Battalions  belonging  to  this 
Commonwealth,  now  being  read  before  the  Council  &  Gentlemen 
in  conference  &  in  the  Continental  Service,  the  circumstances  at- 
tending them  respectively,  carefully  attended  to  by  them;  and  after 
a.  full  discussion  of  the  difficulties  arising  from  the  various  modes 
proposed  for  reducing  the  three  Regiments,  agreeable  to  the  Reso- 
lution of  Congress, 

Ordered,  That  the  13th, 12th  &  11th  be  joined  with  some  other 
of  the  Regiments. 

That  as  the  State  of  the  Second  &  third  Battalions  require  con- 
siderable alterations  to  be  made,  the  13th  Battalion  be  incorpora- 
ted with  the  Second,  &  that  Colo.  Walter  Stewart  take  the  Com- 
mand in  the  room  of  Colo.  Becker. 

That  the  Twelfth  Battalion  be  incorporated  with  the  third  Bat- 
talion. 

That  the  Eleventh  Battalion  be  incorporated  with  the  tenth,  be- 
ing the  next  youngest  Battalion;  and  that  Colo.  Humphreys  take 
the  Command  in  »he  room  of  Colo.  Nagle. 

That  the  arrangement  of  the  other  Officers  be  submitted  to  the 
direction  of  the  Committee  of  the  Hon'ble  Congress,  lately  sent  to 
Camp,  as  they  will  be  possessed  of  the  best  information  whereon  to 
found  a  judgment  herein.  At  the  same  time,  it  is  recommended 
to  them  to  regard  the  date  of  Commissions  where  there  is  equal 
merit;  but  as  the  reason  on  which  the  rule  adopted  in  such  cases  in 
j>lder  Countries  is  founded,  does  not  fully  extend  to  a  service  so 
new  as  that  of  the  United  States  of  America  is,  where  there  are  de- 
ficiencies in  the  conduct  of  any  Officer,  and  it  appears  to  be  for  the 
interest  of  the  Service  to  remove  him  &  to  advance  others  in  con- 
sideration of  merit,,  that  the  interest  of  the  service  be  allowed  its. 
due  weight,  * 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  457 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  April  4,  1778. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 
Joseph  Hart,  Jonathan  Hoge,  &") 

Jacob  Morgan,  James  Edgar,  J-Esq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  \ 

Colo.  Broadhead  attended  the  Council  &  represented  the  neces- 
sity of  Bayonets  in  his  Battalion,  &  the  great  difficulty  of  pro- 
curing workmen  to  make  them  ;  On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  if  it  shall  happen  to  be  the  Tour  of  duty  in  the 
Militia,  of  any  Workman  which  shall  be  employed  in  making  Bayo- 
nets &  Belts  for  Colonel  Broadhead's  Brigade,  he  shall  continue  in 
that  employment,  &  be  allowed  Rations  &  Pay  as  if  actually 
in  the  field,  &  that  it  be  considered  as  a  performance  of  his  Tour  of 
duty  for  such  time  as  he  shall  be  actually  employed  in  making  such 
Bayonets  &  Beits  ;  and  that  the  Lieutenants  &  Sub-Lieutenants  of 
the  County  are  hereby  directed  to  take  care  that  this  Resolve  be 
faithfully  executed,- without  abuses  of  any  kind. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Jacob  S. 
Howell,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  Hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to 
account. 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Monday  April  6,  1778. 


present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Edgar,  &  )  ™     , 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt,      5  m(f  rs' 

The  Hon'ble  Jacob  Morgan,  Esq'r, /having  resigned  his  Seat  in 
Council;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  Writ  be  issued  to  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  of 
Berks,  commanding  him  to  hold  ah  Election  for  chusing  a  Coun- 
cilor for  the  said  County,  agreeable  to  the  Constitution,  &  make 
return  thereof  on  or  before  Tuesday  the  6th  of  May  next. 

A  Letter  from  His  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington,  inclosing  one 
from  Mrs.  Mary  Pemberton  to  him,  requesting  a  Protection  for  one 
or  more  Waggons,  &  for  the  persons  who  may  be  employed  to  go 
with  them  to  Winchester,  to  carry  necessaries  for  the  Prisoners 
sent  there  from  this  State  ;  On  consideration, 


458  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  a  Protection  be  granted  for  Two  Waggons  &  the 
necessary  persons  to  take  care  of  them,  &  conduct  them  to  this 
borough,  on  their  way  to  the  said  Prisoners.  fc 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Tuesday  April  7,  1778. 


present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,*Esq'r,  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Edgar,  & 


Janat'n  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt,       C       v   > 


,&e,  Jacob  Ar 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Conrad  & 
John  Marks,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  One  Pounds  &  four 
Pence,  balance  due  to  them  for  Thirty  days  Stage  Waggon  hire  in 
conducting  the  Prisoners  to  Virginia,  at  Four  Pounds  Ten  Shillings 
^P  day,  they  having  received  of  George  Ross,  Esq'r,  the  Sum  of 
Thirty-three  Pounds  Nineteen  Shillings  &  Eight  Pence,  in  part ; 
And, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  George  Ross, 
jun'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Thirty- three  Pounds  Nineteen  Shillings  & 
Eight  Pence,  advanced  by  him  as  aforesaid  j  this  last  order  being 
interwoven  in  the  former  one. 

Mr.  Benja.  Rittenhouse,  Superintendent  of  the  Gun  Lock  Facto- 
ry, having  represented  to  the  Council  that  the  Pay  allowed  him  is 
insufficient  for  the  maintainance  of  his  Family,  &  prayed  that  his 
Salary  may  be  increased, 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Benja.  Rittenhouse  be  allowed,  for  Superin- 
tending the  Gun  Lock  Factory,  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds 
"$  Ann.,  to  Commence  from  the  15th  Feb'ry  last. 

Petitions  of  divers  Volunteers  who  went  from  Antrim  &  Peters' 
Township  into  service  in  November  last,  setting  forth, 

That  in  consequence  of  the  invitation  of  the  President  &  Gen'l 
Armstrong,  &  that  they  have  served  at  Camp  in  expectation  that 
it  would  have  been  considered  as  a  tour  of  duty  done  by  them,  but 
that  the  Lieutenant  of  the  County  is  now  about  to  order  them  to  be 
fined  for  not  turning  out  in  their  Classes  respectively,  being  read ; 
on  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  agreeable  to  the  order  of  Council  to  the  Lieuten- 
ants of  the  several  Counties  dated  the. 23d  day  of  October  last,  all 
persons  who  had  not  gone  out  in  their  turn  in  the  Classes  called 
before  that  time,  &  who  turned  out  &  served  two  months  according 
to  the  said  order,  such  service  shall  be  considered  as  a  full  compen- 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  459 

sation  for  their  former  neglect,  &  that  all  persons  whose  turn  it  was 
iiot  then  to  go  into  the  field,  &  who  notwithstanding,  went  out  vol- 
untarily &  served  a  tour  out  of  their  turn,  be  exempted  from  their 
then  next  tour  of  duty ;  But  Council  hath  not  any  legal  authority 
to  extend  this  exemption  to  those  who  refused  to  go  in  their  turn 
under  the  Officers  which  had  been  duly  chosen  by  the  People,  & 
Commissioned  accordingly. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colo.  Dan'l 
Broadhead,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand  Seven  hundred  &  Six 
&  One-third  Dollars,  to  be  by  him  delivered  to  sundry  Officers  of 
Colo,  Stewart's  Batt'n,  who  have  been  recruiting,  to  be  charged  to 
Col.  Walter  Stewart. 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  April  8,  1778, 

PRESENT  : 

Hi3  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Edgar,  &  ?  -p     > 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt,       $  *" 

Ordered,  That  Five  hundred  weight  of  Lead  be  delivered  by 
John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  Store-keeper,  to  Major  Wertz,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  makiug  Cartridges,  agreeable  to  a  resolve  of  Congress. 

Mr.  John  Brown  attended  the  Council,  agreeable  to  the  order  of 
the  first  instant,  &  was  discharged  from  the  Parole  under  which, 
for  some  time  past,  he  has  been  enlarged,  And  the  surety  of  good 
behaviour  given  by  him  is  not  to  extend  to  his  conduct  from  this 
date. 
Colo.  Joseph  Hart  having  attended  in  Council  84 

days,  last  ending  the  15th  of  October,  @  25s  ^ 

dav,  -  -  -  -•'.;.-  £!0b     0  0 

Mileage  on  20  Miles,  -  ...  .  .  16  8 

From  the  15th  of  October  to  the  1st  April  inst., 

187  days  @  35s,     -  .  -      '       -  -     292     5  0 

Mileage  on  70  Miles,  -  -  -  -  5  16  8 


^403  18  4 


An  order  was  drawn  in  his  favor  for  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred 
&  three  Pounds  Eighteen  Shillings  &  four  Pence,  for  his  Pay  to 
1st  ins. 

A  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  19th  March  last,  being  now  read 
in  Council,  as  follows  : 


460  MINUTES  OF  THE 

"In  Congress,  March  19th,  1778. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  each  State  to  appoint 
some  suitable  person  or  persons  to  get  made,  with  all  possible  dis- 
patch, as  many  complete  sets  of  accoutrements  &  spare  bayonet 
Sheaths  as  shall  be  sufficient  for  their  respective  quota  of  Troops  ; 
The  Cartridge  Boxes  to  be  made  to  hold  at  least  Twenty-nine 
rounds  of  Cartridges,  when  made  up  with  ounce  Balls,  &  the  cover 
of  good  substantial  leather,  with  a  small  cover  or  flap  under  it,  that 
the  Ammunition  may  be  most  effectually  guarded  against  rain  j  & 
to  prevent  impositions  from  the  workmen,  that  proper  inspectors  be 
appointed  to  examine  &  receive  the  accoutrements,  with  orders  to 
reject  such  as  are  bad *&  insufficient;  &  that  the  accoutrements  so 
provided  be  sent  forward  with  the  Troops,  or  as  soon  after  as  possi- 
ble ;  That  in  case  in  any  State  they  have  quantities  of  Tin,  instead 
of  the  Cartouch  Boxes,  an  equal  number  of  Tin  Cartridge  Cannis- 
ters  be  furnished,  agreeable  to  a  pattern  or  description  to  be  sent 
by  the  board  of  War.'' 

Ordered,  That  William  Henry,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  to  procure 
the  accoutrements  to  be  made  agreeable  to  the  foregoing  Resolve 
of  Congress. 

The  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  16th  March  last,  "  That  the 
board  of  War  be  directed  to  deliver  over  to  the  order  of  the  Presi- 
dent &  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  the  Prisoners  sent  from  this  State 
to  Virginia,"  being  now  read,  &  the  law  for  the  further  security  of 
the  Government  taken  into  consideration,  as  far  as  the  same  may 
affect  the  said  Prisoners ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Prisoners,  to  Wit :  Israel  Pember- 
ton,  John  Hunt,  James  Pemberton,  John  Pemberton,  Thomas 
Wharton,  Edward  Pennington,  Henry  Drinker,  Thomas  Gilpin, 
Charles  Jervis,  Thomas  Fisher,  Samuel  Pleasants,  Thomas  Af- 
flick,  Elijah  Brown,  Owen  Jones,  jun'r,  Samuel  Fisher,  Wil- 
liam Smith,  Miers  Fisher,  Charles  Eddy,  &  William  Drewitt 
Smith,  be  brought  to  Shippensburgh  in  this  State,  &  there  en- 
larged )  That  they  be  informed  of  the  Law  passed  for  the  fur- 
ther security  of  the  Government,  by  giving  to  Mr.  Israel  Pem- 
berton, or  some  one  of  the  said  Prisoners  a  printed  Copy  of  the 
said  Law  for  the  inspection  of  the  whole  ;  That  Mr.  Francis  Bailey 
&  Capt.  Lang  be  appointed  to  apply  to  the  Board  of  War  for,  & 
receive  from  them  an  order  for  the  delivery  of  the  Prisoners  sent 
from  this  State  to  Virginia,  &  that  the  Board  of  War  be  requested 
to  give  orders  for  such  assistance  in  procuring  Waggons  to  bring 
the  Prisoners  into  this  State  as  may  be  necessary ;  That  the  said 
Francis  Bailey  &  Capt.  Lang  receive  &  conduct  the  said  Prisoners 
to  Shippensburgh  in  this  State,  &  there  set  them  at  liberty ;  and 
that  on  their  journey  they  be  treated  with  the  respect  due  to  their 
Characters. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  461 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieutenants  of  the  Counties  through  which 
the  aforesaid  Prisoners  may  pass,  do  give  the  necessary  assist- 
ance to  Mr.  Bayley  &  Capt.  Lang,  by  furnishing  Waggons,  or  other 
assistance  which  they  may  stand  in  need  of. 

Ordered,  That  the  whole  expence  of  arresting  &  confining  the 
Prisoners  sent  to  Virginia,  the  expences  of  their  journey,  &  all  other 
incidental  charges,  be  paid  by  the  said  Prisoners. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Francis  Bailey, 
&  Capt.  James  Lang,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  and  fifty  Pounds, 
for  which  they  are  to  account. 

The  Hon'ble  Jonathan  B.  Smith,  Esq'r,  Delegate  of  this  State 
in  Congress,  having  inclosed  to  this  Council  a. draft  in  the  follow- 
.  ing  words,  Vizt : 

"  Dollars  50,000.  "  Yorktown,  Mar.  30, 1778. 

"  Sir : 

"  Pay  to  the  Hon'ble  the  President  &  Council  of  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania, or  order,  the  Sum  of  Fifty  Thousand  Dollars,  it  being  to 
be  by  them  put  into  the  hands  of  proper  persons,  for  the  purpose 
of  purchasing  Horses  in  said  State  for  the  use  of  the  Army  of  the 
United  States,  &  to  be  paid  out  of  such  Money  as  you  have  or  may 
receive  in  consequence  of  issues  of  Loan  Office  Certificates,  the 
said  State  to  be  accountable. 

"  I  am  Sir, 

"  Your  very  humble  Servant, 
"  (Signed)     HENRY  LAURENS,  President. 
u  To   Thomas  Smith,    Esq'r,  Commissi   of  the  Continental 
Loan  Office  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. " 

And  underwritten,  "March  30, 1778,  Passed  in  Treasury  Office." 
"  (Signed)     WM.  GOVETT,  Aud'r  G'l." 

Ordered,  That  the  foregoing  draft  be  made  payable  to  David 
Eittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  April* 9th,  1778, 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y,  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Edgar,  <&   >  «*    , 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt.         \  ^ m 


462  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  Ynet. 

Lancaster,  Friday  April  10,  1?7£. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,  &  )  ™     » 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt.      }       * 

The  recommendation  by  four  of  the  Justices  &  the  Sheriff  of  the 
County  of  Northampton,  of  Robert  Clarke,  convicted  of  Felony  in 
the  said  County,  as  a  fit  object  of  Mercy,  &  interceding  for  the 
remission  of  his  fine  and  corporal  punishment,  was  read,  &  the  rea- 
sons whereon  the  same  is  founded  being  considered ;  whereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  fine  &  corporal  punishment  adjudged  by  the 
Court  of  the  County  of  Northampton,  to  be  inflicted  on  a  certain 
Robert  Clarke,  be  remitted. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Joseph 
Carson,  for  the  Sum  of  Nine  thousand  &  forty-three  Pounds  and 
Ten  Shillings,  the  balance  due  to  him  for  a  quantity  of  Woollen? 
seized  by  this  Council  in  the  Great  Swamp  in  the  County  of  Bucks, 
&  applied  to  the  Cloathing  of  the  Continental  Troops,  agreeable  to  a 
resolve  of  Congress  for  that  purpose  j  the  said  Sum,  together  with 
the  Sum  of  Seven  Thousand  Pounds  drawn  in  favor  of  the  said 
Carson  of  the  7th  January  last,  be  charged  to  James  Meas,  Esq'r, 
Clothier  General  of  the  United  States. 

Mr.  James  Futhy  having  delivered  into  the  Continental  Stable, 
Eleven  Horses  purchased  by  him, 

Ordered)  That  the  Secretary  give  Mr.  Futhy  a  Certificate  of 
the  same. 

An  Address  from  the  Wives  &  near  friends  of  the  Prisoners  in 
Virginia   being  read  &  considered  j  thereupon* 

Ordered,  That  the  Prisoners  now  in  Virginia  be  brought  to  this 
Borough,  instead  of  being  enlarged  at  Shippensburgh. 

The  beard  of  War  having  sent  to  Council  an  order  to  Jos.  Holmes, 
Esq'r,  to  deliver  over  to  the  order  of  the  President^  Council  of  this 
State  all  Prisoners  of  this  State  now  under  his  care;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  an  order  be  endorsed  thereon  for  the  delivery  of 
the  said  Prisoners  to  Mr.  Francis  &  Capt.  Lang. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  David  Watson, 
Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  &  five  hundred  Dollars,  for  the 
purpose  of  purchasing  Horses  in  the  County  of  York,  for  the  Con- 
tinental Cavalry. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Sara.  Fu- 
thy, for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  &  five  hundred  Dollars,  to  be 
paid  in  Loan  Office  Certificates,  for  the  like  purpose,  in  the  County 
of  Chester.  / 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  46S 

The  Council  Met. 

■     # 
Lancaster,  Saturday  April  11,  1778. 

present: 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Edgar,  &   >  -^V, 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt.         3     & 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Tho's  Dorsey, 
Paymaster  of  Militia,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifteen  thousand  Dollars,  for 
which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colo.  Steph'n 
Bayard,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred  &  Twenty  Dollars,  for  the 
recruiting  Service,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  April  13,  If  ?& 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,  &  ?  ™     « 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt.        J      .'" 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  Steph'n 
Bayard,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  four  hundred  and  Forty  Dol- 
lars, for  the  recruiting  Service,  &  for  which  he  is  to  account. 
A  Letter  from  Mr.  Trio's  Savage  being  read  and  considered, 
Ordered,  That  Mr.  Tho's  Savage  be  directed  to  lay  before  the 
Council  the  State  of  his  accounts,  in  order  that  a  judgment  may  be 
formed  of  what  is  proper  to  be  further  done  in  this  business* 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt,  Sutter., 
for  the  Sum  of  Ten  pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Mr,  Thomas  Savage. 


ite  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  April  14,  1778 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jos.  Hart  James  Edgar,  &  [  ™     , 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt,       (     s(l r  • 

Francis  Bryan,  a  Private  belonging  to  the  Chatham  Galley, 
having  lost  his  Arm  in  the  Service,  made  application  to  the  Council 
for  a  present  supply  of  Money,  (&  producing  a  furlow  for  one 
Month  j) 

On  consideration, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the' said  Fran- 
cis Bryan,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  William 
0.  Bradford,  Paymaster  of  the  Fleet. 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  April  15,  1778,. 
present  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Edgar,  &  )  ^     , 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt,       5  ^  r8' 

Gen'l  Wayne  having  recommended  divers  officers  to  be  sent  on 
the  Recruiting  Service,  (for  which  see  21st  instant.) 

Capt.  Jacob  Weaver  of  the  10th  Pennsylvania  Battalion. 

Lieut.  Killer  of  the  10th  Pennsylvania  Battalion,  sent  into  Lan- 
caster County,  with  orders  on  the  Lieutenant  of  the  County. 

Lieut.  McOlellan,  of  the  1st  Pennsylvania  Battalion. 

Capt.  Miller  of  the  7th  Pennsylvania  Battalion,  sent  into  the 
County  of  Cumberland,  with  orders  on  the  Lieutenant  of  the  said 
County. 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Viz  : 

In  favor  of  Capt.  Weaver,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  fifty 
Dollars. 

In  favor  of  Lieut.  Killer,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  fifty 
Dollars. 

In  favor  of  Capt.  Miller,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  fifty 
Dollars. 

In  favor  of  Lieut.  McClellan,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  & 
fifty  Dollars. 

For  which  said  Suras  respectively,  the  aforesaid  Gentlemen,  in 
whose  favor  the  orders  were  drawn,  are  to  account. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  465 

Capfc.  Tho's  Gourly,  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  having 
requested  by  Colo.  Butler  to  undertake  the  Recruiting  Service, 
attended  the  Council  &  received  Recruiting  orders  for  the  County 
of  York,  with  the  general  instructions  to  call  on  the  Lieut,  of  the 
said  County  for  Money. 

Major  Gen'l  Green  having  represented  to  the  Council,  on  the  13th 
instant,  that  there  may  probably  be  cases  of  great  necessity  for 
Waggons  for  the  Army,  which  cannot  be  supplied  by  the  mode  di- 
rected by  the  Waggon  Law;  and  that  great  difficulties  have  arisen 
in  procuring  Waggon  Masters  &  Teamsters,  in  consequence  of  the 
demands  made  upon  them  for  their  services  in  the  Militia,  or  Pay- 
ment Substitution  Money,  in  lieu  of  such  Service ;  and  the  same 
being  taken  into  consideration,  this  Council  are  of  opinion,  That 
whenever,  <feca.     (See  the  18th  instant.) 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  April  16,  1778, 
present:  i  • 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President, 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Edgar,  &  )  ™    , 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  Jac.  Arndt,  j  ^ TS' 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  April  17,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jos,  Hart,  James  Edgar,  &  )  -^     , 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  Jac.  Arndt.  \     £(* rs* 

A  Certificate  signed  by  WilPm  Crispin,  Commissary,  setting 
forth  that  he  had  took  by  force  121  Gallons  of  Jamaica  Spirits  for 
the  use  of  the  Fleet,  on  the  20th  November,  being  laid  before  the 
Council,  and  it  appearing  to  have  been  very  old  Spirit,  for  which 
he  could  have  had  Five  Pounds  P  Gallon. ;  whereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Elias  Boyee, 
for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  &  five  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Will'm 
Crispin,  Commissary. 

The  Hon'ble  Jonathan  B.  Smith,  Esq'r,  Delegate  of  this  State- 
in  Congress,  inclosed  to  the  President  an  order  in  the  following- 
words,  Viz  : 

VOL,  xi. — 30. 


466  MINUTES  OF  THE 

"  For  20,000  Dollars. 

«  York  Town,  15  April,  1778. 
'-'Sir: 

Ff  Pay  to  the  President  &  Council  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 
or  his  order,  the  Sum  of  Twenty  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  by  them 
put  into  the  hands  of  proper  persons  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing 
Horses  in  said  State,  for  the  use  of  the  Army  of  the  United  States, 
and  the  State  to  be  accountable. 
"  I  am  Sir, 

"  Your  very  humble  Serv"'t, 
"  (Signed,)      HENRY  LAURENS,  President, 
"  To  Thomas  Smith,  Esq'r,  Commissary  of  the  Continental  Loan 
il  Office,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania." 

Underwritten  thus,  "  Entered  in  the  Treasury  Office,  15th  April 
1778. 

"  (Signed)  JOHN  GIBSON,  Aud'r  Gen'l." 

Ordered,  That  the  aforesaid  draft  be  made  payable  to  Dav'd  Rit- 
tenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  this  State. 


&  -i 

:ay,  V-Esq'] 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  April  18,  1778. 
s 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  & 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Mackay, 

James  Edgar, 

Henry  Spyker,  Pay  Master  of  Militia  of  the  County  of  Berks, 
applied  to  Council  for  Money  to  pay  the  Militia  of  that  County,  k 
the  Treasury  being  very  low,  On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  a  draft  be  given  to  Mr.  Spyker,  on  Colo.  Jacob 
Morgan,  Lieut,  of  the  said  County  of  Berks,  for  the  Sum  of  Six 
Thousand  Pounds,  and  accordingly, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Colo.  Jacob  Morgan,  Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Berks,  in  favor  of  Henry  Spyker,  for  the  Sum  of  Six 
Thousand  Pounds  to  Pay  the  Militia,- for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Christ' n 
Lower,  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  purchasing  of  Horses  in  the 
County  of  Northampton,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Five  hun- 
dred Pounds  to  pay  the  Militia,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Fred'k  Snei- 
der,  Doorkeeper,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  thirty-one  Pounds 
One  Shilling  &  Six  Pence,  being  the  Amount  of  his  account  for 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  467 

sundry  small  expeuces  paid  by  him,  and  for  his  attendance  123 
days,  ending  the  16th  instant. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Robert  Craig, 
one  of  the  Commissioners  of  Lancaster  County,  for  purchasing 
Cloathing,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Pounds,  for  which  the  said 
Craig  is  to  account. 

It  having  been  represented  to  this  Council  that  a  considerable 
number  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Chester,  heretofore  called 
in  their  respective  Classes,  from  various  circumstances  have  not 
performed  their  Tour  of  duty,  nor  as  yet  paid  their  Substitution 
Money,  &  the  same  being  now  considered ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  such  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Chester  as 
have  not  performed  their  Tour  of  duty,  or  paid  their  Substitution 
Money,  be  now  called  into  service,  &  that  the  serving  two  Months 
under  the  present  call,  shall  be  accepted  in  lieu  of  their  former 
service. 

Major  Gen'l  Green  having  on  the  13th  instant  represented  to 
the  Council  that  there  may  probably  be  cases  of  great  &  immediate 
necessity  for  Waggons  for  the  use  of  the  Army,  which  cannot  be 
supplied  in  the  mode  pointed  out  by  the  Waggon  Law,  so  as  to  an- 
swer such  emergency ;  &  he  expressing  an  earnest  desire  of  acting 
in  the  discharge  of  his  duty  as  Quarter  Master  Gen'l  in  perfect 
harmony  with  this  State,  &  of  conforming  to  the  Laws  of  it,  pro- 
posed that  some  further  authority  be  given  by  Law  to  him  &  his 
deputies  in  extra  cases.  The  Subject  being  duly  considered,  this 
Council  are  of  opinion,  That  whenever  a  Sudden  &  extraordinary 
emergency  shall  make  the  impressing  of  Waggons  by  a  Military 
force  absolutely  necessary,  that  necessity  must,  from  the  nature  of 
things,  justify  the  impressing  by  force  of  Arms,  but  that  it  would 
be  improper  to  trust  such  powers  in  the  Military  by  Law:  And 
Maj.  Gen'l  Green  having  represented  to  Council  That  great  diffi- 
culties had  arisen  in  the  procuring  of  Waggon  Masters  &  Team- 
sters, in  consequence  of  the  demands  made  on  them  for  their  ser- 
vice in  the  Militia,  or  for  Payment  of  Substitution  Money  in  lieu 
of  such  Service  ;  On  consideration  the  Council  are  of  opinion,  That 
Waggon  Masters  &  Waggon  drivers,  actually  enlisted  in  the  Conti- 
nental service  for  a  reasonable  time,  are  not  liable  to  serve  in  the 
Militia  during  the  time  of  their  continuing  in  such  service,  nor  sub- 
ject to  the  Payment  of  Substitution  Money :  And  that  an  enlist- 
ment in  either  of  these  services  for  Six  Months,  or  longer  time, 
ought  to  be  considered  by  the  Lieutenants  &  Sub-Lieutenants  of  the 
respective  Counties  of  this  State,  as  a  good  and  sufficient  cause  to 
forbear  levying  the  Substitution  Money  in  such  cases. 


9 
m  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  April  20,  1778 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  ~) 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  Mackay,    I  Esq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  J 

Two  Letters  from  Mr.  Benja.  Fishbourne,  A.  D.  C,  to  Gen'E 
Wayne,  of  12th  &  16th  of  April  ins't.,  mentioning  that  Capt. 
Joshua  Williams  is  appointed  to  the  recruiting  Service  in  the  place 
of  Lieu't  Henderson ;  that  Capt.  Joseph  Irwin  &  Lieu't  Vanleery 
of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Battalion,  were  appointed  also  to  the  re- 
cruiting service,  &  that  Colo.  Butler  had  sent  out  other  Officers  to 
recruit,  requesting  they  may  be  supplied  by  Council  with  Money 
for  that  purpose. 

Ordered,  That  these  Gentlemen  be  furnished  with  recruiting  or- 
ders &  drafts  for  such  Monies  as  shall  be  necessary. 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Tuesday  A.pril  21,  1778. 


PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Ardnt,  &    ~) 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  — —  Mackay,      I  Esq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  J 

The  Council  resuming  the  consideration  of  the  case  of  the  Pr: 
soners  which  are  ordered  to  this  Borough  from  Winchester,  agree- 
able to  the  request  of  Mrs.  Jones,  Mrs.  Pemberton,  Mrs.  PleasantsT 
and  Mrs.  Drinker,  &  the  same  being  fully  considered ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  on  their  arrival  here,  it  shall  be  at  the  election 
of  the  said  Prisoners  to  be  set  at  liberty  in  this  Borough,  or  at 
Pottsgrove  in  the  County  of  Philadelphia. 

A  Letter  from  the  Board  of  War  : 

Ordered,  That  the  following  officers  recruit  in  the  County 
against  their  names  respectively  set,  Vizt : 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  463 

Capt.  Mich'l  Hoofnagle,  of  the  8th  Penns'a  Battalion,  Lancaster  Co. 
Capt.  John  Bankson,  2nd         -  do. 

Lieut.  James  Forbes,  5th         ...  do. 

Lieut.  Henry  Piercy,  2nd         -         -  do. 

Capt.  John  Harris,  11th  -         -         -     Northumber- 

land do. 
Capt  Nehemiah  Stokely,  8th         -         -         -     York  County. 

Lieut.  James  McCulloch,         5th         ...  do. 

Lieut.  Thomas  Campbell,        4th        -  do. 

Lieut.  Samuel  Gray,  4th         ...  do. 

Capt.  Thomas  Buchanan,        1st  -  Cumberland  co. 

Lieut.  Thomas  M'Coy,  7th  do. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  eleven  for- 
going Gentlemen,  for  the  Sum  of  one  hundred  &  fifty  Dollars  each. 
for  the  recruiting  Service,  &  for  which  they  are  to  account. 

The  following  orders  were  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Vizt : 

In  favor  of  Capt.  Joseph  Irwin,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  hundred 
Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service  in  the  County  of  Cumberland, 
for  himself  &  his  Lieut.,  William  Vanleer. 

In  favor  of  Capt.  Joshua  Williams,  for  the  Sum  of  three  hun- 
dred Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 
(He  Recruits  in  the  County  of  York.) 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Thursday  April  23,  1778. 


PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &   1 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  Mackay,   i-Esq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  J 

The  case  of  James  Hamilton,  Esq'r,  being  taken  into  considera- 
tion )  after  mature  deliberation, 

Ordered,  That  the  Parole  signed  by  James  Hamilton,  Esq'r,  he 
delivered  up  to  him,  &  that  he  be  fully  discharged  from  all  qon- 
finement. 

Peter  Sommers  laid  before  the  Council  an  order  drawn  by  Will'm 
C.  Bradford,  in  favor  of  Henry  Shriver,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hun- 
dred &  Sixty-seven  Pounds  &  five  Shillings,  to  be  charged  to  the 
said  Will'm  C.  Bradford. 

And  an  order  was  drawn  by  William  Crispin,  Commissary  of 
the  State  Fleet,  in  favor  of  Lasky  &  Shriver,  for  the  Sum  of  Eleven 
hundred  &  twenty-eight  Pounds  Seventeen  Shillings  &  Six  Pence. 


470  MINUTES  OF  THE 

for  sundry  Cattle  delivered  for  the  use  of  the  Fleet,  the  said  Sum 
to  be  charged  to  the  said  WilPm  Crispin.  These  orders  not  being 
endorsed  to  Mr.  Sommers,  &  therefore  not  payable  to  him,  the 
Council  found  a  difficulty  in  granting  an  order  on  the  Treasury  ; 
but  Capt.  Joseph  Blewer  having  represented  that  the  Money  had 
been  long  due,  &  that  Sommers  was  in  Partnership  with  Lasky  & 
Shriver  ;  on  consideration, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Captain  Joseph 
Blewer,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  Sixty-Seven  Pounds  five 
Shillings,  to  be  charged  to  Will'm  C.  Bradford,  Paymaster  of  the 
Fleet. 

Also  an  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt. 
Joseph  Blewer,  for  the  Sum  of  of  One  Thousand  One  hundred  & 
Twenty  Eight  Pounds,  Seventeen  Shillings  &  Six  Pence,  the  same 
to  be  charged  to  Will'm  Crispin,  Commissary. 

Petition  of  John  Young,  (convicted  in  the  County  of  Bedford, 
of  having  stolen  2  lbs.  of  lead,  &  sentenced  to  receive  Seven  lashes,) 
Praying  that  his  Punishment  may  be  remitted,  &  the  recommen- 
dation of  him  as  an  object  of  mercy  by  several  Justices  of  the  said 
County,  (and  offering  himself  a  Soldier  in  the  Continental  Army,) 
was  read ;   Thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Corparal  Punishment  of  the  said  John  Young 
be  remitted,  he  entering  into  the  Continental  Army,  to  serve  three 
Years  or  during  the  present  war. 

The  two  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  for  the 
recruiting  Service,  Vizt : 

In  favor  of  Philip  Gibbons,  Lieut,  in  the  Sixth  Pennsylvania 
Reg't,  for  One  hundred  k  fifty  Dollars,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 
In  favor  of  Capt.  Jacob  Monser  of  the  sixth  Pennsylv'a  Reg't,  for 
One.  hundred  &  fifty  Dollars,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred  &  Fifty  Pounds, 
balance  of  his  half  year's  salary,  due  the  first  of  March  last. 

Capt.  Joseph  Blewer  of  the  Navy  board,  attended  the  Council, 
and  informed  that  it  was  intended  to  have  sunk  the  Gondolas,  &ca.7 
on  Tuesday  last,  near  Trenton,  &  therefore,  there  cannot  be  any 
further  use  in  continuing  the  Men  belonging  to  them  at  Trenton, 
and  that  there  is  about  twenty  sick  k  wounded  belonging  to  the 
Boats,  which  require  care  k  attention  ;  That  the  Ammunition, 
Sails,  Arms,  Stores,  belonging  to  the  Boats,  are  at  Pitts-town  in 
New  Jersey,  and  require  some  guards  to  be  kept  over  them  ;  That 
the  Cannon  k  shot  are  sunk  in  different  places  in  New  Jersey  ; 
That  about  7G  pieces  of  Canvas  k  some  Oznabrigs,  which  were  on 
board  the  Store  Sloop,  was  at  Northampton,  under  the  care  of  Capt. 
Joseph  Stiles. 

Ordered,  That  all  the  linens  in  possession  of  Capt.  Joseph 
Stiles  at  Northampton,  suitable  for  the  purpose,  be  made  up  into 
Shirts  for  the  Soldiers  ;  k  that  he  be  requested  to  get  them  made 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  471 

as  expeditiously  a3  possibly,  &  acquaint   this  Council  of  his  pro- 
gress therein. 

On  consideration  of  the  state  of  the  Navy,  made  by    Captain 
Blewer, 

Ordered,  That  the  men  belonging  to  the  Navy  be  ordered  up  to 
this  borough,  under  the  direction  of  such  Officers  as  the  Navy 
Board,  to  whom  they  are  best  known,  may  judge  most  proper,  & 
that  two  Months'  Pay,  over  &  besides  what  is  due  to  them,  be 
paid  to  the  remaining  Officers  &  then  discharged,  as  there  appears  not 
to  be  any  further  service  for  them  at  present;  That  a  small  guard 
be  left  at  Pitts  Town  until  the  Stores  be  removed ;  That  the  Sick 
be  ordered  to  this  Borough,  by  way  of  Reading;  That  the  Am- 
munition &  most  valuable  Stores  be  removed  from  Pitts  town  to 
Eastern,  in  the  County  of  Northampton,  &  the  remainder  com- 
mitted to  the  care  of  Mr.  Moore  Furman ;  That  the  Waggon  Mas- 
ter of  the  County  of  Bucks,  furnish  Waggons  to  the  State  Navy 
Board  for  the  removal  of  the  Sick  &  baggage  from  Trenton  to  this* 
borough  ;  That  the  Waggon  Master  of  the  County  of  Northamp- 
ton furnish  Waggons  to  the  State  Navy  Board  for  the  removal  of 
the  Stores  from  Pitts  town,  in  New  Jersey,  to  Easton,  in  this 
State. 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Friday  April  24,  1778. 


n 


PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Yice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  & 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  <  Mackay,  J^Esq'rs. 

James  Edgar, 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  rations  to  be  allowed 
to  Commodore  Hazlewood,  agreeable  to  their  Letter  to  him  of  the 
8th  of  January,  1778 ; 

Ordered,  That  Commodore  Hazlewood  be  allowed  Six  Rations 
^  Diem,  from  the  time  of  his  appointment. 

A  petition  of  divers  inhabitants  of  the  Township  of  Bern,  in  the 
County  of  Berks,  setting  forth  that  the  Justices  appointed  in  the 
said  Township  have  declined  to  act,  &  praying  that  Mich'l  Linden- 
muth  &  Gabriel  Heister  may  be  appointed  in  their  stead ;  being 
read  &  considered, 

Ordered,  That  Michael  Lindenmuth  and  Gabriel  Hiester  be  ap- 
pointed Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Berks,  &  were 
Commissioned  accordingly. 


472  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  April  25, 1778. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  ?  -n    » 

Jonathan   Hoge,  Mackay,  5 

The  case  of  divers  persons  sent  by  Gen'l  Lacey  to  this  place  as 
dangerous  persons,  against  whom  it  had  been  made  appear  that 
they  have  supplied  Provisions  to  the  Enemy  or  to  persons  within 
the  City,  now  in  possession  of  the  Enemy,  &  that  they  had  been 
adjudged  by  a  Court  Martial  to  Six  months' imprisonment;  On 
consideration, 

Ordered,  That  James  McGill,  WilPm  Morgan,  John  Wiggons, 
Jacob  Crusel,  James  MoCarty,  Abram  Vankirk,  and  David  Wil- 
liams, be  committed  to  the  Goal  of  this  County,  until  further  orders 
from  this  Council. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  April  27,  1778 

PRESENT  '. 

His  Excell'y  THOS.  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 


Esq'rs. 


Joseph  Hart,                             Jacob  Arndt,  & 
Jonat'n  Hoge,  Mackay. 

Capt.  Lang  &  Mr.  Bayly  report,  That  they  had  received  from 
Alex'a  White,  Esq'r,  who  acted  for  &  in  behalf  of  Joseph  Holmes, 
Esq'r,  Deputy  Commissary  of  Prisoners,  the  following  persons, 
agreeable  to  the  orders  of  this  Council,  Vizt  :  1  Israel  Pemberton, 
2  James  Pemberton,  3  John  Pemberton,  4  Henry  Drinker,  5  Sam- 
uel Pleasants,  6  Will'm  Smith,  7  Edw'd  Pennington,  8  Tho's 
Wharton,  9  Owen  Jones,  10  Charles  Eddy,  11  Charles  Jervis,  12 
Elijah  Brown,  13  Thomas  Fisher,  14  Sam'l  It.  Fisher,  and  15 
Myers  Fisher;  and  that  the  said  Gentlemen  were  now  in  this  bo- 
rough, agreeable  to  the  order  of  Council. 

They  also  report  that  they  had  received  at  the  same  time  the 
three  following  persons,  Vizt :  William  Rodan,  formerly  of  Phila- 
delphia, Waterman,  Thomas  Patterson,  formerly  a  servant  of  Mr. 
Dav'd  Sproat  of  Philadelphia,  &  Jacobus  Quigg,  late  of  New 
Jersey,  who  had  been  sent  to  Virginia  with  the  aforesaid  Prisoners, 
and  that  they  had  been  informed  by  Alex'a  White,  Esq'r,  that 
Thomas  Gilpin  &  John  Hunt  were  dead. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  473 

Thomas  Aiflick,  one  of  the  Prisoners  sent  to  Virginia,  having 
obtained  leave  to  come  to  this  borough,  in  consideration  of  the 
dangerous  illness  of  his  Wife,  being  also  arrived  here, 

Ordered,  That  John  Rodan,  Tho's  Patterson  &  Jacobus  Quigg, 
be  sent  to  Goal  until  further  examined. 

The  case  of  the  Prisoners  brought  from  Virginia,  &  now  in  this 
borough,  being  considered  ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  they  be  immediately  sent  to  Pottsgrove  in  the 
County  of  Philadelphia,  &  there  discharged  from  confinement;  and 
that  they  be  furnished  with  a  copy  of  the  order,  which  shall  be 
deemed  a  discharge. 

N6te,  under  the  Certified  Copy  of  this  Resolve,  given  to  the 
respective  Gentlemen,  the  following  Certificate  was  inserted  & 
signed  by  the  Secretary,  Vizt  : 

(A.  B.,)  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  Gentleman,  one  of  the 
Prisoners  referred  to  by  the  above  order  of  Council,  is  hereby 
permitted,  with  his  Horses,  Servants  &  Baggage,  to  pass  unmoles- 
ted into  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  agreeable  to  the  said  order, 
which  is  to  be  respected  as  their  discharge. 

Mr.  John  Pemberton's  tender  conscience  being  hurt  by  the  words, 
ie  agreeable  to  the  said  order,  &ca.,"  the  Secretary  inserted  in  his 
Certificate  the  following,  "  and  he  is  there  to  be  considered  as  dis- 
charged." 

A  pass  to  Philadelphia  for  Mrs.  Jones,  Mrs.  Pemberton,  Mrs. 
Phasants  &  Mrs.  Drinker,  &  for  Israel  Morris,  who  attended  them, 
being  requested ; 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  a  Pass  be  granted  to  the  aforesaid  persons,  with 
their  servant,  to  return  to  Head  Quarters,  &  from  thence  to  Phila- 
delphia, if  Gen'l  Washington  shall  think  it  proper  for  them  so 
to  do. 

The  following  orders  were  drawn,  Viz't : 

In  favor  of  "  Mr.  Will'm  Hart,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One 
thousand  Pounds,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  Horses  for  the  use 
of  the  Army,  and  inform  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  there- 
with, that  he  may  charge  Mr.  Hart  with  that  Sum,  &  Credit  the 
same  to  Col.  Joseph  Kirkbride,  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Bucks." 

This  order  directed  Col.  George  Wall,  jun'r,  Sub-Lieut,  of  the 
County  of  Bucks,  and  an  order  on  the  same  Gentleman  in  favor  of 
"  Mr.  Jos.  Greer,  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  Bucks  County,  for 
purchasing  provisions,  &ca.  for  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  Pounds, 
and  inform  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Treasurer  of  the  State,  therewith;" 
in  order  that  he  may  charge  the  same  to  Mr.  Greer,  &  Credit  Colo- 
nel Joseph  Kirkbride,  Lieutenant  of  Bucks  County. 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Viz't : 

In  favor  of  Capt.  George  Grant,  of  the  first  Penns'a  Bat- 
talion, for  the  Sum  of  Three  hundred  &  Sixty  Dollars,  for  the  re- 
cruiting Service,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 


474  MINUTES  OF   THE 

In  favor  of  Captain  George  Grant,  of  the  9th  Penns'a  Battalion, 
for  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred  &  Eighty  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting 
Service,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

In  favor  of  Capt.  Matt'w  Scott,  of  the  13th  Penns'a  Battalion, 
for  the  Sum  of  Three  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service, 
for  which  he  is  to  account. 

"In  the  present  important  crisis  of  public  affairs,  &  according  to 
the  late  call  of  Cougress,  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  this 
State  do  hereby  strictly  charge  all  Officers  employed  in  recruiting 
the  Continental  Battalions  of  this  State,  to  make  the  most  strenu- 
ous exertions,  &  redouble  their  endeavours  to  complete  the  same 
without  loss  of  time. 

"And  Council  recommend  to  the  Lieutenants  and  Sub-Lieuten- 
ants, &  all  other  Officers  of  the  Militia,  to  use  their  utmost  efforts 
to  prepare  for  the  immediate  march  of  four  Classes,  the  next  in 
turn,  upon  any  emergency. 

"  By  order  of  Council. 

(Signed)     "  T.  MATLACK,  Secretary." 


The  Council  met.  % 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  April  28,  1778. 
present  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jos.  Hart,                               Jacob  Arndt,  &  >  ■„    , 
Jonat'n  Hoge,  Mackay,     $     7* 

The  several  cases  of  Will'm  Kodan,  Jacobus  Quick  &  Tho's 
Patterson,  brought  by  Capt.  Lang  &  Mr.  Bailey  from  Winchester, 
being  taken  into  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Will'm  Rodan  be  sent  under  Parole  to  the 
County  of  Chester  &  there  discharged ;  That  Tho's  Patterson  be 
discharged  in  this  Borough  j  And  that  Jacobus  Quick  be  sent  un- 
der Parole  to  His  Excell'y  Gov.  Livingston  of  New  Jersey,  tbere 
to  answer  such  charge  as  may  be  laid  against  him. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  Thomas 
Bull  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  hundred  &  Eighty  Dollars,  for  the 
recruiting  service,  for  which  he  is  to  account.  And  an  order  was 
drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieut.  Arch'd  Campble  for  the 
Sum  of  Five  hundred  &  forty  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  service, 
&  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Mr.  Sam'l  Futhey  brought  up  Ten  Horses,  bought  by  him  for 
the  use  of  the  Continent. 

Ordered,  That  they  be  delivered  to 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  475 


The  Council  met, 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  April  29,  1778. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  >  ™    , 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  Mackay,    5 

The  three  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor 
of  Capt.  Joseph  Blewer,  Vizt : — One  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand 
Pounds  <fe  one  for  the  Sum  of  Thirty  Thousand  Dollars,  in  Conti- 
nental Loan  Office  Certificates,  both  to  be  charged  to  Will'm  Cris- 
pin, Commissary  of  the  State  Fleet ;  And  one  for  the  Sum  of 
Three  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Will'm  C.  Bradford, 
Paymaster  of  the  State  Fleet. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colo.  Robert 
Lollar,  Paymaster  of  Militia  for  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  for 
the  Sum  of  Seven  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Thomas  Dor- 
sey,  Paymaster  of  Militia. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Captain  Mich'l 
Hoofnagle,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  recruit- 
ing Service,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday,  April  30,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  >  ™    , 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  Mackay,    $  ^s<1  rS' 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  for  the  Sum  of  three  hun~ 
dred  &  Fifty  Pounds,  in  favor  of  Jac.  S.  Howell,  for  which  he  is 
to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Major  Gen'l 
Armstrong,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to 
Thomas  Dorsey,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  Militia. 


476  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  JVIay  1st,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  ?  -p     » 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  — ■ —  Mackey,  3       ^ 

Lieut.  John  Rudolph  applied  to  Council,  agreeable  to  the  order 
of  Gen'l  Washington,  for  the  Horses  now  in  this  Borough  belouging 
to  the  Continent  j  And  the  orders  were  drawn  directing  Mr.  Adam 
Reigart  &  Mr.  George  Ross,  to  deliver  to  Lieut.  John  Rudolph  the 
Horses  put  into  their  hands  by  Commissioners  appointed  to  pur- 
chase Horses  for  the  Continent,  &  directing  them  to  make  return  of 
one  Receipt  for  the  same. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  Samuel  Smith, 
for  the  Sum  of  Thirteen  Pounds  &  Ten  Shillings,  to  be  charged  to 
Congress,  as  expence  in  collecting  Cloathing  for  the  Troops,  (being 
the  expences  of  procuring  the  Cloth  seized  in  the  great  Swamp,  be- 
longing to  Mr.  Joseph  Carson.) 

The  Hon'ble  Vice  President  reports,  That  he  had  received  from 
Mr.  James  Bryson,  of  this  Borough,  on  the  Thirtieth  day  of  April 
last,  Five  hundred  &  Ninety-one  Tickets  in  the  United  States  Lot- 
tery, agreeable  to  a  Resolve  of  the  Treasury  Board  of  the  Eighth 
day  of  January  last,  &  that  he  had  delivered  them  to  His  Excell'y 
the  President;    the  Numbers  are  as  follows,  Vizt : 

"  Thirty  thousand  Nine  hundred  &  Sixteen,  to  Thirty  thousand 
Nine  hundred  &  Ninety- six,  both  numbers  inclusive,  are  Eighty-one 
Tickets. 

"  Thirty-one  thousand  and  Six  to  Thirty-one  thousand  &  Sixty- 
eight,  both  numbers  included,  are  Sixty-three  Tickets. 

"  Thirty-one  Thousand  one  hundred  &  Sixty-eight  to  Thirty-one 
Thousand  One  hundred  &  Seventy-six,  both  numbers  included,  are 
nine  Tickets. 

"  Thirty-one  thousand  One  hundred  and  Eighty-Six  to  Thirty-one 
Thousand  Two  hundred  &  three,  both  numbers  included,  are  eigh- 
teen Tickets. 

"  Thirty-one  thousand  two  hundred  &  Seventy-six  to  Thirty-one 
thousand  three  hundred  &  Twenty-nine,  both  numbers  included, 
are  fifty-four  Tickets. 

"  Thirty-one  Thousand  Three  hundred  &  fifty-seven  to  Thirty- 
one  Thousand  four  hundred  and  Ninety-one,  both  numbers  included, 
are  One  hundred  and  Thirty-five  Tickets." 

The  above  mentioned  Tickets  are  signed  by  John  Purviance,  ft 
the  following  Tickets  are  signed  by  Owen  Biddle,  Vizt. : 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  477 

"  Sixty-four  thousand  Nine  hundred  &  Eighty-one  to  Sixty-five 
Thousand  One  hundred  &  Sixty,  both  numbers  included,  are  One 
hundred  &  Eighty  Tickets. 

"  Eight  Tickets  number  Sixty-five  thousand  two  hundred  &  Sev- 
en to  Sixty-five  thousand  two  hundred  &  fourteen,  both  included. 

"  Sixty-five  thousand  two  hundred  &  Twenty-four  fro  Sixty-five 
thousand  two  hundred  &  fifty,  both  included,  are  Twenty-seven 
Tickets,;"  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Lottery  Tickets  be  sent  to  the  Board  of 
Treasury,  under  the  Seal  of  the  State,  agreeable  to  the  order  of  the 
said  Board  of  the  Eighth  day  of  January  last. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  May  2d,  1778, 
present : 
His  ExcelFy  THOMAS  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &      }  ™    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  — — —  Mackay,    $ 

Lieut.  James  Armour  being  appointed  to  the  recruiting  service 
by  Gen'l  Wayne,  &  recommended  to  Council,  Recruiting  Orders 
were  given  him  for  the  County  of  Lancaster ;  And  an  order  was 
drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  said  Lieut,  James  Armour, 
for  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service, 
for  which  he  is  to  account. 

A'Letter  from  John  Proctor,  Esq'r,  of  the  County  of  Westmore- 
land, earnestly  desiring  to  be  supplied  with  a  Sum  of  Money  to  be 
sent  to  him  by  Mr.  George  Henry,  being  read, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr  George 
Henry,  of  the  County  of  Westmoreland,  for  the  Sum  of  Three 
Thousand  &  five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  paid  by  the  said  Henry  to 
John  Proctor,  Esq'r,  of  the  County  of  Westmorland,  for  which 
he  is  to  account. 

A  Letter  from  John  Gourla  of  Hanna's  town  (in  Westmorland 
County,)  requesting  to  be  supplied  with  Money  to  purchase  Horses 
for  the  use  of  the  Cavalry,  being  read,  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  George 
Henry,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  &  five  hundred  Pounds,  to 
be  paid  by  him  to  Colo.  Archib'd  Lochry,  &  to  be  charged  to  John 
Gourla,  One  of  the  Commissioners  for  purchaseing  Horses  in  West- 
morland  County,  agreeable  to  his  Letter  of  25th  instant. 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  on  ap- 
plication, furnish  One  hundred  Militia  for  the  defence  of  the  Fron- 


478  MINUTES  OF  THE 

tiers  against  the  Indians  or  Tories,  to  act  in  conjunction  with  the 
other  forces,  or  separately,  as  the  case  may  require. 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Northumberland  do 
furnish  One  hundred  Militia  for  the  defence  of  the  Frontiers 
against  the  Indians  or  Tories,  as  the  occasion  may  require. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  May  4, 1778. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHAkTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Mackay.  )  -™    , 

Jacob  Arndt,  &  )     " 

The  Secretary  laid  before  the  Council  a  Letter  from  Ja's  Hamil- 
ton, Esq'r,  requesting  a  Pass  for  "himself"  &  four  Servants, 
namely  "  Matthias  Sandham"  his  Butler,  Two  Mullatto  Men, 
"Jonathan  &  Luke"  "the  one  Footman,  the  other  Coachman,  & 
one  Negro  Woman  Cook,  called  Fanny;  and  also  a  protection  for 
one  baggage  Waggon  &  its  driver,  to  go  to  Philadelphia  &  return" 
to  Northampton. 

Th^e  same  being  taken  into  consideration,  &  it  appearing  that 
Mr.  Hamilton  has  a  dangerous  disorder  in  his  Nose,  which  it  is 
supposed  renders  the  advice  &  assistance  of  a  Physician  now  in 
Philadelphia,  absolutely  necessary  in  the  case;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  Pass  for  James  Hamilton,  Esq'r,  &  one  Ser- 
vant, to  go  into  Philadelphia,  there  to  remain  not  exceeding  two 
Weeks,  &  that  the  same  be  made  out  and  sent  to  Robert  Levers, 
Esquire,  of  Easton,  to  be  delivered  to  Mr.  Hamilton  on  his  taking 
the  Oath  of  Allegiance  to  this  State,  according  to  Law,  &  produ- 
cing to  Mr.  Levers  a  Certificate  of  his  having  done  so. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  May  5,  1778. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Mackay. 


^Esq' 


Jacob  Arndt,  & 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Caleb  Davis, 
for  the  Sum  of  Fifteen  Pounds,  for  six  days  riding  to  G'l  Potter's 
Camp&  thro'  the  neighborhood  of  Derby  &  Chester,  in. order  to 
gain  intelligence. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL,  479 

I 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  May  6,  1778. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice-President. 

James  Edgar,                              Jacob  Arndt,  &   )  -p     j 
Joseph  Hart,  Mackay.     j    J  I   " 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  appointing  of  Com- 
missioners, agreeable  to  the  Act  of  Attainder,  &ca, 

Ordered,  That  the  following  persons  be  appointed,  to  Wit : 

For  the  City  of  Philadelphia— Will'm  Will,  Sharp  Delany,  Jacob 
Strainer,  Charles  Wilson  Peale,  Robert  Smith,  (Hatter,)  &  Sam'l 
Massey. 

For  the  County  of  Philadelphia — Will'm  Antis,  Dan'l  Heister, 
&  Archibald  Thompson. 

For  the  County  of  Chester — Will'm  Evans,  Thomas  Cheney, 
Tho's  Levis,  Patterson  Bell  &  John  Hannums. 

For  the  County  of  Bucks— George  Wall  jun'r,  Rich'd  Gibbs, 
John  Crawford  &  Benja.  Siegle. 

For  the  County  of  Lancaster — Everhart  Michael,  Philip  Green- 
wait,  George  Stewart  &  Francis  Armstrong. 

For  the  County  of  York — -Robt.  Stephenson,  James  Nailor, 
William  Chesney,  Tho's  Stockton  &  Tho's  Lilly, 

For  the  County  of  Cumberland — George  Stevenson,  John  Boggs 
&  Jos.  Brady. 

For  the  County  of  Northampton — Sam'l  Ray,  Jacob  Miller, 
Stephen  Balliott,  Robt.  Levers,  Conrad  Kreider  &  Will'm  MoNair. 

For  the  County  of  Berks — Henry  Haller,  Tho's  Parry  &  Dav'd 
Morgan. 

For  the  County  of  Bedford— Robt.  Galbraith,  Tho's  Urie  & 
John  Piper. 

For  the  County  of  Northumberland — John  Kelly  &  Tho's 
Hewitt. 

For  the  County  of  Westmorland — Colo.  John  Proctor  &  Tho's 
Galbraith. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  immediately  write  to  the  said 
Commissioners,  &  inclose  the  following  instructions,  Vizt : 

"  Instructions  to  the  Agents  for  Forfeited  Estates. 

"  First,  You  are  to  provide  a  suitable  Book,  wherein  you  are  to 
enter  the  names  of  the  several  persons  that  are  or  may  in  future  be 
attainted,  &  whose  Estates  lays. in  this  State,  within  your  County. 

"  Secondly,  Taking  the  said  names  Alphabetically,  you  are  to  in- 
sert in  the  same  Book,  after  each  name,  the  several  Estates  whereof 


480  MINUTES  OF  THE      ' 

the  former  Owners  were  respectively  seized  or  possessed,  describing 
the  County,  Township,  &  Street,  (if  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 
Southwark,  or  the  Northern  Liberties),  the  Quantity  of  land,  &  na- 
ture of  the  Estate,  whether  Fee-Simple  for  life,  of  themselves  or 
others,  Lease-hold.,  Ground  rents,  or  of  whatever  Quality  soever 
the  Estate  may  be. 

u  Thirdly ,  You  are  to  prepare  advertisements  of  the  following 
Tenor : 

"  {  Whereas,  the  Estates  or  (A,  B,  C,  D,  &c.,)  late  of  the  County 

of ,  having  been,  in  due  course  of  Law,  forfeited  &  seized 

to  the  use  of  this  State,  We,  the  Subscribers,  Agents  for  the  said 
County,  do  hereby  give  notice  that  the  Estates  of  the  said  A,  B,  C, 
D,  &ca,  consisting  of  the  Tracts  and  parcels  of  Land  following. 
Vizt :  (Here  insert  a  short  description  of  the  Premises,  mentioning 
the  Houses  &  Quantity  of  Land,  in  what  Township,  Ward,  or 
Street  situate,  and  if  the  Estate  be  for  life  or  years  let  it  be  men- 
tioned.) All  which  will   be  sold  by  Public  Vendue,  at  the  Court 

House   at  ,  on   the  — day  of  — (not   less   than 

Thirty  Days  from  the  Publication  of  the  Advertisement  in  some 
News  Paper  of  this  State,  &  also  in  the  County,)  &  continuing  the 
sales  from  day  to  day,  till  the  whole  be  disposed  of/ 

"  The  terms  of  sale  will  be  according  to  Law,  as  follows,  to  wit  : 

"  One-fourth  part  of  the  purchase  Money  to  be  paid  in  Ten  days 
after  Sale,  or  the  premises  again  revert  to  the  State,  and  the  Bid- 
der liable  to  forfeit  the  said  One-fourth  of  the  Purchase  Money. 
The  remainder  thereof  to  be  paid  in  one  Month,  and  on  a  Certificate 
being  produced  from  the  Agents  or  either  of  them,  of  full  Payment 
of  the  Purchase  Money,  a  Deed  will  be  given,  as  by  Law  directed, 

"  And  we,  the  said  Agents,  do  also,  pursuant  to  Law,  hereby 
notify  the  Claimants  of  the  said  Premises,  or  any  of  them,  &  Cre- 
ditors of  the  said  A,  B,  C,  D,  &ca.,  to  exhibit  their  claims  &  de- 
mands to  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  within  the  time  limited 
by  Law,  or  they  will  be  forever  barred  from  the  Recovery  thereof, 

"  Fourthly,  All  reasonable  charges  of  Clerkship  &  expences  for 
ascertaining  the  property  of  the  estates  be  defrayed  by  the  State.,T 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Hugh  De  Ha- 
ven, for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Mr. 
Peter  De  Haven,  father  of  the  said  Hugh. 

The  case  of  Anthony  Denormandie,  of  Bristol,  sent  here  by  His 
Kxcell'y  Gen'l  Washington,  from  an  information  said  to  be  laid 
against  him  by  Colo.  .Tas.  Kirkbride,  but  no  charge  sent  against 
him ;  on  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  on  Ant'y  Denormandie  giving  Bail  in  the  Sum 
of  Five  hundred  Pounds  with  surety,  for  his  appearing  before  this 
Council,  to  answer  such  charge  as  may  be  made  against  him  within 
six  months,  if  thereto  required,  &  in  the  mean  time  be  of  good 
behaviour,  he  be  enlarged  &  ordered  to  return  to  Bristol,  by  the 
way  of  Po^tsgrove. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  481 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  May  7,  1778. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

James  Edgar,                          Jacob  Arndt,  &  \  j?    S 
Joseph  Hart,  Murray,     j       ^ 

Divers  complaints  having  been  made  that  the  High  Roads  in 
very  many  places  in  this  State  have  been  long  much  neglected,  and- 
are  in  a  ruinous  condition,  to  the  great  injury  of  the  Public,  &  the 
same  being  considered, 

Ordered,  That  the  Supervisors  of  the  Roads  &  High  ways  foe 
required,  by  public  notice  in  the  newspapers,  without  loss  of  time, 
to  repair  and  amend  the  Roads  ;  and  all  Magistrates  and  others  be 
enjoined  to  exert  themselves  in  making  presentments  of  defects  & 
nusances  in  the  Premises  to  the  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace  of 
the  respective  Counties,  or  to  prosecute  &  otherwise  proceed  against 
all  deficient  Townships  &  Supervisors  according  to  Law,  that  they 
may  be  punished,  in  such  manner  as  their  neglect  shall  require. 

The  Council  resumed  the  consideration  of  Mich'l  Mulenburgh's 
Accounts,  wherein  he  charges  54  days'  service  in  carrying  the 
Prisoners  with  their  Baggage  to  Winchester  in  Virginia,  &  the 
same  appearing  an  extravagant  &  unreasonable  charge, 

Ordered,  That  he  be  allowed  the  sum  of  One  hundred  &  Thirty- 
five  Pounds,  for  the  said  Journey ;  and  accordingly,  An  order  was 
drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mich'l  Mulenburgh  for  the 
Sum  of  Sixty  Pounds,  in  full  of  the  said  service,  (the  Sum  of  Seventy 
five  Pounds  having  been  paid  to  him  on  the  24-th  of  March  last.) 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  May  8,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

James  Edgar,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  )  p     » 

Joseph  Hart,  Murray,  }  ^sq  rs° 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  Act  entitled  "  An  Act 
for  the  attainder  of  divers  Traitors,  if  they  render  not  themselves 
by  a  certain  day,  &  for  vesting  their  Estates  in  this  Commonwealth? 
VOL.  XI. — 31. 


482  MINUTES  OF  THE 

and  for  more  effectually  discovering  the  same,  &  for  ascertaining  & 
satisfying  the  lawful  debts  &  claims  thereupon ;"'  &  after  de- 
liberation, 

Ordered,  That  the  Minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  this  Council, 
in  pursuance  of  the  Authority  of  the  Act  entitled  "  An  Act  for 
the  attainder  of  divers  Traitors,  if  they  render  not  themselves  by  a 
certain  day,  &  for  vesting  their  Estates  in  this  Commonwealth,  and 
for  more  effectually  discovering  the  same,  &  for  ascertaining  &  satis- 
fying the  lawful  debts  &  claims  thereupon,"  be  kept  in  a  Book  for 
that  especial  purpose,  seperate  from  the  Minutes  or  proceedings  of 
Council  in  more  common  &  ordinary  occasions,  &  that  the  Secre- 
tary do  take  care  to  have  them  entered  with  the  utmost  regularity  <fe 
exactness. 

[This  order  seems  to  have  been  very  imperfectly  complied  with. 
In  transcribing  the  Minutes,  therefore,  I  have  thought  it  best  to  in- 
corporate the  proceedings  respecting  Forfeited  Estates  with  the 
general  proceedings  of  the  Board.] 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  Act  of  General  Assem- 
bly entitled  "  An  Act  for  the  attainder  of  divers  Traitors,  if  they 
render  not  themselves  by  a  certain  day,  &  for  vesting  their  Estates 
in  this  Commonwealth,  &  for  more  effectually  discovering  the 
same,  &  for  ascertaining  &  satisfying  the  lawful  Debts  &  claims 
thereupon;"  &  also  considering  the  general  report,  (ft  other  evi- 
dence before  the  Council,  relating  to  divers  persons  who  have,  as  it 
is  said,  joined  the  Enemy;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  Proclamation  be  issued  under  the  State  Seal, 
requiring  the  following  named  persons,  late  &  heretofore  inhabi- 
tants of  this  State,  That  is  to  say: 

Enoch  Story,  late  Merchant;  Samuel  Garrigues,  the  elder,  late 
Clerk  of  the  Market,  &  Trader;  James  Stevenson,  late  Baker' 
Abram  Carlisle,  House  Carpenter;  Peter  Deshong,  Miller;  Alex- 
ander Bar  tram,  Trader;  Christian  Hook,  Attorney  at  Law;  Peter 
Miller,  Scrivener ;  Lodowick  Kerker,  Butcher ;  Philip  Marching- 
ton,  Trader;  Edward  Hanlon,  Cooper  &  Vintner;  Alfred  Cliffton, 
Gentleman  ;  '&  Arthur  Thomas,  Breeches-maker ;  all  now  or  late 
of  the  City  of  Philadelphia;  And  Thomas  Livezey,  late  of  the 
Township  of  Roxborough,  Miller;  John  Roberts,  late  of  the 
Township  of  Lower  Merion,  Miller;  Rob't  Iredale,  the  Younger, 
&  Thomas  Iredale,  both  late  of  the  Township  of  Horsham, 
Laborers;  Joshua  Knight,  late  of  the  Township  of  AbingtonP 
Blacksmith;  John  Knight,  Tanner;  Isaac  Knight,  Husband- 
man ;  Albinson  Walton,  late  of  the  Township  of  Biberry,  Hus- 
bandman ;  John  Smith,  late  Guager  of  the  Port  of  Philadelphia ; 
&  Henry  Hugh  Ferguson,  Commissary  of  Prisoners  for  Gen'I 
Howe ;  all  late  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia  :  And  Samuel  Biles, 
Ksq'r,  late  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Bucks;  Walter  Willctt,  late  of 
the  Township  of  Southampton,  Husbandman ;  Richard  Hovenden, 
late  of  fcbe  Township  of  Newtown,  Trader;  &  William  Molan'd,  late 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  483 

xf  the  Township  of  Warminster,  Husbandman  ;  all  lately  of  the 
County  of  Bucks  :  And  Henry  Skyles,  Thomas  Bulla  &  David  Daw- 
son, Husbandman  ;  Jacob  James,  late  of  the  Township  of  Goshen, 

Innkeeper  ;  Joseph  Thomas,  (heretofore  Sub-Sheriff,)  Yeoman  ;  Na- 
thaniel Vernon,  junior,  laborer  'r&  John  Swanwick,  late  of  the  Cus- 
tom House,  Philadelphia,  all  late  of  the  County  of  Chester  :  And 
John  Rankin  and  Evan  Griffith,  Husbandman;  William  Love,  late 
of  the  Township  of  York;  John  Wilson,  late  of  the  Township  of 
Huntingdon  ;  And  James  Bracken,  late  of  the  Township  of  Tyronne; 
all  late  of  the  County  of  York  :  And  William  Thomas,  James  Pugh, 
Samuel  Koster,  John  Kostcr,  Joshua  Thomas,  Hugh  Pugh,  and 
Joseph  Sutton,  Husbandmen;  John  Holder,  Miller;  Henry  Oswalt, 
House  Carpenter;  Jacob  Holder  &  George  Holder,  Laborers;  &Owen 
Roberts,  Saw  mill  man,  all  late  of  the  County  of  Northamp- 
ton :*  And  Michael  Witman,  Innkeeper;  Matthew  McHugh  of 
Lebanon,  Inkeeper;  George  Reine;  of  Earle  Township,  Miller;  John 
Reine,  &  Ingleholt  Holtzinger,  Husbandman,  all  late  of  the  County 
of  Lancaster  1  And  Francis  Sanderson,  heretofore  of  the  Borough  of 
Lancaster,  &  late  of  Baltimore,  in  the  State  of  Maryland,  Copper- 
smith ;  (the  said  Francis  Sanderson  having  a  Real  Estate  in  this 
Commonwealth ;)  io  render  themselves  respectively  to  some  or  one 
of  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court,  or  of  the  Justices  of  the 
Peace  of  one  of  the  Counties  within  this  State,  on  or  before  Thurs- 
day the  Twenty-fifth  day  of  June  next,  ensuing;  &  also  abide  their 
legal  trial,  for  having  severally  adhered  to  &  knowingly  &  willingly 
aided  <fc  assisted  the  Enemies  of  this  State,  and  of  the  United  States 
•of  America,  by  having  joined  their  Armies  at  Philadelphia,  in  the 
County  of  Philadelphia,  within  this  State,  on  pain  that  every  of 
them  stand  &  be  attainted  of  High  Treason,  to  all  intents  <fe  pur- 
poses, &  shall  suffer  such  pains  &  penalties,  &  undergo  all  such  for- 
feitures as  persons  attainted  of  High  Treason  ought  to  do. 

And  a  Proclamation  in  due  form  being  prepared  accordingly  and 
read,  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  Sealed  with  the  State  Seal,  Signed 
by  His  Excell'y  The  President  &  attested  by  the  Secretary ;  And 
the  same  was  signed  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Proclamation  be  Published  m  Mr.  John 
Dunlap's  News  Paper,, 

44  Pennsylvania-,  ss* 

(i  A  PROCLAMATION  : 

By  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the    Commonwealth  of  Penn- 
sylvania : 

a  Whereas,  the  following  named  persons,  late  &  heretofore  in- 
habitants of  this  State  ;  That  is  to  say — -Enoch  Story,  late  Mer- 
chant ;  Samuel  Garrigues,  the  elder,  late  Clerk  of  the  Market  & 
Trader  j  James  Stevenson,  late  Baker ;  Abraham   Carlisle,  House 


484  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Carpenter;  Peter  Deshong,  Miller;  Alexander  Bartram,  Trader; 
Christian  Hook,  Attorney  at  Law;  Peter  Miller,  Scrivener;  Lodo- 
wick  Kerker,  Butcher;  Philip  Marshington,  Trader;  Edward  Han- 
Ion,  Cooper  &  Vintner ;  Alfred  Cliffton,  Gentleman  ;  and  Arthur 
Thomas,  Breeches-maker,  all  now  or  late  of  the  City  of  Philadel- 
phia:  Thomas  Livezley,  late  of  the  Township  of  Roxborough, 
Miller  ;  Robert  Iredale,  the  Younger,  &  Thomas  Iredale,  both  late 
of  the  Township  of  Horsham,  Laborers ;  Joshua  Knight,  late  of  the 
Township  of  Abington,  Blacksmith;  John  Knight,  Tanner;  Isaac 
Knight,  Husbandman  ;  Albinson  Walton,  late  of  the  Township  of 
Biberry,  Husbandman;  John  Smith,  late  Gauger  of  the  Port  of 
Philadelphia ;  &  Henry  Hugh  Ferguson,  Commissary  of  Prisoners 
for  General  Howe,  all  late  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia :  &  Sam- 
uel Biles,  Esq'r,  late  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Bucks;  Walter  Wil- 
let,  late  of  the  Township  of  Southampton,  Husbandman ,  Ricli^d 
Hovendon,  late  of  the  Township  of  Newtown,  Trader;  William 
Moland,  late  of  the  Township  of  Warminster,  Husbandman  ;  all  late 
of  the  County  of  Bucks  :  &  Henry  Skyles,  Thomas  Bulla,  &  David 
Dawson,  Husbandman  ;  Jacob  James,  late  of  the  Township  of  Go- 
hen,  Inn-keeper;  Joseph  Thomas,  (heretofore  Sub-Sheriff,)  Yeoman; 
Nathaniel  Vernon,  junior,  Laborer  ;  John  Swan  wick*  late  of  the  Cus- 
tom House,  Philadelphia,  all  late  of  the  County  of  Chester:  & 
John  Rankin  &  Evan  Griffith,  Husbandmen  ;  William  Love,  of 
the  Township  of  lTork  ;  John  Watson,  late  of  the  Township  of  Hun- 
tingdon ;  &  James  Br  akin,  late  of  the  Township  of  Tyrone,  all  of 
the  County  of  York  :  &  William  Thomas,  James  Pugh,  Samuel 
Koster,  John  Koster,  Joshua  Thomas,  Hugh  Pugh,  &  Joseph  Sut- 
ton, Husbandmen;  John  Holder,  Miller;  Henry  Oswalt,  House 
Carpenter;  Jacob  Holder  &  George  Holder,  Laborers;  &  Owen 
Huberts,  Saw-mill  man,  all  late  of  the  County  of  Northampton  :  & 
Michael  Witman,  Inn-keeper;  Matthew  McHugh,  of  Lebanon, 
Inn-keeper;  George  Reine,  of  Earl  Township,  Miller;  John  Heine, 
&  Ingleholt  Holtzinger,  Husbandmen,  all  of  the  County  of  Lancas- 
ter :  &  Francis  Sanderson,  heretofore  of  the  Borough  of  Lancaster, 
&  late  of  Baltimore,  in  the  State  of  Maryland,  Coppersmith  ;  & 
John  Roberts,  late  of  the  Township  of  Lower  Merrion,  Miller ; 
have  severally  adhered  to  &  knowingly  &  willingly  aided  &  assisted 
the  Enemies  of  this  State  &  of  the  United  States  of  America,  by 
having  joined  their  Armies  at  Philadelphia,  in  the  Couuty  of  Phila- 
delphia, within  this  State. 

We  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  aforesaid,  by  virtue  of  cer- 
tain powers  &  authorities  to  us  given  by  an  Act  of  General  Assem- 
bly, entitled  "  An  Act  for  the  attainder  of  divers  Traitors,  if  they 
render  not  themselves  by  a  certain  da}',  &  for  vesting  their  Estates 
in  this  Commonwealth,  and  for  more  effectually  discovering  the 
same,  &  for  ascertaining  &  satisfying  the  lawful  debts  &  claims 
thereupon,"  do  heieby  strictly  charge  &  require  the  said  Enoch 
Story,  Samuel  Garrigues  the  elder,  James  Stevenson,  Abraham 
Carlisle,  Peter  Deshong,  Alexander  Bartram;  Christian  Hook,  Pe- 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  485 

ter  Miller,  Lodowick  Kerker,  Philip  Marshinton,  Edward  Hanlon, 
Alfred  ChifFton,  Arthur  Thomas,  Thomas  Livezley,  Robert  Iredale 
the  younger,  Thomas  Iredale,  Joshua  Knight,,  John  Knight,  Isaac 
Knight,  Albinson  Walton,  John  Smith,  Henry  Hugh  Ferguson, 
Samuel  Biles,  Walter  Willett,  Richard  Hovenden,  William  Moland, 
Henry  Skyles,  Thomas  Bulla,  David  Dawson,  Jacob  James,  Joseph 
Thomas,  Nathaniel  Yernon,  junior,  John  Swanwick,  John  Rankin, 
Evan  Griffith,  William  Love,  John  Wilson,  James  Brakin,  William 
Thomas,  James  Pugh,  Samuel  Koster,  John  Koster,  Joshua  Tho- 
mas, Hugh  Pugh,  Joseph  Sutton,  John  Holder,  Henry  Oswalt, 
Jacob  Holder,  George  Holder,  Owen  Roberts,  Michael  Wijmian, 
Matthew  Mcllugh,  George  Reine,  John  Reine,  Ingleholt  Holt- 
zinger,  Francis  Sanderson,  (the  said  Francis  Sanderson  having  a 
real  Estate  in  this  Common- Wealth,)  &  John  Roberts,  to  render 
themselves  respectively  to  some  or  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Su- 
preme Court,  or  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  one  of  the  Counties 
within  this  State,  on  or  before  Thursday  the  Twenty-fifth  day  of 
June  next  ensuing,  &  also  abide  their  legal  trial,  for  such  their 
Treasons,  on  pain  that  every  of  them,  the  said  Enoch  Story,  Samuel 
Garrigues,  the  elder,  James  Stevenson,  Abraham  Carlisle,  Peter 
Deshong,  Alexander  Bartram,  Christian  Hook,  Peter  Miller,  Lodo- 
wick Kerker,  Philip  Marshington,  Edward  Hanlon,  Alfred  Cliffton, 
Arthur  Thomas,  Thomas  Livezley,  Robert  Iredale,  the  Younger, 
Thomas  Iredale,  Joshua  Knight,  John  Knight,  Isaac  Knight,  Al- 
binson Walton,  John  Smith,  Henry  Hugh  Ferguson,  Samuel  Biles, 
Walter  Willett,  Richard  Hovenden,  William  Moland,  H-enry  Skyles, 
Thomas  Bulla,  David  Dawson,  Jacob  James,  Joseph  Thomas,  Na- 
thaniel Vernon,  junior,  John  Swanwick,  John  Rankin,  Evan  Grif- 
fith, William  Love,  John  Wilson,  James  Brakin,  William  Thomas, 
James  Pugh,  Samuel  Koster,  John  Koster,  Joshua  Thomas,  Hugh 
Pugh,  Joseph  Sutton,  John  Holder,  Henry  Oswalt,  Jacob  Holder, 
George  Holder,  Owen  Roberts,  Michael  Witman,  Matthew  McHugh, 
George  Reine,  John  Reine,  Ingleholt  Holtzinger,  Francis  Sander- 
son &  John  Roberts,  not  rendering  himself  as  aforesaid,  or  not  abid- 
ing the  trial  aforesaid,  shall,  from  &  after  the  said  Thursday  the 
Twenty-fifth  day  of  June  next,  stand  &  be  attainted  of  High  Trea- 
son to  all  intents  &  purposes,  &  shall  suffer  such  pains  &  penalties, 
&  undergo  all  such  forfeitures  as  persons  attainted  of  High  Treason 
ought  to  do.  * 

w  And  all  the  faithful  subjects  of  this  State  are  to  take  notice  of 
this  Proclamation,  and  govern  themselves  accordingly. 

u  Given  by  order  of  the  Council  under  thejiand  of  His  ExcelPy  the 
President,  and  the  Seal  of  the  State,  at  Lancaster,  this  Eighth 
day  of  May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  One  thousand  Seven  hundred 
&  Seventy  eight. 

"  Signed,     THOMAS  WHARTON,  junior,  President. 
;  "  Attested  by  order  of  the  Council, — T.  Matlack,  Secretary. 
"  GOD  SAVE  THE  COMMONWEALTH*." 


486  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  May  9,  1778, 

present : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

James  Edgar,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  >  ™     , 

Joseph  Hart,  Mackay,     $       ^ 

Colo.  George  Morgan  having  represented  that  his  Lady,  Mrs- 
Mary  Morgan,  had  left  her  infant  at  the  breast  in  the  City  of 
Philadelphia,  and  that  the  person  to  whose  care  it  had  been  intrust- 
ed, was  about  to  leave  this  Country,  &  therefore,  earnestly  solicits 
a  Pass  for  his  Lady  to  go  into  the  City  to  bring  out  their  Child. 
Ou  consideration  of  so  affecting  a  case, 
Ordered,  That  a  Pass  be  made  out  for  Mrs.  Morgan,  Wife  of 
Colo.  George  Morgan,  to  go  into  the  City  of  Philadelphia  to  bring 
out  her  child. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  May  11,  1778. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,  &  ~\ 
Jacob  Arndt,  Jonathan  Hoge,  lEsq'rs. 
Mackay,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colo.  Will'm 
Will,  Store-keeper  for  the  Continental  Magazine  in  this  Borough, 
for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Pounds,  for  which  sum  he  is  to  ac- 
count. 

Lieut.  Colo.  Blaithwaite  Jones  attended  the  Council,  &  requested 
a  sum  of  Money  in  part  of  his  Pay.  The  Council  taking  the  same 
into  consideration,  and  it  appearing  that  he  was  appointed  by  tha 
late  Council  of  Safety,  on  the  15th  day  of  February,  1777,  as  an 
Engineer  for  the  fortifications  at  Billingsport,  to  continue  until  the 
same  shall  be  completed,  or  until  otherwise  ordered  by  proper  Au- 
thority, » 

Ordered,  That  Lieut.  Col.  Blaithwaite  Jones  be  allowed  Pay  until 
this  day,  &  that  as  the  service  to  which  he  was  appointed  hath 
ceased,  that  he  be  discharged. 

That  Col.  Jones  be  informed  at  the  same  time,  that  this  Council 
is  disposed  to  employ  him  in  such  department  as  may  require  hie 
abilities;  all  occasion  shall  offer. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  487 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  May  12,  1778. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,  &1 

Jacob  Arndt,  Jonathan  Hoge,   VEsq'rs. 

— —  Mackay,  J 

It  appearing  that  Lieu.  Edw'd  Randolph,  of  the  4th  Pennsylva- 
nia Regiment,  had  inlisted  a  number  of  men,  as  Certified  by  Capt.. 
Edw'd  Scull ;  thereupon, 

Two  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieu.  Edw'd 
Randolph,  the  one  for  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred  &  Twenty  Dollars, 
the  other  for  One  hundred  &  Eighty  Dollars,  both  to  be  charged  to 
Capt.  Edw'd  Scull,  of  the  4th  Pennsylvania  Regiment. 

Two  Letters  from  the  Hon'ble  Henry  Laurens,  Esq'r,  President 
of  Congress,  one  of  the  8th,  the  other  of  the  11th  instant,  inclosing 
the  York  Town  Gazette,  containing  such  parts  of  the  Treaty  with 
France  as  are  necessary  &  proper  to  be  made  Public ;  a  Proclama- 
tion issued  by  Congress  on  the  9th  instant;  and  "  An  Address  of 
the  Congress  to  the  United  States  of  America,"  and  a  Resolve  of 
the  9th  instant,  recommending  to  Ministers  of  the  Gospel  of  all  de- 
nominations, to  read  the  same  in  the  places  of  religious  worship. 

The  Address  of  the  Congress  to  the  United  States,  &  the  resolve 
of  the  9th  inst.,  being  read, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  immediately  re-printed  and  forward- 
ed to  the  Ministers  of  the  Gospel  of  all  denominations,  for  the  pur- 
pose recommended  by  Congress,  which  the  Council  doth  highly 
approve  of. 

Ordered,  That  five  hundred  Copies  in  German  be  struck  off  k 
forwarded  in  like  manner. 

•  N.  B— The  President  gave  an  order  to  the  Q'r  M'r  for  a  Horse 
for  Count  Mountfort,  for  a  few  days,  the  Count's  Horse  having 
fallen  lame. 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  May  13,  1778. 
|  present: 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  Blaitb* 
waite  Jones,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  Pounds,  part  Pay  as  En- 
gineer at  Billingsport.  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 


483  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  May  14,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  THO'S  WHARTON,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart^  James  Edgar,  &"") 
Jonathan  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt,        vEsq'rs. 
Mackay,  J 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Vizt. : 

In  favor  of  Rob't  Lollar,  Esq'r,  Pay  Master  of  Militia  for  the 
County  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  thousand  &  Nine  hun- 
dred Dollars,  (in  loan  Office  Certificates,)  for  Paying  the  Militia,  & 
to  be  charged  to  Thomas  Dorsey,  Esq'r,  Pay  Master  of  Militia.    ■ 

In  favor  of  Capt.  Rob't  Gamble,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred 
Dollars,  due  to  Mich'l  Bowyer  for  apprehending  a  certain  Charles 
Caldwell,  pursuant  to  a  Proclamation  of  this  Council;  the  said 
Mich'l  Bowyer  having  by  his  order  authorized  the  said  Capt. 
Rob't  Gamble  to  receive  the  same. 

In  favor  of  Mr,  Philip  Boehm,  of  Northampton  County,  for  the 
Sum  of  Two  hundred  &  fifty-one  Pounds,  nine  Shillings  &  four 
Pence  half  Penny,  being  the  Balance  due  to  Mr.  Ebenezer  Cowell; 
And  in  favor  of  Mr.  Philip  Boehm,  Paymaster  of  Militia  of 
Northampton  County,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  thousand  Pounds,  for 
the  purpose  of  Paying  the  said  Militia,  to  be  charged  to  Capt. 
Tho's  Dorsey,  Paymaster  of  Militia. 

The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Friday  May  15, 1778, 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &   ~] 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  Mackay.   I  Esq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  J 

Col.  Thos.  Hartley  having  represented  to  Council  that  the  Money 
advanced  to  him  for  the  Recruiting  Service  is  already  exhausted, 
and  requesting  that  a  further  Sum  may  be  paid  to  Capt.  George 
Bush  for  that  service,  for  which  he  (Col.  Hartley)  will  be  accounta- 
ble; thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  George 
Bush,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  Up  Colo. 
Thomas  Hartley. 

A  certificate  signed  by  Rob't  Lollar,  James  Anderson  &  Will'ni 
Clarke,  Esq'rs,  of  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  certifying  that  the 
Sum  of  Seven  Hundred  &  Seventy-one  Pounds  fourteen  Shillings 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  459 

&  One  Penny  was  due  to  Mr.  John  Tyler,  for  repairing  of  Arms ; 
thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  John 
Tyler,  for  the  said  Sum  of  Seven  hundred  &  Seventy-one  Pounds 
fourteen  Shillings  &  one  Penny. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster  Saturday  May  16,  1778. 

PRESENT  I 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  ~) 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  — : Mackay,  S-Esq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  J 

Ordered,  That  the  Parole  of  James  Tilghman,  Esq'r,  be  sent  to 
his  Son  Colo.  Tench  Tilghman,  at  Camp,  with  a  request  that  he  will 
forward  it  to  his  father  by  the  first  opportunity,  &  acquaint  him 
that  he  is  discharged  from  his  said  Parole,  &  at  liberty  to  act  as  he 
shall  judge  best. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  be  directed  to  write  to  James 
Tilghman,  Esq'r,  by  the  next  Post,  &  inform  him  of  the  aforesaid 
order  of  Council,  &  of  his  discharge ;  and  the  same  was  forwarded 
accordingly. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Adam 
Reigart,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand  Pounds,  to  purchase  Horses 
with,  &  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

A  Letter  from  John  Carothers,  Esq'r,  Lieu,  of  the  County  of 
Cumberland,  informing  that  several  persons  have  lately  been  killed 
by  the  Indians  on  the  Bald  Eagle  &  Juniata,  &c. 

Ordered,  That  the  Board  of  War  be  requested  to  furnish  John 
Carothers,  Esq'r,  Lieu,  of  .the  County  of  Cumberland,  with  Riffles 
&  Ammunition.    , 

Lieutenant  John  Boyd,  of  the  12th  Penns'a  Battalion,  having  enlis- 
ted a  number  of  Recruits,  An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in 
favor  of  Lieu.  John  Boyd,  of  the  12th  Penns'a  Battalion,  or  his 
order,  for  the  Sum  of  Nine  hundred  and  Sixty  Dollars,  for  the  Re- 
cruiting Service,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
James  Edgar,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  for 
the  purpose  of  purchasing  Horses  in  the  County  of  York,  to  be 
charged  to  David  Watson,  Esq'r,  Commissioner  for  purchasing 
Horses  in  the  said  County. 

From  the  situation  of  the  Western  frontiers,  it  appears  to  be  ne- 
cessary to  supply  the  County  of  Northumberland  with  Arms,  and 


490  MINUTES  OF  THE 

there  being  Thirty-One  Riffles  in  the  hands  of  John  Butler,  one  of 
the  Armourers, 

Ordered.  That  John  Tyler,  Armourer,  do  send  a  Waggon  load 
of  Arms  in  repair,  to  Col.  Jacob  Morgan,  Lieutenant  of  the  County 
of  Berks,  among  which  the  Thirty-one  Riffles  are  to  be  a  part,  k 
packed  separate  from  the  rest,  &  to  be  by  Col.  Morgan  forwarded 
to  Sam'l  Hunter,  Esq'r,  Lieu,  of  the  County  of  Northumberland, 
for  the  use  of  the  Militia. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  Sentence  passed  by 
the  Judges  of  the  Court  of  Oyer  &  Terminer  &  General  Goal  de- 
livery for  the  County  of  York,  (in  this  Common  Wealth,)  held  at 
York,  on  Tuesday  the  Twenty-first 'day  of  April  last  past,  upon 
Joseph  Bone,  late  of  Cumberland  Township,  in  the  said  County  of 
York,  Yeoman ;  he  the  said  Joseph  Bone  being  convicted  at  the 
said  Court  of  Felony  &  Burglary,  to  Wit : 

"  That  the  said  Joseph  Bone  be  taken  to  the  Goal  of  the  said 
Commonwealth,  in  the  said  County  of  York,  from  whence  he  came, 
&  from  thence  to  the  place  of  Execution,  &  there  to  be  hanged  by 
the  neck  until  he  be  dead." 

Ordered,  That  a  Warrant  under  the  less  Seal  of  the  State,  signed 
by  the  Hon'ble  Vice  President,  and  attested  by  the  Secretary,  be 
now  issued  for  execution  of  the  said  sentence,  on  Wednesday  the 
27th  day  of  May  instant,  between  the  hours  of  Ten  O'Clock  in  the 
forenoon  &  Two  O'Clock  in  the  Afternoon  of  the  said  day,  at  the 
usual  place  of  Execution. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  Wil- 
son, of  the  first  Penns'a  Battalion,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred 
&  Twenty  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  for  which  Sum  he 
is  to  account. 

Ordered,  That  Joseph  Shippen,  jun'r,  of  Kennet  Township, 
Esq'r,  be  discharged  from  his  Parole,  &  be  at  liberty  to  act  as  he 
6hall  judge  best. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  May  18,  1778. 

present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,        ~) 
Jonathan  Hoge,                        Jacob  Arndt,  &      >  Esq'rs. 
Mackay,                        John  Hambright.  J 

Letters  from  His  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington,  of  14th  instant; 
from  Colo.  Hunter  of  the  same  date ;  from  Charles  Petit,  A   Q.  M 
G.,  of  16th  met. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.      491 

Tho's  Hewitt,  Esq'r,  attended  the  Council,  &  represented  that 
the  County  of  Northumberland  is  in  great  distress  from  the  want 
of  Arms,  Ammunition,  and  Provisions. 

Ordered,  That  a  Copy  of  Colo.  Hunter's  Letter  be  forwarded  to 
Congress  by  Mr.  Hewitt,  &  that  information  be  given  to  Congress 
of  the  number  of  Riffles  procured  to  be  forwarded  to  Cumberland 
&  Northampton  Counties. 

His  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington  having  represented  the  necessity 
for  a  supply  of  Arms  for  Gen'l  Wayne's  Division,  &  requested 
that  about  Three  hundred  stand,  fitted  with  Bayonets,  belonging  to 
the  State,  be  sent  to  him.  It  has  been  represented  to  the  Gene- 
ral that  these  Arms  had  been  fitted  with  Continental  Bayonets, 
which  appears  to  have  been  a  mistake.  From  the  situation  of  the 
Frontiers,  attacked  by  the  Indians,  Riffles  are  greatly  wanted,  & 
Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  having  about  One  hundred  &  Twelve  Riffles 
belonging  to  the  Continent  which  he  appears  willing  to  supply  this 
State  with ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  three  hundred  Musquets  &  Bayonets  belonging 
to  this  State,  be  sent  to  His  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington,  for  the 
Pennsylvania  Troops  in  Gen'l  Wayne's  division. 

Ordered,  That  forty-eight  Riffles  be  sent  to  John  Carothers, 
Esq'r,  Lieu.'  of  Cumberland  County,  &  that  an  order  be  drawn  on 
Mr.  Henry,  in  favor  of  Jonathan  Hoge,  Esq'r,  for  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  Seventy  Riffles  be  sent  to  Colo.  James  Hunter, 
Lieu,  of  the  County  of  Northumberland,  &  that  an  order  be  drawn  in 
favor  of  John  Hambright,  Esq'r. 

Ordered,  That  the  load  of  Arms  ordered  from  Northampton  be 
forwarded  by  Colo.  Morgan  to  Colo.  Gibbons,  near  Harris's  Ferry, 
to  be  by  him  forwarded  to  Colo.  S.  Hunter,  Lieu,  of  Northampton 
County. 

Colo.  Knox,  Mr.  McLean,  &  Mr.  Irwin,  a  Committee  from  the 
Hon'ble  House  of  Assembly,  attended  in  the  Council  Chamber,  & 
laid  before  the  Council  a  Petition  from  the  Township  of  Peters,  in 
the  County  of  Cumberland,  praying,  in  effect,  Protection  from  the 
Indian  Ravages.  A  free  conference  was  had  upon  the  situation  of 
the  Western  frontiers ;  and  thereupon, 

Agreed,  That  a  just  representation  from  Council  and  Assembly, 
be  sent  to  Congress  on  this  important  Subject. 


492  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster  Tuesday  May  19,  1778 

present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President, 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,  ") 
Jonathan  Hoge,               Jacob  Arndt,  &        t  Esq'rs. 
Mackay,                John   Hambridght,  J 

Colo.  Smith  applied  to  the  Council  by  written  order  of  Gen'l 
Green  of  April  26th,  for  the  Horses  purchased  for  the  Dragoon 
Service ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Horses  purchased  for  the  Dragoon  Service  be 
delivered  to  Capt.  Smith. 

The  Secretary  reported  that  the  Post  which  heretofore  was  sent 
near  Chester  Town  did  not  now  Travel  that  Road,  &  therefore,  the 
Letter  ordered  to  be  sent  James  Tilghman,  Esq'r,  could  not  be  for- 
warded by  Post;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  an  express  be  procured  &  sent  with  the  order  of 
Council  for  the  discharge  of  James  Tilghman,  Esq'r. 

Ordered,  That  four  hundred  Copies  of  the  Proclamation  issued 
by  this  Council  on  the  8th  instant,  be  printed,  &  Copies  thereof 
sent  to  the  Sheriff  of  the  respective  Counties  where  the  Persons 
therein  named  have  heretofore  resided,  with  orders  to  read,  or 
cause  to  be  read,  the  said  Proclamation  in  the  respective  County 
Towns  were  the  same  can  with  safety  be  done,  &  in  cases  where 
that  cannot  be  done,  that  the  same  be  done  in  some  public  place  as 
near  the  County  Town  as  the  Sheriff  shall  judge  to  be  safe  so  to 
do  ;  &  that  he  set  up,  or  cause  to  be  set  up,  one  Copy  of  each  of  at 
least  ten  different  places  where  he  shall  judge  the  same  shall  be 
most  publickly  known,  so  far  as  the  same  shall  be  found  to  be  prac- 
ticable. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  May  20,  1778. 

PRESENT  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Josep  Hart,  James  Edgar,  ") 
Jonathan  Hoge,                Jacob  Arndt,  >  Esq'rs. 
Mackay,                John  Hambridght,  ) 

Colo.  Butler,  of  the  9th  Penns'a  Battalion,  having  recommended 
Lieu.  William  Vanleer  for   the   Recruiting  service,  he  chusing  to 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  493 

go  into  Cumberland,  Orders  were  given  him  accordingly  j  and  an 
order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieu.  Will'm  Van- 
leer,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred  &  fifty  Dollars,  for  the  Recruit- 
ing service,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Henry  Spiker, 
Pay  Master  for  the  County  of  Berks,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  thousand 
Pounds,  to  Pay  the  Militia  with,  the  said  sum  to  be  charged  to 
Thomas  Dorsey,  Pay  Master  of  Militia. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Philip  Marstil- 
ler,  Esq'r,  Pay  Master  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  for  the  Sum  of 
Two  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Captain  Thomas  Dorsey, 
Pay  Master  General. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  Scott, 
Esq'r,  Pay  Master  of  Militia  of  the  County  of  York,  for  the  Sum 
of  Pour  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Colo.  Tho's  Dorsey, 
Pay  Master  of  Militia. 

Letter  from  the  board  of  War,  respecting  assistance  of  200  Men 
from  the  Continental  Army,  supply  of  Riffles,  Ammunition  &  Pro-' 
visions. 

John  Burd,  Esq'r,  informed  the  Council  that  John  Ramsay,  ap- 
pointed to  purchase  Horses  in  the  County  of  Bedford,  had  pur- 
chased Ten  Horses,  &  was  very  desirous  of  having  them  removed 
to  a  place  of  Satety ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  John  Ramsay,  of  the  County  of  Bedford,  be  di- 
rected to  deliver  the  Horses  purchased  for  the  Army  by  him  to  the 
Deputy  Assistant  Quarter  Master  most  convenient  to  him,  to  be 
forwarded  to  Camp  immediately ;  taking  two  Receipts  for  the  same, 
&  forwarding  one  of  them  to  this  Council. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday,  May  21,  1778. 

PRESENT  I 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,  ) 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt,  &       C  Esq'rs. 

Mackay,  John  Hambright,    ) 

Letter  from  the  Board  of  War. 

On  motion,  the  Council  now  take  into  consideration  the  issuing 
of  a  Proclamation  under  the  State  Seal,  requiring  divers  persons, 
who,  it  is  said,  have  joined  the  Armies  of  the  Enemy,  to  render 
themselves,  and  abide  their  legal  trial  for  such  their  Treasons,  &ca., 
according  to  Law  ;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  Proclamation  be  now  issued  under  the  State 
Seal,  requiring  the  following  named  persons,  late  &  heretofore  inhabi- 


494  MINUTES  OF  THE 

tantg  of  this  State,  that  is  to  say  :  Abel  James,  Merchant;  James 
Humphreys,  the  Elder,  Esq'r;  James  Humphreys,  the  Younger, 
Printer;  Henry  Lisle,  John  Hart,  Charmless  Hart,  David  Sproat, 
Thomas  Story,  Malcolm  Ross,  William  Price,  Thomas  Roker,  & 
Tench  Coxe,  Merchants;  Abel  Evans,  Esq'r,  Attorney  at  Law; 
Benjamin  Titley  &  Peter  Howard,  Traders  ;  Coleman  Fisher,  (Son 
of  William  Fisher,  Esq'r,)  William  Cliifton,  Gentleman  ;  James 
Stevens,  late  Baker ;  Bowyer  Brookes,  Ship  Carpenter ;  John  Al- 
len, Carpenter  &  Tallow  Chandler;  William  Austin,  Yeoman,  late 
keeper  of  the  New  Jersey  Ferry  ;  Kenneth  McCullough,  Yeoman  ; 
Charles  Stedman,  the  Younger,  Esq'r,  Attorney  at  Law;  John 
Shepperd,  Stablekeeper ;  James  Delaplane,  late  Barber ;  Robert 
Currie,  leather  Breeches  Maker;  Thomas  Badge  &  William  Comp- 
ton,  Tallow  Chandlers;  Peter  Sutter,  Hatter;  James  Riddle,  Tav- 
ern-keeper ;  John  Parvock,  Yeoman  ;  John  Young,  heretofore  of 
Graeme  Parke,  Gentleman;  &  Ozwald  Eve,  late  of  the  Northern 
Liberties  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  Merch't  &  Gunpowder  ma- 
ker; all  now  or  late  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia:  And  David 
Potts,  of  Pottsgrove,  Merchant,  (Son  of  John  Potts ;)  &  Christo- 
pher Saur,  the  Elder,  &  Christopher  Saur,  the  Younger,  Printers; 
Joseph  Shoemaker,  &  Abraham  Pastorius,  Tanners ;  Andrew 
Hathe,  Innkeeper ;  Melchoir  Ming,  Carter  <fe  Baker,  &  Jacob  Meng, 
all  now  or  late  of  Germantown  Township  :  And  Peter  Robeson,  & 
Jonathan  Robeson,  the  Younger,  Millers,  (sons  of  Jonathan  Robe- 
son,) now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  White  Marsh;  And  Abraham 
Iredell,  Surveyor;  James  Davis,  William  Christy,  Mason  ;  &  John 
Roberts,  Laborer;  all  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Hersham  : 
And  John  Roberts,  Blacksmith  ;  Nathan  Carver,  Wheelwright ; 
and  Israel  Evans,  Blacksmith  ;  all  now  or  late  of  upper  Dublin 
Township:  And  John  Huntsman,  miller ;  Robert  Cunrad,  Mason; 
Enoch  Supplee,  farmer;  &  William  Evans,  Carpenter;  all  now 
or  late  of  the  Township  of  Norrington  :  Nicholas  Knight,  Lime- 
burner;  John  Parker,  John  Lisle,  &  Robert  Lisle,  laborers;  all 
now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Plymouth  :  And  Jacob  Richardson, 
Carpenter,  of  Upper  Merion  Township;  And  Stephen  Stiger,  Yeo- 
man ;  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Whitpain  :  And  William 
McMurtrey,  Merchant;  and  Edward  Stiles,  Mariner  &  Merchant  ; 
both  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Oxford  ;  all  late  or  now 
of  the  County  of  Philadelphia :  And  John  Bulla,  now  or 
Jate  of  the  Township  of  Newlin ;  Curtis  Lewis,  Blacksmith ; 
now  or  late  of  the  Township  ot  East  Cain  ;  Timothy  Hurst,  Gen- 
tleman; and  Richard  Swanwick,  now  or  late  of  the  Custom  House, 
Philadelphia;  all  now  or  late  of  the  County  of  Chester:  And  Caleb 
Pyle,  of  the  Township  of  West  Malborough ;  Isaac  Green,  the 
younger,  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  East  Cain,  Husbandman, 
&  William  Armstrong,  Shoemaker,  both  now  or  late  of  the  Town- 
ship of  Sadsbury;  all  now  or  late  of  the  said  County  of  Chester ; 
And  Henry  Skyes,  Yeoman,  now  or  late  of  the  County  of  Lancas- 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  495 

tar  t  And  Alexander  Irwin,  Carter,  now  or  late  of  East  Pennsbo- 
rough  Township,  in  the  County  of  Cumberland  :  And  Joseph 
Romiets,  Yeoman,  now  or  late  of  the  County  of  Northampton  : 
And  Daniel  Coxe,  heretofore  of  Trenton,  in  the  State  of  New  Jer- 
sey, Esq'r  :  And  James  Chalmers,  formerly  of  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia, Merchant,  late  of  Kent  County,  Maryland,  Yeoman  :  And 
Francis  Armstrong,  Dealer  in  Horses,  now  or  late  of  the  Township 
of  Sadsbury,  in  the  County  of  Chester ;  to  render  themselves  re- 
spectively to  some  or  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court,  or 
of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  one  of  the  Counties  within  this 
State,  on  or  before  Monday  the  Sixth  day  of  July  next  ensuing,  & 
also  abide  their  legal  tryai  for  such  their  Treasons,  on  pain  that 
every  of  them  not  rendering  himself  as  aforesaid,  and  abideing  the 
trial  aforesaid,  shall  from  &  after  the  said  Sixth  day  cf  July  next, 
stand  &  be  attainted  of  High  Treason,  to  all  intents  &  purposes,  & 
shall  suffer  such  pains  &  penalties,  &  undergo  all  such  forfeitures 
as  persons  attaiuted  of  High  Treason  ought  to  do, 

And  a  Proclamation  in  due  form  being  accordingly  prepared  & 
read, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  sealed  with  the  State  Seal,  signed  by 
the  Honorable  Vice  President  &  attested  by  the  Secretary;  'And 
that  the  same  be  Published  in  Mr.  John  Dunlap's  General  Adver- 
tiser, on  Wednesday  next. 

Ordered,  That  four  hundred  Copies  of  the  before  mentioned  Pro- 
clamation be  printed,  &  Copies  thereof  sent  to  the  Sheriff  of  the 
respective  Counties  of  this  State,  where  the  persons  therein  named 
have  heretofore  resided,  with  orders  to  read,  or  cause  the  same  to 
be  read,  in  the  respective  County  Towns  where  it  can  with  safety 
be  done;  <fe  in  cases  where  that  cannot  be  done,  that  the  same  be 
done  in  some  public  place,  as  near  the  County  Town  as  the  Sheriff 
shall  judge  to  be  safe  so  to  do,  &  that  he  set  up  or  cause  to  be  set 
up,  one  Copy  at  each  of  at  least  Ten  different  places,  where  he  shall 
judge  the  same  shall  be  most  publicly  known,  so  far  as  the  same 
shall  be  found  to  be  practicable. 


The  Council  Met 

Lancaster,  Friday  May  22, 1778, 

PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRY^AN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hartj  James  Edgar,  "] 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt,  &        vEsq'rs. 

— Mackay,  John  Hambright.    J 


Oapt.  Tho's  Biles,  of  the  late  third,  now  fourth  Battalion,  Com- 
manded  by  Colo.  L.  Caldwalader,  who  has  been  Prisoner  with  the 


49§  MINUTES  OF  THE      • 

Enemy,  applied  to  the  Council  for  a  Certificate  of  his  Rank ;  &  the 
same  being  considered,  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  Copy  of  the  Minute  of  the  Committee  of  Safe- 
ty of  the  5th  January,  1766,  be  Certified  by  the  Secretary  &  deliv- 
ered to  Capt.  Biles,  &  to  such  other  Officers  as  shall  apply  for  it. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colo.  "William 
Clark,  Paymaster  of  Cumberland  Militia,  for  the  Sum  of  Four 
thousand  Pounds,  for  paying  of  the  Militia,  &  for  which  Sum  he  is 
to  account. 

Bartram  Galbraith,  Esq'r,  Lieu,  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  now 
represented  to  Council  that  complaint  is  made  by  the  people  to 
whom  Money  is  due  from  the  Continent  for  Waggon  Service;  of 
the  great  hardship  of  having  their  effects  distrained  for  Militia 
fines,  while  the  said  Waggon  Service  remains  unpaid  j 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Certificates  of  the  Deputy  Quarter  Master  be 
received  in  Payment  of  Militia  fines,  from  those  persons  to  whom 
such  Certificates  have  been  given,  but  not  from  any  persons  who 
may  have  obtained  assignments  of  such  Certificates,  except  only  in 
cases  where  divers  persons,  each  having  such  Certificate,  Pay  their 
fines  by  the  Certificates  of  some  one  of  .such  persons. 

Colo.  Boyd,  one  of  the  Sub-Lieutenants  of  the  County  of  Ches- 
ter, representing  to  Council  that  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  divers  of 
the  Townships  in  the  South  Easterly  parts  of  that  County,  being  dis- 
affected from  the  cause  of  liberty  &  the  United  States,  do  with  force 
&  Arms,  in  a  riotous  &  seditious  manner,  commit  Treason  &  felony, 
&  oppose  the  execution  of  the  Laws ; 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieut,  of  said  County  .  of  Chester,  do  se- 
lect a  party  of  seventy-five  Men,  including  a  Captain,  two  Lieu- 
tenauts  &  one  Ensign,  and  proper  Non-Commissioned  Officers  from 
the  Classes  of  the  Militia  of  the  said  County,  this  day" ordered  to 
be  drawn  out  &  embodied  for  actual  service  ;  the  said  party  to  be 
employed  in  apprehending  such  offenders,  &  in  supporting  the  due 
execution  of  the  Laws  of  this  State,  for  the  space  of  two  Months, 
or  'til  further  orders  \  &that  Col.  Boyd  do  take  necessary  measures 
to  victual  &  supply  the  said  party  in  such  sort  as  the  Militia  in  the 
Continental  Service  &  Pay  are  provided.  And  it  is  recommended 
to  Colo.  Boyd,  to  whose  prudence  &  direction  the  said  party  is 
committed,  to  be  careful  to  give  such  orders  &  cautions  to  the  Of- 
ficers &  Privates  as  may  best  prevent  any  irregularities  or  just 
ground  of  complaint  from  the  inhabitants,  so  that  nothing  be  done 
by  them  by  way  of  Punishment,  but  of  Arrest  in  order  to  Punish- 
ment, reserving  the  guilty  for  hearing  &  trial,  in  due  time  &  place, 
&  remembering  that  a  contrary  conduct  in  the  Militia  will  reflect 
discredit  on  Council,  &  on  the  cause  of  Freedom. 

Ordered,  That  the  first  &  second  Classes  of  the  Militia  of  Ches- 
ter County  be  called  into  service,  &  join  the  Militia  Camp  now  or 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  497 

fate  under  the  command  of  General  Lacy.  And  it  being  repre- 
sented to  this  Council,  that  from  divers  circumstances  of  the  Mi- 
litia of  some  parts  of  the  County  of  Chester,  .had  not  been  duly 
notified  to  serve,  agreeable  to  the  orders  of  Council  heretofore  is- 
sued, 

Ordered^  Th^four  Classes  of  such  of  the  Militia  of  the  Coun- 
ty of  Chester  aiWave  not  been  duly  notified  to  serve  according  to 
the  orders  heretofore  issued,  be  now  called  into  service  &  join  the 
Militia  Camp  now  or  late  under  the  Command  of  Gen'i  Lacy: 
These  four  Classes  to  be  next  in  order  to  those  in  the  respective 
places  which  have  been  called  into  service  <fe  duly  notified. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Will'm  Henry, 
Esq'r,  for  the.  Sum  of  Forty-one ■  pounds  &  fourteen  Shillings, 
amount  of  Expences  accrued  by  illuminating  this  Borough  on  the 
annunciation  of  the  Treaties  signed  between  France  &  the  United 
States  of  America. 

Two  orders  from  the  board  of  War,  on  Colo.  Benja.  Flower, 
One  for  "  one  ton  of  Lead  &  half  Ton  of  Riffle  &  Musket  Powder, 
in  such  proportions  as  this  Council  shall  direct,  to  be  issued  for 
the  defence  of  the  frontiers  of  this  State."  "  A  duplicate  of  this 
order  is  given,  one  of  which  be  transmitted  to  you  by  Gren'i  Ro- 
bourdeau  in  behalf  of  the  Council  of  this*State,  whose  order  is  to 
be  complied  with,  if  you  should  not  before  that  time  receive  the 
Orders  of  Council.  -     .. 

"  (Signed)  TIM  PICKERING." 

The  other  to  "  deliver  to  the  order  of  the  Hon'ble  Council  of 
Pennsylvania,  Two  thousand  Flints. 

"  (Signed)  RICH'D  PETERS." 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Flints  be  delivered  to  John  Carothersr 
Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  for  the  use  of  the 
Militia  of  Cumberland,  Westmoreland,  and  Northumberland  Coun- 
ties, each  one-fourth  part. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  May  23d,  1778, 

PRESENT  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Edgar,  &1 

Jonat'a  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt,       I  Esq'rs, 

— —  Mack  ay,  J 

The  Petition  of  Sam'l  Johnson,  of  York  Town,  in  the  County  of 
York,  Esq'r,  (who  had  heretofore  held  Offices  of  trust  under  the 
voi.  xi.— #2. 


498  MINUTES  OF  THE 

authority  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  &  declines  to  take  the  O&tfe 
of  Allegiance  required  by  Law,)  praying  leave  to  sell  &  Convey  his 
Estate  Real,  agreeable  to  a  power  for  that  purpose  mentioned  in 
the  Act  of  Assembly,  within  such  time  &  in  such  manner  as  thig 
Council  shall  think  proper  to  permit;  and  also  to  give  him  leave  to 
retire  out  of  this  State,  &c,  being  read;  on  consolation,     - 

Ordered,  That  a  Permit  be  made  out  to  SanTTJohnson,  Esq'r, 
to  sell  his  Estate  Real,  according  to  his  Petition  and  the  Law  in 
such  case  made  and  provided :  And  the  Permit  being  prepared  & 
read;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  great  Seal  of  the  State  be  affixed  to  the  said 
Permit,  &  that  it  be  signed  by  the  Hon'ble  the  Vice  President,  and 
attested  by  the  Secretary,  and  the  same  was  executed  accordingly. 

Col.  Curtis  Grubb,  now  representing  that  the  Guard  at  Lebanon 
is  insufficient ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieu,  of  the  County  of  Lancaster  do  furnish 
a  Guard,  not  exceeding  One  hundred  Men,  to  be  stationed  at  Le- 
banon, for  the  Security  of  the  Continental  Stores  in  that  Town. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  WilPm 
Hart,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  Pounds,  to  pur- 
chase Horses  with  for  the  Continental  Army,  &  for  which  Sum  Un- 
said Hart  is  to  account. 

The  Council  being  informed  that  His  Excell'y  Tho's  Wharton, 
Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President  of  this  Council,  departed  this  life  early  this 
Morning,  And  James  McLene  &  Will'm  Duffield,  Esq'rs,  a  Com- 
mittee from  the  Hon'ble  House,  attended  the  Council  &  proposed 
that  one  or  more  members  of  the  Council  be  appointed  to  Join  a 
Committee  of  the  House  in  superintending  &  directing  the  funeral 
of  his  Excellency ; 

On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Hart  Join  a  Committee  of  the  lion'ble 
House  of  Assembly,  &  with  them  conduct  the  Funeral  of  His  Ex- 
cellency the  President. 


Sunday,  May  the  24,  177S. 

The  Council  met,  in  order  to  attend  the  funeral  of  His  Excell'y 
Tho's  Wharton,  Jun'r,  Esq'r,  President,  &  set  out  in  due  form. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  499 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  May  25,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  GEO&GE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  } 

Mackay,  Tho's  Scott,        V  Esq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  ) 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
Jacob  Morgan,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sura  of  Three  hundred 
and  One  Pounds  &  five  Shillings,  for  his  atttendance  in  Council 
One  hundred  &  Eighty  days,  &  Mileage  on  56  Miles,  &  on  31  Miles, 
(42  days,  @  25s.,  138  days,  @  35s.) 

The  Hon'ble  Colo.  Hart  reports,  That  the  following  orders  was 
adopted,  the  Committee  appointed  to  Superintend  the  funeral  of 
Tho's  Wharton,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  President,  To  Wit : 

"  That  the  body  be  inclosed  in  a  double  Coffin,  &  intered  in  the 
Evangelical  Trinity  Church  in  this  borough,  the  Elders  &  Vestry  of 
that  Church  having  politely  requested  that  it  might  be  there 
interred." 

And  that  the  Procession  be  as  follows : 

M  The  Military  under  the  Conduct  of  Colo.  Gibson. 

il  Physicians. 

"  The  Corpse,  covered  with  the  Pall. 

"  The  Pall  supported  by  Six  Members  of  the  Council. 

"  His  Excellencies  Three  Sons  and  his  Brother. 

"  The  Hon'ble  Vice  President,  attended  by  the  Secretary,  on  his 
left  hand. 

"  The  remaining  Members  of  the  Council. 

"The  State  Treasurer  and  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme* Court. 

"  The  Delegates  of  the  State  in  Congress,  who  may  be  in  the 
Borough. 

"  The  Hon'ble  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  General  Assembly. 

"  The  Clerk  of  the  House  on  his  left  hand. 

"  Members  of  the  House  of  General  Assembly. 

"Door-keeper  of  the  Council,  and  of  House  of  Assembly. 

"Corporation  of  the  Borough,  and  the  Magistrates  of  the 
County. 

"  Coroner  and  Prothonotary  of  the  County. 

"  Gentlemen  of  the  Law. 

"  Officers  of  the  Army  and  of  the  Navy. 

"Citizens." 

"  And  that  the  funeral  was  conducted  with  great  decorum,  and 
that  the  Military  in  particular,  had  been  very  attentive  to  Pay  the 
Honors  due  to  His  Excellence's  Character  &  Station." 


500  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  order  of  the  Military  was  as  follows,  To  Wit : 
1  Two  Serjeants,  with  Arms  reversed. 
'  Lieutentant  and  Ensign. 
1  Band  of  Music. 
1  Fifes  and  Drums. 

'  Soldiers  in  four  Divisions  ;  Ten  deep ;   Arms  reversed. 
•'Captain  of  the  Company." 

On  the  Corpse  being  brought  out  &  placed  on  the  Bier,  a  sig- 
nal  was  given,  &  the  Artillery  on  the  Common  began  to  fire  Minute 
Guns,  (which  they  continued  to  do  during  the  Procession,  firing 
44  Guns ;)  when  the  Grave  was  closed,  three  Volleys  were  fired,  & 
the  Party  retired,  "  The  attention  paid  by  Colo.  George  Gibson, 
Lieut.  Stephen  Bayard,  &  Major  James  Ross,  of  the  Continental 
Army,  on  this  occasion,  do  them  Honor;  And  the  Gentlemen  of 
the  Borough,  in  their  Military  Character,  made  a  very  handsome 
appearance;  and  the  whole  was  conducted  with  the  most  exact  de- 
corum." 

Ordered,  That  the  Funeral  Procession  of  His  Excellency,  The 
President,  be  published  in  the  English  &  German  papers. 

Daniel  Levan,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Berks,  hav- 
ing now  made  return  of  the  Writ  issued  by  this  Council  for  holding 
an  Election  fpr  the  chusing  a  Councellor  for  the  said  County  of 
Berks,  and  the  same  being  read,  it  appears  that  James  Read,  Esq'r, 
was  elected  Councellor;  And  the  said  James  Read,  Esq'r,  appearing 
k  proposing  to  take  his  seat  in  Council,  The  Council  proposing  to 
take  the  said  return  into  their  consideration,  Mr.  Read  withdrew. 
And  the  nineteenth  Section  of  the  second  Chapter  of  the  "  Plan  or 
Frame  of  Government"  being  read,  it  appears  that  "  No  member 
of  the  General  Assembly  or  Delegate  in  Congress,  shall  be  chosen 
a  member  of  the  Council;"  Whereupon,  It  is  unanimously  the 
opinion  of  this  Council,  That  as  James  Read,  Esq'r,  at  the  time  of 
the  holding  the  said  Election  was  and  still  is  a  Member  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  the  said  Election  &  return  are  void,  as  being  directly 
contrary  to  the  express  words  of  the  Constitution  in  such  ease  ; 
On  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  a  writ  be  now  issued  to  the  Sheriff  of  the  County 
of  Berks,  commanding  &  authorizing  him  to  hold  an  Election  tor 
the  chusing  of  a  Councellor  for  the  said  County,  agreeable  to  the 
frame  of  Government,  and  to  make  return  thereof  to  this  Council 
on  or  before  Thursday,  the  25th  day  of  June  next. 

The  following  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Ste- 
phen Cochran,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Eight  hundred  Dollars,  to  pur- 
chase Horses  with  for  the  Continent;  this  Sum  to  be  charged  to 
Samuel  Futhey,  &  to  be  delivered  to  him  by  Mr   Cochran. 

An  order  was  drawn  ou  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Andrew  Kich 
lein,  Commissioner  in  the  County  of  Bucks,  for  purchasing  Provi- 
sions for   the  Army,  for  the  Sum  of  Eight  Thousand  Dollars,  for 
whioh  he  is  to  account. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  601 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  May  26,  3778. 

PRESENT  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGIA  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President 


Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  & 


Mackay,  Tho's  Scott. 


{.Esq' 


James  Edgar,  J 

The  Clerk  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  laid  be- 
fore the  Council  a  Resolve  of  the  House  for  continuing  the  officers 
of  the  State  Navy  in  Pay  until  the  next  sitting  of  Assembly. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  May  27,  1778. 
present: 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jona,  Hoge,  & 

Mackay,  John  Hambright.  WEsq'rs. 


} 


James  Edgar, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of -Peter  Dehaven, 
for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  for  which  Mr.  Dehaven  is 
to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
Jacob  Arndt,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be 
hy  him  forwarded  to  John  Arndt  &>  Dav'd  Deshler,  Esq'rs,  Com- 
missioners for  purchasing  Provisions  in  the  County  of  Northamp- 
ton, &  to  be  charged  to  the  said  John  Arndt  &  David  Deshler. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  Guy, 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Thirty-four  Pounds,  for  twelve  days" 
service  with  his  Waggon,  in  bringing  the  Baggage  of  the  Galley 
men  from  Trenton  to  this  borough,  treven  days  of  which  time  he 
received  no  Rations  for  himself  or  Horses. 

The  Petition  of  Lawrence  Gremes,  John  Moore,  James  Welsh  & 
James  Wallace,  convicted  of  Felony  in  the  County  of  York,  setting 
forth  that  they  have  suffered  the  Capital  Punishment  adjudged 
in  their  case,  &  praying  their  fines  may  be  remitted,  offering  to  en- 
list in  the  Continental  Army,  being  read  &  considered  ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Lawrence  Gremes,  John  More,  James 
Welsh  &  James  Wallace,  have  their  fines  remitted,  &  be  discharged 
on  their  enlisting  in  the  Continental  Army,  to  serve  during  the 
present  War ;  Such  fines  to  be  considered  as  their  bounty  Money. 


502  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  Peter  Dehaven  applied  to  the  Council  for  an  increase  of  his 
Pay,  the  same  being  inadequate  to  his  service  ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Peter  Dehaven's  Pay  be  put  on  the  same  footing 
with  that  of  Mr.  Benja.  Rittenhouse. 


The  Council  met. 


Lancaster,  Thursday  May  28,  1778. 


PRESENT  : 

Hon'ble  GEO.  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  \ 


Mackay,  John  Hambright,  &  !  ™    , 

n  TTncrp.  Thrum  as    Sr»nt,t..  i  *■ 


Jonathan  Hoge,  Thomas  Scott. 

James  Edgar,  j 

Matthew  Smith,  Esq'r,  elected  to  represent  in  this  Council  the 
County  of  Lancaster,  appeared,  &  being  duly  qualified,  took  his  seat 
in  Council  accordingly. 

A  return  of  an  Election  for  the  Chusing  Members  of  Assem- 
bly, Sheriffs,  Coroners  &  Commissioners  for  the  County  of  Phila- 
delphia, held  the  14th  day  of  October  last,  being  now  read,  it  ap- 
pears that  James  Claypoole  &  John  Moor  were  chosen  &  returned 
for  the  Office  of  Sheriff. 

Robert  Jewell  &  Christian  Hawn  were  chosen  &  returned  for  the 
Office  of  Coroner;  and  that  Robert  Curry  was  chosen  Commis- 
sioner ; 

On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  James  Claypoole  be  appointed  and  Commissioned 
Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia;  and  that  Robert  Jewell  be 
appointed  &  Commissioned  to  be  Coroner  of  the  said  County  of 
Philadelphia. 

The  Petition  of  the  Rev'd  Alexander  Murray,  Missionary  of  the 
Society  for  the  propagating  of  the  Gospel  in  foreign  parts,  praying 
that  he  may  be  permitted  to  sell  his  real  Estate  in  this  State,  &ca; 
being  read,  &  the  same  being  considered ; 

Ordered,  That  a  permit  be  made  out  to  the  Rev'd  Alexander 
Murray,  to  sell  &  convey  his  estate  real,  according  to  his  Petition 
&  the  Law  in  such  case  made  &  provided:  And  the  permit  being 
prepared  &  read  ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  great  Seal  of  the  State  be  affixed  to  the  said 
Permit,  &  that  it  be  Signed  by  the  Hon'ble  the  Vice  President 
<fc  attested  by  the  Secretary;  and  the  same  was  executed  accord- 
ingly. 

And  it  having  been  represented  to  this  Council,  that  the  said 
Aiex'a  Murray  hath  real  Estate  iu  the  Counties  of  Philadelphia, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  503 

Berks,  Bedford,  &  Northumberland,  where  his  presence  may  be 
necessary  in  order  to  sell  &  convey  his  said  real  Estate ; 
On  Consideration, 
Ordered,  That  a  Pass  be  made  out,  permitting  the  said  Alex'a 
Murray  to  travel  into  the  said  Counties  of  Philadelphia,  Berks, 
Northumberland,  &  Bedford,  for  the  purpose  of  selling  &  Convey- 
ing his  Estate,  agreeable  to  the  permission  Given  to  him  by  this 
Council. 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  May  29,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  \ 

Mackay,  John  Hambright,  &  I   -g    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Thomas  Scott,  |       ^ 

James  Edgar,  J 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of 
the  Hon'ble  John  Hambright,  Esq'r,  or  his  order;  One  for  the 
Sum  of  One  Thousand  &  five  hundred  Dollars,  &  one  for  the  Sum 
of  Two  Thousand  &  Five  hundred  Dollars,  which  said  Sums  of 
Money  are  to  be  forwarded  by  him  to  Colo.  Sam'l  Hunter,  Lieu't 
of  the  County  of  Northumberland,  to  purchase  Provisions  with  for 
the  Militia:  And  the  said  Sums  are  to  be  charged  to  the  said  Sam'l 
Hunter. 

Joseph  Walker  laid  before  the  Council  a  Receipt  from  Samuel 
Sarjant,  Storekeeper  to  the  Continent,  for  4  Guns,  3  Bayonets,  2 
Belts,  4  Cartouch  B^xes,  1  Drum,  24  Knapsacks,  &  19  Canteens, 
belonging  to  this  State,  which  Mr.  Walker  brought  from  Philadel- 
phia, &  laid  an  account  of  expences  in  carrying  them,  &ca,  amount- 
ing to  =£15 ) 

On  Consideration, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  said  Joseph 
Walker,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  Pounds,  for  his  Trouble  &  expence 
in  securing  &  conveying  the  said  Arms  to  Carlisle. 

Ordered,  That  Timothy  Matlack,  our  Secretary,  be  appointed 
Keeper  of  the  Register  of  the  names  of  all  such  persons  attainted, 
or  to  be  attainted  of  High  Treason,  by  Virtue  of  the  Act  entitled 
"  An  Act  for  the  attainder  of  divers  Traitors,  if  they  render  not 
themselves  by  a  certain  day,  &  for  vesting  their  Estates  in  this 
Common  Wealth ;  &  for  more  effectually  discovering  the  same  & 
for  ascertaining  &  satisfying  the  lawful  debts  &  Claims  thereupon," 
&  of  all  real  &  personal  Estates  &  interest,  by  the  said  act  or  other- 


604  MINUTES  OF  THE 

wise  vested  in  this  State,  by  reason  of  such  attainder,  &  by  whom 
such  Estates  were  respectively  forfeited,  and  what  Interest  every 
such  person  had  in  any  of  the  Premises  on  the  fourth  day  of  July, 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  One  thousand  seven  hundred  &  seventy- 
six,  or  at  any  time  afterwards,  &  by  what  Tenures  the  same  were 
respectively  h  olden,  &  of  all  incumbrances  to  which  the  said  Es- 
tates were  Subject  before,  &  upon  the  same  days,  &  other  purposes 
expressed  in  the  said  Act. 

Ordered,  That  the  following  named  Persons  be  appointed  Agents, 
according  to  An  Act  of  General  Assembly,  entitled  u  An  Act  for 
the  attainder  of  divers  Traitors,  if  they  render  not  themselves  by 
a  certain  day,  &  for  vesting  their  Estates  in  this  Common-Wealth, 
and  for  effectually  discovering  the  same,  &  for  ascertaining  &  sat- 
isfying the  lawful  debts  &  claims  ;  thereupon/'  to  Wit  :  For  the 
City  of  Philadelphia,  William  Will,  Jacob  Shriner,  Charles  Wil- 
son Peale,  Robert  Smith  (Hatter,)  &  Samuel  Masscy.  For  the 
county  of  Philadelphia,  William  Antis,  Daniel  Heister,  Si  Archi- 
bald Thompson.  For  the  County  of  Chester,  William  Evans, 
Thomas  Cheney,  Thomas  Levis,  Patterson  Bell,  &  John  Hannum. 
For  the  County  of  Bucks,  George  Wain,  Jun'r,  Richard  Gibbs, 
John  Crawford,  &  Benjamin  Soigle.  For  the  County  of  Lancaster, 
Everhart  Michael,  Philip  Greenwalt,  George  Stewart,  &  Francis 
Armstrong.  For  the  County  of  York,  Robert  Stephenson,  James 
Nailor,  William  Chesney,  TJto's  Stockton,  &  Thomas  Lilly. 
For  the  County  of  Cumberland,  George  Stevenson,  John  Boggs, 
k  Joseph  Brady.  For  the  County  of  Northampton  Samuel  Ray, 
Jacob  Miller,  Stephen  Balliott,  Rob't  Levers  &  William  McNair. 
For  the  County  of  Berks,  Henry  Haller,  Thomas  Parry  &  David 
Morgan.  For  the  County  of  Bedford,  Rob't  Galbraith,  Thomas 
Urie,  8f  John  Piper.  For  the  County  of  Northumberland,  John 
Kelly,  &  Thomas  Hewitt.  For  the  County  of  Westmorland, 
Col.  John  Proctor,  <£•  Thomas  Galbraith. 

Ordered,  That  two  hundred  copies  of  the  said  Act  be  printed 
for  the  use  of  the  said  Commissioners.  The  Instruction  to  be 
given  to  the  above  mentioned  Agents  being  drafted,  was  now  read 
<&  approved,  &  are  as  follows,  Vizt : 

u  Instructions  to  the  Agents  appointed  by  Virtue  of  the  Act 
entitled  i  An  Act  for  the  attainder  of  divers  Traitors,  if  they 
render  not  themselves  by  a  certain  day,  &  for  vesting  their  Estates 
in  this  Common- Wealth,  fy  for  more  effectually  discovering  the 
same,  and  for  ascertaining  &  satisfying  the  lawful  debts  &  claims 
thereupon': 

First.  tl  You  are  to  repair  to  some  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
Justice  of  the  Common  Pleas,  or  Justice  of  the  Peace,  in  &  for 
your  County,  take  &  subscribe,  unless  you  have  already  done 
so,  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  &  fidelity,  described  by  an  Act  of  As- 
sembly enacted  the  13th  day  of  Juue  last,  entitled  '  An  Act  obli- 
ging the  male  white  inhabitants  of  this  State  to  give  assurance* 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  505 

of  Allegiance  to  the  same,  &  for  other  purposes  therein  mentioned  ;" 
and  also  the  oath  of  Office,  directed  in  the  Act  of  Assembly,  from 
whence  your  present  powers  are  derived  :  you  are  to  procure  &  keep 
safely  by  you  certificates  under  the  hand  &  Seal  of  such  Judge  or 
Justice  of  your  having  thus  qualified  yourself  to  act ;  And  you 
are  to  have  the  same  entered  by  such  Judge  or  Justice  in  his  Re- 
cord or  book.  Duplicates  of  these  certificates  should  be  carefully 
sent  to  the  Secretary  of  this  Council,  who  is  keeper  of  the  Reg- 
ister, to  be  filed  with  him  for  the  greater  caution. 

Secondly.  i(  You  are  to  enquire  into  all  such  Estates,  both  real 
&  personal,  as  are  vested  or  intended  to  be  vested  in  the  State  by 
the  said  Act,  &  make  returns  thereof  to  this  Council,  mentioning 
in  the  said  return  the  quantity,  quality  &  condition,  as  near  as  may 
be,  of  such  real  Estates,  &  in  whose  occupation  or  possession  the 
same  may  be,  &  all  incumbrances  &  other  circumstances  relating 
thereto.  Great  attention  should  be  given  to  furnish  to  Council  all 
the  information  that  comes  to  the  knowledge  of  the  agents,  con- 
cerning the  real  Estates  vested  by  this  Act  in  the  State,  such  as 
the  nature  of  the  Estate  ;  whether  freehold  j  leasehold  ;  the  term, 
whether  for  ever,  for  life  or  lives,  or  for  years;  the  ground  rents, 
rent  charges,  Chief-rents  or  quit-rents,  &  what  arrears  may  be  due; 
the  claims,  if  any,  made  on  such  Estates  by  persons  out  of  posses- 
sion, &  by  Widows  for  dower;  of  the  manner  in  which  the  late 
feoffee  or  Tenant  became  seized  or  possessed,  whether  by  descent, 
will  or  purchase,  with  the  date  &  other  particulars  of  the  Will  or 
deed,  and  the  recording.  That  early,  exact  &  particular  returns  of 
the  circumstances  of  each  Estate  be  made  to  Council  by  careful 
messengers,  in  order  that  the  keeper  of  the  Register  may  be  able 
to  keep  a  Register  of  every  thing,  <fc  transmit  duplicates  of  the 
same  to  the  Supreme  Court  &  to  the  Sheriff,  as  the  Act  directs. 

Thirdly.  "  You  are  to  have  all  such  personal  Estates  appraised 
by  two  freeholders,  on  oath  or  affirmation,  according  to  law,  &  to 
make  exact  inventories  thereof,  under  the  hands  &  Seals  of  the 
appraisers,  signed  also  by  yourself,  &  returned  to  this  Council;  you 
are  to  be  very  careful  not  to  suffer  the  effects  of  one  Estate  to  be 
intermixed  with  those  of  another ;  as  these  Estates  may  be  subject 
to  claims  of  debt,  &  for  other  reasons;  you  are  to  make  the  enquiry 
after  such  Estates  upon  Oath.  This  power  seems  to  be  reserved 
to  the  Council. 

Fourthly.  "  You  are  to  lease  the  real  Estate,  respectively,  on 
the  best  terms  you  can  obtain,  for  one  year,  taking  special  care  that 
they  are  not  injured  by  the  Tenants  or  others.  The  personal  Es- 
tates are  to  be*sold  after  the  day  assigned  for  surrender  elapses, 
(without  such  surrender,)  giving  ten  days  notice  at  least,  in  the  man- 
ner of  Sheriffs,  &  Certificates  of  such  sale  given  to  each  purchaser, 
under  hand  &  seal,  (if  desired,)  that  he  may  be  able  to  support  his 
title  to  the  Goods  purchased  by  a  further  Certificate,  to  be  there- 
after issued  by  the  President  or  Vice  President  &  Council,  when 
the  same  may  be  demanded. 


5ii  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Fifthly.  "You  are  not  to  adjust  the   reward   for  discovering  of 
forfeited  Estates,  but  refer  it  to  this  Council.'' 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  June  3d,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,  Y 

Mackay,  Jacob  Am dt,  (-™    , 

Smith,  John  Hambright,  &   j       ° 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Thomas  Scott.  J 

Colo.  Buchanan,  from  the  County  of  Cumberland,  attending  in 
the  Council,  &  representing  that  the  Militia  of  that  County  are  in 
great  want  of  Riffles  for  their  defence  against  the  Indians,  who  are 
now  ravageing  the  frontiers  j  and  it  appearing  that  Will'ni  Henry, 
Esq'r,  has  about  fifty  Riffles  in  his  possession, 

Ordered,  That  William  Henry,  Esq'r,  be  requested  to  deliver  to 
Colo.  Arthur  Buchanan,  fifty  Riffles,  to  be  by  him  delivered  to 
John  Caruthers,  Esq'r,  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  or' 
his  order,  for  the  defence  of  the  Frontiers. 

Ordered,  That  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  be  requested  to  deliver  to 
Colonel  Arthur  Buchanan,  Fifty  Muskets,  of  the  Guns  belonging 
to  this  State,  to  be  by  him  delivered  to  John  Caruthers,  Esq'r, 
Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  or  his  order,  for  the  defence 
of  the  frontiers. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  June  4,  1778. 

present : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,  ^ 

Mac.kay,  Jacob  Arndt,  '.  -^     , 

Smith,  John  Hambright,  &  f  ^  m 


Jonathan  Hoge,  Thomas  Scott.    —    J 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Vizt : 
In  faror  of  Michael  JJubley,  Esq'r,  for  the  sum  of  sixty-four 

pounds  &  two  shillings,  for  Wood  supplied  for  this  Council  &   the 

House  of  Assembly. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  507 

In  favor  of  Frederick  Snyder,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifty  Pounds  & 
ten  shillings,  for  his  attendance  at  the  Door,  to  the  third  instant 
inclusive,  <fc  sundry  small  expences. 

A  Copy  of  a  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  28th  May  last, 
"That  all  further  purchases  of  Cloathing  on  account  of  the  United 
States  by  the  Clothier  General,  his  deputies,  or  agents,  be  forth- 
with suspended,"  being  laid  before  the  Council  by  Jacob  S.  Howell, 
&  the  same  being  considered  ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissioners  appointed  to  purchase  Cloath- 
ing in  this  State  be  ordered  immediately  to  cease  from  further 
purchases,  &  report  their  proceedings  to  Council. 

Colo.  Hannum  &  Colo.  Cheney  having  represented  that  they 
are  very  confident  that  the  guard  of  Men  ordered  on  the  22nd 
ultimo,  is  necessary  for  the  purpose  of  Collecting  the  fines  due  for 
non-service  in  the  Classes  of  Militia  called  out  by  order  of  Council 
in  the  County  of  Chester,  and  as  the  difficulties  attending  that  duty 
is  evidently  greatly  lessened  by  the  preparations  made  by  the  Enemy 
for  leaving  the  City  of  Philadelphia; 
On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Party  directed  by  the  order  of  the  22nd  of 
last  Month,  to  be  drawn  out  of  the  Classes  then  ordered  into  the 
field,  do  proceed  to  Camp  with  the  Classes  from  which  they  were 
ordered  to  be  taken. 

On  the  representation  of  Colo.  John  Hannums  of  the  ravages 
made  by  the  Enemy  in  their  March  thro'  Chester  County,  &  of  the 
great  quantities  of  Provisions,  Forage,  &ca,  which  have  been  fur- 
nished by  the  people  of  that  County  for  the  use  of  the  Army,  for 
which  they  have  received  Certificates  only,  &  the  great  difficulties 
the  people  are  under  in  raising  the  substitute,  Money,  &  Militia 
Fines  due  from  them  ; 

Ordered,  That  good  &  sufficient  Certificates  from  the  known 
Commissioners,  Deputy  Quarter  Masters,  or  Commissaries,  be  re- 
ceived in  payment  of  Substitute  Money  &  Militia  fines,  from  those 
persons  to  whom  such  Certificates  have  been  Given ;  but  not  from 
any  persons  who  may  have  obtained  assignments  of  such  Certifi- 
cates, except  only  in  such  cases  where  divers  persons,  each  having 
such  Certificates,  pay  their  fines  by  some  one  of  such  Cer- 
tificates. 

John  McMekin,  Constable  of  the  Township  of  East  Fallowfield, 
in  the  County  of  Chester,  laid  before  the  Council  an  account  of 
expences  in  bringing  to  the  Goal  of  this  County  from  the  County 
of  Chester,  James  Chalfin  &  Evan  Chalfin,  charged  with  having 
taken  prisoner  one  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  County,  &  attempt- 
ing to  carry  him  to  the  Enemy,  amounting  to  the  Sum  of  Eleven 
Pounds  &  Sixpence. 

And  an  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Mc- 
Mekin, for  the  Sum  of  Eleven  Pounds  &  Sixpence,  for  the  afore- 
said expences. 


508  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  Jane  5,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,  "\ 

Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  I  ™     , 

Smith,  John  Hambright,  &  \      ^ 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Thomas  Scott,  J 

Colo.  Hart  reports,  That  there  is  in  the  hands  of  the  Widow  of 
James  Wallace,  late  of  Bucks  County,  a  few  pounds  of  Gunpowder, 
put  into  the  hands  of  said  Wallace  by  the  Committee  of  Safety  to 
exchange  for  salt  petre,  &  she  represents  that  it  is  likely  it  may  be 
wanted  by  the  Militia  of  that  County; 
On  Consideration, 
Ordered^  That  the  Gunpowder  belonging  to  the  State,  now  in 
the  hands  of  the  Widow  Wallace,  be  delivered  into  the  hands  of 
Col   William  Roberts,  for  the  use  of  the  Militia. 

Divers  Letters  from  Col.  Hunter,  representing  the  distress  of  the 
people  of  the  County  of  Northumberland,  being  read, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Snftth  &  Mr.  Scott  be  appointed  to  wait  on 
the  board  of  War,  &  represent  at  that  board  the  necessity  of  a  sup- 
ply of  Arms  &  ammunition  forHhe  frontier  Counties. 

Capt.  John  Marshall  having  reported  that  he  had  inlisted  One 
hundred  &  Forty  Men,  and  that  he  was  in  great  want  of  Money; 
thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  John 
Marshall,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand  Dollars,  for  which  sum 
Capt.  Marshall  is  to  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Saturday  June  6,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esquire,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jona'n  Hoge,  )  p    t 

Mackay,  John  Hambright,    $      ^ 

Will'm  Pollard  &  Company  having  supplied  the  Commissary  of 
the  State  Fleet  with  Nine  Hhds  of  Jamaica  Spirits,  <&  the  price  not 
being  adjusted, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Will'm  Pol- 
lard &  Company,  for  the  sum  of  Three  Thousand  pounds,  in  part 
for  the  said  Spirits,  to  be  charged  to  Will'm  Crispin,  Commissary. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  509 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  WilFm  Scott, 
paymaster  of  Militia  of  the  County  of  Bucks,  for  the  Sum  of  Two 

Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Tho's   Dorsey,  Paymaster  of 

Militia,  i 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  June  8,  1777. 

PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  & 

Mackay,  Tho's  Scott.       ^.Esq'rs. 


} 


Jonat'n  Hoge, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Timothy  Mat- 
Jack,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  his  account. 

The  Rev'd  James  Davidson  laid  before  the  Council  an  account 
of  the  expenditures  of  the  sum  of  One  Thousand  &  five  hundred 
Pounds,  ordered  to  be  paid  into  his  hands  for  the  use  of  the  Salt 
Works  at  Tom's  River,  in  New  Jersey  ;  by  which  account  it  ap- 
pears that  there  remains  in  his  hands  the  Sum  of  Thirty-three  Pounds 
Nineteen  Shillings  &  Eight  Pence,  &  also  a  Roan  Horse,  purchased 
for  the  sum  of  One  hundred  &  fifteen  Pounds  and  Ten  Shillings. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Sum  of  Thirty-three  Pounds  &  Nineteen 
Shillings  &  Eight  Pence  be  paid  into  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer,  & 
that  the  Horse  be  delivered  to  the  Secretary. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  June  9,  1778. 

■  present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &") 

Mackay,  Tho's  Scott.         v  Esq'rs. 

Jon'a  Hoge,  J 

A  Letter  from  the  board  of  War,  enclosing  Resolves  of  Congress 
of  the  8th  instant,  for  raising  a  Company  of  Men  for  defending  the 
Frontier  of  Northumberland  County. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  Will'm 
Clark,  Pay  Master  of  Militia  in  Cumberland  County,  for  the  Sum 
of  Six  hundred  Pounds,  to:  be  charged  to  Tho's  Dorsey,  Pay  M'r  of 
Militia. 


§10  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Hon'ble  Will'm  Atlee*applied  to  the  Council  for  the  remov- 
ing the  Galley  men  from  the  Barracks,  that  the  Hessians  may  be 
there  secured. 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  do  supply 
two  hundred  Militia  for  a  Guard  in  this  Borough,  &  that  he  do  ex- 
ert himself  to  procure  them  as  soon  as  Possible. 

The  guard  at  Middletown  are  to  be  considered  as  a  part  of  the 
said  two  hundred  Men. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  June  10,  1778. 

PRESENT  I 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &^ 

Mackay,  Thomas  Scott,      V  Esq'rs. 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  ) 

Capt  Bankson  laid  before  the  Council  a  Roll  of  Twelve  Men 
mustered  by  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  &  represented  that  he  was  un- 
der very  great  necessity  of  Money  to  pay  them  the  remainder  of 
their  bourny,  as  he  had  not  been  able  to  obtain  it  of  Colo.  Galbraith; 
And  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Captain  John 
Bankson,  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting 
service,  for  which  Sum  he  is  to  account. 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Sam.  Hunter  do  appoint  proper  persons  to 
raise  a  Company  of  Men  for  the  defence  of  the  County  of  Northum- 
berland, agreeable  to  the  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  8th  inst.,  & 
that  Commissions  be  issued  to  the  Officers  of  the  said  Company  as 
soon  as  Colo.  Hunter  shall  have  reported  their  success,  agreeable 
to  the  said  resolve  of  Congress. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Thursday  June  11,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  & 

Mackay,  Thomas  Scott,    J.  Esq'rs. 


*! 


Jonat'n  Hoge, 

Morris  Lisk,  one  of  the  men  belonging  to  the  Bull  dog  Galley,, 
having  obtained  a  Furlow,  &  being  in  great  necessity  for  a  small 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  511 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  said  Mor- 
ris Lisk,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  Pounds,  part  of  his  Pay ;  the  same  to 
be  charged  to  WilPm  C.  Bradford,  Pay  Master  of  the  State  Fleet. 

James  Claypoole  proposed  John  Ord,  Esq'r,  &  Doctor  Frederick 
Phyle,  as  security  for  the  due  performance  of  his  Office  as  Sheriff 
of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  &  they  were  approved. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  June  12,  17? 

PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &") 

Mackay,  Tho's  Scott,        lEsq'rs. 


Jonat'n  Hoge,  J 

Petition  of  divers  field  officers  of  the  Pennsylvania  Regim't 
respecting  Cloathing,  was  read,  &  the  return  of  the  C loathing  now 
wanted,  considered  j  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  return  of  Cloathing  wanted,  sent  in  by  the 
field  Officers  of  the  Pennsylvania  Battalions,  be  sent  to  Mr.  Jacob 
S.  Howell,  to  whom  this  business  is  committed. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  on  favor  of  Lieut.  John 
Boyd,  for  the  Sum  of  six  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  ser- 
vice, for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Capt.  Andrew  Boyd,  having  offered  a  Reward  of  two  hundred 
Dollars  for  apprehending  each  of  James  Fitzpatrick  and  Mordecai 
Dougherty,  who  were  concerned  in  seizing  &  carrying  off  a  certain 
Joseph  Lucky;  the  same  being  approved  of  by  this  Council,  the 
Secretary  is  to  inform  him  of  such  approbation. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Proctor, 
Esq'r,  Pay  Master  of  Militia  of  the  County  of  Westmorland,  for 
the  Sum  of  one  thousand  &  Five  hundred  Pounds,  for  Paying  the 
Militia  of  the  said  County,  to  be  charged  to  Tho's  Dorsey,  Pay 
Master  of  Militia, 


512  '  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  June  13,  1778* 

*  PRESENT : 

Hon'blc  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  & 

Mackay,  Tho's  Scott.  I  Esq'rs. 


} 


Jonat'n  Hoge, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  George 
Schlosser,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  Money  advanced 
by  him  to  David  De3hler  &  John  Arndt,  Esq'rs,  Commissioners 
for  purchasing  Provisions  in  Northampton  County,  to  be  charged 
to  the  said  Commissioners ;  and  an  order  was  drawn  on  the  Trea- 
surer in  favor  of  Jacob  Frank,  for  the  Sum  of  six  hundred  &  thir- 
ty Pounds,  money  advanced  by  him  to  Dav'd  Deshler  &  John 
Arndt,  Esq'rs,  Commissioners  for  purchasing  Provisions  in  North- 
ampton County,  to  be  charged  to  the  said  Commissioners. 

James  Claypoole,  Esq'r,  appeared  &  took  the  Oaths  required  by 
Law  to  qualify  him  for  the  execution  of  the  Office  of  Sheriff  of 
the  County  of  Philadelphia. 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Monday  June  15,  1778, 

PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Mackay,  John  Hambright,  & 


Mati'w  Smith,  Tho's  Scott.  J- Esq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  j 

Divers  depositions  relating  to  a  Robbery  committed  on  the  pro- 
perty of  Garrat  Vansant,  of  Middletown,  in  the  County  of  Bucks, 
<fc  to  the  abuse  to  Ensign  Garrat  Vansant,  jun'r,  &  the  plundering 
of  effects  in  his  possession ;  both  by  persons  of  the  State  of  New 
Jersey ; 

Ordered,  That  application  be  made  to  his  Excell'y  Gen'l  Living- 
ston, to  take  the  measures  necessary  for  seizing  and  delivering  over 
t.q  trial,  the- Persons  charged  with  the  aforesaid  Crimes. 

On  motion,  the  Council  now  take  into  Consideration  the  issuing 
of  a  Proclamation  under  the  State  Seal,  requiring  divers  persons, 
who  it  is  said  have  Joined  the  Armies  of  the  Enemy,  to  render 
themselves  &  abide  their  legal  trial  for  their  Treasons,  &ca,  accord- 
ing to  Law;  and  therefore, 

Ordered,  That  the  following  Proclamotion  be  now  issued  under 

iKo  SfatP  SphI     Vik'I i! 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  513 

4i  Pennsylvania,  ss : 

"A  PROCLAMATION. 

u  By  the  Supreme  Executive   Council  of  the   Common    Wealth  of 
Pennsylvania  „• 

"  Whereas,  The  following  named  persons,  late  &  heretofore  in- 
habitants of  this  State,  that  is  to  say :— James  Inglis,  Trader ;  Ro- 
bert Coupar,  Trader;  Carpenter  Wharton,  late  Commissary;  John 
Chevalier,  Merchant;  James  Club,  Mariner;   Benja.  Towne,  Prin- 
ter; James  Smyther,  Engraver;  Joel  Evans,  Merchant;  Anthony 
Yeldall,  Surgeon;  William  Morris,  Mariner,  late  Constable;  John 
Cunningham,  Inn-keeper;  William  Taylor,  Silver  Smith;  Frede- 
rick Verner,  Yeoman;    Anthony  Thomas,  Jun,  Hatter;  Samuel 
Garrigues,  Jun'r,  Trader ;  Joseph  Stansbury,  dealer  in  Earthen- 
ware ;    John   Bray,  School-master.,   late   Constable ;  Ross   Curry., 
Gentleman,  late  Lieutenant  in  the  Service  of  the  American  States ; 
John  Johnson,  Coachmaker;  John  Airey,  late  of  the  Post  Office; 
John  Hales,  Stable-Keeper ;  Dunnin  Irwin,  Trader;  John  Pike, 
Dancing  Master ;  John  Palmer,  Mason ;  James  Craig,  Ropemakei 
&  Merchant;  John  Henderson,  Mariner  ;  Benjamin  Davis,  hatter; 
George  Spangler,  Trader ;  James  Fisher,  Trader ;  Hugh  Henry, 
Peruke-maker;  Jacob  Mayer,  Peruke-maker;  Isaac  Wharton,  mer- 
chant ;  Benjamin  Gibbs,  Merchant ;  James  Gregson,  and  Thomas 
Bramhall,  Button-Makers;  Samuel  Jeffreys,  Watch  Maker;   Mi- 
chael Cannon,  Merchant;  Robert  Looseley,  Shoe-maker;  Henry 
Jounken,  Trader;  Henry  Welfing,  Shoe-maker;  &  Robert  Dove, 
Leather-Cutter;  all  now  or  late   of  the  City  of  Philadelphia;  & 
William  Williams,  Ship  wright;  Lawrence  Fegan,  Tavern-keeper; 
John  Brown,  distiller;  k  William  Taylor,  ship-wright;  all  now  or 
late  of  the  Northern   liberties   Township:  And  David    Gregory, 
Mariner;  John  Tolley,  Mariner;  David  Thompson  &  Charles  Mo- 
ran,  Ship-wright ;    all  now  or  late  of  the  district   of  Southwork  : 
And  John  Buckingham,  Laborer,  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of 
Blockley  :  And  Joseph  Bolton,  Joiner ;  &  John  Butcher,  Husband- 
man, both  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Blockley :  And  Peter 
Sour,  Printer,  now  or  late  of  German  Town  Township :  And  Ste- 
phen Styer,  Yeoman,  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Whitpaine; 
all  now  or  late   of  the  County  of  Philadelphia :  And  Joel  Bry- 
an,  Husbandman,    now    or  late   of  the   Township  of  Haycock; 
And   George  Burns,  Weaver;  Joseph  Doan,  Laborer;  Isaac  Mit- 
chener,  Laborer ;  &  John  Rodgers,  Laborer,  all  now  or  late  of  the 
Township   of   Plum  stead  ;   Hugh  Lindon,  School-master;  Robert 
Coley,  jun.,  Saddler;  William   Fell,  Weaver;  John  Hill,  Lime- 
burner  ;  &  Dennis  Easton,  Laborer,  all  now  or  late  of  the  Town- 
ship of  Buckingham ;  Henry  Dennis,  Shipwright ;  John  Dennis, 
vol.  xi. — 33. 


5ty  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Wheelwright;  John  Howell,  Laborer;  Mordecai  Balderstoner 
Weaver;  Uriah  Lindy,  Laborer;  William  Brown,  Cooper;  Jere- 
miah Hendrickson,  Laborer;  James  M'Mullen,  Laborer;  Thomas 
Featherly,  Miller;  William  Skilton,  Laborer;  Levy  Kennett, 
Laborer;  John  Cable,  Laborer;  &  Ephraim Williams,  Laborer; 
ail  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Solsbury;  and  Joseph  Canby, 
Laborer;  Thomas  Canby,  Blacksmith;  Samuel  Burrows,  Laborer; 
John  Harvey,  Laborer;  &  George  Boatman,  Laborer;  all  now  or 
late  of  the  Township  of  Upper  Makefield  ;  And  Peter  Price,  La- 
borer, now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Middletown  j  And  Thomas 
Martin,  Cooper;  John  Stackhouse,  Benjamin  Brown,  Joseph  Doble, 
James  Giimore  &  Hsnry  Hill,  Husbandman;  all  now  or  late  of  the 
Township  ot  Falls,  And  Alexander  Rickey,  Laborer,  now  or  late 
of  the  Township  of  Lower  Makefield ;  Andrew  De  Normandie, 
Practitioner  in  Medicine ;  Benjamin  Brown,  Carpenter;  William 
Oe  Normandie,  laborer;  John  Gosling,  Shoemaker  ;  Arthur  Camp- 
bell, Laborer ;  John  Stackhouse,  Husbandman ;  John  Poor,  John 
Eiwood  &  William  Davis,  Watermen;  all  now  or  late  of  the  Town- 
ship of  Bristol ;  And  Joseph  Swift,  Gentleman,  Lieutenant  in 
the  Kings  Army,  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Bensalem  j 
Samuel  Chapman  &  Amos  Chapman,  Husbandmen;  Abram  Chap- 
man, Cooper ;  David  Chapman,  Miller ;  &  Abraham  Clark,  Tay- 
lor; all  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Wrightstown ;  all  now  or 
late  of  the  County  of  Bucks :  And  John  Briggs,  Husbandman, 
now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Wiliis  Town  ;  George  Davis,  Hus- 
bandman, now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Springfield-;  John  Tay- 
lor, Tavern-keeper ;  John  Moulder,  Waterman ;  John  Talbot, 
Wheelwright;  &  Thomas  Barton,  Sawyer;  all  now  or  late  of  the 
Township  of  Chichester:  And  Jesse  Bean,  junior  ;  Jacob  Tregoe, 
Blacksmith;  Caleb  Haines,  Weaver;  &  Joshua  Thompson,  Taylor; 
ail  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Goshen :  And  Jacob  Buffing- 
ton,  Carpenter;  &  William  Stroud,  Saddler;  both  now  or  late  of 
the  Township  of  West  Bradford ;  Joseph  Malin,  Wheelright ;  & 
filisha  Malin,  joiner ;  both  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  East 
Whiteland ;  Edward  Grissil,  Laborer ;  &  John  Wilson,  Taylor ; 
both  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Thornbury ;  Will'm  Milson, 
Taylor;  Isaac  Bullock,  Laborer;  Benjamin  James,  Cooper;  & 
John  Burnet,  jun'r,  Laborer;  all  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of 
Concord:  And  Samuel  Hart,  Laborer;  &  Abijah  Park,  Mason; 
both  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  East  Bradford ;  Jacob  Cypher, 
Miller,  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Tredyflin ;  Samuel  Bell, 
Carpenter,  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Easton  ;  William  Mad- 
dock,  Tavern-keeper  ;  William  Dunn,  Laborer  ;  Joseph  Edwards, 
Mason;  George  Dunn,  Taylor;  James  Malin,  Laborer  ;  &  Gideon 
Vernon,  Husbandman ;  all  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of 
Providence:  And  Christopher  Wilson,  Husbandman;  &  John 
Taylor,  Grazier ;  both  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  .Ridley  : 
Benjamin    Miller,  Saddler,   now   or    late  of   the    Township    of 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  515 

ISast  Cain ;  Joshua  Proctor,  Laborer,  now  or  late  of  the  Town- 
ship of  Newtown ;  Aaron  Ashbridge,  Waterman  ;  Joseph  Gill, 
Malster;  Elias  Wernon,  Taylor;  ail  now  or  late  of  the  Town- 
ship of  Chester:  And  Daniel  Rogers,  Carpenter;  now  or 
late  of  the  Township  of  Egmont :  And  John  Supplee,  William 
Caldwell  <&  James  Hart,  Husbandmen;  John  Musgrove,  Tra- 
der; and  William  Andrews,  Fuller;  all  now  or  late  of  the  Town- 
ship of  Darby  :  And  William  Smith  of  Tinuicum  Island  ;  &  Wil- 
liam Anderson,  Laborer;  both  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of 
Kidley ;  Henry  Effinger,  Junior,  Hugh  Oeain,  William  Kennedy, 
Darby  Ocain,  &  James  McClarin,  Laborers;  &  Isaiah  Worrell, 
Miller ;  All  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Springfield  :  And 
Isaac  Burk,  Abraham  Falkenton,  Thomas  Burns,  William  Clarke, 
4  George  Good,  Laborers  ;  and  William  Henry,  Taylor;  all  now 
or  late  of  the  Township  of  Providence  :  And  George  Dunn,  &  Da- 
vid  Maris,  Taylors;  &  William  Bell,  Laborer;  all  now  or  late  of 
the  Township  of  Newtown;  and  Robert  Kissack,  Weaver;  James 
Brown,  Wheelwright;  James  German  &  Enoch  German,  Cord- 
wainers;  &  Michael  Crickley,  Laborer;  all  now  or  late  of  the 
Township  of  Haverford,  all  now  or  late  of  the  County  of  Chester; 
And  John  Spearing,  Shoemaker;  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of 
Eastman;  John  Stackhouse,  Moses  Morgan,  Moses  Wood,  Abra- 
ham Long,  Robert  Stackhouse,  Peter  Snyder,  John  Raymel,  John 
Ink,  David  Young,  John  Vaughan,  Lawrence  Marr,  <&  Peter 
Hardy,  Husbandmen ;  all  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Mount 
Bethel :  And  James  Lawson,  &  Edward  McMichael,  Husbandmen  ; 
both  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Lower  Smithfield ;  &  James 
Allen,  Esq'r,  now  or  late  of  Northampton  Village  ;  all  now  or  late 
of  the  County  of  Northampton  :  And  William  Willis,  Miller,  & 
Hichard  Willis,  Gunsmith;  both  now  or  late  of  the  County  of 
York :  And  John  Wilson,  Wheelwright,  &  Husbandman ;  and 
Andrew  Fursuer,  Laborer;  both  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of 
Allen;  Lawrence  Kelly,  Cooper  ;  William  Curias,  Laborer;  John 
M.  Cart,  Distiller  So  Laborer;  &  Francis  Irwin,  Carter;  all  now 
or  late  of  the  Township  of  East  Pennsborough;  all  now  or  late  of 
the  County  of  Cumberland  5  And  George  Croghan,  &  Alexander 
McKee,  formerly  Indian  Traders ;  Simon  Girty,  Indian  Interpre- 
ter; James  Girty,  Laborer;  &  Matthew  Elliott,  Indian  Trader  J 
all  now  or  late  of  the  County  of  Westmoreland  :  And  Malin 
Dunn,  Taylor ;  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Providence ;  have 
severally  adhered  to,  &  knowingly  &  willingly  aided  k  assisted  the 
Enemies  of  the  State  &  of  the  United  States  of  America  by  hav- 
ing joined  their  Armies  at  Philadelphia,  in  the  County  of  Phila- 
delphia, within  this  State.  We  the  Supreme  Executive  Council 
aforesaid,  by  virtue  of  certain  powers  <&  authorities  to  us  given  by 
An  Act  of  General  Assembly  entitled  "  An  Act  for  the  attainder 
of  divers  Traitors,  if  they  render  not  themselves  by  a  certain  day, 
n&  for  vesting  their  Estates  in   this  Commonwealth  j  &  for  more 


516  MINUTES  OF  THE 

effectually  discovering  the  same,   &   for   ascertaining  &  satisfying 
the  lawful  debts  &  claims  thereupon  j"  Do  hereby  strictly  charge 
&  require  the  said  James  Inglis.  Robert  Couper,  Carpenter  Whar- 
ton, John  Chevalier,  James  Club,  Benjamin  Towne,  James  Smither, 
Joel  Evans,  Anthony  Yeldall,  William  Morris,  John  Cunningham, 
William  Taylor,  Frederick  Werner,  Arthur  Thomas,  Samuel  Gar- 
rigues,  Joseph  Stansburg,  John  Bray,  Ross  Curry,  John  Johnson? 
John  Airey,  John  Hales,  Dunnin  Irwin,  John  Pike,  John  Palmer, 
James  Craigh,  John  Henderson,  Benjamin  Davis,  George  Spangler, 
James  Fisher,  Hugh  Henry,  Jacob  Mayer,  Isaac  Wharton,  Benja- 
min Gibbs,  James  Gregsou,  Thomas  Bramball,  Samuel  Jeffreys? 
Michael  Connor,   Robert  Looseley,    Henry  Jounken,  Henry  Wei- 
fling,    Robert  Dove,   William  Williams,    Lawrence  Fegan,   John 
Brown,    William    Taylor,    David    Gregory,   John    Tolley,    David 
Thompson,  Charles   Moran,   John  Buckingham,   Joseph  Bolton, 
John  Butcher,   Peter  Saur,   Stephen  Styer,    Joel  Bryan,  George 
Burns,  Joseph  Dean,  Isaac  Mitchener,   John  Rodgers,  Hugh  Lin- 
don,  Robert  Coley,  William  Fell,  John  Hill,  Dennis  Easton,  Henry 
Dennis,  John  Deunis,  John  Howell,  Mordecai  Bolderstone,   Uriah 
Lindy,  William  Brown,  Jeremiah  Hendrickson,  James  McMullen, 
Thomas  Featherby,  Wrilliam  Skelton,  Levy  Kennett,  John  Cable, 
Ephraim  Williams,  Joseph  Canby,  Thomas  Canby,  Samuel  Bur- 
rows,   John    Harvey,     George   Boatman,    Peter    Price,    Thomas 
Martin,    John    Stackhouse,     Benjamin    Brown,     Joseph     Doble, 
James   Gilmore,    Henry    Hill,    Alexander    Reikey,    Andrew    De 
Normandie,  Benjamin  Brown,  William  De  Normandie,  John  Gos- 
ling, Arthur  Campbell,  John  Stackhouse,  John  Poor,  John  Elwood, 
William  Davis,  Joseph  Swift,  Samuel  Chapman,  Amos  Chapman, 
Abram  Chapman,  David  Chapman,  Abraham  Clark,  John  Briggs. 
George  Davis,  John  Taylor,  John  Moulder,  John  Talbot,  Thomas 
Barton,  Jesse  Bean,  Jacob  Tregoe,  Caleb  Haines,  Joshua  Thomp- 
son, Jacob  Buffington,  William  Stroud,  Joseph  Malin,  Elisha  Ma- 
lin,  Edward  Grissel,  John  WTilson,  William  Millson,  Isaac  Bullock, 
Benjamin  James,  John  Burnet,  Samuel  Hart,  Abiah  Parke,  Jacob 
Cypher,   Samuel  Bell,  William  Maddock,  W7illiam  Dunn,   Joseph 
Edwards,  George  Dunn,  James  Malin,  Gideon  Yernon,  Christopher 
Wilson,  John  Taylor,   Benjamin    Miller,   Joshua  Proctor,   Aaron 
Ashbridge,   Joseph  Gill,    Elias  Vernon,    Daniel   Register,   John 
Supplee,  William  Caldwell,  James  Hartnet,  John  Musgrove,  Wil- 
liam Andrews,  William  Smith,  William  Anderson,  Henry  Effinger, 
Hugh  O'Cain,  William  Kennedy,  Darby  O'Cain,  James  McClarin, 
Isaiah  Worrell,  Isaac  Burk,  Abraham  Falkenton,  Thomas  Burns, 
William  Clark,  George  Good,  William  Henry,  George  Dunn,  David 
Maris,  William  Bell,  Robert   Kissack,  James  Brown,  James  Ger- 
man, Enoch  German,  Michael  Crickley,  John  Spering,  John  Stack- 
house,  Moses  Morgan,  Mo.-ts  Wood,  Abraham  Long,  Robert  Stack- 
Louse,  Peter  Snyder,  John  Rymel,  John  Irish,  David  Young,  John 
Vaughan,  Lawrence   Marr,  Peter  Hardy,  James  Lawson,  Edward 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  517 

McMichael,  James  Allen,  William  Willis,  Richard  Willis,  John 
Wilson,  Andrew  Fursuer,  Lawrence  Kilby,  William  tDurlan,  John 
McCart,  Francis  Irwin,  George  Groghan,  Alexander  M'Kee,  Simon 
Girty,  James  Girty,  Matthew  Elliott  &  Malin  Dunn,  to  render 
themselves  respectively  to  some  or  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Su- 
preme Court,  or  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  one  of  the  Coun- 
ties within  this  State,  on  or  before  the  third  day  of  August  next 
ensuing,  &  also  abide  their  legal  trial  for  such  their  Treasons, 
on  pain  that  every  of  them,  the  said  James  Inglis,  Robert 
Coupar,  Carpenter  Wharton,  John  Chevalier,  James  Club,  Ben- 
jamin Towne,  James  Smither,  Joel  Evans,  Anthony  Yeldall, 
William  Morris,  John  Cunningham,  William  Taylor,  Frederick 
Verner,  Arthur  Thomas,  Samuel  Garrigues,  Joseph  Stansbury, 
John  Bray,  Ross  Curry,  John  Johnson,  John  Airey,  John  Hales, 
Dunnin  Irwin,  John  Pike,  John  Palmer,  James  Craig,  John  Hen- 
derson, Benjamin  Davis,  George  Spangler,  James  Fisher,  Hugh 
Henry,  Jacob  Mayer,  Isaac  Wharton,  Benjamin  Gibbs,  James 
Gregson,  Thomas  Bramhall,  Samuel  Jeffreys,  Michael  Connor, 
Robert  Loosley,  Henry  Jounken,  Henry  Welfling,  Robert  Dove, 
William  Williams,  Lawrence  Fegan,  John  Brown,  William  Taylor, 
David  Gregory,  John  Tolley,  David  Thompson,  Charles  Moran, 
John  Buckingham,  Joseph  Bolton,  John  Butcher,  Peter  Saur,  Ste- 
phen Styer,  Joel  Bryan,  George  Burns,  Joseph  Doan,  Isaac  Mitch- 
eher.,  John  Rodgers,  Hugh  Lindon,  Rob't  Coley,  William  Fell, 
John  Hill,  Dennis  Easton,  Henry  Dennis,  John  Dennis,  John 
Howell,  Mordecai  Balderstone,  Uriah  Lindy,  William  Brown,  Jere- 
miah Hendrickson,  James  Mc Mullen,  Thomas  Featherby,  William 
Skelton,  Levi  Kennett,  John  Cable,  Ephraim  Williams,  Joseph 
Canby,  Thomas  Canby,  Samuel  Burrowes,  John  Harvey,  George 
Boatman,  Peter  Price,  Thomas  Martin,  John  Stackhouse,  Benjamin 
Brown,  Joseph  Doble,  James  Gilmore,  Henry  Hill,  Alexander 
Rickey,  Andrew  De  Normandie,  Benjamin  Brown,  William  DeNor- 
mandie,  John  Gosling,  Arthur  Campbell,  John  Stackhouse,  John 
Poor,  John  Ellwood,  William  Davis,  Joseph  Swift,  Samuel  Chap- 
man, Amos  Chapman,  Abraham  Chapman,  David  Chapman,  Abram 
Clark,  John  Briggs,  George  Davis,  John  Taylor,  John  Moulder, 
John  Talbot,  Thomas  Barton,  Jesse  Bean,  Jacob  Tregoe,  Caleb 
Haines,  Joshua  Thompson,  Jacob  Buffington,  William  Stroud,  Jo- 
seph Malin,  Elisha  Malin,  Edward  Grissel,  John  Wilson,  William 
Millson,  Isaac  Bullock,  Benjamin  James,  John  Burnet,  Samuel 
Hart,  Abiah  Parke,  Jacob  Cypher,  Samuel  Bell,  William  Maddock, 
William  Dunn,  Joseph  Edwards,  George  Dunn,  James  Malin,  Gid- 
eon Vernon,  Christopher  Wilson,  John  Taylor,  Benjamin  Miller, 
Joshua  Proctor,  Aaron  Ashbridge,  Joseph  Gill,  Elias  Vernon,  Dan- 
iel Register,  John  Suplee,  William  Caldwell,  James  Hartnet,  John 
Musgrove,  William  Andrews,  William  Smith,  William  Anderson, 
Henry  Effinger,  Hugh  O'Cain,  William  Kennedy,  Darby  O'Cain, 
James  McClarin,  Isaiah  Worrell,  Isaac  Burk,  Abraham  Falkenton, 


518  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Thomas  Burns,  William  Clark,  George  Good,  William  Henry,  George 
Dunn,  David  Maris,  Will'm  Bell,  Robert  Kissack,  James  Brown. 
James  Gorman,  Enoch   Gorman,  Michael  Crickly,  John  Spering, 
John  Stackhouse,   Moses  Morgan,  Moses  Wood,  Abraham  Long, 
Robert  Stackhouse,  Peter  Snyder,  John  Rymel,  John  Ink,  David 
Young,  John  Vaughan,  Lawrence  Marr,  Peter  Hardy,  James  Lawson, 
Edward  McMichael,  James  Allen,  William  Willis,  Robert  Willis, 
John    Wilson,    Andrew   Fursuer,  Lawrence  Kilby,  William   Cur- 
Ian,  John   McCart,  Francis  Irwin,  George  Croghan,  Alexander  Mc- 
Kee,  Simon  Girty,  James  Girty,  Matthew  Elliott  &  Malin  Dunn  ; 
not  rendering  himself  as  aforesaid,  &  abiding  the  trial  aforesaid,  shall, 
from  and  after  the  said  first  day  of  August,  stand  &  be  attainted  of 
High  Treason,  to  all  intents  &  purposes. ■&  shall  suifer  such^pains.  & 
penalties,  &  undergo  all  such  forfeitures  as  persons  attainted  of  High 
Treason  ought  to  do.   And  all  the  faithful  subjects  of  this  State  are  to 
tahe  notice  of  this  Proclamation,  &  govern  themselves  accordingly. 
'•'  Given  by  order  of  the  Council,  under  the   hand  of  the  Hon'hle 
GEORGE    BRYAN,  Esquire,  Vice  President,  &  the  Seal  of 
the  State  at  Lancaster,  this  fifteenth  day  of  Jane,  in  the  Year 
of  our  Lord  One  thousand  Seven  hundred  &  Seventy-eight. 
"  Attested  by  order  of  the  Council. 
"  (Signed) — T.  Matlack,  Sec'y. 

"GOD  SAVE  THE  COMMONWEALTH." 


The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Tuesday  June  16,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Mackay,  John  Hambright,  &") 

Matt'w  Smith,  Tho's  Scott,  V  Esq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  ) 


The  Council  Met. 

Lancaster,  Wednesday  June  17,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Mackay,  John  Hambright,  & 


Matt'w  Smith,  Tho's  Scott,  [►Esq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 

A  Representation  from  Henry  Wynkoop,  Esq'r,   setting  forth 
that  divers  traiteraus  &  Violent  persons  make  frequent  excursions 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  5tt 

Into  the  County  of  Bucks,  &  commit  most  notorious  Robberies. 
&G2l,  to  the  great  distress  of  the  inhabitants;  &  the  same  being  con- 
sidered, 

Ordered  That  a  reward  of  Two  hundred  Dollars  be  Offered  to 
any  person  or  persons  who  shall  detect  &  arrest  any  person  owing 
allegiance  to  this  State,  or  to  any  of  the  United  States,  who  hath 
been  or  shall  be  guilty  of  any  Burglary"or  of  any  Robbery,  by 
putting  in  fear,  in  any  of  the  Counties  of  Philadelphia,  Bucks  or 
Chester;  And  that  a  Proclamation  under  the  Seal  of  the  State. 
Signed  by  the  Hon'ble  Vice  President,  and  attested  by  the  Secre- 
tary, be  issued  accordingly. 


The  Council  met.  .« 

* 

Lancaster,  Thursday  June  18,  1778. 

present : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  B^RYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President, 

Mackay,  John  Hambright,  &  1 

Matt'w  Smith,  Tho's  Scott,  V  Esq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  ) 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Ebexiezer 
€owell,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Pounds,  for  the  use  of  the  Gun 
Factory  under  his  direction,  for  which  Sum  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
Jacob  Arndt,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  &  Two  hundred 
Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  John  Arndt,  Esq'r,  to  be  applied  in  pay- 
ing for  Provisions  purchased  for  Congress. 

Colo.  Broadhead  attended  the  Council  &  represented  that  the  8th 
Pennsylvania  Regiment  is  now  on  a  March  to  the  Westward,  &  re- 
quested, that  in  consideration  of  the  Great  difficulty  in  sending 
Gloathing  afterthem,  the  Officers  may  be  furnished  with  their  Regi- 
mentals; thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  S.  Howell  do  supply  the  Officers  of  the 
Eighth  Pennsylvania  Battalion  with  their  Regimentals,  as  far  as  it 
is  in  his  power  to  do. 


520  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Lancaster,  Friday  June  19,  1778- 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Mackay,  John  Hambright,  & 


} 


Matt'w  Smith,  Thomas  Scott,  J-Esq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt, 

Intelligence  from  His  Excell'y  Gen*l  Washington,  of  the  evacu- 
ation of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  by  the  Enemy,  was  received  afc 
Eleven  O'Clock. 

Ordered,  That  a  Writ  be  issued  for  the  holding  of  an  Election 
for  chusing  a  Councellor  for  the  County  of  Philadelphia. 


The  Council  met, 

Lancaster,  Saturday  June  20, 1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Mackay,  John  Hambright,  & 


Matt'w  Smith,  Thomas  Scott, 

Jacob  Arndt, 


1 

^Esq'rs. 


Oapt.  Hugh  Montgomery  applied  to  Council  for  Ten  Waggons 
for  the  accommodations  of  the  Officers  &  Men  belonging  to  the  State 
Fleet,  now  going  to  Philadelphia ;  And, 

An  order  was  drawn  and  signed  by  the  Hon'ble  Vice  President, 
directed  the  Waggon  Master  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  request- 
ing him  to  furnish  Capt.  Montgomery  with  Ten  Waggons. 

Doct.  Frederick  Phyle  exhibited  an  account  of  service  done  by 
him  for  the  State  as  a  Physician,  amounting  to  the  Sum  of  Thirty- 
one  Pounds,  for  which  Sum 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  said  Doct. 
Phyle. 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Doct. 
Frederick  Phyle,  for  the  Sum  of  Ten  Pounds  Fourteen  Shillings  & 
Six  Pence,  for  Provisions  purchased  by  him  for  the  use  of  the  Men 
belonging  to  the  State  Fleet. 

A  Representation  from  the  inhabitants  of  Cumberland  County, 
for  a  supply  of  Arms  &  Ammunition,  being  made, 

Ordered,  That  an  application  be  made  to  the  Board  of  War  for 
5  tt>3.  of  Gun  powder,  12  lbs.  of  Lead  &  100  Riffles,  to  be  put  into 
the  hands  of  John  Carothers,  Esq'r,  to  be  distributed  by  him  as  oc- 
casion may  require. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  521 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Ludwig  Lau- 
flian,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Pounds  seven  shillings  & 
six  pence,  for  writing  Paper  supplied  the  Council. 

Capt.  Lang,  one  of  the  Collectors  of  Cloathing  in  the  County  of 
Lancaster,  represents  that  there  are  many  difficulties  in  getting  the 
Cloathing  made  up  in  this  Borough,  &  that  the  demands  of  the 
Tradesmen  employed  in  making  them,  are  enormous  in  their  de- 
mands, &  proposes  to  remove  to  Philadelphia,  if  the  Council  think 
it  proper;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Lang  be  directed  to  remove  to  Philadel- 
phia such  part  of  the  Cloathing  to  be  made  up  under  his  direction, 
us  he  shall  find  necessary. 

\n  order  was  drawn  (dated  yesterday)  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor 
of  the  Hon'ble  Thomas  Scott,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Seventy-six 
Pounds  Nine  Shillings  &  Nine  Pence,  for  his  attendance  in  Council 
29  days,  Mileage  on  274  Miles,  &  including  also  his  expences  to 
York  Town  on  Public  business,  Amounting  to  £2  18  1. 

(N.  B.  This  order  includes  his  Wages  of  this  day.) 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Hugh  Mont- 
gomery, or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  Pounds,  to  be 
paid  to  the  Officers  &  Men  belonging  to  the  State  Fleet,  &  charged 
to  William  C.  Bradford,  Paymaster  of  the  State  Fleet. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
Thomas  Scott,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand  Pounds,  to 
be  by  him  delivered  to  Colo.  John  Proctor,  Paymaster  of  Militia 
of  the  County  of  Westmoreland,  &  Charged  by  the  Treasurer  to 
Thomas  Dorsey,  Pay-Master  of  Militia. 

The  Council  now  intending  to  remove  to  the  City  of  Philadel- 
phia, &  the  publishing  of  a  Newspaper  at  the  Public  expence,  of 
course  not  absolutely  necessary, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Dunlap  be  informed  that  the  Council  decline 
taking  any  more  of  his  papers  on  the  Public  account ;  &  that  Mr. 
Bailey  be  informed  that  the  Council  decline  taking  any  more  of  his 
Papers  after  next  Week. 

An  order  Was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
William  Mackey,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  Dollars,  to 
be  charged  to  his  Account. 

The  Officers  of  the  State  Fleet  represented  that  they  had  been 
at  a  very  considerable  expence  in  removing  themselves  &  families 
from  Trenton  to  this*  Borough,  &  that  they  had  not  been  supplied 
with  their  Rations  on  the  Road,  by  which  their  expences  had  been 
extravagantly  high,  &  such  as  they  were  not  able  to  bear; 
On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  tfife  Officers  of  the  State  Fleet  who  were  ordered 
nap  to  Lancaster,  be  allowed  for  their  extra  expences  on  the  road? 
two  Dollars  a  day  each,  besides  their  back  Rations. 


522  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  June  26.  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Matt'w  Smith,  Joseph  Hart,  &  ") 

Jona.  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt.        *  Esq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  ) 

First  meeting  in  the  City  after  the  evacuation  by  the  Enemy. 

Brig.  Gen'l  Lacy  attended  the  Council  &  represented  the  state  of 
the  Militia  now  in  the  field  as  being  very  low,  and  the  number 
very  inconsiderable,  and  that  there  remains  about  150  Stand  of 
Arms  in  his  possession. 

Ordered,  That  the  arms  now  in  the  hands  of  Gen'l  Lacy  be  re- 
moved to  the  city,  &  report  thereof  made  to  this  Council ;  except 
only  that  50  stand  remain  in  the  County  of  Bucks,  under  the  care 
&  direction  of  Gen'l  Lacy. 

Memorial  of  Mrs.  Eliza  Ferguson,  of  Groeme  Park,  was  presen- 
ted &  read. 

Petition  of  divers  inhabitants  of  the  County  of  Northumberland, 
was  read  ;   Prayer  in  effect  granted  a  few  days  ago. 

Council  took  into  consideration  the  state  of  the  Magistracy  in 
this  City. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  commemo- 
rating the  Anniversary  of  Independency,  now  approaching. 

Ordered,  That  Provision  be  made  for  a  decent  entertainment  on 
the  4th  of  July  next,  at  some  suitable  place. 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Smith  &  the  Secretary  wait  on  Gen'l  Ar- 
nold, &  enquire  what  is  his  intention  in  ordering  the  Shops  in  this 
City  to  be  shut,  &  report  to  the  Council  to-morrow  morning. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  June  27,  1778. 

PRESENT  I 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Matt'w  Smith,  Joseph  Hart,  & 

Jona.  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt.        ^Esq'rti 

James  Edgar,  *> 

Mr.  Smith  &  the  Secretary  report,  That  they  had  waited  on 
Gen'l  Arnold,  agreeable  to  the  order  of  yesterday,  &  that  the 
General  had  sent  to  the  Council  the  following  Paper,  which  con- 
tain a  general  view  of  his  conduct,  Vizt : 


} 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  523 

"Instructions  from  His  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington,  dated  18th 
June,  1778." 

"A  Proclamation  issued  in  the  City  by  Maj.  Gen'l  Arnold,  on 
the  19th  June  instant,  containing  a  resolve  of  CoDgress  of  the  4th 
instant." 

"  A  letter  from  the  board  of  war  to  Gen'l  Arnold,  &ca,  23d 
June  instant;"  and 

"  A  Permission  to  the  Retailers  to  open  their  Shops,  dated  26th 
instant;"  &  Published  this  day  in  hand  Bills. 

(The  Secretary  informed  the  Council  that  he  had  in  charge 
Maj.  Gen'l  Arnold's  Compliments  to  the  Council,  with  an  invita- 
tion to  the  Council  to  dine  with  the  General  on  Monday  next.) 

That  they  had  mentioned  to  the  General  the  difficulties  made 
by  the  Clothier  General  of  the  United  States,  in  supplying  the 
Troops  of  this  State  in  the  Continental  Army  with  Clothing,  &ca„ 
&  desired  to  be  informed  what  was  his  intention  with  respect  to 
the  disposal  of  the  procured  in  the  City,  &  mentioned  to  the  Gene- 
ral the  Memorial  lately  presented  by  the  Officers  of  the  Troops  of 
this  State  on  the  subject  of  Cloathing  ;  to  which  he  replied,  that 
he  would  give  orders  to  the  Cloathier  General  to  wait  on  the  Coun- 
cil &  explain  his  conduct  on  this  subject.  The  General  also  re- 
marked, that  he  had  not  been  informed  of  any  Committee  having 
been  appointed  by  Congress  in  pursuance  of  their  Resolve  of  the 
4th  instant. 

N.  B.  That  the  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  4th  instant  has  not 
been  received  by  Council. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Peter  Dehaven 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  for  the  use  of 
the  Gun  Factory. 

On  Consideration, 
*     Ordered,  That  a  | Warrant  (under  the  less  Seal)  be  issued  for 
apprehending  &  bringing  before  this  Council  the  bodies  of  all  those 
persons    named  in  the  law   for  the  attainder  of  divers  Traitors. 
&ca.,  to  be  dealt  with  according  to  Law, 
On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  a  Warrant  under  the  less  Seal  be  issued  for  ap- 
prehending &,  bringing  before  this  Council  all  those  persons  within 
the  City  &  County  of  Philadelphia,  (named  in  the  first  Proclama- 
tion,) to  be  dealt  with  accordingly  to  Law. 


524  MINUTES  OP  TEiB 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  June  29,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President, 

Mackay,  John  Hambright,  & ") 

Matt'w  Smith,  Jac.  Arndt,  V  Esq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  J 

A  Certificate  of  the  Election,  being  held  according  to  Law  in 
Fannet  Township,  in  the  County  of  Cumberland,  for  chusing  two 
persons  to  be  returned  for  Magistrates,  &  that  David  Elder  & 
Noah  Abraham  were  duly  elected  &  returned,  but  the  return  had 
twice  miscarried  ;  On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  David  Elder  &  Noah  Abraham  be  appointed  Jus- 
tices of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Cumberland,  &  that  they  be 
commissioned  accordingly. 

The  Council  taking  into  Consideration  the  great  necessity  of  re- 
pairing the  Butchers'  Market  House,  the  Stalls,  c&ca.,  having  been 
destroyed  by  the  British  Army, 

Ordered,  That  proper  persons  be  appointed  to  agree  with  such  of 
the  Butchers  &  others  who  may  have  Occasion  for  Stalls  in  the 
Butchers'  Market  House,  to  have  the  same  repaired,  upon  such 
general  plan  as  the  persons  so  to  be  appointed  may  order ;  such 
Butchers  &  others  paying  the  expence  &  deducting  the  same  out 
of  the  growing  Rent. 

Petition  &  Remonstrance  from  the  7th  Pennsylvania  Battalion 
of  the  County  of  Chester,  were  read,  and  the  Hon'ble  John  Bayard, 
Esq'r,  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Assembly,  attended  the  Council  & 
iuformed  that  divers  persons  of  Considerati|n  were  desirous  that, 
the  House  should  be  called  earlier  than  the  day  to  which  they 
stand  adjourned  ;  on  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Writs  be  now  issued  for  calling  the  General  As- 
sembly to  meet  in  this  City  on  Tuesday  the  fourth  day  of  August 
next  ensuing. 

Petition  of  divers  inhabitants  of  Fannet  Township,  praying  for 
Arms,  was  read. 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  William  Henry,  Esq'r,  be  directed  to  deliver  to 
John  Carothers,  Esq'r,  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  two 
hundred  Muskets,  to  be  by  him  put  into  the  hands  of  such  persons 
as  he  shall  Judge  proper. 

Ordered,  That  two  hundred  copies  of  the  Resolve  of  Congress 
for  suspending  or  repealing  the  Regulating  Law,  be  printed  &  put 
up  in  the  City,  with  a  Nota  Bene,  That  "  The  General  Assembly 
of  Pennsylvania  have  suspended  the  Operation  of  the  Act  for  regu- 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  teb 

lating  the  prices  of  Goods  in  this  State  until    their  next  raeet- 
mg. 

Received  of  Robert  Levers,  Esq'r,  the  sum  of  Fifty-eight  Pounds 
and  seventeen  shillings,  for  one  Marriage  Licence  &  Thirty-two 
Tavern  Licences. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Tuesday  June  30,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  "j 

-Mackay,  James  Edgar,  &     !-p     , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  John  Hambright,    (      ^ 

Matt'w  Smith,  J 

The  Sheriff  of  the   county  of  Northampton   being   deceased,  & 
the  necessity  of  appointing  another  in  his  stead  being  considered  ; 
On  motion, 
Ordered,  That   John  Segfried,  Esq'r,  be    appointed  Sheriff  of 
the  County  of  Northampton,  &  that   he  be  commissioned    accor- 
dingly. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Ebenezer 
Cowell  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  six  hundred  Pounds,  for  the 
Gun  Factory,  for  which  sum  he  is  to  account. 

Ordered,  That  the  several  Persons  in  this  City  heretofore  held 
upon  Parole,  be  now  discharged  from  their  Parole,  excepting  only 
The  Rev'd  Thomas  Coombe,  jun'r,  &  Phineas  Bond,  Esq'r.  (Copy 
of  this  order  sent  to  Edward  Shippen,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  John  Lawrence, 
Esq'r,  James  Humphreys,  Esq'r,  William  Smith,  D.  D.,  Captain 
Henry  Gurney,  Thomas  Asheton,  &  Samuel  Murdock,  written  on 
their  several  Paroles.) 

Ordered,  That  the  Hon'ble  Jacob  Arndt,  &  Peter  Buckholder. 
Esq'r,  be  received  as  security  for  John  Segfried,  Esq'r,  Sheriff  of 
the  county  of  Northampton,  for  his  faithful  performance  of  his 
said  office. 

The  Hon'ble  James  Read,  Esq'r,  Oouncellor  for  the  County  of 
Berks,  appeared  &  took  the  Oaths  required  by  the  Constitution, 
and  took  his  seat  in  Council. 

By  a  return  of  Goods  found  in  the  City  on  the  evacuation  of 
the  Enemy,  made  by  order  of  Gen'l  Arnold,  it  appears  that  there 
is  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Heyman  Levy  the  property  of  the  En- 
emy. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissioners  be  directed  to  enquire  con- 
cerning  the  Goods  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Heyman  Levy  belonging 
to  the  Enemy, 

\ 


52*5  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  Met. 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  July  1,  1778, 

present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  £RYAN,  EsqV,  Yice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edger,       ""} 

-—  Mackay,  James  Read,  !  ™    , 

Matt'w  Smith,  Jacob  Arndt,  &     f     * 

Jonat'n  Hoge,  John  Hambright.J 

In  pursuance  of  an  Act  of  General  Assembly,  giving  to  this  Coun- 
cil certain  powers  relating  to  the  City,  &ca.,  Joseph  Redman,  Esq'r, 
Clerk  of  the  Market,  being  called  before  the- Council,  was  now  di- 
rected to  have  the  Market  House  thoroughly  cleansed  &  repaired, 
&  let  for  such  reasonable  time  as  shall  be  found  practicable,  to  per« 
sons  who  will  advance  the  Money,  the  Pay  the  expence. 


The  Council  met.  ^ 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  July  2,  1778, 
present  : 
llon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,      ~] 

Mackay,  James  Read,  &     S  »     , 

Matt'w  Smith,  John  Hambright.  f^  rs' 

Jonathan  Hoge,  J 

Capt.  James  Carnahan,  of  the  13th  Pennsylvania  Regiment, 
represented  that  he  had  enlisted  two  Recruits  &  advanced  them 
some  Money ;  that  he  was  under  Marching  Orders  for  Pittsburgh, 
agreeable  to  the  request  of  Gen'l  Mcintosh,  &  therefore  requested 
that  he  might  be  repaid  his  Money  the  Bounty  allowed  for  enlist- 
ing the  said  two  Men;  On  Consideration, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favor  of  Capt.  James 
Carnahan,  of  the  13th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  for  the  Sum  of  Eighty- 
eight  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  Colo.  Walker  Stewart. 

Petition  of  Dan'l  Levan,  Jun'r,  praying  to  be  appointed  Protho- 
notary  of  the  County  of  Berks,  was  read. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  52T 

The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  July  6,  1778. 

PRESENT  ! 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
James  Read,  John  Hambright,  &1 

Mackey,  Jona.  Hoge.  vEsq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  J 

The  Council  took  into  Consideration  the  great  necessity  of  open- 
ing  the  Courts  of  Justice  in  this  County. 

Ordered,  That  a  Commission  be  immediately  issued,  appointing 
Jonathan  Bayard  Smith,  Esq'r,  to  be  Prothonotary  of  the  County 
of  Philadelphia,  and  also  a  Commission  appointing  him  to  be  one 
of  the  Justices  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  the  said 
County. 

Capt.  Montgomery  attended  the  Council  &  informed  that  he  had 
brought  down  from  Trenton  one  of  the  Galleys,  k  asked  to  be  in- 
formed whether  she  should  be  immediately  repaired. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  Capt.  Montgomery  do  apply  to  one  of  Mr.  Ayres's, 
k  have  the  necessary  repairs  done  to  the  Armed  Galley  under  his 
command. 

On  application, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  John 
Bankson,  of  the  2nd  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  for  the  Sum  of  Pour 
hundred  &  fifty  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service,  for  which  sum 
he  is  to  account. 

The  Rev'd  Mr.  Thomas  Coombe,  Jun'r,  attended  in  Council,  & 
informed  that  he  declines  to  take  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  to  the 
State,  and  he  now  requests  that  he  may  be  permitted  to  pass  out 
of  this  State  on  his  way  to  New  York,  there  to  take  passage  for 
Europe;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  Pass  under  the  less  Seal  be  granted  to  the 
Rev'd  Thomas  Coombe,  jun'r,  to  leave  this  State. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Tuesday  June  7,  1778- 

•     PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
James  Read,  John  Hambright,  & 

Mackay,  Jon'a  Hoge.  lEsq'rs, 


James  Edgar, 
Petition  of  Jacob  Packman  was  read; 
Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  Table, 


Wi 


528  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Petitions  of  divers  inhabitants  of  this  City  was  presented  by 
Thomas  Hale  &  Nicholas  Weaver,  and  read. 
On  consideration. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sentiments  of  Council  on  this  Petition  be 
expressed  in  Writing  &  handed  to  Mr.  Hale  &  Mr.  Wreaver. 

Colo.  Nicola,  the  Town  Major,  applied  to  Council  &  requested 
that  he  might  be  furnished  with  Rations. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Crispin  be  directed  to  furnish  Colo.  Nicola 
with  Rations. 


The  Council  met, 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  July  8, 1778. 

present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Mack  ay,  James  Read,  &' 


John  Ham  bright,  James  Edgar.     J^Esq'rs. 

Jon'a  Hoge,  J 

A  Letter  from  Robert  Levers,  Esq'r,  of  the  6th  instant,  inclos- 
ing a  deposition  respecting  the  depredations  committed  at  &  near 
Wyoming,  by  the  Indians  &  Tories. 

Ordered,  That  a  Copy  of  the  deposition  of  Mr.  Alexander  Pat- 
terson  be  made  out  &  sent  to  Congress. 

A  Letter  from  Samuel  Hunter,  Esq'r,  of  the  4th  instant,  also 
relating  to  the  ravages  of  the  Indians. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  return  of  an  Election  of 
Justices  for  Augusta  Township,  in  the  County  of  Northumberland, 
including  the  Town  of  Sunbury. 

Ordered,  That  Thomond  Ball,  &  David  McKinney,  &  Wilton 
Atkinson,  be  appointed  &  Commissioned  to  be  Justices  of  the  Peace 
for  the  County  of  Northumberland. 

Capt.  Williams  Alexander,  of  the  7th  Pennsylvania  Regiment, 
laid  before  the  Council  a  sketch  of  his  account  in  the  Recruiting 
Service;  and  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  William 
Alexander,  of  the  7th  Pennsylvania  Regimn't,  for  the  Sum  of  Five 
hundred  &  twenty  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  for  which 
sum  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  Pol- 
lord  &  Company,  for  the  sum  of  Two  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  Thirty-seven  Pounds  &  Ten  Shillings,  balance  of  an  account 
for  Spirits  seized  for  the  use  of  the  State  Fleet.  The  said  sum  to 
be  charged  to  William  Crispin,  Commissary  of  the  State  Fleet. 

« 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  529 

The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  July  9,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Mackay,  James  Read,  & 


John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,      j*  Esq'rs. 

Jona.  Hoge, 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  write  to  the  Commissioners  ap- 
pointed under  the  Ordonance  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  to  seize  the 
personal  Estate  of  Persons  who  have  gone  over  to  the  Enemy,  di- 
recting them  to  make  complete  returns  to  the  Secretary's  Office  of 
all  the  effects  seized  by  them,  &  an  accounf-of  sales  where  they  have 
been  sold,  &  that  this  be  done  without  delay. 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  for  the  Re- 
cruiting Service,  Vizt :  In  favor  of  Lieut.  Miller,  of  the  7th  Penn- 
sylvania Reg't,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Dollars,  to  be  charged 
to  him  ;  and  in  favor  of  Lieut.  Abraham  Lewis,  of  the  4th  Pennsyl- 
vania Reg't,  for  the  sum  of  One  hundred  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to 
him. 

Robert  Mackey,  a  Mariner,  represented  to  Council,  that  he  had 
brought  off  from  the  Vigilant  an  armed  Boat,  which  now  in  the 
Possession  of  the  State  Navy  Board. 

Ordered,  That  Major  Benjamin  Eyre,  taking  one  other  Judicious 
person  to  his  assistance,  do  Value  the  said  Boat  &  make  return  to 
this  Council. 

Mr.  Blewer,  Mr.  Eyre  &  Commodore  Hazlewood  attended  the 
Council,  &  informed  that  the  Armed  Boats  belonging  to  the  State 
are  now  afloat  &  getting  ready  for  service. 

Ordered,  That  the  Convention  Brig  be  fitted  out  as  soon  as 
possible,  &  go  down  into  the  Bay,  and  as  many  of  the  Armed  Boats 
as  can  be  manned,  be  also  repaired  with  all  expedition  &  put  into 
service. 


TOL.  XI. — 34. 


530-  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  July  10?  1778 

present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Mackay,  James  Read,  & ") 

John  Hambright,  James  Edgar,    s-EsqVs. 

Jona.  Hoge,  ) 

Ordered,  That  application  be  made  to  the  board  of  War  for  a 
■supply  of  Ammunition  for  the  Militia  of  Northampton  County,  & 
that  Mr.  Hambright  &  Mr.  Hoge  wait  on  the  board  of  War  on  this 
important  occasion,  &  press  them  for  an  immediate  supply. 
Petition  of  Colo.  Thomas  Hartley  was  read  ;  & 
Ordered,  That  the  Petition  of  Colo.  Hartley  do  lie  on  the  Table. 
An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieut.  John 
Boyd,  of  the  12th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  for  the  sum  of  three  hun- 
dred &  Sixty  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  service,  to  be  charged  to 
him. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  July  11,  1778, 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Mackay,  Jonathan  Hoge,  &  )  ™    » 

John  Hambright,  James  Read,  j       ^ 

Capt.  Hugh  Montgomery  recommended  Catharine  Murphy,  Ma- 
ry Roan  &  Lydia  Leonard,  Wives  of  Privates  on  board  the  Gallies, 
as  being  in  great  distress  for  want  of  Provisions ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  it.  be  recommended  to  the  Navy  Board  to  give 
the  said  three  Women  such  temporary  relief  as  their  immediate 
necessity  may  require,  until  some  regulations  can  be  adopted  re- 
specting them. 

Ordered,  That  a  representation  of  the  situation  of  our  distressed 
frontiers  be  now  made  to  Congress,  &  their  attention  to  the  relief 
}f  them  solicited  &  earnestly  pressed  for . 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  5S1 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  July  13,  1778, 

present i 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 


Jos.  Hart,  Jonathan  Hoge,  & 

— Mackay,  James  Read, 


Esq'rs. 


A  Letter  from  Col.  Morgan,  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Berks,  in- 
closing a  Letter  from  Col.  D.  Hunter,  to  several  Colonels  of  the 
Berks  County  Militia,  requesting  immediate  assistance. 

Ordered,  That  a  Copy  of  the  said  Letter  from  Col.  Hunter  be 
laid,  before  Congress. 

An  indecent  &  affronting  application  having  been  made  by  Charles 
Thompson1,  Secretary  of  Congress,  to  the  Hon'ble  George  Bryan, 
Esq'r,  Vice  President,  demanding  possession  of  a  House  which  he 
says  Colo.  Proctor  unjustly  detains  from  him,  &  insisting 
[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 


The  Council  met 

Philadelphia,  Tuesday  July  14,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  Presid't. 

Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  and^) 

Jos.  Hart,  John  Hambright,  V  Esq'rs. 

Jona.  Hoge,  J 

The  following  draught  of  a  Circular  letter  was  read  in  Council 
and  agreed  to,  Vizt.  : 

"In  Council,  Philad'a,  July  14th,  1778. 

"  Sir, 

"  The  attack  which  has  been  made  by  the  Indians  and  others, 
on  the  Frontiers  of  this  State,  having  been  laid  before  the  Congress, 
and  a  consultation  held  between  the  Board  of  War  and  Council, 
they  have  agreed  upon  the  following  arrangements  for  defence,  to 
wit: 

"  A  detachment  of  Col.  Hartley's  Regiment  to  march  from  New 
Jersey  to  Easton,  there  to  join  Col.  Kowatz,  who  has  under  his 
command  a  small  number  of  horse.  The  remainder  of  Col.  Hart- 
ley's Reg't,  now  in  Philad'a,  to  march  immediately  to  Sunbury  and 
join  the  Two  Companies  lately  raised  at  Wioming.  Col.  Broad- 
head's  Regiment,  now  on  their  march  to  Pittsburgh,  to  be  ordered 
to  the  Standing  Stone,     But  it  is  necessary  to  add  to  these  Conti- 


532  MINUTES  OF  THE 

nental  troops  a  considerable  body  of  Militia.  Council  have  therefore 
determined  to  order  to  Sunbury  three  hundred  Militia  from  the 
County  of  Northumberland,  four  hundred  from  the  County  of  Lan- 
caster &  one  hundred  and  fifty  from  the  County  of  Berks ;  to  the 
Standing  Stone,  tWree  hundred  from  the  County  of  Cumberland, 
and  two  hundred  from  the  County  of  York ;  to  Easton,  from  the 
County  of  Northampton  three  hundred  men,  &  from  the  County  of 
Berks  one  hundred  and  fifty  men. 

"You  are,  therefore,  to  exert  yourself  to  get  into  the  field  three 
hundred  men  of  the  militia  of  your  county,  and  march  them  im- 
mediately to .     For  this  purpose  you  are  to  order  out 

the  first,  second,  third,  &  even  fourth  class,  if  it  be  necessary  to 
make  up  this  number — the  men  must  be  had.  It  is  expected  that 
there  are  guns  sufficient  in  you  hands  to  arm  them.  Ammuni- 
tion and  provisions  will  be  supplied  to  you  by  order  of  the  Board 
of  War. 

"  The  arrival  of  a  powerful  fleet  from  France,  having  a  considera- 
ble number  of  troops  on  board,  with  orders  to  act  in  conjunction 
with  the  Continental  army,  &  now  actually  blocking  up  the  British 
fleet  in  the  harbor  of  New  York,  has  induced  the  Congress  to  de- 
termine to  make  a  vigorous  effort  to  destroy  the  whole  British  fleet 
now  in  that  City,  &  there  appears  to  be  a  reasonable  ground  to  hope 
for  success  in  the  attempt.     This   determination  makes  it   highly 
improper  to  detach  any  part  of  the  main    army   for  the  defence  of 
the  frontiers.     If  the  attempt  to  reduce  the  whole    British   force 
should  be  crowned  with  success,  it  will   undoubtedly  be   attended 
with  the  most  salutary  effects   in   removing   the  Enemy  from  the 
frontiers,  as  it  cannot  be  doubted  but  that  they  must   see  the  im- 
possibility of   their   continuing,  with  any    hope  of  success,    their 
attack  on  us,  when  we  shall   be  able  to  employ   our   whole   force 
against  them,  and  we  are  confident  that  the  blow  given  by  the  In- 
dians will  be    severely   revenged  before    the  War  with    them  is 
closed/' 

Council  being  now  informed  that  Congress  had  issued  an  order 
on  their  Treasurer  in  favor  of  this  State,  for  the  sum  of  One  Hun- 
dred Thousand  Dollars,  on  account  of  the  cloathing  purchased  by 
this  State, 

Ordered,  That  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars, 
lately  ordered  by  Congress  to  be  paid  to  this  Council,  or  their 
Council  be  paid  to  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  the 
State. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  533 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  July  16, 1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read,  ~) 
Jonathan  Hoge,                   Jacob  Arndt,  &      t  Esq'rs. 
Mackay,                      John  Hambright,  J 


The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  necessity  of  some 
General  Officer  being  appointed  to  take  the  Command  of  the  Mi- 
litia now  ordered  into  service  on  the  Susquehanna ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Brig'r  Gen'l  Lacy  be  appointed  to  the  Command 
of  the  Militia  called  into  service  on  the  River  Susquehanna. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  July  17,  1778. 

present : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &       ") 

Mackay,  John^Hambright,      v  Esq'rs. 

Jona.  Hoge,  j 

Col.  Sharp  Delany  reported  to  Council,  that  a  quantity  of  Drugs 
had  been  put  into  his  hands  by  the  Council  of  Safety,  for  which  he 
is  to  account;  That  a  part  of  these  had  been  sold,  &  the  Money 
arising  therefrom  is  now  in  his  hands  ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Money  in  the  hands  of  Sharp  Delany,  arising 
from  the  sale  of  Drugs  put  into  his  hands  by  the  Council  of  Safety, 
be  paid  by  him  to  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  the  State  Treasurer. 

Colo.  Hartley  having  applied  to  Council  for  a  further  sum  of 
Money,  for  the  Recruiting  service,  &  on  his  leaving  the  City,  re- 
quested in  Writing,  that  the  order  for  the  same  be  delivered  to 
Capt.  Stoddard ;  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  Benja- 
min Stoddard,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand  Dollars,  for  the  re- 
cruiting service,  to  be  charged  to  Colo.  Thomas  Hartley. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
John  Hambright,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  five  hundred  Dollars,  to 
be  charged  to  his  account. 

Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  being  now  in  the  City,  &  the  order  of 
Congress  mentioned  in  the  Minutes  of  the  14th  instant  being  come 
to  hand,  in  the  following  words,  to  Wit : 


534  MINUTES  OF  THE 

"  Treasury  Office,  June  23, 1778. 

"  The  board  of  Treasury  having  considered  a  Letter  of  the  5th 
inst.,  from  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President  of  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania,  to  the  Delegates  of  that  State,  referred  to  them  by 
Congress, 

"Resolved,  That  One  hundred  Thousand  Dollars  of  the  War- 
rant for  Three  hundred  Thousand  Dollars,  issued  the  12th  day  of 
February  last,  in  favor  of  "the  Delegates  of  Pennsylvania,  to  be  by 
them  transmitted  to  the  President  of  the  said  State,  for  the  purchase 
of  Flour,  &ca,  be  applied  for  the  purpose  of  Paying  for  the  Cloath- 
ing  mentioned  in  the  Vice  President's  Letter  aforesaid. 
"Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

"EDWARD  FOX,  Cl'k." 

Ordered,  That  the  said  order  be  made  payable  to  Dav'd  Ritten- 
house,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  the  State. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieut.  Wil- 
liam Brown,  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Battalion,  for  the  Sum  of 
Six  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  to  be  charged  to 
his  Account;  And 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  Matt'w 
Scott,  of  the  13th  Penns'a  Reg't,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  k 
Fifty  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  to  be  charged  to  his  ac- 
count. 


,    The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  July  18,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  & 

Mackay,  John  Hambright,  J-  Esq'rs. 


Jona.  Hoge, 

Jonathan  Bayard  Smith,  Esq'r,  applied  to  the  Council  and  re- 
quested, That  orders  may  be  issued  for  a  sufficient  number  of  Wag- 
gons to  bring  the  Records,  Papers,  &ca.,  belonging  to  the  Prothono- 
tary's  Office  for  the  county  of  Philadelphia,  from  Reading  to  this 
City. 

On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Robert  Allison  be  directed  to  secure  the 
plank,  scantling,  &ca.,  left  by  the  Enemy  on  the  lines  &  in  the 
Redoubts,  &  remove  them  to  places  of  Safety  j  And  that  he  pro- 
vide suitable  materials  for  repairing  the  Court  Room  in  the  State 
House,  &  draw  a  plan  of  the  necessary  repairs. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  535 

Ordered,  That  the  Trees  which  form  the  Abattees  on  the  lines 
Bear  the  City,  be  cut  up  &  removed,  under  the  direction  of  the  Over- 
seers of  the  Poor,  to  the  House  of  employment,  for  the  use  of  the 
Poor ;  And  that  an  account  of  the  quantity  be  taken  k  returned 
to  this  Council. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  July  20,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jos.  Hart,  Jonathan  Hoge,  &  1  ]?ga>rg 

— Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  }      ^ 

A  letter  from  James  Smith,  Esq'r,  of  Yorktown,  enclosing  a  de- 
position relating  to  the  Indians. 

Ordered  to  be  laid  before  Congress. 
A  Note  from  Thomas  Levis,  Esq'r,  informing  that  John  Taylor, 
a  man  of  good  Character,  had  been  called  on  by  Proclamation  to 
appear  &  take  his  trial,  instead  of  John  Slater ;  &  also,  that  Lewis 
Tremble^  a  farmer  in  the  Township  of  Ridley,  went  to  the  Enemy 
while  they  were  at  Philadelphia. 


The  Council  met. 


Philadelphia,  Tuesday  July  21,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jonathan  Hoge,  &  )  4*    , 
Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  5 


The  Council  Room  in  the  State  House  being  now  cleansed,  &  in 
order  for  the  reception  of  Council,  except  only  that  there  are  no 
Chairs  therein, 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  procure  eighteen  Windsor  Chairs 
for  the  Council  Room. 

The  Hon'ble  Joseph  Reed,  Esq'r,  returned  by  the  Sheriff  of  the 
County  of  Philadelphia  as  having  been  duly  elected  Councellor 
for  the  said  County,  attended  the  Council  &  represented,  That  he 
is  now  one  of  a  Committee  of  Congress  for  arranging  the  Army, 
which  Committee  has  sat  for  several  Months  past,  &  have  gone  far 
into  business,  which  appears  to  be  of  great  importance,  and  that  as 


536  MINUTES  OF   THE 

a  considerable  part  of  it  has  necessarily  fallen  on  him,  it  will  be 
improper  for  him  at  present  to  retire  from  the  Committee,  &  there- 
fore, begs  the  Council  may  not  consider  him  as  inattentive  to  his 
duty  to  the  Public,  if  he  shall  not  attend  the  Council  until  the  said 
arrangement  is  completed ;  At  the  same  time  declaring  his  readi- 
ness to  accept  such  Post  as  his  County  may  think  proper  to  call 
him  to,  for  the  service  of  the  Public,  as  soon  as  it  is  in  his  power 
so  to  do. 

It  appearing  that  John  Williams,  of  the  Northern  Liberty  Town- 
ship, &  Jacob  Bright,  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia.  Merchant,  two 
of  the  Commissioners  for  Taxes  &  Levies  for  the.  County  of  Phila- 
delphia, who  should  have  continued  in  office,  for  want  of  a  new 
choice  in  October  last,  have  been  made  Prisoners  by  the  British 
Army,  lately  possessed  of  the  said  City ;  that  the  said  John  Wil- 
liams was  carried  away  by  the  said  Army ;  that  the  said  Jacob 
Bright  is  now  at  his  place  of  abode,  but  is  considered  as  a  Prisoner 
under  Parole  ;  &  that  both  of  these  Commissioners  are  disqualified 
from  acting  :  Council  considering  that  Isaac  Snowden,  the  third 
Commissioner,  cannot  alone,  in  the  present  case,  if  in  any,  with  the 
Assessors,  (who  also  continue  for  want  of  an  Election  as  aforesaid.) 
nominate  &  fill  up  the  vacancy  caused  as  aforesaid,  do  thereupon, 
by  virtue  of  the  power  vested  in  them  by  the  Twentieth  section  of 
the  Constitution,  supply  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  disqualification 
of  John  Williams  &  Jacob  Bright,  as  aforesaid,  by  appointing  Ed- 
ward Bartholomew  &  William  Antis  of  said  County  to  the  office 
of  Commissioners  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  until  the  said 
office  can  be  filled  in  the  time  and  manner  directed  by  Law  &  the 
Constitution. 

N.  B.  Edw'd  Bartholomew  &  William  Antis  were  highest  in 
vote  as  Commissioners  at  the  Election  for  chusing  a  Councellor 
for  the  County  of  Philadelphia. 

Ordered,  'J  hat  the  Bridge  laid  by  the  Navy  board  over  the 
Kiver  Schuylkill  at  the  middle  ferry,  be  immediately  repaired  & 
removed  to  its  place  again,  &  that  the  bridge  now  there  be  removed 
to  Gray's  ferry. 

Ordered,  That  Major  Casdrop  be  appointed  to  superintend  & 
direct  the  removal  of  the  said  bridge. 


SUPREME  EXECUTItE  COUNCIL.  53' 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  July  22d,  1778. 
present  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jona.  Hoge,                            Jacob  Arndt,  &  >  ™    , 
James  Read,  Mackay,  J  ^  rS- 

The  Petition  of  the  Hon'ble  George  Taylor,  Esq'r,  setting  forth 
his  claim  to  the  lajids  &  works  known  by  the  name  of  Durham  fur- 
nace, &  that  the  same  had  been  seized  by  Mr.  George  Wall,  one  of 
the  Agents  appointed  for  seizing  forfeited  Estates,  &  put  under  the 
care  of  a  certain  James  Morgan,  was  read.  A  notification  signed 
by  the  said  George  Wall,  &  directed  to  Mr.  Moses  Yeaman,  a  Ten- 
ant under  the  said  George  Taylor,  forbiding  him  to  take  &  carry 
away  any  more  Stamped  metal  from  the  said  Furnace,  &  the  writ- 
ten agreement  signed  by  the  said  Joseph  Galloway,  under  which  he 
claims  the  possession  of  the  said  Furnace,  were  also  read  ;  And  the 
same  being  considered, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  George  Wall  be  directed  to  pay  due  respect 
to  the  written  agreement  between  Joseph  Galloway,  Esq'r,  &  the 
Hon'ble  George  Taylor,  Esq'r,  for  the  lands  &  works  known  by  the 
name  of  Durham  furnace,  &  that  he  do  not  disturb  Mr.  Taylor  in 
the  peaceable  possession  &  enjoyment  thereof,  agreeable  to  the 
terms  of  the  said  agreement.  And  as  the  said  George  Taylor  has 
represented  that  he  has  a  quantity  of  Wood  cut,  &  ore  raised,  at  a 
considerable  expence,  it  appears  to  the  Council  to  be  just  &  equita- 
ble that  he  should  have  a  Lease  of  the  Premises  for  so  long  as  the 
Council  or  their  Agents  are  authorized  by  Law  to  let  the  same  in 
preference  to  any  other,  on  such  reasonable  terms  as  may  appear 
to  be  just.  The  Council,  therefore,  recommend  it  to  Mr.  Wall  to 
treat  with  the  said  George  Taylor,  relating  to  the  Premises,  &  agree 
with  him  on  equitable  &  reasonable  terms ;  Such  lease  not  to  ex- 
tend beyond  the  1st  day  of  April,  1780. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  July  23,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Joseph  Read,  &  ?  ™    , 

Jacob  Arndt,  Jonathan  Hoge,  $       q  K' 

On  representation  by  Col.  Thomson  &  Col.  Antes,  two  of  the 
Agents  for  seizing  forfeited  Estates,  that  the  said  duty  is  too  great 


538  MIN1TES  OF  THE 

&  extensive  to  be  executed  by  them  alone,  Colo.  Heister  having 
declined  to  serve; 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Col.  John  Moore,  Capt.  Joseph  Blewer  &  Mr. 
George  Smith,  be  appointed  Agents  for  the  seizing  and  disposing  of 
the  forfeited  Estates,  according  to  Law,  in  addition  to  the  Agents 
already  appointed  for  the  County  of  Philadelphia. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  necessity  of  appoint- 
ing Wardens  of  the  Port  of  Philadelphia, 

Ordered,  That  Luke  Morris,  Esq'r,  Samuel  Mifflin,  Esq'r,  Sam'l 
Howell,  Esq'r,  Capt.  Joseph  Stiles,  Capt.  Will'm  Heysham,  Com- 
modore And'w  Caldwell,  Esq'r,  &  Capt.  Nathaniel  Falconer,  be 
appointed  Wardens  of  the  Port  of  Philadelphia. 

Council  considering  an  application  from  Colo.  Nicola,  Town  Ma- 
jor, to  have  the  value  of  his  retained  Rations  determined, 

Ordered,  that  the  retained  Rations  of  Col.  Nicola,  as  Town  Ma- 
jor, be  estimated  at  Two  Shillings  &  Six  Pence  ^  Ration,  accord- 
ing to  the  regulation  of  Rations  ordered  by  Congress. 

The  Board  of  War  having  given  an  order  on  their  Commissary 
General  of  Military  Stores  for  a  supply  of  Lead,  Powder,  &  flints, 
to  the  order  of  Council. 

Ordered,  That  the  Ammunition  for  the  Militia  sent  to  Standing 
Stone,  at  the  Rate  of  Thirty  rounds  Per  Man,  &  half  a  Ton  of 
Powder  &  a  proportion  of  Lead,  &  a  reasonable  quantity  of  Flints, 
be  delivered  to  Colo.  John  Carothers,  Lieut,  of  the  county  of  Cum- 
berland ;  That  the  Ammunition  for  the  Militia  sent  to  Sunbury,  & 
one-third  of  the  Ton  of  Gunpowder  &  a  proportion  of  Lead,  with 
a  proper  number  of  flints,  be  delivered  to  Colo.  Bartram  Galbraith, 
Lieu,  of  the  County  of  Lancaster ;  That  the  other  Two-thirds  of 
the  said  Ton  of  Gunpowder  &  proportion  of  Lead,  be  delivered  to 
the  Lieutenants  of  the  Counties  of  Berks  &  Northampton,  an  equal 
quantity  to  each;  That  the  Ammunition  for  the  Militia  order  to 
Easton,  be  delivered  to  Colo.  John  Weitzel.  Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Northampton. 

Petition  of  John  Whitehead,  Esq'r,  praying  to  be  appointed 
Prothonotary  of  the  County  of  Berks,  was  read. 

Ordered ,  to  lie  on  the  Table.  / 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  539 

The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  July  24,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jos.  Hart,  Joseph  Read,  &  )  ™    , 

Jacob  Arndt,  Jonathan  Hoge,  $       * 

Ordered,  That  two  or  three  of  the  Barges  or  Guard  Boats,  pro- 
perly equipped  &  manned,  be  immediately  sent  into  Delaware  bay 
to  watch  the  Cruisers  of  the  Enemy,  procure  &  transmit  intelli- 
gence, &  seize  upon  any  of  their  Merchant  Vessels  which  may  be 
found  there ;  And  that  as  many  of  the  Gallys  be  furnished  with 
Cannon,  &  fitted  out  as  can  be  manned,  sent  down  the  River,  &  em- 
ployed in  watching  &  guarding  the  same  against  the  Enemy,  or  any 
disorderly  persons  disturbing  the  Navigation  ;  That  the  Galley 
rigged  as  a  Brig  be  repaired  &  fitted  out  with  all  expedition,  under 
the  Command  of  a  proper  Officer,  &  employed  in  defending  &  pro- 
tecting the  Navigation  of  Delaware  Bay. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  July  25,  1778. 

present  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jos.  Hart,  Joseph  Read,  &   ?   -p*    >   . 

Jacob  Arndt,  Jonathan  Hoge,    $ 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Rob't  Ali- 
son, House  Carpenter,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  fifty  Pounds, 
for  which  sum  he  is  to  account. 

The  Secretary  informed  the  Council  that  Thomas  Clark,  Carpen- 
ter, now  in  this  City,  is  reported  to  have  joined  the  Enemy  in  New 
Jersey,  &  to  have  landed  with  them  at  the  head  of  Elk,  march- 
ed with  them  to  this  City,  &  that  he  went  over  the  Delaware  with 
them  on  their  Retreat.  That  these  facts  are  spoken  of  by  the  in- 
habitants of  this  City  as  certain  &  acknowledged. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  aforesaid  Thomas  Clark  be  arrested  by  the 
Sheriff,  &ca.  of  the  County,  &  bring  him  before  this  Council  to 
answer  the  said  charge,  &  to  be  dealt  with  according  to  Law. 

Upon  reading  &  considering  two  acts  of  Congress,  one  of  the 
fourth  of  June  last,  in  the  following  words,  to-wit : 

M  Resolved,  That  should  the  City  of  Philadelphia  be  evacuated  by 
the  Enemy,  it  will  be  expedient  &  proper  for  the  Commander-in 


540  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Chief  to  take  effectual  care  that  no  insult,  plunder  or  injury  of  any 
kind,  may  be  offered  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  City;  That  in 
order  to  prevent  public  or  private  injury  from  the  operations  of  ill 
disposed  persons,  the  General  be  directed  to  take  early  &  proper 
care  to  prevent  the  removal,  transfer,  or  Sale  of  any  Goods,  Wares 
or  Merchandizes,  in  possession  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  City, 
until  the  property  of  the  same  shall  be  ascertained  by  a  joint  Com- 
mittee, consisting  of  persons  appointed  by  Congress  &  of  persons 
appointed  by  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  State  of  Penn- 
rsylvania,  to- Wit  :  so  far  as  to  determine  whether  any  or  what  part 
thereof  may  belong  to  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  or  to  any  of  his 
Subjects. " 

And  another  Act  of  Congress,   dated  the  23d  instant,   in  the 
following  words,  to- Wit : 

"  Resolved,  That  Mr.  Duer,  Mr.  Harvie,  Mr.  Holton  &  Mr, 
Drayton,  in  conjunction  with  the  Committee  appointed  or  to  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania, be  authorized  to  ascertain  the  property  of  the  Goods, 
Wares  &  Merchandize  in  possession  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  City 
of  Philadelphia  at  the  time  it  was  evacuated  by  the  Enemy,  Viz  : 
so  far  as  to  determine  whether  any  or  what  part  may  belong  to  the 
King  of  Great  Britain  or  to. any  of  his  Subjects,  agreeable  to  the 
resolution  of  the  4th  June  last.     Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

(<«  Signed,)  CHARLES  THOMSON,  Secretary." 

Council  agree  that  the  Hon'ble  Vice  President,  Mr.  Hart,  Mr. 
Read  &  Mr.  Hoge,  be  a  Committee  of  this  Council  to  meet  with 
Mr.  Duer,  Mr.  Harvie,  Mr.  Holton  &  Mr.  Drayton,  for  the  pur- 
poses set  forth  in  said  Act  of  Congress.  At  the  same  time,  they  can- 
not but  remark,  that  the  Clothier  General  &  other  Officers  of  Con- 
gress, about  four  Weeks  sinse,  &  soon  after  the  evacuation  of  said 
City,  which  happened  on  the  Eighteenth  day  of  June  last,  did 
purchase  from  divers  inhabitants  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 
possessors  of  Merchandize  mentioned  in  the  said  Acts  of  Congress, 
large  quantities  thereof,  at  a  price  deemed  to  be  equivalent  to  the 
cost  of  the  same;  that  Gen'l  Arnold,  commanding  the  Continental 
Troops  in  said  City,  did  soon  after  said  purchase,  publish  a  permis- 
sion to  the  persons  possessed  of  said  goods,  on  certain  terms  to  trans- 
fer &  sell  the  said  Merchandizes  ;  that  since  that  publication,  very 
considerable  quantities  of  the  Merchandizes  aforesaid,  have  sold  & 
delivered  to  a  very  considerable  number  of  buyers  &  consumers, 
greatly  in  need  of  the  same ;  that  it  appears  to  Council  to  be  now 
very  late  k  very  difficult  to  go  into  a  particular  discussion  of  the 
property  of  the  goods  in  question  ;  yet  as  there  may  be  quantities  of 
Stores  &  Merchandize  concealed  in  said  City,  which  were  the  prop- 
erty of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  &  which  would  fall  to  the  United 
States  of  North  America,  &  also  goods  which  were  the  private 
property  of  his  Subjects  devolving  to  this  State,  &  as  Congress  may 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  541 

be  possessed  of  information  concerning  the  same,  the  Committee 
of  Council  are  instructed  to  pursue,  in  conjunction  with  the  said 
Committee  of  Congress,  all  prudent  &  legal  measures  to  attain  the 
ends  proposed  by  Congress  in  their  said  Acts  above  recited. 

The  Council  taking  into  Consideration  the  report  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  a  Court  Martial  held  at  Trenton,  May  19th,  1778,  wherein 
John  Gilfroy,  boatswain  of  the  late  Ship  Montgomery,  being  found 
guilty  of  Mutiny  &  deserting  to  the  Enemy,  was  adjudged  to  be 
worthy  of  Death, 

Ordered,  That  John  Gilfroy,  late  boatswain  of  the  Ship  Mont- 
gomery, now  under  sentence  of  Death  for  Mutiny  &  deserting  to 
the  Enemy,  be  pardoned,  this  being  the  first  conviction  of  an  offence 
of  this  kind  in  the  State  Fleet. 

Ordered,  That  Commodore  Hazelwood  be  authorized  to  issue  a 
Proclamation  offering  full  Pardon  to  all  deserters  from  the  State 
Fleet  who  shall  return  to  their  duty,  &  deliver  themselves  up  to 
him  or  some  one  of  the  Officers  of  the  said  Fleet,  on  before  the  first 
day  of  September  next. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  July  27,  1778, 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BEY  AN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Edgar,  & 

Mackay,  Jac'b  Arndt, 


tr,  &") 

t,        j-Esq'rs. 


Jo'n  Hoge, 
Petition  of  divers  inhabitants  of  Northumberland  County  was 
read. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Petition  be  laid  before  the  Board  of 
War. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Jacob  S. 
Howell,  Receiver  General  of  Cloating,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  thousand 
Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account ;  & 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  Colo.  Dav'd 
Kennedy,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  thousand  Pounds,  to  pay  for  Cloath- 
ing  purchased  by  him  for  the  United  States. 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieut. 
James  McCullough,  of  the  5th  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  for  the 
Sum  of  Six  hundred  &  fifty  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  to 
be  charged  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Carr, 
one  of  the  Commissioners  for  purchasing  of  C loathing  for  Con- 
gress in  the  County  of  Bucks,  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  hundred  & 
Fifty  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 


542  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 


Philadelphia,  Wednesday  July  29,  1778 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Read,  & 
Mackay,  Jac.   Arodt 


d,&l 

,        vEsq'rs, 


James  Edgar, 

Request  of  Colo.  Cox,  A.  Q.  M.  G.,  to   lend  to   Mr.  Alison  6 
spades,  3  Shovels,  &  3  Pick  Axes,  to  be  accounted  for. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  July  30,  1778 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Read,  & 

Mackay,  Jac.  Arndt,        [►  Esq'rs. 


oes  Read,  &~) 
i.  Arndt,        L 


James  Edgar, 

'J 'he  Council  taking  into  Consideration  the  necessity  of  ap- 
pointing a  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Vincent 
Township,  in  the  county  of  Chester, 

Ordered,  That  William  Evans  be  appointed  one  of  the  Justices 
of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Chester,  &  Commissioned  accord- 
ingly. 

Thomas  Clark,  arrested  by  Warrant  issued  by  this  Council,  was 
brought  before  the  Council ; 
On  Consideration, 

Ordered j  That  the  said  Thomas  Clark  be  Committed  to  the  Cus- 
tody of  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  for  further  examination. 

The  Council  taking  into  Consideration  the  necessity  of  appoint- 
ing a  Prothonotary  of  the  County  of  Berks, 

Ordered,  That  Daniel  Levan,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Pro- 
thonotary of  the  County  of  Berks,  &  one  of  the  Justices  of  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas,  &  that  he  be  Commissioned  accord- 
ingly- 

Lieut.  James  McCulloch,  of  the  5th  Pennsylvania  Regiment, 
having  represented  that  he  has  enlisted  three  Men,  &  that  he  is 
now  on  his  way  to  Camp  <fe  requested  to  be  supplied  with  Money  to 
pay  them  the  Bounty, 

An  order  was  thereupon  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieut 
James   McCulloch,  of  the  5th   Pennsylvania  Reg't,  for  the  Sum 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  543 

of  Four  hundred  &  Eight  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  service,  to  be 
charged  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Beaton, 
Paymaster  of  Militia  for  the  County  of  Chester,  for  the  Sum  of 
Four  thousand  Pounds,  &  charge  the  same  to  Thomas  Dorsey,  Pay- 
master of  Militia.  • 

Mr.  Andrew  Bunner,  in  behalf  of  the  owners  of  the  Privateer 
Sloop  "Gerrard,"  represented  to  Council  that  the  said  Sloop  was 
detained  from  a  Cruize  against  the  Enemy  for  want  of  four  or  five 
hundred  weight  of  Powder,  &  requested  an  order  for  that  quantity 
on  Wm.  Henry,  Esq'r,  to  be  replaced  as  soon  as  possible. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Wm.  Henry,  Esq'r,  Lieu,  of  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia, do  deliver  to  Mr.  Andrew  Bunner,  or  his  order,  four  or 
live  hundred  weight  of  Gunpowder,  for  the  use  of  the  Privateer 
Sloop  "  Gerrard,"  to  be  re-paid  by  him  as  soon  as  possible. 
[This  order  was  returned'.] 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  July  31,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Read,  &~) 

Mackay,  Jac.  Arndt,        v  Esq'rs* 

James  Edgar,  j 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  Act  entitled  "An  Act 
to  prevent  infectious  diseases  being  brought  into  this  Province  ?* 
On  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  Doct.  Benj'a  Rush  &  Doct.  James  Hutchinson,  be 
appointed  the  Physicians  to  assist  &  advise  the  health  officer  when 
he  shall  visit  Ships  coming  into  any  of  the  Ports  of  this  State. 

Ordered,  That  Doct.  James  Hutchinson  be  appointed  Surgeon 
of  the  State  Fleet. 

The  Navy  Board  informed  the  Council  that  the  armed  Brig  is 
nearly  ready  for  Service,  &  recommended  Capt.  Tho's  Houston 
to  be  the  Captain  of  the  said  Brig.  The  appointment  of  a  Captain 
to  the  Armed  Brig  being  put  to  Vote,  a  majority  of  Six  against  one 
was  appointing  Capt.  Richard  Eyre ;  &  thereupon,, 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Richard  Eyre  be  appointed  Commander  of 
the  Armed  Brig  Convention,  belonging  to  this  State,  &  Commis- 
sioned accordingly. 

Council  having  received  information  that  a  Ship  called  the  Albion, 
which  was  sunk  in  the  River  Delaware  &  seized  by  the  Navy  board 
of  this  State,  on  or  about  the  27th  day  of  June,  That  a  Libel  had  beeu 


544  MINUTES  OF  THE 

filed  in  the  Court  of  Admiralty  by  Dav'd  Beverage  of  this  City, 
Merchant,  in  behalf  of  himself  &  others,  Claiming  the  property  of 
said  Ship  &;  her  Cargo,  &  had  given  security  in  the  said  Court  for 
the  value  thereof,  &  received  the  same  into  'his  possession  ;  The 
Council  considering  the  importance  of  the  trial,  and  the  great  weight 
of  business  which  now  falls  on  the  Attorney  General,  which  renders 
assistance  herein  absolutely  necessary, 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  Rush,  Esq'r,  be  employed  to  assist  the  At- 
torney General  in  the  trial  before  the  Court  of  Admiralty  respect- 
ing the  Ship  Albion,  &  that  the  Secretary  be  directed  to  pay  him 
the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Dollars,  as  a  Fee  for  his  Services  therein  3 
■  And  an  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Secre- 
tary, for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Dollars,  to  be  paid  by  him  as  the 
Fee  above  mentioned. 
On  application, 

Ordered,  That  the  Navy  board  furnish  Mr.  James  Carson  &  Jos. 
M'Culloch  with  three  hundred  weight  of  Gunpowder.  &  half  a  ton 
of  round  &  grape  shot,  to  be  re-paid  by  them  as  soon  as  possible. 

The  Petition  of  Rob't  Lumsden,  of  this  City,  praying  to  be  ap- 
pointed Wharfinger  &  Weighmaster  of  Hay  at  the  Draw  Bridge  in 
this  City,  was  read,  &  information  being  also  given  that  Joshua 
Humphreys  solicited  those  offices, 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Robert  Lumsden  be  appointed  Wharfinger  & 
Weighmaster  of  hay,  &ca.,  at  the  Drawbridge  in  this  City. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  Augs't  1, 1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Read,  &  1 

Mackay,  Jac.  Arndt,         LEsq'rs. 

Jas.  Edgar,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Rob't  Craig, 
one  of  the  Commissioners  for  purchasing  Cloathing  for  the  use  of 
the  Continental  Army,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Ten  thousand 
Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  James 
Lang,  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  purchasing  of  Cloathing  for 
the  Use  of  the  Continental  Army,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Five 
thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Ordered,  That  William  Henry,  Esq'r,  Lieu,  of  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia, do  deliver  to  Henry  Buuner  or  his  order,  thirty  dozen 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  545 

Musket  Cartridges,  to  be  re-paid  by  the  owners  of  the  Privateer 
Sloop  Gerrard,  as  soon  as  possible. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  necessity  of  laying  an 
Embargo  on  Provisions,  as  well  to  prevent  the  supplying  of  the 
Enemy,  as  to  secure  a  full  supply  for  the  Continental  Army, 

Ordered,  That  a  Proclamation  be  issued  for  laying  an  Embargo 
to  prevent  the  exportation  of  Provisions  from,  this  State  to  any 
place, 

11  By  the   Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the   Commonwealth  of 
Pennsylvania: 

"  A  PROCLAMATION. 

"  Whereas,  The  exportation  of  Victuals  &  Provisions  from  the 
United  States  of  North  America  hath  occasioned  much  difficulty  in 
procuring  supplies  for  the  American  Armies,  &  by  the  Capture  of 
divers  Vessels  employed  in  such  exportation,  the  forces  of  the  Ene- 
my have  relieved  from  distresses  otherwise  likely  to  embarrass 
their  operations  for  remedy,  whereof,  the  Council  do  hereby  an 
embargo  on  the  exportation  of  Wheat,  flour,  rye,  oats,  spelts,  bar- 
ley, Indian  Corn,  beef,  pork,  or  other  Victuals,  whether  alive  or 
dead,  from  this  State  to  any  parts  or  place  beyond  sea,  &  for  that 
purpose  do  forbid  the  clearing  out  and  dispatch,  &  the  Sailing  of 
any  Ship  or  other  Vessel  on  which  any  such  Goods  &  Victuals 
shall  be  laden,  of  which  the  Naval  Officer,  &  the  Commodore  of  the 
State  Fleet,  are  required  to  take  notice  &  govern  themselves  accord- 
ingly :  Provided  always,  That  the  embargo  shall  be  continued 
for  Thirty  days  from  the  date  of  these  Presents  &  no  longer,  & 
that  the  necessary  Stores  &  Victuals  during  their  voiages,  as  well 
for  Ships  of  War  as  Merchant  Vessels,  shall  not  be  hereby  re- 
strained. 
"  Given  by  order  of  the  Council,  under  the  hand  of  the  Honorable 

George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President,  &  the  Seal  of  the  State,  at 

Philadelphia,  the  first  day  of  August,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 

One  thousand  Seven  hundred  &  Seventy-eight. 

(Signed)—"  GEO.  BRYAN,  Vice  President 

"  Attest— T'y  Matlack,  Sec'y." 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieut.  Patrick 
Fuilerton,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Dollars,  for  the  recruit- 
ing Service,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 


YOL,  XI,— 35, 


546  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  Met. 


Philadelphia,  Monday  August  3,  1778. 

PRESENT  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jonathan  Hoge,  &  )  ™    , 
Mackay,  JacoJ)  Arndt,  5 

Ordered,  That  Thomas  Humberge  do  bring  down  the  Gunpow- 
der now  in  his  possession,  &  deliver  it  to  Capt.  Joseph  Stiles,  of 
this  City,  for  the  use  of  the  State. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Peter  De- 
haven,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Pounds,  for  the  use  of  the 
Gun  Factory. 

And  an  order  was  drawn  on  Will'm  Henry,  Esq'r,  of  Lancaster, 
for  Two  hundred  Gun  Locks,  to  be  taken  from  the  insufficient 
Dutch  Arms  belonging  to  the  State  in  his  possession. 

The  Council  considering  the  dangerous  tendency  of  Precedents  of 
assumed  Power  in  cases  which  may  appear  to  be  justifiable  from 
necessity  • 

Ordered,  That  a  solemn  Protest  against  the  proceedings  of  Con- 
gress on  the  8th  day  of  June  last,  for  laying  an  embargo  on  Pro- 
visions to  prevent  the  exportation  thereof,  be  entered  on  our  Min- 
utes, that  the  said  proceeding  may  not  be  hereafter  drawn  into  a 
Precedent,  in  favor  of  any  claim  of  right  hereafter  to  be  set  up  to 
use  &  exercise  the  power  &  authority  to  lay  embargoes  in  this  State. 
And  the  following  being  Prepared  and  read,  the  same  was  ap- 
proved &  ordered  to  be  inserted  as  their  protest : 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieut.  James 
McCulloch,  of  the  5th  Pennsylvania  Keg't,  or  his  order,  for  the 
Sum  of  One  hundred  &  Fifty  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service,  to 
be  charged  to  his  account. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Lod  Sprogell,  Muster  Master,  do  imme- 
diately muster  the  Men  belonging  to  the  State  Fleet,  &  make  re- 
turn thereof  to  Council  without  delay. 

Ordered,  That  the  full  Rations  of  Mr.  Sprogell,  Muster  Master, 
be  furnished  to  him  by  Mr.  Crispin,  Commissary  of  the  State 
Fleet.  (These  Rations  are  not  be  drawn  farther  back  than  to  the 
18th  of  June.) 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Gunning  Bedford  be  appointed  Measurer  of 
Wheat  &  other  Corn  &  of  Salt,  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia. 

On  consideration  of  the  recommendation  of  the  Justices  of  the 
Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Phila- 
delphia, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  547 

Ordered,  That  Hillary  Baker,  jun'r,  be  appointed  &  Commis- 
sioned to  be  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace 
for  the  County  of  Philadelphia. 


The  Council  met. 


Philadelphia,  Tuesday  August  4,  177: 


PRESENT  ! 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Edgar,  &  1 

Mackay,  Jac.   Arndt,  I  Esq'rs. 

Jona.  Hoge,  J 


An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Dav?d  Decider 
■&  John  Arndt,  Esq'rs,  Commissioners  for  purchasing  Wheat,  <fcca, 
in  the  County  of  Northampton,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  and 
five  hundred  Pounds,  for  which  they  are  to  account. 

Ordered,  That  Col.  George  Stewart,  of  Earl  Township,  be  re- 
quired to  attend  this  Council  on  Thursday  the  fifth  day  of  Septem- 
ber next,  at  nine  o'Clock  in  the  forenoon,  to  answer  the  Charge  of 
misbehaviour  in  his  Office,  as  Agent  for  seizing  of  forfeited  Estates, 
in  the  Sale  of  Goods  lately  belonging  to  Michael  Wittman ;  And 
that  a  Copy  of  this  Minute  be  forwarded  to  him,  be  considered  as  a 
summons  for  his  appearance. 

Ordered,  That  Advertisements  be  put  up  at  or  near  Ephrata,  giv- 
ing public  notice  of  the  foregoing  order,  requiring  the  evidences  in 
the  aforesaid*  case  to  appear  in  Council  on  the  day  appointed  for 
hearing  the  same,  or  otherwise  to  make  deposition  before  some  Jus- 
tice or  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Lancaster,  of  such 
evidence  as  they  may  be  able  to  give  in  the  Premises,  giving  notice 
in  writing  to  the  said  George  Stewart,  of  the  time  &  place  of  taking 
such  depositions,  at  least  five  days  before  the  taking  of  the  same,  such 
depositions  to  be  carefully  forwarded  to  Council  by  the  Justice  or 
Justices  before  whom  they  shall  be  taken. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  Aug't  5,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Edger,  <&' 

Mackay,  Jac.  Arndt,  I  Esq'rs. 


Jona.  Hoge, 


} 


543  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  August  6,  1778, 

PRESENT  I 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jos.  Hart,  James  Edgar,  & 

Mackay,  Jac.  Arndt, 


;,  VEsq'i 


Jona.  Hoge, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieut.  Stephen 
Stephenon,  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  for  the  Sum  of  Six 
hundred  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  service,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Hon'ble  Rob't  Morris  &  Hon'ble  Dan'l  Roberdeau  attended  in 
Council,  &  informed  the  Council  That  they  were  directed  by  Con- 
gress to  inform  the  Council  that  the  Ambassador  Plenipotentiary 
of  his  Most  Christian  Majesty  was  to  receive  his  first  Public  au- 
dience in  Congress  this  day  at  12  o'clock,  &  that  the  doors  of  Con- 
gress would  be  open  to  the  Vice  President  &  Council,  if  they  shall 
think  proper  to  attend. 
On  consideration, 

Agreed,  That  the  Council  will  attend  the  Public  Audience  in 
Congress  of  the  Ambassador  Plenipotentiary  from  the  Court  of 
France, 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  August  7,  1778 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Mackay,  ~) 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt,  <fe   WEsq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  Smith,     J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieut.  Will'm 
Vanleer,  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  hun- 
dred and  Seventy-five  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service,  to  be 
cbarged  to  his  account. 

Colo.  Knox  &  Colo.  Clark,  a  Committee  from  the  Hon'ble 
House  of  General  Assembly,  attended  in  Council,  &  informed  that 
they  had  in  charge  from  the  House  to  acquaint  the  Council  That  a 
Quorum  of  the  House  was  now  met  &  ready  to  enter  upon  busi- 
ness, &  desired  to  know  if  the  Council  had  any  business  to  lay 
before  the  house;  to  which  the  Hon'ble  Vice  President  replied, 
that  the  Council  were  glad  to  hear  that  a  House  was  met,  &  that 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  540 

the  business  on  which  they  had  been  called  should  be  laid  before 
the  House. 

An  Account,  of  which  the  following  is  a  Copy,  was  laid  before 
the  Council,  Vizt : 

"  Trenton,  20th  Jan'y,  1778., 

"  William  Crispin,  Esq'r, 

"  To  Rob't  Paisley,  Dr. 

«  To  6  hhds.  Spirits,        -        -        117 

116 

112 

113 

"  March  1,  to  2  ditto,       -         -         122 

117 

918  G'ns,  @  105s,  £4819  10 
"  The  within  Account  is  just. 

"  WM.  CRISPIN,  C.  S.  F. 
"  August  4,  1778." 

On  consideration, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Robert 
Paisley,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  thousand  five  hundred 
&  Ninety  Pounds,  for  the  above  Six  hhds.  of  Spirits,  the  said  Sum 
to  be  charged  to  the  account  of  William  Crispin,  Commissary  of 
the  State  Fleet. 

Peter  Thompson,  Jacob  Barge,  & —  Musgrove,  three  of 

the  Warders  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  attended  in  Council,  <& 
represented  that  they  were  in  great  distress  for  want  of  Money  to 
pay  the  Debts  contracted  by  them  to  purchase  the  necessary  Sup- 
ply of  Oil,  &  to  pay  the  Watchmen ;  That  the  situation  of  the 
Taxes  will  not  admit  of  the  necessary  collection  in  time  for  the  said 
purpose,  &  therefore,  pray  that  a  Sum  of  Money  be  put  into  their 
hands  for  these  emmergencies,  to  be  repaid  as  soon  as  may  be ;  That 
the  Sum  of  Fifteen  hundred  Pounds  will  probably  answer  these 
purposes. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Patrick  Fuller- 
ton,  Lieu,  in  the  13th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the 
Sum  of  Six  hundred  &  Eighty  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service, 
to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Messrs.  Blewer  &  Cox,  from  the  State  Navy  Board,  represent, 
that  the  Brig.  Convention,  Commanded  by  Capt.  Rich'd  Eyre,  is 
nearly  fitted  for  Sea,  desire  further  instructions  concerning  that 
Vessel;  Whereupon, 

Council  considering  that  the  danger  of  the  Enemy's  return  into 
this  River  is  greatly  lessened  by  various  Circumstances,  &  there  is 
reason  to  expect  that  the  said  Brig,  may  greatly  annoy  the  Enemy  by 
Cruizing  upon  the  Coast,  do  recommend  that  the  Navy  Board  fit 


550  MINUTES  OF  THE 

out  the  said  Brig,  for  this  purpose,  as  expeditiously  as  possible,  & 
engage  Volunteers  to  Man  her,  on  the  best  terms  in  their  power> 
giving  orders  to  Capt.  Eyre  to  Cruize  Six  Weeks  between  the 
Cape  of  Virginia  &  Long  Island,  &  then  return  for  further  orders. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  August  8,  1778, 

PRESENT  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Mackay,  1 

Jonathan  Hoge,                     Jacob  Arndt,  &    V  Esq'rs. 
James  Edgar,  Smith,    J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Robert 
Allison,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  Pounds,  for  the  purpose  of 
paying  the  workmen  employed  in  taking  up  the  Plank  at  the  re* 
doubt,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

Capt.  John  Pearson  &  Lieu.  Will' id  Thomson,  of  the  9th  Penn- 
sylvania Reg't,  being  sent  on  the  Recruiting  Service  by  Richard 
Butler,  Esq'r,  Colo,  of  the  said  Regiment,  attended,  &  desired  to 
be  supplied  with  Money  and  Recruiting  instructions. 

Ordered,  That  they  be  furnished  with  Money  &  Recruiting  In- 
structions, 

And  the  following  orders  were  drawn,  Vizt  :  One  in  favor  of 
Capt.  John  Pearson  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  Dollars,  &  One 
other  in  favor  of  Lieu.  Win.  Thomson,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  Hundred 
Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  for  which  they  are  to  ac- 
count. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  Aug't  10,  1778, 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE   BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Mackay,  James  Edgar,  &  1 

Smith,  Jac.  Arndt,  l  Esq'rs. 

Jona.  Hogo,  J 

Ordered,  That  a  Dcdimus  Potestatem  be  made  out,  authorizing 
James  Read,  Jacob  Morgan  &  Henry  Huller,  Esq'rs,  of  the  County 
of  Berks,  or  either  of  them,  to  administer  to  all  &  every  person  in 
the  said  County  named  in  any  Commission  issued  or  granted,  or  to 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  551 

be  Issued  or  to  be  granted,  the  Oaths  or  Affirmations  required,  to 
qualify  them  respectively  for  their  Offices,  &  the  trust  reposed  ia 
them  by  virtue  of  such  Commissions. 


The  Council  met. 


Philadelphia,  Tuesday  Aug't  11,  1773, 

present : 
Mackay,  James  Edgar,  & 

Smith,  Jacob  Arndt,       \-  Esq'rs. 


Jonathan  Hoge, 


r,&) 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  Aug't  12,  1778. 

present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

— Mackay,  James  Edgar,  &") 

— — —  Smith,  Jacob  Arndt,        v  Esq'rs. 

Jona.  Hoge,  J 

A  Committee  from  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  at- 
tended, &  informed  the  Council  that  the  House  were  desirous  of  a 
conference  with  Council  on  the  subject  of  the  State  Navy,  and 
of  the  defence  of  the  River  Delaware. 

Ordered,  That  the  Council  will  meet  the  House  in  conference 
this  Afternoon  at  three  0' Clock. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Samuel  Cun- 
ningham, Esq'r,  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  purchasing  Cloath- 
ing  for  Chester  County,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Two  hun- 
dred Pounds,  for  the  purchasing  of  Cloathing,  for  which  he  is  to 
account. 


552  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  Met. 


Philadelphia,  Thursday  Aug't  13,  1778. 

present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Mackay,  James  Edgar,  & 

Smith,  Jacob  Arndt,       lEsq'rs. 


(.Esq'] 


Jona.  Hoge, 

The  Hon'ble  Rob't  Morris,  Esq'r,  represented  that  a  number  of 
Arms  &  G  unlocks  ordered  by  the  former  Council  of  Safety,  were 
arrived  from  the  West  Indies  in  a  Vessel  belonging  to  him. 

Ordered,  That  the  Arms  which  are  now  arrived  from  the  West 
Indies,  in  a  Vessel  belonging  to  the  Hon'ble  Rob't  Morris,  Esq'r, 
be  put  into  the  hands  of  Capt.  Stiles,  Commissary  of  Military 
Stores. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  State  of  the  Navy,  agree- 
able to  the  request  of  the  House  signified  in  the  course  of  the  con- 
ference yesterday,  &  having  spent  some  time  thereupon,  adjourned. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  August  14,  1778. 

present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Mackay,  James  Edgar,  & ") 

Smith,  Jacob  Arndt,       >  Esq'rs. 

Jona.  Hoge,  ) 

The  Council  having  considered  the  enquiries  of  the  Hon'ble 
House  of  Assembly  concerning  the  State  Navy,  propose  that  the 
Commodore  &  supernumerary  Officers  of  the  State  Navy  be  all  dis- 
charged |  that  the  Galleys,  except  two  or  three,  be  all  disarmed  <fc 
the  Vessels  laid  up  or  sold ;  That  the  Guard  boats,  except  two  or 
three,  be  all  sold;  That  the  Brig.  Convention,  now  ready  for  Sea, 
be  sent  out  on  a  Cruise  for  Six  weeks,  manned  by  Volunteers,  on 
the  terms  of  a  Priveteer ;  That  the  Navy  Board  having  failed  in 
getting  out  the  said  Brig,  in  Seven  Weeks,  elapsed  since  the  de- 
parture of  the  Enemy,  be  dismissed,  &  that  Capt.  Blewer,  or  other 
proper  person,  be  employed  to  dispatch  said  Brig,  immediately,  or 
else  that  the  said  Brig,  be  sold  without  loss  of  time;  The  Cannon, 
Ammunition,  Fire  Arms  and  other  Weapons,  be  secured  in  the 
State  Stores. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  553 

On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Tho's  Dorsey,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia,  be  dis- 
charged on  the  first  day  of  September  next,  and  that  he  be  directed 
in  the  mean  time  to  settle  his  accounts. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  as  there  is  no  further  necessity  for  a  Barrack 
Master  General  in  this  State,  Colonel  Melchior  be  discharged  from 
that  Office. 

Ordered,  That  application  be  made  to  the  Board  of  War  to  give 
the  necessary  orders  to  the  Muster  Master  to  Muster  the  Militia  of 
this  State  who  are  called  into  service,  to  the  Westward  &  North- 
ward. 


The  Council  met 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  August  15,  1778. 
present : 

Hobble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

-  Mackay,  Smith,  >  E  g, 

Jonathan  Hoge,  &  $ 

Divers  Letters  from  Colo.  Hartley,  dated  at  Sunbury,  August 
the  9th  &  10th,  were  read. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  laid  before  the  Board  of  War,  &  that 
CJol.  Smith  &  Mr.  Hoge  attend  that  Board1,  and  enquire  whether 
Colo.  Hartley  is  ordered  to  the  Westward,  &  to  confer  with  the 
Board  on  the  situation  of  the  Forces  on  the  frontiers. 

The  order  of  Congress  of  the  14th  instant,  relating  to  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Straker,  lately  made  Prisoner  by  the  Count  D'Estaing's  Squad- 
ron, was  read,  to  wit : 

"  In  Congress,  August  14,  1778. 

"  The  Board  of  War,  to  whom  was  referred  the  memorial  of  the 
Hon'ble  Sieur  Gerard,  relative  to  Mr.  William  Straker,  having 
made  report  thereon,  &  the  same  being  read, 

"  Ordered*,  That  the  said  report  &  papers  referred  to,  relative  to 
Mr.  Straker,  be  referred  to  the  Government  of  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania, to  determine  whether  they  will  consider  Mr.  Will'm  Stra- 
ker, lately  made  Prisoner  by  the  Count  D'Estaing's  Squadron,  as  a 
Citizen  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  &  if  the  said  Government  shall 
determine  to  consider  &  receive  the  said  Will'm  Straker  as  a  Citi- 
zen of  their  State,  that  they  be  desired  to  transmit  a  Certificate  of 
their  determination  to  the  Sieur.  Gerard,  Minister  Plenepotentiary 
-of  his  Christian  Majesty. 

"  N.  B. — Copy  of  the  proceedings  to  be  kept." 


554  MINUTES  OF  THE 

On  Consideration  of  the  Case  of  Mr.  William  Straker,  not  only 
from  the  evidence  now  laid  before  them,  but  from  his  known  resi- 
dence &  his  past  conduct  in  this  Country,  the  Council  are  unani- 
mously of  opinion  that  he  is  a  Citizen  of  this  State,  &  ought  to  be 
considered  &  treated  as  such. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  Aug't  17,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jonathan  Hoge,") 

Mackay,  James  Edgar,  &  lEsq'rs. 

Smith,  Jacob  Arndt,      J 

The  following  Resolves  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  15th  instant,  were  read,  Vizt. : 

"  In  General  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania. 

"  Saturday  August  15,  1778,  P.  M. 

"Resolved  1st,  That  this  House  do  recommend  to  the  Hon'ble 
the  Vice  President  &  Council,  to  discharge,  on  or  before  the  Twentieth 
day  of  this  instant,  August,  from  &  out  of  the  Pay  of  this  State7 
the  Commodore  &  all  other  the  Officers  &  Men  belonging  to  the 
Fleet  or  Navy  of  this  Commonwealth,  except  such  as  they  shall 
deem  necessary  to  Officer  &  Man  a  number  of  Gallies,  not  exceeding 
three,  &  a  number  of  Guard  boats,  not  exceeding  three,  without  pay- 
ing any  regard  to  rank  or  seniority, 

"Resolve  2d,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Hon'ble  the  Vice 
President  &  Council,  to  set  such  &  so  many  of  the  Guard  boats  as 
they  may  think  proper. 

'*  Resolve  3d,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Hon'ble  the  Vice 
President  &  Council,  to  appoint  Capt.  Thomas  Houstons  to  be  Cap- 
tain of  the  Brig.  Convention,  &  Colo.  Robert  Knox  &  Capt.  Joseph 
Blewer  to  fit  out,  Man  &  send  the  said  Brig,  upon  a  Cruize  against 
the  Enemies  of  the  United  States,  &  upon  such  terms  as  Privateers 
are  usually  sent. 

"  Resolve  4th,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Hon'ble  the  Vice 
President  &  Council,  to  dismiss  the  Navy  Board  of  this  Common- 
wealth. 

u  Resolve  5th,  That  the  Gallies,  Guard  boats  not  sold,  Cannon, 
t  Ammunition,  Weapons  &  implements  of  Warr  riggle  tackle  &  fur- 
niture, be  properly  secured  &  preserved- 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  555 

"  Resolve  6th,  That  the  thanks  of  the  House  be  given  to  the 
members  of  the  State  Navy  Board,  &  to  the  Officers  &  Men  of  the 
Navy,  for  their  Services  in  the  Public  cause. 

"  On  motion, 
"Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Hon'ble  the  Vice 
President  &  Council,  to  take  proper  measures  for  preserving  &  se- 
curing as  much  of  the  Wrecks,  Cargoes,  Furniture  and  apparel  of 
the  Vessels  sunk  or  left  in  the  different  parts  of  the  River  Dela- 
ware, as  may  be  possible/' 

Ordered,  That  in  Consideration  of  the  recommendation  of  the 
Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly,  That  Capt.  Thomas  Houston 
be  appointed  &  Commissioned  to  be  Captain  of  the  Armed  Brig. 
Convention,  And  that  Col.  Robert  Knox  &  Capt.  Joseph  Blewer 
be  appointed  to  fit  out,  Man  &  send  the  said  Brig,  upon  a  Cruize 
against  the  Enemies  of  the  United  States,  upon  such  terms  as  Pri- 
vateers are  usually  sent. 

Ordered,  That  in  pursuance  of  the  third,  fourth  &  sixth  Resolves 
of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly,  &  for  the  reasons  as- 
signed by  the  House,  the  Navy  Board  of  this  Commonwealth  be 
dismissed,  &  that  they  be  furnished  with  a  Copy  of  the  said  Re- 
solves. 

In  Consequence  of  Col.  Richard  Butler's  recommendation  of 
Capt.  Jos.  McClellan,  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  as  a  suita- 
ble Person  to  Recruit, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Capt.  Jos.  McClellan  be  furnished  with 
Recruiting  instructions,  &  that  he  be  directed  to  call  on  Colo.  Rob't 
Smith,  Eieut   of  the  County  of  Chester,  for  Money  for  that  purpose. 

Thomas  Smith,  Esq'r,  of  the  County  of  Bedford,  attended  in 
■Council,  &  represented  that  the  Board  of  War  had  under  their  con- 
sideration the  building  of  a  Stockade  Fort  at  the  Town  of  Bedford, 
&  that  the  said  Board  was  desirous  of  being  informed  of  the  Sen- 
timents of  this  Council  respecting  the  propriety  &  necessity  of  it. 

On  consideration  of  the  advantages  to  be  derived  from  such  a  for- 
tification in  the  keeping  open  the  Communication  with  Pittsburgh, 
especially  while  an  expedition  to  the  Westward  is  on  foot,  Coun- 
cil are  of  opinion  that  the  erecting  of  such  a  fort  will  be  very 
proper. 

Garret  Davis,  a  disabled  Seaman,  Solicited  his  half  Pay,  due  to 
him  from  the  first  of  August  last,  agreeable  to  the  order  of  the 
Council  of  Safety,  &  it  appearing  by  a  Letter  from  J.  M.  Nesbitt, 
Esq'r,  that  the  same  is  due  to  him  on  the  first  instant, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Secretary, 
for  Sixteen  Pounds  &  Ten  Shillings,  being  eleven  Months  half 
Pay  due  to  Garret  Davis,  to  be  by  the  Secretary  applied  in  such 
manner  as  the  most  effectually  to  relieve  him  from  his  present 
distress. 


556  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 


Philadelphia,  Tuesday  Aug't  18,  1778. 
present : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,' Vice  President. 

Jos.  Hart,  Jona.  Hoge,  &   >  E    ,fjj 
Mackay,  James  Edgar.     $ 

A  Letter  from  the  Hon'ble  Thomas  Scott,  dated  Westmorland. 
Aug't  1st,  1778,  was  read,  &;  the  same  containing  some  informa- 
tion relating  to  the  boundaries  between  the  State  of  Virginia  &  of 
this  State, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  laid  before  the  House  of  Gen'l  As- 
sembly. 

Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  14th  instant,  requesting  that  one 
the  armed  Galley's  may  be  stationed  near  the  mouth  of  the  Cape 
May  Channel,  was  read. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieut.  Arch'd 
Campbell,  of  the  Sixth  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  for  the  Sum  of  Eight 
hundred  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  for  which  he  is  to  be 
accountable. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Colo.  Bob't 
Knox  &  Capt.  Joseph  Blewer,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand 
Pounds,  for  the  purpose  of  fitting  out  for  Sea  the  armed  Brig  Con- 
vention, for  which  they  are  to  be  accountable. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Hon'ble  Board  of  War  for  the  fol- 
lowing Articles,  vizt :  50  Rounds  of  Cartridges  for  eight  Guns, 
two  Pounds  each  ;  2  Kegs  of  Powder,  one  of  them  fine ;  one  ream 
of  Cartridge  Paper;  1006  Musquet  Cartridges ;  500  Pistol  Cart- 
ridges; Twenty-five  Musquets  with  Bayonets;  &  two  four  Poun- 
ders, to  be  delivered  to  Col.  Rob't  Knox  &  Capt.  Jos.  Blewer,  for 
the  use  of  the  Armed  Brig  Convention,  belonging  to  this  State. 

It  being  represented  by  Rob't  Galbraith,  Esq'r,  &  others  of  the 
County  of  Bedford,  that  there  are  in  the  Goal  of  the  said  County 
divers  persons  said  to  have  been  guilty  of  treasonable  practices,  h 
one  man  said  to  have  committed  Murder  ; 

A  list  of  the  persons  said  to  have  been  guilty  of  treasonable 
practices  was  laid  before  the  Council,  and  on  consideration  of  the 
many  important  trials  which  will  probably  come  before  the  Su- 
preme Court,  k  of  the  danger  there  ma}r  of  the  said  Traitors  being 
rescued,  as  well  as  other  difficulties  which  the  people  of  the  Coun- 
ty of  Bedford  now  lie  under,  which  render  a  speedy  trial  of  the 
said  offenders  highly  necessary, 

Ordered,  That  John  Armstrong  of  the  County  of  Cumberland, 
Esq'r,  Barnard  Dougherty  &  Jas.  Martin  of  the  County  of  Bed- 
ford, Esq'rs,  Archibald  MeClean  of  the  County  of  York,  Esq'r, 
&  John  Hublcy  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  Esq'r,  be  appointed 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  557 

4  Commissioned  to  enquire,  on  the  Oath  of  good  &  lawful  men  of 
the  said  County  of  Bedford,  fcf  &  concerning  the  said  offences,  & 
to  determine  the  same  according  to  law,  &ca. 

Ordered,  That  a  Dedimus  Potestatum  be  made  out,  authorizing 
&  empowering  Robt.  G-albraith  &  John  Piper  of  the  County  of 
Bedford,  Esq'rs,  or  either  of  them,  to  administer  to  the  aforesaid 
John  Armstrong,  Bernard  Dougherty,  James  Martin,  Archibald 
McClean  &  John  Hubley,  Esq'rs,  respectively,  the  Oaths  or  Affir- 
mation required  to  be  taken  to  qualify  them  for  the  Office  <fe  trust 
reposed  in  them  by  the  Commission  so  to  be  issued. 


The  Council  Met, 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  Aug't  19,  1778, 

PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Edgar,        ") 

■  Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  &     [  ™    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie.        \      " 
Smith,  J 

Council  having  received  information  that  there  are  seven  Store- 
Ships  belonging  to  the  Enemy  in  the  Bay  of  Delaware, 

Ordered,  That  the  Navy  Board  do  immediately  send  two  of  the 
Galleys  now  in  repair,  most  fit  for  the  purpose,  into  the  Delaware 
Bay,  to  annoy  the  Enemy,  and  at  the  same  time  to  give  orders  to 
the  Commanders  of  the  said  Galleys  to  exert  themselves  to  pre- 
vent the  exportation  of  provisions,  either  thro'  the  Cape  May  Chan- 
nel or  the  Delaware. 

The  Council  being  informed  that  a  quantity  of  Indigo  belonging 
to  the  State,  purchased  by  the  Council  of  Safety,  is  lodged  in  the 
hands  of  Robt.  Levers,  Esq'r,  at  Easton, 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  write  to  Robt.  Levers,  Esq'r,  k 
direct  him  to  send  the  said  indigo  down  to  this  City  by  the  first 
opportunity. 

CqL  Knox  &  Capt.  Blewer  attended  the  Council  and  requested 
an  order  for  Twenty-five  Muskets  &  Twenty-five  Men  from  the 
Galleys,  to  go  on  board  the  Brig  Convention. 

Ordered,  That  Commodore  Hazlewood  do  furnish  from  the  Gai- 
ly" s  Twenty-five  able  Men  to  go  on  board  the  Armed  Arig  Conven- 
tion.' 

Col.  Knox  &  Capt.  Blewer  recommended  Thomas  Philips  first 
Lieutenant,  &  James  Simpson  Second  Lieutenant  of  the  Armed 
Brig  Convention. 


558  MINUTES  OF  THE 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Thomas  Philips  be  appointed  first  Lieut,  of  the 
Armed  Brig  Convention,  &  that  James  Simpson  be  appointed  2d 
Lieut,  of  the  said  Armed  Brig. 

On  consideration  of  the  conduct  &  character  of  the  Agents  for 
forfeited  Estates  in  Bucks  County,  Richard  Gibbs,  Esq'r,  having 
resigned,  &  the  necessity  that  the  most  vigorous  measures  be  taken 
within  the  said  County  to  secure  the  Estates  of  Traitors  belonging 
to  thisState;  it  was 

Resolved,  That  John  Lacey,  jun'r,  Esq'r,  and  George  Wall, 
jun'r,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Agents  &  Factors  for  forfeited  Estates 
within  said  County,  &  that  the  former  appointments  of  Agents 
and  Factors  for  that  purpose  within  the  County  of  Bucks  be  super- 
ceded, And  the  Secretary  is  directed  to  prepare  instructions  &  trans- 
mit the  same  with  this  Minute,  to  the  Agents  now  appointed. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  August  20,  1778. 
present: 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,      ^ 

Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  J  -p,     , 

Jon.  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie,      f       ^ 

Smith,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Jjieut.  Wil- 
liam Thompson,  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Reg' t,  for  the  Sum  of  Six 
hundred  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  to  be  charged  to  him. 
An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Francis  Trum- 
ble,  for  19  Windsor  Chairs,  for  the  Sum  of  Sixty-four  Pounds 
Two  Shillings  &  Six  Pence. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Jacob  Stein- 
mitz,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred  &  nine  Pounds  Two  Shillings 
k  Six  Pence,  for  Bricks  furnished  by  him  for  repairs  to  be  done  at 
the  State  House. 

"  Conference  with  Committee  of  the  House." 

"A  Committee  of  theJHon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  at- 
tended in  Council  by  order  of  the  House,  to  confer  with  Council 
upon  the  expediency  or  necessity  of  fortifying  the  River  Delaware, 
&  after  spending  several  hours  thereupon,  It  was  agreed,  That  it 
will  be  proper,  before  any  determination  be  had  on  the  said  Subject, 
to  Ask  of  Congress  a  Conference  with  a  Committee  of  their  House 
upon  the  important  business;  And  a  Letter  was  accordingly  writ- 
ten to  the  Hon'ble  President  of  Congress  acquainting  him  with  the 
opinion  of  the  conference  herein. " 


s 

SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  559 

The  Congress  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  August  21,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,      ^j 

Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  &    J  tf    , 

Jona.  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie.       \       * 
•  Smith,  J 

Mr.  Arthur  Donaldson  having  represented  to  Council  that  he 
found  himself  under  difficulties  in  procuring  necessary  supplies  for 
the  raising  the  Wrecks  in  the  River ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Navy  board  &  the  Commissary  of  Stores,  do 
from  time  to  time  furnish  Mr.  Arthur  Donaldson  with  such  Stores 
&  other  assistance  as  he  may  have  occasion  for  in  his  attempts  to 
raise  the  Wrecks  in  the  River  Delaware :  It  is  probable  that  the 
Gallies  and  Boats  may  be  wanted  in  this  Service,  &  in  case  they 
are,  Mr.  Donaldson  is  to  have  their  assistance. 

Jacob  Barge  &  Reuben  Haines,  two  of  the  Wardens  of  the  City, 
attended  the  Council  &  represented  that,  from  the  situation  of  pub- 
lic Affairs  no  Lamp  &  Watch  Tax  has  been  Collected  for  Two 
Years  past,  and  that  the  Wardens  have  contracted  considerable 
debts  in  supplying  the  Lamps  with  Oil,  paying  Watchmen,  &ca,  & 
that  the  stock  of  Oil  is  now  entirely  expended,  in  consequence 
whereof  the  Lamps  cannot  be  lighted,  nor  have  they  been  lighted 
for  sometime  past;  That  a  Tax  for  the  raising  of  Money  for  this 
purpose  cannot  be  collected  in  any  short  time,  &  therefore,  request 
the  Council  to  lend  them  One  Thousand  &  five  hundred  Pounds,  to 
pay  the  Debts  contracted  with  private  persons,  &  furnish  a  present 
supply  of  Oil,  the  said  sum  to  be  repaid  as  early  as  possible. 
On  consideration, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Jacob  Barge, 
one  of  the  City  Wardens  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred 
Pounds,  to  purchase  a  present  supply  of  Oil  for  the  City  Lamps, 
to  be  charged  to  the  City  Wardens,  &  to  be  repaid  by  them  as 
soon  as  possible. 
On  application, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Allison  do  furnish  John  Mitchell,  Esq'r,  D. 
Q.  M.  G.,  with  a  Waggon  load  or  two  of  the  Pickets  taken  up  from 
the  Redoubts,  for  the  purpose  of  repairing  a  breach  in  the  bank  of 
the  State  Island. 

Ensign  Philip  Snyder,  of  the  6th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  being  ap- 
pointed by  Major  Gen'l  Wayne  &  sent  on  the  Recruiting  Service, 
thereupon  Recruiting  orders  were  given  him,  And  an  order  was 
drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Ens.  Philip  Snyder,  of  the  6th 


560  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  dol- 
lars, for  the  recruiting  Service,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  Cris- 
pin, Commissary  of  the  State  Fleet,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of 
Five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

The  Resolve  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  of  the 
17th  instant,  recommending  to  this  Council  "  to  retain  &  employ 
in  the  Public  Service  such  able  Council  as  they  may  think  neces- 
sary, to,  Assist  the  Attorney  General  in  the  prosecution  of  Public 
offenders,  &  that  they  make  a  proper  compensation  for  their  ser- 
vices/ '  being  read,  &  the  same  being  considered, 

Ordered,  That  the  Hon'ble  Joseph  Reed,  Esq'r,  be  applied  to 
&  retained  to  Assist  the  Attorney  General  for  the  present  year,  & 
that  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Pounds  be  allowed  him  for  his  ser- 
vice for  one  year. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  Aug't  22,  1778, 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,     "j 

Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  I  ™     7 

Jon'a  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie,     |     "^ 

Smith,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieut.  Piercy^ 
of  the  2d  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  for  the  sum  of  Six  hundred  dollars, 
for  the  recruiting  service,  &  to  be  charged  to  his  'account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Captain  Joseph 
Pearson,  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum 
of  One  Thousand  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  to  be  charged 
to  his  account. 

Mrs.  Frances  Raddon,  wife  of  Capt.  Raddon,  having  requested 
of  the  Secretary  a  Pass  to  New  York,  &  represented  that  she  was 
Pregnant  &  near  the  time  of  delivery,  that  she  was  very  desirous 
to  be  with  her  husband,  on  whom  she  depends  for  her  support,  & 
that  she  has  no  intention  of  returning  to  this  City ; 
On  consideration; 
Ordered,  That  a  Pass  under  the  State  seal  be  made  out,  signed 
by  the  President  &  attested  by  the  Secretary,  permitting  the  said 
Frances  Raddon  to  pass  on  her  way  to  New  York,  &  recommending 
her  to  the  Officer  Commanding  the  Troops  next  to  the  Enemy. 

On  consideration  of  the  proposal  of  Arthur  Donaldson  for  raising 
the  Wrecks  in  the  River  Delaware, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Arthur  Donaldson  be  employed  to  engage 
proper  persons  to  raise  the  wrecks  iu  the  River  Delaware,  &  that 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  561 

he  oversee  &  direct  them  therein,  for  widen"  service  he  shall  be  al- 
lowed the  Sum  of  Three  Pounds  ^  diem. 

The  Council  now  took  into  consideration  the  Resolve  of  Congress 
of  the  15th  instant,  with  the  Papers  therewith  enclosed,  relating  to 
the  case  of  Frederick  Verner,  under  sentence  of  death,  passed  by  a 
Court  Martial,  on  which  the  opinion  of  the  Hon'ble  Thomas  Mc- 
Kean,  Esq'r,  Chief  Justice  of  this  State,  has  been  given  in  the 
following  words,  vizt  : 

iC  I  have  perused  k  considered  the  proceedings  of  a  General  Court 
Martial,  held  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia  by  order  of  Major  General 
Arnold,  on  the  29th  day  of  July  now  last  past,  upon  Frederick  Ver- 
ner, and  also  the  Extract  of  a  Letter  from  the  said  General  to  Con- 
gress, dated  the  15th  instant,  which  have  been  referred  to  me  by 
the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, &  upon  the  whole,  beg  leave  to  advise  in  favor  of  life ;  that 
the  said  Frederick  Verner  should  be  tried  by  the  Laws  of  Pennsyl- 
vania for  treason,  &  that  he  be  detained  in  safe  Custody  until  the 
next  Court  of  Oyer  &  Terminer  &  General  Goal  Delivery  to  be 
holden  at  Philadelphia  for  the  City  &  County  of  Philadelphia,  then 
to  be  tried,  &  in  the  mean  time,  that  the  several  witnesses  be  bound 
over  to  give  evidence  at  the  said  Court,  <fe  that  Maj.  Gen'l  Arnold 
be  desired  to  send  for  Capt.  Allen  McLean,  or  any  other  person  now 
in  the  Army  in  the  State  of  New  York,  who  can  give  evidence 
against  the  Prisoner,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid. 

«  THO'S  MoKBAN. 
Philad'a,  Aug>t22,  1778." 


c. 


Which  opinion  this  Council  do  approve,  and  thereupon  it  is 
Ordered,  That  the  said  opinion  be  Communicated  to  Congress, 

&  that  the  Congress  be  informed  that  the  Council  do  approve  of 

the  same. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  August  24,  1778, 

PRESENT  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President, 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,      ^ 

— r — -  Mackay)  Jacob  Arndt,  &    I  w    , 

Jona.  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie,       fm%*& 

Tt— » — —  Smith,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the   Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  Robert 
Knox    &Capt.  Joseph  Blewer,  or  their  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One 
thousand  Pounds,  for  which  they  are  to  account, 
VOL  xi.— 36. 


562  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  Col.  Henry  deliver  to  Col.  Knox  &  Capt.  Blewer 
Twenty  Cartridge  Boxes,  for  the  Brig  Convention. 

The  Petition  of  John  Samsfield,  a  disabled  Galley  man,  praying 
to  be  discharged,  was  read,  and  the  same  being  signed  by  Capt. 
Isaac  Roach  of  the  Galleys, 

Ordered,  That  the 

The  Hon'ble  Tho's  M'Kean,  Esq'r,  represented  to  Council  that 
application  had  been  made  to  him  in  behalf  of  a  certain  Charles 
Dingee,  now  confined  in  the  Goal  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  re- 
questing that  he  may  be  removed  to  the  Goal  of  the  County  of 
Chester,  in  which  County  his  friends  reside. 

On  consideration  that  the  said  Charles  Dingee  was  committed  to 
the  Goal  of  the  County  of  Lancaster  as  a  place  of  greater  security 
than  that  of  the  Countyof  Chester  at  the  time  of  his  commitment, 

Ordered,  That  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Chester  be  author- 
ized &  empowered  to  remove  the  said  Charles  Dingee  from  the  Goal 
of  the  County  of  Lancaster  to  the  Goal  of  the  County  of  Chester, 
at  the  expence  of  him,  the  said  Charles  Dingee. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieu.  Will'm 
Thompson,  of  the  9th  Penns'a  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of 
Six  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service,  for  which  Sum  he 
is  to  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Tuesday  August  25,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar, 

Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  & 


Jona.  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie,       f"      ^ 
Smith,  J 

Ordered,  That  the  Hon'ble  Vice  President,  Col.  Hart&  Colonel 
Smith,  be  a  Committee  to  meet  the  Committee  of  Congress  &  of  the 
House  of  Assembly  in  conference,  on  the  subject  of  fortifying  the 
Kiver  Delaware. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  5b3 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  August  26,  1778. 


PRESENT  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq,'r  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,      ~J 

— —  M&ckay,  Jacob  Arndt,  &    vEsq'rs. 

Smith,  Tho's  Urie.         J 


Recruiting  orders  were  issued  to  ensign  Robert  Rice,  for  recruit- 
ing, by  recommendation  of  Col.  Hampton,  and  an  order  was  drawn 
on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Ens.  Robert  Rice,  or  his  order,  for  the 
Sum  of  Six  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service,  to  be  charged 
to  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Francis 
Bayley,  for  the  sum  of  Five  hundred  &  Fifty  pounds,  in  part  of 
his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the 'Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Matt'w 
Boyd,  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  purchasing  Cloathing  in  the 
County  of  Chester,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  his  aeco't. 

The  Secretary  reported,  That  application  was  now  made  for  com- 
missions for  private  Ships  of  War  more  than  are  in  his  possession  ; 
therefore, 

Ordered,  That  application  be  made  to  the  President  of  Congress 
for  twelve  blank  commissions  for  private  Ships  of  War. 

Ordered,  That  recruiting  instructions  be  made  out  for  Capt. 
Samuel  Craig  &  Lieu.  Edw'd  Crawford,  of  the  first  Pennsylvania 
Reg't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Captain  Sam'l 
Craig,  for  six  hundred  dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service,  for  which 
lie  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieu.  Edw'd 
Crawford,  for  six  hundred  dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service,  for 
which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieu.  Arch'd 
Campbell,  of  the  6th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hun- 
dred Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service,  for  which  he  is  to  ac- 
count. 


Council  Chamber. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  August  29,  1778. 

Capt.  McAffee  proposed  to  make  examination  for  Goods  in  the 
possession  of  Fitz,  who  had  robbed  him;  &  ammunition  for  defence, 


564  MINUTES  OF  THE 

&  gave  the  following  account,  to-wit :  That  about  11  O'Clock  s 
Gun  was  fired  at  the  Window,  but  struck  below  the  Window,  he 
had  not  two  rounds  of  Ammunition  at  this  time  in  his  possession  5 
his  nearest  neighbours  refused  to  assist  him  in  guarding  him. 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Stiles,  Commissary  of  Military  Stores,  do 
deliver  to  Capt.  McAffee  Ammunition  &4  Militia  Men. 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Vizt :  One 
in  favor  of  Robert  Allison,  for  the  Sum  of  Eight  hundred  Pounds; 
One  in  favor  of  John  Parker,  for  the  Sum  of  Forty  Pounds,  both  on 
account  of  repairs,  &c.  done  to  the  State  House ;  &  one  other  in 
favor  of  Arthur  Donaldson,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds, 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  August  31,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Mackay,  James  Edgar, 

Smith,  Jacob  Arndt,    V  Esq'rs* 


ylon'n  Hoge, 

Petitions  of  John  Knowles,  Alexa.  Murray  &  William  Moland; 
were  read,  Praying,  That  as  they  had  been  made  Prisoners  by  the 
British  Troops,  &  were  now  upon  their  Parole,  Abraham  Iredell 
and  others  might  be  sent  into  New  York  to  be  exchanged  for  them7 
whereby  they  may  be  restored  to  their  liberty. 

Accounts  of  John  Eyre  &  of  Jacob  Miller,  for  Lumber  &  plank 
that  was  taken  from  them  &  used  by  the  Enemy  in  building  a  Fort, 
&  afterwards  taken  &  used  by  the  State  for  jthe  same  purpose,  was 
laid  before  Council. 

Ordered,  That  application  be  made  to  the  President  of  Congress 
for  Twenty-four  blank  Commissions  for  private  Ships  of  War :  (the 
12  ordered  on  the  27th  not  being  furnished  us.) 

Samuel  Morris  the  elder,  Esq'r,  &  eighteen  other  Citizens  of  repu- 
tation, attended  the  Council,  &  the  said  Sam'l  Morris,  in  the  name  of 
the  rest,  addressed  the  Hon'ble  Vice  President,  &  requested  That 
the  Council  would  compassionate  the  case  of  the  four  unhappy 
Prisoners,  Criminals^pow  under  Sentence  of  Death,  &  spare  the 
lives  of  the  said  Criminals,  or  some  of  them,  they  all  appearing  to 
be  very  penitent  &  sensible  of  their  great  offence,  as  well  as  of  the 
justice  of  the  sentence  pronounced  against  them.  -The  Hon'ble 
Vice  President  remarked  the  imposibility  of  suporting  an  armed, 
without  making  examples  of  offenders  in  this  way,  &  that  whatever 
the  feelings  the  members  of  Council  may  have  as  Men,  it  must  be 
remembered  that  the  Council  are  to  consider  themselves  as  being 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  565 

bound  by  their  Station  to  perform  some  of  the  arduous  duties  of 
Magistrates,  And  remarked  that  it  would  be  proper  for  the  Gentle- 
men who  meant  to  solicit  Mercy  for  the  Prisoners  to  do  it  in  wri- 
ting, in  order  that  it  may  appear  at  a  future  day.  They  then  re- 
tired. 

Appointment  of  the  Captains  of  the  Galleys  &  Guard  Boats ; 
(Captains  to  return  their  Lieut's  from  among  the  Lieut's  now  in 
service.) 

Application  of  the  Rev'd  S.  Barton  for  a  Pass  into  t$ie  City 
of  New  York. 

Ordered,  That  a  Pass  for  the  said  S.  Barton  &  his  wife  to  the 
City  of  New  York,  be  made  out. 

Ap.  of  Rev'd  Mr.  A.  Murray  for  time,  &ca.,  referred. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Tuesday  Septem.  1,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

*te* Mackay,  James  Edgar, 

Smith,  Jacob  Arndt,  &   J-  Esq'rs. 


ar,     ) 

it,  &  t 
•ie,     ) 


Jona.  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie, 

John  Knowles,  Esq'r,  attended  the  Council  &  represented  that 
he  had  been  made  a  Prisoner  by  the  Enemy  &  carried  by  them  to 
the  city  of  New  York,  that  he  had  been  permitted  on  Parole  to  re- 
turn to  this  City  &  to  use  his  endeavours  to  obtain  Abraham  Ire- 
dale,  of  Horseham,  in  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  to  be  delivered 
in  Exchange  for  him,  the  said  John  Knowles  otherwise  to  return 
again  to  the  City  of  New  York. 

On  consideration,  Council  consent  to  exchange  Abraham  Iredale 
aforesaid,  for  John  Knowles,  Esq'r,  now  under  Parole,  to  the 
Enemy,  and  it  is 

Ordered,  That  neither  the  said  Abraham  Iredale  nor  his  bail 
shall  be  sued  for  default  of  his  appearance  in  the  next  Court  of 
Oyer  &  Terminer,  to  answer  the  charge  of  Treason  made  against 
him. 

Petition  of  Negro  Ralph,  (formerly  the  property  of  John  Ran- 
ken,)  was  read. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Petition  lie  on  the  table. 

The  Petition  of  a  considerable  number  of  respectable  Citizens 
Praying,  in  effect,  that  Council  will  remit  the  punishment  of  death 
under  which  Samuel  Lyons,  Samuel  Ford,  Joseph  Wilson  &  John 
Lawrence,  now  lie,  was  read. 

Mem.  Benja.  Walton  of  Bucks  County,  &  Casper  Guyer  of  Phila- 
delphia, are  still  in  confinement. 


566  MINUTES  OF  THE 

A  Letter  from  Benja.  Blyth  to  the  Hon'ble  Tho's  McKean,  Es- 
quire, Chief  Justice,  was  read,  &  the  same  representing  that 

Maclay,  Esq'r,  one  of  the  Justices  for  the  County  of  Cumberland 
had  negligently  suffered  a  certain  Connelius  Hutcheson.  charged 
with  High  Treason,  to  make  his  escape  ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Hon'ble  Tho's  Mc- 
Kean, Esq'r,  Chief  Justice,  to  make  further  enquiry  into  the  said 
charge,  &  proceed  therein  according  to  Law. 

Edwird  Burd,  Esq'r,  appointed  Prothonotary  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  &ca. 

Death  Warrants  for  Lyons,  Ford,  Wilson  &  Lawrence,  Delivered 
to  Commodore  Hazelwood,  directed  to  Commodore  John  Hazel- 
wood,  or  in  his  absence  to  the  Officer  Commanding. 

The  C^ncil  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Case  of  the  F  our 
Men  under  sentence  of  Death,  &  for  the  execution  of  whom  War- 
rants have  been  issued  : 

Question. — "  Shall  Ford  be  spared  ?"  Negative. 

u  Shall  Lawrence  be  spared  ?"      Affirmative. 
"  Shall  Wilson  be  spared  ?"  Affirmative. 

"  Shall  Lyons  be  spared  ?"  Negative, 

and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Joseph  Wilson  &  John  Lawrence,  now  under  sen- 
tence of  Death,  &  for  the  execution  of  whom  Warrants  have  been 
issued,  be  reprieved  for  fifteen  days. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  September  2d,  1778. 

I  PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,       ") 

Smith,  Thomas  Urie,  & 


Jona.  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart,        (        l 

James  Edgar,  J 

A  Warrant  uuder  the  less  Seal  was  issued,  Commanding  Robert 
J. 'well,  Esq'r,  Keeper  of  the  Prison  of  the  United  States  in  this 
City,  commanding  him  to  deliver  Samuel  Ford,  Samuel  Lyons, 
Joseph  Wilson  &  John  Lawrence,  now  under  sentence  of  death, 
&c  ,  to  Commodore  John  Ilazlowood,  or  in  his  absence  to  the  offi- 
cer commanding,  to  be  dealt  with  as  this  Council  shall  order. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  567 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  Septera.  3,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Eeq'r,  Vice  President. 
Mackay,  James  Edgar,      1 

r 


Smith,  Thomas  Urie,  &  ^Esq|rs. 


Jona  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart,       J 

There  having  been  many  circumstances  which  render  it  highly 
probable  that  a  certain Berkenhout,  Doct.  of  Physic,  a  sub- 
ject of  Great  Britain,  &  in  the  employ  of  the  British  Ministry,  is 
now  in  this  City,  probably  on  some  mischiefous  design.  $ 

On  consideration,  a  Warrant  under  the  State  Seal  was  issued, 
authorizing  Col.  Lewis  Nicola,  town  Major,  to  seize  the  said  Doc- 
tor Berkenhout  <&  his  papers,  &  bring  him  &;  them  before  this 
Council. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Ebenezer 
Cowell,  (Armourer,)  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Eight  hundred 
Dollars,  for  which  Sum  he  is  to  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  September  4,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Mackay,  James  Edgar,      ~\ 

rie,  &  >• 


Smith,  Thomas  Urie,  &  >  Esq'rs. 

Jona.  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart,       ) 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieu.  Will'ni 
Thompson,  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hun- 
dred Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service,  to  be  charged  to  his  account, 
On  Application, 

Ordered,  That  a  Pass  into  the  City  of  New  York  be  granted  to 
Elizabeth  Shugart,  wife  of  Lieu.  Zachary  Shugart,  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania flying  camp,  now  a  prisoner  on  Long  Island. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Thomas  Jor- 
dan, paymaster  of  Militia  for  the  County  of  Northumberland,  for 
the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Philip  Boehm, 
jun'r,  paymaster  of  Militia  for  the  County  of  Northampton,  for 
the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand  &  five  hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he  is 
to  account. 


568  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Petition  of  Ignatius  Labatte  &  Philip  Angle,  inhabitants  of  Fort 
Pitt,  praying  a  pass  with  a  Batteau  laden  with  fur,  to  New  Orleans* 
was  read  ;    &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  pass  be  accordingly  granted. 

A  Resolve  of  the  Hon'blc  House  of  General  Assembly  was  read^ 
in  the  following  words,  to-Wit : 

"In  General  Assembly,  Friday  Septem.  4,  1778,  A.  M. 

11  Resolved,  That  the  Vice  President  &  Council  be  authorized, 
impowered  &  required  to  take  the  most  effectual  measures  for  pre- 
venting the  exportation  of  provisions  from  this  State,  until  a  law 
shall  be  enacted,  or  other  regulations  made  by  this  Assembly.  On 
consideration, 

Ordered,  That  agreeable  to  the  Resolve  of  the  Hcn'ble  House 
of  General  Assembly,  the  Embargo  on  provisions  be  continued  for 
&  during  fifteen  days  from  this  date,  &  that  a  Proclamation  be  is- 
sued for  that  purpose  accordingly. 

The  Resolve  of  Congress  of  yesterday  being  read,  to  wit : 

"  In  Congress,  September  3d,  1778. 

"Whereas,  Gen'l  Washington  has  required  that  the  Continental 
Troops  in  Philadelphia  be  sent  to  join  the  main  Army,  &  that  they 
they  be  replaced  by  the  City  Militia : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania  be  requested  to  call  out  immediately  three  hundred 
of  the  Militia  of  the  State,  to  serve  as  Guards  in  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia,  &  perform  such  other  Military  Services  as  shall  be  required 
of  them. 

''Resolved,  That  the  Artillery  Reg't  raised  in  Pennsylvania,  Com- 
manded by  Col.  Tho's  Proctor,  be  considered  as  part  of  the  quota 
of  Troops  to  be  furnished  by  that  State,  which  is  to  be  Credited 
for  the  Men  now  in  the  Regiment,  &  also  for  any  which  shall  be 
hereafter  recruited  therein,  &  that  the  Government  of  the  said  State 
be  requested  to  furnish  Col.  Proctor  with  the  State  bounty,  to 
enable  him  to  fill  up  the  Regiment  to  its  compliment  of  Men. 
u  Extract  from  the  Minutes, 

"OHA.  THOMSON,  Sec'y." 

Ordered,  That  the  seventh  Class  of  the  Militia  of  the  City  of 
Philadelphia  be  now  called  into  service. 

Col.  Samuel  Atlee  having  represented  that  there  was  a  consider- 
able Sum  of  Money  due  to  him  for  his  Pay,  &ca.;  on  Considera- 
tion that  there  may  be  a  necessity  of  his  advancing  some  Money^ 
to  his  inferior  Officers, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  Sanrl 
Atlee,  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  hundred  &  fifty  Pounds,  for  which  he 
is  to  account. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  569 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  Henry , 
Esq.,  Armourer,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Ten  thousand  &  nine 
hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to,  his  account. 

Application  for  William  Stringer,  Clerk,  for  permission  to  retire 
to  England. 

Application  for  Mrs.  Robinson. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  Septem.  5,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

*.  Mackay,  James  Edgar, 

Smith,  Thomas  Urie,  &  ^-Esq'rs. 


ir'  1 

ie,  &  v 
h      J 


Jona.  Hoge,  Joseph  Hart3 

A  Letter  from  Col.  Will'm  Irvine,  of  the  7th  Pennsylvania  Reg't, 
recommending  Capt.  Bratton  &  Lieut  Russel  &  Millegan  to  go  on 
the  recruiting  Service,  and  thereupon  Recruiting  orders  were  ac- 
cordingly given  them  as  follows  : 

To  Capt.  Will'm  Bratton  to  Lancaster  County,  with  orders  to 
the  Lieutenant  of  the  said  County,  to  Supply  him  with  Money  from 
time  to  time,  as  he,  may  have  occasion  ;  and  to  Lieu.  James  Mille- 
gan to  York  Town,  with  orders  to  the  Lieu,  of  the  County  of  York 
to  furnish  him  with  Money  for  this  service,  and  Lieu.  Alex'a  Rus~ 
sellj  to  Carlisle,  with  orders  on  the  Lieu,  of  Cumberland  County. 
Lien  Millegan  to  have  orders  to  call  on  the  Lieutenants  of  York 
&  Cumberland.  Lieu.  Russel  orders  to  the  Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Lancaster. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Cap't  John 
Pearson,  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum 
of  One  Thousand  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  service,  for  which  he 
is  to  acco't. 

Colo.  Hart  &  Mr.  Read  reports,  That  on  examining  the  papers 
of  Doctor  Berkenhout,  they  found  a  letter  which  he  (the  Doctor) 
acknowledges  he  had  written  the  Evening  before  his  arrest,  with 
intention  of  sending  it  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Esq'r,  of  which  the 
following  is  a  Copy  : 

"  Sir : 

"The  important  business  in  which  you  are  engaged  will  not  per- 
mit you  to  favour  me  with  as  much  of  your  conversation  as  I  am 
inclined  to  wish,  for  I  presume  therefore,  to  trouble  you  with  the 
following  reflexions  on  paper ;  they  appear  to  me  of  consequence 
sufficient  to  deserve  a  moment's  attention. 


570  MINUTES  OF  THE 

*  America  will  most  assuredly  never  relinquish  the  independence 
she  hath  so  nobly  acquired;  this  Independence  the  Commissioners 
have  no  power  to  grant  j  it  is  therefore,  evident  that  no  treaty  of 
pacification  can  possibly  commence.  Reflecting  on  this  situation  of 
affairs  ;  most  ardently  solicitous  to  prevent  the  further  effusion  of 
blood,  and  impatient  to  behold  the  peaceful  establishment  of  this 
delightful  asylum  of  liberty,  I  presume  to  offer  myself  a  voluntary 
negotiator  between  the  two  contending  powers.  You  start  at  my 
presumption,  but  I  am  sure  your  candour  will  suffer  me  to  proceed. 
If  I  were  to  return  immediately  to  England,  I  am  confident  that  I 
could  command  the  eager  attention  of  the  Ministry  ;  that  I  could 
convince  them  of  a  thousand  errors  into  which  they  have  been  led, 
relative  to  the  general  disposition  of  the  People  of  America,  the 
Power  of  the  State,  the  inflexibility  and  sagacity  obvious  in  every 
department,  &  many  other  particulars,  sufficient  to  convince  Great 
Britain  that  every  idea  of  subjugating  America  is  futile  and  ridi- 
culous. 

"  This  information  I  might  give  the  British  Ministry,  without  any 
countenance  or  assistance  from  Congress  or  any  of  its  members ; 
but  to  render  my  success  indisputable,  I  could  wish  that  I  might  be 
enabled  to  delineate  the  outlines  of  such  a  Treaty  of  peace  £  com- 
merce as  America  would  probably  approve  ;  I  say  probably  approve, 
because  I  do  not  expect  that  Congress  will  give  me  the  least  degree 
of  authority.  I  would  presume  to  request  a  mere  sketch  or  outlines 
of  essential  Articles  on  a  slip  of  Paper,  not  signed,  &  intended  only 
to  assist  my  memory." 

(Dr.  Berkenhout's  essay  of  a  letter  to  R.  H.  Lee,  Esq'r). 

T.  M. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
Matt'w  Smith,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  one  hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  his  acco't. 

Ordered,  That  the  Petition  of  Negro  Ralph,  late  a  slave  of  John 
•Rankin,  late  of  the  County  of  York,  be  referred  to  the  general  As- 
sembly, together  with  his  Papers  of  proof  that  he  is  a  freeman. 

Ordered,  That  this  Council  will  on  Monday  next  go  down  to 
Billings  Port,  finally  to  determine  respecting  the  fortifications  to  be 
erected  on  the  river  Delaware. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favour  of  Lieut.  Arch'd 
Campbell,  of  the  6th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the 
Sum  of  Six  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  service,  to  be 
chargM  to  his  account. 

Colo.  George  Stewart,  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  attended  the 
Council,  agreeable  to  the  notice  sent  him,  And  the  wife  of  Mich'l 
Whitman  attended  also,  but  she,  on  examination,  appearing  to  have 
been  absent  at  the  time  of  holding  the  vendue  for  the  Sale  of  her 
Husband's  effects,  And  no  other  person  appearing  to  give  evidence 
in  support  of  a  charge  made  against  the  said  Col.  George  Stewart 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.      571 

of  his  Having  acted  improperly  in  the  Sale  of  the  said  Mich'l 
Whitman's  effects,  the  said  charge  is  therefore  dismissed. 

Doc.  Gardner,  Mr.  Gronow,  &  Col.  Dill,  a  Committee  of  the 
Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly,  attended  in  Council  &  in- 
formed the  Council  That  divers  Members  of  the  House  being  ac- 
quainted with  the  circumstances  of  Ralph,  late  the  Slave  of  John 
Rankin,  which  induce  the  House  to  think  him  unworthy  of  the 
notice  of  the  House,  he  having  been  supposed  guilty  of  a  Burglary 
within  the  County  of  Chester,  from  whence  he  was  sold,  to  avoid 
his  being  punished,  &  that  the  manumission  is  dated  while  Mr. 
Rankin  was  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  and  therefore  the  House 
recommend  that  he  be  not  now  Sold,  but  that  he  be  hired  out  for 
the  present. 

Ordered,  that  This  Council  will,  on  Monday  next,  go  down  to 
Billingsport,  to  view  the  State  of  that  ground. 


The  Council  met. 

'  Philadelphia,  Tuesday  Septem.  8,  1778. 

PRESENT  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  — Smith, 

Mackay,  James  Edgar,  & 


Jona.  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie,        (     ^ 

James  Read,  .  J 

Joseph  Blewer  attended  the  Council  &  represented  that  his  Son, 
who  was  taken  Prisoner  at  the  Battle  of  German  Town,  is  now  in 
New  York,  &  in  a  low  state  of  Health,  which  induces  Mrs.  Blewer 
to  solicit  a  Pass  into  that  City  to  visit  her  son.    On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  a  Pass  be  made  out  for  Mrs.  Blewer,  to  permit 
her  to  pass  into  New  York. 
On  Application, 

Ordered,  That   a  Pass  be  made  out  for  Miss Miller,  & 

— ,  to  go  into  the  City  of  New  York,  not  to  be  permit- 
ted to  return. 

Petition  of  Doctor  John  Abram  Denormandie,  praying  leave  to 
sell,  convey,  &  confirm  his  estate  real,  according  to  an  Act  of  As- 
sembly in  such  case  made  &  provided, 

Ordered,  That  permission  under  the  great  Seal  of  the  State,  & 
signed  by  the  Vice  President,  be  made  out  to  Dr.  John  Abram  De- 
normandie, to  sell  and  convey  his  estate,  according  to  the  Act  of 
General  Assembly  in  that  case  made  &  provided. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
James  Edgar,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  his  account. 


572  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Henry 
Spicker,  Paymaster  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Berks,  for  the 
Sum  of  Five  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Recruiting  Orders  were  issued  to  Lieut.  John  Stoy,  of  the  2d 
Pennsylvania  Reg't,  recommended  by  Cdi.  Stewart  to  recruit  in 
Philadelphia  County,  &  An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in 
favor  of  Lieu.  John  Stoy,  of  the  2d  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his 
order,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't, 
for  the  recruiting  service. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  Cris- 
pin, Esq'r,  Commissary  of  the  State  Fleet,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum 
of  One  thousand  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

On  Consideration  of  the  State  of  the  River  defence, 

Ordered,  That  four  Pieces  of  heavy  Artillery  be  placed  on  the 
Fortifications  at  Billingsport,  &  two  Pieces  of  heavy  Artillery  be 
placed  on  the  Fortifications  at  Mud  Island. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  September  9,  1778. 
present : 
Jos.  Hart,  Smith, 


Mackay,  James  Edgar, 


Jonathan  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie,        [      4 

James  Read,  J 


The  Council  Met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  September  10,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jona.  Hoge,  & 

Mackey,  James  Read,  \  Esq'rs. 


James  Edgar, 

On  consideration  of  the  returns  &  petitions  from  the  County  of 
Bedford  respecting  Justices  of  the  Peace, 

Ordered,  That  John  Hams,  Thomas  Wilson,  Samuel  Thompson 
&  Matthew  Dean,  be  appointed  &  Commissioned  to  be  Justices  of 
the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Bedford.  Commissions  to  each  deliv- 
ered to  Mr.  Cessna,  Member  of  Assembly  for  Bedford. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  John 
Eyer,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  &  fifty  Pounds,  on 
account  of  work  done  to  the  Galleys. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  573 

Capt.  Harman  Stout,  of  the  10th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  laid  before 
the  Council  orders  from  Col.  Rich'd  Humpton,  to  enter  upon  the 
recruiting  Service  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  &  to  apply  to  the 
Council  for  instructions  &>  money  for  that  Service,  and  thereupon, 
instructions  were  accordingly  given  him ;  and 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt  Harman 
Stout,  of  the  10th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of 
Sis  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service,  and  for  which  Capt, 
Stout  is  to  account. 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Viz.  : 

In  favor  of  Lieut.  Will'm  Thompson,  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania 
Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  Dollars,  to  be 
charged  to  his  account: 

In  favor  of  Ens.  Rob't  Rice,  of  the  10th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or 
his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting 
Service,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

In  favor  of  Lieut.  James  McCulloch,  of  the  5th  Pennsylvania 
Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  hundred  Dollars,  for  the 
recruiting  Service,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

In  favor  of  Lieut.  James  Forbes,  of  the  5th  Pennsylvania  Reg't, 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  Dollars,  for  the  recruit- 
ing Service,  to  be  charged  to  his  account.  e 

The  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia  attended  &  request- 
ed that  a  guard  may  be  appointed  to  conduct  several  Prisoners  from 
Lancaster  to  this  City  ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieutenant  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  do 
furnish  a  guard',  not  exceeding  twelve  Men,  to  conduct  Prisoners 
(under  the  direction  of  the  Sheriff  of  the  County)  from  the  Borough 
of  Lancaster  to  the  City  of  Philadelphia. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  Sept.  11,  1778 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jon'a  Hoge,  & 

Mackay,  James  Read,      ^Esq'ra. 


,*1 


James  Edgar, 

•John  Moyes  laid  before  the  Council  an  account  of  his  attendance 
at  Billingsport,  to  take  care  of  the  Signal  Gun,  from  Decem'r  4, 
1776,  to  March  17,  1777,  is  103  days  @  12s  f  day ;  &  there- 
upon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Moyes, 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Sixty-one  Pounds  &  Sixteen  Shillings, 
for  his  attendance  on  the  Signal  Gun  at  Billingsport  103  days. 


574  MINUTES  OF  THE 

John  Adams,  Pilot,  laid  before  the  Council  his  account  for  at- 
tending at  the  Light  House  Seven  Months,  Amounting  to  the  Sum 
of  One  hundred  &  twelve  Pounds,  in  which  he  Credits  the  State 
with  the  Sum  of  Forty-two  Pounds  received  of  Major  Henry  Fisher; 
and  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Adams, 
for  the  Sum  of  Seventy  Pounds,  ballance  due  on  his  account.       , 

Mr.  M'Lean,  Mr.  Ralston  &  Mr. ,  a  Committee  from 

the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly,  attended  in  Council,  & 
represented  that  the  House  had  received  information  that  a  sum- 
mons had  been  issued  by  two  Justices  of  the  Peace,  commanding 
all  persons  above  the  age  of  eighteen  years  to  appear  at  a  day  & 
place  therein  named,  &  take  the  oath  of  Allegiance  to  the  State, 
which  the  House  conceived  to  be  a  case  of  great  importance,  & 
therefore  requested  the  advice  of  the  Council  therein. 

Bartram  Galbraith,  Esq'r,  Lieu,  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  re- 
ports to  Council,  That  in  consequence  of  orders  received  from  this 
Council,  he  had  received  from  the  Quarter  Master  General  Certifi- 
cates in  pay  of  Substitutes,  Money,  due  for  the  Militia  of  the  said 
County,  and  prayed  that  an  order  be  issued  to  the  Treasurer  to  re- 
ceive the  said  Certificates  in  discharge  of  such  Monies  as  may  be 
due  from  the  said  Bartram  Galbraith  to  the  State. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  to  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r, 
State  Treasurer,  to  receive  of  Bartram  Galbraith,  Esq'r,  Lieut,  of 
the  County  of  Lancaster,  Quarter  Master  General's  Certificates,  in 
discharge  of  such  Sums  as  hath  been  paid  into  his  hands  by  the 
Militia  of  that  County,  so  far  as  the  said  Bartram  Galbraith  hath 
received  such  Certificates  in  payment  of  substitute  Money. 

Ordered,  That  written  application  be  made  to  the  Board  of  War, 
reminding  them  that  application  had  been  made  by  Col.  Smith,  ac- 
quainting them  that  the  time  of  the  Militia  now  in  Service  was  near 
expiring,  &  requesting  to  know  whether  the  Board  of  War  thought 
proper  to  call  for  any  number  of  Militia  to  supply  their  places. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  September  12,  1778. 
present: 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jon'a  Hoge,  &' 

Mackay,  James  Read,       lEsq'rs. 


'•  1 


James  Edgar, 

The  following  two  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor 
of  Major  Christian  Wirtz;  Viz't : 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  575 

One  for  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  &  Seventy  Pounds  &  Ten 
Shillings,  for  his  Pay  from  the  Sixth  of  January  last  'till  Septem- 
ber the  Sixth  ins.;  at  50  Dollars  ^  M.,  -  -  -  £150  00 
For  a  Ream  of  Writing  Paper,  -  8  00 

For  his  rations  not  drawn  during  the  same  time,  900  Ra- 
tions @  2s  6,         -         -        -         -         -        -  112  10 


£270  10 


The  other  for  the  Sum  of  Fifty-one  Pounds  &  ten  Shillings,  for 
making  up  Sixteen  Thousand  Musket  Cartridges,  casting  the  Bull- 
ets, &  for  Paper  &  twine,  to  be  charged  to  Congress,  the  same  being 
for  the  use  of  the  Guards  stationed  at  Lancaster  <&  delivered  to 
Ludwig  Lowman,  D.  C. 

Information  being  now  obtained  that  His  Excellency  the  late 
President  had,  in  behalf  of  this  Council,  some  time  ago,  purchased 
of  John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  one-fourth  part  of  a  Cargo  of  Linens 
imported  into  Maryland,  which  by  reason  of  the  said  President's 
Death  or  from  some  other  cause,  had  not  before  this  present  time  came 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  Council,  but  with  two-fourth  parts  of  the 
same  Cargo  purchased  by  Mess.  Meas  &  Caldwell,  for  the  use  of 
the  Continent,  have  remained  at  the  place  where  they  were  landed  j 
and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  S.  Howell,  do  immediately  take  the  neces- 
sary measures,  in  conjunction  with  Mr.  James  Meas,  to  have  the 
Linens  purchased  by  his  Excell'y  the  late  President,  of  John  Max- 
well Nesbitt,  Esquire,  brought  from  Maryland,  where  they  now  are, 
to  this  City. 

The  Council  having  now  determined  to  employ  Colonel  John 
Bull  to  direct  the  Workmen,  &  to  complete  the  works  ordered  by 
this  Council  at  Billingsport  &  Mud  Island,  It  now  Agreed,  That 
Colo.  Bull  be  allowed  for  the  aforesaid  service  the  Sum  of  Three 
Pounds  *<$)  Diem,  &  forage  at  Billingsport  for  one  horse. 

Col.  Bull  having  recommended  Mr.  WilFm  Armstrong  as  Pay- 
master &  Steward  at  Billingsport  &  Mud  Island, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Will'm  Armstrong  be  appointed  Paymaster 
&  Steward  at  Billingsport  &  Mud  Island,  &  that  his  pay  be  Twen- 
ty-five Shillings  ^  diem. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  Will'm 
Oldham,  of  the  5th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum 
of  One  thousand  &  five  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service, 
to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Rob't  Alison  be  directed  to  deliver  to  Col. 
Bull  such  of  the  Plank  &  other  Timber,  Spikes,  <£ca.,  taken  from 
the  Redoubts  of  the  Enemy,  as  he  may  have  occasion,  for  to  com- 
plete the  works  ordered  to  be  erected  at  Billingsport  &  Mud  Island, 
&  also  one  or  two  of  the  Guard  Houses,  for  Barracks. 


576  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Col.  John  Proctor,  Paymaster  of  Militia  for  the  County  of  "West- 
morland, having  requested  that  a  Sum  of  Money  may  be  sent  to 
him  to  Pay  the  Militia  of  that  County  with,  &  Moses  Watson,  of 
the  said  County,  being  now  here  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  the 
Money  to  Col.  Proctor; 

(This  draft  in  favor  of  Mr.  Moses  Ward,  was  returned  to  the 
Council  tftipaid  on  the  9th  of  January,  1779,  as  appears  by  the 
Minutes  of  Council  of  that  day;) 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Moses 
Ward,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  by  him  deliv- 
ered to  Col.  John  Proctor,  Paymaster  of  Militia  for  the  County 
of  Westmoreland,  to  be  charged  to  the  said  John  Proctor. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Ensign  WilFm 
Snyder,  of  the  6th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of 
Eight  Hundred  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service,  to  be  charged  to 
his  account. 

Ordered ,  That  Mr.  Will'm  Crispin  be  directed  to  supply  the 
Workmen  at  Billingsport  &  Mud  Island  with  provisions. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  Berkenhout  be  sent  within  the  Enemies' 
lines  near  the  City  of  New  York,  and  that  he  be  escorted  by  some 
suitable  person,  who  shall  have  in  charge  to  prevent  the  Doctor  from 
receiving  any  Letters  for  that  City. 

Ordered,  That  the  following  Gentlemen  be  appointed  Officers  of 
the  Chatham  &  Hancock  Galleys  in  the  service  of  this  State,  Vizt : 
George  Meyers,  first  Lieutenant;  &  John  McClance,  second  Lieu- 
tenant of  the  Chatham  Galley ;  And  Nicholas  Fitzsimmons,  first 
Lieutenant ;  and  Joseph  Quality,  second  Lieutenant  of  the  Han- 
cock Galley ;  And  That  commissions  be  made  out  accordingly. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  September  14,  1778. 

PRESENT  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Mackay,  James  Read,  & 


Jona.  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie,    y  Esq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  J 

The  Petition  of  Matthew  Clarkson,  praying  to  be  re-appointed 
Marshall  of  the  Admiralty,  was  read  &  ordered  to  lie  on  the 
Table. 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Col.  Knox  &  Capt.  Blewer  be  directed  to  sell 
the  State  Shallop,  late  commanded  by  Capt.  Wade,  as  she  now  lies 
half  full  of  Water,  for  the  best  price  which  can  be  had  for  her. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  577' 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Hazlewood  be  directed  to  obey  the  War- 
rant of  the  Hon'ble  Chief  Justice  in  conducting  Fitzpatrick  from 
this  City  to  the  Borough  of  Chester,  &  also  iu  conducting  suck 
other  Prisoners  as  the  Chief  Justice  shall  order  to  be  removed. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  WilPm 
Clark,  for  the  Sum  of  five  Thousand  Pounds,  for  the  purpose  of 
paying  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  to  be  charged  to 
bis  account. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  apply  to  Commodore  Hazlewood  to 
procure  an  exact  account  of  the  Vessels,  Boats,  Cannon,  Sails,, 
Stores,  &  other  furniture  of  the  State  Fleet,  &  lodge  the  same  with 
the  Secretary,  distinguishing  such  part  thereof  as  may  be  neces-> 
sary  for  the  Three  Galleys  commanded  by  Captains  Boys,  Garland, 
&  Roads,  &  the  Three  Guard  Boats,  commanded  by  Captains  Hazle- 
wood, Beazeley,  &  Martin. 

'  An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Captain  John 
Pearson,  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  for  the  Sum  of  Two 
Thousand  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service,  for  which  he  is  to 
account. 

Lieu.  Jacob  Vanderslier,  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  laid 
before  the  Council  instructions  for  his  entering  on  the  Recruiting 
service,  given  him  by  the  Lieu.  Colonel  of  the  said  Regiment; 
And  thereupon,  Recruiting  instructions  were  issued  to  him  in  the 
County  of  Berks,  with  orders  to  the  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of 
Berks  for  Money. 


The  Council  met* 

Philadelphia,  Tuesday  Septem.  15,  1778 

PRESENT  J 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Mackay,  James  Read,  & 


lead,  &1 
Urie,      I 


Jona.  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie,     [►Esq'rs* 

James  Edgar,    .      " 

Ordered,  That    Passes  be  made  out   for   Miss   Miller   &  Mary 
Campbell,  seperately,  to  go  into  New  York,  not  to  return. 


^OL,  xi, — 8?. 


*>78  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  Septem.  16,  1778, 

present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Mackay,  James  Read,  &") 

Jona.  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie,     tEsq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  ^  J 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Hancock  Galley  be  immediately  put  under 
the  command  of  Capt.  Garland,  &  that  the  Chatham  Galley  be 
immediately  put  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Roach. 

Petition  of  John  Tittermary,  praying  a  Pass  to  New  York  to  re- 
cover a  Debt  due  to  him  from  the  Q'r  M'r  General,  was  read, 

Ordered,  That  a  Pass  be  granted  to  John  Tittermary  to  go  to 
the  City  of  New  York. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Major  Will'm 
Armstrong,  Paymaster  &  Steward  at  Billingsport  &  Mud  Island, 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged 
to  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Will'm  Scott, 
Pay  Master  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  York,  or  his  order,  for 
the  Sum  of  Four  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  ac- 
count. 

The  following  Officers  being  recommended  by  the  commanding 
Officers  of  the  respective  Regiments,  as  proper  persons  for  the  re- 
cruiting service,  Vizt :  Capt.  James  Wilson,  Berks;  Lieu.  John 
Hughes,  Cumberland  ;  Lieu.  John  Dougherty,  Northumberland ", 
Lieu.  Benj.  Lyon,  &  Ensign  Collier  goes  to  Cumberland,  &  is  to 
draw  his  Money  from  Colo.  Galbraith ;  Ensign  Joseph  Collier, 
Lancaster ;  all  of  the  first  Pennsylvania  Reg't ;  &  Recruiting  or- 
ders were  given  them  for  the  Counties  annexed  to  their  names 
respectively,  and  also  Lieu.  Sam'l  Brad}'-,  of  the  8th  Pennsylvania 
Reg't,  for  Cumberland  County.  % 

The  following  orders  were 'drawn  on  the  Treasurer  for  the  Re- 
cruiting service,  vizt : 

In  favor  of  Lieu.  John  Hughes,  of  the  1st  Pennsylvania  Reg't, 
for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  Dollars. 

In  favor  of  Lieu.  Samuel  Brady,  of  the  1st  Pennsylvania  Reg't, 
for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  Dollars. 

In  favor  of  Lieu.  John  Dougherty,  of  the  1st  Pennsylvania 
Reg't,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  Dollars,  (and  his  recruiting  or- 
ders direct  him  to  call  on  Col.  Morgan,  Lieu,  of  Berks  County,  for 
a  further  supply.) 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  §7^ 

If  favor  of  Lieu.  Benja.  Lyon,  of  the  1st  Pennsylvania  Reg't, 
vor  his  order,  for  the  Sura  of  Six  hundred  Dollars. 

In  favor  of  Jos.  Collier,  of  the  1st  Pennsylvania  Meg't,  or  Ms 
<order,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service, 
to  be  charged  to  their  respective  accounts. 

Also,  in  favor  of  Cant.  Barnes  Wilson,  of  the  1st  Pennsylvania 
"Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred  Dollars,  to  he 
"charged  to  his  account. 

In  favor  of  Lieu.  Arch'd  Campbell,  of  the  6th  Pennsylvania 
Heg %  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  ©f  Eight  hundred  Dollars,  for  the 
'recruiting  service,  t©  he  charged  to  his  account. 

Passes  granted  to  Sarah  Bonsai!,  Wife  of  Eich'd  Bonsall,  & 
Mary  Johnson*       ' 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  September  17,  1778« 

PRESENT  : 

Hon'bie  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President/ 
■■      Mackay,  James  Read,       J 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie,  4d  \  Esq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  lacob  Arndt,        I 

Ordered,  That  Passes  be  made  out  for  the  Rev'd  Alexander 
Murray  &  his  Wife,  &  the  Eev'd  Tho's  Barton  &  his  Wife,  and 
-also  a  Pass  into  New  York  for  Ann  Enderten«&  her  Children. 

Col.  — -r~t:  •'■ mentions   that  Capt.   Stiles  informed   him 

that  two  Shallop  load  of  T-ools<&  Stores,  belonging  to  the  State,  had 
been  delivered  at  Adlentown,  m  that  he  understood  that  the  Con- 
tinental Quarter  Master  had  received  them  as  Continental. 
Stores.    <$ur. 

Petition  of  George  Douglass,  fraying  ia  effect,  to  be  .permitted 
to  go  to  Scotland,  was  read ; 
And  on  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Petition  of  George  Douglass  be  not  granted. 

The  Council  resumed  the  Consideration  of  the  case  of  Lieu. 
-Joseph  Wilson  -■&  John  Lawrence,  now  under  sentence  of  Beathy 
«<jfc  reprieved  «ntil  this  day.;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Execution  of  the  Sentence  of  ©eath  passed/ 
upon  Lieu.  Joseph  Wilson  &  upon  John  Lawrence,  be  suspended 
vfor  fifteen  days  from  this  date. 

The  Petition  ef  Eve  Joder  <&  Esther  Black  man,  referred  to  this 
^Council  by  the  order  of  the  Hon'bie  House  of  General  Assembly, 
was  now  read ;  &  the  same  being  considered, 

Ordered,  That  John  Ralston  &  Peter  Roads,  Esq'rs,  &  Doetor 
— — 0-  Linn,  of  the  County  of  Northampton,  fee  directed  to  mak© 


580  MINUTES  OF  THE 

enquiry  into  the  circumstances  of  the  said  Eve  Joder  &  Esther 
Blackman,  &  make  report  thereof  to  this  Council,  &  that  a  Letter 
be  wrote  to  them  for  this  purpose. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  Septem.  18,  1778- 

PRESENT : 

Hon'bie  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Viee  President 
Mackay,  James  Read, 


!-    T 

ie,  &  v. 


Jonathan  Hoge7  Thomas  Urie,  &  yEso/rs. 

James  Edgar,  Jacob  Arndt, 

The  Hon'ble  Vice  President  laid  before  the  Council  a  draft  of 
Congress,  in  the  following  words,  Yizt : 

"  For  52,000  Dollars. 

"  Philadelphia,  Septem.  10,,  1778, 
«  Sir ; 

"  Pay  to  the  Hon'ble  the  delegates  of  the  State  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, or  their  order,  the  Sum  of  Fifty-two  Thousand  Dollars,  it 
being  to  be  by  them  delivered  to  the  President  &  Council  of  that 
State,  for  the  Payment  of  Cloathing  purchased  for  the  Army,  The 
said  State  to  be  accountable. 

"  I  Am,  sir,  Your  very  humble  serv't, 

("  Signed,)     HENRY  LAWRENS,  President. 
41  To  Michael  Hillegas,  Esq'r,  Continental  Treasurer." 
And  the  said  draft  was  indorsed  in  the  following  words ; 

*'Pay  the  Contents  to  the  order  of  the  Hon'ble  Vice  President 
&  Council  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  for  the  pur]>oses  therein* 
mentioned, 

("Signed  by) 

"  ROBERT  MORRIS, 
"DANIEL  ROBERDEAt', 
"WM.  CLINGAN." 

He  also  laid  before  Council  a  Resolve  of  Congress,  in  the  follow- 
ing words,  Vizt  \ 

"  In  Congress,  September  17,  1778* 

"  Resolved,  That  Forty-eight  Thousand  Dollars,  the  residue  o* 
a  Warrant  for  300,000  Dollars,  issued  the  12th  day  of  Feb'y  lastr 
IB   favor  of  the  Delegates  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  be  bow 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  58i 

paid  to  the  said  Delegates,  to  be  by  them  transmitted  to  the  Presi- 
dent <&  Council  of  the  said  State,  &  for  which  the  said  State  is  to 
he  accountable. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

"CHAS.  THOMSON,  Sec'y." 

And  the  said  order  was  endorsed  in  the  following  words,  Vtet : 

"  Pay  the  within  mentioned  Sum  to  the  order  of  the  Hon'ble 
Vice  President  &  Council,  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

"  ROBERT  MORRIS, 
"DANIEL  ROBERDEAU, 
"  WILL'M  CLXNGAN. 

"To  Mxch'l  HiLLEaAS,  Esquire,  Continental  Treasurer." 

Ordered,  That  the  before  mentioned  draft  of  Congress  of  the 
lOth  instant,  &  the  order  of  Congress  of  the  17th  instant,  the  first 
for  48,000  Dollars,  &  the  latter  for  the  Sum  of  52,000  Dollars,  be 
ordered  to  be  paid  to  Bav'd  Rittenbouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  the 
State. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Holstone, 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Eighty-three  Pounds,  for  83  bushels 
of  Lime,  for  repairs  to  be  done  to  the  State  Bouse. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Parker, 
Bricklayer,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Forty  Pounds,  to  be 
Charged  to  his  account* 

The  Council  having  received  information  that  the  Seventh  Glass 
of  Militia  lately  called  into  service,  will  fall  greatly  short  of  the 
number  of  Men  required  for  guards  in  this  City ;  therefore, 

Ordered*  That  the  eighth  Class  of  the  Militia  of  the  City  of 
Philadelphia  be  called  into  service  as  soon  as  possible,  His  Excell'y 
Gen'l  Washington  having  again  requested  that  the  regular  Troops 
bow  in  the  City  be  sent  forward  to  Camp. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  September  19,  1778. 

PRESENT  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Mackay,  Thomas  Urie,  & 


VEsq'rB. 


Jona.  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt, 

James  Edgar, 

On  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  John  Armstrong,  of  the  County  of  Cumberland, 
Esq'r,  Bernard  Dougherty  &  James  Martin,  both  of  the  County  of 


582  MINUTES  OF  TME 

Bedford,  Esq'rs,  Archibald  McClean,  of  the  County  of  York,Escfjv 
&  John  Hubley  of  the  County  of  Lansaster,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  k 
commissioned  to  try  &  determine,  according  to  Law  &  the  custom 
of  this  Commonwealth,  a  certain  Henry  Bunthunt,  alias  Henry 
Bunter,  now  confined  in  the  Goal  of  the  County  of  Bedford,  La- 
borer, charged  with  having  killed  &  murdered  a  certain  I)aniei 
Wencil,  Son  of  a  certain  John  Wencil,  of  the  said  County  of  Bed- 
ford. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William 
C.  Bradford,  Pay-master  of  the  Fleet,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of 
three  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Passes  to  Ann  Rankin,  Wife  of  James  Rankin,  &  to  Mary  Box- 
bury,, 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  September  21,  1778. 

PRESENT  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,      ^ 

Mackay,.  James  Bead,  & 


Jon  a.  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndfc,        f      ™ 

Thomas  Urie,  J 

Capt.  Will'm  Craig,  of  the  3d  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  laid  before- 
•the  Council  orders  fi?om  Brig'r  Gen'l  Wayne,  for  his  entering  on 
the  recruiting  service,  &  thereupon  recruiting  Orders  were  given 
to  Capt.  William  Craig,  of  the  Sd  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  to  draw  on 
Lieut.  John  Wentaell  of  the  County  of  Northampton,  for  Money. 

Ordered,  That  Mary  McBean  have  a  pass  into  the  City  of  New 
York. 

A  Transcript  of  the  Record  of  the  Court  of  Oyer  &  Terminer 
and  General  goal  delivery  held  at  Chester,  in  &  for  the  County  of 
Chester,  on  Tuesday  the  fifteenth  day  of  September,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  One  Thousand  Seven  Hundred  &  Seventy  eight,  being 
uow  read,  it  appears  that  James  Fitzpatriek,  late  of  the  County  of 
Chester,  Blacksmith,  was  convicted,  on  his  own  confession,  of  Bur- 
glary &  larceny,  &  thereupon  the  Justices  of  the  said  Court 
passed  sentence  that  the  said  James  Fitzpatriek  be  banged  by  the 
neck  'till  he  be  dead;  And  the  said  Record  being  now  considered, 
it  is 

Ordered,  That  the  Sentence  of  death  passed  upon  James  Fitz- 
patriek aforesaid,  be  executed  on  Saturday  the  21st  of  this  present 
Month,  between  the  Hours  of  10  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  <fe  2 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  at  the  usual  place  of  Execution  ;  That  a 
Warrant  under  the  less  Seal  of  the  State,  for  the  said  purpose,  be 
now  issued,  and  the  same  was  accordingly  issued. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  583 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Tuesday  September  22d,  1778- 
present : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,   ") 

Mackay,  James  Read  &  !  ■&    , 

Jona.  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt,    f     " 

Thomas  Urie,  J 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  agreeable  to 
Certificates  signed  by  the  Committee  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of 
General  Assembly,  &  laid  before  the  Council,  viz :  One  in  favor 
of  Henry  Haller,  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  purchasing  of 
^Cloathing,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Ten  Thousand  five  Hun- 
dred &  Seven  Pounds  &  fifteen  Shillings,  to  be  charged  to  his  ac- 
count; One  in  favor  of  Robt.  Craig,  one  of  the  said  Commissioners, 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Nine  Thousand  three  hundred  & 
twelve  Pounds  one  Shilling  &  two  Pence,  to  be  charged  to  his  ac- 
count; One  in  favor  of  James  Johnston,  one  of  the  said  Commis- 
sioners, or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand  five  hundred 
&  Eighty-eight  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account;  and  one  in 
favor  of  the  said  James  Johnston  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand 
Three  hundred  &  forty-eight  Pounds,  to  be  by  him  delivered  to 
William  Chambers,  one  of  the  said  commissioners,  &  the  same  to 
be  charged  to  the  said  Win  Chambers. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  Petition  of  Maurice 
Lisk,  a  Private  belonging  to  the  Bull-dog  Galley,  setting  forth  that 
be  is  incapable  of  performing  the  duties  required  of  him  as  a  pri- 
vate of  the  said  Galley ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Maurice  Lisk  be  discharged  from  further 
service  on  board  said  Galley. 

The  Petition  of  Joseph  Green,  convicted  of  having  gone  into  the 
City  of  Philadelphia  while  in  the  possession  of  the  British  Army, 
&fi)ed  Fifty  Pounds,  praying  in  effect  to  have  the  said  fine  remitted, 
was  read  &  considered  j  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  fine  laid  by  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of 
the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Bucks,  on  Joseph  Green,  for  having 
gone  into  the  City  of  Philadelphia  while  in  the  possession  of  the 
British  Army,  be  remitted,  as  to  such  part  thereof  as  is  due  to  tjie 
State. 

The  Secretary  reports  that  Rob't  Levers,  Esq'r,  had  sent  down 
twenty  Casks  of  Indigo,  belonging  to  the  State,  &  that  the  same 
is  now  in  his  hands. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  apply  to  Mr.  Thomas  Lawrence 
to  sell  the  same,  &  to  contract  with  him  on  the  best  terms  he  caa 
as  to  the  Commissions  to  be  paid  for  selling  the  same. 


584  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Rob*t  Allison, 
or  his  order>  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged 
to  his  acco't. 

Council  having  received  information  that  James  Fitzpatrick,  now 
in  the  Goal  of  Chester,  under   sentence  of  Death,  is  making  very 
violent  efforts  to  make  his  escape,  &  there  is  reason  to  fear  that  he- 
may  effect  the  same  ; 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  James  Fitzpatrick  be  brought  to  this 
City,  and  confined  in  the  new  Goal,  and  that 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 

Pass  to  Cath.  Beck  &  Mary  French. 

N.  B.  Dr.  Bcrkcnhout  says  that  a  Mr.  Wren,  a  dissenting  Min- 
ister, at  Portsmouth,  deserves  well  of  America  for  his  kindness  to 
prisoners  in  England. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  Septem.  24,  1778- 

present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Edgar,    ^| 

Mackay,  James  Read,  &  !  „     t 

Jona.  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt,      [       * 

Thomas  Urie,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieut.  Wm. 
Thompson,  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the 
Sum  of  Six  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service,  to  be 
charged  to  his  account. 

Ordered,  That  passes  to  New  York  be  made  out  to  Rach'l 
Burket  &  3  Children, Lindsay  &  3  Children,  &  Mary  Haw- 
thorne, not  to  return;  Also,  to  Ruth  Maxwell,  conditionally. 
On  Motion, 
Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  Pay  to  the  Hon'ble  George  Bry- 
an, Esq'r,  Vice  President,  or  his  order,  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred 
Pounds,  in  part  of  his  Salary. 


4 

SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  585 

The  Council  met.  » 

Philadelphia,  Friday  Septem.  25, 1778. 

present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jona.  Hoge,  James  Arndt,  &    } 

Joseph  liart,  Mackay,    >  Esq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  y 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Commodore  John  Hazlewood,  to  delicer 
to  the  Navy  board  of  Congress,  for  Public  Service,  6  Swivel  Guns 
&  two  Cohorns,  &  Iron  Shot  in  a  quantity  which  the  said  board 
may  judge  to  be  Sufficient. 

A  Memorial  from  John  Morris,  Jun'r,  Clerk  of  Assembly,  set- 
ting forth  that  he  has  orders  from  the  General  Assembly  to  procure 
300  printed  Copies  of  the  Acts  of  the  first  &  second  sittings  of 
the  first  General  Assembly  of  this  Commonwealth,  but  having  no 
directions  to  prefix  the  declaration  of  Independence  and  the  Consti- 
tution, prays  the  advice  of  Council  therein  ;  whereupon  Council 
recommend  &  instruct  Mr.  Morris  to  prefix  said  pieces  to  the 
Copies  Aforesaid,  as  a  proper  introduction  thereto ;  And  he  is  also 
desired  to  get  An  impression  of  at  least  300  Copies  of  the  Laws 
now  in  force,  enacted  by  the  last  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania, the  same  being,  it  is  apprehended,  out  of  Print,  &  not  Suf- 
ficiently known. 

Ordered,  That  a  Dedimus  Potestatem  be  issued,  authorizing  & 
appointing  the  Hon'ble  William  Augustus  Atlee,  Esq'r,  William 
Henry,  Esq'r,  &  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  &  either  of  them,  to  admin- 
ister the  Oaths  or  Affirmation,  required  by  Law  to  qualify  the  re- 
spective Borough  Officers  elect  of  the  Borough  of  Lancaster,  &  also 
all  other  the  Officers  Commissioned  by  this  Council,  saving  always 
the  administration  of  such  oaths  and  affirmations  as  the  laws  of 
this  State  have  directed  to  be  otherwise  taken. 

Ordered,  That  Commodore  Hazlewood  be  instructed  to  procure 
a  quantity  of  Wood,  necessary  for  the  Gallies  and  Guard  boats,  on 
the  best  terms  he  can,  either  at  Morris's  River  or  elsewhere,  on 
Delaware,  &  that  he  give  orders  (o  a  prudent  Officer  to  purchase 
the  same. 

Passes  ordered: — Ann  Wall,  Wife  of  a  British  Soldier;  Mary 
Smith,  a  Glazier's  Wife;  Catharine  Trott,  a  Hessian  Officer's 
Wife. 

Ordered,  That  a  Warrant  be  issued  to  remove  the  body  of 
James  Fitzpatrick  from  the  Goal  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  to  the 
Goal  of  the  County  of  Chester. 


586  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The*  Council  Met. 


Philadelphia,  Saturday  September  26,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jon'a  Hoge,  Jacob  Arndt,  &") 

Joseph  Hart,  Mackey,    tEsq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  m  favor  of  William  Cris- 
pin, Commissary,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  Hundred 
Pounds,  &  charge  the  same  to  his  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  September  28,  1778. 

present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Mackey,    1 

Jon'a  Hoge,  James  Read,  &      J  Esq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,        j 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  *Tho's  Nevill, 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he  is 
to  account. 

The  recommendation  of  the  Justices  of  the  County  of  North- 
ampton  of  Stephen    Kitchen,   convicted    of  Felony  in    the  said 
County  of  Northampton  ;  and  also  the  said  Justices'  recommenda- 
tion of  James  Webster,  Convicted  of  Felony,  was  read ;  and 
On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Execution  of  the  Sentence  of  the  Court  of 
Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Northampton, 
against  James  Webster  &  against  Stephen  Kitchen,  be  suspended 
for  &  during  twenty-one  days  from  this  day,  in  order  that  a  more 
full  account  of  the  Charge  against  them,  &  the  punishment  ordered, 
may  be  bad.  * 

Passes  to  New  York  for  Ann  Spruce  &  2  Children  ;  44th  Regi- 
ment of  Marines;  Mary  Cox,  Wife  of  Capt    Cox. 

•He  is  employed  in  making  Gun  Carriages. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  587 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia  Tuesday  September  29,  1778. 

present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Mackay,     "*) 

Jon'a  Hoge,  James  Read,  &    J  ™    , 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,      f      ^ 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
James  Edgar,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand 
Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  Mr.  William  Morrison,  Commissioner  of 
Cloathing  for  the  County  of  York,  for  which  sum  the  said  William 
Morrison  is  to  account,  the  same  to  be  deliv'ed  to  him  by  the 
Hon'ble  James  Edgar,  Esq'r. 

Lieu.  Henry  Piercy,  of  the  2d  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  having  been 
some  time  in  the  Recruiting  Service,  &  a  Considerable  Sum  appear- 
ing to  be  due  to  him,  recruiting  instructions  was  given  to  him  to 
enter  on  that  Service  in  the  County  of  Chester,  to  receive  from  the 
Lieutenant  of  the  said  County  of  Chester  the  Sum  of  Two  Thou- 
sand Dollars,  for  whijh  Sum  he  is  to  account. 

The  Secretary  laid  before  the  Council  a  Letter  fqpm  the  board  of 
War,  requesting  the  loan  of  the  Plan  of  the  Delaware,  in  the  hands 
of  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  for  a  day  or  two,  in  order  that  Colo.  Lamey 
may  take  a  Copy  of  such  part  of  it  as  may  be  useful  in  executing 
Gen'l  Washington's  orders  to  him. 

Ordered^  That  the  Secretary  apply  to  Mr.  Rittenhouse  &  pro- 
cure from  him  the  Draft  of  the  River  Delaware,  &  lend  it  to  the 
board  of  War  for  a  few  days,  in  order  that  Colo.  Lamey  may  take 
a  copy  of  such  parts  of  it  as  may  be  useful  in  executing  the  orders 
of  his  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington. 

The  Council  being  informed  by  the  Attorney  General  that  the 
Estate  of  Traitors,  held  in  right  of  their  Wives  during  Coverture, 
&  by  courtesy,  is  forfeited  by  Acts  of  Treason ;  thereupon, 

Ordered j  That  the  Agents  for  seizing  of  forfeited  Estates,  be  in- 
structed to  seize  such  Estates,  in  the  respective  Counties,  as  belong 
to  Traitors  in  right  of  their  Wives,  the  same  being  deemed  to  be 
forfeited  to  the  State,  so,far  as  such  Traitors  have  Title  during  Co- 
verture, or  in  right  of  Courtesy. 


S8S  A         MINUTES  OF   THE 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  Septem.  30,  1778. 

present : 
Hon'blc  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Mackay,  71 

Jon'a  Hoge,  James  Read,  &  J  ™    , 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,     |       •  * 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 

Philp  Boehm,  Esq'r.  attended  the  Council,  &  represented  that  he 
had  accepted  the  Commission  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of 
Philadelphia,  &  the  Commission  appointing  him  one  of  the  Jus- 
tices of  the  City  Court,  from  a  desire  to  render  his  Country  the  as- 
sistance which  it  was  in  his  power  to  give  during  a  time  of  diffi- 
culty j  but  he  now  finds  that  his  health  is  so  greatly  impaired  as  to 
render  it  impossible  for  him  to  discharge  the  duties  thereof,  <& 
therefore  he  now  resigns  his  said  Offices. 

James  Young,  Esq'r,  attended  &  laid  before  the  Council  the  re- 
quisitions from  the  Quarter  Master  General's  department  for  800 
Waggons,  &  expressed  his  apprehensions  that  it  would  be  extreme- 
ly difficult  to  obtain  them. 

An  order  was  drawn  en  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  C. 
Bradford,  Paymaster  of  the  State  Fleet,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum 
of  Three  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  October  1,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Mackay, 

Jona.  Hoge,  James  Read,  & 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie, 

Jacob  Arndt, 


Esq'rs. 


The  Council  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  demand  made  by 
the  Quarter  Master  General  of  Eight  hundred  Waggons,  besides 
what  are  now  employed  for  the  United  States,  and  observing  with 
astonishment,  that  it  is  but  a  few  Weeks  since  a  like  demand  was 
made  for  800  Wajrgons,  which  were  impressed  with  great  severity 
&  irregularity,  &  that  the  whole  Waggon  Service  to  the  Westward 
falls  on  this  State,  at  a  time  when  the  Country  is  drained  of  Horses, 
and  our  Waggons  very  generally  disabled,  distroyed,  or  carried  off 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  489 

by  the  Enemy  j  and  considering  also,  tbat  the  Waggons  of  this 
State  are  taken  into  other  States  at  a  great  distance  5  &  thereupon 

Ordered,  That  the  Delegates  of  Pennsylvania  be  instructed  to 
remonstrate  to  Congress  against  the  drawing  out  so  great  a  num- 
ber of  Waggons  &  Horses,  &  thereby  throwing  so  great  an  over 
proportion  of  this  heavy  <fc  distressing  service  on  Pennsylvania. 

Robert  Wilson,  of  Chester  County,  layed  before  Council  a  peti- 
tion addressed  by  him  to  the  Hon'ble  Congress,  praying  reimburse- 
ment for  a  Waggon  and  four  Horses,  taken  by  the  Enemy  on  hie 
return  from  the  Military  Service,  &  informed  Council,  that  he  un- 
derstood that  objection  had  been  made  thereto  in  Congress,  as  though 
the  Petitioner  were  entitled  to  recompence  of  his  loss  from  this 
State,  &  might  already  have  been  relieved,  or  would  be  relieved, 
out  of  the  Monies  of  Pennsylvania,  &  prayed  the  advice  of  this 
Board  in  the  Premises. 

Council  thereupon  declares,  that  as  the  inhabitants  of  this  State 
have  been  exceedingly  distressed  by  furnishing  a  great  over  pro- 
portion of  Carriages  for  the  Service  of  the  United  States  at  an  un- 
der rate,  it  would  be  highly  unreasonable  that  this  State  should 
sustain  the  damages  arising  by  the  Loss  of  them,  <&  that  110  such 
idea  was  ever  entertained  as  the  said  objection  states,  and  Conse- 
quently no  Fund  provided  for  the  purpose, 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  October  2,  1778* 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President 
Joseph  Hart,  — — -  Mackay,  "j 

Jona.  Hoge,  James  Read,  &     I  -n    » 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,       [      S(* rs* 

Jacob  Arndty  ,       J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Matt'w 
Boyd,  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  purchasing  of  Cloathing  for 
Congress  in  the  County  of  Chester,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of 
Five  Thousand  &  two  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  the  ac- 
count of  the  said  Robert  Boyd. 

Information  was  now  received  that  Thomas  Boyd,  Waggon  Ma0- 
ter  of  the  County  of  Chester,  is  lately  deceased;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Andrew  Boyd,  of  Sadsbury,  be  appointed 
Waggon  Master  of  the  County  of  Chester. 


m  MINUTES  OP  THE 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  October  3d,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'blc  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  ■ Mackay,  "| 

Jona.  Hoge,  James  Read,  &     i  ™    , 

James  Edgar,  Thomas  Urie,       f      * 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Parker, 
Bricklayer,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifty  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  account 
of  the  said  Parker. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  October  5,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President 
Jona.  Hoge,  James  Read,  & "} 

Mackay,  Tho's  Urie,         lEsq'rs. 

James  Edgar,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Tho's  Cobourn,* 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Eleven  Pounds  &  Ten  Shillings,  for 
attending  the  Flag  at  Chester,  from  the  4th  of  July,  1777,  to  the 
13th  of  September,  1777. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Major  William 
Armstrong,  Paymaster  at  Billingsport,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of 
Five  Hundred  Pounds3  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Ordered^  That  it  be  recommended  to  Capt.  Stiles  to  take  pos~ 
session  of  the  old  Workhouse,  for  the  purpose  of  Casting  Ball,  &ca.f 
as  soon  as  the  guard  now  there  shall  be  removed,  and  that  he  take 
•possession  of,  &  fit  up  the  long  room  in  the  State  House  for  a  Maga- 
Bine  of  small  Arms. 

Petition  of  John  Linington,  Praying  to  be  appointed  Measurer  of 
Salt,  Wheat,  &ca.,  was  read,  &  ordered  to  lie  on  the  Table.     # 

•  There  is  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Cobourn  a  Flags  Spy  Glass,  Powder-horn, 
Ram-rod,  Worms,  Priming  Wire  &  Bitt. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  591 

The  Council  Met. 

-     Philadelphia,  Tuesday  October  6,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jona.  Hoge,  James  Read,  & 

TMackay,  Tho's  Urie9         l-Esq'rs. 


I  Esq'i 


James  Edgar, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Sam'l  Dewees, 
Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  hundred  &  Forty-Seven 
Pounds  Seventeen  Shillings  &  Ten  Pence,  money  due  to  Robert 
Stewart,  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  purchasing  Cloathing  in 
Bucks  County  for  Congress,  to  be  charged  to  account  of  the  said 
Robert  Stewart. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  Cris- 
pin, Commissary,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  One  Thousand 
bounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Recruiting  orders  were  given  to  Lieut.  John  Hambright,  of  the 
10th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  to  recruit  in  the  County  of  Lancaster,  &, 
to  call  on  the  Lieut,  of  the  said  County  for  Cash  for  that  service. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieuten't 
Philip  Gibbons  of  the  6th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for 
the  Sum  of  Three  hundred  &  fifty  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  ser- 
vice, to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Will'm  C- 
Bradford,  Pay-Master  of  the  State  Fleet,  or  his  order,  for  the  Snrai 
of  Three  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  October  7,  1778. 

present: 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
James  Edgar,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  Hundred  &  Twenty-five 
Pounds  &  Ten  Shillings,  balance  due  to  him  for,  his  attendance  in 
Council  Two  hundred  &  Eighty-four  days,  &  Mileage  twice  on 
seventy-four  Miles,  Vizt : 

•      252  days  a  35s,  £441  00 

32  days  a  45s,  %  72  00 

74  days  twice  296  Miles  a  lOd.  12  10 


625  10 
Draft  for  100  00 


Balance.  ^425  10 


592  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
John  Mackay,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Hundred 
and  Sixty-eight  Pounds  Eighteen  shillings  &  four  Pence,  balance 
due  to  him  for  his  attendance  in  Council  One  hundred  and  eighty- 
three  days,  &  Mileage  once  to  Lancaster  Thirty-six  Miles,  &  to 
Philadelphia  Fifty  Miles,  to  Wit ; 

150  days  a  35s,  ■      £262  10  0 

33  days  a  45s,  74     5  0 

172  Miles  a  lOd.  7     84 


343  18  4 
Draft  for  200  Dollars  in  June,  75  00  0 


Balance.         £268  18  4 


Capfc.  Houston  attended  in   Council  &  represented  that  he  had 
performed  the  Cruise  in  the  Brig  Convention,  according  to  the  orders  - 
of  Council,  <fe  that  he  had  taken  several  Prizes,  which  are  not  con- 
demned. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  George  Graff, 
one  of  the  Commissioners  for  purchasing  of  Cloathing  in  the 
County  of  Northampton,  for  Congress,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  hun- 
dred &  Ninety-four  Pounds  Nineteen  Shillings  <&  Eight  Pence, 
agreeable  to  the  Certificate  given  him  by  the  Committee  of  General 
Assembly. 


The  Council  Met. 


Philadelphia,  Thursday  October  8,  1778 
present ; 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  October  9,  1778, 

PRESENT ; 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  ") 

Jona.  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie,        >  Esq*rs. 

James  Read,  j 

Col.  Knox  &  Capt.  Blewer  attended  the  Council,  &  laid  before 
them  an  account  of  the  expenditure  in  fitting  out  the  Brig  Con- 
vention, of  the  Sum  of  £2,300  put  into  their  hands,  &  they  paid 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  598 

into  the  hands  of  the  Secretary  the  Sum  of  58147  13  11,  which  is 
the  balance  of  the  account  as  rendered  by  them. 

Ordered,  That  the  account  rendered  by  Col.  Knox  &  Capt. 
Blewer,  be  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Committee  of  Assembly  for 
settling  of  Accounts,  as  soon  as  the  Gentlemen  above  named  shall 
render  their  Vouchers. 

Mr.  Benjamin  Rittenhouse  &  Peter  Dehaven  attended  the  Coun- 
cil, &  represented  that  the  Pay  allowed  to  the  Clerk  of  the  (3run 
Factory,  Gun  Stockers,  &ca,  is  insufficient,  fc>  request  the  attention 
of  Council  to  this  business. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Peter  Deha- 
ven, or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  his  account. 

Ordered,  That  a  Pass  to  New  York  be  given  to  Dav'd  Shaffer, 
the  younger,  on  business  of  importance  to  himself,  he  being  a  good 
Whig. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieu.  Cha's 
McHenry,  of  the  5th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the 
Sum  of  Four  hundred  &  fifty  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service,  for 
which  Sum  he  is  to  account. 


The  Council  met.      s 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  October  10, 1778, 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,     •  Jacob  Arndt,  &1 

Jon'a  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie,    t  Esq'rs. 

James  Read,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Carr,  one 
•of  the  Commissioners  for  purchasing  of  Cloathing  for  Congress,  in 
the  County  of  Bucks,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  & 
fifteen  Pounds  Seventeen  Shillings  &  one  Penny,  agreeable  to  a 
Certificate  signed  by  the  Committee  of  Assembly. 

Application  was  made  to  Council  for  permission  to  Mrs.  Marg't 
Be  Lancy  to  visit  her  father,  the  Hon'ble  William  Allen,  Esq'r,  of 
the  City  of  Philadelphia. 

Ordered,  That  a  permit  be  made  out  for  Mrs.  Marg't  De  Lancy 
to  come  into  Philadelphia  with  her  small  Children,  &  to  reside  there 
if  she  shall  think  proper. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  Dav'd 
Kennedy,  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  purchasing  of  Cloathmg  in 
the  County  of  York  for  Congress,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Two 
thousand  five  hundred  &  fifty  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  ac- 
count. 

vol.  xi. — 38. 


e,      i-Esq'rs. 


594  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  October  12,  1778-, 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt, 

Jon'a  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie, 

James  Read, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Will'm  Cris- 
pin, Commissary,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  Pounds, 
to  be  charged  to  his  account.  . 

A  Letter  from  the  Hon'ble  Joseph  Reed,  Esq'r,  wherein  he  re- 
signs his  seat  in  Congress  as  a  Delegate  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the   Hon'ble 
Jon'a  Hoge,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred  & 
fifteen  Pounds  &  five  Shillings,  for  his  attendance  in  Council,  Viz't : 
For  a  deficiency  of  10s  P  iay  on  53  days  attendance  be- 
fore the  meeting  of  Council  in  March,  1776,  for  which 
he  had  a  draft  for  15s  p  day  instead  of  25s  p  day,  £26  10 

For  a  deficiency  in  his  draft  in  November  last  of  10s  p 

day  on  26  days,  13  00 

For  his  attendance  in  Council  149  days,  a  35s,  260  15 

42  days,  a  45s,  94  10 

Mileage  Three  times  from  Lancaster,  a  45   Miles,  once 

from  Philadelphia,  111,  equal  to  492  Miles,  a  lOd,  20  10 


£415     5 


An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Frederick  Snei- 
der,  Door-keeper,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &: 
Thirty-three  Pounds  Seventeen  Shillings  &  three  Pence,  for  his  at- 
tendance at  the  Door  128  days,  ending  this  day,  a  20s,  &■  for  sun- 
dry small  expences  paid  by  him. 


The  Council  met. 


Philadelphia,  Wednesday  October  14,  1778 

PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  ?  v    , 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie,  £       q  ™ 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  595 


The  Council  met. 

# 
Philadelphia,  Thursday  October  15,  1778. 

PRESENT. 

Hon'ble  Joseph  Hart  Jacob  Arndt,  &  \  jjgQ>rg 

Jonathan  Hoge,  Thomas  Urie?     J       ^ 


,    The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  October  16, 1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  )  ™    , 

Joseph  Hart,  Tho's  Urie,  j  M<1 rs' 

The  Council  being  informed  that  the  British  Commissioners  have 
an  intention  of  sending  a  Flag  to  this  State  by  water,  &  as  it  may 
be  attended  with  many  disadvantages  to  permit  the  Vessel  which 
may  bring  the  Flag  to  come  up  to  this  City, 

Ordered ',  That  Commodore  Hazlewood  do  immediately  send  two 
Gallies  down  the  River  as  far  as  the  Town  of  Newcastle  upon  De- 
laware, &  there  stop  &  detain  such  Vessel  as  may  appear  with  a 
Flag,  until  further  orders,  &  that  he  thereupon  send  one  of  the  Gal- 
lies or  a  guard  boat  up  to  give  inforiliation  to  Council  of  his  pro- 
ceeding herein. 

Permission  to  Mrs.  Yard  to  return  to  Philadelphia, 
Mrs.  Yorke  &  Mr.  Sewell  the  Younger. 


The  Council  met, 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  October  17,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  )  -^    , 

Joseph  Hart,  Tho's  Urie,         }  ^ rs* 

Returns  of  the  Election  for  the  Counties  of  Philadelphia,  Bucks 
&  Berks,  Vizt : 

For  the  County  of  Philadelphia — Councellor,  Joseph  Reed; 
Esq'r ;  Sheriffs,  James  Claypoole  &  Christopher  Ludwig )  Coro- 
ners, Robert  Jewell  &  William  Moulder. 

For  the  County  of  Bucks— 


596  MINUTES  OF  THE 

For  the  County  of  Berks — Councellor,  James  Read,  Esq'r,  Sher- 
iffs, Henry  Haffa  &  Philip  Creamer;  Coroners,  James  Whitehead 
&  John  Spohn. 

Robt.  Smith,  Esq'r,  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Chester,  presented 
a  return  of  the  Election  of  the  said  County ;  and  Col.  Taylor  & 
others  also  presented  a  return  of  the  Election  of  the  said  County  of 
Chester,  in  opposition  to  the  return  given  in  by  the  Sheriff. 

The  Council  taking  into  Consideration  the  return  of  Sheriffs  & 
Coroners  for  the  County  of  Bucks, 

Ordered,  That  John  Thompson,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Sheriff  of 
the  County  of  Bucks,  and  Will'm  Hart,  Coroner ;  and  that  they 
respectively  be  Commissioned  accordingly. 

John  Thompson,  Esq'r,  offering  to  the  Council  John  Wilkinson 
&  Gerardus  Wynkoop  as  Securities  for  the  faithful  performance  of 
his  duty  as  Sheriff,  the  same  are  approved  of. 

Caleb  Davis,  Esq'r,  Prothonotary  of  the  County  of  Chester,  ap- 
peared in  Council  &  informed  that  Charles  Dilworth,  one  of  the 
Sheriffs  Elect,  now  attended  &  prayed  to  be  Commissioned  as 
Sheriff  of  the  said  County;  &  that  he,  the  said  Dillworth,  offered 
Col.  John  Hannum  &  Col.  Taylor  as  security  for  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  the  Office  of  Sheriff;  &  the  said  Davis,  as  Prothonotary, 
informed  the  Council  the  said  Surety  was  in  his  opinion  good  & 
sufficient. 

Council  received  a  Resolve  of  Congress,  dated  the  16th  inst.,  re- 
lating to  an  attempt  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  King  of  Great 
Britain  to  spread  seditious  Papers  under  the  sanction  of  a  Flag ;  & 
the  same  being  read, 

Ordered,  That  agreeable  to^  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  16th 
instant,  Commodore  Hazlewood  be  directed  to  send  immediate 
orders  to  the  officer  commanding  the  Gallies  now  down  the  River, 
to  take  up  &  secure  in  safe  &  close  custody  all  &  every  person  & 
peisons  who,  under  the  saction  of  a  Flag,  or  otherwise,  may  be  con- 
sidered or  engaged  to  bring  certain  Seditious  papers,  under  the 
name  and  title  of  Manifestoes,  &  to  bring  them,  with  their  Vessels, 
to  this  City,  and  report  the  same  to  Council. 


The  Council  met. 


Philadelphia,  Monday  October  19,  1778. 
present : 


Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Tho's  Urie,  &         ") 

John  Mackay,  John  Hanibright,    i-Esq/rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieu.  Herman 
.Stout,  of  the  10th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum 


SUPREME  EXECUTVE  COUINCIL.  597 

of  Six  Hundred  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  to  be  charged 
to  his  account. 

Return  of  the  Elections  for  the  County  of  Northampton  being 
read, 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Jonas  Hartzel,  Esquire,  be  appointed  Sheriff  of 
the  County  of  Northampton,  &  that  he  be  Commissiomed  accord- 
ingly. James  Hartzel,  Esq'r,  proposes  Peter  Sipe  6c  Jacob  Hart- 
zel, as  Sureties  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  office  as  Sheriff 
of  the  said  County ;  <fc  the  Council  approve  of  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  Philip  Boehm  be  appointed  Coroner  of  the  County 
of  Northampton,  &  Commissioned  accordingly. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favor  of  Mr.  Thomas 
Nevill,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  his  account. 

The  intelligence  from  the  City  of  New  York,  lately  received, 
leaving  no  room  to  doubt  that  they  are  about  to  make  some 
important  movement, 

Ordered \  That  Major  Gen'l  Armstrong  be  directed  to  repair  im- 
mediately to  this  City,  to  take  upon  him  the  Command  of  the 
Militia,  in  case  of  an  invasion. 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieutenants  of  the  Counties  of  Philadelphia, 
Chester,  Bucks,  <fe  Lancaster,  &  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  be  or- 
dered to  hold  the  Militia  of  their  respective  Counties  in  readiness 
to  March  at  the  Shortest  notice,  Viz : 

Philadelphia  County  3 ;  Bucks  3 ;  Chester  3 ;  Lancaster  2  )  Berks 
2  ',  Philadelphia  city  2. 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Northampton 
>be  empowered  &  ordered  to  draw  out  two  Classes  of  the  Militia  of 
ihe  said  County,  in  case  of  attack  by  the  Indians. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  be  directed  to  send  William  Henrjr, 
Esq'r,  of  Lancaster,  the  Quarter  Master's  Certificates  paid  into  the 
Treasury  by  Colo.  Bartram  Galbraith,  and  that  Mr.  Henry  be  re- 
quested to  call  on  the  Deputy  Quarter  Master  in  that  Burrough 
for  Payment  thereof;  the  Money,  when  received,  to  be  by  him 
paid  into  the  Treasury ;  And  if  any  dilEculty  should  arise  in  con- 
sequence of  the  said  certificates  being  assigned  toColonel  Galbraith, 
that  Mr.  Henry  call  on  Colo.  Galbraith  for  hig  assistance  in  recov- 
ering the  same. 


598  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 


Philadelphia,  Tuesday  October  20,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Urie,  &    ~) 

John  Mackay,  John  Hambright,  lEsq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favour  of  WilPm  Arm- 
strong, Paymaster  at  Billingsport,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Five 
Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favour  of  William  Lit- 
tle, for  the  Sum  of  Four  Pounds  Seven  Shillings  &  Six  Pence,  for 
work  done  on  board  the  Brig  Convention. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philadelphia,  Tuesday  October  20,  1778,  P.  M. 

PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thos.  Urie,  & 

John  Mackay,  John  Hambri| 

Jacob  Arndt, 

The  return  of  the  Sheriffs  elect  for  Berks  County  being  read  k 
considered,  Henry  Haffa  is  appointed  Sheriff  of  said  County  for  the 
ensuing  Year.  Henry  Haffa  offers  for  his  securities  for  the  faithful 
performance  of  the  Office  of  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Berks,  Jacob 
Shoemaker,  Esq'r,  &  Daniel  Hunter,  of  Oley,  Husbandman ;  and 
they  are  approved  of  by  Council. 

The  return  of  the  Coroners  elect  for  Berks  County  being  read 
and  considered,  James  Whitehead,  Esq's,  is  appointed  Coroner  of 
said  County  for  the  ensuing  year. 


:ight,  yEsq'rs. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  599 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  October  21,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President: 
Jos.  Hart,  Tho's  Urie,  &        ") 

John  Mackay,  John  Hambright,  (■  Esq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  j 

Return  of  Election  for  the  County  of  York  by  the  Sheriff,  &  an- 
other by  several  of  the  Judges. 
On  Consideration, 
Ordered,  That  James  Claypoole,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Sheriff  of 
the  City  &  County  of  Philadelphia,  and  that  Robert  Jewell  be  ap- 
pointed Coroner  of  the  said  City  &  County,  and  that  they  respec- 
tively be  Commissioned  accordingly. 
On  Consideration, 
Ordered,    That  William  Rowan,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Sheriff  of 
the  County  of  York,  &  that  he  be  Commissioned  accordingly. 

William  Rowan  offers  John  Finiey  &  Matthew  McCall  as  sure- 
ties for  his  faithful  performance  of  the  duties  of  his  Office  as  Sheriff 
of  the  County  of  York,  &  the  same  are  approved  of. 

The  Council  took  into  Consideration  the  Election  for  Justices  in 
the  district  of  New  Providence,  Limerick,  Perkiomen,  and  Skippack 
Townships  j  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  David  Kennedy  be  appointed  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  the  County  of  Philadelphia. 

Everharfc  Michael,  one  of  the  Agents  for  Seizing  of  forfeited  Es- 
tates, being  lately  deceased ; 
On  Consideration, 
Ordered,  That  Charles  Hall,  of  the  Borough  of  Lancaster,  Silver- 
smith, be  appointed  one  of  the  Agents  for  Seizing  of  forfeited  Es- 
tates in  the  County  of  Lancaster. 

A  Pass  to  Mrs. Ross  &  her  Children,  Mrs.  — , 

Mrs.  Anne  Grimes. 


600  MINUTES  OF  THI 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  October  22,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Tho's  Urie,  &       "1 

John  Mackay,  John  Hambright,  V-Esq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Philip  Boehm, 
Paymaster  of  Militia  of  the  County  of  Northampton,  or  his  order, 
for  the  Sum  of  Three  thousand  Pounds,  for  the  purpose  of  Paying 
the  Militia,  &  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Ordered,  That  Friday  the  Sixth  day  of  November  next,  be  ap- 
pointed to  hear  the  Claims  of  the  parties  concerned  in  taking  James 
Fitzpatrick,  the  noted  Robber  lately  executed  at  Chester. 

That  the  reward  of  One  thousand  Dollars  may  be  paid,  accord- 
ing to  the  Proclamation  of  the  Council  in  that  ease. 


The  Council  met. 


Philadelphia,  Friday  October  23,  1778. 


present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Yice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Tho's  Urie,  &       \ 

John  Mackay,  John  Hambright,  >  Esq'rs* 

Jacob  Arndt,  ) 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  Case  of  John  Roberts 
and  Abram  Carlisle,  now  under  sentence  of  death,  &  the  transcripts 
of  their  Conviction  being  read,  &  also  divers  Petitions  on  their  be- 
half being  read  &  considered,  Viz  : 


u  Philadelphia  County  ss. 

"  Be  it  remembered.  That  at  a  Court  of  Oyer  &  Terminer  &  Gen- 
eral Goal  delivery,  held  at  Philadelphia,  for  the  County  of  Phila- 
delphia, the  Twenty-first  day  of  September,  in  the  Year  of  our 
Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-eight,  before  the 
Hon'ble  Thomas  McKean,  William  Augustus  Atlee  &  John  Evans, 
Esq'rs,  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, &  Justices  assigned  by  Letters  Patent  of  the  President  and 
Supreme  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  under  the  great  Seal 
of  the  said  State,  made  to  them,  the  aforesaid  Justices,  or  any  two 
of  them,  to  enquire  fully,  by  the  Oath  #•  Affirmation  of  good  §~  law- 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  601 

ful  Men  of  the  County  aforesaid,  by  whom  the  truth  of  the  matter 
might  be  the  better  known,  of  Treasons,  Murders,  #•  such  other 
Crimes  as  by  the  Laws  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania  are 
made  Capital  or  felonies  of  Death,  &  to  hear  and  determine  the 
said  treasons,  &  other  the  Premises,  according  to  Law,  &  to  deliver 
the  Goal  of  the  said  County  of  all  the  Prisoners  in  the  same  Goal, 
being  by  the  Oath  of  James  Young,  Esq'r,  John  Moore,  Esq'r, 
Plunket  Fleeson,  Esq'r,  Seth  Quee,  Esq'r,  James  Hunter,  Esq'r, 
Robert  Curry,  Jacob  Laughlan,  David  Snyder,  Rudolph  Heff,  Wil- 
liam Ball,  Joseph  Dean,  Francis  Hassenclever,  John  Purviance, 
Renja.  Loxley,  John  Dorsey,  &  Thomas  Cuthbert,  &  by  the  Solemn 
Affirmation  of  Zebulon  Potts,  Esq'r,  &  Thomas  Pryor,  good  &  law- 
ful Men  of  the  County  aforesaid,  impannelled,  sworn,  affirmed  and 
charged  to  enquire  for  the  said  Commonwealth,  &  the  Body  of  the 
said  County: 

"Xt  is  presented,  That  John  Roberts,  late  of  the  County  of  Phila- 
delphia, Miller,  being  an  inhabitant  of  &  belonging  to  &  residing 
within  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  under  the  protection  of  its 
Laws,  &  owing  Allegiance  to  the  same  State,  as  a  false  Traitor 
against  the  same,  not  having  the  fear  of  God  before  his  Eyes,  but 
being  moved  &  seduced  by  the  instigation  of  the  Devil,  the  fidelity 
which  to  the  same  State  he  owed,  wholly  withdrawing,  &  with  all 
his  might  intending  the  Peace  and  tranquility  of  this  Common- 
wealth of  Pennsylvania  to  disturb,  &  War  &  Rebellion  against  the 
same  to  raise  &  move,  &  the  Government  &  Independence  thereof, 
as  by  Law  established,  to  subvert,  &  to  raise  again  &  restore  the 
Government  &  Tyranny  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain  within  the 
same  Commonwealth,  on  the  first  day  of  January,  in  the  Year  of 
our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  &  Seventy-eight,  &  at  divers 
days  &  times,  as  well  before  as  after,  at  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 
in  the  County  aforesaid,  maliciously  &  traiterously,  with  a  great 
number  of  Traitors  &  Rebels,  whose  names  are  as  yet  unknown  to 
the  Jurors,  being  armed  &  arrayed  in  a  hostile  manner,  with  force 
&  Arms,  did  falsely  &  traiterously  assemble  &  join  himself  against 
this  Commonwealth,  &  then  &>  there  with  force  &  Arms,  did  falsly 
&  traiterously,  &  in  a  Warlike  &  hostile  manner,  array  &  dispose 
himself  against  this  Commonwealth,  &  then  and  there,  with  force 
and  Arms,  in  pursuance  and  execution  of  such  his  wicked  &  traiterous 
intentions  and  purposes  aforesaid,  did  falsly  and  traiterously  pre- 
pare, order,  wage  and  levy  a  public  and  cruel  war  against  this  Com- 
monwealth, then  and  there  committing  and  perpetrating  a  miserable 
and  Cruel  slaughter  of  and  amongst  the  faithful  and  Leige  subjects 
and  inhabitants  thereof,  and  then  and  there  did,  with  force  and 
Arms,  falsly  and  traiterously  aid  and  assist  the  King  of  Britain, 
being  an  Enemy  at  open  War  against  this  State,  by  joining  his 
Armias,  to  Wit ;  his  army  under  the  Command  of  Gen'l  Sir  Wil- 
liam Howe,  then  actually  invading  this  State,  and  by  serving  the 
same  Army  as  a  Guide,  and  by  inlisting  and  by  procuring  and  per- 


602  MINUTES  OF  THE 

suading  others  to  enlist  for  that  purpose,  and  then  and  there  ma- 
liciously and  traiterously.  with  divers  other  Traitors,  to  the  Jurors 
unknown,  with  force  and  Arms  did  combine,  plot  and  conspire  to 
betray  this  State,  and  the  United  States  of  America,  into  the  hands 
and  power  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  being  an  Enemy,  at  open 
War  against  the  same,  and  then  and  there  did  with  force  and  Arms 
maliciously  and  traiterously  give  and  send  intelligence  to  the  same 
Enemies  for  that  purpose,  against  the  duty  of  his  allegiance,  against 
the  form  of  the  Act  of  Assembly  in  such  case  made  and  provided, 
and  against  the  Peace  and  Dignity  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Penn- 
sylvania : 

"  Whereupon,  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  aforesaid,  is  Com- 
manded that  he  take  the  said  John  Roberts,  if  he  may  be  found 
in  his  Bailiwick,  &  him  Safely  keep,  to  answer  to  the  Treason 
whereof  he  stands  indicted  ;  And  afterwards,  to  Wit :  at  the  same 
delivery  of  the  Goal  of  the  County  aforesaid,  before  the  said  Jus- 
tices of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania,  on  the  Thirtieth 
day  of  September,  in  the  Year  aforesaid,  here  cometh  the  said  John 
Roberts,  under  the  Custody  of  James  Claypoole,  Esq'r,  Sheriff  of 
the  County  aforesaid,  (in  whose  Custody  in  the  Goal  of  the  Coun- 
ty aforesaid,  for  the  Cause  aforesaid,  he  had  been  before  Commit- 
ted,) being  brought  to  the  Bar  here  in  his  proper  person,  by  the  said 
Sheriff,  to  whom  he  is  here  alqp  Committed  ;  And  forthwith  being 
demanded  concerning  the  Premises  in  the  said  Indictment,  how  he 
will  acquit  himself  thereof;  he  saith  that  he  is  not  guilty  thereof, 
&  thereof  for  good  &  Evil  he  puts  himself  upon  the  Country  ;  And 
Jonathan  Dickinson  Serjeant,  who  prosecutes  for  the  Commonwealth 
aforesaid,  in  this  behalf,  doth  the  like ;  therefore  let  a  Jury  there- 
upon come  here  immediately,  before  the  said  Justices  of  the  said 
Supreme  Court,  by  whom  the  truth  of  the  matter  may  be  the  better 
known,  and  who  are  of  no  affinity  to  the  said  John  Roberts,  to  re- 
cognize upon  their  Oath  whether  the  said  John  Roberts  be  guilty 
of  the  Treason  in  the  Indictment  aforesaid  above  specified,  or  not 
guilty;  because,  as  well  the  said  Jonathan  Dickinson  Serjeant,  who 
prosecutes  for  the  said  Commonwealth  in  this  behalf,  as  the  said 
John  Roberts,  have  put  themselves  upon  that  Jury;  And  the  Jurers 
of  the  said  Jury,  by  the  said  Sheriff  for  this  purpose  impanelled  and 
returned,  to  Wit:  William  Adcock,  Isaac  Powell,  David  Pancoast, 
John  Steinmeitz,  Andrew  Forsyth,  Andrew  Burkhard,  John  McNeal, 
William  Rigden,  John  Drinker,  James  Hood,  James  Barns  &  Thomas 
Corgee,  being  called,  come,  who  being  elected,  tried,  sworn  &  affirm- 
ed to  speak  the  truth  of  &  concerning  the  Premises,  upon  their 
Oaths  &  Affirmations  respectively,  do  Say :  That  the  said  John 
Roberts  is  guilty  of  the  Treason  aforesaid  on  him  above  charged, 
in  form  aforesaid,  as  by  the  Indictment  aforesaid  is  above  supposed 
against  him,  <fc  that  the  said  John  Roberts,  at  the  time  of  the  com- 
mitting of  the  said  Treason,  or  at  any  time  since  to  this  time,  had 
not  nor  hath  any  Goods  or  Chatties,  Lands  dr  Tenements,  to  the 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  603 

knowledge  of  the  said  Jurors  ;  And  upon  this  it  is  forthwith  de- 
manded of  the  said  John  Roberts  if  he  hath  or  knoweth  any  thing 
to  say,  wherefore  the  said  Justices  here  ought  not,  upon  the  Premi- 
ses &  verdict  aforesaid,  to  proceed  to  judgment;  who  nothing  further 
saith  unless  as  he  before  had  said ;  Whereupon,  all  &  singular  the 
Premises,  being  seen,  &  by  the  said  Justices  here  fully  understood, 
It  is  considered  by  the  Court  here  that  the  said  John  Roberts  be 
hanged  by  the  Neck  'till  he  be  dead  ! 

li  A  true  Transcript  of  the  Record. 

(Signed.)— "EDW.  BURD,  CI.  Cur." 


"Philadelphia  County,  ss. 

"  Be  it  remembered,  That  at  a  Court  of  Oyer  &  Terminer  & 
General  Goal  delivery,  held  at  Philadelphia  for  the  County  of 
Philadelphia,  the  Twenty-first  day  of  September,  in  the  Year  of 
our  Lord,  One  Thousand  Seven  hundred  &  Seventy-eight,  before 
the  Hon'ble  Thomas  M'Kean,  William  Augustus  Atlee  &  John 
Evans,  Esq'rs,  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania, &  Justices  assigned  by  Letters  Patent  of  the  President  & 
Supreme  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  under  the  great  Seal 
of  the  said  State,  made  to  them,  the  aforesaid  Justices,  or  any  two 
of  them,  to  enquire  fully,  by  the  Oath  &  Affirmation  of  good  & 
lawful  Men  of  the  County  aforesaid,  by  whom  the  truth  of  the 
Matter  might  be  the  better  known,  of  all  Treasons,  Murders,  and 
such  other  Crimes  as  by  the  Laws  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Penn- 
sylvania are  made  Capital,  or  Felonies  of  Death,  and  to  hear  and 
determine  the  said  Treasons,  and  other  the  Premises,  according  to 
Law,  and  to  deliver  the  Goal  of  the  said  County  of  all  the  Pri- 
soners in  the  said  Goal  j  being  by  the  Oath  of  James  Young,  Esq'r, 
John  Moore,  Esq'r,  Plunket  Fleeson,  Esq'r,  Seth  Quee,  Esq'r, 
James  Hunter,  Rob't  Curry,  Jacob  Laughlin,  David  Snyder,  Ru- 
dolph Neff,  William  Ball,  Joseph  Dean,  Francis  Hassenclever,  John 
Purviance,  Benjamin  Loxley,  John  Dorsey,  &  Thomas Cuthbert',  and 
by  the  solemn  Affirmation  of  Zebulon  Potts,  Esq'r,  &  Thomas  Pry- 
or,  good  &  lawful  Men  of  the  County  aforesaid,  impanelled,  sworn, 
affirmed  &  charged  to  enquire  for  the  said  Commonwealth  &  the 
body  of  the  said  County  :  It  is  presented,  That  Abraham  Carlisle", 
late  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  County  of  Philadelphia, 
Carpenter,  being  an  inhabitant  of,  &  belonging  to  &  residing  with- 
in the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  &  under  the  protection  of  the  Laws, 
&  owing  Allegiance  to  the  same  State,  as  a  false  Traitor  against 
the  same,  not  having  the  fear  of  God  before  his  eyes,  but  being 
moved  &  seduced  by  the  instigation  of  the  Devil,  the  fidelity  which 
to  the  same  State  he  owed  wholly  withdrawing,  &  with  all  his 
might  intending  the  peace  &  tranquility  of  this  Commonwealth  of 


604  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Pennsylvania  to  disturb,  &  War  &  Rebellion  against  the  same  to 
1  raise  &  move,  &  the  Government  &  Independence  thereof,  as  by 
law  established,  to  subvert  &  to  raise  again  &  restore  the  Govern- 
ment and  Tyranny  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain  within  the  same 
Commonwealth,  on  the  first  day  of  January,  in  the  Year  of  our 
Lord  One  Thousand  Seven  hundred  &  Seventy-Eight,  &  at  divers 
days  &  times,  as  well  before  as  after,  at  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  in 
the  County  aforesaid,  with  force  &  Arms,  did  falsly  &  traiterously 
take  a  Commission  or  Commissions  from  the  King  of  Great  Britain, 
&  then  &  there,  with  force  &  Arms,  did  falsly  &  traiterously,  also 
take  a  Commission  or  Commissions  from  Gen'l  Sir  William  Howe, 
then  &  there  acting  under  the  said  King  of  Great  Britain,  &  under 
the  authority  of  the  same  King,  to-Wit :  a  Commission  to  watch 
over  &  guard  the  Gates  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  by  the  said  Sir 
William  Howe  erected  &  set  up,  for  the  end  &  purpose  of  keeping 
&  maintaining  the  possession  of  the  said  City,  &  ot  shutting  out  & 
excluding  the  faithful  &  liege  inhabitants  &  Subjects  of  this  State 
&  of  the  United  States,  from  the  same  City,  &  then  &  there  also 
maliciously  &  traiterously,  with  a  great  multitude  of  Traitors  & 
Rebels  against  the  said  Commonwealth,  (whose  names  are  as  yet 
unknown  to  the  Jurors,)  being  armed  <Sc  arrayed  in  a  Hostile  man- 
ner, with  force  and  Arms,  did  falsly  &  traiterously  assemble  &  join 
himself  against  this  Commonwealth,  fy  then  $•  there,  with  force  8f 
Arms,  did  falsly  $•  traiterously,  <$•  in  a  Warlike  #•  Hostile  manner, 
array  $•  dispose  himself  against  the  said  Commonwealth,  fy  then 
4*  there,  in  pursuance  and  execution  of  such  his  wicked  $•  traiter- 
ously intentions  fy  purposes  aforesaid,  did  falsly  #•  traiterously  pre- 
pare, order,  wage  and  levy  a  public  and  cruel  War  against  the  said 
Commonwealth,  then  and  there  committing  and  perpretrating  a 
miserable  and  cruel  Slaughter  of  and  amongst  the  faithful  and  liege 
inhabitants  thereof,  and  then  and  there  did,  with  force  and  Arms, 
falsly  and  traiterously  aid  and  assist  the  King  of  Great  Britain, 
being  an  Enemy,  at  open  War  against  this  State ;  by  joining  his  Ar- 
mies, to-Wit :  His  Army  under  the  Command  of  Gen'l  Sir  Wil- 
liam Howe,  then  actually  invading  this  State,  and  then  and  there 
maliciously  and  traiterously,  (with  divers  other  Traitors,  to  the 
Jurors  aforesaid  unknown,)  with  force  and  Arms  did  combine,  plot 
and  conspire  to  betray  this  State  and  the  United  States  of  America 
mto  the  hands  and  power  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  being  a 
foreign  Enemy  to  this  State  and  the  United  States  of  America,  at 
open  War  against  the  same,  and  then  and  there  did,  with  force  and 
Arms,  maliciously  and  traiterously  did  give  and  send  intelligence 
to  the  same  Enemies  for  that  purpose,  against  the  duty  of  his  Alle- 
giance, against  the  form  of  the  Act  of  Assembly  in  such  case  made 
and  provided,  and  against  the  Peace  and  Dignity  of  the  Common- 
wealth of  Pennsylvania. 

"  Whereupon,  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  aforesaid,  is  commanded 
that  he  take  the  said  Abraham  Carlisle,  if  he  may  be  found  in  his 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  605 

Bailiwick,  <So  him  safely  keep,  to  answer  to  the  Treasons  whereof  he 
stands  indicted ;  And  afterwards,  to  Wit :  at  the  same  delivery  of 
the  Gaol  of  the  County  aforesaid,  before  the  said  Justices  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania,  on  the  Twenty-fifth  day  of  Sep- 
tember, in  the  Year  aforesaid,  here  cometh  the  said  Abraham  Car- 
lisle, ufider  the  Custody  of  James  Claypoole,  Esq'r,  Sheriff  of  the 
County  >foresaid,  (in  whose  Custody,  in  the  Gaol  of  the  County 
aforesaid,  for  the  cause  aforesaid,  he  had  been  before  Committed,) 
being  brought  to  the  Bar  here  in  his  proper  person,  by  the  said 
Sheriff,  to  whom  he  is  here  also  Committed;  And  forthwith  being 
demanded  concerning  the  Premisses  in  the  said  Indictment  above 
specified  &  charged  upon  him,  how  he  will  acquit  himself  thereof: 
he  saith,  l  that  he  is  not  guilty  thereof,  &  thereof  for  Good  &  evil, 
he  puts  himself  upon  the  Country.'  And  Jonathan  Dickinson,  Ser- 
geant, who  prosecutes  for  the  said  Commonwealth  in  this  behalf,  doth 
the  like.  Therefore,  let  a  Jury  thereupon  come  here  immediately  be- 
fore the  said  Justices  of  the  said  Supreme  Court,  by  whom  the  truth 
of  the  matter  may  be  better  known,  &  who  are  of  no  affinity  to 
the  said  Abraham  Carlisle,  to  recognize  upon  their  Oath,  whether 
the  said  Abraham  Carlisle  be  guilty  of  the  Treason  in  the  Indicts 
ment  aforesaid  above  specified,  or  not  guilty,  because  as  well  the 
said  Jonathan  Dickinson,  Sergeant,  who  prosecutes  for  the  said 
Commonwealth  in  this  behalf,  as  the  said  Abraham  Carlisle,  have 
put  themselves  upon  the  said  Jury.  And  the  Jurors  of  the  said 
Jury  by  the  said  Sheriff  for  this  purpose  impanelled  &  returned,  to 
Wit :  John  Palmer,  John  Lynn,  Isaac  Powell,  Cadwalader  Dickin- 
son, Philip  Clumberg,  Thomas  Shields,  Jacob  Urie,  David  Kees, 
Thomas  Goucher,  Thomas  Palmer,  John  Drinker,  &  Matthew 
Jackson,  being  called,  come,  who  being  elected,  tried,  sworn  & 
affirmed  to  speak  the  truth  of  &  concerning  the  Premises,  upon 
their  Oath  &  Affirmation,  respectively  do  say :  '  That  the  said 
Abraham  Carlisle  is  guilty  of  the  Treason  aforesaid  on  him  above 
charged,  in  form  aforesaid,  as  by  the  Indictment  aforesaid  is  above 
supposed  against  him;  And  that  the  said  Abraham  Carlisle,  at  the 
time  come  the  committing  the  said  Treason,  or  at  any  time  since 
to  this  time,  had  not  nor  hath  any  Goods  or  Chatties,  Lands  or 
Tenements,  to  the  knowledge  of  the  said  Jurors.'  And  upon  this 
it  is  forthwith  demanded  of  the  said  Abraham  Carlisle,  if  he  hath 
or  knoweth  any  to  say,  wherefore  the  said  Justices  here  ought  not, 
upon  the  Premises  and  Verdict  aforesaid,  proceed  to  Judgment ; 
who  nothing  further  saith,  Unless  as  he  before  had  said.  Where- 
upon, all  &  singular,  the  Premises  being  seen,  &  by  the  said  Jus- 
tices here  fully  understood,  It  is  considered  by  the  Court  here  that 
the  said  Abraham  Carlisle  be  hanged  by  the  Neck  'till  he  be 
dead. 

"  A  true  Transcript  of  the  Record. 
("  Signed,) 

"ED'W  BURD,C1,  Cur." 


606  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  John  Roberts  <fe  Abram  Carlisle  be,  agreeable  to 
the  sentence  of  the  Court,  executed  on  Wednesday  the  fourth  day 
of  November  next,  &  that  a  Warrant  be  issued  for  this  purpose  ac- 
cordingly. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  October  24,  1778. 

present : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Yice  President. 

Jos.  Hart,  Tho's  Urie,  &        \  «    »H 

John  Mackay,  John  Hambright,  j       ^ 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  return  of  the  election  for 
the  County  of  Lancaster : 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  William  Kelley,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Sheriff  of 
the  County  of  Lancaster,  &  that  Jacob  Bailey  be  appointed  Coroner 
of  the  said  County,  and  that  they  respectively  be  Commissioned 
accordingly. 

William  Kelly  proposes  James  Anderson  &  James  Anderson, 
jun.,  as  Sureties  for  his  faithful  performance  of  the  duties  of  his 
Office  as  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  <fc  the  same  are  ap- 
proved of  by  Council. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Capt.  Joseph  Stiles  in  favor  of  Mr.  Peter 
Dehaven,  for  One  Hundred  Gun  Locks,  for  which  he  is  to  ac- 
count. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Frederick 
Sneider,  Door-keeper,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  Thirty-five 
Pounds  four  Shillings  &  Six  Pence,  for  nine  Cords  of  best  Hickory 
Wood,  for  the  use  of  the  Council,  at  fourteen  Pounds  P  Cord,  and 
other  expences  of  Cording,  measuring,  &  hauling  the  same. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  October  26,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Mackay,  Thomas  TJrie,  &       ") 

Jos.  Hart,  John  Hambright,     I  Esq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 

William  Rush,  Tho's  Franklin,  Col.  Jos.  Copperthwaite,  Rob'fc 
Parrish,  &  Jos.  Morse,  attended  the  Council  &  presented  and  read 


.    SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  607 

the  Petition  of  divers  inhabitants  of  the  City  &  County  of  Phila- 
delphia, in  behalf  of  Abraham  Carlisle,  now  under  Sentence  of 
Death  for  High  Treason,  Praying  that  Council  will  be  pleased  to 
suspend  the  execution  of  the  Sentence  until  a  meeting  of  the  As- 
sembly, &ca. 

Passes  to  New  York — Mrs.  Chalmers  &  Mrs.  (R.)  Willing. 
On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  S.  Howell  be  directed  to  send  the  Cloath- 
ing  now  in  his  Possession  to  the  Camp  of  his  Excell'y  Gen'l  Wash- 
ington, that  the  same  may  be  there  distributed ,  where  the  wants  of 
the  whole  of  the  Militia  &  of  each  individual  is  known,  &  that 
none  be  delivered  in  this  City  excepting  to  Recruits  going  to  Camp 


The  Council  Met. 

Philadelphia,  Tuesday  October  27,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Mackay,  Thomas  Urie,  &    "") 

Jos.  Hart,  John  Hambright,  tEsq'rs, 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 

The  three  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Viz  : 

One  in  favor  of  Peter  Dehaven,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Five 
hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

One  in  favor  of  Commodore  John  Hazlewood,  or  his  order,  for 
the  sum  of  Two  hundred  &  Eighty-Seven  Pounds  &  ten  Shillings, 
for  the  purchasing  of  Wood  for  Council  &  the  House  of  Assembly  j 
and 

One  in  favor  of  William  Allison,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of 
Two  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Divers  Petitions  in  favor  of  John  Roberts  were  read. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  that  Gunning  Bedford, 
lately  appointed  Measurer  of  Grain  &  Salt  in  the  Port  of  Philadel- 
phia, hath  not  taken  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  to  the  State  within  the 
time  appointed  for  that  purpose  by  Law,  &  that  he  is  therefore  not 
capable  of  holding  the  said  Office ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  William  Greenway  be  appointed  Measurer 
of  Wheat  &  other  Grain,  &  Salt,  in  the  Port  of  Philadelphia,  & 
that  he  be  Commissioned  accordingly,  to  Continue  until  otherwise 
ordered  by  this  Council. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  James  Dundas, 
or  his  order*  for  the  sum  of  Five  Hundred  Pounds,  to  Pay  off  the 
Workmen  employed  last  year  at  Billingsport,  and  to  be  charged  to 
his  account. 


608  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 


Philadelphia,  Wednesday  Octo.  28, 1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Mackay,  Thomas  Urie,  &,  "J 

Jos.  Hart,  John  Hambright,  lEsq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 

A  return  of  the  Election  for  the  County  of  Bedford,  to  Wit : 

Sheriffs — Thomas  Coulter  &  Francis  Clugage. 

Coroners — Cornelius  McAuley  &  Kobert  Eliot. 
On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Thomas  Coulter  be  appointed  Sheriff  of  the 
County  of  Bedford,  &  that  he  be  Commissioned  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  Cornelius  McAuley  be  appointed  Coroner  of  the 
County  of  Bedford,  &  that  he  be  Commissioned  accordingly. 

A  Record  of  conviction  of  Henry  Bunthurst,  alias  Bunter,  of 
the  Murder  of  Dan'l  Wensel.  before  a  special  Court  of  Oyer  and 
Terminer,  held  at  Bedford  for  the  County  of  Bedford,  the  21st  day 
of  September,  1778,  was  read. 

Thomas  Coulter  offers  Henry  Rhoads,  Gideon  Richey,  and  Hen- 
ry Didier,  of  the  County  of  Bedford,  as  sureties  for  his  faithful 
performance  of  the  duties  of  his  Office,  &  the  same  are  approved 
of. 

Col.  George  Smith,  one  of  the  Agents  for  seizing  the  forfeited 
Estates  in  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  reports  that  John  Freeze, 
of  the  County  of  Bucks,  has  discovered  a  Horse  belonging  to  John 
Wright  of  Philadelphia  County,  &  that  the  Horse  was  sold  for. 
Seventy  One  Pounds. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Col.  George  Smith  be  directed  to  Pay  to  John 
Freeze  the  One  fourth  part  of  the  value  of  the  Horse  belonging  to 
John  Wright,  discovered  by  the  said  Freeze. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  October  29, 1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Mackay,  Thomas  Urie,  &     ") 

Jos.  Hart,  John  Hambright,    vEsq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 

&  also,  Thomas   Scott,  Esq'r,  now  returned  for  Westmorland 
County. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  609 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Major  Will'm 
Armstrong,  Pay-master  at  Billingsport,  or  order,  for  the   Sum  of 
Five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  in  his  account. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Henry  Bunthunt,  alias  Bunter,  now  under  sen- 
tence of  Death,  be  executed  on  Saturday  the  fourteenth  day  of 
November  next,  at  the  usual  place  of  execution,  between  the  hours 
of  Ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  <fe  Two  of  the  Clock  in  the  afternoon, 
&  that  a  Warrant  be  issued  to  the  Sheriff  of  the  county  of  Bed- 
ford for  the  said  purpose. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Philip  Gibbous, 
of  the  6th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  three 
jundred  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  m  favor  of  Capt.  John 
Pearson,  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum 
of  two  Thousand  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  to  be  charged 
to  his  account 

The  return  of  the  Election  for  the  County  of  Cumberland  was 
read* 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  James  Johnson  be  appointed  sheriff  of  the  county 
of  Cumberland,  &  that  he  be  commissioned  accordingly. 

James  Johnson,  Esq'r,  offers  John  Boggs,  Sam'l  Finley,  and 
John  Johnson,  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  as  sureties  for  the 
faithful  performance  of  his  ofiace  as  sheriff  of  the  said  county.,  j& 
the  same  is  approved  of. 

Ordered,  That  WilPm  Rippey  be  appointed  Coroner  of  the 
County  of  Cumberland,  <§s  that  he  be  Commissioned  accordingly 


The  -Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  October  30,  1778. 
present  ': 
Hon'fele  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Mackay.  Thomas  Urie,  1 

Joseph  Hart,  John  H ambright,  •&  lEsq^rs. 

Jacob  Atradt,  Thomas  Scott,  J 

The  Petitions  of  Stephen  Kitchin,  a  lad  of  Nineteen'  years  of 
Age,  convicted  of  theft  in  the  County  of  Northampton,  &  sentenced 
to  be  Whipped,  &  of  James  Webster,  of  the  said  county,  also  con- 
victed &  sentenced  by  the  said  court,  were  read ;  & 
On  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  the  sentence  of  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of 
the  Peace  for  the  county  of  Northampton  against  Stephen  Kitchen 
be  remitted,  so  far&s  relates  to  the  Corporal  Punishment, 


610  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Leonard  Lash- 
er, for  the  Sum  of  Twelve  Pounds  fy  ten  shillings,  for  riding  Ex- 
press. 

The  following  Proclamation  for  Traitors  to  appear  and  take  their 
Trial,  was  issued,  Vizt : 

11  Pennsylvania  ss. 

"A  PROCLAMATION. 

"  By  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  Commonwealth  of 
Pennsylvania. 

"  Whereas,  The  following  named  persons,  late  and  heretofore  in- 
habitants of  this  State,  that  is  to  say :  William  Ross,  Cordwainer, 
in  Walnut  Street;  Robert  White,  Merchant  and  Mariner;  Rich'd 
Palmer,  Cabinet-maker;  William  Marshall,  Pilot;  John  Burd, 
Butcher ;  John  Colston,  Stocking- weaver  ;  William  Evans  and  Jo- 
seph Evans,  Carpenters;  Alexander  Smith,  Blacksmith;  James 
Warrell,  Brewer:  Dav'd  Jones,  Tavern-keeper  and  Constable; 
Hudson  Burr,  Hatter;  John  Burkett,  Waterman;  William  Drewitt 
Smith,  Druggist;  and  Alexa.  Stedman,  Esq'r,  all  now  or  late  of 
the  City  of  Philadelphia :  And  Thomas  Green  and  Thomas  Silkod, 
Yeomen,  both  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Hatfield ;  and  John 
Loughborough,  Blacksmith;  Joseph  Comely,  Yeoman ;  and  John 
Burke,  Taylor;  all  now  or  late  of  the  Manor  of  Mooreland,  all  now 
or  late  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia  :  And  Uriah  Hughes,  junior, 
Yeoman ;  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Buckingham ;  k  David 
Burge,  Blacksmith;  &  Courtland  Todd,  Miller;  both  now  or  late 
of  the  Township  of  Solebury;  &  Joseph  Kennard,  Laborer;  now 
or  late  of  the  Township;  &  Isaac  Hutchinson,  Thomas  Hutchinson, 
&  Marmaduke  Hutchinson,  Yeomen ;  all  now  or  late  of  the  Town- 
ship of  Newbritain ;  And  Edward  Jones  &  Jonathan  Jones,  Yeo- 
men ;  and  Enoch  Morris,  Wheelwright ;  all  now  or  late  of  the  Town- 
ship of  Hilltown ;  And  John  Dennis,  Joiner;  now  or  late  of  the 
Township  of  Richland;  &  Peter  Perlee,  Yeoman;  now  or  late  of  the 
Township  of  Durham ;  Jesse  Jones,  Laborer ;  now  or  late  of  the 
Township  of  Bensalem ;  &  Jonathan  Sha^v,  late  Ensign  in  the  Amer- 
ican Army,  all  now  or  late  of  the  County  of  Bucks :  And  John 
Campbell,  William  Campbell,  James  Little,  Edward  Gibbons  & 
James  Delong,  Yeomen;  all  now  or  late  of  Emmerson's  Valley:  & 
Andrew  Smith  and  Robert  Nixon,  Yeomen ;  both  now  or  late  of  the 
Township  of  Lack,  and  Joseph  King,  Yreoman;'&  William  Wright, 
Dyer;  both  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Path  Valley :  &  Domi- 
nick  McNeal  and  John  Stillwell,  Yeomen ;  both  now  or  late  of  the 
Township  of  Tuscorara;  all  now  or  late  of  the  County  of  Cumber- 
land :  And  Richard  Weston,  Yeoman ;  now  or  late  of  the  Township 
of  Trunkston,  <&  Jacob  Hare,  Michael  Hare  &  Samuel  Barrow*  Yeo- 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  611 

Snen )  all  now  or  late  of  the  Township  of  Barree;  all  now  or  late  of 
the  County  of  Bedford  :  And  George  Fields,  Daniel  Fields,  Gilbert 
Fields,  Isaac  Dolston,  Matthew  Dolston,  Isaac  Dolston,  junior,  Mor- 
ris Furner,  Edward  Furner,  George  Weitner,  Henry  Staaks,  Pat- 
rick Hill  &  Matthew  Russell,  Yeomen  5  all  now  or  late  of  the  Town* 
ship  of  Wioming;  all  now  or  late  of  the  County  of  Northumberland : 
have  severally  adhered  to,  &  knowingly  &  willingly  aided  &  assisted 
the  Enemies  of  this  State,  &  of  the  United  States  of  America,  by 
having  joined  their  Armies  within  this  State. 

Arid  Whereas,  The  following  named  Persons,  inhabitants  of  others 
of  the  United  States  of  America,  who  have  Real  Estates  within  this 
Commonwealth;  that  is  to  say:  Peter  Campbell,  Gentleman,  & 
Isaac  Allen,  Attorney  at  Law,  both  now  or  late  of  Trenton,  in  the 
State  of  New  Jersey;  &  Andrew  Elliott,  Esq'r,  now  or  late  of  New 
York ;  have  severally  adhered  to,  &  knowingly  and  willingly  aided 
&  assisted  the  Enemies  of  this  State,  &  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  by  having  joined  their  Armies  at  the  City  of  New  York, 
at  the  State  of  New  York: 

We,  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  aforesaid,  by  virtue  of  cer- 
tain powers  &  authorities  to  us  given  by  an  Act  of  General  Assem- 
bly  entitled  "  An  Act  for  the  attainder  of  divers  Traitors,  if  they, 
render  not  themselves  by  a  certain  day,  &  for  vesting  their  Estates 
in  this  Commonwealth,  &  for  more  effectually  discovering  the  same, 
&  for  ascertaining  and  satisfying  the  lawful  Debts  &  claims"  there- 
upon, Do  hereby  strictly  charge  &  require  the  said  William  Ross, 
Robert  White,  Richard  Palmer,  William  Marshall,  John  Burd,  John 
Colston,  William  Evans,  John  Evans,  Alexander  Stedman,  Thomas 
Green,  Thomas  Silkod,  John  Loughborough,  Joseph  Comely,  John 
Burke,  Uriah  Hughes,  Junior,  David  Burge,  Courtland  Todd,  Jo- 
seph Kennard,  Isaac  Hutchinson,  Thomas  Hutchinson,  Marmaduke 
Hutchinson,  Edward  Jones,  Jonathan  Jones,  Enoch  Morris,  John 
Dennis,  Peter  Perlie,  Jesse  Jones,  Jonathan  Strow,  John  Campbell, 
William  Campbell,  James  Little,  Henry  Magee,  Edward  Gibbons, 
James  Delong,  Andrew  Smith,  Robert  Nixon,  Joseph  King,  Wil- 
liam Wright,  Dominick  McNeal,  John  Stiilwell,  Richard  Weston, 
John  Hare,  Michael  Hare,  Samuel  Barrow,  George  Fields,  Daniel 
Fields,  Gilbert  Fields,  Isaac  Dolston,  Matthew  Dolston,  Isaac  Dol- 
ston, jun'r,  Morris  Furner,  Edward  Furner,  Henry  Weitner,  Henry 
Staaks,  Patrick  Hill,  Matthew  Russell,  Peter  Campbell,  Isaac  Al- 
len &  Andrew  Elliott,  to  render  themselves  respectively  to  some 
or  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court,  or  of  the  Justices  of 
the  Peace  of  one  of  the  Counties  within  this  State,  on  or  before 
Tuesday  the  fifteenth  day  of  December  next  ensuing,  &  also  abide 
their  legal  trial  for  such  their  Treasons,  on  pain  that  every  of  them, 
the  said  William  Ross,  Robert  White,  Richard  Palmer,  William 
Marshall,  John  Burd,  John  Colston,  William  Evans,  John  Evans, 
Alexander  Smith,  James  Warrell,  David  Jonas,  Hudson  Burr, 
John   Burkett9  William    Drewitt    Smithy   Alexander    Stedman^ 


612  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Thomas  Green,  Thomas  Silkod,  John  Loughborough,  Joseph 
Comely,  John  Burke,  Uriah  Hughes,  junior,  David  Burge,  Court* 
land  Todd^Joseph  Kennard,  Isaac  Hutchinson,  Thomas  Hutchin- 
son, Marmaduke  Hutchinson,  Edward  Jones,  Jonathan  Jones, 
Enoch  Morris,  John  Dennis,  Peter  Perlie,  Jesse  Jones,  Jonathan 
Shaw,  John  Campbell,  William  Campbell,  James  Little,  Henry 
Magee,  Edward  Gibbons,  James  Delong,  Andrew  Smith,  Robert 
Nixon,  Joseph  King,  William  Wright,  Dominick  McNeal,  John 
Stillwell,  Richard  Weston,  Jacob  Hare,  Michael  Hare,  Samuel 
Barrow,  George  Fields,  Daniel  Fields,  Gilbert  Fields,  Isaac  Dol- 
ston,  Matthew  Dolston,  Isaac  Dolston,  junior,  Morris  Furner,  Ed- 
ward Furner,  Henry  Weitner,  Henry  Staaks,  Patrick  Hill,  Matt'w 
Russell,  Peter  Campbell,  Isaac  Allen,  &  Andrew  Elliott,  not  ren- 
dering himself  as  aforesaid,  &  abiding  the  trial  aforesaid,  shall 
from  and  after  the  said  fifteenth  day  of  December  next,  stand  &  be 
attainted  of  High  Treason,  to  all  intents  &  purposes,  &  shall  suffer 
such  pains  &  penalties,  &  undergo  all  such  forfeitures,  as  persons  at- 
tainted of  High  Treason  ought  to  do. 

And  all  the  faithful  subjects  of  this  State  are  to  take  notice  of  this 
Proclamation,  &  govern  themselves  accordingly. 

,(  Given  by  order  of  the  Council,  under  the  hand  of  the  Hon'ble 
GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esquire,  Vice  President,  &  the  Seal  of 
the  State  at  Philadelphia,  this  thirtieth  day  of  October,  in  the 
Year  of  our  Lord  One  thousand  Seven  hundred  k  Seventy-eight 

"  Attested  by  order  of  the  Council. 

T'y  Matlack,  Sec'y. 

«  (Signed)— GEORGE  BRYAN,  Vice  President." 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  October  31,  1778. 

PRESENT  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Mackay,  Thomas  Urie,  1 

Joseph  Hart,  'John  Hambright,  &  lEsq'rs, 

Jacob  Arndt,  Thomas  Scott,  J 

The  Petition  of  Charles  Edwards,  convicted  of  Theft  at  the 
Court  of  ,  praying  a  remission  of  the  Corpora! 

Punishment  ordered  by  the  said  Court : 
On  Consideration, 
Ordered,  That  the  execution  of  the  Sentence  of  the  Court  against 
Cha's   Edwards,  be   suspended   until  the   first  day  of  December 
next. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  613 

The  following  two  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Viz  : 
In  favor  of  John  Klotz,  for  the  Sum  of  Forty-three  Pounds  &; 

Six  Shillings,  for  riding  express. 

In  favor  of  the  Widow  of  William  Hammond,  for  the   Sum  of 

eight  Pounds  thirteen  Shillings  &  four  Pence,  for  her  Husband's 

service  in  attending  the  Alarm  Gun. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  November  2d,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Mackay,  Thomas  Urie,  ~) 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  &  V-  Esq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  Thomas  Scott,  J 

The  Petition  of  John  Roberts  was  read. 

The  Petition  of  the  wife  of  John  Roberts,  his  Children  &  rela- 
tives, was  read;  the  Petitioners  being  many  of  them  present. 

The  Petition  of  the  Wife  of  Abram  Carlisle  &  others  in  his  be- 
half, was  read;  she  being  present  with  her  son,  &  others. 

A  Letter  from  Meriwether  Smith  &  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Esq'rs, 
inclosing  a  Letter  from  John  Campbell,  dated  October  16,  1778. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  cases  of  John  Roberts 
and  Abram  Carlisle. 

Petition  of  divers  Freeholders  was  read;  and  also  the  Notes 
taken  by  the  Chief  Justice  on  their  respective  trials,  (many  others 
having  been  before  read.) 

Notes  of  the  Chief  Justice  on  each  of  the  said  Cases  were 
read. 

Samuel  Wallis,    of  Northumberland,  attended  and   offered   to 
Council  some  facts  relative  to  the  Credit  in  which  John  Roberts 
was  at  Gen'l  Howe's  Head  Quarters;  and 
On  Consideration, 
He  was  ordered  to  draw  up  in  Writing  what  he  has  to  offer,  and 
affirm  to  the  truth  thereof  before  a  Justice  of  the  Peace. 


614  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Tuesday  Novem.  3, 1778- 
present : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Mackay,  Thomas  Urie,  ") 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  &  t  Esq'rs 

Jacob  Arndt,  Thomas  Scott,  J 

Major  Gen'l  Armstrong  &  Brig'r  Gen'l  Lacey  attended  the 
Council,  and  a  conference  was  had  on  the  present  situation  of  the 
State  with  respect  to  Military  affairs. 

James  Claypoole,  Esq'r,  offered  to  the  Council  Blair  M'Clena- 
ghan  &  David  Chambers,  both  of  this  City,  as  sureties  for  his 
faithful  performance  of  the  duties  of  his  office  as  Sheriff  of  the 
City  and  County  of  Philadelphia,  &  the  same  were  approved  of. 

Ordered ,  That  Wm.  Allison  be  directed  to  request  of  the  As- 
sistant Quarter  Master  General,  for  four  Spades  &  four  Shovels, 
for  the  use  of  the  State,  to  be  returned  to  him,  or  accounted  for  by 
the  State. 

A  Letter  from  Brig'r  Gen'l,  John  Lacy  was  read,  wherein  he  re- 
signs the  office  of  Agent  for  seizing  of  forfeited  Estates  for  the 
County  of  Bucks,  in  consequence  of  his  being  elected  one  of  the 
representatives  of  the  said  County  to  serve  in  General  Assembly. 

The  Council  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  cases  of  John 
Roberts  and  Abraham  Carlisle  ;  And  after  solemn  consideration, 
and  the  Question  being  put,  shall  a  Reprieve  be  granted  to  John 
Roberts  and  Abram  Carlisle,  or  either  of  them  ?  The  same  was 
carried  in  the  Negative. 

Application  was  made  to  Council  for  a  small  quantity  of  Plank, 
to  repair  a  Bridge  on  Richmond,  or  Point  no  point  Road,  near 
Kensington. 

Ordered,  That  Wm.  Allison  be  directed  to* deliver  to  David  Blyth 
and  John  Shults,  as  much  Plank  as  will  repair  the  Bridge  above 
Kensington,  on  Richmond  Road. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  Novem.  4,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Tho's  Scott,  &  ") 

John  Mackay,  Matt'w  Smith.   I  Esq'rs. 

Tho's  Urie,  ) 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  615 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  November  5,  1778. 

present  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,       *\ 

John  Mackay,  Watthew  Smith  &  >  Esq'rs. 

Thomas  Urie,  John  Hambright,   ) 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Will'm  Cris- 
pin, Commissary  of  the  State  Fleet,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of 
Two  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account ;  Also  an  or- 
der on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Thomas  Nevil,  for  the  Sum  of 
One  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

William  Marshall  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  Pilot,  named  in 
the  Proclamation  the  thirtieth  day  of  October  last,  and  required 
to  render  himself  and  abide  his  legal  trial,  &ca,  attended  in  Coun- 
cil, and  on  examination,  it  appeared  that  the  name  of  the  said 
Wm.  Marshall  was  inserted  in  the  said  Proclamation  thro'  the  mis- 
information of  one  of  the  Agents  for  seizing  of  forfeited  Estates 
in  the  City  of  Philadelphia;  and  there  did  not  appear  any  reason 
to  believe  that  he  had  adhered  to,  or  in  anywise  aided  and  assisted 
tlie  Enemies  of  this  Sate,  or  of  the  United  States  of  Anferica. 

The  Council  having  a  just  regard  to  the  preservation  of  the  good 
Character  of  a  Citizen  of  the  State,  both  for  the  present  and  in 
future, 

Ordered,  That  a  certificate  be  made  out  under    the  less  Seal  of 
the  State,  Signed  by  the  Hon'ble  Vice  President,  and  attested  by 
the  Secretary,  setting  forth  the  aforesaid  case,  and  that  the  same 
be  delivered  to  the  said  William  Marshall  j  And  that  a  Nole  Pro- 
sequi be  issued  in  his  case. 

Ordered,  That  the  foregoing  Minutes  be  Published  in  Mr.  Dun- 
lap's  Paper. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sum  of  Two  Hundred  &  Fifty  Dollars  be 
paid  to  the  Hon'ble  Geo.  Bryan,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum 
of  One  Hundred  &  Fifty  Pounds. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
Thomas  Urie,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred  and 
Ifty  Pounds,  in  part  of  his  Wages. 


616  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  Met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  November  6,  177&- 
present : 
Hobble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Mathew  Smith,         1 

John  Mackay,  John  Hambright,  &  (  ™    , 

Thomas  Urie,  James  McLean,         f  iS^ rS* 

Thomas  Scott,  J 

Ab  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  m  favor  of  Jac'b  Stine- 
mitz,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  Twenty-four 
Pounds  Six  Shillings  &  Three  Pence,  for  Bricks. 

Henry  Rhoads,  Esq'r,  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  fos  the 
County  of  Bedford,  sent  into  Council  a  resignation  in  Writing,  of 
his  Office  of  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  said  County,  &  the  same 
is  accepted  accordingly. 

Agreeable  to  the  order  of  the  day,  Capt.  McFee  &  Rachel  "Wal- 
ker, attended  the  Council,  &  put  in  their  claim  to  the  Reward  of 
One  thousand  Dollars,  oiFered  by  this  Council  on  the  thirteenth 
July  last,  to  the  person  or  persons  who  should  take  and  secure 
James  Fitzpatrick,  Blacksmith,  a  noted  Robber.  And  the  Clai- 
mants being  heard  &  their  claims  considered;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Dollars  be  paid  to 
Rach'l  Walker,  &  Five  Hundred  Dollars  be  paid  to  Capt. 
Robert  McAffee,  being  in  the  whole  the  Sum  of  One  thou- 
sand Dollars,  offered  by  this  Council  as  a  reward  for  seizing  James 
Fitzpatrick,  Blacksmith,  the  Robber  lately  executed  at  Chester  j 
k  An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  for  the  said  sum  accord- 
ingly. 

Examination  of  the  Claims  of  Capt.  McAffee  &  Mrs.  Walker  to 
the  Reward  for  taking  Capt.  Fitz  Patrick,  August  23,  1778. 

Rachael  Walker. — "  She  was  up  Stairs;  heard  screaming,  came 
down ;  a  boy  told  her  Capt.  Fitz  was  there  ;  Capt.  Fitz  asked  her 
how  she  did,  &  expressed  his  sorrow  at  the  disturbance ;  Fitz  told 
McAffee  to  prepare  for  a  march  ;  laid  down  his  sword  &  Pistol,  & 
raising  his  foot  to  the  Bedstead,  in  order  to  put  up  at  heels  a  pair 
of  Pumps  taken  from  Capt.  McFee  j  She  winked  at  McFee  to  seize 
Fitz;  he  seemed  to  decline;  She  winked  again,  &  on  seeing 
McFee's  motion  as  if  to  seize  Fits,  she  also  sprang  forward  &  seised 
Fitz;  but  whether  before  or  at  the  same  time  that  McFee  seized 
him,  is  not  certain,  but  there  could  have  scarely  been  a  moment  dif- 
ference ;  Fitz  seized  a  Pistol,  which  she  griped  in  his  hand  ft  pro 
vented  him  from  firing  it;.  That  she  afterwards  took  the  Pistol  £ 
stood  Centry  at  the  door." 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  617 

Capt.  McFee  says,  "  he  is  not  certain  at  what  time  the  Young 
Woman  seized  Fitz,  but  that  the  persons  present  said  he  had  seized 
him  first,  &  had  several  turns  with  him  on  the  floor  before  any  per- 
sons interferred ;  Since  the  time,  has  had  two  Oat  Stacks  burned,  & 
that  the  same  time  destroyed  the  Pans,  &ca,  in  the  Milk  House, 
Out  the  manes  &  tails  of  his  Horses,  but  not  wounded."  With- 
drew. 

Council  ordered  the  Secretary  to  ask  Captain  McFee  if  he  had 
obtained  from  his  Father  &  Mother  a  renunciation  of  claim  to  any 
part  of  the  reward  for  apprehending  Capt.  Fitz  : 

And  the  Secretary  having  proposed  to  him  the  said  Question, 
Capt.  McFee  replied,  "  there  is  no  occasion ;  they  have  made  no 
claim,  <fe  there  can  be  no  reason  for  their  renouncing  a  claim 
which  they  have  not  made,  no  more  than  that  every  other  Person 
should  make  a  renunciation ." 

Edward  Biddle  &  Samuel  Meredith,  Esq'rs,  a  Committee  of  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  attended  in  Council,  &  informed  the  Council  That 
the  House  of  General  Assembly  was  now  met,  had  chosen  their 
Speaker,  &  were  ready  for  any  business  which  the  Council  may 
have  to  lay  before  the  House. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
John  Hambright,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  hun- 
dred Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  account.    ■ 


Esq'rs. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  Novem.  %  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Matthew  Smith, 

John  Mackay,  John  Hambright,  & 

Tho's  Urie,  James  McLean, 

Thomas  Scott, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  Nehemiah 
Stokely,  of  the  eighth*  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  or  his  order,  for 
the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  &  Six  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  Recruit- 
ing Service  for  the  said  Regiment,  &  to  be  charged  to  his  ac- 
count. 

Ordered,  That  the  Classes  of  Militia  of  the  several  Battalions 
near  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  who  from  the  vicinity  of  the  Enemy 
could  not  be  called  into  service  in  their  turn,  be  now  ordered  into 
service  to  do  duty  as  City  Guards;  &  that  the  Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Philadelphia  be  directed  to  exert  himself  to  the  utmost 
to  have  them  ready  for  duty  by  Saturday  next. 


618  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Thomas  Jor- 
dan, Pay-master  of  the  Militia  of  the  county  of  Northumberland, 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Eight  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  applied 
by  him  in  paying  the  Militia  of  the  said  County,  &  charged  the 
same  to  his  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  November  9,  1778. 
present  : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

s       John  Mackay,  Thos.  Urie,  &    "J 

Jacob  Arndt,  James  M'Clean,  lEsq'rs. 

Thos.  Scott,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Major  Will'm 
Armstrong,  Pay-master  at  Billingsport,  for  the  sum  of  One  hun- 
dred &  fifty  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

The  Hon'ble  James  M'Clean,  Esq'r,  elected  Councellor  for  the 
County  of  Cumberland,  &  the  Hon'ble  Matthew  Smith,  Esq'r, 
elected  Councellor  for  the  County  of  Lancaster,  respectively  took 
the  Oaths  required  by  the  Constitution  to  qualify  them  to  act  as 
Councellors. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Major  Gen'l  John 
Armstrong,  of  the  Militia  of  this  State,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum 
of  Four  hundred  &  thirty-one  Pounds  &  twelve  shillings,  balance 
due  to  him  for  his  Pay  &  Rations  to  the  5th  of  March,  1778,  and 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Representation  of  Charles  Campbell,  late  Sub-Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Westmorland,  praying  the  Payment  of  a  bill  drawn 
by  him  on  Council,  &  a  consideration  of  his  case,  was  read ;  and 
thereupon, 

Ordered ,  That  the  representation  of  the  case  of  Charles  Camp- 
bell be  referred  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly. 

A  Message  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Assembly  being  read, 
.  Ordered,  That  the  same  be  signed  by  the  Hon'ble  Vice  Presi- 
dent. 


i 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  619 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Tuesday  Novem.  10,  1778. 


present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Mackay,  Thomas  Urie,  &^J 

Jacob  Arndt,  James  McLean,    V-Esq'rs. 

Thos.  Scott,  J 

A  Letter  from  the  Marine  Committee  of  Congress,  dated  the 
17th  inst.,  was  read;  and  on  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Wade  in  the  State  Sloop,  do  comply  with 
the  directions  of  the  Marine  Committee  of  Congress,  by  preceeding 
the  French  Frigate  Chimere  down  the  Bay  of  Delaware,  for  the 
purpose  of  reconnoitering. 

Gen'l  Lacey  &  Col.  Knox,  a  Committee  of  the  Hon'ble  House 
of  General  Assembly,  attended  in  Council  &  laid  before  Council  a 
Letter  from  Gen'l  Wayne,  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Assembly,  in- 
closing divers  Letters  from  the  Officers  of  the  Army,  &  the  same 
were  read. 

Josiah  Wood  produced  an  account  for  making  Six  Hundred 
Shovels  for  the  use  of  the  Army,  &  three  hundred  handles  for 
Shovels,  &  a  Certificate  in  support  of  the  said  account,  signed  by 
Colo.  John  Bull;  and  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Josiah  Wood, 
for  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  and  Seventy  Pounds,  for  shovels  made 
by  him  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  Council  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  return  of  the 
Election  for  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  Northern  liberties  of 
the  City  of  Philadelphia;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Henry  Negle  &  Joseph  Copperthwaite  be  ap- 
pointed &  Commissioned  to  be  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  Coun- 
ty of  Philadelphia. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  November  12, 1778, 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Matthew  Smith,  £  -^a^ra     * 


John  Mackay,  James  M'Lean 


lf  I  Esq'rs. 


Representation  of  Capt.  Houston  respecting  the  Prize  sloop  Ac- 
tive was  read. 


620  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieu.  Col, 
North,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  One  hundred  &  Thirty- 
Six  Dollars,  bounty  due  to  Ensign  George  Knox  for  enlisting  John 
Kennedy  into  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Regiment. 

An  account  of  Expences  &  Pay  due  for  attending  the  Light 
House,  was  laid  before  the  Council  by  Eleanor  Hitchcock,  Widow 
of  John  Hitchcock,  deceased,  Amounting  to  the  sum  of  Forty-Six 
Pounds  twelve  Shillings  &  six  Pence. 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Officer  appointed  to 
collect  the  duty  of  Tonnage  for  the  support  of  the  Light  House, 
&ca.,  to  settle  the  account  of  the  Widow  of  John  Hitchcock,  and 
pay  her  the  Balance  due  to  her. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Thomas  Shep- 
erd,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Twenty  Two  Pounds  &  Ten  Shil- 
lings, for  30  bushels  of  Lime,  for  the  use  of  the  House  of  Office, 
&  some  repairs  in  the  State  House. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  November  13,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEO.  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  M'Lean,    ") 

John  Mackay,  Thomas  Urie,  &  V  Esq'rs. 

Matthew  Smith,  Jacob  Arndt,       J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Arthur 
Donaldson,  for  the  sum  of  Five  hundred  pounds,  to  be  charged  to 
his  acco't. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer   in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
James  Read,  Esq'r,  for  his  attendance  in  Council  83  days,  fy  Mile- 
age on  56  Miles  twice. 
From  29  August  to  1st  August,  &  from  25  August  to 

the  3d  September,  44  days  a  35s.  -        -  77  00  0 

From  3d  Sept.  to  Octo.  12th,  (all  inclusive)  39  days  a 

45s. 87  15  0 

Mileage  twice  on  56  Miles  a  lOd      -         -         -        -        9     6  8 


(Error  10s.  too  much.)  £174  11  8 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  returns  of  Elections  of 
the  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  Town  of  Bedford,  &  the  Township 
of  ^Bedford,  &  for  £he  Township  of  Dublin  ;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  David  Espy  &  Sam'l  Davidson  be  appointed  Jus- 
tices cf  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Bedford,  &  for  the  Township 
of  the  Town  of  Bedford ;  And  that  William  Todd  be  appointed  a 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  621 

Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  said  County  of  Bedford,  &  for  the 
Township  of  Bedford,  And  that  James  Coyle  &  James  Carmichael 
be  appointed  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Bedford  &  for 
the  Township  of  Dublin,  &  that  they  be  Commissioned  acccord- 
ingly. 

The  Council  also  took  into  consideration  the  return  of  the  Elec- 
tion of  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  Township  of  Peters,  in  the 
County  of  Cumberland ;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  William  McDowell  be  appointed  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  the  County  of  Cumberland,  &  that  he  be  Commissioned 
accordingly. 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  attend  the  Hon'ble  House  of 
General  Assembly,  &  acquaint  the  House  that  the  Council  are  in- 
formed that  a  hearing  on  the  return  of  the  Election  for  the  County 
of  Chester  is  to  be  had  in  the  House  to-morrow,  in  the  forenoon,  & 
as  the  determination  of  the  Election  for  Sheriffs  will  depend  on  the 
same  evidence  as  that  of  the  representatives  in  General  Assembly, 
they  propose  to  the  Hon'ble  House  that  the  Council  be  admitted  to 
attend  the  hearing,  &  to  take  such  notes  of  the  proceedings  as  they 
may  judge  to  be  necessary  to  assist  them  in  their  determination,  con- 
cerning the  Election  of  Sheriffs  for  the  said  County  of  Chester. 

A  Letter  from  Col.  Heartley,  dated  9th  instant,  was  read,  & 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  laid  before  the  Hon'ble  House  of 
Assembly. 

The  Secretary  reports  that  he  had  delivered  the  Message  to  the 
Hon'ble  House  according  to  order,  &  that  the  Speaker  was  pleased 
to  say,  That  the  House  will  take  into  consideration  the  message 
from  Council. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  James  Loug- 
head,  paymaster  of  the  City  Militia,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand 
&  five  hundred  Pounds,  to  pay  the  Militia  now  to  be  discharged,  & 
to  charge  the  same  to  account  of  the  said  James  Loughead. 

The  Clerk  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  attended 
in  Council,  &  returned  Colo.  Hartley's  Letter,  and  he  informed 
Council,  That  the  House  was  ready  to  join  a  Committee  of  Council 
to  assist  in  representing  to  Congress  the  situation  of  the  frontier 
Counties. 

The  Clerk  of  the  House  again  attended  &  informed  the  Council^ 
That  the  House  of  Assembly  had  taken  into  consideration  the  ver- 
bal Message  from  Council,  &  that  the  House  are  disposed  to  ac- 
commodate the  Council  within  the  Bar  at  the  hearing  of  the  case 
of  the  Chester  County  Election,  &  that  the  hearing  was,  on  motion, 
put  off  'till  Thursday  next. 

Ordered  That  the  Secretary  inform  the  House,  That  Council 
propose  to  apply  to  Congress,  thro'  the  Delegates  of  the  State,  for 
the  March  of  some  of  the  Confederate  Troops,  &  that  if  any  diffi- 
culty arise  in  the  case,  Council  was  inform  the  House  and  ask  their 
assistance. 


622  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  the  Quarter  Master  General  be  requested  to  fur- 
nish Fred'k  Sneider  with  a  pitching  Axe»  to  be  accounted  for  by 
the  State. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  November  14,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  McLean,  ") 

John  Mackay,  Thomas  Urie,  &  lEsq'rs. 

Matthew  Smith,  Jacob  Arndt,       J 

The  Secretary  reports,  That  he  had  delivered  Colo.  Hartley's 
Letter  to  Gen'l  Roberdeau,  to  be  by  him  laid  before  Congress,  agreea- 
ble to  order. 

The  following  Resolve  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assem- 
bly of  this  day,  handed  in  by  the  Clerk  of  the  House,  was  read;  ami 
on  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Naval  Officer  be  directed  not  to  clear  out  any 
Vessel  having  on  board  for  exportation  any  of  the  Articles  in  the 
embargo  Law,  for  &  during  five  days  from  this  date,  or  until  further 
orders. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  November  16,  1778, 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  McLean, 


John  Mackay,  Thomas  Urie,  &   J»Esq'rs» 

Matthew  Smith,  Jacob  Arndt, 


jean,   1 
ie,  &   \ 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  623 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Tuesday  Novem.  17,  1778. 

present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  *  James  McLean,  \ 

John  Mackay,  Thomas  Urie,  &  V  Esq'rs. 

Matthew  Smith,  Jacob  Arndt,      ) 

The  Clerk  of  the  House  attended  in  Council,  &  informed  that 
the  House  was  now  met  &  ready  to  proceed  on  the  enquiry  into  the 
Election  for  Representatives  for  the  County  of  Chester. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Henry  Keppele, 
jun,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  hundred  &  fifteen  Pounds 
Seven  Shillings  &  Six  Pence,  for 


[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  Novem.  21,  1778* 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Urie,       ^| 

John  Mackay,  Thomas  Scott,  &    !  -p    > 

Matt'w  Smith,  James  McLean,     f      ^ rSs 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 

James  Ewing,  Esq'r,  returned  as  Councellor  by  the  Sheriff  of 
York  County,  having  taken  the  Oath  of  Office,  &  the  Oath  required 
in  the  Constitution  to  be  taken  by  all  Officers,  took  his  seat  at  the 
board. 

The  Hon'ble  Vice  President  &  the  Council  having  attended  in 
the  House  of  Assembly,  &  heard  the  Council  learned  in  the  Law 
on  the  Chester  County  contested  Election,  so  far  as  the  same  has 
been  heard  before  the  House,  to  Wit : 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 

The  Council  are  unanimously  of  opinion,  that  the  same  ought 
not  to  have  been  questioned. 

Ordered,  That  this  Afternoon  at  three  0' Clock,  the  parties  in- 
teresting themselves 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 


624  MINUTES  OF  THE 

It  appearing  by  the  Records  that  John  Ellwood,  late  of  Bucks 
County,  Pilot,  is  convict  of  High  Treason  at  a  Court  of  Oyer  & 
Terminer,  holden  on  the  Twentieth  day  of  October  last,  &  sentenced 
to  be  hanged  by  the  Neck  'till  he  is  dead;  it  is 

Ordered,  That  a  Warrant  for  the  Execution  of  said  sentence  on 
Wednesday  the  Second  day  of  December  next,  between  the  hours  of 
Ten  of  the  Clock  in  the  forenoon,  &  two  of  the  Clock  in  the  After- 
noon of  the  same  day,  be  issued. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Robert  Alli- 
son, or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged 
to  his  account. 

William  Denny,  David  Denny,  &  John  Culbertson,  all  of  the 
County  of  Chester,  were  offered  as  Sureties  for  Robert  Smith,  Es- 
quire,— -  his  faithful  performance  of  the  Duties  of  his  Office  as 
Sheriff  ot  the  said  County  of  Chester,  &  the  same  were  approved  of • 


Three  O'clock,  Afternoon,  The  Council  met. 

PRESENT  : 

As  in  the  forenoon. 

The  Council  resumed  the  Consideration  of  the  returns  of  the 
Election  for  the  County  of  Chester;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Robert  Smith,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  Sheriff  of  the 
County  of  Chester,  &  that  he  be  Commissioned  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  David  DeDny,  Gent.,  be  appointed  &  Commis- 
sioned to  be  Coroner  of  the  County  of  Chester. 
On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  James  Moore,  Evan  Evans,  Patterson  Bell,  k 
Philip  Scott,  Esquires,  be  Commissioned  by  Dedimus  Potestatum ; 
that  they  or  one  of  them  do  adminaster  to  Robert  Smith,  Esq'r. 
Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Chester,  &  to  David  Denny,  Gent.,  Coro- 
ner of  the  said  County,  the  Oaths  or  Affirmations  of  allegiance  re- 
quired by  Law  to  qualify  them  respectively  for  the  discharge  of 
their  said  Offices. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  November  23,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,  &  "J 

John  Mackay,  Thomas  Urie,        I  Esq'rs. 

James  McLean,  J 

Depositions  of  Joseph  Master  &  of  Devanport  Mariott,  respect- 
ing John  Ellwood;  were  read. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  625 

The  Council  taking  into  Consideration  the  ease  of  Joseph  Wilson 
&  John  Lawrence,  now  under  Sentence  of  Death  : 

Ordered,  That  Joseph  Wilson  &  John  Lawrence,  now  under 
Sentence  of  Death,  be  Pardoned,  &  that  a  Pardon  be  issued  accord- 
ingly. 

The  Council  taking  into  Consideration  the  case  of  Charles  Wil- 
liams, convicted  of  Felony  at  the  City  Court,  &  now  under  sentence 
to  receive  twenty-one  Lashes  &  pay  a  fine  of  ;  and  it 

appearing  that  a  certain  hath  since  confessed  that  she 

was  guilty  of  the  Felony  whereof  the  said  Charles  Edwards  was  so 
convicted,  which,  with  some  other  circumstances,  rendering  it  in  some 
degree  uncertain  whether  or  not  the  said  Charles  Williams  had 
been  guilty  of  the  said  Felony  ;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  sentence  of  the  City  Court  against  Charles 
Edwards,  so  far  as  relates  to  the  corporal  Punishment  &  fine,  be 
remitted. 


The  Council  met. 


Philadelphia,  Tuesday  November,  24,  1778. 


James  Read,         "") 
Jacob  Arndt,  I  ™    > 

Tho'sUrie,&         rEsqr3' 


PRESENT  : 

Hon'ble  GEO.  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart, 
John  Mackay, 
James  M'Lean, 

Smith,  — - Smith,      j 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieu.  Philip 
Wilson,  of  the  6lh  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum 
of  three  hundred  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Joseph  Reed,  Esq'r,  elected  Councellor  for  the  County  of  Phila- 
delphia, appeared  in  Council,  &  having  taken  the  Oaths  required 
by  the  Constitution,  took  his  seat  in  Council. 


Wis.  XI: — 40. 


626  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  November  25,  1778?, 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos   Hart,  Jacob  Arndt, 


Jos   Hart,                             Jacob  Arndt,  ~) 

John  Maekay,                       Thomas  Urie,  &      I  Esq' 
James  M'Lean,  Smith,       J 


rs. 


On  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  a  Message  be  sent  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  proposing  to  chuse  a  President,  &  the  appointing  a 
Committee  of  the  House  to  confer  with  a  Committee  of  this 
Council,  to  agree  upon  the  time&  place  of  chusing  the  said  Officer; 
and  the  same  was  done  &  adopted  as  follows  : 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 

The  House  having  appointed  a  Committee  according,  This  Coun- 
cil appoint  Joseph    Read,    Esq'r,  Joseph    Hart,  Esq'r,  &  — ■ 

Smith,  Esq'r. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  James  Loug- 
head,  Pay-master  of  the  Militia  for  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  for 
the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  to  Col.  William  Henry  to 
supply  the  Militia  now  called  into  service  from  the  County  with 
Arms,  from  those  which  have  been  lately  in  the  hands  of  the  City 
Militia. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  November  26, 1778- 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Maekay,      s  James  M'Lean,    } 

Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Urie,  &  >  Esq'rs. 

Smith,  Thomas  Scott,      ) 

A  Letter  from  Colo.  Hartley. 

A  Letter  from  the  board  of  War,  inclosing  copy  of  a  Letter 
from  his  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington,  requesting  a  guard  of  400 
or  500  Men,  to  conduct  the  convention  Prisoners  thro'  this  State 
on  their  way  to  the  Southward,  was  read ;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  first  Class  of  Militia  of  the  County  of  Bucks 
be  immediately  called  into  service,  &  that  they  March  with  all  pos- 
sible expedition  to  Easton,  to  guard  the  Convention  Prisoners  from 
thence  to  the  southward. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  627 

Ordered,  That  one  Class  of  Militia  of  all  those  Battalions  of  the 
County  of  Philadelphia  from  which  there  is  now  no  detachments 
in  service,  be  immediately  called  into  service,  &  that  they  March 
with  all  possible  expedition  to  Easton,  to  guard  the  Convention 
Prisoners  from  thence  to  the  southward. 

The  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  17th  ins.,  November,  recom- 
mending to  the  Legislature  or  Executive  authority  of  each  of  the 
United  States  to  appoint  Wednesday  the  30th  day  of  December 
next  to  be  observed  as  a  day  of  Public  thanksgiving  &  praise,  be- 
ing read,  &  the  same  being  considered, 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  good  People  of  this 
State  to  set  apart  Wednesday  the  said  Thirtieth  day  of  December 
next,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  and  that  a  Proclamation  be  accord- 
ingly issued. 

u  Pennsylvania,  ss  s 

u  By  the  Supreme  Executive   Council  of  the    Commonwealth  of 
Pennsylvania  : 

"A  PROCLAMATION: 

11  Whereas,  it  hath  pleased  Almighty  God,  through  the  course 
of  the  present  year,  to  bestow  great  &  manifold  mercies  on  the 
people  of  these  United  States,  &  it  being  the  indispensible  duty  of 
all  Men  gratefully  to  acknowledge  their  obligations  to  him  for 
benefits  received  ;  And  the  Congress  having  recommended  to  the 
Legislative  or  Executive  authority  of  each  of  the  said  States,  to  ap- 
point Wednesday  the  thirtieth  day  of  December  next,  to  be  ob- 
served as  a  day  of  Public  Thanksgiving  &  Praise,  that  all  the 
people  may,  with  united  hearts,  on  that  day  express  a  just  sense  of 
his  unmerited  favors,  particularly  in  that  it  hath  pleased  him,  by 
his  overruling  Providence,  to  support  us  in  a  just  &  necessary  War 
for  the  defence  of  our  rights  &  liberties,  by  affording  us  reasonable 
supplies  for  our  Armies  j  by  disposing  the  heart  of  a  powerful 
Monarch  to  enter  into  an  alliance  with  us,  6z  aid  our  cause  •  by  de- 
feating the  Councils  &  evil  designs  of  our  Enemies,  and  giving  us 
Victory  over  their  Troops  j  &.  by  the  continuance  of  that  union 
among  these  States,  which,  by  his  blessing,  will  be  their  future 
strength  &  glory : 

u  And  fPhereas,  Congress  hath  further  recommended,  That  to- 
gether with  devout  Thanksgiving  may  be  joined  a  penitent  con- 
fession of  our  Sins,  &  humble  Supplication  for  pardon,  through  the 
merits  of  our  Saviour,  so  that  under  the  smiles  of  Heaven,  our  pub- 
lic Councils  may  be  directed,  our  Arms  by  land  and  Sea  prospered. 
our  liberty  &  independence  secured,  our  Schools  &  Seminaries  of 
learning  nourish,  our  trade  be  revived,  our  Husbandry  and  Manu- 
factures increased,  &  the  hearts  of  all  impressed  with  undissembled 


628  .MINUTES  OF  THE 

piety,  with  benevolence  &  seal  for  the  public  good  :  And  also  re- 
commended  that  recreations  unsuitable  to  the  purpose  of  such  a 
Solemnity  may  be  oaiitted  on  that  day  ;  therefore, 

"  This  Council  do  hereby  recommend  to  the  good  people  of  the 
State  to  set  apart  Wednesday,  the  said  thirtieth  day  of  December 
sext,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid. 

"  Given  by  order  of  the  Council,  under  the  hand  of  the  Hon'ble 
GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President,  &  the  Seal  of  the 
State,  at  Philadelphia,  this  Twenty-Sixth  day  of  November,  in 
the  Year  of  our  Lord  One  thousand  Seveu  hundred  &  Seventy- 
eight. 

"  (Signed)— GEORGE  BRYAN,  Vice  President. 
**  Attest — -Timothy  Matlacx,  Sec'y," 


The  Council  met, 

Philadelphia,  Friday  November  27,  1778. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Eaq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jaines  Read,  James  Readr         ""| 

Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  j, 

John  Maekay,  Thomas  Urie,  &     J-Eso/rs. 

Smith,  Thomas  Scott,        | 

James  McLean,  J 

A  Resolve  of  the  Hon^ble  House  of  General  Assembly  of  the 
26th  instant,  appointing  David  Espie,  Esq.'r,  to  be  Register  and 
Recorder  of  the  County  of  Bedford,  was  read  ;  And  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Commissions  be  issued  to  David  Espie,  Esq'rr 
appointing  him  to  be  Register  and  Recorder  of  the  County  of  Bed- 
ford, according  to  the  Resolve  of  General  Assembly  aforesaid. 
On  Consideration, 
Ordered,  That  Barnard  Dougherty,.  John  Piper7  aisd  P?.vicU 
.Esquires,  be  Commissioned  by  Dediuaus  Protestatum  to  admini>ter 
to  all  &  every  person  in  the  County  of  Bedford  named  in  Commis- 
sion or  Commissions  issued,  or  to  be  issued  by  this  Council,  the 
Oaths  or  Affirmations  required  to  qualify  them  respectively  for 
their  Offices,  &  the  trust  reposed  in  them  by  Virtue  of  such  Com- 
mission Sw 

On  motion, 
Ordered,  Thai  a  Message  be  sent  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Gene- 
ral Assembly,  proposing  that  a  Committee  be  appointed  by  the 
Hon'ble  House,  to  confer  with  a  Committee  of  Council,  respecting 
some  Public  expression  of  their  approbation  of  the  spirited  Con- 
ctuct  of  Colo.  Hartley,  &  hia  Corps  under  his  Command;  And  th&fc 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL,  -«2ft 

Qen'l  Reed  &  Colo.  Smith,  be  a  Committee  to  meet  the  Committer 
of  the  House  on  this  Subject. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Henry  Spyker, 
Paymaster  of  Militia  of  the  County  of  Berks,  or  his  order,  for  the 
Sum  of  Three  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  account  of  the 
said  Henry  Spyker. 

A  Letter  from  the  State  of  Massachusets  bay,  inclosing  Copy  of 
a  Law  for  preventing  the  return  of  Tories,  dhca. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  fee  laid  before  the  Hon'ble  House  of 
General  Assembly. 


The  Council  met.     | 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  Novem.  28, 1778. 

PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President 
Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt, 


John  Mackay,  James  Read, 

Smith,  Tho's  Urie,  &  , 

Jas.  M'Le'aa,  Thomas  Scott,  J 


1 


Esq'rs. 


An  application  from  Mrs.  Sliz'a  Ferguson,  for  permission  to  go 
into  the  City  of  New  York  to  take  leave,  of  her  husband  &  to  re- 
turn, was  read  Ml  considered",  &  thereupon, 

Ordered}  That  Mrs.  Eliza  Ferguson  be  not  permitted  to  go  into 
the  City  of  Mew  York. 

Petition  of  J.  M.  Nesbitt  &  Thomas  Fitzsimiaons,  praying  to  be 
admitted  to  Ship  on  board  the  Sloop  Eliza  &  Mary,  John  Light- 
burne,  Commander,  bound  from  this  Port  to  Bermuda,  8  bbls.  of 
Bread,  One  barrel  of  Flour,  One  barrel  Pease,  four  barrels  BeefT 
•&  two  barrels  Pork,  as  Stores  for  the  Brig  Neptune,  lately  built  at 
A  now  lying  in  Bermuda,  &  intending  a  Voyage  to  the  West  In- 
dies for  a  Cargo  of  Salt,  to  be  brought  to  this  Port,  was  read. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Naval  OMoer  to  clear 
out  the  said  Provisions  as  necessary  Stores  for  a  Vessel  trading  to 
this  State. 

The  two  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Vis : 

One  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble  Tho's  Scott,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of 
One  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account,  &  the  other  in 
favor  of  Will'm  Armstrong,  Pay-master  of  Billingsport,  for  the  Sum 
of  Seven  hundred  &  fifty  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Address  to  the  Hon'ble  House  concerning  the  Gallies,  was  now- 
sent  into  the  House* 


630  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Bernard  Dougherty  &  Thomas  Smith,  both  of  the  County  Bed- 
ford, Esq'rs,  offered  themselves  as  Sureties  to  the  State  that  David 
Espie  shall  duly  &  faithfully  execute  the  several  Offices  which  he 
holds  in  &  for  the  County  of  Bedford;  & 

On  consideration, 

The  said  Sureties  were  approved  of. 

Petition  of  George  Gallaspie  was  read,  praying  to  be  admitted 
to  go  to  New  York,  from  thence  to  England,  &  to  return  again,  k 
the  same  was  rejected,  he  having  not  taken  the  Oath  of  Allegiance 
to  the  State. 


Saturday  Evening  November  2&,  1778. 

present : 
'Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jos.  Hart,  Ja's  McLean,  &  )  -™     , 

John  Mackay,  Thomas  Scott,     $       " 

Hon'ble  Thomas  McKean  &  the  Hon'ble  William  Augustus  At- 
3ce,  Esquires,  laid  before  the  Council  An  Act  of  General  Assembly 
for  the  relief  of  Reynold  Keen;  &  the  difficulties  they  were  under, 
by  Attorneys  appearing  k  offering  to  surrender  the  body  of  the  said 
Keen  for  trial,  according  to  the  said  Act :  And  after  cenferriag  for 
several  hours  thereupon,  it  was  agreed  to  meet  to-morrow  Morning, 
8  O'Clock. 

(  f  allowance  two  Months  past — five  or  Six  Transports  filled 
with  Soldiers — not  a  great  number  of  Soldiers  at  New  York,  per- 
haps 3000,  chiefly  British  &  new  levies — 3  battalions  of  New  levies 
marched  down  from  King's  bridge  on  Friday  week  last — All  the 
Men  of  War  have  4  Mo.  Provision  on  board,  at  f  allowance — 
'Fleet  came  down  to  the  Hook  with  a  great  deal  of  Merchandize  on 
board  &  put  back  again — Com'rs  to  sail  next  Tuesday  on  board 
Roebuck.) 

Petition  of  Joseph   Carson,  praying  the   loan  of  Two  CannoD, 
four  Pounders,  &  three  hundred  weight  of  Cannon  Powder,  for  the 
use  of  the  Privateer  called  the  Addition  : 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  two  four  Pounders,  Cannon  belonging  to  the 
State,  be  sent  to  Joseph  Carson  &  Company,  &  also  three  hundred 
weight  of  Cannon  Powder;  and  that  Captain  Stiles  do  deliver  and 
take  a  Receipt  for  the  same. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  631 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  November  30,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Thomas  Urie,  1 

John  Maekay,  James  Read,  &  V  Esq'rs. 

James  McLean,  Thomas  Scott,  ) 

A  Letter  from  the  Board  of  War. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Col.  Will'm  Henry,  Lieu,  of  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia, do  send  Three  hundred  stand  of  Arms  &  accoutrements 
to  Sherard's  Ferry,  to  arm  the  militia  of  the  County  of  Philadel- 
phia &  Bucks,  now  ordered  there  ;  the  same  to  be  delivered  out  to 
the  respective  militia  of  the  said  Counties  in  proportion  'to  the 
numbers  from  each  County.  And  it  is  recommended  to  Col. 
Henry  to  apply  to  the  board  of  War  for  an  order  to  the  Quarter- 
master for  waggons  to  carry  the  said  Arms;  &  also  for  ammuni- 
tion for  the  said  militia,  to  be  forwarded  without  delay  to  Sherard's 
Ferry. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  case  of  John  Ellwood, 
now  under  sentence  of  death,  &  ordered  to  be  executed  on  Wed- 
nesday next ;  &  it  being  doubtful  whether  or  not  the  said  John 
Ellwood  hath  for  some  years  past  been  subject  to  fits  of  insanity  ; 
Therefore, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  John  Elwood  be  reprieved  until  Sat- 
urday the  Second  day  of  January  next ;  &  that  a  Reprieve  under 
the  less  Seal  be  accordingly  issued. 

A  Transcript  of  tbe  conviction  of  Abijah  Wright,  of  Felony 
&  Burglary,  as  set  forth  in  the  said  Transcript,  was  read  ;  to  wit : 

"At  a  Court  of  Oyer  &  Terminer  &  General  Goal  delivery  held 
at  Philadelphia,  for  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  the  twentieth  day 
of  September,  in  the  Year  of  Our  Lord  One  Thousand  Seven 
hundred  and  Seventy-eight,  It  was  presented,  That  Abijah  Wright, 
late  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  Laborer,  had  with  force  and 
Arms,  at  Whitpain,  in  the  County  aforesaid,  the  dwelling  House 
of  Andrew  Knox,  Esq.,  there  situated,  feloniously  and  burglari- 
ously did  break  and  enter,  with  an  intent  nim,  the  said  Andrew 
Knox,  then  and  there  being,  feloniously  to  kill  and  murder,  &ca., 
•&ca:  It  was,  therefore,  considered  by  the  Court  that  the  said 
Abijah  Wright  be  hanged  by  the  Neck  'til  he  be  dead. 

"EDW.  BURD,  CI.  Cur." 
And  on  deliberate  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Sentence  of  the  Supreme  Court  against  Abi- 
jah Wright,  be  executed  against  him  on   Saturday  next,  at  the 


632  MINUTES  OF  THE 

usual  place,  between  the  hours  of  ten  O'Clock  in  the  forenoon  and 
two  O'Clock  in  the  Afternoon  of  the  said  day. 

The  Committee  of  Council  appointed  to  confer  with  a  Commit- 
tee of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly,  upon  the  time 
and  place  of  electing,  by  the  joint  ballot  of  the  members  of  the 
House  and  of  Council,  a  President  and  Vice  President  of  this 
Council,  report : 

That  having  conferred  with  the  Committee  of  the  House  upon 
the  subject  committed  to  them,  It  is  agreed,  That  the  Hon'ble 
House  of  G-eneral  Assembly  will  meet  in  the  Council  Chamber 
to-morrow  Morning  at  Eleven  O'Clock,  and  proceed  to  the  Election 
of  a  President  and  Vice  President,  agreeable  to  the  Constitution  ; 
That  after  the  Election  is  finished,  the  Council  and  Assembly  pro- 
ceed to  the  Court  House  and  there  make  Proclamation  of  the  Presi- 
dent and  Vice  President  so  chosen  ;  That  after  Proclamation  being 
made,  that  the  Council  and  Assembly  do  dine  together  at  the  City 
Tavern. 

And  the  Committee  submit  to  the  Council  the  Order  of  Proces- 
sion. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Tuesday  December  1,  1778. 
present  : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esqrr,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jas.   McLean,^), 

John   Mackay,  Jas.  Read.         !  -™     , 

Jas.  Reed,  Tho's  Urie,  &  [     ' 

Smith,  Thomas  Scott,  J 

The  Clerk  of  the  Hon'ble  House  attended,  &  informed  that  the 
House  was  now  ready  to  proceed  to  the  Election  of  a  President  & 
Vice  President ;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  of  the  Council  do  attend  the 
Hon'ble  House,  &  inform  the  House  that  the  Council  is  now  ready 
to  receive  the  House  in  the  Council  Chamber,  &  to  proceed  to  the 
Election  of  a  President  and  Vice  President  of  the  Council. 

The  Hon'ble  the  Speaker  of  the  House  &  the  General  Assembly 
attended  in  Council,  &  thereupon  the  Secretary  of  the  Council  & 
the  Clerk  of  the  House  proceeded  to  take  the  Votes-  for  President, 
&  the  Votes  were  as  follows,  Vizt : 

For  Joseph  Reed,  Esq'r,  Sixty-one  Votes. 
For  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  One  Vote. 
For  James  Retid,  Esq'r,  One  Vote. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL. 


The  General  Assembly  &  Council   then   proceeded   to  chuse  a 
Vice  President,  &  the  votes  were  as  follows,  Vizt : 
For  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Sixty-two  Votes. 
For  Joseph  Hart,  Esq'r,  One  Vote. 

And  thereupon  it  was  declared,  That  Joseph  Reed,  Esq'r,  was 
then  duly  chosen  to  be  President,  <fe  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  was 
then  duly  chosen  Vice  President: 

And  the  following  declaration  of  the  said  Election  being  read,  was 
signed  by  the  Hon'«ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President,  &  the 
Members  of  the  Council  then  present ;  &  the  same  was  also  signed 
by  the  Hon'ble  John  Bayard,  Esquire,  Speaker  of  the  House  of 
General  Assembly,  &  by  the  Members  of  the  House  of  General 
Assembly  then .  present,  to  Wit :  by 


GEORGE  BRYAN, 

Vice  President. 
Jos.  Reed, 
Joseph  Hart, 
John  Mackay, 
Matt'w  Smith, 
Jas.  McLane, 
James  Read, 
Jacob  Arndt, 
T.  Urie, 
Tho's  Scott, 


Barnard  Dougherty, 
Thomas  Smith, 
George  Woods, 
Hugh  Davison, 

his 
John  M  Burd, 

mark. 
Samuel  Dale, 
Simon  Stimrod, 
Stephen  Chambers, 
John  Shields, 
Rob't  Morris, 
Michael  Shubert, 
Tho.  Mifflin, 
Sam'l  Meredith, 
Geo.  Clymer, 
Dan'l  Heister,  jun'r, 
Robert  Loiter, 
Robert  Knox, 
Isaac  Warner, 
Arc'd  Thomson, 


JOHN  BAYARD,  Speaker. 

Sam'l  Smith, 

John  Lacey,  jun'r, 

William  Scott, 

Arthur  Watts, 

John  Fulton, 

Pat.  Anderson, 

Jno.  Culbertson, 

Stephen  Cochran, 

John  Gilcreest, 

John  Smilie, 

Jas,  Anderson, 

Wm.  Brown, 

Sam'l  Edie, 

Tho.  Lilley, 

Michael  Schmyson, 

Jonathan  Hoge, 

John  Harris, 

Stephen  Duncan, 

Jo  Dunlap, 

Patrick  Maxwell, 

Jno.  Allison, 

Jon'n  Potts, 

Daniel  Hunter, 

E.  Biddle, 

Mark  Bird, 

Sebastian  Levan, 

Peter  Rhoads, 

John  Van  Cam  pen, 

Wm.  McFarnen, 

Christopher  Wagner, 

John  Ralston, 

Henry  Rhoads. 


Gerrardus  Wynkoop, 

And  the  said  Declaration  was  in  the  following  words,  to  wit 


634  MINUTES  OF  THE 

u  To  all  People  to  whom  these  Presents  shall  come  or  may  concern  : 

u  The    General  Assembly  fy   Supreme  Executive   Council  of  the. 
Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  send  Greeting : 

"  Know  ye,  That  We,  the  Representatives  of  the  Freemen  of 
Pennsylvania- Wealth  of  Pennsylvania  in  General  Assembly  met, 
in  the  State  House  at  Philadelphia,  together  with  the  Vice  Presi- 
dent &  other  Members  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the 
said  Commonwealth,  in  the  same  place  convened,  to  elect  a  Presi- 
dent &  Vice  President  of  the  said  Commonwealth,  have,  agreeable 
to  the  direction  of  the  Nineteenth  Section  of  the  Constitution  of 
the  said  Commonwealth,  duly  &  fairly  elected  &  chosen  by  ballot, 
His  Excellency  Joseph  Reed,  Esq'r,  President  of  the  said  Supreme 
Executive  Council,  &  the  Honorable  George  Bryan,  Esquire,  Vice 
President.  And  to  the  end  that  due  regard  &  Obedience  may  be 
Paid  to  them  in  the  Execution  of  their  respective  Offices,  on  all 
occasions,  We  do  hereby  make  known  &  declare  that  the  said 
Joseph  Reed,  Esquire  is  the  President,  &  the  said  George  Bryan, 
Esq'r,  is  the  Vice  President  of  the  said  Supreme  Executive 
Council. 

•  "  In  Testimony  whereof,  We  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  & 
Seals,  the  first  day  of  December,  in  the  Third  Year  of  the  Common- 
wealth of  Pennsylvania,  &  in  the  Year  of  Our  Lord  One  thousand 
Seven  hundred  &  Seventy-eight. 

Agreed  unanimously,  That  the  said  declaration  of  the  election 
of  the  President  &  Vice  President  of  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council,  be  Publicly  read  at  the  Court  House  in  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia, by  the  Secretary  of  the  Council,  do  then  Proclaim  the 
President,  in  the  following  words  :  "  And  the  said  Joseph  Reed, 
Esq'r,  is  hereby  proclaimed  to  be  Captain  General  &  Commander- 
in-Chief  in  &  over  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania." 

Agreed,  That  the  order  of  the  Procession  to  the  Court  House  be 
as  follows,  to  Wit : 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  Decern.  2,  1778. 

present  :       • 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jos.  Hart,  James  McLean,  & 

John  Mackay,  Tho's  Urie, 

The  Secretary  reports,  that  the  Declaration  of  the  Election  of 

the  President  <fe  the  Vice  President,  was  read  at  the  Court  House 


Esq'rs. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  635 

yesterday,  &  the  President  proclaimed,  according  to  order  of  the 
Council. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Joseph  Stiles, 
Commissary  of  Military  Stores,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Three 
hundred  Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
Tho's  Urie,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  One  Pounds 
Eight  Shillings  &  four  Pence,  balance  due  to  him  for  his  attendance 
in  Council  &  mileage,  Vizt : 

Attendance  in  Council  from  17th  Aug.  1778,  to  Septem 

3d,  both  included,  18  days  @  35s,  £  31  10  0 

From  3d  Septem.  to  this  day,  included,  90  days,  at  45s,  202  10  0 

Mileage  on  209-209  miles,  is  418  miles,  @  lOd,  17  8  4 

£251     8  4 
Draft  for  150     0  0 


Balance,         £101     8  4 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday,  Decern.  3,  1778. 
present  :  .    ; 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  James  McLean,  )  *»    , 

John  Mackay,  &  J 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  Decern.  4,  1778. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esquire,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Mackay,  James  Reed,       ") 

Joseph  Hart,*  Jacob  Arndt,  &    (  p     , 

James  McLean,  Thomas  Scott,      psq  rs" 

Matt'w  Smith,  J 

A  Letter  from  Colo.  Wall  was  read. 

The  Petition  of  the  Wife,  Children,  near  Relatives  and  Neigh- 
bors of  Abijah  Wright,  now  under  sentence  of  Death,  was  read. 


636  MINUTES  OF  THE 

A  letter  from  the  Hon'ble  the  President  of  Congress,  inclosing 
resolves  of  Congress  of  the  24th  of  Novem.  #  of  the  30th  of  No- 
vember. 

The  Letter  from  Col.  Wall,  representing  that  about  One  hundred 
Militia  only  of  the  class  last  ordered  out  of  Bucks  County,  pro- 
duced only  about  One  hundred  Men,  being  considered, 

Ordered,  That  the  third  #■  fourth  class  of  the  Militia  of  the 
County  of  Bucks  be  immediately  ordered  into  service  to  conduct 
the  convention  Troops  thro'  this  State  to  the  Southward. 

Ordered,  That  two  classes  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Phila- 
delphia, (except  only  of  the  Battalions  which  have  sent  Classes  to 
do  duty  in  Philadelphia,)  be  ordered  into  service  immediately  to 
convention  Troops  thro'  this  State  to  the  Southward. 

'Ordered,  That  Col.  Bull  be  allowed  £50  in  full  of  his  Ration 
Account. 

Ordered,  That  the  State  Commissary  of  Provisions  do  supply 
Tations  to  John  Moys  and  two  other  Men,  left  at  Billingsport,  to 
take  care  of  the  cannon. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  December  5,  1778. 

present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Mackay,  Matthew  Smith, ") 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  fy  V  Esq'rs. 

James  M'Lean,  Thomas  Scott,      ) 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Thomas  Nevil, 
or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Two  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged 
to  his  account. 

Petition  of  Capt.  Lightbourne  praying  to  be  permitted  to  carry 
out  with  him  Provisions  for  a  Circuitous  Voyage  sufficient  .for 
Twenty-five  Men,  which  he  has  on  board  his  Vessel,  &  that  the 
Council  will  supply  him  with  100  Two  Pound  Shot  &  One  hundred 
Swivel  Shot,  being  read  &  considered, 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Naval  Officer  to  per- 
mit Capt.  Lightbourne  to  clear  out  the  following  quantity  of  Pro- 
visions for  his  intended  Voyage,  Viz :  10  barrels  of  Bread,  10 
barrels  of  Flour,  10  barrels  of  Meat,  and  2  barrels  of  Pease. 

Ordered,  That  Joseph  Stiles,  Commissary  of  Military  Stores,  do 
furnish  Capt.  Lightbourne  with  One  hundred  Two  Pound  Shot  k 
One  hundred  Swivel  Shot,  Captain  Lightbourne  paying  the  value 
for  the  same. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  (>37 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  John 
Bull,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred  and  Seven 
Pounds  &  fifteen  shillings,  balance  due  to  him. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred 
&  Seventy-five  Pounds,  balance  due  to  him  to  the  third  day  of  the 
present  month. 

Petition  of  Lewis  Nicola,  Town  Major,  praying  some  allowance 
of  Wood,  was  read  ;  &  on  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  State  Commissary  supply  Col.  Nicola, 
Town  Major,  with  four  Cord  of  Wood. 

Petition  of  William  Low,  a  langishing  Prisoner  in  the  gaol  of 
the  County  of  York,  praying  that  his  fine  may  be  remitted,  was 
read,  and  the  same  being  recommended  by  divers  Justices  of  the 
Peace  &  other  Freemen  of  the  said  County, 

Ordered,  That  the  fine  adjudged  by  the  Court  of  Quarter  Ses- 
sions of  the  Peace  of  the  County  of  York,  to  be  paid  by  Win. 
Lou,  convicted  of  felony,  be  remitted. 

On  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  William  Holliday,  of  the  County  of  Bedford,  be 
appointed  Pay-master  of  Militia  for  the  County  of  Bedford. 


At. a  Special  Council,  held  the  6th  Decern.,  1778. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esqr,  President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esqr,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thos  Scott,  &  ~\ 

John  Mackey,  Matt.  Smith.    [•  Esq'rs, 

James  McLene,  J 

The  President  laid  before  the  board  a  Copy  of  a  Letter  from 
the  Board  of  War  of  this  date,  to  Col.  Blond,  and  also  a  Letter 
from  that  Board  to  the  President  respecting  the  escort  of  the  Con- 
vention Prisoner,  Whereupon, 

Resolved,  That  the  Lieu,  of  York  County  be  directed  to  call  out 
one  Class  of  the  Militia  of  said  County,  to  meet  the  said  Pris- 
oners at  Wright's  Ferry,  on  the  Susquehanna,  &  escort  them  from 
thence  to  the  borders  of  this  State  ;  and  if  there  are  not  a  sufficient 
number  of  Arms  in  said  County,  application  be  made  to  Mr.  Henry  7 
at  Lancaster,  or  any  other  Person  having  the  care  of  Arms  belong- 
ing to  this  State,  to  furnish  the  necessary  quantity  for  which  the 
Lieu  of  the  County  is  to  give  Receipts,  &  to  be  accountable,  unless 
lost  by  unavoidable  accident. 


638  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 


Philadelphia,  Monday  Decern.  7,  1778. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  E&qr,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esqr,  Vice  President. 
John  Mackey,                       James  Reed,      ") 
Matt  w  Smith,                      Jacob  Arndt,  &  V  Esqr's. 
James  McLene,                    Thomas  Scott.     ) 
On  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  Jonathan  Lodge  be  commissioned  to  be  Sheriff 
of  the  County  of  Northumberland  &  that be  commis- 
sioned to  be  Coroner  of  the  said  County. 

Ordered,  That  William  Perry  be  appointed  &  Commissioned  to 
be  Sheriff,  and  William  Waddell  be  appointed  <fe  Commissioned  to 
be  Coroner  of  the  County  of  Westmorland. 

Application  of  James  Ash  &  Co.  by  Letter,  for  50  lbs.  of  Gun 
Powder. 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Joseph  Stiles,  Commissary  ot  Military 
Stores,  do  supply  James  Ash  &  Co.  with  50  lbs.  of  Gun  Powder, 
they  paying  a  reasonable  price  for  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  on  Friday  next,  at  two  O'Clock  in  the  Afternoon, 
the  following  Vessels,  belong  the  State,  be  sold  at  the  Coffee  House, 
by  Public  Vendue,  for  Cash  only,  Vizt : 

Ten  Gallies,  Nine  armed  Boats,  The  Brig.  Convention,  The 
Sloop  Speedwell,  Sally,  Industry,  &  Black  Duck.  &  the  Schooner 
Lydia. 


The  Council  met. 


Philadelphia,  Tuesday  December  8,  1778. 


PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Mackay,  Tho's  Scott,  &  ~) 

James  McLene,  Matth'w  Smith,  lEsq'rs. 

Jacob  Arndt,  J 

The  following  three  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  for 
riding  express,  Vizt : 

In  favor  of  Matthias  Snyder,  for  the  Sum  of  Ten  Pounds. 

In  favor  of  John  Klotz,  for  the  Sum  of  fourteen  Pounds  two 
Shillings  &  Six  pence. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  639 

And  in  favor  of  John  Klotz,  for  the  further  Sura  of  Sixteen 
Pounds  twelve  Shilling  &  Six  pence. 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col. 
Robert  Lollar,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  hundred  and 
fifty  Pounds,  to  be  by  him  advanced  to  such  of  the  Militia  now 
under  orders  to  March,  as  stand  in  need  of  it. 

Ordered,  That  the  Lieutenants  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia  dc 
Bucks,  be  authorized  to  pay  the  Tavern-keepers  seven  Shillings  & 
>ix  Pence  Per  day  for  Victualling  the  Militia  on  their  March  from 
their  Homes  to  Sherrard's  Ferry  ;  And  also  be  authrized  to  provide 
Waggons  to  carry  the  baggage  of  the  escort  to  Sherrard's  Ferry? 
there  to  be  discharged. 

Ordered,  That  two  hundred  stand  of  Arms  &  fifty  Camp  Ket- 
tles be  immediately  forwarded  to  Sherrard's  Ferry,  for  the  use  of 
the  Philadelphia  &  Bucks  County  Militia,  under  the  care  of  Fred- 
erick Hagner,  &  proper  Receipts  taken  of  the  Captains  to  whom 
they  shall  be  delivered. 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  to  Colo.  Henry  to  forward 
about  four  hundred  Dozen  Musket  Cartridges,  for  the  use  of  the 
Pennsylvania  escort. 

Ordered,  That   the    Muster  master  be  directed    to  proceed  to 
Wright's  Ferry,  or  such  other  Ferry  on  Susquehanna  which  the 
Troops  may  cross,  &  there  muster  the  Militia  ordered  into  service 
to  escort  the  Convention  Troops  thro'  this  State. 
On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Jonathan  Lodge,  Esquire,  be  appointed  &  Com- 
missioned to  be  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Northumberland,  & 
that  Thomas  Robinson  be  appointed  &  Commissioned  Coroner  of 
the  County  of  Northumberland. 

Ordered,  That  notice  be  laid  on  the  Coffee  House  Books,  request- 
ing the  Petitioners  to  the  House  of  General  Assembly  against 
Forestalled,  to  attend  the  Council  on  Thursday  Morning  at 
Eleven  O'Clock,  &  give  Council  such  information  on  this  Subject 
as  is  in  their  power. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  Decern.  9,  1778 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  B&yan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  &"] 

Matt'w  Smith,  Tho's  Scott,         lEsq'rs. 

James  M'Lean,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  0. 
Bradford,  Paymaster  of  the  State  Navy,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum 


640  MINUTES  OF   THE 

of  Four  thousand  Pounds,  to  pay  off  the  Officers  &  Men  belonging 
to  the  State  Fleet,  to  be  charged  to  account  of  the  said  Paymaster. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  Crispin, 
Comniissaiy  of  the  State  Fleet,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Three 
thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Petition  of  Hannah  Fairlamb,  praying  to  be  permitted  to  go  into 
New  York  to  see  her  Husband,  was  read ;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  Pass  into  New  York  be  granted  to  Hannah 
Fairlamb,  to  Visit  her  husband  &  return  to  this  State  again. 


Esq'rs. 


■     The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  Decern.  10,  1778, 
present : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
John  Mackay,  James  McLene,  & 

Matt'w  Smith,  Jas.  Reed, 

Capt.  Heysham,  John  Barnhill,  &  Peter  Ozeas,  attended  the 
Council,  in  consequence  of  notice  to  the  Petitioners  against  fore- 
stallers  to  attend  in  Council,  And  the  resolve  of  the  Hon'ble  House 
of  General  Assembly  of  the  5th  instant,  recommending  to  the  se- 
rious attention  of  Council  the  Petition  of  sundry  inhabitants  of 
the  City  of  Philadelphia,  presented  to  the  House,  &  praying  in  effect 
their  interposition  to  prevent  forestalling,  was  read.  The  said  Pe- 
tition was  also  read.     On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Willani  Heysham,  George  Schlosser,  &  Will'm. 
Hollingshead,  be  appointed  &  requested  to  make  inquiry  in  all  that 
part  of  the  City  from  Market  Street  Northward,  including  the 
North  Side  of  Market  Street,  concerning  the  engrossing  of  Flour  & 
other  necessaries  of  Life,  k  make  report  as  soon  as  may  be,  to  this 
Council,  of  such  facts  as  have  come  or  shall  come  to  then  know- 
ledge, concerning  the  same  j  And  that  Nathan  Boys,  Jediah  Snow- 
den,  &  Robert  Bridges,  be  appointed  to  the  same,  from  Market  Street 
Southward,  including  the  South  Side  of  Market  Street;  k  Colo- 
William  Coats,  Frederick  Kull,  k  Emanuel  Eyre,  for  the  North- 
ern Liberties. 
On  motion, 

Ordered,  That  the  unanimous  thanks  of  the  Council  be  given 
to  Col.  Thomas  Hartly,  for  the  brave  k  prudent  Conduct  in  cover- 
ing the  North  Western  frontiers  of  this  State,  &  repelling  the 
Savages  k  other  Enemies  ;  And  that  he  be  requested  to  inform  th^ 
Officers  &  Men  who  have  been  under  his  command,  that  this  Coun- 
cil is  highly  sensible  of  the  difficulties  &  hardships  of  the  duty 
which  they  have  performed,  k  the  courage  &  zeal  which  they  have 
shown  during  the  last  Campaign. 

Ordered,  That  the  forgoing  order  be  Published* 


} 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  Ul 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  December  II,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

His  Exceli'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
James  McLene,  Jacob  Arndt,  & 

Matt'w  Smith,  Thomas  Scott,    [-Esq'rs. 

John  Mackay, 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  George  Henry  be  appointed  to  superintend 
&,  Conduct  the  Sales  of  the  Vessels,  Gallies  &  Gun  Boats,  with 
their  apparrel  &  furniture,  (Guns  excepted,)  he  to  be  accountable 
for  the  Nett  proceeds  of  the  sales,,  and  that  he  be  allowed  the  same 
Commissions  as  the  Marshall  of  the.  Admiralty  in  like  cases. 

Petition  of  Peter  Dehaven,  Benj.  Rittenhouse  &  Hugh  Dehaven, 
respecting  the  Gun  Factory,  was  read. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Dehaven  be  directed  to  make  out  &  deliver 
an  Inventory  of  the  Factory. 

Petition  of  Richard  Footman,  m  behalf  of  James  Warren,  Brew- 
er, was  read  &  ordered  to  lie  on  the  Table. 

Report  of  Dr.  Hutchinson,  of  the  Stateof  the  Navy  Hospital,  was 
was  read  ;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Dr„  Hutchinson  be  directed  to  make  out,  &  de- 
liver to  the  Secretary,  an  estimate  of  a  Medicine  Chest  for  the  Navy. 

William  Streaker,  late  of  the  Island  of  Barbadoes,  but  now  an 
inhabitant  of  the  State,  having  presented  a  Memorial  setting  forth 
that  he  had  taken  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  to  this  State,  and  con- 
siders himself  a  Subject  &  resident  thereof;  but  that  having  property 
in  the  Island  of  Barbadoes,  he  proposes  to  go  to  the  West  Indies 
in  order  to  secure  <&  transport  the  same  to  this  Country,  of  which 
he  thought  it  his  duty  to  acquaint  the  Board,  to  prevent  any  future ' 
questions  or  disputes  on  his  return ; 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Memorial  be  iled  among  the  Papers  of 
the  Board,  &  that  the  Secretary  give  him  a  copy  of  this  Minute,  if 
requested. 

A  Transcript  of  the  Conviction  before  the  Court  of  Oyer  and 
Terminer  &  General  Goal  delivery,  held  at  Philadelphia  on  the  9  th 
day  of  November  last,  of  James  6'  Bryan  &John  Beard,  alias  dictus 
James  Beard,  of  Felony  &  Robbery,  was  read  &  considered ;  and 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  sentence  of  the  Court  of  Oyer  &  Terminer, 
&  General  Goal  delivery,  against  James  O'Bryan  &  John  Beard, 
alias  dictus  James  Beard,  be  executed  upon  them,  the  said  James 

VOL.  XL 41. 


642  '        MINUTES  OF  THE 

Bryan  &  John  Beard,  on  Saturday  the  Nineteenth  day  of  this  pres- 
ent month,  &  that  a  Warrant  he  made  out  under  the  less  Seal  of 
the  State,  &  Signed  by  his  Excellency  the  President,  &  attested  by 
the  Secretary,  for  this  purpose,  &  that  it  be  delivered  to  the  Sheriff 
of  the  City  &  County  of  Philadelphia. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  Decern,  12,  1778,. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  &") 

Ja's  McLene,  Tho's  Scott,       I  Esq'rs. 

Ja's  Read,  J 

A  Letter  from  Capt.  Joseph  Wade  was  read ;  and 
On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  agreeable  to  the  request  of  Captain  Joseph 
Wade,  his  resignation  of  his  Office  &  employment  in  the  State  Ser- 
vice, be  received. 

Application  of  James  Ash  &  Comp'y,  for  100  lbs.  of  Gunpowder. 

Ordered,  That  Joseph  Stiles,  Commissary  of  Military  Stores,  be 
directed  to  supply  James  Ash  &  Comp'y,  with  One  hundred  weight 
of  Gunpowder,  for  the  Letter-of-Marque  schooner  Rebecca,  they 
paying  him  the  Value  thereof. 

Petition  of  Marlon  Carvel,  convicted  of  having  gone  into  the  city 
of  Philadelphia,  &  praying  to  have  his]fiue  remitted  was  read,  &  a 
Certificate  in  his  favor,  signed  by  John  Vandeygriffc,  Esq'r,  was 
read;  & 

On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  fine  adjudged  to  be  paid  to  the  State  by  Mar- 
lon Carvel,  for  his  having  gone  into  the  City  of  Philadelphia  while 
in  the  possession  of  the  Enemy,  be  remitted. 
On  motion, 

Ordered,  That  a  Pass  into  New  York  be  granted  to  Mary  Wil- 
son, not  to  return  again. 

Ordered,  That  the  execution  of  the  Sentence  of  the  Court  against 
Mary  Miller,  so  far  as  relates  to  the  Corporal  punishment,  be  re- 
spited for  ten  days,  &  until  further  orders  from  this  Council. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
James  McLene,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Ninety-Eight 
Pounds  Sixteen  Shillings  &  Eight  Pence,  for  his  attendance  in 
Council  Thirty-Eight  days,  &  Mileage  on  160  Miles. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  643 

Ordered,  That  the  March  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  York, 
intended  to  guard  the  Convention  Troops,  be  countermanded. 


The  Council  met. 

*> 

Philadelphia,  Monday  Decern.  14,  1778. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Mackay,  Thomas  Scott,  >  -,    , 

Jacob  Arndt,  &  3 

On  Consideration, 
Ordered,  That  Mr.  George  Henry  be  directed  not  to  sell  the  best 
Galley  for  a  less  Sum  than  five  hundred  Pounds,  &  the  others  at  a 
price  proportioned  to  their  value.  No  one  to  be  sold  for  less  thaa 
Three  hundred  Pounds.  The  best  Galley  to  be  first  exposed  to 
Sale. 

Ordered,  That  all  the  Guns  under  Six  Pounders  be  Sold,  to 
be  put  up  in  pairs ;  And  in  case  the  Sales  cannot  be  conducted 
agreeable  to  this  direction,  they  are  to  be  bought  in  for  the  State,  &  a 
further  day  appointed  for  the  Sale. 

A  Letter  from  Capt.  Tho's  Hazlewood,  requesting  a  Furlow,  to 
make  a  voyage  to  the  West  Indies  j 
On  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  Capt.  Tho's  Hazlewood  be  allowed  to  make  a 
Voyage  to  the  West  Indies,  on  his  own  private  Business,  &  to  re- 
tain his  Rank  in  the  service  of  the  State ;  but  he  is  not  to  receive* 
Pay  or  draw  Rations  until  he  shall  again  enter  into  actual  service. 


The  Council  Met, 

Philadelphia,  Tuesday  Decern.  15,  1778 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  }  «    , 

Ja's  Read,  Tho's  Scott,        J  ^ rs> 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  report  of  Colonel  Bull  Is 
Jacob  S.  Howell,  upon  the  Pay  of  the  Persons  employed  on  the 
Fortifications  at  Billingsport  &  Red  Bank,  for  the  Year  1777 j  k 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Pay  of  the  Persons  employed  at  Billiogspor* 
&  Red  Bank,  for  the  Year  1777,  be  as  follows,  Viz : 


644  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Master  Carpenters  Twenty-Two  Shillings  &  Six  Pence  Per 
day;  Master  Bricklayers  the  same;  Pay-masters  of  Artificers  the 
same ;  Commissary  of  Utensils  Sixteen  Shillings  Per  day ;  Clerk 
to  the  Pay-masters  the  same ;  Overseers  of  Laborers  Thirteen  Shil 
lings  Per  day.  , 


The  Council  met., 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  Decern.  16,  1778. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  Prrsident, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,        1 

John  Mackay,  Thomas  Scott,  &  t  Esq'rs. 

James  Reed,  Matt'w  Smith,      J 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  returns  of  Election  of  Jus- 
tices of  the  Peace  for  the  district  of  Germantown,  Roxbury,  & 
Springfield  Township,  &  for  the  district  of  Upper  Hanover,  Marl- 
borough &  Upper  Salford  Townships,  The  former  having  returned 
John  Miller  &  John  Howell,  &  the  latter  having  returned  Michael 
Croll  &  Peter  Hillegas  : 

Ordered,  That  John  Miller  &  Mich'l  Croll,  be  appointed  &  Com- 
missioned to  be  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Philadel- 
phia. 

Resolves  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Assembly  of  the  5th  Decem- 
ber, 1778,  was  this  day  read  in  Council. 

Ordered,  That  Sarah  Whitebread,  (Wife  of  Geo.  Whitebread,) 
be  furnished  with  a  Pass  to  New  York,  to  endeavour  to  obtain  her 
Two  Sons,  now  in  New  York,  one  11,  the  other  13  years  of  Age. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  Decern.  17,  1778. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  READ,  Esq'r,  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jas.  Read,  &  >  v    , 

John  Mackay,  Tho's  Scott,  5  ^  rs' 

Order  ah  That  Mr.  George  Henry  dispose,  by  Auction,  of  the 
Tools,  Implements  &  stock  of  the  Gun  factory,  belonging  to  this 
State,  preserving  the  finished  and  unfinished  Arms  of  all  such  Ar- 
ticles as,  upon  conference  with  Mr.  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  may  be 
thought  necessary  for  the  use  of  the  State. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  645 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  acquaint  Messrs.  Alexa.  Wilcocks 
k  William  McMurtrie,  that  it  having  been  suggested  to  the  Board 
that  they  are  possessed  of  property  belonging  to  British  subjects. 
or  otherwise  liable  to  the  just  claim  of  the  State,  The  Public  offi- 
cers of  the  State  will  be  ordered  to  take  tiie  proper  steps  for  secu- 
ring the  same  for  the  benefit  of  the  State,  unless  the  parties  con- 
cerned can  shew  the  Board  sufficient  reason  to  the  contrary. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  Decern.  18,  1778. 

present  : 
His  ExcelFy  JOSEPH  READ,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan.  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read,       ~\ 

John  Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  j-Esq'rs. 

Matt'w  Smith,  Thomas  Scott,     ) 

John  Nixon,  John  Maxwell  Nesbifct,  &  Benjamin  Fuller,  nomi- 
nated &  appointed  by  Act  of  General  Assembly  to  settle  the  Ac- 
counts of  the  late  Committee  &  Council  of  Safety,  attended  in 
Council,  &  they  &  each  of  them  were  sworn  on  the  Holy  Evan- 
gelists of  Almighty  God,  that  they  "  well  &  faithfully  execute  the 
Office  &  trust  of  an  Auditor  for  settling  the  Accounts  of  the  late 
Committee  &  Council  of  Safety,  to  the  best  of  their  Judgment, 
skill  &  Abilities-" 

On  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  Capt.  James  Lang  do  deliver  over  to  Jacob  S. 
Howell,  as  soon  as  may  be,  all  the  Cloathing  belonging  to  the  State 
now  in  his  hands,  the  said  Lang's  possesion,  taking  a  Receipt  for  the 
same ;  And  that  the  said  Lang  do  immediately  lay  before  the  Council 
his  Accounts,  prepared  for  a  final  Settlement. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Captain  James 
Lang,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand  Pounds,  for  the  Cloathing 
department,  for  which  Sum  the  said  Lang  is  to  account.  , 

On  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  the  Execution  of  the  Sentence  of  the  Court  of 
Oyer  &  Terminer  &  General ^Goal  delivery,  upon  the  body  of  James 
Bryan,  be  respitted  for  fifteen  days,  &  that  a  Warrant  under  the 
less  Seal,  be  issued  for  the  purpose  accordingly. 

Thomas  Fitzsimmons  laid  before  the  Council  a  Certificate  signed 
by  the  tlon'ble  the  Sieur  Gerard,  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  His 
most  Christian  Majesty,  that  the  Ship  Mary  &  Elizabeth,  belong- 
ing to  Mr.  Fitzsimmons  &  Company,  was  laden  with  biscuit  &  Flour 
for  the  use  of  the  Fleet  of  His  most  Christian  Majesty,  and  prayed 
that  the  said  Ship  may  be  cleared  out  at  the  Naval  Office. 


W6  MINUTES  OF  THE 

On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  a  Proclamation,  under  the  Seal  of  the  State,  be 
issued  agreeable  to  an  Act  of  General  Assembly  entitled  iC  An  Act 
to  prohibit  the  exportation  of  Provisions  from  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania for  a  limited  time,"  to  suspend  the  operation  thereof  so 
far  as  to  admit  the  exportation  of  any  of  the  Articles  within  the 
description  of  the  said  Act,  for  the  use  of  the  Fleet  of  his  most  Chris- 
tian Majesty. 

A  letter'  from  Robert  Galbraitb,  Esq'r,  resigning  bis  Offices  of 
Prothonotary,  Clerk  of  the  Peace,  Clerk  of  the  Orphans'  Court, 
Recorder  of  Deeds,  &  Register  for  the  Probate  of  Wills,  and  also 
the  Commission  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Bedford. 

Ordered,  That  David  Espy  be  appointed  &  Commissioned  to  be 
Prothonotary,  Recorder  of  Deeds  &  Register  for  the  Probate  of 
Wills,  for  the  County  of  Bedford,  k  one  of  the  Justices  of  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  the  said  County, 

Ordered,  That  David  Espy  be  appointed  &  Commissioned  to  be 
Clerk  of  the  Orphan  Court  of  the  County  of  Bedford. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  Decern.  19,  1778* 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jos.   Hart,  Matth'w  Smith,  &  £  ™     , 

John  Mackay,  Tho's  Scott,  ^     J^ 

The  Plan  of  defence  of  the  North  Western  frontiers  of  this 
Place,  laid  down  by  Col.  Hartley,  was  now  read  &  considered  ;  and 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  plan  <fc  Arrangement  for  the  defence  of  the 
North  Western  frontiers  of  this  State,  laid  down  by  Col.  Hartley, 
&  dated  December  1st,  1778,  is  approved  by  this  Council ;  And 
that  Col.  Sam'l  Hunter.  Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Northumberland, 
be  directed  to  supply  the  Post  at  General  Potter's,  in  Penn's  Val- 
ley, with  two  Officers  <fc  Twenty  Men,  until  further  orders;  And  in 
case  any  other  Officer  should  succeed^Colo.  Hartley  in  command,  it 
is  recommended  that  Col.  Hartley's  plan  be  pursued,  as  far  as  cir- 
cumstances will  admit. 

A  Letter  from  the  Marine  Committee  read,  enclosing  an  engage- 
ment on  the  part  of  the  Minister  of  France,  to  Pay  Twelve  Thou- 
sand Dollars  as  a  reward  to  any  Vessel  capturing  or  destroying  any 
Vessel  of  the  Enemy  laden  with  Masts  or  Spars,  &  bound  for  New 
York,  Halifax,  or  Newport. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  filed. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  647 

A  Certificate  from  Col.  Nicola  was  read,  that  Lieuts.  Honeyraan, 
Pugh,  &  Wood,  of  the  Pennsylvania  line,  have  been  regularly 
transferred  to  the  Corps  of  Invalids ; 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Howelldeliver  them  Cloathing  proportioned 
in  quality  &  quantity  to  other  Officers  of  the  same  Bank  in  the  line 
of  the  State. 

Petition  from  Henry  Sherer,  &  other  Taylors,  who  have  demands 
for  work  done  for  Colo.  Moylan's  Regiment  of  Light  Dragoons. 

Ordered,  That  it  be  returned  as  not  laying  before  the  board. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Monday  Decern.  21,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

■  His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Jac.  Arndt,  &  1 

John  Mackay,  Tho's  Scott,      t  Esq'rs. 

Matt'w  Smith,  J 

On  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  the   Attorney  General  be  directed  to  concur  in 
any  measures  which,  in  conference  with  the  other  Council  concern- 
ed, he  shall  think  proper,  to  obtain  a  re-consideration  of  the  cause 
of  the  Slo.  Active,  wherein  the  State  is  concerned. 

A  Letter  from  Gov'r  Johnson  of  Maryland,  inclosing  an  Act  of 
Assembly  of  that  State  against  the  distillers  of  Wiskey,  &ca.f 
was  read;  and  immediately- thereupon,  a  Copy  of  the  Law  of  this 
State  for  the  like  purpose  was  forwarded  to  Gov.  Johnson. 


Ead.  Die,  P.  M. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President 
Joseph  Hart,  &  ~)  ^     , 
John  Mackay,    $      ?  "' 
Ordered,  That  Col.  Nicola  be  directed  to  Muster  the  Militia  of 
the  County  of  Philadelphia,  under  the  Command  of  Col.  Dean,  k 
report  to  this  Council. 


»>48  MNUTE3  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 


Philadelphia,  Tuesday  Decern.  22,  177 & 


I 


PRESENT  ! 

Bis  Excell'y  JOS.  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jac.  Arndt,  & 

John  Maekay,  Tho's  Scott,      J-Esqrrs. 

Matfw  Smith, 

On  consideration. 

Ordered,  That  in  addition  to  the  News  Papers  sow  taken  of 
Dunlap  of  this  city  &  of  Mr.  Collins  of  Burlington,  the  following 
News  Papers  be  taken,  Yiz  : — Mr.  Purdy's,  of  Williamsburg,  in 
Virginia  ;  Miss  Goddard's,  of  Baltimore,  in  Maryland;  Mr.  Lou- 
don's, at  Fishkill,  in  the  State  of  New  York ; — ,  at 

New  Haven, — — ; ,  at  Providence ;  Miss- 

Edes  &  Gills,  <fc  Powers,  &  Willis's  of  Boston ;  and  that  the  Sec- 
retary do  write  to  the  said  Printers  respectively,  &  request  them  to 
send  their  Papers  Weekly. 

Ordered,  That  there  be  printed  Three  Hundred  Copies  of  the 
Passports  which  are  to  be  given  to  Ships  &  Barques,  according  to 
the  27th  Article  of  the  Treaty  of  Amity  &  Commerce,  done  at 
Paris,,  the  sixth  day  of  February,  One  Thousand  Seven  Hundred  k. 
seventy-eight ;  And  that  the  same  be  issued  under  the  less  Seal 
of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  and  signed  by  the  Presi- 
dent or  Yice  President,  and  countersigned  by  the  Secretary. 

The  Secretary  reports,  That  there  are  now  no  Commissions  for 
private  ships  of  War  in  his  hands,  4"  laid  before  the  Council  Twen- 
ty-two Bonds,  iaken  on  the  issuing  a  like  number  of  Commissions. 
Two  Commission's  filled  up  on  applications  &  not  called  for,  which 
completed  the  Twenty-four  Commissions  received  on  the  31st  Au- 
gust, 1778,  from  fche  Hon'ble  Henry  Laurens,  Esq'r,  late  President 
of  Congress; -and  also  two  Bonds,  taken  on  the  issuing  of  a  like- 
number  of  Commissions,  part  of  a  former  number  received  by 
Council,  &  that  there  had  been  One  Commission  sent  to  the  State 
Navy  Board,  which  that  Board  had  not  accounted  for;  And  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  sent  to  the  Hon'ble  John  Jay,  Esq'r, 
President  of  Congress. 

Plunket  Flee3on,  Esq'r,  attended  in  Council,  k  administered  to 
the  following  named  persons  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  k  fidelity  re- 
quired to  be  taken  by  the  Aet  of  General  Assembly,  passed  tf  <t 
tifth  day  of  this  instant,  December,  entitled  "  A  further  supp!  • 
went  to  the  Act  entitled  '  An  Act  for  the  further  security  of  Gk»V- 
vruineut/"  Viz't :     His  Excell'y  Joseph  Reed,  Esq'r,  Pre*'  If  i%J 


SUPREME  EXECUTVE  COUINCIL.  649 

Tlie  Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President;  Hon'ble  Joseph 
Hart,  John  Maekay,  Matt'w  Smith,  James  Read,  Jacob  Arndt  & 
Thomas  Scott,  Esq'rs,  Members  of  Council. 

And  he  also  administered  the  Affirmation  of  the  allegiance  & 
tidelity  aforesaid,  to  Timothy  Matlack,  Esquire,  Secretary  of  the 
Council. 

Passes  to  New  York  ordered  for  Sarah  Williamson,  Wife  of  Jesse 
Williamson,  to  return  again.  James,  a  Lad  of  14  Years  of  Age,, 
belonging  to  that  City.  Mary  Ginn,  Wife  of  Capt.  Ginn,  com- 
manding a  Merchant  Ship  in  the  Enemy's  Service,  not  to  return. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  George  Henry  be  and  he  is  hereby  appoint- 
ed  Commissary  of  Naval  Stores  of  this  State,  &  that  he  be  autho- 
rized to  take  into  his  care  and  Custody  the  Vessels  of  every  kind 
not  in  Commission,  Guns,  Arms  &  other  Naval  Stores,  the  whole 
to  be  collected  together  as  much  as  Possible,  &  all  the  Offiers  of 
the  State  &  others,  are  hereby  required  to  deliver  up  to  the  said 
Commissary  the  several  articles  herein  mentioned,  as  they  will 
answer  the  contrary  at  their  Peril ;  And  for  his  trouble  herein,  this 
board  so  agree  to  allow  him  eight  Dollars  per  day,  exclusive  of  the 
necessary  expences  attending  the  safe  keeping  and  preservation  of 
the  Stores. 


} 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday  Dec'r  28,  1778. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read, 

John  Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  &       }.  Esq'rs. 

Matt'w  Smith,  Thomas  Scott, 

The  two  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Viz  : 

In  favor  of  Ebenezer  Cowell,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Five 
hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

In  favor  of  John  Parker,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifty 
Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  prepare  a  Circular  Letter  to  each 
of  the  absent  Delegates  in  Congress,  acquainting  them  that  since 
the  late  appointment  the  State  has  seldom  been  represented  by  more 
than  two,  &  frequently  only  by  one,  which  is  attended  with  great 
inconvenience  to  the  Continent  in  General  &  prejudice  of  this  State 
in  particular,  &  to  desire  they  would  with  all  convenient  dispatch 
to  repair  to  Congress  and  agree  among  themselves,  so  that  in  future 
a  certain  day  not  less  than  three,  may  always  attend. 


660  MINUTES  OF  THE 

A  Letter  from  His  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington,  dated  Middle- 
brook,  December  17,  1778,  was  read,  stating  sundry  inconvenien- 
cies  arising  from  the  intercourse  as  at  present  carried  on  with  the 
City  of  Mew  York,  &  proposing  that  Flag  boats  shall  go  only  at 
stated  periods,  (unless  in  extraordinary  Cases,)  &  desiring  the  con- 
currence of  this  board  thereon. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  do  acquaint  the  General  that  the 
board  approve  the  said  proposition,  &  as  soon  as  he  has  fixed  on  the 
stated  time  of  permission,  will  grant  passes  conformably. 

A  Petition  from  Peregrine  Jones,  late  Clerk  to  the  Gun  Factory, 
was  read,  praying  an  allowance  beyond  his  Pay,  to  enable  him  to 
remove  into  the  Country. 

Resolved,  That  the  Prayer  of  his  Petition  cannot  be  granted. 

A  Petition  from  Henry  Myers,  praying  remission  of  his  Fine, 
was  read,  and 

Ordered,  To  lay  upon  the  table  till  inquiry  be  made  into  his 
ability  of  Estate. 

A  Petition  from  Thomas  Fell,  Thomas  Philips,  William  Rozen,  & 
Alexander  Campbell,  Officers  lately  discharged  from  the  State  Navy, 
praying  the  same  allowance  as  dismissed  Continental  Officers,  &  that 
they  may  receive  their  Prize  Money  out  of  the  Wreck  of  the  Au- 
gusta &  Merlin. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  acquaiut  them  by  Letter  That 
Council  desire  they  would  lay  before  them  a  state  of  the  transac- 
tions respecting  the  said  Wrecks,*;by  whom  the  said  property  was 
taken,  &  in  whose  hands  the  same  now  is,  no  part  thereof  having 
been  yet  accounted  for  to  the  Public,  as  appears  to  this  board. 

Philip  Weiss  of  Arch  Street,  &l  John  Philips,  of  Letitia  Court, 
formerly  a  Ginger-bread  baker,  having  been  represented  to  this 
board  as  guilty  of  forestalling  &  enhancing  the  Price  of  flour, 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  acquaint  James  Young,  Esquire,  or 
some  other  Magistrate  of  the  City,  therewith,  in  order  that  they  be 
brought  to  Justice. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Thursday  Decern.  24,  1778. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon.  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  •  James  Reed,       ~) 

John  Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  <fe  vEsq'rs. 

Matt'w  Smith,  Thomas  Scott,   J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  Cris- 
pin, Commissary  of  the  State  Fleet,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of 
Five  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  651 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Sam'l  Harris, 
Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Sixty-two  Pounds  fifteen  Shil- 
lings &  three  Pence,  for  repairing  Arms  for  the  Militia  in  service 
in  the  Army  of  Northumberland. 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
John  Mack  ay,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Three  Hundred 
Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

A  Certificate  that  the  Sloop  Mars  is  laden  with  Provisions  for 
the  use  of  the  French  fleet,  signed  by  the  Hon'ble  the  Sieur  Ge- 
rard, was  read  in  Council,  &  thereupon  • 

Ordered,  That  the  Naval  Officer  be  directed  to  clear  out  the 
Sloop  Mars,  belonging  to  Mr.  Nesbitt. 

Ordered,  That  Col.  Lewis  Farmer  be  appointed  to  purchase  Rum 
&  other  Articles,  for  the  use  of  the  Quota  of  Troops  of  this  State 
in  the  Continental  Army,  &  to  forward  the  same  to  the  Army, 
agreeable  to  a  Resolve  of  the  House  of  Assembly,  and  that  he  be 
allowed  two  ^  Cent  for  this  service. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  Decern  26,  1778. 

PRESENT : 

His  ExcelPy  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Elart,  & 
Thomas  Scott, 


t;&}Esq'rS. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  Decern.  28,  1778 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos,  PLirt,  John  Hambright,  &  >  ™     , 

John  Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  £     B^TS 


652  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Tuesday  Decern.  29,  1778. 


I  Esq'] 


PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice-President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read, 

John  Mackay,  Jacob  Arndt,  &      J*  Esq'rs. 

Matt'w  Smith,  John  Hambright, 

Mtjor    Jacob  Arndt,  Esq'rs  account  of  attendance  in  Council, 
October  1777  : 
Attendance  in  Council  of  Safety  14th  &  15th  October, 

@  25s £2  10  0 

Attendance  in  Council  from  5th  November  to  the  13th 

December,  included,  39  days  @  35s. 
Mileage  on  80  Miles  @  lOd. 
Attendance  in  Council  from  the  9th  January  to  the 

19th  February,  42  days  @  35s. 
Mileage  on  80  Miles  @  lOd. 
Attendance  in  Council  from  27th  March  to  the  1st  July, 

97  days  @  35s. 
Mileage  to  Lancaster,  80  Miles,  @  lOd. 
Mileage  from  Philadelphia  home,  60  Miles,     - 
Attendance  from  13th  July  to  2d  Septem.,  52  days 
Mileage  on  60  Miles  @  lOd.  -  -  - 

Attendance  from  17  Deum.  to  29  Deum.,  104  days  @ 

45s. 

Mileage  on  60  Miles  @  Is.  6 


68 

5  0 

6 

13  4 

73 

10  0 

6 

13  4 

169 

15  0 

3 

6  8 

2 

10  0 

91 

0  0 

5 

0  0 

234 

0  0 

9 

0  0 

672     3  4 


An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
Jacob  Arndt,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Six  hundred  and 
Seventy-two  PouDds  three  Shillings  &  four  Pence,  for  his  Pay  & 
Mileage,  according  to  the  foregoing  account. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  case  of  » 
School-master,  now  confined  in  the  Goal  of  the  County  of  Lancas- 
ter, he  having  been  convicted  of  keeping  a  School,  not  having  taken 
the  Oath  of  Allegiance  according  to  Law,  &  fined  by  the  Court  of 
Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Lancaster,  in  the 
sum  of  One  hundred  Pounds. 

Ordered,  That  the  fine  of  One  hundred  Pounds,  adjudged  by  the 
Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Lancas- 
ter, to  be  paid  by  Josh'a  Bennett,  (he  having  been  Convicted  in 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  653 

the  said  Court  of  having  kept  a  School,  not  having  taken  the  Oath 
or  Affirmation  of  Allegiance  to  the  State,  according  to  Law,)  be  re- 
mitted. 


The  Council  met. 

*  Philad'a,  Thursday  December  31,  1778, 

present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jos.  Hart,  Matt'w  Smith,  &  >  ™    , 

John  Mackay,  Thomas  Scott,      J      " 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Captain  Joho 
Pearson,  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum 
of  One  thousand  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  the  same  to  be 
charged  to  his  account. 

A  Letter  from  Robert  Morris,  mentioning  his  receiving  a  num- 
ber of  Arms  from  Cape  Francois,  of  which  167  Arms  belong  to  this 
State,  &  that  the  freight  of  these,  &  of  a  former  parcel,  Amounted 
to  £622  18. 

Ordered,  That  167  Stand  of  Arms  belonging  to  this  State  of 
Pennsylvania,  now  in  the  hands  of  Rob't  Morris,  Esq'r,  be  deliv- 
ered to  Capt.  Jos.  Stiles,  Commissary  of  Military  Stores. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Robert  Morris, 
Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  &  Twenty-two 
Pounds  &  Eighteen  Shillings,  for  the  freight  of  Arms  belonging  to 
this  State,  &  imported  by  the  said  Morris  from  Cape  Francois. 

The  Council  observing  in  the  Pennsylvania  Packet  of  the  29th 
instant,  some  acrimonious  remarks  by  Brig'r  Gen'l  William  Thomp- 
son, of  this  State,  in  the  Continental  Service,  on  the  Conduct  of 
the  Hon'ble  Thomas  McKean,  Esq'r,  Chief  Justice  of  this  Com- 
monwealth, &  there  being  probability  that  the  same  may  have  ref- 
erence to  proceedings  in  Congress ; 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Delegates  of  this  State  in  Congress,  be  re- 
quested to  furnish  this  Council  with  the  proceedings  of  Congress 
in  such  Cases  as  may  probably  in  any  wise  have  given  rise  to  those 
Charges  &  remarks,  with  the  evidence  which  has  appeared  thereon  ; 
so  far  as  Consistant  with  their  duty  to  Congress,  they  are  liberty 
to  make  the  same  known. 

Council  taking  into  Consideration  the  Cases  of  James  O'Bryan 
k  John  Ellwood,  now  under  Sentence  of  Death, 

Ordered,  That  they,  &  each  of  them,  be  further  reprieved,  for 
&  during  Sixty  days,  &  that  Warrants  under  the  less  Seal,  for  tha 
Stay  of  Execution  of  their  Sentence,  be  accordingly  issued. 


654  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  for  the  ensuing  Year  three  of  each  of  the  follow- 
ing News  Papers  be  taken,  Viz  : 

Mr.  Dunlap's,  Mr.  Bradford's,  Messrs.  Hall  &  Sellers. 

Council  being  informed  that  attempts  had  been  nmde  by  attach- 
ments, replevin  &  otherwise,  to  recover  effects  or  Sums  of  Money 
due,  or  pretended  to  be  due,  to  the  Plaintiffs  in  such  suits  by  Trai- 
tors attainted  of  High  Treason  :  And 

Whereas  such  proceedings  without  any  Defendant  to  answer,  may 
be  productive  of  much  injustice,  both  public  &  Private ;  To  pre- 
vent therefore,  the  good  People  of  this  State  from  putting  them- 
selves to  unnecessary  expence  &  trouble,  the  Secretary  is  ordered 
to  give  Public  notice,  that  the  Attorney  General  has  been  directed 
to  appear  in  behalf  of  the  State  in  such  suits,  &  move  to  quash  all 
Process  founded,  or  take  such  other  steps  as  the  Law  may  require,  to 
prevent  such  irregularities,  &  to  caution  all  persons  against  purchas* 
ing  any  Estate,  effects  heretofore  belonging  to  such  Traitor  or  Tra- 
tors,  (unless  sold  by  the  Public  Agents.) 

The  property  thereof  being  clearly  vested  in  the  State  by  the 
act  of  General  Assembly,  intitled  "  An  Act  for  the  attainder  of 
divers  Traitors,  if  they  render  not  themselves  by  a  certain  day,  k 
for  vesting  their  Estates  in  this  Commonwealth  ;  And  for  mor.e  ef- 
fectually discovering  the  same,  &  for  ascertaining  &  satisfying  the 
lawful  Debts  &;  Claims  thereupon,"  subject  to  all  just  demands, 
for  which  a  remedy  is  given  in  the  Supreme  Court  by  a  summary 
Process. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sheriff,  or  in  his  absence  the  Coroner,  do  im- 
mediately execute  the  Process  issued  by  this  Council  on  the  eighth 
instant,  upon  the  salt  laying  in  Prichard's  Store,  on  the  South  side 
of  Chestnut  Street  Wharf;  that  he  deliver  the  same  to  Mr.  George 
Henry,  Commissary  of  Stores ;  And  it  being  represented  to  this 
board  by  the  Commissary  General  for  Provisions  of  the  United 
States,  that  the  said  salt  is  indispensibly  necesssary  for  the  use  of 
his  department,  it  is  further 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Henry  deliver  the  same  at  the  current  prioe 
to  the  said  Commissary,  taking  an  exact  account  of  the  quantity, 
&  returning  the  same  to  this  board  as  soon  as  possible;  And  that 
upon  Receipt  of  the  purchase  Money  from  the  said  Commissary 
General,  he  pay  the  same,  deducting  his  charges  (if  any.)  <fe  his 
Commissions,  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  State. 

Letter  from  Col.  Hunter,  Lieutenant  of  Northumberland,  and 
laid  on  the  Table  for  an  Answer. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  write  to  the  Lieut,  of  Berks  Coun- 
ty, to  call  upon  a  Col.  Lindemoth,  or  his  Lieut.  Colonel,  stationed 
last  summer  at  Fort  Jenkins,  in  Northumberland,  for  five  Riffles 
taken  from  one  Webb,  charged  with  disaffection. 

A  Letter  from  Gen'l  Washington,  dated  27th  inst.,  respecting 
the  mode  of  supplying  the  Troops  with  Spirits  &  other  necessaries, 
&  recommending  a  Mr.  Moss  to  give  information  on  this  subject, 
was  read. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  655 

Letter  from  Mr.  Sprogell,  Muster  Master,  inclosing  a  Muster 
Roll  of  the  Troops  ordered  as  an  Escort  to  the  Convention  Priso- 
ners, &  requesting  some  Pay  to  be  advanced  to  him. 


The  Council  met. 

Philadelphia,  Friday  January  1,  1779.. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  JOS.  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read,  *) 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  &  V  Esq'rs. 

Mathew  Smith,  Thomas  Scott,  J 

Petition  of  John  Tyler,  respecting  his  account,  &ca.,  was  read. 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  Table. 
Lieu.  Will'm  Macpherson  having  communicated  to  this  Council 
his  intention  of  offering  his  service  to  Confess,  &;  requesting  a  re- 
commendation, 

Ordered,  That  in  regard  to  the  memory  of  his  brother  Maj, 
John  McPherson,  who  fell  before  the  walls  of  Quebec,  as  well  as 
in  consideration  of  his  own  merit,  this  Council  do  recommend 
Lieu.  William  MacPherson  to  the  favorable  notice  of  Congress. 
A  Letter  from  Dan'l  Roberdeau,  Esq'r,  was  read. 
The  case  of  Henry  Myers  being  now  taken  into  consideration,  k 
it  appearing  that  the  party  injured  by  him  had  recommended  him 
to  the  clemency  of  Council,  &  that  he  is  very  poor,  &  unable  to 
pay  his  fine, 

Ordered,  That  the  fine  laid  by  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions 
of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  on  Henry  Myers, 
now  in  the  Gaol  of  the  said  county  for  misdemeanor,  be  remitted. 
An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Robert  Alli- 
son, or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Three  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  his  account. 


656  MINUTES  OP  THE 


The  Council  met. 


Philadelphia,  Saturday  January  2,  1779. 


} 


PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read, 

John  Macky,  John  Hanibright,  &  ^Esq'rs. 

Matthew  Smith,  Thomas  Scott, 

The  following  returns  of  the  election  for  chusing  persons  to  be 
returned  for  the  consideration  of  Council,  &  appointment  to  be 
Justices  of  the  Peace,  were  now  read,  Vizt: 

For  Higb-  street  Ward,  William  Ball  &  Stephen  Collins;  For 
Chesnut  Ward,  William  Adcock  &  Joseph  Morris ;  For  Walnut 
Ward,  Samuel  Morris  &  George  Henry. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  fav.  of  the  Hon'ble 
Joseph  Hart,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Five  Hundred  & 
Forty  one  Pounds  and  five  Shillings,  for  his  attendance  in  Council 
Two  hundred  &  seventy-five  days,  ending  with  the  last  year,  Viz : 

from  the  1st  day  of  April  to  the  2d  Sept.  inclusive,  155 

days,  a  35s. £271  5  0 

from  Septem.  3d  to  Decern.  31,  inclusive,  120  days,  a 

45s,     -        -        -        -   " 270  0  0 


£541  5  0 


An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the 
Hon'ble  Joseph  Hart,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Four 
Pounds  &  ten  Shillings,  for  his  expences  in  hastening  the  Militia 
of  Bucks  County  to  escort  the  Convention  Troops  thro'  this  State 
to  Virginia. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  Jor- 
dan, or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Eighty  Four  Pounds,  for  fourteen 
hailing,  for  repairs,  &ca.,  near  the  State  House. 

Ordered,  That  this  Council  will  hear  the  Complaints  against  the 
Election  for  Councellor  in  the  County  of  York,  Ten  days  after  the 
day  appointed  for  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lodowick  Spro- 
gell,  Muster  [Master,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  five  hundred  Dol- 
lars, to  be  charged  to  account  of  the  said  Sprogel. 


} 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  657 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  January  4,  1779. 
present  :  4 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  & 

John  Maeky,  Tho's  Scott,  }.Esq'rs. 

Matt' w  Smith, 

Capt.  Boys  attended  in  Council,  &  received  directions  to  keep  a 
guard  at  the  Middle  Ferry,  to  take  care  of  the  Bridge,  &  to  spring 
it  in  case  of  a  thaw  or  a  fresh. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Kebz,  or 
his  order,  for  the  sum  of  twelve  Pounds  &  five  Shillings,  for  riding 
Express. 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr. 
Sam'l  Harris,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Eighteen  Pounds  and 
fifteen  Shillings,  for  one  Month's  Service,  in  the  issuing  of  Stores 
to  the  Militia  in  the  County  of  Northumberland,  in  Continental 
Service. 

The  Petition  of  Matthew  Clarkson,  Marshall  of  the  Admiralty, 
stating  his  difficulties  with  respect  to  the  disposal  of  the  produce  of 
the  sale  of  the  Sloop  Active  &  her  Cargo,  &  "  craving  the  orders, 
advice  &  directions  of  Council  in  that  case,"  was  read;  and 
On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Marshall  of  the  Admiralty  be  informed  that 
it  is  clearly  the  Opinion  of  this  Council  that  he  is  bound  to  obey 
the  orders  of  the  Judge  of  the  Admiralty  as  his  immediate  superior 
in  authority,  according  to  the  best  advice  &  Council  which  he  (the 
Marshall)  can  obtain. 

Capt.  Will'm  McPherson,  late  in  the  British  Service,  attended 
in  Council  by  order,  &  represented  that  he  had  some  Months  ago 
resigned  his  Commission  in  the  British  Service,  &  having  repeatedly 
to  Gen'l  Clinton  for  leave  to  go  out  of  New  York  he  had  been  re- 
fused, &  that  he  made  his  escape  from  thence. 

Whereas,  the  keeping  of  Gunpowder  in  or  near  any  Town  or 
City  is  highly  dangerous  &  contrary  to  Law ;  And  whereas,  there  is 
reason  to  believe  that  considerable  quantities  of  Gunpowder  are  now 
Warehoused  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  &  in  the  Towns  of  this 
State,  to  the  endangering  of  the  lives  of  many  of  the  inhabitants. 
This  board  therefore,  think  proper  to  signify  to  all  persons  possess- 
ing of  Gunpowder,  that  strict  enquiry  will  be  made  concerning  the 
nuisance  aforesaid,  &  prosecutions  commenced  against  all  persons 
Offending  in  the  Premises. 

VOL.  XI.-— 42. 


658  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  James  Dim- 
das,  Paymaster  of  the  Workmen  at  Billingsport  in  1777,  or  his 
order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his 
account. 

A  representation  of  the  case  of  Edward  Agnew,  belonging  to 
this  State,  made,  Prisoner  at  the  storming  of  Quebec,  in  the  year 
1775,  &  since  suffering  extreme  distress  &  hardship  in  effecting  his 
escape,  having  failed  in  two  attempts  and  been  treated  with  great 
serverity,  &  now  effected  it,  &  his  representation  being  supported  by 
unquestionable  testimony,  being  laid  before  the  Council,  &  the 
same  appearing  to  be  a  case  very  singularly,  &  the  spirit  shewn  by 
this  brave  Man  to  be  worthy  of  Particular  notice; 

Ordered,  That  a  draft  on  the  Treasurer  be  made  out  in  favor  of 
the  said  Edward  Agnew,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifty  Pounds,  &  the  same 
was  done  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  the  case  of  the  above  mentioned  Edw'd  Agnew, 
be  recomended  to  the  Board  of  War  as  highly  deserving  their  par- 
ticular notice. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  January  5,  1779. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  KEED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Yice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read,  "J 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  &  lEsq'rs. 

Matthew  Smith,  Thomas  Scott,  J 

Capt.  Fowler,  late  in  the  British  service,  attended  in  Council,  and 
represented  that  the  ill  treatment  he  had  received  in  the  British 
service,  had  induced  him,  in  the  year  1775,  to  sell  out,  &  that  he 
bad  now  brought  with  him  his  Wife  to  settle  in  this  Country,  hav- 
ing come  by  the  way  of  France. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  returns  of  Magistrates 
elect  for  divers  Wards  in  this  City  of  Philadelphia;  &  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  William  Ball,  Will'm  Adcock,  &  Sam'l  Morris, 
the  younger,  be  appointed  &  commissioned  to  be  Justices  of  the 
Peace  for  the  City  of  Philadelphia. 


ji  itaM 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  659 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  January  6,  1779. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read,  1 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  &  l  Esq'rs. 

Matthew  Smith,  Thomas  Scott,  J 

An  account  of  Work  done  by  Evans  &  Matlack  at  the  Market 
House,  was  laid  before  the  Council,  in  which  the  Journeymens' 
Wages  is  charged  at  three  Dollars,  &  the  Superintendants'  at  Six 
Dollars  ^  day,  which  the  Council  are  of  opinion  is  not  higher  than 
other  Workmen  now  charge. 

The  Council  being  informed  that  some  of  the  Armed  Vessels 
belonging  to  this  State,  had  (last  winter)  taken  some  Prizes,  and 
Commod&re  Hazlewood  now  applying  for  the  direction  of  Council, 
as  to  the  distribution  of  the  Money  arising  from  the  sale  of  the 
same ; 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Prize  Money  arizing  from  the  Prizes  hereto- 
fore taken  by  armed  boats  belonging  to  this  State,  be  divided  in 
the  following  manner,  Viz  :  The  Commodore  to  draw  one  twelfth 
part  of  the  whole;  Captains,  (each)  four  Shares;  First  Lieutenants, 
Two  and  half  Shares ;  Second  Lieutenants,  One  &  two-third 
Shares ;  Masters,  one  &  two-third  Shares ;  Mates,  one  &  one-third 
Shares  ;  Gunners,  one  &  one-third  Shares  ;  Clerks  of  the  Ship  and 
of  the  Battery,  each  one  &  one  sixth  Shares ;  Stewards  of  the 
same,  one  &  one-sixth  Shares;  Boatswains,  one  &  one-third  Shares; 
Carpenters,  one  &  one-third  Shares;  Armourer,  one  &  one-twelfth 
Shares;  Clerk  &  Steward,  each  one  &  one-third  Shares;  Privates, 
one  Share  ;  Cook,  one  Share;  Drummers  &  Fifes,  five-sixths  of  a 
Share,  each ;  Boys,  one -half  of  a  Share,  each  ;  Chief  Surgeon  of 
the  Fleet,  (Ship  excepted,)  &  Artillery  and  Director  of  the  Hos- 
pital, four  &  one-sixth  Shades;  Surgeon,  four  Shares;  Surgeons' 
Mate,  one  &  two-third  Shares ;  Other  Petty  Officers,  if  any,  one 
&  Two-twelfth  Shares. 

Council  having  observed  in  the  Pennsylvania  Packet  a  publica- 
tion signed  by  William  Thompson,  Esq'r,  a  Brig'r  General  of  this 
State  in  the  Continental  Service,  containing  very  high  charges 
against  Thomas  McKean,  Esq'r,  Chief  Justice  of  this  State,  A 
Publication  of  the  said  Thomas  M'Kean,  wholly  denying  that  there 
is  any  ground  or  foundation  for  such  charges,  either  Public  or 
Private,  and  having  also  perused  the  proceedings  of  Congress  al- 
luded to  in  said  Publication;  and  duly  considering  that  the  interest 


660  MINUTES  OF  THE 

and  Honor  of  the  State  are  deeply  affected  by  such  charges,  that 
if  true  and  well  grounded,  such  unworthy  characters  may  be  re- 
moved from  Offices  of  Honor  and  trust,  or  if  ill-founded,  that  re- 
paration be  made  to  the  injured  Honor  and  dignity  of  the  State,. 
Do  order,  that  the  Secretary  request  Gen'l  Thompson's  attendance 
in  Council  to-morrow  Morning,  at  eleven  O' Clock,  to  give  the 
Board  such  information  and  satisfaction  in  the  Premises,  as  the 
interests  of  the  State  in  such  cases  require. 

A  Copy  of  which  foregoing  order,  was  immediately  forwarded 
by  the  Secretary  to  Gen'l  Thompson. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  January  7, 1779. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President.  J 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read, 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  &  ^  Esq'rs. 

Matthew  Smith,  Thomas  Scott, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  C, 
Bradford,  Paymaster  of  the  State  Fleet,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum 
of  Two  thousand  Pounds,  to  pay  off  the  State  Fleet,  and  charge  the 
same  to  account  of  the  said  Paymaster. 

A  Letter  from  Brig'r  Gen'l  Thompson,  assigning  reasons  for  de- 
clining to  attend  the  Council. 


<fc[ 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Friday  January  8,  1779. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  & 

John  Macky,  Tho's  Scott,  J-  Esq'rs. 

Jas.  Read, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  Lewis 
Farmer,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  thousand  Pounds,  to  pur- 
chase Rum,  Sugar  &  other  necessaries,  for  the  Troops  of  this  State 
in  Continental  Service,  agreeable  to  the  Resolve  of  the  Hon'ble 
House  of  General  Assembly ;  the  said  Sum  to  be  charged  to  Col* 
Farmer's  acco't. 


1 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  661 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Thomp- 
son, or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Thirty-six  Pounds  Seven  Shill- 
ings &  Sixpence,  for  a  Bill  of  Cooperage,  on  board  the  State 
Schooner  Delaware. 

A  petition  of  Capt.  George  Honey,  of  the  Town  Guards,  repre- 
senting that  there  is  two  Month's  Pay  due  to  them,  Viz  :  August  & 
September,  1777,  &  that  upon  application  to  the  board  of  Treasury 
at  Mr.  Gibson's  House,  the  accounts  are  delayed,  &  praying  this 
Council  to  grant  an  order  or  requisition  to  the  proper  department, 
that  the  said  accounts  may  be  speedily  settled,  &  what  is  due  there- 
on paid,  was  read ; 

And  on  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  in  consideration  of  the  poverty  &  necessity  of  the 
Petitioners,  this  Council  do  request  of  the  board  of  Treasury  to  give 
an  early  attention  to  the  claims  of  the  Company  of  Town  Guards. 

A  Letter  from  John  &  Alex'r  Wilcocks,  relating  to  a  quantity  of 
Salt  claimed  by  the  State,  was  read. 

The  report  of  a  Joint  Committee  of  Congress  &  of  this  Board, 
concerning  divers  quantities  of  Salt  left  in  this  City  by  the  Enemy, 
was  read ; 

And  on  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  a  Warrant  under  the  less  Seal  of  the  State  be 
issued,  Commanding  the  Sheriff  of  the  City  &  County  of  Philadel- 
phia to  Seize  a  quantity  of  Salt  abandoned  by  the  Enemy,  &  now 
lying  in  a  Store  the  South  side  of  Chestnut  Street,  &  to  make  re- 
port thereof  to  this  Council  forthwith. 

Ordered,  That  a  Copy  of  the  report  of  the  said  joint  Commit- 
tee of  Congress,  &  of  this  Council,  relating  to  the  Salt  now  in  the 
Stores  belonging  to  Joseph  Pritchard,  on  the  South  side  of  Ches- 
nut  Street  Wharf,  be  laid  before  the  State  Attorney,  for  his  opinion  : 
And  that  he  be  authorized,  if  he  shall  think  it  necessary,  to  consult 
such  able  Council  as  he  may  think  proper,  and  report  to  this 
Council  as  soon  as  may  be. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  January  9,  1779. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esquire,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read,  & ") 

John  Macky,  Thomas  Scott,    (.Esq'rs. 

Matthew  Smith,  J 

An  application  from  Matthew  Irwin,  Andrew  Hodge,  <fc  John 
Bayard,  for  some  broken  Cannon,  taking  out  of  the  Augusta,  &  now 


<>62  MINUTES  OF  THE 

tying  at  Kensington,  to  be  used  as  Ballast  for  some  armed  Briggs 
belonging  to  them,  was  read;  &  thereupon. 

Ordered,  That  George  Henry,  Esq'r,  be  directed  to  sell,  at  their 
reasonable  value,  such  of  the  Cannon  taken  out  of  the  Augusta,  as 
are  unfit  for  further  use  &  cannot  be  repaired. 

The  Hon'ble  Tho's  Scott,  Esq'r,  laid  before  the  Council  a  draft 
of  this  board  on  the  Treasurer,  in  the  following  Words,  Viz : 

"  For  £2000. 

"  In  Council,  Philad'a,  Septem.  12,  1778. 
"  Pay  to  Mr.  Moses  Watson  the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand  Poundsr 
to  be  by  him  delivered  to  Colo.  John  Proctor,  Paymaster  of  Mili- 
tia for  the  County  of  Westmoreland,  &  charge  the  same  to  the  said 
John  Proctor. 

"GEO.  BRYAN,  Vice  President. 
"  To  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,      )  &  underwritten,  "  Accepted 
Treasurer,    j      Sept.  22,  1778. 
"DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  Treasurer." 

And  the  same  appearing  not  to  have  been  paid,  it  was  endorsed 
as  returned  unpaid. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  the  Hon'ble 
Thos.  Scott,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand 
Pounds,  to  be  by  him  delivered  to  Col.  John  Proctor,  Paymaster 
of  Militia  Sot  the  County  of  Westmoreland,  &  to  be  charged  to 
Colo.  Proctor. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favor  of  Henry  Piercy, 
of  the  2d  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One 
Thousand  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  to  be  charged  to  the 
said  Piercy. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  representation  of  Rob't 
Smith,  County  Lieutenant,  &  Andrew  Boyd,  Sub-Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Chester,  respecting  the  Commissioners  &  Assessors  of 
fhe  County  of  Chester,  not  legally  elected,  continuing  to  set,  not- 
withstanding the  determination  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General 
Assembly  respecting  the  election  of  the  said  County;  <£  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  be  directed  to  write  to  the  Com- 
missioners &  Assessors  of  the  County  of  Ches!er,  elected  according 
to  Law,  to  take  their  seats  at  the  board,  &  proceed  to  the  duties  of 
their  oflice. 


Minutes  January  10,  1779. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Stiles,  Commissary  of  Military   Stores,  re- 
eive  the  following  Articles,  &  that  his  Receipt  be  a  discharge  to 
Mr.  Dehaven;  Viz : 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  663 

139  Setts  of  Gun-mounting,  complete  &  finished,  Stamps  & 
brands ;  113  Gun  Locks;  237  Gun  barrels;  121  lbs.  Lead;  141 
New  Muskets,  wanting  Bayonets  &  Ramrods ;  25  New  Muskets, 
wanting  Ramrods  only  ;  18  ditto  complete  ;  300  Gun  Stocks. 

The  President  laid  before  the  Board  a  Letter  from  the  Hon'ble 
the  President  of  Congress,  inclosing  sundry  resolutions  of  Con- 
gress. 

"  Fir^t — To  enact  Laws  for  detecting  persons  employed  in  making 
Counterfeit  Money,  or  passing  it  knowingly,  dated  1  Jan'ry,  1779. 

"  Secondly — In  calling  in  15  Millions  of  Dollars  the  ensuing 
Year,  ■&  6  Millions  annually  for  18  Years  to  come. 

"  Thirdly— In  calling  in  the  Emissions  of  May  11,  20,  1777, 
and  April  11, 1778,  both  dated  Jan'ry  2,  1779. 

"  Fourthly — In  fixing  the  several  Quotas  of  the  said  15  Millions 
upon  the  respective  States  in  the  Union,  Dated  Jan'ry  5,  1779." 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  filed,  in  order  to  be  laid  before  the 
lion'ble  House  of  Assembly  at  the  next  meeting. 

Ordered,  That  the  Fine  upon  John  Smallwood  be  remitted,  & 
his  offence  pardoned. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  Jan'ry  11,  1779. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jos.  Hart,  John  Hambright,  &  >  ™    , 

John  Macky,  Tho's  Scott,  $       q 

Petition  of  John  Smallwood,  now  confined  in  the  Ooal  of  thir 
City,  setting  forth  that  he  had  been  fined  by  the  Court  of  Quarter 
Sessions  of  the  Peace  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  Sum 
of  Fifty  Pounds,  &  praying  the  said  fine  may  be  remitted  and  he 
enlarged  from  imprisonment,  was  read ;  And  a  Certificate  signed 
by  Dr.  Fred'k  Phile,  being  also  read,  that  the  said  John  Smallwood 
was  very  ill  with  the  Rheumatism  all  over  his  body,  &ca. ;  &  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  the  fine  &  imprisonment  of  John  Smallwood,  now 
confined  in  the  Goal  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  be  remitted,  in 
consideration  of  his  great  indisposition  of  body. 

David  Caldwell  laid  before  the  Council  a  draft  of  the  late  State 
Navy  board  on  Will'm  Webb,  Pay-master,  for  the  Sum  of  ^141  10 
11,  "  to  be  charged  to  the  Continental  Navy  board,"  and  it  appear- 
ing by  Certificate  that  the  same  remains  unpaid ;  and  thereupon, 


664  MINUTES  OP  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  said  David? 
Caldwell,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  #•  forty- one  Pounds  Ten 
Shillings  &  Eleven  Pence,  to  be  charged  to  the  Continental  Navy 
board,  to  which  the  draft  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  Navy  board  wa& 
annexed. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  Jan'ry  12,  1779. 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  James  Read,  *) 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  &  >■  Esq'rs. 

Matthew  Smith,  Thomas  Scott,  ) 

Proposals  from  Mr.  Joseph  Ogden  for  renting  the  Ferry  on 
Schuylkill,  belonging  to  the  City,  was  read  &  rejected. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  give  notice  in  the  Papers  that  the 
House  &  bridge  at  the  Middle  Ferry  is  to  be  Rented,  and  the  Sec- 
retary will  receive  proposals  from  any  person  disposed  to  Rent  the 
same. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Parker, 
Bricklayer,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  fifty  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  his  account. 


Same  day — Afternoon. 

Present  as  Before  noon  : 

Also,  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treasurer;  Daniel  Roberdeaa 
&  William  Shippen,  Esquires,  Delegates  of  this  State  in  Con- 
gress. 

And  the  Council  conferred  with  the  said  Gentlemen  on  the  situa- 
tion of  the  State  Treasury,  &  the  probable  effects  which  the  Re- 
solves of  Congress  for  calling  in  the  Bills  of  credit  emitted  by 
them  of  11th  of  April  &  of  the  20th  May,  will  produce  thereon. 

Capt.  Joseph  Dean,  William  Pringle,  Mr.  Purviance,  &  others, 
attended  the  Council,  <£  represented,  That  a  considerable  number 
of  sailors  had  assembled  together  under  pretence  of  raising  their 
Wages,  &  had  committed  several  unwarrantable  acts  of  a  danger- 
ous tendency,  unrigging  Vessels,  &  taking  away  by  force  the 
Workmen  employed  on  board  them. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  665 

The  Council  thereupon  recommended,  by  Letter  to  Plunkett 
Fleeson  &  Benja.  Paschall,  Esq'rs,  &  others,  the  Justices,  to  exert 
themselves  in  suppressing  the  said  Riot,  ^bringing  the  offenders  to 
Justice ;  And  there  appearing  an  order  of  the  Board  of  War  to 
Gen'l  Arnold,  to  give  such  Military  assistance  as  this  Council  shall 
apply  for,  > 

Ordered,  That  Maj.  Gen'l  Arnold  be  requested  to  give  such 
aid  to  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  this  city  as  they  shall  apply  for, 
to  suppress  a  Riot  among  the  sailors. 

James  Claypoole,  Esq'r,  made  returns  of  an  Election  chusing  a 
Representative  for  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  to  serje  in  General 
Assembly,  held  on  the  5th  instant,  and  the  same  was  read ;  whereby 
it  appears  that  WilFm  Hollingshead  was  duly  elected  a  Represen- 
tative in  General  Assembly  for  the  said  City. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  Jan'ry  13,  1779. 
present: 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read,  "1 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  &  >Esq'rs. 

Matthew  Smith,  Thomas  Scott,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Alexa.  Craw- 
ford, or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Thirty. four  Pounds  fy  Fifteen 
Shillings,  for  stone  Work  done  at  the  Privy  in  the  State  House 
yard. 

The  Memorial  of  David  Brown  #•  Edw'd  Randolph,  Lieuts.  of 
the  fourth  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  setting  forth  that  they  had  been 
stationed  on  the  Frontiers  of  the  State,  fy  were  in  great  distress 
for  want  of  cloathing,  was  read;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Lieuts.  David  Brown  &  Edw'd  Randolph,  of  the 
4th  Pennsylvania  Reg* t,  be  furnished  by  Jacob  S.  Howell,  State 
Clothier,  with  each  one  suit  of  cloaths,  2  shirts  and  2  pair  of 
stockings. 

The  Account  of  Lieu.  Jacob  Mosser,  of  the  6th  Pennsylvania 
Reg't,  for  Money  advanced  to  Recruits,  &  for  his  service  therein, 
was  inspected ;  and  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  Philip 
i  Mosser,  of  the  6th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  For  the  Sum 
of  Four  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  service,  to  be  charged 
to  his  account. 


666  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Timothy 
Matlack,  Secretary,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Eight  hundred 
Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the 
Hon'ble  Mathew  Smith,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Six 
hundred  Dollars,  St  charge  the  same  to  his  account. 

Petition  of  Susanna  Logan,  praying  a  pass  into  New  York,  was 
read;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  pass  be  granted  to  Susana  Logan,  not  to  return 
unless  her  Husband  shall  return  with  her. 

An  order  w#s  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Robert 
Allison,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  his  account. 

Whereas,  Verbal  applications  have  by  experience,  proved  very 
inconvenient  to  this  Board,  &  productive  of  great  delay  to  the  Pub- 
lic business  j  therefore, 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  give  notice,  that  except  in  ex- 
traordinary cases,  all  applications  tocouncil  are  to  be  made  in  Wri- 
ting, when  they  will  be  considered  and  dispatched  in  the  order  of 
time,  in  which  they  are  presented. 


The  Council  Met.       « 

PhilAd'a  Thursday  January  14,  1779. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  Georgd  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Hambright,  James  Read  &") 

Jos.  Hart,  Matt'w  Smith,  lEsq'rs. 

John  Macky,  J 

Agreeable  to  a  request  of  the  Council,  Maj.  General  Green, 
Quarter  Master  General,  attended  in  Council  &  entered  into  con- 
ference on  the  Subject  of  the  Bridge  over  Schuylkill,  at  the  end 
of  Market  Street,  Col.  John  Coxe  &  Col.  Charles  Petit,  assistant 
Quarter  Masters,  also  attended. 

Joseph  Ledree  &  Sam'l  Oliver,  presented  to  Council  a  return  of  a 
Warrant  for  the  holding  an  Election  for  chusing,  by  the  freeholders 
of  South  Ward,  two  fit  persons  to  be  returned  to  this  Council  for 
the  purpose  of  one  of  them  to  be  appointed  a  Justice  of  the  Peace 
for  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  from  which  it  appears  that  no  Vo- 
ters had  appeared  at  the  time  and  place  appointed  for  holding  the 
said  Elections. 

Ordered,  That  the  Delegates  of  this  State  in  Congress,  be  direc- 
ted to  apply  to  Congress  for  an  advance  of  Sixty  Thousand  Pounds, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  667 

which  is  become  necessary,  not  only  from  the  great  expenditures  of 
the  State  for  Congress,  but  much  the  more  so  by  the  resolve  of 
Congress  of  the  2d  instant,  for  calling  in  two  emissions  of  their 
Bills  of  Credit. 


The  Council  Met. 


Philad'a,  Friday  January  15,  1779. 


present : 
His  ExcelFy  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Hambright,  James  Read,  &  "") 

Jos.  Hart,  Math'w  Smith,  I   Esq'rs. 

John  Macky,  J 

The  Petition  of  Capt.  Chris'r  Getting,  of  the  twelfth  Regiment 
of  Pennsylvania,  who  was  wounded,  taken  Prisoner,  lost  a  Leg, 
and  now  on  Parole  &  in  want  of  Cloathing,  &  praying  a  suit  of 
Officer's  Regimental  Cloathing,  was  read  ;  &  on  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  S.  Howell,  the  State  Clothier,  be  directed 
to  furnish  Capt.  Christ'r  Getting,  of  the  12th  Pennsylvania  Regi- 
ment, with  a  suit  of  Officer's  Regimental  Cloathing. 

The  application  of  Capt.  Will'm  Mackey,  of  the  —  Pennsyl- 
vania Regiment,  who  was  wounded  at  the  Battle  of  Brand^wine, 
taken  Prisoner  &  now  on  Parole,  praying  for  a  suit  of  Cloaths,  was 
read ;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Will'm  Mackey  be  furnished  by  Jacob  S. 
Howell,  State  Cloathier,  with  a  suit  of  Cloaths  &  two  Shirts. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Benjamin  Paschal,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  &  Coin- 
missioned  to  be  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  City  Court  of  Phila- 
delphia. 

The  Petition  of  Mess.  Purviance,  Dean  &  Harbeson,  praying  to 
be  supplied  with  divers  Stores,  was  read ;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Stiles,  Commissary  of  Military  Stores,  be 
directed  to  furnish  Mess.  Purviance,  Dean  &  Harbeson,  with  250Tbs 
Gunpowder,  50  lbs  Match  Rope  &  200  3ft)  &  4ft>s  Bunches  of 
Grape  Shot,  if  they  can  be  spared  from  the  Public  Stock,  they 
paying  a  reasonable  Price  for  the  same. 

Capt.  M'Cullough's  recruiting  account  was  inspected  ;  and  there- 
upon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieu.  James 
McCullough,  of  the  5th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the 
Sum  of  Four  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  recruiting  Service,  &  to  be 
charged  to  his  account. 


668  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lieu.  Alex'r 
Russel,  of  the  7th  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum 
of  Two  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  Service,  &  to  be  charged 
to  his  account. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  return  of  the  Election* 
for  chusing  fit  persons  to  be  presented  to  this  Council. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  January  16,  1779. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  &  >  ™    , 

Jas.  Read,  Tho's  Scott,  5  ^sq  rs* 

Mrs. 'Parrock,  Wife  of  John  Parrock,  late  of  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia, attended  in  Council  in  consequeDce  of  the  order  of  yester- 
day, (she  was  attended  by  Mr.  John  Drinker  &  his  Wife.)  Mrs. 
Parrock  being  informed  that  the  Council  had  received  intelligence 
of  her  having  been  lately  in  the  City  of  New  York,  She  replied 
that  she  had  really  not  been  there,  nor  out  of  this  State  j  And  upon 
being  informed  of  the  complaint  of  George  Becktel  against  her,  re- 
specting her  demand  of  Rent,  &  that  the  Council  conceived  the 
Rent  was  not  payable  to  her,  it  being  forfeited  to  the  State  by  her 
Husband;  To  which  she  replied,  That  the  Estate  was  her  own,  be- 
ing conveyed  in  trust  by  her  Father  to  her  use,  &  that  she  was 
ready  to  shew  her  Title;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  to  Jonathan  D.  Sergeantr 
Esq'r,  Attorney  General,  to  inspect  the  Title  of  Mrs.  Mary  Par- 
rock to  a  House  &  Lot  of  ground  in  Spring  Garden,  in  the  possess- 
ion of  George  Becktel,  which  she  claims  to  hold  independent  of  her 
Husband,  John  Parrock,  &  of  such  other  Estate  as  she  may  claim 
to  hold  in  her  own  right,  if  she  shall  lay  the  same  before  him,  & 
report  to  this  Council  his  opinion  thereon. 

Frederick  Snyder's  account  of  sundry  small  expences  paid  by 
him,  <fe  for  his  attendance  on  Council  from  the  12th  of  October  to 
the  12th  instant  inclusive,  being  examined  &  allowed, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Frederick  Sny- 
der, Door-keeper,  for  the  sum  of  Two  Hundred  &  Two  pounds  four 
Shillings  &  Seven  pence,  the  Amount  of  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Tyler,  or 
his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to 
his  acoount. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  669 

Ordered,  That  Frederick  Hagner,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  to  go  to 
Northampton  &  receive  from  John  Tyler  all  the  public  property  in 
his  hands,  &  transmit  such  of  them  as  may  properly  be  moved,  to 
Capt.  Joseph  Stiles,  Commissary  of  Military  Stores  in  this  City,  And 
to  sell  such  buildings  and  other  property  in  that  Town  which  may 
belong  to  the  State. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  George  Henry  deliver  to  Captain  Joseph 
Stiles,  Commissary  of  Military  Stores,  or  his  order,  such  Stores 
now  in  his  hands  as  he  may  have  occasion  for  from  time  to  time. 

The  Petition  of  Robert  Shewell,  praying  in  effect  that  the  Coun- 
cil order  Mr.  Isaac  Wikoff  to  pay  him  for  certain  effects  detained 
by  him  from  the  Petitioner,  was  read  &  dismissed,  The  Council 
having  no  power  over  Mr.  Wikoff,  &  not  being  disposed  to  relin- 
quish the  claim  of  the  State,  without  further  consideration. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  Jan'ry  18,  1779. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon.  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Mackay,  Ja's  Read,  &  )  ^    , 

Matt'w  Smith,  Tho's  Scott,  $  ^s(*  r8, 

A  Letter  from  Thomas  Adams,  Francis  Lightfoot,  and  Meri- 
wether Smith,  Esq'rs,  Delegates  of  the  State  of  Virginia  in  Con- 
gress, inclosing  the  Resolves  of  the  llouse  of  Delegates  of  the 
State  of  Virginia  on  the  9th  of  December,  1778,  respecting  the 
line  between  the  two  States,  was  read.  * 

A  Letter  from  Dan'l  Roberdeau,  Esq'r,  inclosing  a  Resolve  of 
Congress,  in  the  following  words,  Vizt : 

"In  Congress,  Jan'ry  16,  1779. 

"  The  Delegates  of  Pennsylvania  laid  before  the  Congress  a  Let- 
ter of  14th,  from  the  President  of  that  State  in  Council,  instruct- 
ing them  to  apply  to  Congress  for  an  advance  of  Sixty  Thousand 
Pounds,  for  the  use  of  that  State ',  whereupon,  on  motion, 

"Resolved,  That  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred  &  Sixty  Thousand 
Dollars  be  advanced  to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  the  said  State  to 
be  accountable. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

"CHAS.  THOMSON,  Secy' 


670  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  Sixty  Thousand  Dol- 
lars, ordered  by  Congress  on  16th  instant  to  be  advanced  to  this 
State  of  Pennsylvania,  be  paid  to  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  Treas- 
urer of  the  State. 


In  Council. 

Monday  Evening,  Jan'ry  18,  1779. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  George  Henry  apply  to  the  Attorney  General, 
&  state  the  proceedings  respecting  the  Salt  lately  seized  by  order 
of  the  Council  in  Jos.  Pritchard's  Store,  and  take  his  direction  far- 
ther on  the  matter;  That  Mr.  Henry  also  employ  an  assistant 
Council,  to  be  recommended  by  the  Attorney  General,  &  advance 
from  the  Money  in  his  hands  the  necessary  Fee;  &  that  the  Attor- 
ney General  be  desired  to  get  the  Replevin  issued  at  the  suit  of  Mr. 
Wilcox,  quashed  at  the  next  Court,  if,  upon  consideration,  he  &  the 
assistant  Council  shall  judge  it  consistant  with  the  rules  of  Law; 
&  that  in  the  mean  time  Mr.  Henry  be  directed*  to  see  that  the 
seizure  extend  to  all  the  Salt  left  in  the  City  by  Backham  &  Ash- 
ton,  British  Merchants ;  But  if  it  shall  be  found  that  the  said 
salt  is  in  the  Possession  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  United 
States,  he  is.  directed  to  permit  them  to  return  it,  upon  their  en- 
gagement to  account  to  the  State  for  the  value,  if  the  property  of 
the  Salt  shall  be  finally  determined  to  be  in  this  State ;  And  that 
Mr.  Henry  be  furnished  with  a  Copy  of  this  order. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Howell,  Commissary  of  Cloathing,  get  the 
Cloth  on  hand  cut  out  into  suits  of  suitable  sizes,  &  forward  it  to 
the  Camp ;  that  if  there  are  not  trimings  on  hand  sufficient,  to  pro- 
cure them  &  fold  them  up  in  each  suit. 

Petition  of  Robert  Macky,  setting  forth  that  a  valuation  of  the 
armed  BoarViper,  made  by  Emanuel  Eyre  and  Joseph  Carson,  in 
pursuance  of  an  order  of  this  Council,  was  lost,  &ca,  was  read ;  & 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Benjamin  Eyre  &  Mr.  Joseph  Carson  be  re- 
quested to  Certify  to  the  Council  their  valuation  of  the  armed  boat 
Viper,  retaken  by  Mr.  Robert  Macky  last  Summer. 

The  Council  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  case  of  the  pro- 
perty in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Wikoff,  imported  in  the  Flora,  claimed 
by  Mr.  Robert  Shewell,  k  which  Mr.  Wikoff  has  engaged  to  ac- 
count for  to  this  Council. 

Ordered,  That  Thursday  the  fourth  day  of  February  next,  be 
appointed  to  hear  Mr.  Robert  Shewell  &  Mr.  Isaac  Wikoff,  re- 
specting part  of  the  Cargo  of  the  Flora,  which  Mr.  Wikoff  has  en- 
gaged to  account  for  to  this  Council,  and  which  Mr.  Shewell  claims 
as  his  property 'j  And  that  the  Secretary  give  notice  hereof  to  the 
parties 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  .    671 

The  following  Proclamation  against  forestalling  being  read  <fc 
approved,  was  ordered  to  be  published  under  the  State  Seal,  signed 
by  the  President  &  attested  by  the  Secretary. 

"  Pennsylvania,  ss  : 

u  By  the  Supreme  Executive   Council  of  the   Common-  Wealth  of 
Pennsylvania : 

"A  PROCLAMATION. 

"Whereas,  The  forestalling  the  Markets  &  engrossing  great 
quantities  of  Articles  of  usual  Consumption,  have  a  manifest  ten- 
dency to  enhance  the  prices,  odious  &  punishable  by  Law;  But 
when  such  practices  are  extended  to  Bread  &  the  other  necessaries 
of  life,  they  become  distressing  and  ruinous  to  the  industrious  poor, 
&  most  heinously  criminal.  In  order  therefore,  to  prevent  as  much 
as  possible  the  inhabitants  of  this  State  from  unwaringly  falling 
into  such  dangerous  &  illegal  practices,  We  do  hereby  make  it 
known,  that  we  have  caused  prosecutions  to  be  commenced  against 
some  persons  Charged  with  the  above  offences,  and  we  do  strictly 
charge  the  Justices  of  the  Peace,  Constables  &  other  civil  Officers, 
to  make  due  enquiry  into  the  above  offences;  &  we  do  require  the 
faithful  inhabitants  &  Subjects  of  this  State  to  whose  knowledge 
the  same  may  come,  to  make  discovery  thereof  to  the  Officers  of 
Justice,  in  order  that  the  perpetrators  may  be  brought  to  speedy  & 
condign  punishment. 

"  Given  by  order  of  the  Council,  under  the  hand  of  his  Excel- 
lency Joseph  Reed,  Esquire,  President,  &  the  Seal  of  the  State,  at 
Philadelphia,  this  eighteenth  day  of  January,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  One  thousand  Seven  Hundred  &  Seventy-Nine. 

JOSEPH  REED,  President. 
"  Attested  by  order  of  the  Council,  T.  M  ATLACK,  Secretary. 
"GOD  SAVE  THE  COMMONWEALTH." 

Whereas,  The  wisest,  freest,  $•  bravest  nations,  in  the  most  vir- 
tuous times,  have  endeavoured  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  those 
who  have  rendered  their  Country  distinguished  services,  by  pre- 
serving their  resemblances  in  Statues  &  Paintings;  This  Council, 
Deeply  sensible  how  much  the  liberty,  safety,  &  happiness  of 
America  in  General,  &  Pennsylvania  in  particular,  is  owing  to  His 
Excell'y  General  Washington  &  the  brave  men  under  his  Com- 
mand, do  resolve,  That  His  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington  be  request- 
ed to  permit  this  Council  to  place  his  Portrait  in  the  Council 
Chamber,  not  only  as  a  mark  of  the  great  respect  which  they  bear 
to  His  Excellency,  but  that  the  contemplation  of  it  may  excite 
others  to  tread  in  the  same  glorious  &  disinterested  Steps  which 
lead  to  public  happiness  and  private  honor,  And  that  the  President 


672  MINUTES  OF  THE 

be  desired  to  wait  on  his  Excellency  the  General,  with  the  above 
request,  and  if  granted  to  enquire  when  &  where  it  will  be  most 
agreeable  to  him  for  Mr.  Peale  to  attend  him. 

A  Representation  having  been  made  by  Colo.  Andrew  Boyd, 
Waggon  Master  of  the  County  of  Chester,  thro'  James  Young, 
Esq'r,  W.  M.  G.  S.,  to  this  Board,  that  Jesse  Jordan,  a  deputy 
Waggon  Master,  was  sent  by  Col.  Boyd  with  a  Brigade  of  twelve 
Waggons  to  Philadelphia,  under  the  Waggon  Law  of  this  State,  to 
convey  Provisions  from  thence  to  New  Windsor,  in  consequence  of 
orders  from  him,  the  Waggon  Master  General,  of  the  27th  Sep- 
tem.  last,  &  that  when  the  said  Jorden  returned  home,  he  informed 
Col.  Boyd  that  when  he  arrived  in  Philadelphia  with  his  Brigade, 
he  applied  to  John  Mitchell,  Esq'r,  Deputy  Quarter  Master  General, 
for  loading,  who  sent  him  with  his  Brigade  to  Egg  harbour  without 
loading,  with  orders  to  load  Merchandize  there  of  private  property, 
&  return  with  it  to  Philadelphia,  which  he  did,  that  the  loading 
was  delivered  there  into  private  stores ; 

On  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  Mr.  Mitchell  be  requested  to  state  to  Council, 
in  Writing,  the  transaction  relating  to  Jordan's  Brigade  of  Wag- 
gons sent  by  him  to  Egg  harbour,  ascertaining  the  property,  or  to 
whom  the  same  was  delivered. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad^,  Tuesday  Jan'ry  19,  1779. 

present : 
His  Exceiry  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read, 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright, 

Matthew  Smith,  Thomas  Scott, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
John  Macky,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Hundred 
Dollars,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  Lewis 
Farmer,  Commissary  for  purchasing  a  supply  of  necessaries  for 
the  Pennsylvania  Forces,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Ten  Thous- 
and Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account, 


ght,  &    WEsq'rs, 
»  J 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.        ■      673 


The  Council  met, 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  Jan'ry  20,  1779. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REEO,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Head,  % 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  &  I  Esq'rs. 

Matthew  Smith,  Thomas  Scott,  J 

The  Council  having  considered  the  case  of  John  Hays,  Allen 
M'Cultom, 

Ordered,  That  the  Paymaster  of  the  State  Fleet  do   pay   of 


Allen  M'Cultom  &  John  Hays,  the  first  to  the  22d,  the  other  to 
the  21st  of  September  last,  from  which  time  they  are  to  be  deemed 
discharged  from  the  service. 

The  Council  having  obtained  a  state  of  the  claim  of  Col.  Atlee, 
to  an  appointment  as  a  Brig'r  General  in  the  Continental  Army, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  transmitted  to  His  Excell'y  Gen'i 
Washington,  &  his  opinion  requested  thereon,  and  it  was  sent  ac- 
cordingly. 

A  Letter  from  Gov.  Morris  &  WilFm  Wkippies,  Esquires,  dated 
the  19th  inst.,  was  read. 

Whereas,  it  is  alleged  that  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of 
the  Peace  for  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  had  adjourned  so  early 
that  divers  persons  said  to  have  been  guilty  of  misprission  of  Trea- 
son, remained  without  trial,  and  this  Council  conceiving  the  speedy 
trial  of  persons  so  charged  to  be  of  great  importance  to  the  Safety 
of  the  State ;  And  Whereas,  it  is  understood  that  the  sitting  of  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  will  ren- 
der it  necessary  for  the  said  City  Court  to  adjourn  : 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  be  directed  to  write  to  the  Judges 
of  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace  for  the  City  of 
Philadelphia,  &  inform  them  it  is  the  desire  ©f  this  Council  that 
the  said  Court  be  adjourned  to  a  short  day,  then  to  meet,  attended 
by  the  Grand  Inquest  of  the  City,  in  order  to  afford  time  for  the 
trial  of  Persons  charged  with  Misprissions  of  Treasons. 

Robert  Macky  laid  before  the  Council  a  Valuation  of  the 
Armed  boat  Viper,  retaken  by  him  from  the  Enemy,  signed  by 
Benja.  G.  Eyre  &  Joseph  Carson,  amounting  to  three  hundred  & 
fifteen  Pounds  j  and  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  RoVt 
Macky,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  fifty-seven 
Pounds  &  Ten  Shillings,  his  right  of  Salvage  of  the  armed  boat 
Viper. 

Petition  of  Elizabeth  Atkinson,  praying  a  Pass  to  New  YorkT 
was  read,  &  granted,  not  to  return. 
TOL.  XI. — 4S. 


} 


674  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met 

Phixad'a,  Thursday  January  21 1 17791 
present : 
His  ExeelTy  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Yice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read, 

John  Macky,.  John  Hambright  &    j*  Esq*rs. 

Matthew  Smith,  Thomas  Scott,. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Major  WilFm 
Armstrong,  Pay-master  of  the  Workmen  employed  at  Billings- 
port^  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  &  fifty  Pounds,,  to 
he  charged  to  account  of  the  said  Armstrong. 

. 

The  Council  mefr. 

Philadta,  Friday  January  22, 1779, 
present  : 
His  Exceiry  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,.  Esqrr,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Harty  James  Read, 

John  Macky,  John  Hambrighfc, 

Matthew  Smith,  Thomas  Seott, 

Council  having  received  from  John  Mitchell,.  Esq'r,  D.  Q.  M. 
G.,  a  State  of  the  transaction  desired  in  pursuance  of  the  Resolve 
©f  Congress  of  the  inst.,  by  which  it  appears  he  acted  therein 

m  consequence  of  orders  from  Maj.  Gen'l  Arnold; 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  make  out  a  Copy  of  said  Minute 
with  Mr.  Mitchell's  Statement,  &  transmit  them  to  Maj.  Gen'l 
Arnold,  requesting  him  to  inform  this  board  whether  the  property 
for  which  the  said  Waggon*  was  ordered,  was  public  or  private  ;  if 
the  latter,  to  whom  the  same  belonged,  &  farther  to  inform  this 
board  by  virtue  of  what  Resolve  of  Congress  or  other  Authority, 
Public  Waggons  of  this  State  were  sent  into  another  State  to  do 
business  merely  of  a  private  nature. 

Ordered,  Also,  that  the  Q.  M.  Gen'l  be  desired  to  order  Jesse 
Jordan,  a  Waggon-master  in  bis  employr  to  attend  this  board  to 
Satisfy  them  with  respect  to  the  employ  of  the  Publio  Waggons  of 
this  State  in  Septemto  last. 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  case  of  the  bridge  over 
Schuylkill,  as  it  relates  to  the  Army  of  the  United  States,  and 
allowing  6  Waggons  ^  day  passing  the  Bridge  over  Schuylkill  at 


&  [  Es^'s 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  675 

7s.  6  each  Waggon,  which  is  not  an  improper  advance  on  the  old 
price  of  Is.  3  each,  there  will  be  due  for  Passage  £821  5. 

Council  thereupon,  observing  that  the  number  of  Waggons  esti- 
mated by  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Quarter  Master's  department  was 
10,  think  that  fixing  the  Sum  at  £SQ0  *$  Annum,  they  consult 
the  Interest  of  the  State,  with  a  due  regard  to  that  of  the  United 
States ;  And  thereupon,  propose  that  Sum  for  One  Year  only.  The 
State  supporting  the  Bridge,  or  in  case  of  unavoidable  accidents, 
keeping  up  a  Ferry  'till  the  Bridge  can  be  repaired. 

Ordered,  That  Maj.  John  Curgill  be  requested  to  attend  this 
board  forthwith,  to  answer  a  complaint  exhibited  against  him  from 
the  Quarter  Master's  department,  of  obstructing  the  passage  of 
Public  Waggons  at  his  Ferry,  to  the  great  injury  of  the  service  of 
the  United  States,  &  the  distress  of  the  neighboring  Farmers,  whose 
Foreage  is  consumed  by  the  detained  Waggons. 

The  Petition  of  Will'm  Sproat,  Lieu,  of  the  4th  Pennsylv'a  Regi- 
ment, was  read )  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Howell,  State  Clothier,  do  furnish  Will'm 
Sproat,  Lieu,  of  the  4th  Pennsylv'a  Reg't,  with  a  suit  of  Cloaths, 
2  Shirts.  &  2  pair  of  Stockings. 

Ordered,  That  Public  notice  be  given,  that  the  arrangement  of 
the  Army  being  now  nearly  completed,  all  Officers  of  the  State  not 
provided  for,  who  have  been  Prisoners  with  the  Enemy  &  are  ex- 
changed or  otherwise  released,  &  propose  to  enter  into  the  service 
again,  are  requested,  agreeable  to  the  Resolution  of  Congress  of 
the  24th  Novem.  last,  to  signify  their  intention  to  the  President  of 
the  State  without  delay,  otherwise  they  will  be  omitted,  &  the  Re- 
gister made  out  accordingly,  in  which  case  it  will  be  very  difficult 
&  inconvenient  to  restore  them  to  their  proper  Rank. 

T.  MATLACK,  Sec'y. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  January  23, 1779. 
present: 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read,  "J 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  &  t   Esq'ra 

Mathew  Smith,  Thomas  Scott,         J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  Cris- 
pin, Commissary  of  the  State  Fleet,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of 
Three  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  draam  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  his  Excell'y 
Joseph  Reed,  Esq'r,  President,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  five 
hundred  pounds,  in  part  of  his  yearly  salary. 


676  MINUTES  OF  THE 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr  Peter  De- 
haven,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Five  Hundred  Pounds,  <fe 
charge  the  same  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Matt'w.  Smith, 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  by  him 
forwarded  to  Mr.  Thomas  Jordon,  Pay-Master  of  Militia  of  the 
County  of  Northumberland,  to  be  charged  to  the  said  Jordon. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  His  Excellency 
Joseph  Reed,  Esq'r,  President,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Four 
hundred  &  Twenty  Pounds,  for  his  attendance  in  Council  to  the 
l^h  of  October  last. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  January  25, 1779. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jos.  Hart,  Jas.  Read,  &         ~)  ™    , 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  5      S(*  rs' 

A  Letter  from  the  Hon'ble  James  Ewing,  Esq'r,  requesting  that 
Summons  may  be  issued  for  the  attendance  of  the  following  per- 
sons before  this  Council,  on  the  10th  day  of  February  next,  the  day 
appointed  to  hear  evidence  on  the  contested  returns  of  annual  Elec- 
tion held  for  the  County  of  York,  to  wit :  Alex'r  Teas  &  Benj'a 
Pedan,  Esq'rs,  &  Sam'l  Russell,  James  McKnight,  Will'm  Boyd, 
Nathan' 1  McCuire,  Nicholas  Swartz  &  Matthew  Adams,  all  of  York 
County )  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Summons  be  issued  accordingly. 

The  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  21st  August  being  read,  &  a 
Letter  dated  October  3,  1778,  Signed  Matthew  Clarkson,  A.  D. 
Camp,  directed  to  Gen'l  Maxwell  &  Col.  Shreuer,  respecting  the 
Passage  of  one  Miss  Levy  of  this  State  to  New  York,  being  also 
road,  &  the  proceedings  of  this  board  being  also  considered,  upon 
which  it  appeared  that  Maj'r  Gen'l  Arnold,  to  whom  M.  Clarkson 
is  A.  D.  Camp,  without  disclosing  the  transaction,  requested  of  this 
Board  Permission  for  the  said  Miss  Levy  to  go  to  New  York,  which 
for  good  reasons  mentioned  by  the  Vice  President  in  his  Letter  in 
answer,  had  been  refused;  x 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  write  to  Major  Clarkson,  &  re- 
quest his  attendance  in  Council  to-morrow  at  12  O'Clock,  to  give 
this  Board  such  information  herein  as  may  be  necessary. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  677 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  January  26,  1779. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jos.  Hart,  Jas.  Read,  &  .       )  ™    , 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright.  $      ^ 

A  Letter  from  M.  Clarkson,  A.  D.  C.  of  this  day's  date,  deny- 
ing the  right  of  Council  to  call  him  before  them. 

A  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  9th  February,  1778,  was  read,  & 
also  a  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  21st  August  last; 
And  on  consideration, 
Ordered,  That  a  summons  under  the  less  Seal  of  the  State  be 
Issued  requiring  Matthew  Clarkson,  Aid-da-Camp   to  Maj'r  Gren'l 
Arnold,  to  attend  this  Council  to-morrow  at  12  0' Clock. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  January  27,  1779. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jos.  Hart,  James  Read,  &    /  ™    , 

John  Macky,  Thomas  Scott,     J  <   %  ■. ' 

A  Letter  from  Gen'l.  Roberdeau,  containing  the  following  Re- 
solve of  Congress  of  the  26th  instant,  Viz  : 

"  In  Congress,  January  26,  1779. 

"  A  Letter  of  the  25th,  from  His  Excellency  Joseph  Read,  Esq'r, 
President  of  Pennsylvania,  was  read. 

"  Ordered,  That  it  be  referred  to  a  Committee  of  five ;  the  Mem- 
bers chosen  Mr.  Paica,  Mr.  Burk,  Mr.  Floyd,  Mr.  Holton,  &  Mr. 
Root. 

"  Ordered,  That  the  Committee  proceed  thereon,  &  having  con- 
ferred with  the  President  &  Council  of  this  State  on  the  Subject 
of  the  said  Letter,  make  Report  with  all  convenient  speed. 
"  Extract  from  the  Minutes, 

"  CHAS.  THOMSON,  Sec'y," 

was  read,  <fc  thereupon  the  Committee  mentioned  attended  in  Coun- 
cil &  a  free  conference  thereon  was  had  for  several  hours. 


678  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Thursday  January  28,  177$. 


•1 


PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Hambright,  James  Read, 

Jos.  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,    J-Esq'rs. 

John  Macky, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Aaron  Levy, 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  one  hundred  &  fifty-nine  Pounds  &  five 
Shillings,  for  Gunpowder,  supplied  by  him  to  the  Militia  of  Nor- 
thumberland County. 

Petition  of  George  Allen,  belonging  to  the  Armed  boafFame, 
aged  55  years,  setting  forth  his  ailment  &  inability  to  serve  lon- 
ger, and  praying  to  be  discharged,  was  read ;  &  on  consideration, 

Ordered,  George  Allen,  now  belonging  to  the  armed  boat  Fame, 
be  discharged,  he  being  unfit  for  duty. 

The  Memorial  of  Jonathan  Cowpland,  late  Captain  of  the  guard 
boat  Hawk,  belonging  to  the  State,  now  a  Prisoner  under  Parole, 
praying  to  have  his  subsistence  until  his  exchange  can  be  effected, 
was  read;  and  on  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Pay  &  Rations  of  Capt.  Jonathan  Cowpland, 
late  of  the  armed  boat  Hawk,  now  a  Prisoner  on  Parole,  be  con- 
tinued until  he  be  exchanged,  until  further  orders  from  this  Coun- 
cil herein. 

A  Petition  from  John  Wilson,  of  the  Hancock,  was  read,  pray- 
ing to  be  allowed  Pay  as  1st.  Lieutenant. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  send  the  said  Petition  to  W.  C 
Bradford,  the  Paymaster  of  the  State  Fleet,  &  desire  him  to  State 
the  matter  to  Council. 

A  Letter  from  the  Sieur  Gerard  was  read,  relating  to  a  duel  said 
to  be  fought,  in  which  a  French  Gentleman  was  said  to  be  a  Party, 

Plunket  Fleeson,  Esq'r,  attended  the  Council,  and  informed  the 
Council  That  he  had  made  diligent  enquiry  concerning  a  duel,  said 
to  have  been  lately  fought  between  Capt.  Dougherty  &  a  French 
Gentleman,  in  which  the  latter  was  reported  to  have  been  wounded, 
&  to  have  died  of  his  wounds ;  and  having  examined  on  Oath  di- 
vers Witnesses  thereon,  he  can  trace  it  only  as  a  report  from  Capt. 
Dougherty. 

And  a  Letter  from  the  Hon'ble  the  Sieur  Gerard,  Minister  Ple- 
nipotentiary of  His  Most  Christian  Majesty,  in  answer  to  one  from 
this  Council  to  him,  was  read,  whereby  it  appeared  that  he  was 
satisfied  there  was  not  any  foundation  for  the  report  that  a  Gentle- 
man of  his  nation  had  been  killed  in  a  duel  in  this  City. 


SUPKEME  EXECUTIVE  €OUN€EL.      «79 

Passes  to  New  York  mot  to  return,  granted  to  Eliza  Rabb5 
<Cath.  Ebert,  Carafe  Hughes,  &  Christiana  Poskets,  but  to  oarry  mo 
uninspected  Letters  or  Papers. 

The  Petition  of  DavM  Franks,  late  Commissary  of  British  Pri- 
soners, Praying  that  Patrick  Rice,  his  Clerk,  may  have  a  Pass  to 
go  into  New  York  to  make  a  Settlement  of  accounts  with  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief, was  read ;  &  thereupon, 

•Ordered*,  That  Mr.  David  Franks,  for  the  special  circumstances 
of  his  case,  obtain  the  approbation  of  Congress  before  this  Council 
grant  a  P  iss  to  nis  €iexk  to  go  into  New  York. 

A  Letter  from  Gen^l  Mcintosh  states  an  inconvenience  in  the 
Militia  Law,  from  tke  short  period  of  Service. 

Ordered j  That  the  same  be  filed,  -&  laid  before  the  Assembly  at 
their  nest  meeting. 

Ordered,  That  a  Proclamation  issue  agreeable  to  Act  of  Assem- 
bly, for  attain  ting  Thomas  Gordon,  of  Oxford  Township ;  Holha 
Joneg,  Hatter,  late  of  Gorman  Town  Township ;  Isaac  Taylor,  of 
Whitpain  Township,  Yeoman^  John  Robinson  of  said  Township, 
Cordwainer;  Daniel  Jonos,  of  the  Manor  of  Moreland,  Yeoman  ; 
all  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia  j  John  Clark,  late  of  the  North- 
ern Liberties,  Yeoman** 


The  Council  met. 


PhilasV,  Friday  January  29,  177$ 


■} 


PRESENT  : 

His  ExceFy  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r^  Vice  President. 
John  Hambrsght,  Ja's  Read,  & 

Jos.  Hart,  Thorn's  Seott,   }»  Esq'rs. 

John  Maeky, 

A  Letter  to  tne  Committee  of  Congress,  consisting  of  Mr.  Paca? 
•&  others,  enclosing  the  Papers  &  extracts  relating  to  the  brigade  of 
Waggons  sent  by  Gen'l  Arnold  to  Egg  Harbour. 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of 
Mr.  Francis  Bayley,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred  ■& 
Ten  Pounds  and  fifteen  shillings,  balance  due  for  Printing  Work. 

*  For  the  PiociaKoation  &ee  June  "22d,  folio wjng. 


^      7 

',  &      WEsq'rs. 
*«»      J 


680  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Phi&ab'a,  Saturday  January  30, 1779» 

PRESENT  * 

His  Exeell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Josepb  Hart, 
John  Macky, 
Thomas  Scott, 

Jesse  Jordan,  12  Waggons  under  his  command ;  First  orders  to 
go  to  N.  River;  Mr.  Rush  ordered  him  to  go  to  Gen'l  Arnold  for  or- 
ders. He  went  &  received  the  written  orders  contained  in  the 
Letter  of  D.  S.  Franks,  but  had  no  information  of  the  goods  being 
private  property ;  Capt.  Moore  met  him  at  Coopers'  Ferry,  &  they 
went  to  the  forks  of  Egg  Harbor  under  his  directions ;  the^were 
loaded  with  sugar,  Tea,  Coffee,  sails,  Rigging,  swivel  Guns,  & 
other  Goods.  A  young  Man,  who  was  with  Capt.  Moore,  did  not 
deny  that  the  Goods  were  private  property ;  They  were  said  to  be 
Rob  Shewell's  Goods,  &  others;  gave  a  certificate  for  his  Ferriage 
on  going  &  coming ;  Did  not  apprehend  danger  from  the  Enemy  ; 
went  down  empty ;  would  not  have  gone  with  his  consent  if  he  had 
known  the  errand  was  for  private  property  ;  came  out  to  do  a  Tour 
of  duty  j  Waggons  mostly  came  over  the  River  loaded ;  gave  no 
receipt  for  the  goods,  as  Moore  was  with  him  &  had  the  charge  of 
the  Goods  ;  part  of  the  goods  were  delivered  up  Second  Street ; 
The  other  Man  who  was  with  Moore  he  thinks,  was  the  name 
of  Clark;  received  Continental  Forage  ;  did  not  receive  Pay  on  his 
return:  One  of  the  Waggons  unloaded  in  Second  Street,  not  far 
from  the  Church  ;  Several  Waggons  unloaded  at  Jesse  William- 
son's Ferry,  about  22  bushels  of  Coffee  ;  Drew  two  days  forage  on 
his  return.  Did  not  ask  his  pay  when  he  returned  ;  Mitchell  said 
he  would  see  us  paid  &  he  expected  he  was  to  be  paid  by  the  Pub- 
lic as  usual ;  Mitehell  said  nothing  to  J.  J.  about  Gen.  Arnold  on 
their  return;  Applied  yesterday  to  Mr.  Mitchell  for  his  money. 
Several  Waggons  were  rendered  unfit  for  further  service,  and  he, 
J.  Jordon,  was  permitted  to  return  home  on  his  own  expence,  & 
he  intended  to  return  again  to  go  to  the  North  River.  David 
Cochran  returned  again  afler  having  gone  home.  Had  no  conver- 
sation with  Mr.  Mitchell  about  Pay,  that  matter  was  left  to  Mr. 
Jordon.  J.  Jordon  says,  that  until  he  was  withiu  20  or  25  miles  of 
Egg  Harbor  he  was  "  sure  that  he  was  going  for  a  load  of  Provis- 
ions. He  made  out  his  account  as  was  usual,  for  his  Services  as 
when  in  the  Continental  service  ;  That  on  shewing  it  to  Mr.  Mit- 
chell, he  said  The  Waggons  were  all  appraised  before  they  went 
into  service  ;  J.  J.  must  go  to  Gen'l  Arnold  for  his  pay,  &  ordered 
him  to  charge  75s  p  ^  day,  &  to  pay  the  difference  between  that 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  681 

Sum  &  the  usual  Continental  to  the  Forage  Master  ;  That  on  ap- 
plying to  Gen'l  Arnold  he  bid  him  call  again  in  the  Evening.  The 
first  he  knew  of  the  errand  to  Egg  Harbor  beiDg  a  private  one 
was  in  consequence  of  a  refusal  of  Rations,  until  he  had  shewn  his. 
orders  signed  by  D.  S.  Franks ;  The  difference  in  heading  the  two 
accounts  shewn  was  made  by  Mr.  Mitchell's  order ;  the  first  being 
a  charge  against  the  United  States,  the  second  against  Gen'l  Ar- 
nold; Mr.  Mitchell  differed  with  him  &  insisted  on  striking  off 
two  days  of  the  time  he  was  coming  to  Philadelphia,  altho'  he 
sate  out  one  day  later  than  others  (came  the  same  distance)  who 
did  not  arrive  'till  two  days  after,  &  who  were,  notwithstanding, 
allowed  their  whole  Price.  Mr.- Mitchell  insisted  on  his  settling 
this  matter,  &  on  his  saying  he  would  leave  it  unsettled,  Mr.  Mit- 
chell said  he  should  settle  it,  &  if  he  did  not  Mr.  Mitchell  would 
make  him  a  Prisoner;  That  J.  J.  being  determined  not  to  be 
made  a  Prisoner,  that  night  he  came  off;  He  did  not  see  Gen'l  Ar- 
nold when  he  went  the  second  time,  but  there  was  a  Note  round 
the  account,  expressing  that  he,  Gen'l  Arnold,  would  only  Pay 
from  the  day  the  Waggons  left  Philadelphia,  &  that  Mr.  Mitchell 
might  Pay  the  remainder.  Mr.  Mitchell  wrote  to  Gen.  Arnold  that 
he  must  pay  the  whole  amount;  Had  not  directions  from  Mr.  Mit- 
chell to  attend,  but  came  of  his  own  accord ;  Mitchell  said  J.  J. 
would  have  to  go  before  the  Council  about  this  business,  but  said  no 
more  to  him  about  it;  Mitchell  said  it  was  a  business  in  which  the 
Public  had  nothing  to  do ;  but  said  that  the  two  days  must  be 
struck  off,  as  he  would  not  have  paid  it  in  of  the  Public ; 

Would  not  have  entered  in  private  service  at  the  time,  as  he  knew 
he  must  perform  his  tour  of  duty,  he  chose  to  do  it  while  the  Roads 
were  good  ;  At  the  time  he  was  called  out  he  was  offered  £Q  5  p 
day,  if  he  found  himself,  to  go  to  Indian  River  for  salt ;  Shew- 
ell  did  not  appear  in  this  business. 

Ordered,  That  Jesse  Jordan,  David  Cochran,  John  Boyd,  do  re- 
main in  the  City  'till  to-morrow,  to  give  Testimony  on  the  business 
before  mentioned  ;  and  that  they  attend  at  Plunket  Fleeson,  EsqYs, 
to-morrow  Morning  at  ten  O'Clock. 

Ordered,  That  Jesse  Jordan,  Deputy  Waggon  Master,  David 
Cochran  &  John  Boyd,  Waggon  Drivers,  be  examined  before  Plun- 
ket Fleeson,  Esq'r,  to-morrow  at  ten  O'clock  in  the  Forenoon, 
concerning  the  employing  ot  a  Brigade  of  the  Public  Waggons 
belonging  to  this  State,  called  forth  into  Continental  service  in 
October  last,  by  order  of  Gen'l  Arnold,  as  is  alledged,  in  order  that 
the  Affidavits  may  be  taken  therein  of  the  said  J.  Jordan,  D.  Coch- 
ran, &  J.  Boyd. 

Ordered,  That  Maj.  Gen'l  Arnold  be  notified  to  attend  the  afore- 
said examination,  if  he  shall  think  proper  so  to  do,  &  that  the  At- 
torney General  be  also  notified  to  attend. 


032  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Monday  Feb'ry  1,  1779. 


<•} 


PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  »        Jas.   Read,  & 

Jac.   Arndt,  Matt'w  Smith,  J-Esq'rs. 

John  Macky, 

The  President  laid  before  the  Board  a  Letter  from  the  President 
&  Council  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  dated  14th  January,  1779,  rep- 
resenting a  great  scarcity  of  Bread,  &  requesting  a  suspension  of 
the  Embargo  for  their  relief. 

Ordered,  That  the  Receipt  of  said  Letter  be  acknowledged,  & 
when  this  Board  shall  hear  from  Congress,  to  whom  the  said  State 
hath  also  addressed  itself,  a  further  answer  be  given. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Robert 
Allison,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  his,  the  said  Allison's,  account. 

Also,  in  favor  of  Jacob  Rotter,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One 
hundred  &  Fifty-three  Pounds,  for  Thirty-four  days'  hire  of  a  light 
Waggon,  to  carry  the  Quaker  Prisoners  to  Virginia. 

Also,  an  order  in  favor  of  John  Dialog,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum 
of  One  hundred  &  fifty-three  Pounds,  for  thirty-four  days  hire  of  a 
light  Waggon,  to  carry  the  Quaker  Prisoners  to  Virginia. 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Tuesday  February  2d,  1779. 


b 


present: 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read, 

Jacob  Arndt,  Matt'w  Smith,  &  }.Esq'rs. 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Jos.  Stiles, 
Commissary  of  Military  Stores,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Four 
hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  account  of  the  said  Stiles. 

The  Congress  having  expressed  their  approbation  of  the  Coun- 
cil's granting  a  Pass  into  New  York,  to  a  suitable  person  to  settle 
the  accounts  of  David  Franks,  late  Commissary  of  British  Prisoners, 
Congress  referring  to  His  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington,  the  time 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  683 

&  manner  of  going  in ;  And  the  Secretary  reporting  that  be  had 
conferred  thereon  with  Mr.  Tench  Tilgman,  Aid  de  Camp  to  His 
Excell'y  the  General,  &  that  Mr.  Tilghman  had  recommended  it 
to  the  Council  to  give  Mr.  Franks'  Clerk  a  recommendation  to  the 
Officer  commanding  on  the  lines  to  pass  into  New  York,  as  a  Spe- 
cial Case. 

Ordered,  That  a  pass  to  New  York  be  granted  to  Mr.  Patrick 
Rice,  Clerk  to  Mr.  David  Franks,  late  Commissary  of  British  Pris- 
oners, &  to  return  again ;  &  that  Mr.  Rice  be  recommended  to 
Gen'l  Maxwell,  the  Officer  commanding  on  the  lines  next  the  Ene- 
my, that  he  be  permitted  to  Pass  without  delay,  it  being  a  Special 
Case. 

Mr.  Nesbitt,  Mr.  Wilcocks  &  Mr.  Fitzsimmons,  a  Committee 
appointed  by  the  Merchants  of  this  City,  attended  in  Council  & 
represented  the  ruinous  condition  of  the  Trade  of  this  State,  our 
Ports  being  blocked  up  by  armed  Vessels,  which  it  was  apprehend- 
ed, would  be  induced  in  the  Spring  to  come  up  our  Bay  &  River, 
and  praying  some  protection,  reminding  the  Council  of  the  Vote  of 
General  Assembly  for  the  purchasing  of  an  armed  Vessel,  to  which 
the  Council  replied,  That  the  Assembly  had  not  put  Money  into 
their  hands  sufficient  for  that  purpose,  &ca. 

Ordered,  That  Patrick  Rice  give  Bond  with  two  sufficient  Sure- 
ties, in  the  Sum  of  Ten  Thousand  Pounds,  conditioned  that  he  do 
not  take  into  the  City  of  New  York  any  Letters  or  papers  of  any 
kind,  save  only  his  accounts,  &  the  Papers  &  vouchers  relating 
thereto;  That  he  do  not  by  any  means,  directly  or  indirectly,  bring 
or  send  out  of  the  City  of  New  York,  any  Continental  Money  or 
Goods  of  any  kind;  That  he  neither  do  nor  say  anything  injurious 
to  the  United  States  of  America,  And  that  he  will  bring  out  no  Let- 
ters or  Papers  of  any  kind  except  what  relates  to  the  accounts  afore- 
said, but  what  he  will  on  his  arrival  communicate  to  this  Council. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  February  3,  1779. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  "J 

John  Macky,  McClean,  &  I  Esq'rs. 

James  Read,  Thomas  Scott,      J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mease  & 
Caldwell,  or  their  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  &  Seventy- 
eight  Pounds  &  Eleven  Shillings,  due  to  Mr.  Thomas  Barclay, 


684  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Merchant,  for  Salt  Petre  &  Sulphur,  (agreeable  to  the  order  of  the 
said  Barclay.) 

Maj.  Gen'l  Arnold  is  said  to  have  left  this  City  early  this  Morn- 
ing. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  Will'm 
Bratton,  of  the  seventh  Pennsylvania  Reg't,  or  his  order,  for  the 
Sum  of  Three  hundred  Dollars,  for  the  Recruiting  service,  & 
charge  the  same  to  account  of  the  said  Bratton. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Jesse  0  ordan, 
Waggon  Master  of  a  Brigade  of  Twelve  Waggons  from  the  County 
of  Chester,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  hundred  &  fifty 
Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account ;  &  repaid  on  demand. 

Resolved,  That  the  Waggons  sent  by  Gen'l  Arnold  to  Egg  Har- 
bor, having  been  drawn  forth  under  the  Law  of  the  State,  &  the 
Waggoners  not  being  able  to  procure  Payment,  either  from  the  Qr. 
Master's  department  or  from  Gen'l  Arnold,  who  is  departed  from 
this  City  while  the  Complaint  against  him  was  depending,  &  they 
being  in  great  necessity,  the  board  ou't  to  relieve  them,  so  far  as 
to  advance  £450  until  they  can  procure  further  redress ;  &  that 
Jesse  Jordan,  the  Waggon  Master,  give  as  pecial  Receipt,  to  be  ac- 
countable therefor. 

Ordered,  That  Colo.  Hart,  Mr.  Hambright  &  Mr.  Scott,  be  a 
Committee  to  inspect  the  Goal  of  this  City,  &  report  the  State  of 
the  Prisoners  therein  to  this  Council. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  Feb'ry  4, 1779. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,      ~) 

John  Macky,  McClean,  &  I  Esq'rs. 

James  Read,  Thomas  Scott,  J 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  clear  &  decisive  opinion  of  the  Board, 
that  the  Several  Fines  for  non-attendance  and  other  delinquencies 
on  the  Militia  Law,  ought  to  be  regularly  collected,  <fe  that  the 
Lieutenants  &  Sub-Lieutenants  proceed  against  all  persons  who  are 
not  exempted  by  express  Laws  of  the  State. 

A  Petition  from  Mrs.  Straker,  Wife  of  Mr.  William  Straker, 
Praying  a  Certificate  of  the  Permission  of  this  Council  for  her  Hus- 
band &  herself  to  pass  to  St.  Eustatia,  &  from  thence  to  the  Island 
of  Barbadoes,  was  read ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  Certificate  be  accordingly  issued  for  the  said 
purpose. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  685 

The  Petition  of  Hillary  Baker,  Jun.,  was  read ;  & 
On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Hillary  Baker,  Jun.,  be  appointed  &  Commis- 
sioned to  be  a  Notary  &  Tabellion  Public  for  the  English  &  Ger- 
man Languages  &  Interpreter  of  the  same. 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Friday  February  5,  1779. 


present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read, 
John  Macky,                         Jacob  Arndt,  &    J.  Esq'rs. 
McClean.                      Thomas  Scott, 


ki    J 


An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Jacob  S.  How- 
ell, State  Clothier,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Five  Hundred 
Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

A*  representation  from  William  Crispin,  Commissary  of  the  State 
Fleet,  respecting  Provisions  &  Stores  in  the  hands  of  Gapt.  Hous- 
ton, was  read ;  & 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Provisions  in  the  hands  of  Capt.  Houston  be 
delivered  to  William  Crispin,  Commissary  of  the  State  Fleet ;  & 
that  the  Stores  in  the  hands  of  the  said  Capt.  Houston  be  delivered 
to  Mr.  George  Henry. 

Mr.  Clymer,  Mr.  Gardner,  &  Gen'l  Lacey,  a  Committee  of  the 
Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly,  attended  in  Council,  and  in- 
formed the  Council  that  the  House  was  now  met  &  ready  to  pro- 
ceed to  such  business  as  the  Council  shall  think  proper  to  lay  be- 
fore them. 

The  following  Address  of  this  Council  to  the  General  Assembly 
of  Representatives  of  the  Freemen  of  Pennsylvania,  Viz  : 

"In  Council,  Philad'a,  Feb'ry  5,  1779. 
"  Gentlemen :— 

"  Your  early  and  punctual  attendance  upon  the  Public  business, 
affords  a  happy  presage  that  it  will  be  conducted  with  Harmony 
and  dispatch,  &  must,  demonstrate  to  our  mutual  constituents  your 
regard  &  attention  to  their  Interests.  We  shall  endeavour  to  mani- 
fest a  similar  Spirit,  &  facilitate  the  measures  which  the  public  good 
may  require,  so  that  you  may  not  be  long  detained  from  your 
families  &  private  concerns  ;  and  the  interests  of  the  Public  effectu- 
ally &  happily  promoted.   We  have  yet  to  lament,  Gentlemen,  that 


686  MINUTES  OF  THE 

the  futile  &  absurd  ideas  of  conquering  America  are  not  yet  so 
extinguished  in  the  minds  of  our  Enemies,  as  to  induce  them  to 
give  over  the  vain  attempt,  though  it  is  highly  probable,  that  in- 
stead of  the  pompous  &  useless  marches  of  large  Armies  through 
a  country  which  they  could  not  conquer  or  retain,  they  will  adopt 
the  meaner  &  crueller  plan  of  depredation  &  sudden  inroad  Against 
these;  therefore,  whether  upon  our  Coasts  or  frontiers,  it  highly  be- 
comes us  to  make  a  seasonable  provision;  And  in  order  to  do  this, 
as  well  as  answer  the  various  exigencies  of  government,  we  must 
request  your  earliest  attention  to  your  revenue,  for  without  this  you 
cannot  expect  security  in  War,  or  tranquility  in  peace.  It  is  not 
to  be  expected  that  the  current  &  ordinary  income  of  the  State  will 
answer  the  extraordinary  expences  of  War  &  danger;  but  it  is 
high  time  the  former  should  be  ascertained,  &  so  enlarged  as  to 
afford  a  prospect  of  Payment  of  the  Public  debts  in  a  reasonable 
time.  The  policy  of  Congress  in  calling  in  so  great  a  Sum  as  Fifteen 
millions  of  Dollars,  at "  this  time,  will  require  a  similar  policy  on 
our  part,  so  as  to  avail  ourselves  of  the  present  plenty  of  Paper 
Money,  and  lessen  a  proportionate  part  of  the  Public  debt.  But 
in  the  meantime,  it  is  our  duty  to  acquaint  your  that  when  we  en- 
tered upon  the  execution  of  your  Resolves  of  the  5th  of  December 
last,  we  found  our  Treasury  in  a  condition  very  inadequate  for  the 
purposes  you  recommended,  &  we  have  justcau^e  to  apprehend  that 
our  embarrassments  on  this  subject  are  increasing,  as  the  circula- 
tion of  two  large  emissions  of  paper  money  has  been  stopped  in 
ordinary  Payment,  though  received  at  Public  Offices,  from  which  we 
may  naturally  infer,  that  all  public  Payments  will  be  made  in  those 
emissions,  useless  to  the  possessor  in  the  common  course  of  busi- 
ness. You  will  doubtless,  therefore,  esteem  it  necessary,  if  some 
mode  to  supply  the  Treasury  with  such  Money  as  may  be  current, 
&  upon  such  an  estimate  of  the  public  expence  as  may  be  formed 
under  our  present  circumstances. 

"  Before  we  proceed  to  lay  before  you  the  several  matters  neces- 
sary for  your  consideration,  we  think  proper  to  acquaint  you  how 
far  the  several  resolutions  of  your  last  sessions  have  been  carried 
into  execution. 

"  We  have  appointed  Lieu.  Col.  Farmer,  (a  supernumerary  offi- 
cer,) Commissary  for  the  purchase  of  the  Articles  enumerated  in 
your  resolve  of  the  5th  December,  &  he  has  made  purchases  to  a 
considerable  amount.  We  applied  to  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Army 
in  December  last,  for  a  plan  of  distribution,  which,  when  re- 
ceived, the  Articles  will  be  forwarded  for  their  relief  &  comfort. 
The  upper  bridge  on  Schuylkill  is  in  part  carried  away;  the 
Season  of  the  year  was  too  severe  to  admit  the  necessary  work 
to  be  done  for  its  security,  though  every  step  was  taken  for  that 
purpose.  The  bridge  at  the  middle  ferry  has  been  secured  under 
our  direction,  by  the  care  of  the  Officers  &  men  of  the  Gallies, 
without  any  Article  of  considerable  expence  to  the  public.     The 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  687 

Cloathing  of  the  Officers  of  the  Army  has  been  and  will  be  an  ar- 
ticle of  considerable  expence ;  Finding  the  public  &  the  army  in- 
jured, in  some  respects,  by  the  management  of  the  department,  we 
removed  one  Officer  and  shall  inspect  the  conduct  of  all  others, 
that  abuses  may  not  be  repeated.  We  have  disposed  of  all  the  Gal- 
lies  &  armed  boats,  except  such  as  were  necessary  for  immediate 
protection  &  defence,  &  could  be  well  manned.  We  have  discharged 
&  paid  off  the  Officers  and  men  of  the  State  Fleet  who  were  super- 
numary,  so  as  to  reduce  the  remaining  expence  to  a  sum  compara- 
tively small.  The  heavy  expence  of  the  Gun  factory,  though  we 
had  no  reason  to  complain  of  the  management  of  it,  we  have 
wholly  suppressed,  from  a  view  of  our  present  stock  of  arms,  &  be- 
lief that  the  State  may  now  be  supplied  on  cheaper  terms.  We 
have  discharged  some  old  and  heavy  demands  of  the  recruiting  ser- 
vice, the  militia  of  the  back  Counties,  and  the  Artificers  formerly 
employed  in  public  works.  The  Current  and  usual  expenditures 
have  also  had  their  claims  though  but  in  part,  satisfied.  On  the 
Sixteenth  day  of  January  last,  we  procured  from  Congress  Sixty 
Thousand  Pounds.  The  inconveniences  of  such  applications  to 
the  United  States,  &  the  difficulties  upon  them,  are  well  known  to 
some  of  the  Honorable  members  of  your  House ;  and  as  the  ad- 
vance of  Money  to  this  State  by  Congress  has  been  very  great,  (how- 
ever the  final  balance  of  the  account  may  be,)  we  cannot  but  be- 
lieve you  will  approve  of  moderation  &  economy  in  such  applica- 
tions. 

"With  such  various  demands,  &  many  of  them  very  pressing,  & 
having  no  representation  made  to  us,  either  collectively  or  individ- 
ually, of  any  depredations  on  Trade  until  Monday  last,  till  last 
Week,  &  no  suitable  Vessell  to  be  found  in  the  Harbor,  we  did 
not  attempt  to  provide  a  Ship  of  War  for  the  protection  of  Trade  5 
for  had  no  other  difficulty  occurred,  the  impossibility,  in  our  cir- 
cumstances, of  answering  the  heavy  demands  which  it  would  have 
occasioned,  was  alone  a  sufficient  bar ;  We  might  also  had  here,  that 
our  Treasury  having  only  the  reprobated  emissions,  (except  the 
Sixty  Thousand  Pounds,)  this  stroke  of  general  finance  has  affected 
all  our  measures." 

"  Agreeable  to  your  desire,  we  made  deligent  enquiry  after  the 
forestallers  of  flour  and  other  provisions  in  this  City,  &  caused  sev- 
eral suspected  persons  to  be  prosecuted ;  but  whether  the  com- 
plaints were  not  well  founded,  or  from  a  reluctance  in  the  inhabi- 
tants to  appear  on  such  prosecutions,  the  parties  were  dismissed. 
We  also  issued  a  Proclamation,  reprobating  &  prohibiting  all  such 
practices.  Most  earnestly  do  we  wish  an  effectual  remedy  might  be 
provided;  but  a  more  general  detestation  and  abhorrence  of  them, 
we  apprehend,  must  take  place,  before  such  remedy  can  be  had. 

"We  would  now  suggest  such  modes  as  have  occurred  to  us  to 
remove,  at  least  in  part,  some  of  those  evils  we  feel,  &  many  of 
those  we  fear.     We  think  there  are  many  proper  subjects  of  Taxa- 


688  MINUTES  OF  THE 

tion  yet  untouched,  &  others  too  lightly ;  such  as  all  Carriages  for 
pleasure  &  convenience  only,  &  plate.  The  possessors  of  Slaves 
&  indented  Servants,  can  also  well  afford  to  pay  an  additional  duty. 
These,  with  a  general  plan  of  Taxation  adapted  to  the  present 
value  of  Money,  &  carried  fairly  &  firmly  into  execution,  would  have 
a  great  effect.  But  we  would  also  recommend  the  Sale  of  the  for- 
feited Estates,  with  all  convenient  speed.  The  prices  would  bear  a 
proportion  to  the  public  debts,  &  at  least  put  us  on  a  certain  foot- 
ing in  this  respect.  Considerations  of  a  political  kind,  we  think, 
also  press  this  measure  forcibly.  We  would  also  recommend  the 
accumulation  of  fines  &  other  pecunary  penalties,  not  so  much  as  a 
fund  of  supply,  as  necessary  for  the  advancement  of  public  justice 
&  the  good  order  of  the  government.  Fees  &  other  licence  money, 
&  especially  on  Taverns,  accruing  to  the  State,  &  also  such  Fees  as 
accrue  to  Officers  or  others,  &  have  not  been  sufficiently  raised  to 
answer  the  exigencies  of  the  present  times,  we  think  may  also  justly 
admit  of  increase,  under  some  general  proportional  estimate.  For 
we  are  bound  to  inform  you  that  the  present  penalties  for  decline 
of  necessary,  though  troublesome  Offices,  or  for  neglect  or  miscon- 
duct therein,  &  the  allowances  made,  are  now  so  reduced  in  value 
as  to  afford  no  sanction  or  encouragement  for  the  execution  of  the 
Laws. 

u  We  would  also  again  bring  into  your  view  a  plan  for  the  gradual 
abolition  of  Slavery,  so  disgraceful  to  any  people,  &  more  especially 
to  those  who  have  been  contending  in  the  great  cause  of  liberty 
themselves,  &  upon  whom  providence  has  bestowed  such  eminent 
marks  of  its  favor  &  protection.  We  think  we  are  loudly  called 
ou  to  evince  our  gratitude  in  making  our  fellow  men  joint  heirs 
with  us  of  the  same  inestimable  blessings,  under  such  restrictions 
k  regulations  as  will  not  injure  the  community,  &  will  impercep- 
tibly enable  them  to  relish  &  improve  the  Station  to  which  they 
will  be  advanced.  Honored  will  that  State  be  in  the  Annals  of 
History,  which  shall  first  abolish  this  violation  of  the  rights  of  man- 
kind, &  the  memories  of  those  will  be  held  in  grateful  &  everlasting 
remembrance,  who  shall  pass  the  Law  to  restore  &  establish  the 
rights  of  Human  nature  in  Pennsylvania.  We  feel  ourselves  so 
interested  on  this  point,  as  to  go  beyond  what  may  be  deemed  by 
some  the  proper  line  of  our  duty,  &  acquaint  you  that  we  have  re- 
duced this  plan  to  the  form  of  a  Law,  which,  if  acceptable,  we 
shall  in  a  few  days  communicate  to  you. 

"  The  uu happy  disputes  upon  our  borders,  &  progressive  en- 
croachments, especially  on  the  part  of  Virginia,  will  naturally  re- 
mind us  how  important  it  is  that  there  should  be  as  early  a  decision 
of  these  points  as  possible.  By  a  Resolution  of  Congress  passed 
the  23d  of  December,  1775,  it  was  recommended  to  the  State  of 
Connecticut  '  N^t  to  introduce  any  Settlers  on  the  disputed  lands 
till  the  further  order  of  Congress,  or  until  the  said  dispute  should 
be  settled.' 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  689 

u  The  present  depopulated  state  of  that  disputed  Territory  may 
make  it  very  proper,  not  only  to  remind  the  remaining  settlers  from 
Connecticut  of  their  precarious  tenure,  but  the  State  itself  of  this 
resolve,  which  we  apprehend  never  had  the  effect  intended.  The 
papers  from  Virginia,  received  since  your  late  adjournment,  are 
transmitted  herewith;  from  the'ta  you  will  judge  what  probability 
there  is  of  a  termination  of  disputes  in  that  quarter.  But  so  much 
do  we  wish  to  relieve  our  unhappy  brothers  from  these  distressing 
&  irritating  Claims,  that  we  shall  esteem  our  time  and  labor  devo- 
ted to  a  most  valuable  purpose,  in  executing  any  measures  you  may 
determine  for  their  relief,  even  to  a  personal  attendance  of  any  of 
our  members  on  the  scene  of  controvercy,  if  you  shall  judge  ifc 
necessary. " 

"  Some  municipal  laws  in  the  administration  of  Justice,  we 
would  also  recommend ;  such  as  establishing  a  Court  of  errors  on 
judgments  given  in  the  Supreme  Court.  It  appearing  to  us  that 
a  determination  of  a  single  tribunal,  binding  upon  the  lives  &  pro- 
perties of  the  Subjects  of  the  State,  without  review  or  revisal  in 
any  case,  must,  from  the  frailty  of  human  nature  only,  soon  be 
productive  of  great  inconveniences.  We  would  wish  they  should 
be  prevented  rather  thfln  remedied.  The  Suppression  of  Theatri- 
cal entertainments,  formerly  recommended  by  Congress,  to  which 
we  would  add  Horse-racing,  gaming  &  other  diversions,  productive 
of  idleness  &  dissipation  of  manners,  seems  to  us  to  claim  the  no- 
tice of  the  Representatives  of  an  undepraved  &  ©economical  people. 
Duelling,  that  resource  of  misapplied  courage,  so  dangerous  to  the 
peace  of  families  &  society,  has  lately  gro^n  so  much  into  prac- 
tice that  it  may  justly  claim  a  share  of  your  notice  fy  censure. 

The  abuses  of  the  process  of  attachments  &l  replevins,  which  are 
taken  out  upon  the  Estates  of  attainted  Traytors,  &;  upon  Seizures 
for  fines,  &  other  public  demands,  call  for  some  wholesome  re- 
straints. 

"  Some  prudent  &  proper  cautions  against  clandestine  Marriages^ 
so  often  fatal  to  the  peace  &  happiness  of  families,  are  highly  de- 
serving of  notice.  If,  as  in  all  other  cases  where  a  third  party  is 
injured,  the  bond  given  on  the  Licence  was  assignable  to  the  Parent 
or  Guardians,  for  their  special  benefit,  &  publications  of  all  marriages 
not  celebrated  upon  Licence  was  required,  it  might  have  a  happy 
tendency  to  introduce  a  prudent  restraint,  without  intrenching  upon 
the  freedom  of  marriage,  which,  the  policy  of  all  wise  States  has 
most  judiciously  encouraged  &  protected. 

"  VVe  shall  now  offer  the  last,  though  not  the  least,  object  of  your 
public  enquiry  &  deliberations ;  we  mean  the  nature  &  extent  of 
the  claims  or  Estates  of  the  late  Proprietaries,  and  their  consistency 
with  the  interest  &  happiness  of  the  people  under  the  late  revolu- 
tion. To  reconcile  the  rights  &>  demands  of  Society  with  those  of 
private  justice  &  equity  in  this  case,  will  be  worthy  your  most  se- 
YG1U  xi.— 44. 

\ 


I 

690  MINUTES  OF  THE 

rious  attention  ;  nor  ought  the  magnitude  of  the  object,  or  the 
splendor  &  influence  heretofore  annexed  to  the  power  derived  from 
that  source,  deter  you  from  the  enquiry  or  dazzle  you  in  the  pur- 
suit. The  just  regard  due  to  the  suspended  rights  of  many  indi- 
viduals of  this  State,  &  the  common  interests  of  all,  do  not  admit 
that  it  should  any  longer  be  kept  out  of  sight,  though  war,  with  all 
its  calamities  &  confusion,  has  hitherto  excluded  it  from  the  notice 
of  a  Government  founded  on  the  authority  of  the  people  only. 

"JOSEPH  REED,  President." 
being  read,  was  approved ;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Message  be  signed  by  His  ExcelFy,  the 
President,  &  laid  before  the  House  by  the  Secretary,  together  also 
with  the  following  Papers,  Viz :  Resolves  of  Congress  of  the  1st 
of  January  &  of  the  2d  January  ;  A  Letter  from  the  Delegates  of 
Virginia  in  Congress,  &  Resolves  of  the  House  of  Burgesses  of  the 
said  State,  respecting  the  line  between  that  State  &  Pennsylvania, 
dated 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 

A  Letter  from  Jeremiah  Powell,  Esq'r,  President  of  the  Council 
of  Massachusetts  Bay,  dated 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 

A  Letter  from  Gov'r  Morris  &  William  Whipple,  Esq'rs,  a 
Committee  of  Congress, Respecting  forestalling;  and  a  Letter  from 
Col.  Butler  &  others,  respecting  the  Resolves  of  the  House  of  No- 
vem.  14  &  Decern.  5th. 

The  Secretary  reports,  that  agreeably  to  the  order  of  Councilrhe 
had  presented  to  the   House  of  General  Assembly  the  Address  of 
the  President  &  Council,  &  had  laid  before  the  House  the  Papers 
the  Council  pleased  to  order. 

The  Resolves  of  Council  respecting  Maj.  Gen'l  Arnold  being 
printed, 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  inclose  one  to  the  authority  of 
each  of  the  United  States,  and  one  to  the  Delegates  in  Congress  of 
each  State. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  of  the  Hon'ble  George 
Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  three 
Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  691 

The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  February  6,  1779. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Read,  "\ 

John  Macky,  Jacob  Arndt,  &,     v  Esq'rs. 

— —  McClean,  Thomas  Scott,       J 

On  application. 
Ordered^  That  Mr.  George   Henry  do  deliver  to  Col.  Flower, 
Commissary  of  Military  Stores,  or  his  order,  375  two  Pound  Shot, 
5  four  Pound  Shot,  &,  12  Six  Pound  Shot,  for  the  use  of  the  State 
of  South  Carolina,  to  be  replaced  by  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  a  Supersedeas  issue  upon  the  Commission  of  the 
Peace  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  so  far  as  respects  John  Holmes, 
Stephen  Duncan,  Ephraim  Steel,  William  Brown,  John  Harris, 
John  Schuller,  James  Maxwell,  &  John  Work,  who  having  been 
elected  &  appointed  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  said  County,  have  de- 
clined accepting  the  said  offices. 

Resolved,  That  Sam'l  Laird,  of  Carlisle,  be  Commissioned  as  a 
Justice  of  Peace  of  the  County  of  Cumberland. 

Sundry  Resolutions  of  the  Senate  &  House  of  Delegates  in  Vir- 
ginia, were  delivered  in  by  the  Delegates  of  Congress  from  that 
State,  &  read  &  ordered  to  be  sent  to  tye  Hon'ble  House  of  As- 
sembly. 


The  Council  met. 


Philad*a,  Monday  February  8,  1779, 


PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt, 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  &   [►Esq'rs. 

— * — —  McLean,  Thomas  Scott, 


ght,&  j: 
J 


General  Ewing  attended,  first  time  of  his  present  coming  tc 
town. 

Petition  of  Dr.  Valentine  Standly,  jun'r,  praying  to  be  Paid  ag 
senior  Surgeon  of  the  State  Fleet,  &  to  be  discharged,  was  read. 

On  consideration  of  his  having  been  appointed  Senior  Surgeon 
by  the  Navy  board> 


1  I 

G92  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  Doctor  Valentine  Stanley,  do  receive  pay  &  Ra- 
tions as  Senior  Surgeon  of  the  State  Fleet  until  the  first  day  of 
this  instant,  February,  &  that  he  be  discharged,  according  to  his 
request. 

A  Certificate  of  Mr.  Holker,  Agent  General  of  the  Royal  Marine 
of  France,  that  he  had  taken  to  freight  the  brig  Industry,  George 
Curwin,  Master,  with  Provisions  for  the  use  of  the  Fleet  of  His 
most  Christian  Majesty  under  the  command  of  Count  D'Estaing, 
was  read  \  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Naval  Officer  be  directed  to  clear  out  the 
Sloop  Industry,  George  Curwin,  Master,  for  the  Island  of  Marti- 
nique, with  48  barrels  of  Pork,  7  Tierces  of  Pork,  459  barrels  of 
Flour,  107  barrels  of  Bread,  1  barrel  of  Rice,  &  6  'Pierces  of  Rice, 
for  the  use  of  the  Fleet  of  his  most  Christian  Majesty,  under  the 
command  of  the  Count  D'Estaing. 

Ordered,  That  the  Resolves  of  this  Council  of  the  3d  instant, 
respecting  Gen'l  Arnold,  be  published  in  the  several  Newspapers  of 
this  City. 

Ordered,  That  the  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  9th  of  February, 
1778,  respecting  the  enquiring  into  the  conduct  of  the  Continental 
Officers,  be  Re-published. 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Boys  be  directed  to  order  out  one  of  the 
armed  Boats  of  the  State,  for  the  purpose  of  looking  out  &  making 
Signals  to  the  Vessels  outward  bound  :  That  Mr.  Henry  &  Mr. 
Crispin,  do  in  their  departments  what  may  be  necessary  herein,  so 
that  she  may  be  sent  out  with  all  possible  dispatch.  The  Boat  to 
continue  on  this  duty  as  long  as  the  weather  will  admit  &  the  Ser- 
vice requires. 


Monday  February  8,  1779,  P.  M. 
Present  as  A.  M.,  except  John  Hambright  &  Jac.  Arndt,  Esq'rs. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  account  of  Arthur  Don- 
aldson, he  being  present;  &  having  spent  some  time  thereon,  &  there 
appearing  to  be  a  considerable  Balance  due  to  him, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Arthur  Don- 
aldson, or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  account  of  the  said  Donaldson. 


■SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  693 

The  Council  met. 

Philab'a,  Tuesday  February  9,  1779. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Exeell' y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President 
Hon'ble- George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Ewing,         "*) 

John  Macky,  Jac.  Arndt,  !>Esq'rs 

McClean,  John  Hambright,  &  \       4 

Ja's  Read,  Tho's  Scott,  J 

The  Resolves  of  the  Senate  &'  Delegates  of  Virginia,  respecting 
the  disputed  boundary,  in  addition  to  those  received  some  time 
since. 

Ordered,  To  be  sent  to  the  House  of  Assembly  forthwith. 
A  Petition  from  Joseph  Jefferies,  Waggon  Master  of  York  County, 
praying  that  the  Board  will  fall  upon  measures  to  Payment  of  the 
Waggons  employed  in  transporting  the  Baggage  of  the  Conven- 
tion Troops,  was  read;  The  Officers  of  that  department  in  York 
County  having  no  orders ;  therefore, 

Ordered,  That  he  apply  to  the  assistant  Q  M.  General  in  this 
City,  who  is  desired  to  give  the  necessary  orders  for  that  purpose. 


Same  Day,  P.  M. 

Present  as  A.  M.,  except  John  Hambright  &  Tho's  Scott,  Esq'rs. 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Viz : 
In  favor  of  Ebenezer  Cowell,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Two 
hundred  &  Fifty  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  the  said  Cowell. 

Mr.  McLean  informed  the  Council,  that  a  Committee  of  the 
Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  had  been  appointed  to  con- 
sider of  an  application  to  the  Congress  for  a  Loan  of  Money  to 
this  State,  and  that  it  was  requested  a  Committee  of  this  Board 
might  be  added.  ( 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Vice  President,  Col.  Hart,  &  Mr.  Ewing, 
be  a  Committee  to  confer  with  the  Committee  of  the  Hon'ble  House 
of  General  Assembly,  upon  the  subject  of  an  application  to  Con- 
gress, &  report  to  this  Council. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  George  Rein- 
hart,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Fourteen  Pounds  Eleven  Shil- 
liDgs&  Three  Pence,  for  riding  express  to  deliver  a  Letter  to  Major 


694  MINUTES  OF  THE 

G-en'l  Arnold,  by  order  of  Council,  to  be  charged  to  Congress  ;  the 
said  expence  having  incurred  in  the  pursuit  of  a  Resolve  of  Con- 
gress of  the  9th  February,  1778. 

The  resignation  of  John  Creigh,  Esq'r,  of  his  Office  of  Clerk  of 
the  Orphans'  Court  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  was  read. 

The  Petitions  of  William  Lyons  &  John  Agnew,  Esquires,  & 
Mr.  Henry  McKinley,  each  praying  to  be  appointed  Clerk  of  the 
Orphans'  Court  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  were  read ;  &  there- 
upon, the  Votes  being  taken,  William  Lyons,  Esquire,  was  unani- 
mously chosen  Clerk  of  the  Orphans'  Court  of  the  County  of  Cum- 
berland ;  And  thereupon,' 

Ordered,  That  William  Lyons,  Esq'r,  be  Commissioned  to  be 
Clerk  of  the  Orphans'  Court  of  the  County  of  Cumberland. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
Tho's  McKean,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand 
&  five  hundred  Pounds,  on  account  of  his  Salary  as  Chief  Justice. 

And  the  two  following  orders  were  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer, 
Vizt : 

One  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble  Tho's  McKean,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum 
of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  by  him  forwarded  to  the  Hon'ble 
John  Evans,  Esq'r,  &  charged  to  him  (the  said  Evans,)  on  Acount 
of  his  Salary  as  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

And  one  in  favor  of  Col.  Sam'l  Atlee,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for 
the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  to  be  by  him  forwarded  to  the 
Hon'ble  William  Agustus  Atlee,  Esq'r,  &  charged  to  him,  (the  said 
W.  A.  Atlee,)  on  account  of  his  Salary  as  one  of  the  Judges  of 
the  Supreme  Court. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  Feb'ry  10,  1779. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Ewing,      ") 

John  Macky,  Jacob  Arndt,  &  t  Esq'rs. 
McLcne,  Thomas  Scott,  J 

Petition  of  Capt.  Henry  Martin,  of  the  armed  boat  Lyon,  now 
ordered  down  the  River,  praying  to  be  furnished  with  Rum,  was 
read ;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Will'm  Crispin,  Commissary,  do  furnish  Capt. 
Martin  with  Rum  for  the  present  Cruize  down  the  River  to  Lewis 
Town,  for  himself  &  his  Crew. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  695 

On  application,  a  pass  was  granted  to  Heym  Saloman  to  Virginia, 
lie  being  recommended  by  Col.  Farmer,  &  it  appearing  that  he  had 
taken  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  to  the  State. 

The  report  of  Col.  Hart,  Mr.  Scott,  &  Mr.  Hambright,  a  Com- 
mittee appointed  to  inspect  the  State  of  the  Prisoners  in  the  Goal 
of  this  City,  was  read ;  & 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  fines  of  the  following  named  persons,  now  in 
the  Goal  of  tiie  City  and  County  of  Philadelphia,  be  remitted. 
Viz: 

Mary  Hood,  Catherine  Clark,  Jane  Williams,  Susanna  Craig, 
Mary  German,  Ann  Winters,  John  Shea,  Francis  Quin,  George 
Ludwick  Fisher,  &  John  Allen,  they  appearing  to  be  unable  to  pay 
the  same. 

On  motion, 

Resolved,  That  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Assembly  be  requested  to 
meet  this  Council  in  a  free  conference  with  them  on  the  following 
clause  of  the  Twentieth  Section  of  the  Constitution  : 

[This  minute  was  taken  from  the  Journals  of  the  House  of  As- 
sembly.] 

They  (the  Council)  are  to  correspond  with  other  States,  & 
transact  business  with  the  officers  of  Government,  "  civil  &  mili- 
tary, &>  to  prepare  such  business  as  may  appear  to  them  necessary 
to  lay  before  the  General  Assembly";  Which  being  read,  it  was 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Biddle  &  Mr.  Smiley,  be  a  Committee  to 
wait  upon  &  inform  the  Hon'ble  the  Council,  that  this  House  will 
confer  with  them  on  Monday  next,  at  10  0' Clock  in  the  Morning, 
on  the  Subject  matter  of  the  said  message. 

Mr.  Biddle  &  Mr.  Smiley,  a  Committee  of  the  Hon'ble  House 
of  Assembly,  attended  with  the  foregoing  order  of  the  House,  & 
informed  the  Council  that  the  House  had  directed  them  to  confer 
with  the  Council  concerning  the  place  of  conference,  and  on  con- 
sideration, the  Committee  &  Council  agreed,  That  the  proposed 
conference  be  held  in  the  Council  Chamber,  at  the  time  proposed 
by  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly,  to  Wit :  On  Monday 
10  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Ordered,  That  the  complaint  respecting  the  Election  held  for 
the  County  of  York,  be  heard  to-morrow  Morning,  10  o'clock. 


696  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  Feb'ry  11,  177& 

PRESENT. 

His  ExcelFy  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq>r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Yice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  James  Ewing,  ") 

John  Macky,  |  Jacob  Arndt,  &        !  -p,    , 

■ McLene,  Thomas  Scott,  f^sq  rs* 

Jas.  Read,  J 

John  Orr,  Esq'r,  &  others,  on  the  part  of  the  complainants 
against  the  return  of  the  Election  for  the  County  of  York,  for  & 
Counsellor  to  represent  the  said  County  in  this  Council,  now  being 
present,  The  Hon'ble  James  Ewing,  Esq'r,  being  party  in  the 
Question,  now  in  hearing  before  the  Council,  withdrew  from  his 
Seat  in  the  Council. 

Daniel  Mesterly,  Esq'r,  being  duly  sworn. 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 


The  Council  met, 

Philad'a,  Friday  Feb'ry  12,  1779. 

PRESENT : 

His  ExcelFy  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r.,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  James  Ewing,     ~\ 
John  Macky,                         Jacob  Arndt,  &    J-  Esq'rs. 
McLene,  Thomas  Scott,      J 

Petition  of  J03.  Carson,  praying  to  be  supplied  with  SOOlbs  of 
Powder  &  20ibs  of  Match  Rope,  was  read ; 
And  on  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Stiles  do  supply  Joseph  Carson,  or  his  or- 
der, with  Three  hundred  Pounds  of  Gunpowder,  if  it  can  be  safe- 
ly spared,  he  paying  a  reasonable  price  for  the  same. 

A  Sketch  of  the  accounts  of  Samuel  Cunniugham,  Esq'r,  being 
laid  before  Council,  on  consideration,  the  following  two  orders  were 
drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  said  Samuel  Cuuningham, 
Vii: 

One  for  the  Sum  of  Seven  hundred  &  fifty  Pounds,  &  One  for 
the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  &  fifty  Pounds,  both  to  be  charged  to 
his  account. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  697 

Same  day  P.  M. — The  Council  Met. 

Present  as  A.  M. 

The  Council  then  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  evidence 
given  respecting  the  Election  for  the  County  of  York,  &  the  same 
being  read,  and  several  hours  spent  thereupon,  Council  referred  the 
further  consideration  thereon  until  to-morrow  Morning. 

Received  from  the  Hon'ble  John  Jay,  Esq'r,  Six  blank  Priva- 
teer Commissions,  &  returned  to  him  twelve  bonds,  received  on  issu- 
ing the  twelve  Commissions  received  heretofore  from  him. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  February  13,  1779. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Ilon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  '         Jacob  Arndt,  ^ 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,,  &   J-™     , 

McLene;  Thomas  Scott,  [     s^ 

James  Read,  J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Will'm  Holli- 
day,  Pay-master  of  Militia  of  the  County  of  Bedford,  or  his  or- 
order,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  applied  in  Pay- 
ing the  Militia  of  the  said  County,  for  which  Sum  the  said  Holli- 
day  is  to  account. 

A  Certificate  dated  the  9th  instant,  of  the  election  of  William 
Lyon  to  be  Recorder  &  Register  of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  by 
the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly,  was  read-  Thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Commissions  be  issued  to  William  Lyons,  appoin- 
ting him  to  be  Recorder  &  Register  of  the  County  of  Cumberland. 

The  following  two  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Viz  : 

One  in  favor  of  Elizabeth  Irvine,  or  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One 
Thousand  one  hundred  and  Twenty-five  Dollars,  due  to  her  broth- 
er, Brig'r  Gen'l  James  Irvine,  for  his  Pay  from  the  26th  day  of 
August  177  ,  to  the  25th  day  of  May  1778,  inclusive,  agreeable 
to  the  order  of  the  said  Gen'l  Irvine. 

One  in  favor  of  William  Rush,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand 
Five  Hundred  &  fifty  Pounds  nine  Shillings  &  Eleven  Pence  half 
penny,  for  work  done  by  him.  (including  an  order  of  the  late  State 
Navy  board,  dated  March  9th,  1778,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thous- 
and One  hundred  and  fifty  One  Pounds  &  Six  Shillings,  which  ap- 
peared to  remain  unpaid. ) 


«98  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Election  of  a 
Councellor  for  the  County  of  York;  &  thereupon, 

Resolved,  That  James  Thompson,  Esq'r,  is  duly  elected  to  serve 
as  Councellor  for  the  County  of  York. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  George  Erchelberger,  of  the  County  of 
York,  now  in  this  City,  do  attend  this  Council  on  Monday  next,  at 
Six  O'Clock  in  the  Afternoon,  in  the  Council  Chamber. 

Council  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  contested  Election  of 
a  Councellor  in  the  County  of  York. 

2;  Whether  at  the  opening  of  &  during  the  Election  of  the 
1st  District  for  York  County,  was  not  attended  with  such  circum- 
stances of  Clamour  &  Terror,  as  to  have  an  undue  influence  upon 
the  minds  of  the  Judges  &  Inspectors,  &  thereby  violate  the  free- 
dom of  Judgment  &  Election. 

Whether  such  circumstances  of  Clamour  and  Terror  attended 
the  opening  &  continuance  of  the  above  Election,  as  to  afford  Just 
ground  to  believe  the  Judges  &  Inspectors  did  not  exercise  their 
Judgment  freely,  &  that  thereby  the  freedom  of  Election  was 
violated.     Yeas,  — j  Nay,  1. 

Whether  it  appears  to  this  board,  that  the  Election  of  the  2d  & 
5th  Districts  were  legally  conducted. 

Resolved,  That  James  Ewing,  Esq'r,  is  not  duly  elected  to 
serve  as  a  Councellor  for  the  County  of  York.     No  8  :  Yes  1. 

Resolved,  That  James  Thompson,  Esq'r,  is  duly  elected  to  serve 
as  Councellor  for  the  County  of  York.     Aye  8 :  No  1. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  February  15,  1779. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  G-eorge  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt, 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  & 

McLene,  Thomas  Scott, 


James  Read 


Esq'rs. 


The  Clerk  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  attended 
&  informed  the  Council  that  the  House  were  ready  to  meet  the 
Council  iu  conference,  agreeably  to  the  order  of  the  day. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  of  the  Council  do  wait  on  the 
Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly,  &  inform  the  Honourable 
House  that  the  Couucil  are  now  ready  to  confer  with  the  Hon'ble 
House,  agreeably  to  the  order  of  the  day. 

The  Secretary  reports  that  he  had  obeyed  the  foregoing  order. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  699 

The  Speaker  &  the  Members  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General 
Assembly  attended  in  the  Council  Chamber, 

*  His  Excellency  the  President  opened  the  Conference,  by  stat- 
ing the  business  upon  which  they  were  now  met.  After  several 
hours  spent  in  free  conference,  adjourned  to  four  0' Clock,  P.  M. 


•        The  same  day,  P.  M. 

The  Council  &  General  Assembly  met  in  conference,  and  having 
spent  some  time  in  free  communications  of  sentiments, 

A  Letter  from  Gen'l  Mackintosh  was  read,  which  gave  an  ac- 
count of  an  attack  by  the  Indians  on  a  party  going  from  Fort  Pitt 
to  Fort  Lawrence,  &  of  the  probability  of  an  attack  on  the  Settle- 
ment at  Blackbury  Creek,  and  a  free  conference  was  thereupon 
had. 


The  Council  Met. 

Phil  ad' a,  Tuesday  February  16,  1779. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jac.  Arndt,  & 

John  Macky,  Tho's  Scott,      }>Esq'rs. 


McLene 


Two  Letters  from  Mr.  Holker,  Agent  &  Consul  of  France,  the 
one  of  the  11th,  the  other  of  the  14th  instant,  were  read;  and  on 
consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Letters  be  laid  before  the  Hon'ble  House 
of  General  Assembly,  with  a  Message  therewith;  And  the  following 
Message  being  read,  was  approved  &  ordered  to  be  signed  by  His 
Excellency  the  President,  Vizt.  : 

"In  Council,  Philad'a  Feb'ry  16,  1779. 

"  Gentlemen : 

"The  Consul  of  His  Most  Christian  Majesty,  having  before  the 
opening  of  the  Session,  represented  to  the  President  that  the  Sea- 
men of  his  nation  in  the  service  of  His  Majesty,  &  also  in  the  em- 
ploy of  his  Subjects  trading  to  this  State,  were  frequently  inveigled 
&  taken  off  by  masters  of  Vessels,  &  others,  Subjects  of  our  State, 

*  This  conference  having  been  requested  by  the  Council. 


700  MINUTES  QF  THE 

to  the  great  injury  of  the  Navy  &  Commerce  of  France,  was  de- 
sired to  give  a  written  state  thereof,  &  also  of  his  expectations  on 
that  subject.  He  has  now  laid  before  us  a  memorial,  not  only  speci- 
fying the  grievance,  but  suggesting  some  measures  of  relief.  We 
herewith  transmit  the  papers  officially  delivered  to  us  for  your  con- 
sideration, at  the  same  time  observing,  that  the  special  complaint 
has  been  satisfactorily  redressed,  upon  application  to  Capt.  Barry. 

"  We  also  transmit  to  your  Hon'ble  House  a  complaint  on  the 
same  subject,  exhibited  to  us  by  the  Captains  of  the  Gallies  em- 
ployed for  the  defence  of  the  State,  upon  which  this  Council  en- 
tered into  &  published  a  cautionary  resolve  ;  But  whetherthis  will  be 
sufficiently  remedial,  may  admit  of  some  doubt.  We  think  proper 
to  recommend  it  to  your  notice. 

"JOSEPH  REED,  President." 

Whereas,  George  Erchelberger,  a  Deputy  Commissary  of  pur- 
chases for  the  United  States,  (of  York  town  in  the  county  of  York,) 
having  at  the  last  Election  of  the  County  of  York  for  chusing  a 
Councellor  to  represent  the  said  County  of  York  in  this  Council, 
used  angry  and  threatening  language  to  influence  the  Judges  &  In- 
spectors for  the  first  District  of  the  said  County,  there  assembled 
in  the  Court  House  of  the  said  County,  &  having  afterwards,  on  the 
15th  &  16th  of  October,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Judges  of  the  several 
Districts  of  the  said  assembled,  for  the  purpose  of  casting  up  the 
votes  taken  in  the  several  Districts  of  said  County,  &  making  re- 
turn to  this  Council  of  the  person  elected  to  represent  the  said 
County  of  York  in  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  intruded  him- 
self violently  and  forcibly  among  the  said  Judges,  &  dictating  to 
them  in  what  manner  they  should  proceed  in  making  the  said  re- 
turn : 

And  upon  divers  of  the  said  Judges  refusing  to  act  agreeably  to 
his  directions,  he,  the  said  George  Erchelberger,  did  call  them,  the 
said  Judges,  so  refusing,  perjured  Rascals,  and  declaring  that  they 
should  be  sued  with  an  hundred  Writs  before  they  left  York  Town, 
with  other  threatening  aud  abusive  language. 

Resolved,  Therefore,  That  the  said  George  Erchelberger  is  guilty 
of  a  high,  crime  &  misdemeanor,  a  violation  of  the  freedom  of  Elec- 
tion, &  breach  of  priviledge  of  this  Council. 

Whereas,  George  Erchelberger,  of  York  Town,  having  not  at- 
tended, agreeably  to  the  order  of  Council  of 

Ordered,  That  a  warrant  issue  to  the  Sheriff  of  the  City  & 
County  of  Philadelphia,  commanding  him  to  bring  the  body  of  the 
said  George  Erchelberger  before  this  Council  forthwith. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Tieasurer  in  favor  of  James  Ewing, 
Esq'r,  for  the  sum  of  Thirty-two  Pounds  &  Eight  pence,  for  his 
attendance  eight  days,  &  Mileage  twice  on  89  Miles. 

The  President  reported  to  Council,  that  upon  conference  held 
with  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Assembly,  in  their  Chamber,  in  pursu- 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  701 

ance  of  a  Minute  of  the  instant,  He,  in  the  name  of  the  Coun- 
cil, disavowed  any  claim  officially  or  authoritively  to  propose  Bills 
&  impose  them  on  the  House,  And  that  the  Council  never  inten- 
ded or  meant  to  be  understood  as  making  such  a  claim;  But  that  it 
appeared  to  them  that  the  above  clause  in  the  Constitution,  when 
compared  with  that  expression,  of  the  power  of  the  Assembly,  may 
be  properly  construed  into  a  duty  on  the  Council  to  frame  drafts  or 
heads  of  Bills,  which  the  House  of  Assembly  may  or  may  not 
adopt  or  notice,  in  their  discretion ;  And  that  as  the  council,  from 
having  the  Execution  of  the  Laws,  may  reasonably  be  supposed  to 
know  were  they  are  defective  &  where  new  laws  may  be  necessary, 
the  of  Assembly  would    be    shortened,  the  laws  probably 

more  accurate,  &  the  business  of  the  State  transacted  more  benefi- 
cially, harmoniously  &  expeditiously. 

The  conference  then  proceeded  to  consider  the  power  &  Duty  of 
the  Council  to  instruct  the  Delegates  of  the  State  in  Congress  du- 
ring the  recess  of  the  Assembly. 

Whereupon  it  was  agreed,  that  the  Council  may  &  ought  to  ad- 
vise the  Delegates  of  the  State  upon  all  matters  occurring  in  the 
Recess  of  the  House  of  Assembly,  wherein  the  Honor  &  Interest 
of^the  State  is  Concerned,  so  as  the  same  be  done  consistently  with 
any  instructions,  which  may  have  been  receive^  from  the  House. 


The  Council  met. 

Pihlad'a,  Wednesday  Feb'ry  17,  1779. 

PRESENT  :         * 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  "} 

John  Macky,  John   Hambright,  &  !  -ri     , 

McLene,  Thomas  Scott,  f  ^S(l  rs" 

James  Read,  J 

The  Petition  of  John  Turner,  late  belonging  to  the  Washington 
Galley,  praying  to  be  paid  his  Wages,  was  read;  &  it  appearing 
that  he  has  a  certificate  of  a  discharge  dated  September  1,  1778, 
Signed  William  Bradford,  Chairman,  &  that  he  has  lost  an  eye 
while  in  the  service,  &  unfit  for  service, 

Ordered,  That  John  Turner,  late  belonging  to  the  Washington, 
be  discharged,  &  that  he  be  paid  his  Wages  until  the  first  of  Sep- 
tember last, 


702  MINUTES  dF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  Feb'ry  18, 1779, 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  James  Read,  "1 

John  Macky,  Jacob  Arndt,  &      lEsq'rs. 

McLene,  Thomas  Scott,      J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
James  Read,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  his  account. 

Petition  of  Peter  Dehaven,  praying  direction  of  the  Council  re- 
specting the  outstanding  Debts  due  to  the  State  Gun  factory,  wa& 
read. 

Ordered,  That  Peter  Dehaven  be  authorized  to  collect  the  out- 
standing due  to  the  Gun  factory,  without  delay. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Friday  February  19,  1779, 
present  : 
Hia  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,  )  ™    , 

John  Macky,  &  }  ^  r8' 

A  Letter  from  William  Paca,  Esq'r,  respecting  a  Committee  of 
Congress  on  Gen'l  Arnold's  application  for  a  Court  Martial,  was 
read. 

Mr.  Nesbitt,  Mr.  G.  Wilcocka,  Mr.  Donaldson,  Mr.  J.  Caldwell, 
&  Mr.  T.  Fitzsimmons,  a  Committee  of  Merchants,  attended  the 
Council,  &  communicated  to  Council  a  writing  from  the  Merchants 
of  Baltimore,  representing  the  distress  occasioned  by  small  priva- 
teers on  the  Coast,  &  a  conference  thereon  was  read. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  703 

The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  Feb'ry  20,  1779, 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &,~\ 
John  Macky,  Tho's  Scott,         V  Esq'rs. 
McLene,  J 

The  following  orders  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Viz  : 

One  in  favor  of  Col.  William  Clark,  Paymaster  of  Militia  of  the 
County  of  Cumberland,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Ten  thousand 
Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

One  in  favor  of  Col.  John  Proctor,  Paymaster  of  Militia  of  the 
County  of  Westmorland,  for  the  Sum  of  Ten  thousand  Pounds, 
to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Mr.  Scott  represented  to  Council,  that  the  Sum  of  1815  Dollars, 
of  the  two  emissions  called  in  by  Congress,  was  paid  to  him  by  the 
Treasurer  as  part  of  the  Money  to  be  sent  by  him  to  Colonel  Proc- 
tor, of  Westmorland,  &  requested  that  the  same  may  be  exchanged 
for  Current  Bills. 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Treasurer  to  exchange 
the  aforesaid  1815  Dollars. 

A  Resolve  of  the  General  Assembly  of  this  day  was  read,  re- 
specting three  Petitions  from  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  "North- 
ampton.* 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.]  , 

Petitions  to  go  into  New  York  from  the  following  named  persons, 
Were  read,  Viz  :  John  Murray,  Mary  Cooper,  Sarah  "Engle,  Mary 
Munn,  Christopher  K.  Allicocke,  James  Jones  Wilmer,  Martha 
Green,  Abigail  Ott,  Elizabeth  Derwood  &  George  Douglass. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  referred  to  Congress. 

Petition  of  Cornelius  Woodruff,  convicted  of  Larceny  in  the 
County  of  Westmorland,  was  read  &  rejected. 

Petition  of  William  Mitchell,  convicted  of  Misprisions  of  Treason, 
at  a  Court  of  General  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  peace  held  at  Hanna's 
Town,  for  the  County  of  Westmorland,  in  October  last,  praying 
for  the  considerations  therein  expressed,  Pardon,  was  read  -y  &  also  a 
recommendation  of  the  said  Mitchell  as  an  object  to  whom  Mercy 
ought  to  extend.  Signed  by 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  William  Mitchell,  convicted  of  Misprision  of 
Treason,  at  a  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace  held  for  the 
County  of  Westmoreland,  in  October  last,  be  Pardoned  3  and  let  a 
Pardon  in  due  form  be  issued  accordingly. 

*Two  of  the  Petitions  were  delivered  by  Mr.  Morris,  &  the  third,  he  says, 
is  lust. 


70t  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  same  Day,  P.  M. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  G-eorge  Btvan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  McLene,  }  ^    , 

John  Macky,  &  5  ^SCl  rs' 

An  application  of  Will'm  0.  Bradford,  Paymaster  of  the  State 
Fleet,  for  Money  to  Pay  the  Officers  &  Men,  was  read. 
On  consideration, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Will'm  0. 
Bradford,  Paymaster  of  the  State  Fleet,  for  the  Sum  of  Onp  thou- 
sand Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account;  And 

Ordered,  That  Will'm  G.  Bradford  be  directed  to  make  out  his 
accounts,  &  lay  the  same  before  the  Committee  of  General  Assem- 
bly. 

Petition  of  James  Talbot,  praying  permission  for  his  Mother  & 
Sister  to  come  out  of  New  York,  was  read  &  rejected. 

Petition  of  Mr.  Benja.  Lodge,  praying  to  be  allowed  Cloathing 
out  of  the  State  Store,  was  read  &  rejected,  and  he  referred  to  the 
Camp  for  his  supply. 

Petition  of  Capt.  Hawkins  Boone,  of  the  Sixth  Pennsylvania 
battalion,  a  wounded  Officer,  praying  to  be  allowed  Cloathing  out 
of  the  State  Stores,  was  read;  &  in  consideration  of  his  peculiar  sit- 
uation, &  of  the  Spirited  intrepidity  of  his  Conduct  in  a  Campaign 
to  the  North  Westward,  under  Col.  Hartley,  when  his  situation 
might  have  justified  his  remaining  at  home, 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  S.  Howell,  State  Clothier,  do  supply  Capt. 
Hawkins  Boone,  a  woun'ded  Officer,  with  one  suit  of  Cloaths,  two 
Shirts,  &  two  pair  of  Stockings. 

Petition  of  Isaac  Cohen,  Capt.  of  Artillery,  praying  to  be  al- 
lowed Cloathing  for  his  Company  of  Artificers,  was  read,  &  refer- 
red to  Congress. 

Application  of  William  Crispin,  Commissary,  for  Money,  was 
read ;  <fc 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  Cris- 
pin, Commissary,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  his  account. 

Whereas,  the  Hon'ble  the  Continental  Congress  did,  on  the 
21st  August  last,  Resolve  as  follows  : 

"  Resolved,  That  when  any  persons  are  desirous  of  going  within 
the  Enemy's  lines,  they  shall  apply  to  the  Executive  Powers  of  the 
State  to  which  they  belong ;  and  if  the  said  Executive  Powers  ap- 
prove the  motives  &  Characters  of  the  Persons  applying,  &  shall 
be  of  opinion,  especially  at  so  critical  conjunctures  as  the  present, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  705 

4hat  no  danger  will  ensue  by  granting  such  permission,  that  they 
recommend  them  to  the  Officer  commanding  the  Troops  next  to  the 
Enemy,  who,  upon"  such  recommendation,  may,  at  his  discretion, 
permit  the  persons  to  go  in." 

And  Whereas,  Officers  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  have 
exercised  the  powers  mentioned  in  the  above  Resolve  without  any 
application  to  this  Board,  &  the  same  having  been  represented  to 
Congress  on  the  25th  of  January  last,  no  determination  has  yet 
been  had  or  notice  taken  thereof,  from  which  the  exclusive  power 
of  the  Board  in  the  Premises  seems  to  be  doubtful : 

Resolved,  Therefore,  that  this  Council  will  not  give  any  further 
recommendations  until  the  determination  of  the  said  power ;  but 
that  persons  desirous  to  go  within  the  Enemy's  lines,  be  referred  to 
the  Hon'ble  the  Congress  for  their  permission  or  licence. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  February  22,  1779. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Macky,  John  Hambright, 
Joseph  Hart,  Thomas  Scott,  &     \-  Esq'rs. 
McLene,                       Jacob  Arndt, 


1 


An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  "Will'm  Ful- 
lerton,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Forty-five  Pounds  &  ten  Shil- 
lings, for  work  done  by  him  to  the  State  Fleet. 

Ordered,  That  Col.  John  Weitzel  be  notified  to  attend  at  the 
Council  Chamber  to-morrow  at  11  o'clock. 


The  Council  met. 

Phila^'a,  Tuesday  February  23, 1779. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Macky,  Jacob  Arndt, 
Joseph  Hart,                        John  Hambright, &  J-Esq'rs. 
McLene,  Thomas  Scott, 


ght,&j: 
i,      J 


Col.  John  Weitzell  attended  the  Council  according  to  order,  & 
the  Petition  of  divers  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Northamp- 
vol.  xi.— 45. 


706  MINUTES  OF  THE 

ton,  complaining  of  his,  Col.  Weitzell's  conduct  in  calling  out  the 
Militia  of  the  said  Battalion,  addressed  to  the  General  Assembly, 
&  by  them  referred  to  this  Council,  was  read.  Col.  Weitzell  being 
asked  if  he  admitted  the  truth  of  the  facts  alledged  against  him, 
he  said  he  did  not  admit  them,  &  thereupon  he  laid  the  Minutes  of 
the  proceedings  of  him,  the  said  Lieutenants  &  Sub-Lieutenants,  in 
the  case,  with  some  other  papers,  tending  to  justify  his  conduct. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Wednesday  the  24th  day  of  March  next,  be  ap- 
pointed to  hear  the  complaint  of  the  Petitioners  of  the  fourth  Bat- 
tallion  of  the  County  of  Northampton,  against  Col.  Weitzele,  in  the 
Council  Chamber,  &  that  the  Parties  have  notice  to  attend  with 
their  Witnesses,  or  with  depositions  taken,  being  Robert  Levers  or 
John  Arndt,  Esq"rs,  two  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  the  Coun- 
ty of  Northampton,  in  the  presence  of  the  Parties,  if  they  should 
think  proper  to  attend,  after  due  notice  given  to  them  in  writing. 

The  following  three  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor 
of  Warwick  Coats,  Sen'r,  or  his  order,  Viz : 

One  for  Fifty-two  Pounds  &  fifteen  Shillings,  for  work  done  by 
him  on  board  the  Franklin  Galley. 

One  for  Fifty-five  Pounds  &  Fifteen  Shillings,  for  work  done  by 
him  on  board  the  Hancock  Galley ;  and 

One  for  Seventy  Two  Pounds  Seven  Shillings  &  Six  Pence,  for 
work  done  on  board  the  Sloop  Speedwell. 

A  Petition  &  Sundry  Papers  from  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor  be- 
ing read  &  considered ; 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Board,  that  the  Auditors 
of  the  Accounts  between  the  United  States  &  this  State,  ought  to 
make  a  reasonable  charge,  as  well  for  the  use  of  the  House  of  Em- 
ployment, as  the  New  Goal,  Powder  House  &  other  Public  build- 
ings occupied  by  the  United  States,  the  State  House  excepted. 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Wednesday  February  24,  1779. 


present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  ~) 

James  Read,  John  Hambright,  &   >■  Esq'rs. 

John  Macky,  Tho's  Scott,  J 

The  Secretary  informed  the  Council,  That  he  had  seen  the  origi- 
nal entry  in  Mr.  John  Mitchell's  memorandum   book,   respecting 
Jordan's  Brigade  of  Waggons  sent  by  General  Arnold  to  Egg 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  707 

Harbor,  dated  October  22,  1778,  &  that  it  appeared  clearly  to  him, 
that  the  Note  in  the  Margin  of  the  said  entry  has  been  altered  in  a 
darker  coloured  Ink  &>  a  different  hand  writing.  The  word  "  went" 
being  written  over  what  appeared  to  have  been  the  word  u  sent," 
&  the  word  "  direction"  (abreviated)  written  over  what  appears  to 
•have  been  the  word  "  order"  abreviated ;  Whereupon,  a  message 
was  sent  to  Mr.  Petit,  requesting  his  attendance  in  the  Council 
Chamber,  &  he  attended  accordingly. 

The  Council  then  laid  before  Mr.  Petit  their  information  con- 
cerning the  alteration  in  the  Deputy  Quarter'Master's  Book,  &  re- 
quested him  to  lay  the  same  book  before  this  Council  for  their  in- 
spection, k  after  altercation  on  the  subject,  in  which  Mr.  Petit  gave 
it  as  his  sentiment;  that  the  same  could  not  be  demanded  of  him  of 
right,  he  brought  it,  &  on  examination  in  Mr.  Petit's  presence, 
the  alteration  plainly  appeared,  and  there  appeared  also,  in  the  same 
book,  that  the  last  entry  therein,  of  the  30th  day  of  October  last; 
was  totally  obliterated,  not  by  a^common  erasure,  but  by  a  black 
blot,  done  with  evident  design  totally  to  conceal  the  entry  there 
made,  consisting  probably  of  two  lines. 

The  Board  taking  into  consideration  the  Conduct  of  John  Mitch- 
ell, Deputy  Quarter  Master  General,  in  his  said  Office, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  John  Mitchell  have  notice,  that  the 
board  will  proceed  against  him  upon  the  resolve  of  Congress  of  the 
of  February,  1777,  on  the  complaint  of  Andrew  Boyd, 
Deputy  Waggon  Master,  &  on  the  several  facts  appearing  therein 
in  proof  against  him,  unless  he  attend  and  shew  cause  to  the  con- 
trary forthwith. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  February  25,  1779. 
present : 
His  ExcelFy  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  \ 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  &    [•  Esq'rs, 

McLene,  Thomas  Scott,  J 

Major  Gen'l  Armstrong  attended  in  Council  on  his  arrival  in  the 
City. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Joseph  Hud- 
dle, or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Forty-Six  Pounds  Six  Shillings 
&  Ten  Pence,  for  Wharfage  &  Storeage  due  to  the  said  Huddle  from, 
the  State. 


708  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Mr.  John  Mitchell,  Deputy  Quarter  Master  General,  attended  ic 
Council,  &  the  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  9th  February  was  read 
to  him,  and  also  divers  proceedings  relating  to  the  calling  of  a  large 
number  of  Waggons  in  or  about  September  last,  (at  least  1100 
waggons,)  &  he  was  called  upon  to  answer  for  his  conduct  in  per- 
mitting the  Waggons  of  this  State  to  be  called  into  the  service  of 
the  United  States,  under  the  authority  of  Law,  to  be  applied  by 
Gen'l  Arnold  to  his  private  use,  fy  for  the  alterations  evidently 
made  in  his  (Mitchell's)  Memorandum  book,  of  the  entries  made 
of  that  transaction,  aS  an  improper  entry.  Mr.  Mitchell,  among 
other  things  in  the  course  of  his  representation  to  Council,  acknow- 
ledged, That  the  blot  in  his  Memorandum  book  of  the  30th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1778,  was  done  by  his  order,  to  conceal  a  Memorandum  entered 
by  his  Clerk,  of  that  date,  "of  the  return  of  Mr.  Jordan's  Bri- 
gade of  Waggons  from  Egg  Harbor,  &  that  the  obliteration  was  made 
after  the  charge  against  Gen'l  Arnold. for  having  used  the  Public 
Waggons  for  his  private  business,  had  some  to  his  (Mitchell's) 
knowledge." 

Adjourned  to  5  O'Clock,  P.  M. 


The  same  day,  P.  M. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  &  1 

John  Macky,  Thomas  Scott,  lEsq'rs. 

! —  McLene,  '  J 

An  Account  of  Col.  Piper,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Bedford., 
was  laid  before  the  Council. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  referred  to  a  Committee  of  three,  & 
that  Mr.  Bryan,  Mr.  Macky,  &  Mr.  Scott,  be  the  Committee. 

Council  took  into  consideration  the  return  of  persons  elected  in 
the  Township  of  Makefield,  in  the  County  of  Bucks,  for  Justices 
of  the  Peace,  in  which  John  Chapman  &  William  Neely  are  re- 
turned ;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  John  Chapman  be  appointed  &  Commissioned  to 
be  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  county  of  Bucks. 


SUPREME  EXECXJTVE  COUINCIL.  709 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Friday  February  26,  1779. 

PRESENT : 

His  ExcelPy  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  "J 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  &  I  Esq'rs. 

McLene,  Tho's  Scott,  J 

Ordered,  That  the  proceedings  of  this  Board  with  respect  to  the 
appropriation  of  the  public  Waggons  of  this  State  to  private  uses,, 
by  Gen'l  Arnold  &  John  Mitchell,  D.  Q.  M'r  Gen'l,  be  published 
with  all  convenient  speed,  &  also  their  proceedings  in  the  case  of 
Matt'w  Clarkson,  Aid-de-Oamp  to  Gen'l  Arnold. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  February  27,  1779. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt, 
John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  &  ^  Esq'rs. 
McLean,                  Tho's  Scott, 


b,<fe| 


An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
Tho's  Scott,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Hundred 
Pounds,  &  charge  the  same  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  John  Pi- 
per, Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Bedford,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of 
One  Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  Sum  he  is  to  account. 

Ordered,  That  Charles  Petit,  Esq'r,  Assistant  Q.  M'r  General, 
be  requested  to  furnish  Col.  Farmer  with  twelve  Waggons,  to  send 
to  Camp  some  necessaries  for  the  Army. 

The  Petition  of  Dan'l  Evans  was  read,  &  referred  to  the  Board 
of  War,  it  appearing  he  was  employed  by  that.  Board. 

An  application  from  Capt.  Lang  to  change  2,620  Dollars  of  the 
reprobated  Emissions,  read  &  referred  to  Col.  Hart  &  Mr.  Scott. 
On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Col.  John  Bull  be  appointed  to  collect  &  secure 
the  plank  &  other  materials  of  Sullivan's  Bridge. 


710  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Petition  of  Col.  Francis  Johnston,  respecting  expences  in- 
curred in  procuring  Cloathing,  &ca,  for  the  Regiment  formerly 
Gen'l  Wayne's,  was  read ;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Col.  Johnston's  application  be  referred  to  the  pro- 
per Board,  appointed  by  Congress  for  examining  claims,  with  the 
recommendations  of  Col.  Johnston  as  an  active  &  Zealous  Officer, 
which  probably  brought  this  burthen  on  him. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Rob't  Allison, 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he 
is  to  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  Lewis 
Farmer,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Two  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be 
applied  to  purchasing  necessaries  for  the  Army,  agreeable  to  the 
Resolves  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  G-eneral  Assembly,  &  for  which 
sum  the  said  Farmer  is  to  account. 

Petitions  of  Rich'd  Footman  &  Magdelen  Devine  were  read ; 

Ordered,  That  the  Act  of  Assembly  having  provided  for  the  de- 
terminations of  all  claims  of  the  kind  mentioned  in  their  Petitions, 
the  Petitioners  are  referred  to  the  remedy  by  the  Law  provided. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  March  1,  1779. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Macky,  &  }  ™    , 

■ McLene,  Jacob  A.rndt,      $      ^ 

This  Board  having  at  length  received  from  the  Camp  a  proposed 
plan  of  distribution  of  the  Articles  provided  for  the  Troops,  agree- 
able to  a  Resolve  of  the  House  of  Assembly  of  the  5th  of  December 
last,  &  also  a  recommendation  of  Captain  Ziegler  as  a  proper  person 
to  distribute  the  same, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Captain  Ziegler  be  &  he  is  hereby  ap- 
pointed Distributor  of  the  said  Articles,  &  that  he  have  such  allow- 
ance therefor  as'the  same  Officer  from  the  State  of  Maryland  is  al- 
lowed, 

2nd.  Resolved,  That  the  said  Articles  be  distributed  pursuant  to  the 
said  Resolve  of  Assembly,  at  one-fourth  part  of  the  Original  Cost, 
for  Cash  only,  &  that  the  usual  allowance  be  made  to  Capt.  Ziegler 
for  wastage. 

3d.  Resolved,  That  the  said  Articles  be  distributed  in  quantity 
in  the  following  manner,  Viz :  1  pint  of  Rum  ^  Week ;  ^  Ration 
*lt>  Muscovado  Sugar  ;  '§  do.  \  lb  Coffee  j  ^  do.  1  oz.  of  Tea ;  *$ 
do.  lib  Chocolate ;  2  oz.  hard  Soap,  £lb  of  Tobacco. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  7J1 

4th.  Resolved,  That  due  regard  be  had  in  the  said  Distribution 
to  the  Rank  of  the  Officers,  &  that  each  Officer  be  entitled  to  draw 
from  the  Store  in  exact  proportions  to  the  number  of  Rations  to 
which  he  is  entitled  on  the  Continental  Establishment,  Yizt :  The 
Weekly  allowance  of  a  soldier  for  every  Ration. 

5th.  Resolved,  That  the  Prices  of  the  said  Articles  now  sent,  be  at 
the  following  Rates,  Viz  :  Quart  of  Rum  (21s.  3  &  23s.  9  f  Gal- 
lon) as  in  quality ;  Pound  of  Sugar,  3s.  1  &  3s.  4,  as  in  quality  j 
Pound  of  Tea,  14s.  9  ;  Pound  of  Coffee,  3s.  6;«  a  Pound  of  Choco- 
late, 6s.  3;  a  Pound  of  Tobacco,^ls  3  &  Is.  10J;  a  Pound  of  hard 
Soap,  2s.  4 £  ',  Loaf  of  Sugar,  7s.*  The  above  being  the  One-fourth 
part  of  the  Original  Cost  of  said  Articles. 

6th.  Resolved,  That  as  the  above  Articles  are  designed  for  the 
comfort  of  the  Officers  &  Soldiers  actually  in  Camp,  none  on  Fur- 
low   be  deemed  entitled  to  draw  for  the  time  he  is  absent. 

7th.  Resolved,  That  Capt.  Ziegler  do  make  regular  returns  of 
his  issues  to  the  Board  once  a  Month,  &  be  deemed  accountable  for 
the  Money  accrueing  to  the  State,  after  due  allowance  made  as 
aforesaid. 

A  Message  to  the  General  Assembly  of  Representatives  of  the 
Freemen  of  Pennsylvania  was  read,  considered,  approved,  &  or- 
dered to  be  signed  by  the  President.     And  the  same  is  as  follows  : 

"  Gentlemen : 

"  By  an  Act  of  Assembly  passed  the  second  day  of  January,  A. 
D.,  1778,  intitled  '  An  Act  for  the  better  supply  of  the  Army  of 
the  United  States  of  America/  The  several  Officers  appointed 
under  the  said  Act  were  directed  to  obey  the  orders  &  Instructions 
of  the  Legislature,  &  during,  their  Recess,  of  the  Supreme  Execu- 
tive Council.  We  have,  during  your  Recess,  distributed  the 
Cloathing  procured,  made  some  new  purchases,  &  directed  the  Sale 
of  such  Cloth  on  hand  as  was  not  suitable  for  the  Army,  &  given 
such  other  directions  as  appeared  to  us  beneficial  to  the  Army  & 
proper  for  the  State. 

u  Mr.  Howell,  the  present  Receiver  General,  having  signified  his 
intention  to  resign  some  time  ago,  we  would  wish  you  to  make  a 
new  appointment,  &  also  direct  the  settlement  of  his  accounts,  with 
those  of  Capt.  Lang,  late  an  Officer  in  that  department.  We  ap- 
prehend one  Officer  to  be  quite  sufficient  for  that  purpose,  &  if  you 
should  not  conceive  the  business  too  extensive,  it  might  beattended 
with  a  public  saving  to  employ  the  purchasing  Commissioner  of  the 
Articles  mentioned  in  your  Resolution  of  the  5th  of  December. 
In  this  view  only  we  mention  it. 

"  The  Bridge  on  Schuylkill  is  an  Article  of  considerable  expence 
to  the  Public,  &  the  rates  of  Ferriage  having  been  settled  by  Act 
of  Assembly,  when  the  real  &  nominal  value  of  money  bore  a  more 
just  proportion  to  each  other  than  they  now  do.  These  rates  are  at 
present  very  inadequate  &  insufficient.     By  the  papers  transmitted 


712  MINUTES  OF  THE 

herewith,  you  will  see  what  proposals  the  Quarter  Master  General 
of  the  United  States  has  made  with  respect  to  the  use  to  be  made 
of  the  said  Bridge  by  the  Public  Teams.  As  this  part  of  the  bu- 
siness is  yet  incomplete,  unless  your  Hon'ble  House  will  finish  the 
Treaty  we  have  had  on  this  subject,  it  will  be  necessary  to  empower 
this  Board  to  act  therein,  as  the  Quarter  Master  has  represented  to 
us  that  it  will  be  very  prejudicial  to  the  public  service  to  compel 
the  Teams  to  pay  Toll  as  they  pass  respectively. 

"  In  our  message  of  the  5th  of  February,  we  observed  that  the 
State  of  the  Treasury,  the  Season  of  the  year,  &  other  circumstan- 
ces, had  concurred  to  prevent  our  purchase  of  a  Ship  for  the  defence 
&  protection  of  Trade.  But  having  never  lost  sight  of  this  im- 
portant object,  we  now  acquaint  you  that  we  have  in  contemplation 
Two  Vessels,  which  are  recommended  to  us  as  suitable  for  the  pur- 
pose, one  just  launched,  the  other  lately  arrived  from  sea,  provided 
with  Guns,  &ca.  The  papers  herewith  will  show  an  estimate  of  the 
cost  of  the  former.  The  proposals  respecting  the  latter  being  not 
yet  answered,  we  cannot  ascertain  the  probable  expence,  but,  doubt- 
less it  will  bear  Some  proportion. 

"  The  ways  &  means  of  answering  the  expence  in  this  case,  will 
deserve  your  attention,  &  we  mention  it  the  more  particularly,  that 
if  this  important  service  should  fail  for  want  of  the  necessary  sup- 
ply, it  may  not  be  attributed  to  inattention  or  neglect  in  us;  As 
both  interest  &  duty  lead  us  to  give  all  public  relief  to  our  mutual 
constituents.  In  this  instance,  we  have  nothing  to  reproach  our- 
selves with,  whatever  may  have  been  insinuated  to  the  contrary. 
We  have  now  further  to  acquaint  you,  that  in  order  to  carry  our 
design  into  Execution  more  effectually,  we  some  time  ago  wrote  to 
the  States  of  New  Jersey,  Delaware,  Maryland  &  Virginia,  respec- 
tively, proposing  an  embargo  on  all  outward  bound  Vessels,  not 
only  to  deprive  our  enemies  of  their  expected  prey,  but  in  order  to 
enable  us  to  man  &  fit  out  our  Vessels  of  defence  with  the  greater 
expedition. 

"  From  the  spirit  which  seems  to  prevail  in  Maryland,  we  can 
hardly  doubt  their  concurrence,  &  we  hope  it  will  meet  the  appro- 
bation of  the  other  States  j  On  our  part  nothing  shall  be  wanting 
to  make  effectual  provision  against  every  species  of  depredation, 
whether  on  the  Frontiers  or  elsewhere.     We  observe  in  your  report 

of  the  conference  entered  in  your  Vote  of  the February,  an 

idea  is  held  forth  that  Council  will  prepare  a  plan  of  general  de- 
fence for  the  Frontiers  &  River. 

"  As  a  Committee  of  your  Hon'ble  House  then  existed  for  con- 
sidering the  State  of  the  Frontiers,  &  providing  for  their  defence, 
ik  had  conferred  with  a  Committee  of  Congress  thereupon,  have 
since  agreed  upon  a  plan,  &  Congress  have  transmitted  to  us  their 
.Resolves  thereupon,  we  apprehend  no  propositions  from  this  Board 
can  be  expected.     The  President,  with  several  Gentlemen,  whose 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  713 

knowledge  &  experience  may  be  of  signal  service,  are  going  to- 
morrow to  view  the  several  defences  &  State  of  the  River,  <fe  to 
consider  what  further  addition  may  be  made.  Your  Hon'ble  House 
will  doubtless  be  acquainted  with  the  result  of  their  observations, 
so  far  as  the  communication  of  them  is  consistent  with  the  secrecy 
necessary  to  public  security.  For  as  the  objects  of  these  means, 
(Viz :)  safety  &  a  repulsion  of  the  Enemy,  are  common  to  us  all, 
we  can  have  no  views  or  interests  in  which  you  do  not  partake. 
And  we  trust  our  mutual  exertions  will  convince  the  good  people 
of  the  State,  that  their  dearest  interests,  either  in  the  deliberative  or 
executive  branches,  are  not  committed  to  unfaithful  or  negligent 
hands. 

"JOSEPH  REED,  President." 


In  Council. 

,    Philad'a,  March  1st,  1779. 

Resolved,  That  the  Hon'ble  George  Ross,  Esq'r,  be  Commis- 
sioned Judge  of  the  Admiralty  of  this  State,  under  the  late  Act  of 
Assembly :  That  this  Board  highly  approve  the  firmness  &  Ability 
he  has  hitherto  shewn  in  the  discharge  of  his  said  Office. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  March  2, 1779. 

present : 

Hon'ble  Jos.  Hart,  McLene,         ") 

John  Macky,  Jacob  Arndt,  &        V  Esq'rs. 

Tho's  Scott,  John  Hambright,      J 

(His  Excell'y  the  President  gone  down  to  view  the  River.    The 
Hon'ble  Vice  President  absent.) 

Mr.  Scott  took  feave  of  the  Council  to  go  home. 


714  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philap/a,  Wednesday  March  3, 1779. 

PRESENT : 

Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
John  Macky,  Jacob  Arndt,  &     ~\ 
Joseph  Hart,                       John  Hambright,    v  Esq'rs. 
McLene,  .  J 

A  Petition  of  Elias  Lewis  Treckel,  was  read  \  &  the  same  relat- 
ing to  a  claim  of  his  on  a  House  forfeited  to  the  State  by  Lawrence 
Fagan;  the  same  was  rejected  &  the  Petitioner  referred  to  the 
Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

A  Certificate  signed  "  Holker,  Consul  of  France  &  Agent  Gene- 
ral of  the  Royal  Marine,"  That  the  Brig  Convention,  William  Al- 
len, Commander,  Blair  McClenaghan,  owner  thereof,  has  been 
Chartered  to  carry  to  Martinique  340  barrels  of  Bread,  60  barrels 
of  Pork,  &  40  barrels  of  Flour,  for  account  of  his  most  Christian 
Majesty,  &  for  the  use  of  the  Squadron  Commanded  by  His  Ex- 
cell'y  Vice  admiral  Count  D'Estaing,  being  read  and  considered : 

Ordered,  That  the  Naval  Officer  be  directed  to  clear  out  the  said 
brig  Convention. 

The  Secretary  reports,  That  the  Six  blank  Commissions  for  pri- 
vate Ships  of  War,  last  received. from  the  Hon'ble  the  President  of 
Congress,  have  been  issued. 

Ordered,  That  application  be  made  to  the  President  for  a  farther 
supply  of  blank  Commissions  for  private  Ships  of  War. 

N.  B.  To  write  the  Lieutenants  of  the  Counties  who  have  not 
sent  their  accounts  of  Money  advanced  to  the  Recruiting  service, 
(Viz  :  Philadelphia,  Bucks,  Chester,  &  Lancaster.) 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  March  4,  1779. 

PRESENT : 

The  Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &     )  ™    , 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  $     ^ 

(His  Excell'y,  The  President,  being  indisposed.) 
A  Message  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Assembly  being  prepared, 
was  read,  approved,  &  ordered  to  be  signed,  &  is  as  follows  : 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  715 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Friday  March  5,  1779. 

present : 
The  Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &     |  ™ga>rg 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  j       ^ 

Business  of  consequence  requiring  the  attention  of  a  Committee 
of  Council,  adjourned  till  to-morrow,  11  O'Clock. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  March  6,  1779. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  &  7  -pqfl»rg 

John  Macky,  — —  Smith,  5 

Capt.  Shaffer  applied  to  Council  for  some  of  the  Timber  taken 
from  the  Redoubts  near  this  City,  for  the  purpose  of  making  Buoys 
for  the  River  Delaware. 

Ordered,  That  Rob't  Allison  do  supply  Capt.  Shaffer  with  such 
Timber  taken  from  the  Redoubts  near  this  City,  as  he  wants,  to 
make  Buoys  for  the  River  Delaware,  &  take  his  Receipt  for  the 
same. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  March  8,  1779. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,                     John  Hambright,  &  )  ™    , 
John  Macky,       . Smith,  5  ff? rS* 

Mr.  Thompson,  Councellor  elect  for  the  County  of  York,  apT 
peared,  &  with  uplifted  hands  took  the  Oaths  required  to  qualify 
him  to  take  his  seat  in  Council,  &  he  took  his  seat  accordingly. 


716  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Hon'ble  Thomas  Scott,  Esq'r,  having  made  application  to 
this  Board  for  5  lb.  of  Gunpowder,  10  ft),  of  Lead,  &  20()0  Flints, 
for  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Westmoreland,  to  be  delivered  to 
Chris'r  Hays,  Esq'r,  Sub-Lieutenant  of  the  said  County, 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Stiles,  Commissary  of  Military  Stores,  be 
directed  to  make  ready  5  lb.  of  Gunpowder,  10  lb.  of  Lead,  &  2000 
Flints,  to  be  delivered  to  Chris'r  Hays,  Esq'r,  Sub-Lieutenant  of 
the  County  of  Westmoreland,  for  the  use  of  the  Militia  of  the 
said  County. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  March  9,  1779,^ 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Thompson,  & ") 

John  Macky,  Smith,  C  Esq'rs, 

John  Hambright,  } 

Mr.  Morris  &  Dr.  Gardiner,  a  Committee  of  the  Hon'ble  House 
of  General  Assembly,  attended  in  the  Council  Chamber,  &  repre- 
sented, That  their  House  had  made  application  to  Congress,  thro' 
the  Delegates  of  the  State,  to  supply  this  Council  with  such  sums  of 
Money  as  the  Exigences  of  the  State  may  require,  until  the  Monies 
arising  from  the  State  Taxes  shall  come  into  the  Treasury  ;  &  that 
Congress  had  expressed  the  utmost  readiness  to  comply  with  the  re- 
quest as  far  as  they  were  able ;  but  that  it  appeared  to  them  (the 
Congress)  necessary,  (previous  to  a  resolution  of  Congress  on  the 
said  application,)  to  ascertain  with  some  degree  of  precision  the  sum 
which  would  probably  be  wanted  :  Wherefore,  the  Hon'ble  House 
had  appointed  this  Committee,  to  request  that  the  Council  will  pre- 
pare an  estimate  of  the  expence  which  will  necessarily  be  incurred 
in  Six  Months  from  the  present  time. 

A  return  of  Justices  elect  for  the  Township  of  Brothers  Valley, 
wherein  it  appears  that  Abraham  Cable  and  Jacob  Glasner,  were 
duly  elected ;  being  read  &  considered, 

Ordered,  That  Abram  Cable  be  appointed  &  Commissioned  to 
be  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Bedford. 

The  proceedings  of  Congress  in  the  case  of  the  Sloop  Active, 
being  laid  before  the  Council  by  Mr.  Searle,  the  same  were  read. 

Petition  of  William  Dunwick,  praying  to  allowed  time  to  Pay 
the  Money  due  from  him  to  the  State,  was  read  &  considered ;  there- 
upon, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  717 

Ordered,  That  Will'm  Dunwick  be  allowed  Twelve  Months  to 
Pay  the  Sum  due  from  him  to  the  State,  over  &  beside  what  he  has 
already  given  security  for )  &  in  the  mean  time,  that  his  Bondsman 
be  called  upon  to  Pay  the  Money  for  which  he  hath  become  surety. 

Petition  of  David  Morgan,  convicted  of  Horse  Stealing,  Praying 
that  his  punishment  as  to  the  Whipping  &  Pillorying  may  be  re- 
mitted,  was  read  &  considered ;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Petition  be  not  granted,  the  prevalency 
of  the  Crime  rendering  it  highly  improper  to  remit  the  punish- 
ment thereof. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  March  10, 1779, 

PRESENT : 

The  Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  John  Hambright,  &  )  ™    , 

John  Macky,  Tho's  Scott,  S  *?% rs' 

Adjourned  to  4  O'Clock,  Afternoon. 


The  same  day,  Afternoon — Present  as  in  the  Forenoon. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  March  11,  1779* 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  &  >  -p    •> 

*     John  Macky,  Smith,  $  ^ rs° 

On  application, 
Ordered,  That  Capt.  Boys  do  furnish  Col.  John  Bull  with  such 
Boats  &  assistance  from  time  to  time,  as  he  shall  have  occasion  for 
Mu4  Island. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Will'm 
Crispin,  Commissary,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Four  thou- 
sand Pounds,  for  which  Sum  he  is  to  account. 

A  Letter  from  Col.  Stroud,  praying  that  his  Battalion  of  Militia 
may  be  paid  for  their  services,  was  read. 


718  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  be  directed  to  write  to  Philip  Boehm, 
Paymaster  of  Militia  of  the  County  of  Northampton,  &  direct  him 
to  Pay  off  the  arrearages  due  to  the  Militia,  or  give  Council  the 
reasons  for  his  Non-compliance. 

A  Letter  from  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  requesting,  on  behalf  of  Mrs.  El- 
liot, that  she  &  her  daughter,  &ca.,  may  be  permitted  to  come  out 
of  the  City  of  New  York,  to  assert  her  claim  to  an  estate  left  her 
by  her  Grandfather,  &  now  seized  as  the  Estate  of  Andrew  Elliot, 
&  to  endeavour  to  obtain  a  support,  &ca. ,  was  read,  &  on  consider- 
ation, 

Resolved,  That  the  reasons  assigned  are  not  sufficient  to  induce 
the  Council  to  grant  the  request  of  Mrs.  Elliott,  it  being  clearly  a 
misconstruction  of  the  Act,  to  suppose  that  the  family  of  a  person 
attainted  &  residing  with  the  enemy,  can  be  entitled  to  any  Pension 
or  allowance  from  the  Estate. 

The  Petition  of  Rob't  Hardie,  a  Prisoner  on  Parole,  was  read ; 
on  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  a  Certificate  under  the  less  Seal  of  the  State  be 
made  out,  Certifying  that  Capt.  Rob't  Hardy  is  not  nor  was  at 
the  time  of  his  capture,  an  Officer  in  the  service  of  this  State  or  of 
the  United  States,  he  having  been  broke  by  a  Court  Martial,  for 
disobedience  of  orders,  on  the  9th  day  of  December,  1777,  &  there- 
fore, he  can  only  be  considered  as  a  Citizen  &  not  as  an  Officer. 

A  recommendation  of  David  Espy,  Henry  Didier  &  James  Beaty, 
to  be  one  of  them  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Peace  for  the  County 
of  Bedford,  signed  by  six  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  the  said  County, 
was  read  j  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  David  Espy,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  &  Commis- 
missioned  to  be  Clerk  of  the  Peace  of  the  County  of  Bedford. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Friday  March  12,  1779. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 


Joseph  Hart, Smith,  &  )    -p    , 


rs. 


John  Macky,  John  Hambright, 

A  Letter  from  George  Henry,  inclosing  his  account  of  the  sales 
of  several  Vessels,  &ca.  and  the  payment  of  the  proceeds  to  Dav'd 
Rittenhousc,  Esq'r,  Treasurer. 

A  Committee  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  at- 
tended in  Council,  &  communicated  intelligence  received  from 
Bushy  run  of  the  killing  of  a  number  of  Men  there  by  the  Indians. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  719 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  case  of  Col.  Hunter, 
Lieut,  of  the  County  of  Northumberland,  having  raised  by  order 
of  this  Council  a  Company  of  Men  under  the  command  of  Capt. 
James  Murray,  consisting  of  One  Captain  Lieutenant,  Two  Lieu- 
tenants, One  Ensign,  One  Surgeon,  Five  Serjeants,  Four  Corporals 
&  fifty-eight  Privates,  upon  a  bounty  of  Eighty  Dollars  p  Man,  of 
which  bounty  Congress  have  Paid  Eight  Dollars  p  Man  only, 

Ordered,  That  Col.  Hunter  be  paid  the  Sum  of  Seventy-Two 
Dollars  for  each  Man  inlisted  in  the  Company  under  the  command 
of  Capt.  Ja's  Murray,  including  Serjeants  &  Corporals;  &  An  order 
was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  Sam.  Hunter,  Lieu, 
of  the  County  of  Northumberland,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  Thousand 
Eight  Hundred  &  Twenty- four  Dollars,  for  which  Sum  he  is  to  ac- 
count. 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  George 
Henry,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Five   hundred  Pounds,  for 
which  Sum  he  is  to  be  accountable. 
On  application, 

Ordered,  That  William  Crispin,  Commissary,  do  supply  CoL 
Nicola,  Town  Major,  with  four  Cords  of  Wood. 

John  Morris,  Esq'r,  Clerk  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  As- 
sembly, attended  the  Council,  &  laid  before  them  a  minute  of  the 
House  of  the  11th  instant,  respecting  the  defence  of  the  frontiers  of 
the  State,  &  the  Petitions  of  divers  inhabitants  on  the  Frontiers  of 
the  State. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  March  13,  1779. 

present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  Georqe  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Smith,  &     \  ^    , 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  5  ^  rs* 

The  Petition  of  divers  persons,  praying  that  the  execution  of  the 
sentence  of  the  Court  against  Dav'd  Morgan,  may  be  postponed, 
was  read ;  and 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,   That  the  law  be  permitted  to  take  its  due  course. 

Petition  of  Edward  Carlin,  praying  that  his  fine  for  Sailing  Li- 
quors without  Licence,  may  be  remitted,  was  read  &  rejected. 

The  Petition  of  John  Estangh  Hopkins,  praying  the  Council  to 
cause  certain  wrecks  belonging  to  this  State,  lying  on  the  ground 
of  his  Fishery  in  the  River  Delaware,  to  be  removed,  or  that  the 


720  MINUTES  OF  THE 

property  of  the  same  be  granted  to  him,  was  read ;  &  on  consider- 
ation that  an  attempt  has  already  been  made  to  secure  the  wreck* 
in  the  River,  &  the  same  has  been  found  not  to  defray  the  expence 
attending  it, 

Ordered,  That  this  Council  do  vest  in  John  Estangh  Hopkins 
the  property  of  the  Wrecks  belonging  to  this  State,  now  lying  on 
his  Fishery  ground,  excepting  only  the  Guns,  which  are  expressly 
reserved  to  the  State  j  The  Council  paying  the  expence  especially 
accruing  in  raising  &  bringing  off  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Blair,  McClenaghan,  Mr.  George  Henry,  k 
Mr.  Joseph  Rush,  be  requested  to  examine  the  Gutter  Revenge,  her 
Stores,  &ca,  &  make  such  other  inquiries  as  may  be  necessary,  to 
ascertain  her  real  value  &  fitness  for  a  Guarda  Costa,  &  report  to 
this  Board,  with  as  much  expedition  &  Secrecy  as  may  be. 

Ordered,  That  Col.  Smith  &  Capt.  Hambright  be  a  Committee 
to  confer  with  the  Committee  of  theHon'ble  House  of  General  As- 
sembly, respecting  the  estimate  of  expences  for  six  Months,  &  lay 
before  them  the  estimation  now  made,  amounting  to  £540,000. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  apply  to  Col.  Mitchell,  D.  Q. 
M.  G.,  for  a  Waggon,  to  convey  to  Shippinsburgh  the  ammunition 
for  the  County  of  Westmorland. 

His  Excell'y  the  President,  represented  to  Council,  That  applica- 
tion had  been  made  to  him  by  Robert  Taylor,  a  Prisoner,  permitted  to 
come  out  of  New  York  on  Parole,  to  return  again,  or  to  send  in  ex- 
change Frederick  Verner,  a  Prisoner  of  Congress,  now  in  the  New 
Goal ;  &  it  appearing  that  the  said  Taylor  was  made  Prisoner  in 
an  attempt  to  bring  with  him  out  of  Philadelphia,  while  in  the 
Enemy's  possession,  a  quantity  of  Goods  for  the  American  Army. 

Ordered,  That  application  be  made  to  Congress  for  an  order  to 
their  Prison  keeper  to  deliver  over  the  said  Frederick  Verner  to 
the  Sheriff  of  the  City  &  County  of  Philadelphia. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  March  15, 1779. 
present : 
Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Jos.  Hart,                            John  Hambright,  &  \  ™    , 
John  Macky,  Smith,  5  ^ rs* 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of 
Three  hundred  &  Fifty  Pounds,  balance  of  his  Salary  due  to  the 
3d  instant,  &  the  same  was  signed  by  his  Excell'y  the  President, 
at  his  own  House,  before  he  set  out  for  camp. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  721 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  March  16,  1779. 
present  : 
The  Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
-  Jos.  Hart,  John  Hanibright,  &    )  -ggQ>rs 

John  Macky,  Smith,  j      ^ 

A   Letter   from   Blair  McClenaghan  &  others,  concerning  the 
Cutter  Revenge )  Also 

Resolve  of  Congress  for  the  delivery  of  Fred'k  Verner  to  the 
Sheriff  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  March  17,  1779, 

PRESENT I 

The  Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  John  Hambright,  &    ")  ™    , 

John  Macky,  —  Smith,  |  ^ rs* 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Robert  Allison, 
for  the  Sum  of  Two  Hundred  Pounds,  for  which  sum  he  is  to  ac- 
count. 

The  Council  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Cutter  Revenge; 
and  thereupon 

Ordered,  That  Blair  McClenaghan  be  requested  to  bid  for  the 
Cutter  Revenge  for  the  Public  Service,  &  to  purchase  her  as  cheap 
as  he  can,  not  exceeding  Forty-five  Thousand  Pounds. 

The  Secretary  reports  that  he  had  delivered  a  Letter  to  Mr.  Blair 
McClenaghan,  requesting  him  to  purchase  the  Cutter  Revenge, 
for  the  State  service,  &  that  Mr.  McClenaghan  agreed  to  under- 
take that  service. 

The  proceedings  of  the  Council  be  printed  &  ready  to  be  deliv- 
ered, 

Ordered,  That  a  Message  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  As- 
sembly be  sent  into  the  House,  together  with  a  number  of  Copies 
of  the  said  proceedings ;  And  the  same  being  prepared,  approved  &. 
signed,  is  as  follows,  Viz  : 
"  Gentlemen, 

"The  Council   having  received  information  that  a  number  of 

Waggons,  called  into  Continental  Service  under  the  authority  of 

the  Waggon-law  of  this  State,  had  been  applied  to  private  use,  at 

a  time  when  the  calling  out  a  very  great  number  of  Waggons  had 

vol.  xi. — 46. 


722  MINUTES  OF  THE 

exceedingly  distressed  the  good  people  of  this  State.  They  laid 
before  Congress  a  complaint  against  Major  General  Arnold,  for  this 
abuse.  The  proceedings  of  the  Council  in  this  case  being  printed, 
we  transmit  herewith  a  number  of  Copies  for  the  use  of  Hon'ble 
House,  &  at  the  same  time  assure  you  of  our  readiness  to  communi- 
cate to  your  Hon'ble  House  the  original  papers  relative  to  this 
transaction. 

"GEORGE  BRYAN,  Vice  President. 
"  March  17,  1779." 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  present  the  said  Message  to  the 
House.  The  Secretary  reports,  that  agreeable  to  order,  he  had  pre- 
sented to  the  Speaker  in  the  Chair  the  Message  of  the  Council. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  March  18,  1779. 

PRESENT : 

The  Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  John  Hambright  &  }  ™    , 

John  Macky,  Smith,         5  ^ rs' 

The  late  Proprietaries  of  Pennsylvania  being  this  day  to  be  heard 
by  Council  before  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Gen'l  Assembly,  the  Coun- 
cil adjourned,  in  order  to  attend  in  the  House. 


The  Council  met, 

Philad'a,  Friday  March  19,  1779, 

PRESENT  : 

The  Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,                           John  Hambright,  &  >  T?aa>rs 
John  Macky,  Smith,         5 

A  Letter  from  divers  Officers  of  Col.  Proctor's  Battalion. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  723 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  March  20,  1779. 
present  : 
The  Hon'ble  GEORGE  BRYAN,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Jos.  Hart,  John  Hambright,  &  >  ™    , 

John  Macky,  Smith,  5  ^ rs' 

Received  from  the  Hon'ble  John  Jay,  Esq'r,  Six  blank  Commis- 
sions for  private  Ships  of  War. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  John  Par- 
ker, or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifty-One  Pounds  Eight  Shillings 
&  Six  Pence,  balance  due  to  him  for  work  done  at  &  about  the 
State  House. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  March  22,  1779, 
present : 
The  Hon'ble  Joseph  Hart,      John  Hambright,  &  >  v    , 

John  Macky, Smith,  5  ^  rs* 

The  Council  now  receiving  information  that  His  ExcelPythe 
President  returned  from  Camp  last  Evening,  &  that  he  is  indisposed 
&  unable  to  come  abroad :  And  being  also  informed  that  it  will  be 
agreeable  to  him  to  confer  with  the  Members  of  the  Council  at  his 
own  House.* 

Adjourned  to  Six  0' Clock  in  the  Evening,  to  meet  at  the  Presi- 
dent's House. 


Same  Day,  [Six  in  the  Evening]  The  Council  met  at  the  Presi- 
dent's House. 

present  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President* 

Jos.  Hart,  John  Hambright,  &>  ™    , 

John  Macky,  Smith,  5       q  IS' 

His  Excell'y  informed  the  Council  that  he  had  the  satisfaction  to 
assure  that  His  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington  was  taking  vigorous 
measures  for  covering  the  frontiers  of  this  State,  and  for  making  an 

*  The  Hon'ble  Vice  President's  non-attendance  was  owing  to  the  funeral 
of  his  Father-in-law. 


724  .     MINUTES  OF  THE 

attack  upon  the  Indians  in  their  own  Country ;  And  that  the  Array 
were  in  the  best  temper  &  disposition  that  could  be  wished.  Also 
same  time,  the  Hon'ble  Maj.  Gen'l  Armstrong,  Mr.  Searle,  Mr, 
Muhlenberg,  &  Mr.  McLene,  Delegates  of  this  State  in  Congress, 
attended  in  Council,  and  spent  several  hours  in  conference  with 
Council  on  the  situation  of  Public  affairs. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  March  23,  1779, 
present : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  G-eorge  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,                  John  Hambright,  &  >  v    , 
John  Macky,  Smith,  \  ^ rs' 

A  Letter  from  Capt.  Hazlewood  was  read,  recommending  one 
Thomas  Jones,  an  Invalid. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  supply  said  Jones  with  a  Ration 
in  lieu  of  the  2s  6,  he  now  receives. 

A  Letter  from  Christian  Schaffer,  Capt.  of  Artificers,  was  read, 
informing  the  Board  that  there  are  two  Cables  now  laying  at  the 
middle  ferry  which  will  take  damage  if  not  taken  care  of,  &  that 
there  are  some  matters  respecting  the  Bridge  that  requires  atten- 
tion. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Henry  be  directed  to  have  proper  care  taken 
of  the  Cables,  &  report  what  further  may  be  necessary  at  that 
place. 

A  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  was  read,  dated  22d 
ins.,  including  2  recommendations  of  a  Fast,  to  be  appointed  the 
1st  Tuesday  in  May. 

An  application  was  read  from  Matt'w  Irwin,  in  behalf  of  him- 
self &  others,  Owners  of  the  Ship  Gen'l  Green,  praying  the  deter- 
mination of  the  Board  with  respect  to  the  said  Ship;  There- 
upon, 

Resolved,  That  this  Board  will  take  the  said  Vessel,  agreeable  to 
the  terms  proposed  in  the  Letter  of  the    ( .) 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Blair,  McClenaghan,  &  Mr.  Matt'w  Irwin, 
be  appointed  Agents  for  the  fitting  out  the  Ship  General  Green 
with  all  possible  expedition,  to  cruize  against  the  Enemy  for  the 
protection  of  the  trade  of  this  State ;  that  they  be  allowed  reason- 
able Commissions  for  their  trouble,  &  in  case  of  any  Prizes  taken, 
the  same  be  put  under  their  management  &  direction. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  725 

The  Council  taking  into  consideration  the  critical  situation  of 
their  affairs  with  Congress,  &  being  desirous  of  confering  with  the 
Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly, 

Ordered,  That  a  free  conference  with  the  General  Assembly  be 
requested,  and  the  following  Message  being  read,  was  approved  &> 
signed,  Viz : 

"  Gentlemen  of  the  Assembly : 

"  The  Council  request  your  Hon'ble  House  to  meet  them  in  a 
free  conference  upon  Sundry  matters  affecting  the  Interest  &  Hon- 
or of  this  State,  &  the  union  &  harmony  of  the  United  States  of 
America ;  &  that  in  case  of  concurrence,  you  will  signify  when  it 
will  be  most  convenient  for  you  to  attend  it. 

"  In  Council,  Philad'a,  March  23,  1779. 

"  JOSEPH  REED,  President.'" 

The  following  Letters  were  read,  Viz  : . 

From  His  Excell'y  Patrick  Henry,  Esq'r,  dated  March  13, 1779, 
respecting  an  Embargo. 

From  His  Excell'y  Cassar  Rodney,  Esq'r,  Gov'r  of  Delaware 
State,  dated  March  13,  1779,  on  the  same  subject. 

From  Gen'l  Sullivan,  respecting  Papers  belonging  to  the  Estate 
late  of  Christopher  Saur. 

From  Gen'l  St.  Clair,  March  13,  1779,  respecting  bounty,  &ca. 

From  His  Excell'y  Tho's  Johnson,  Esq'r,  Gov'r  of  Maryland, 
dated  March  5,  1779,  respecting  an  Embargo. 

From  the  Board  of  War,  inclosing  Gen'l  Arnold's  resignation  of 
the  Command  of  Philadelphia. 

Also,  a  Letter  from  the  Hon'ble  John  Jay,  Esq'r,  inclosing  two 
printed  Copies  of  a  Proclamation  issued  by  Congress,  recommend- 
ing a  Fast. 

Resolved,  That  Col.  Bull  be  authorized  &  requested  to  employ 
suitable  Workmen  &  Laborers  to  repair  the  Banks  &  Sluices  at 
Mud  Island,  to  complete  Barracks  sufficient  for  50  men,  with  prop- 
er Apartments  for  Officers  proportionate ;  also,  to  construct  as  soon 
as  possible,  at  least  Six  Chevaux-de-Frize  for  different  depths,  &  to 
do  such  other  Work  as  may  be  necessary  to  render  the  said  Island 
healthy  and  commodious,  &  that  money  be  advanced  to  him  when 
necessary,  for  the  Payment  of  the  Persons  employed. 


726  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  March  24,  1779. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  &  John  Macky,  Esq'rs. 

The  Secretary  reports  that  he  had,  agreeable  to  order,  this  Morn- 
ing presented  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  the  Mes- 
sage of  yesterday. 

Tho's  Smith  &  Stephen  Chambers,  Esq'rs,  a  Committee  of  the 
Hon'ble  House  cf  General  Assembly,  attended  in  Council,  &  in- 
formed the  Council  That  the  General  Assembly  will  attend  in  free 
conference  with  Council  this  Afternoon  at  four  0' Clock. 

The  Conference  to  be  in  the  Council  Chamber. 

Tho's  Smith,  Jonathan  Hoge,  Christopher  Hays,  Dr.  Gardner  & 
Rob't  Martin,  Esq'rs,  a  Committee  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Gene- 
ral Assembly  for  conferring  with  Council  on  the  State  of  the  Fron- 
tiers, attended  in  Council,  &  a  free  and  full  conference  thereon  was 
had,  in  which  His  Excellency  laid  before  them  information  con-( 
cerning  the  carrying  the  War  into  the  Indian  Country,  so  as  to 
strike  a  terror  into  the  Savages  &  endeavour  to  shew  the  Committee 
the  necessity  of  encouraging  the  inhabitants  to  keep  their  ground 
as  far  as  possible. 

His  Excell'y  the  President  &  Council,  &  the  Hon'ble  Speaker  & 
the  Members  of  the  Gen'l  Assembly,  met  in  the  Council  Chamber. 

His  Excell'y  the  President  then  opened  the  business  of  the  con- 
ference, &  stated  the  various  applications  made  by  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania  to  Congress,  &  the  total  neglect  of  them  all  until  the 
late  charge  against  Gen'l  Arnold,  &  the  conduct  of  that  business 
until  its  present  Stage,  Viz  :  A  Report  of  a  Committee  thereupon, 
which  report  is  not  yet  adopted  by  Congress,  but  contains,  as  it  is 
said,  very  extraordinary  resolutions,  and  such  as  must  reflect  his 
dishonor  on  the  State,  &  possibly  affect  the  Union  &  harmony  of 
the  whole.  And  he  also  read  divers  letters  &  papers  relating  to 
the  business,  &  he  then,  in  the  name  of  the  Council,  proposed  to  the 
consideration  of  the  Hon'ble  House  the  appointing  of  a  Committee 
of  each  of  the  two  bodies  present  to  join  together  &  request  a  con- 
ference with  Congress. 

Divers  Members  of  the  Hon'ble  House  having  expressed  their 
approbation  of  the  proposal,  the  General  Assembly  retired. 

A  Letter  from  Mr.  John  Mitchell,  D.  Q.  M.  G. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  727 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  March  25, 1779. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

The  Honorable  Joseph  Hart,  Smith,  &       )  jjWrs 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  5       ^ 

Doctor  Gardiner  &  W\  Shubert,  Esq'r,  a  Committee  of  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly,  attended  in  Council,  &  laid  before  the  Council  the 
resolution  of  the  General  Assembly  of  this  day,  appointing  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  said  General  Assembly  to  join  with  a  Committee  to  be 
appointed  by  this  Council,  &  to  request  of  Congress  a  free  confer- 
ence with  a  Committee  of  Congress  upon  divers  transactions  of  that 
Honorable  body,  which  may  have  a  tendency  to  interrupt  the  har- 
mony &  confidence  so  necessary  for  the  common  Interest  of  this  & 
the  United  States;  and  thereupon, 

Resolved,  That  His  Excell'y  the  President,  The  Hon'ble  Vice 
President,  &  the  Members  of  Council  now  present,  do  join  with  the 
Committee  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly,  &  request 
&  hold  a  conference  with  a  Committee  of  Congress  upon  the  sub- 
ject aforesaid. 

The  Hon'ble  House  of  Assembly  having  resolved  that  the  Offi- 
cers, Seamen,  &  Mariners,  in  the  Naval  Service  of  this  State, 
should  be  entitled  to  all  the  benefits  to  which  the  Officers  and  Sol- 
diers of  this  State,  employed  in  the  Armies  of  the  United  States^ 
are  entitled  by  the  Resolutions  of  the  13th  instant, 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Boys,  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Gallies, 
do  make  out  a  complete  return  of  the  officers  &  men  under  his 
command,  &  transmit  the  same,  in  order  to  enable  and  authorize 
this  Board  to  carry  the  above  Resolve  into  execution. 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Friday  March  26,  1779. 


PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Smith,    \  ™    , 

John  Macky,  &  $  ^  rs' 

An  application  being  made  by  the  Rev'd  Wm.  Rogers,  Chaplain 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Brigade,  for  a  supply  of  Cloathing,  agreeable 
to  Resolves  of  Assembly, 


728  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  S.  Howell,  Receiver  General  of  Cloathing, 
do  furnish  the  Rev'd  Wm.  Rogers,  Brigade  Chaplain,  with  a  sup- 
ply of  Cloathing,  according  to  his  Rank. 

The  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Yiz  : 

In  favor  of  Col.  John  Bull,  for  the  Sum  of  One  thousand 
Pounds,  to  be  applied  in  paying  the  Men  employed  in  repairing  the 
banks  at  Mud  Island,  &  for  which  he  is  to  account. 

In  favor  of  Will'm  C.  Bradford,  Paymaster  of  the  State  Fleet, 
for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  &  five  Hundred  Pounds,  for  which 
he  is  to  account. 

In  favor  of  Will'm  Crispin,  Commissary,  for  the  Sum  of  Four 
thousand  Pounds,  for  purchasing  Provisions,  for  which  he  is  to 
account. 


The  Council  met. 

Philab'a,  Saturday  March  27,  1779 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Yice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Matt'w  Smith, 

John  Macky,  & 


I  Esq' 


rs. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  March  29, 1779. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Matt'w  Smith,  &    \  ™    , 

John  Macky,  '  John  Hambright,  J       " 

A  Letter  from  the  Hon'ble  Jeremiah  Powell,  Esq'r,  President 
of  the  Council  of  the  Massachusets-bay,  dated  Feb'ry  28,  1779, 
was  read,  by  which  it  appears  that  a  Committee  from  that  State 
have  been  appointed  to  endeavour  to  obtain  a  supply  of  Provisions  j 
&  it  also  appearing  that  the  said  Committee  are  now  in  this  City  ; 
The  Council  being  disposed  to  give  the  earliest  attention  to  their 
application,  do  appoint  this  Evening,  at  six  O'clock,  in  the  Council 
Chamber,  to  confer  with  the  said  Committee. 

Col.  Lewis  Farmer  having  represented  to  the  Council  that  he 
had  purchased  goods  for  the  use  of  the  Army  to  the  Amount  of 
£25,000,  &  praying  an  order  on  the  Treasurer  for  the  said  sum, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  729 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  said  Col. 
Lewis  Farmer,  for  the  Sum  of  Twenty-five  Thousand  Pounds,  for 
which  sum  he  is  to  account. 

A  Certificate  of  the  Election  of  Chief  Burgess,  Burgesses,  & 
Constables  of  the  Borough  of  Chester,  being  presented}  was  read, 
by  which  it  appears  that  David  Cowpland,  Esq'r,  is  duly  elected 
Chief  Burgess ;  William  Evans,  Robert  Forgeson,  &  Will'm  Ker- 
lin,  Esq'rs,  Burgesses  ;  &  John  Shanlan,  High  Constable :  And 
the  said  David  Cowpland  appeared  in  Council,  &  took  the  Affirma- 
tion required  by  the  Constitution  to  Qualify  him  for  the  said  Office 
of  Chief  Burgess. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  March  30,  1779. 
present  : 

A  Letter  wrote  to  the  Chief  Justice  to  know  what  has  been  done 
on  the  intercepted  Letter  of  Sam'l  R.  Fisher. 

In  pursuance  of  a  conference  with  the  Deputies  of  Massachu- 
sets-bay,  the  following  Message  was  sent  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of 
Assembly,  together  with  the  Letter  received  from  the  Hon'ble 
the  President  of  the  said  State  : 

"  Gentlemen  of  the  General  Assembly  : 

"At  the  opening  of  the  Session  we  laid  before  a  Letter  from 
the  Hon'ble  the  President  &  Council  of  the  Massachusets  Bay, 
representing  the  very  great  scarcity  of  bread  in  that  State,  &  re- 
questing the  fri3ndly  aid  of  this  State  for  fheir  relief. 

"  Yesterday  the  Letter  which  now  accompanies  this  message,  was 
presented  by  the  Gentlemen  who  are  mentioned  in  it,  &  are  de- 
puted by  the  General  Court  of  that  State  to  renew  the  former  ap- 
plication. 

By  refering  to  the  Law  passed  last  Session,  intituled  "An  Act  to 
prohibit  the  exportation  of  Provisions  from  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
sylvania  for  a  limited  time,  you  will  observe  that  the  relaxing 
powers  of  this  board  do  not  reach  the  present  case,  so  that,  if  upon 
conference  or  otherwise  with  the  Gentlemen  deputed  on  this  occa- 
sion, your  Hon'ble  House  should  think  proper  to  favor  their  appli- 
cation, it  will  be  necessary  to  extend  the  powers  in  this  instance 
also,  as  the  transportation  by  land  is  deemed  impracticable  in  our 
present  circumstances. 

"JOSEPH  REED,  President. 

"March  30,  1779." 


730  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  Col.  Smith  deliver  the  same  to  the  Assembly. 
Col.  Smith  reported  that  he  had  delivered  the  said  Message  &  pa- 
pers to  Doct.  Gardiner,  a  Member  of  the  House 

A  Resolve  was  received  from  the  House  of  Assembly  of  the  ad- 
ditional encouragement  to  the  5  Companies  of  Rangers  to  be  raised 
in  this  State  by  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Capt.  James  Montgomery  be  appointed  to  the 
Command  of  the  Ship  Gen'l  Green,  now  fitting  out  by  this  State, 
for  the  defence  &  protection  of  the  Trade. 

Resolved,  That  Major  Henry  supply  Messieurs  McClenaghan  & 
Irwin,  with  what  Articles  they  want  for  fitting  out  the  above  ship, 
taking  Receipts  therefor. 

Resolved,  That  Mess.  McClenagan  &  Irwin  be  authorized  to  ap- 
ply to  the  Hon'bie  the  Marine  Committee  of  Congress,  for  a  loan 
of  such  Naval  Stores  as  they  cannot  otherwise  procure,  not  doubt- 
ing but  the  urgency  of  the  service  &  the  readiness  this  State  has 
always  shewn  in  offices  of  the  same  nature,  will  induce  that  Hon'ble 
Board  to  readily  comply  with  our  request. 

Council  taking  into  consideration  the  return  of  Justices  for  Ma- 
honey  Township,  Northumberland  County,  &  it  appearing  that  the 
Election  was  made  by  the  Inhabitants,  whereas  the  Constitution  re- 
quires it  to  be  by  the  Freeholders, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  return  be  transmitted  to  Mess  Dan. 
Rees  &  Chas.  Gillespie,  in  order  that  a  proper  Election  be  had. 

The  Hon'ble  Will'm  Paca,  Esq'r,  Delegate  for  the  State  of 
Maryland  in  Congress,  attended  in  Council,  &  informed  that  Con- 
gress having  appointed  a  Committee  to  confer  with  the  Joint  Com- 
mittee of  Council  &  of  General  Assembly,  he  now,  in  the  name  of 
the  "said  Committee,  gives  notice  that  they  are  ready  to  meet  in  con- 
ference whenever  the  said  joint  Committee  shall  appoint ;  where- 
upon, Col.  Smith  was  appointed  to  give  notice  thereof  to  Mr.  Har- 
ris, Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  General  Assembly,  &  to  request 
the  said  Committee  of  General  Assembly  to  meet  the  Council  this 
Evening,  at  Six  O'Clock. 

A  Message  to  the  General  Assembly. 
[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  731 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  Mar.  31,  1779. 

PRESENT : 


A  Letter  of  thanks  <fc  acknowledgements  from  the  officers  of  the 
Army  to  the  President  of  Council  &  Assembly,  was  read. 

Ordered^  That  the  same  be  transmitted  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of 
Assembly. 

Resolved,  That  Joseph  Irwin,  Esq'r,  appointed  one  of  the  Cap- 
tains of  the  5  Companies  of  Rangers  to  be  raised  for  the  defence 
of  the  Frontiers;  Alex.  Cray  1st  Lieu.,  &  Hardy  Hill  2d  Lieu,  to 
take  Rank  as  may  be  settled  hereafter,  having  respect  to  former 
Rank  &  Service. 

The  following  Message  was  sent  to  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Assem- 
bly, together  with  the  Letter  from  the  Officers  of  the  Army,  & 
the  same  are  as  follows,  Viz : 

"  G-entlemen  : 

"  The  Letter  from  the  Field  Officers  of  the  Pennsylvania  line, 
which  accompanies  this,  being  equally  designed  to  manifest  their 
respectful  acknowledgements  fy  regard  to  your  Hon'ble  House,  as 
to  this  Board,  we  accordingly  transmit  it. 

"JOSEPH  REED,  President. 

"March  31,  1779." 

The  Letter  is  as  follows  : 

"  Millstone  Camp,  March  27, 1779. 
"  Sir : 

"  Deeply  impressed  with  the  truest  sense  of  gratitude,  we  beg 
leave,  in  the  name  of  all  the  Officers  &  Troops  of  the  State,  to  re- 
turn your  Excell'y  &  the  Hon'ble  Council  &  Assembly  our  most 
sincere  &  hearty  thanks  for  the  generous  resolves  passed  in  our 
favor. 

"It  really  affords  us  great  pleasure  to  find  our  past  Conduct 
acceptable  to  you,  &  assure  you,  Sir,  That  our  endeavours  shall  not 
be  wanting  to  merit  the  esteem  &  confidence  of  a  virtuous  Presi- 
dent <fe  Legislature,  under  whose  auspices  we  hope  to  see  unanimity, 
wisdom,  &  public  Interest  flourish,  and  a  Government  that  it  will 
be  the  duty  &  Interest  of  every  individual  in  the  State  to  support. 

"And  when  called  forth  to  the  field,  rest  assured,  Sir,  we  shall 


732  MINUTES  OF  THE 

exert  every  nerve  to  advance  the  honor  &  dignity  of  the  State  to  f  T 
which  we  belong.     With  every  sentiment  of  esteem  &  respect,  we 
remain  your  Excellency's  &  the  Honorable  Council's  And  Assem- 
bly's Most  Obedient  and  very  Humble  Servants. 

"JAMES  CHAMBERS, 

"  Colonel  1st  Pennsylvania  Reg. 
"RICHARD  BUTLER, 

"  Col.  9th  Pennsylvania  Reg. 
"T.  CRAIG, 

"  Col.  3d  Penns'a  Reg. 
"WILLIAM  WILLIAMS, 

"  Lieu  Col.  3d  Penns'a  Reg. 
"JAS.  HARMAR, 
"  Lieu.  Col.  Commandant  6th  Penns'a  Reg. 
"J.  P.  MENTGES, 

Maj.  7th  Pennsylva'a  Reg. 

"JOHN  MURRAY, 

Maj.  2d  Penns'a  Reg. 

"THOMAS  L.  BYLES, 

Maj.  3d  Penns'a  Reg. 

"J.  GRIER, 

Maj.  10th  Penns'a  Reg't. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  April  1,  1779. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Matt'w  Smith,  )  ™    , 

John  Macky,  &  $  ^s(*  rs' 

A  Letter  from  Brig.  Gen'l  Du  Portal. 

A  Letter  from  His  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington,  dated  28th 
March. 

Another  Letter  from  His  Excell'y  Gen'l  Washington  of  the  29th 
March,  inclosing  a  Letter  from  Gen'l  Maxwell  of  the  28th  Mar., 
from  Elizabeth  Town. 

The  following  two  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Viz : 

In  favor  of  the  Hon'ble  Jos.  Hart,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the 
Sum  of  Seventy  Two  Pounds  Seventeen  Shillings  &  Six  Pence,  to 
be  charged  to  his  account;  and 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  733 

In  favor  of  Col.  John  Bull,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One 
Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  Sum  he  is  to  account. 

The  following  Recruiting  instructions  were  agreed  to,  Viz  :  * 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Friday  April  2,  1779. 


present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Matt'w  Smith,  )  v    * 

John  Macky,  &  S      q 

A  Petition  referred  by  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly 
to  this  Council,  signed  by  Tho's  Hazlewood,  for  himself  &  Officers 
of  the  State  Fleet. 

On  Consideration, 
Ordered,  That  a  Proclamation  be  issued  enjoining  a  due  obe- 
dience to  the  Militia  Laws,  &  the  following  being  read,  was  ap- 
proved &  signed. 

Ordered,  That  600  be  printed  &  sent  forward  to  the  several 
Counties,  by  the  Hon'ble  Members  of  the  House  of  General  As- 
sembly : 

"  Pennsylvania,  ss : 

"  A  PROCLAMATION. 

"By  Bis    Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esquire,    President,   <Sc 
Council    of  the   Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania  : 

"  Whereas,  there  is  just  cause  to  believe  that  our  cruel  &  invete- 
rate Enemies,  despairing  of  the  Conquest  of  America  by  open  <fe 
manly  force,  are  about  to  adopt  the  mean  and  savage  Policy  of  dis- 
tress &  depredation  ;  And  as  a  vigourous,  firm,  &  united  resistance 
can  alone  (under  Providence)  enable  us  to  disappoint  &  defeat  their 
barbarous  design,  We  do  hereby  most  earnestly  exhort  the  good 
people  of  this  State  to  prepare  themselves  for  such  events. 

"  And  we  do  particularly  enjoin  &  require  the  General  Officers, 
Lieutenants,  Sub-Lieutenants,  Field  &  other  Officers  of  Militia, 
diligently  to  exert  themselves  in  arraying,  training  &  disciplining 
the  Militia  of  the  State,  as  by  Law  directed,  Enforcing  the  said 
Law  against  all  delinquents,  &  encouraging  &  animating  by  their 
presence  &  example,  those  brave  &  faithful  Subjects  who  chearfully 

*  See  Appendix. 


734  MINUTES  OF   THE 

stand  forth  in  defence  of  the  liberties  of  their  Country.  We  do 
also  exhort  &  enjoin  all  Officers,  both  civil  &  military,  to  make 
diligent  search  after  the  public  Arms  &  accoutrements  which  have 
been  disposed  &  lost  through  the  Country,  &  to  recommend  &  en- 
deavour to  have  all  the  Fire  Arms  in  their  respective  districts  & 
Counties  put  in  the  best  repair,  so  as  to  be  ready  on  the  shortest 
notice.  And  as  the  designs  of  the  Enemy,  so  far  as  they  may  re- 
gard this  State,  must  in  their  immediate  effects  (unless  frustrated) 
desolate  those  parts  exposed  to  the  Sea  on  one  side  &  the  frontiers 
on  the  other,  we  do  in  a  special  manner  recommend  a  spirit  of 
Union,  harmony  and  mutual  Affection,  as  the  most  effectual  weapon 
of  defence,  laying  aside  all  animosities,  dissentions  &  uncharitable- 
ness,  &  then  we  need  not  doubt,  but  (with  the  blessings  of  God) 
we  may  as  we  have  heretofore  done,  repel  our  invaders,  with  shame, 
disgrace  &  disappointment,  &  in  a  short  time  enjoy  the  blessings  of 
peace  on  free  &  honorable  terms. 

"  Given  by  order  of  the  Council,  under  the  hand  of  his  Excell'y 
Joseph  Reed,  Esq'r,  President,  &  the  Seal  of  the  State,  at 
Philad'a,  this  Second  day  of  April,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  One 
Thousand  Seven  hundred  &  Seventy-nine. 

"  JOSEPH  REED,  President. 
"  Attest— T.  Matlack,  Sec'y. 

"GOD  SAVE  THE  PEOPLE." 

A  Message  to  the  General  Assembly  of  Representatives  of  the 
Freemen  of  Pennsylvania,  was  read,  considered,  approved  &  order- 
ed to  be  signed  by  the  President.  And  the  same  is  as  follows  :  . 
"  Sir : 

"  I  send  into  the  Assembly  some  papers  laid  before  the  Council 
by  Mr.  Scott,  one  of  the  members.  By  them  it  seems  probable 
that  Robert  Culbertson,  of  Bedford  County,  who  was  authorized 
by  an  act  of  the  late  Assembly,  To  seize  Provisions  for  the  use  of 
the  Army  of  the  United  States,  has  been  sued  &  saddled  with 
damages  for  taking  Fifty  Bushels  of  Rye  from  Jacob  Wiltz,  for 
that  purpose.  Of  the  merits  of  this  transaction  the  Council  have 
nothing  to  communicate.  Perhaps  some  of  the  Gentlemen  who  re- 
present Bedford  County  can  furnish  some  explanations;  particularly 
Mr.  Smith,  who  as  Attorney  brought  the  suit.  This  is  au  instance 
in  point  of  the  abuse  of  Replevins  in  the  case  of  Public  Officers, 
(whatever  ground  there  was  for  an  action,)  an  abuse  to  which  we 
hope  you  have  put  a  Stop  by  the  Law  just  passed. 

"  I  trust  you  will  take  such  order  in  this  business  as  shall  do 
justice  to  Mr.  Culbertson,  as  he  was  employed  by  the  Legislature. 
"  I  am,  Sir, 

"  Your  most  obedient  servant, 

"  JOSEPH  REED,  President. 
"  To  the  Hon'ble  John  Bayard,  Esq'r,  Speaker  of  the  General 

Assembly." 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  735 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  April  3,  1779. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  &  >  E    , 
John  Macky,      }^S(lrs- 
A  Letter  from  the  board  of  War  to  Col.  B.  Flowers,  Commis- 
sary of  Military  Stores,  ordering   the  delivery  of  Two   Pieces   of 
Iron  Cannon,  &  Two  Howitz,  &  as  many  Riffles  from  the  Magazine 
at  Carlisle,  as  shall  be  necessary  to   Arm  five  Companies  of  Ran- 
gers, to  be  delivered  as  they  now  are,  &  to  be  repaired  by  the  State, 
&  to  be  returned  if  called  for  by  the  United  States,  they  paying 
for  the  repairs. 

Ordered,  That  two  24  Pounders  Iron  Cannon,  &  two  of  the  larg- 
est Mortars,  be  delivered  to  Col.  Proctor  of  the  Artillery. 

The  Council  having  received  information  that  Samuel  R.  Fisher 
was  not  confined,  according  to  his  Mittimus, 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  write  to  the  Sheriff  &  expressly 
order  that  the  Mittimus  be  put  in  due  execution  immediately. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favor  of  Robert  Allison, 
for  the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 


The  Council  met. 
\  Philad'a,  Monday  April  5,  1779. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon.  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,        "J 
John  Macky,  &      WEsq'rs. 
John  Hambright,  J 
Ordered,  That  Capt.  Joseph  Stiles,   Commissary  of  Military 
Stores,  do  furnish  to  Messrs.  Blair,  Mc'Clenaghan  &  Matthew  Ir- 
win, or  their  order,  such  ammunition  and  Military  Stores  as  they 
shall  have  occasion  for  in  the  fitting  out  the  Armed  Ship  General 
Green. 

The  Joint  Committee  of  General  Assembly  and  of  this  Council, 
now  made  the  following  report,  Vizt : 

"  Whereas,  the  Hon'ble  the  Continental  Congress  have,  for  va- 
rious good  reasons,  called  out  of  circulation  the  whole  of  the  emis- 


736  MINUTES  OF  THE 

sions  of  May  20th,  1777,  &  April  11th,  1778,  under  certain  regula^ 
tions,  as  mentioned  in  their  resolve  of  January  2d,  1779  : 

"  And  Whereas,  the  manner  of  Exchange  as  therein  mentioned, 
would  be  grievous  &  burthensome  to  many  of  the  good  people  of 
this  State,  by  reason  of  their  very  great  distance  from  the  place  of 
exchange,  the  smallness  of  the  quantity  many  of  those  persons  are 
possessed,  of  &  the  enormity  of  Travelling  charges ;  many  of  the 
persons  so  situated  had  better  lose  their  little  all  than  spend  it 
in  negotiating  an  exchange.  This  House,  ever  desirous  to  relieve  the 
distresses  of  their  constituents  as  much  as  in  them  lies,  do 

Resolve,  That  Thomas  Hislap  be,  &  is  hereby  appointed  a  Com- 
missioner of  Exchange  for  the  County  of  Chester ;  John  Hubley 
for  the  County  of  Lancaster ;  Michael  Hahn  for  the  County  of  York ; 
John  Agnew  for  the  County  of  Cumberland ;  John  Heester  for  the 
County  of  Berks ;  John  Arndt  for  the  County  of  Northampton ; 
David  Espie  for  the  County  of  Bedford ;  Robert  Martin  for  the 
County  of  Northumberland ;  &  Edward  Cooke  for  the  County  of 
Westmoreland,  under  the  regulations  herein  after  mentioned,  Viz  : 

"  That  each  of  the  said  Commissioners  of  exchange  before  named, 
shall  give  public  notice,  in  their  respective  Counties,  of  their  ap- 
pointments to  that  duty;  &  shall  upon  application  made,  receive 
such  Sums  of  Money,  of  the  dates  before-mentioned,  as  may  be 
offered  for  exchange  by  every  inhabitant  of  this  State,  before  the 
first  day  of  June  next,  &  pass  his  receipt  for  the  same ;  &  shall 
make  fair  entries,  in  a  book  prepared  for  that  purpose,  of  the 
names  &  surnames  of  each  person  depositing  money,  as  also  of  the 
Sum  of  Money  so  deposited,  keeping  each  man's  money  bound  in  a 
bundle  by  itself,  fy  indorced  with  the  Owner's  name,  8f  the  number 
of  Dollars  contained. 

"  That  each  of  the  Commissioners  aforesaid  shall,  before  the 
first  day  of  June  next,  deposit  all  the  Monies  by  him  received  for 
the  purpose  of  exchange,  into  the  Continental  Loan-Office  of  this 
State,  taking  the  Continental  Jjoan-Officer's  receipt  for  the  same, 
agreeable  to  the  resolution  of  Congress. 

"That  the  said  Commissioners  of  exchange  shall  receive  from 
the  Commissioner  of  Loans,  new  bills,  to  the  Amount  of  the  Sum 
deposited  for  exchange,  &  shall,  as  soon  as  convenient,  repay  the 
persons  &  cancel  his  receipts,  reserving  to  himself,  out  of  each 
Man's  money,  at  the  rate  of  Two  and  a-half  Dollars  for  every  hun- 
dred Dollars,  for  his  trouble  &  expences  in  negociating  said  ex- 
change." 

"  Ordered,  That  the  Clerk  of  this  House  be  directed  to  publish 
these  resolutions  in  all  the  German  &  English  Newspapers,  once 
every  week,  for  one  month. 

"  Whereas,  it  was  resolved  the  last  sitting  of  this  Assembly, 
that  the  wages  of  the  members  of  this  House  for  said  sitting,  shall 
be  Two  Pounds  five  Shillings  per  diem,  &  one  Shilling  &  Six  Pence 
per  mile,  for  their  travelling  expences  ;  The  Speaker,  Three  Pounds 


SUPREME 'EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  737 

per  diem,  with  the  mileage  allowed  the  members,  &  the  Clerk  of 
the  House  Four  pounds  Ten  Shillings  per  diem,  for  which  a  Law 
should  be  passed  this  session,  to  provide  for  the  same  &  the  future 
wages  of  said  members  : 

"  And  Whereas,  the  necessary  &  unavoidable  business  of  this 
House  has  prevented  said  bill  from  being  enacted  into  a  Law  j 
therefore, 

u  Resolved,  That  each  member  of  this  House  shall  be  allowed 
for  this  sitting  eight  Dollars  per  diem  j  The  Speaker  Four 
Pounds  per  diem,  the  Clerk  of  this  House  five  pounds  per  diem, 
his  assistant  Clerk  Three-  Pounds  Ten  Shillings  per  diem,  &,  each 
&  every  of  said  members  are  to  have  &  receive  Two  Shillings  & 
Six  Pence  per  mile  for  every  mile  they  shall  travel  to  &  from  this 
House,  which,  with  the  wages  of  last  sitting,  be  provided  for  by  a 
Law  next  meeting  of  this  House  : 

"And  Whereas  j  the  wages  now  allowed  to  our  delegates  in  Con- 
gress &  the  members  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  are  not 
adequate  to  their  necessary  expences ;  therefore, 

"  Resolved,  That  each  Delegate  in  Congress  for  this  State,  shall 
have  and  receive  for  every  day  he  has  or  shall  attend  in  Congress, 
from  the  last  election  of  Delegates  for  this  State,  Five  pounds  per 
diem,  &  every  member  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  shall 
have  and  receive  for  every  day  he  has  attended  or  shall  attend  oit 
the  duties  of  his  Office,  since  the  first  day  of  February  last,  Three 
pounls  1$  diem. 
"On  motion, 

"  Resolved,  That  Jar«d  Ingersoll,  Esq'r,  the  gentleman  employed 
as  an  assistant  by  the  Attorney  General,  agreeable  to  a  resolve  of 
this  House  in  the  case  of  the  Proprietary  claims,  be  allowed  One 
Hundred  Pounds  for  his  said  services. 

"The  Joint  Committee  of  Council  &  Assembly  beg  leave  to 
report  to  their  respective  Houses,  That  in  pursuance  of  the  resolu- 
tions of  the  25th  of  March  last,  That  have  conferred  with  the 
Hon'ble  Mess.  Paca,  Laurens,  Adams,  R.  H.  Lee,  &  Root,  a 
Committee  of  Congress  on  the  subject  matter  of  the  representa- 
tion made  on  the  said  day  j  That  the  same  hath  been  fully  &  freely 
discussed;  That  the  Conferees  of  Congress  gave  this  Committee 
very  ample  assurances  of  the  disposition  of  Congress  to  preserve 
the  most  perfect  harmony,  &. remove  all  ground  of  apprehension  or 
uneasiness  from  the  minds  of  the  good  people  of  this  State ;  That 
such  mutual  overtures  of  friendship  &  explanation  have  been  made 
in  the  course  of  the  said  conference,  as  afford  a  prospect  of  lasting 
harmony  &  confidence,  Sl  in  order  to  cement  and  confirm  these 
happy  <fc  beneficial  sentiments,  &  to  disappoint  the  Enemies  of  the 
common  cause,  who  take  encouragement  from  all  appearances  of  dis- 
union, it  will  be  proper  to  give  .some  open  proof  of  the  happy 
issue  of  this  conference;  for  this  purpose,  the  joint  Committee  beg 
VOL.  XI. — 47. 


m  MINUTES  OF  THE 

leave  to  propose  to  their  respective  bodies  the  following  Resolves- 
as  tending  to  promote  the  desirable  &  important  end  aforesaid. 
Viz: 

"  Resolved,  That  the  unanimity  &  harmony  between  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  United  States  in  Congress  assembled,  &  each  State 
individually,  have  been,  under  God,  the  happy  means  of  our  past 
success,  .&  the  only  sure  foundation  whereon  to  rest  our  future 
hopes  of  terminating  the  contest  with  Great  Britain  with  honor  & 
advantage. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Legislature  &  Executive  authorities  of  this 
State,  entertain  the  most  proper  sentiments  of  veneration  &  esteem 
for  the  Hon'ble  the  Continental  Congress,  fy  repose  a  peifect  confi- 
dence in  the  wisdom  &  integrity  of  that  Hon'ble  body,  which  it  is 
their  intention  to  manifest  on  all  occasions. 

"JOSEPH  REED,  President. 
"In  behalf  of  the  Council. 

'•'JOHN  HARRIS, 

"In  behalf  of  the  Assembly/7 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  April  6,  1779- 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Bambright,  )  -™    ? 

John  Macky,  &  }  ^  rS' 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Shields. 
Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  delivered  by  him 
to  Capt.  Jos.  Irwin  of  the  Rangers,  to  be  applied  in  raising  his 
Company,  the  same  to  be  charged  to  account  of  the  said  Capt. 
Irwin. 

A  Representation  from  John  Hubly,  Esqyr,  respecting  the  Mo»ey 
expended  by  him  in  building  a  Store  House  at  Lancaster,  was  read;. 
&  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Hubleyr 
Esq'r,  or  his  ordery  for  the  sum  of  Eight  hundred  Pounds,  to  be 
applied  in  paying  for  materials  &  to  Workmen,  for  the  building  of 
a  Store  House  at  Lancaster,  for  which  Sum  he  is  to  account. 

A  Resolve  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  of  the 
Sth  instant,  was  read  ; 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  inserted  on  the  Minutes,  &  they  are 
as  follows,  Viz/t : 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.    *         739 

"  In  General  Assembly. 

«  Monday  April  5, 1779,  P.  M. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  attention  &  care  of  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council  of  this  State  in  detecting  public  abuses,  are  highly  accepta- 
ble to  this  House,  &  that  they  will  support  them  in  the  due  dis- 
charge of  so  necessary  a  duty. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Executive  powers  of  Government  have  been 
administered  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  this  House,  &  the  general 
content  of  the  good  people  of  this  State ;  &  that  this  House  cheer- 
fully give  this  testimony  of  their  approbation  to  his  Excellency  the 
President,  &  the  other  members  of  the  Council,  as  an  earnest  of  their 
resolution  to  support  them  in  a  continuance  of  the  faithful  &  hon- 
orable discharge  of  their  duty,  &  a  mark  of  their  perfect  confidence 
&  regard." 

An  order  from  Col.  Flowers,  for  the  delivery  of  so  many  Rifles 
from  the  Magazine  at  Carlisle  as  shall  be  necessary  to  arm  five  Com- 
panies of  Rangers,  &ca.,  being  now  presented  to  the  Council ; 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  delivered  to  Mr.  John  Carson,  of 
Carlisle,  &  that  they  be  repaired  under  his  care ;  &  if  it  should  so 
happen,  That  Mr.  Carson  should  not  accept  of  this  appointment, 
in  such  case  Stephen  Duncan,  Esq'r,  is  requested  to  undertake  & 
complete  the  said  business. 

Another  Resolve  of  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  of 
the  5th  instant,  was  read,  &  is  as  follows,  Viz.  : 

"  In  General  Assembly. 

"Monday,  April  5,  1779,  P.  fit 

"Resolved]  That  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  be  &  they  are 
hereby  empowered  to  borrow,  on  any  emergency,  any  Sum  of  Money 
not  exceeding  One  Hundred  Thousand  Pounds,  from  any  person  <fe 
persons  willing  to  lend  the  same,  &  this  House  will  at  their  next 
sitting,  provide  for  the  re-payment  of  such  Sum  or  Sum's  borrowed 
as  above." 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  Scott, 
Esq'r,  Pay-master  of  Militia,  of  the  County  of  Bucks,  or  his  order, 
for  the  sum  of  One  Thousand  &  Eight  Hundred  Pounds,  for  which 
sum  he  is  «to  account. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Joseph  Rush  &  Mr.  James  Craigg,  be  ap- 
pointed to  value  the  ship  General  Green,  agreeable  to  the  proposals 
made  to  the  State  by  the  Owners  of  her,  &,  report  thereon  to  this 
Council. 

A  Recommendation  (by  Col.  Proctor  &  other  officers  of  the  Regi- 
ment of  Artillery)  of  Capt.  Amos  Wilkinson,  as  a  proper  person  to 
receive  &  deliver  out  the  Articles  enumerated  by  a  Resolve  of  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  fifth  of  December  last,  was  read;  k  thereupon^ 


740  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Amos  Wilkinson  be  appointed  to  receive1 
&  deliver  out  to  Col.  Proctor's  Regiment  of  Artillery,  the  Articles 
enumerated  in  the  Kesolve  of  General  Assembly  of  the  5th  De- 
cember last,  &  that  he  do  also  deliver  to  the  Rev'd  Mr.  Rogers, 
Chaplain  of  the  Pennsylvania  brigade,  now  doing  duty  in  Philadel- 
phia, his  Ration  of  the  said  Articles. 

Ordered,  That  on  Monday  next  this  Council  will  proceed  to 
nominate  &  appoint  the  Officers  of  Marines  on  board  the  Ship 
General  Green,  &  that  notice  thereof  be  given  in  the  Public  Pa- 
pers, in  order  that  Officers  who  chuse  to  tender  their  service  on  this 
occasion  may  have  an  opportunity  so  to  do, 

Resolved,  That  the  Prize  money  of  any  Vessels  which  may 
hereafter  be  taken  by  any  of  the  Cruizers  fitted  out  by  this  State, 
be  divided  in  such  manner  &  proportions  as  shall  be  directed  by  the 
Supreme  Executive  Council  of  this  State,  previous  to  the  Sailing 
of  such  Vessel,  and  Articles  seized  accordingly,  &  that  the  Officers, 
Sailors  &  Marines  of  the  Vessels  now  fitted,  or  which  may  hereaf- 
ter be  fitted  out  by  this  State,  be  subject  to  the  like  Articles  of 
War,  Regulations  and  Tryal,  as  the  Officers,  Sailors  &  Marines  of 
the  Gallies  in  the  service  of  this  State  now  are. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
Jos.  Hart,  for  Seventy-Two  Pounds  Seventeen  Shillings  &  Six 
Pence,  for  which  he  is  to  account. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  April  7,  1779. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,         1 

John  Macky,  &     j-Esq'rs. 

John  Hambright,  J 
The  Council  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  appointment  of 
Officers  of  the  five  Companies  of  Rangers,  they  having  obtained 
the  best  assistance  from   the  Members  of  the  General  Assembly 
that  has  been  in  their  power ;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  John  Mcllhaddon  be  appointed  Captain,  Robert 
Arthur  First  Lieutenant,  of  the  Company  of  Rangers  to  be  raised 
in  the  County  of  Northumberland;  That  Thomas  Cluggage  be 
appointed  Captain,  &  — : Means  First  Lieutenant  of  the  Com- 
pany of  Rangers  to  be  raised  in  the  County  of  Bedford;  And  that 
Thomas  Campbell  be  appointed  Captain,  Isaac  Thompson  first  Lieu- 
tenant, &  Alexander  Parker,  second  Lieutenant,  of  the  Company  of 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  741 

Hangers  proposed  to  be  raised  in  the  county  of  Cumberland ;  And  the 
said  Gentlemen  are  to  take  Rank  respectively  as  may  be  hereafter 
settled,  having  respect  to  former  rank  &  service. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  the  Hon'ble 
James  M'Lene,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Eighty-four  Pounds 
Eighteen  Shillings  &  four  Pence  for  his  attendance  in  Council  32 
days,  &,  Mileage  on  155  Miles. 

Memorial  of  Lewis  Nicola,  Town  Major,  praying  an  order  for 
the  allowance  of  the  Articles  enumerated  by  the  Resolve  of  Gen- 
eral Assembly  to  be  supplied  to  the  Officers  &  Men  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Troops,  was  read ;  &       • 

On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Col.  Farmer  do  supply  Col.  Lewis  Nicola,  Town 
Major,  with  the  enumerated  Articles  ordered  by  General  Assembly; 
&  that  Col.  Nicola  draw  the  same  with  Col.  Proctor's  Regiment. 

A  Return  of  an  Election  held  for  chusing  in  Buckingham  & 
Warwick  Townships,  Two  fit  persons  for  Justices  of  the  County 
of  Bucks,  was  read,  by  which  it  appears  that  John  Wilson  &  Benja. 
Snodgrass  were  elected ;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  John  Wilson,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  and  Commis- 
sioned to  be  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Bucks. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  April  8,  1779. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  "Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  >  ™    , 

John  Macky,  &  *     J  m%  YS' 

The  Resolve  of  General  Assembly  of  the  5th  instant  being  read 
&  considered, 

Resolved,  That  Mess.  Blair,  McClenaghan,  &  Matthew  Irwin, 
be  authorized  to  receive  any  Sums  of  Money  which  have  been  or 
may  be  subscribed  by  any  persons  on  Loan  to  this  State,  the  same 
to  be  repaid  in  Six  Months  or  sooner,  if  convenient  to  the  State ; 
That  they  give  Receipts  to  such  Subscribers,  &  to  make  return  to 
this  Board,  &  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  State,  either  paying  over  to 
him*such  Monies  as  they  may  receive,  or  passing  the  Accounts  with 
him  thereupon,  so  as  that  the  same  be  made  a  regular  transaction 
of  the  Treasury.     [See  also  742.] 

The  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly  having  on  the  24th 
of  March  last, 


742  MINUTES  OP  THE 

Resolved,  That  th'eOfficers,  Seamen,  &  Mariners,  employed  in 
the-  Naval  service  of  this  State,  be  entitled  to  all  the  allowances  & 
benefits  to  which  Officers  &  Soldiers  of  this  State  be  employed  in 
the  Armies  of  the  United  States,  are  entitled  by  the  Resolutions  of 
the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly,  passed  on  the  13th  of  the 
said  Month. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  William  Crispin  be  appointed  Commissary 
to  purchase  &  distribute  to  the  said  Officers,  Seamen,  &  Marines, 
the  Articles  enumerated  in  the  said  Resolve  of  the  13th  of  March ; 
&  that  this  Council  will  allow  a  reasonable  compensation  for  his 
trouble  therein. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Burd, 
Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Six  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  by 
him  paid  to  Capt.  Tho's  Cluggage  of  the  Rangers  to  be  raised  in 
Bedford  County,  &  to  be  charged  to  th.e  said  Cluggage. 

[On  this  order  is  endorsed  a  Note  to  Mess.  McClenaghan  &  Ir- 
win, requesting  them  to  Pay  the  said  Sum,  &  return  the  order  on 
the  Treasurer  as  their  Voucher.] 

Whereas,  these  United  States  have  been  under  a  necessity,  in 
order  to  carry  on  the  present  Just  and  necessary  War  with  Great 
Britain,  to  emit  very  considerable  Sums  of  Paper  Currency,  some 
emissions  of  which  have  not  been  yet  declared  by  a  Law  of  the  State 
to  be  legal  tender,  &  many  evil  minded  &  disaffected  persons  may 
endeavour  to  take  advantage  thereof,  to  the  prejudice  of  the  public 
as  well  as  indviduals  : 

And  Whereas,  the  length  of  the  present  Sessions,  &  the  necessity 
of  the  members  of  this  House  to  return  to  their  respective  Coun- 
ties, does  not  admit  of  complying  with  the  necessary  requisitions 
of  the  Constitution,  in  order  to  the  passing  of  a  Law )  But  this 
House  being  desirous  to  express  their  detestation  of  such  dangerous 
&  pernicious  measures  : 

Resolved,  That  any  person  who  shall  refuse  such  of  the  Bills  of 
Credit  emitted  by  the  Hon'ble  Continental  Congress,  as  have  not 
been  made  a  legal  tender  in  payment  of  any  Debt  or  Contract,  in 
which  the  Continental  Bills  of  Credit  which  have  been  declared  to 
be  legal  tender  might  be  legally  tendered,  such  person  is  &  ought 
to  be  considered  as  an  Enemy  to  his  Country,  &  a  betrayer  of  the 
liberties  thereof. 

A  Letter  from  the  Hon'ble  John  Jay,  Esq'r,  enclosing  Resolves 
of  Congress  of  the  23d  March  &  5th  instant. 

A  Letter  from  Maj.  John  Browne,  of  the  5th  Battalion  of  Phil- 
adelphia County,  inclosing  his  Commission,  was  read. 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  Table.  ' 

Jacob  S.  Howell  having  resigned  his  appointment  as  Receiver 
General  of  Cloathing,  &  the  same  being  accepted,  The  Council  de- 
sire he  will  prepare  his  Accounts  for  settlement. 

The  Resolution  of  General  Assembly  of  the  5th  instant  being 
read  &  considered, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.      743 

Resolved,  That  Messieurs  McClanaghan  &  Irwin  be  authorised 
to  receive  any  Sums  of  Money  which  have  been  or  may  be  subscrib- 
ed by  any  Persons  on  Loan  to  this  State,  the  Sum  to  be  repaid  in 
6  Months,  or  sooner,  if  convenient  to  the  State.  That  they  give 
Heceipts  to  such  subscribers,  <fc  make  return  to  the  Board,  and  to 
the  Treasurer  of  the  State,  either  Paying  over  to  him  such  monies 
as  they  may  receive,  or  passing  the  Accounts  with  him  thereupon, 
so  as  that  same  be  made  a  regular  transaction  of  the  Treasury.— 
[See  antea  741.] 

Whereas,  the  Hon'ble  the  General  Assembly  of  this  State  did, 
at  the  late  Session, 

"  Resolve,  That  every  Officer  of  the  Continental  Army  should 
receive  Annually  a  Suit  of  Uniform  Cloathes .;  And  also,  that  the 
Officers,  Marines  &  Sailors  in  the  Service  of  the  State,  should  be 
entitled  to  the  same  allowances,  benefits  &  Provisions,  as  the  Offi- 
cers and  Soldiers  in  the  Continental  Army," 

Whereby  it  is  become  necessary  to  appoint  a  suitable  person  to 
purchase  <&  procure  Cloathing,  agreeable  to  the  said  Resolve,  &  also 
to  issue  the  same,  as  far  as  the  same  may  be  done  without  attending 
in  Camp, 

Resolved,  That  Lieu.  Col.  Lewis  Farmer  be  appointed  Commis- 
sary of  Cloathing,  &  perform  the  Duties  aforesaid,  &  that  he  re- 
ceive the  same  Pay  &  allowances  as  Mr.  Howell  has  done. 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  S.  Howell  do  deliver  over  to  Col.  Lewis 
Farmer,  all  the  Cloathing  now  in  his  possession  belonging  either  to* 
the  State  or  the  Continent,  taking  his  Receipt  for  the  game. 


The  Council  met. 

Psilad'a,  Friday  April  9,  1779. 

PRESENT  I 

His  ExcelPy  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President, 
Joseph  Hart, 
John  Macky,  &     J-Esq'rs. 


%         1 

•right,  J 


John  Hambi 
An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  John  Bull, 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  &  five  hundred  Pounds^ 
for  which  sum  he  is  to  be  accountable.. 


744  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  April,  10,  1779  > 

PRESENT  I 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  >  -™    , 

John  Macky,  &  5  ^  rs* 

A  Letter  from  the  Treasury  board,  respecting  Robert  Leathaixu 
a  private  in  the  10th  Pennsylvania  Regiment. 

Ordered,  That  Col.  Hampton  be  desired  to  furnish  Council -with 
a  Copy  of  the  Commitment  of  the  said  Leatham. 

Besohed,  That  the  depositions  taken  on  the  Election  of  James 
Thompson,  Esq'r,  Councellor  for  York  County,  be  transmitted 
to  the  Chief  Justice  &  other  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court,  who 
are  desired  to  consider  the  same,  &  also  the  Constitution  of  this 
board,  &  the  Act  of  Assembly  respecting  Election,  &  give  their 
opinion  on  the  following  question,  Viz  : 

u  Whether  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  is,  by  the  Constitu- 
tion &  Laws  of  this  State,  vested  with  power  to  proceed  against 
George  Eichelberger  for  a  breach  of  Priviledge,  &  Commit  him  to 
Prison,  agreeable  to  the  practice  of  Representative  bodies  in  cases 
of  breach  of  priviledge/' 

The  Petition  oi  Robert  McNeil,  a  Prisoner  now  under  Sentence 
of  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of  Lancaster  County,  for  Stealing 
a  Horse,  was  read,  &  referred  for  further  consideration  when  a 
transcript  of  the  Sentence  is  had. 

The  Petition  of  Christopher  Crawford,  a  Sub-Lieutenant  of  Lan- 
caster County,  representing  his  difficulty  in  obtaining  a  Settlement 
with  the  Lieutenant  of  the  said  County,  was  read. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Petition  be  sent  to  Colonel  Galbraitrn 
in  order  that  satisfaction  be  given  this  Board  thereon,,  or  the  Peti- 
tioner be  satisfied. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  745 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  April  12,  1779. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  1  -™aA>rc 

John  Macky,  &  j  ^  rS' 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary,  as  keeper  of  the  Register  for  for- 
feited Estates,  do  give  notice  that  they  will  be  sold  in  a  short  time, 
which  notice  is  as  follows,  Viz  : 

"  The  Public  are  .hereby  advertised,  that  the  real  Estates  late  of 
Joseph  Galloway  &  Andrew  \Wen,  Esquires,  late,  members  of  the 
Congress  of  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies,  now  States  of  America, 
for  Pennsylvania;  William  Allen,  the  younger,  Esq'r,  sometime 
a  Captain  &  afterwards  a  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  a  Regiment  or 
Battalion  of  foot,  in  the  service  of  the  said  United  Colonies,  now 
States  of  America;  James  Rankin  and  John  Rankin,  both  late  of 
the  County  of  York,  Yeomen ;  Jacob  Duck  the  younger,  late  of 
the  City  of  Philadelphia,  late  Chaplain  of  the  said  United  States; 
Gilbert  Hicks,  late  of  Bucks  County,  Yeoman ;  Samuel  Shoema- 
ker, late  Alderman  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia ;  John  Potts,  late 
of  Pottsgrove,  in  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  Yeoman  ;  Nathaniel 
Vernon,  late  Sheriff  of  Chester  County ;  Christian  Foutts,  late 
Lieu.  Col.  of  Militia  in  the  County  of  Lancaster;  John  Biddle, 
late  of  Berks  County,  Yeoman,  late  Collector  of  Excise  for  the 
said  County,  and  late  a  Deputy  Quarter  Master  of  the  Army  of 
the  United  States;  John  Roberts,  late  of  the  County  of  Philadel- 
phia, Miller;  Abraham  Carlisle,  House  Carpenter;  John  Parrack, 
Yeoman;  Philip  Marchinton,  Alexa.  Bartram,  Traders ;  Joel  Evans, 
Merchant;  John  Henderson,  Mariner;  Alexander  Smith,  Black- 
smith &  William  Austen,  Yeoman,  late  keeper  of  the  New  Jersey 
Ferry,  all  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia ;  Christopher  Baur,  the  youn- 
ger, late  of  German-town,  Printer;  David  Thompson,  Shipwright; 
John  Tolly,  Mariner,  both  late  of  Southwark ;  Henry  Hugh 
Ferguson,  Esq'r,  (late  Commissary  of  Prisoners  for  General  Howe,) 
heretofore  of  Groeme  Park,  all  late  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia  : 
John  Ellwood,  late  of  Bristol  Township,  in  Bucks  County,  Water- 
man ;  Samuel  Biles,  late  Sheriff  of  Bucks  County ;  Michael  Whit- 
man, &  Henry  Skyles,  Husbandman,  &  George  Reine,  Miller,  all 
late  of  Lancaster  County ;  Curtis  Lewis,  Blacksmith,  &  Richard 
Swanwick,  heretofore  of  the  Custom  House  of  Philadelphia,  both 
late  of  Chester  County,  Yeoman  ;  &  Joseph  Romich,  late  of  North- 
ampton County,  Yeoman ;  &  John  Young,  heretofore  of  Grceme 
Park,  in  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  late  of  the  City  of  Philadel- 
phia, Gentleman  ;  And  Peter  Campbell,  Gentleman,  and  Isaac  Al- 


746  MINUTES  OF  THE 

len,  Esq'r,  Attorney  at  Law,  both  late  of  Trenton,  in  the  State  of 
New  Jersey;  And  Andrew  Elliott,  Esq'r,  now  or  late  of  New  York  city, 
in  the  State  of  New  York ;  &  others  situate,  lying  &  being  within 
divers  Counties  of  this  State,  forfeited  to  the  use  of  the  Common- 
wealth by  the  attainder  of  the  said  persons,  &  every  of  them,  for 
High  Treason,  will  be  speedily  sold  by  Public  Auction  or  Vendue, 
to  the  best  &  highest  bidders,  exonerated  &  discharged  of  all  for- 
mer claims  or  demands  made  under  any  of  the  said  Traitors  ;  the 
said  real  Estates  to  be  assured  to  the  buyers  by  Deeds  or  Convey- 
ances, under  the  Seal  of  the  State,  signed  by  the  President  or  Vice 
President  in  Council,  upon  payment  of  the  purchase  Money. 

"And  all  Creditors  &  others  are  hereby  informed,  that  by  an  Act 
of  Assembly  entitled  '  An  Act  for  the  attainder  of  divers  Traitors, 
if  they  render  not  themselves  by  a  certain  day,  &  the  vesting  their 
Estates  in  the  Commonwealth,  &  £or  more  effectually  discovering 
the  same,  &  for  ascertaining  the  lawful  Debts  &  Claims  thereupon," 
three  Months  are  allowed  to  all  Creditors  &  others  having  claims  & 
demands  on  the  personal  Estates  late  of  the  Traitors  aforesaid,  to 
exhibit  the  same ;  The  said  Three  Months  to  be  reckoned  from  & 
after  the  date  of  the  entry  of  such  Estates  in  the  Register  kept  by 
the  Secretary  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council ;  &  in  Six  Months, 
for  all  claims  on  the  Real  Estates  late  of  the  Traitors  aforesaid,  to 
be  reckoned  from  &  after  the  date  of  the  entry  of  such  Real  Es- 
tates on  the  Register  kept  by  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  were  such  for- 
feited Estate  lies.  All  such  claims  &  demands  to  be  made  before 
the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  term  time,  or  in  the  vacation 
to  the  Chief  Justice,  written  on  Parchment  or  Paper,  Signed  by 
the  parties  making  the  same,  or  by  their  Attorneys  or  other  Rep- 
resentatives, testified  by  two  or  more  subscribing  Witnesses,  attest- 
ing the  same,  or  in  default  thereof,  every  such  claim  or  demand  to 
be  void. 

"  And  Whereas,  by  a  Supplement  to  the  Act  of  Assembly  afore- 
said, it  is  directed,  '  That  whenever  such  intended  Sale  (the  Sales 
of  the  said  Real  Estates  forfeited  as  aforesaid)  shall  be  advertised, 
Public  notice  shall  also  be  given,  That  the  Creditors  of  the  said 
Traitors,  &  all  claimants  upon  the  said  respective  Estates,  shall  ex- 
hibit their  several  claims  &  demands  to  the  Justices  of  the  Su- 
preme Court,  for  Payment  or  satisfaction,  as  is  by  the  said  Act  di- 
rected, within  Six  Months  thereafter,  if  residents  within  this  State, 
or  within  Twelve  Months  if  residents  within  any  other  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  or  be  forever  barred  from  the  recovery  thereof;  provided 
always,  nevertheless,  that  any  Creditor  or  Claimant,  shall  at  the 
time  of  such  notice  given,  be  within  the  Age  of  Twenty  One  Years, 
feme  covert,  non  compos  mentis,  imprisoned,  or  beyond  Sea,  that 
then  such  persons  shall  be  at  liberty  to  exhibit  their  claims  or  de- 
mands as  other  persous  now  may,  within  Six  Months,  or  if  residents 
within  any  other  of  the  United  States,  within  twelve  Months  after 
such  disability  is  removed. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  747 

"  Wherefore,  public  notice  is  hereby  accordingly  given,  and  all 
Creditors  &  others  concerned,  are  hereby  called  upon  to  make  their 
claims,  &  proceed  in  the  manner  as  is  in  &  by  the  said  Acts  of 
General  Assembly  directed. 

"  Published  by  order  of  the  Council. 

"TIMOTHY  MATLACK, 
"  Secretary  &  keeper  of  the  Register  for  forfeited  Estates/' 

A  Letter  from  Blair  McClanaghan  &  Matthew  Irwin,  was  read, 
dated  March  27,  1779 ;  And  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  James  Montgomery  be  appointed  Captain  of  the 
Ship  G-eneral  Green.     [See  antea,  page  730.] 

A  Letter  from  the  board  of  War,  recommending  Jesse  Thomp- 
son, wounded  &  Scalped  on  the  expedition  against  the  Indians  on 
the  East  branch  of  Susquehanna,  to  the   notice   of  the  Council, 

Ordered,  That  the  Receiver  Gen'l  of  Gloating  do  furnish  the 
said  Jesse  Thompson  with  such  Cloathing  as  Mr.  Hambright  shall 
on  enquiry  find  to  be  absolutely  necessary  for  him. 

Resolved,  That  Capt.  Rob't  Caldwell,  formerly  an  Officer  in  the 
State  Reg't  commanded  by  Col.  Atlee,  taken  Prisoner  at  Mount 
Washington  &  lately  exchanged,  be  appointed  to  the  Command  of 
the  Marines  on  board  the  Ship  Gen'l  Green,  &  John  Hambright, 
jun.,  Lieutenant  of  Marines  on  board  the  said  Ship.     See  751. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  April  13,  1779. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  )  -,-,    , 

JohnMacky,  &  jJ^sqrs. 

An  application  from  Sam'l  C.  Morris,  for  himself  &  the  Owners 
of  the  Brig.  Achiles,  requesting  to  be  supplied  with  400  Shot,  be- 
tween 2  &  3  Pound  weight,  was  read. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  application  be  referred  to  Capt.  Stiles  and 
George  Henry,  who  are  to  report  whether  the  State  can  spare  the 
Shot  without  inconvenience. 

Whereas,  frequent  applications  are  made  to  this  board  for  the 
Remission  of  Fines  &  other  Punishments  inflicted  on  offenders  by 
the  several  Courts  of  Justice  in  this  State,  the  determination  upon 
which  deeply  effect  the  safety  of  the  inhabitants .  &  the  cause  of 
Public  Justice  :  Wherefore, 

Resolved,  That  it  be  a  standing  Rule,  that  no  such  applications 
be  proceeded  on,  Farther  than  reading  them,  unless  a  transcript  of 


748  MINUTES  OF  THE 

the  sentence  of  the  Court  be  also  sent  to  this  Board,  signed  by  the 
proper  Officer,  &  that  it  will  in  future  be  expected  that  the  Judges 
of  the  Court  before  which  any  Criminal  is  convicted,  or  some  of 
them,  do  recommend  the  case  to  this  Board,  with  their  reasons  for 
so  doing.  # 

A  Letter  from  The  Hon'ble  John  Jay,  Esq'r,  President  of  Con- 
gress, of  this  date,  inclosiDg  Resolves  of  Congress  of  the  3d  ins., 
respecting  the  -unanimity  of  the  Unite!  States,  &ca. 
On  application  of  Col.  Rich'd  Hampton, 

Ordered,  That  David  Williams,  committed  by  the  Council,  when 
in  Lancaster,  for  carry  Provisions  to  the  Enemy,  be  discharged  on 
Paying  his  Prison  Pees. 

Ordered,  That  the  Fines  due  to  the  State  from  John  Flaherty, 
convicted  of  Larceny,  &  Adam  McKean,  also  convicted  of  Larceny, 
be  remitted,  &  that  they  be  discharged  on  their  paying  their  Fees, 
&  making  restitution  to  the  Owners  of  the  Goods  Stolen. 

A  Draft  by  Congress  on  Mich'l  Hillegas,  Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  the 
United  States,  in  favor  of  this  Council,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Mil- 
lions of  Dollars,  was  delivered  to  the  Council  by  Dr.  William 
Shippen,  Esq'r,  in  the  following  words,  was  read,  Viz : 

"  Ordered,  That  the  same  made  Payable  to  David  Rittenhouse, 
Esq'r,  Treasurer  of  the  State,  &  the  same  was  endorsed  accord- 

ingly." 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  April  14,  1779. 

present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,  ~)  ™    , 

Joseph  Hart,  &  j 

A  Letter  from  Mr.  Matt'w  Irwin  &  Mr.  Robert  Bridges,  request- 
ing to  purchase  two  Twelve  Pound,  long  Cannon,  belonging  to 
the  State : 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  George  Henry  do  direct  an  appraisment  of 
two  Twelve  Pounders,  long  Cannon,  now  on  Plumsted's  Wharf,  & 
sell  them  to  Matthew  Irwin  &  Robert  Bridges,  if  they  can  be 
spared  without  inconvenience  to  the  State. 

The  following  three  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Viz  : 
In  favour  of  His  Excell'y  the  President,  for  the  Sum  of  Five 
Hundred  Pounds,  in  part  of  his  salary. 

In  favor  of  the  Hon'ble  John  Hambright,  Esq'r,  or  his  order, 
for  the  Sum  of  Ten  Thousand  Dollars,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  749 

Company  of  Rangers  in  the  County  of  Northumberland,  &  to  be 
by  him  forwarded  to  Col.  Sam'l  Hunter,  Lieu,  of  the  County  of 
Northumberland  •  the  same  to  be  charged  to  the  said  Hambright. 

In  favour  of  Philip  Marsteller,  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  Militia  for 
the  county  of  Lancaster,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Fifteen  Thou- 
sand Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Also,  an  order  wrfs  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the 
Hon'ble  John  Hambright,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  HunaVed 
Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Ebenezer  Cowell  exhibited  an  account  of  work  done  in  repairing 
of  Arms ;  &  the  same  being  examined, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favor  of  Ebenezer 
Cowell,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  Hundred  &  Thirty-eight 
Pounds  &  Six  Shillings,  Amount  of  the  said  Account. 

Petition  of  divers  inhabitants  of  Augusta  Township,  in  the 
County  of  Northumberland,  representing  the  inconveniency  they 
labor  under  from  the  want  of  a  Magestrate  in  the  East  end  of  the 
Township,  &  praying  the  appointment  of  John  Simpson,  whom  they 
recommend,  was  read ;  but  as  the  Council  have  not  a  right  to  ap- 
point more  Justices  than  are  already  Commissioned  in  the  said 
Township,  the  Prayer  of  the  Petition  cannot  be  complied  with  un- 
til the  Township  shall  be  divided  by  the  Justices  in  the  Court  of 
Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace,  &  an  Election  held  according  to 
Law. 

A  Letter  of  the  10th  ins.,  from  Ralph  Pomeroy,  Esq'r,  Com- 
missioner of  Cloathing  Accounts. 

A  Letter  from  the  Consul  of  France 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  April  15,  1779 
present  : 
His  ExcelPy  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Macky,  John  Hambright,   >  ™    , 

Joseph  Hart,  &  5  M€L  rs 

Representation  of  Robt.  McNair,  one  of  the  Agents  for  seizing 
of  forfeited  Estates  in  the  County  of  Northampton,  in  behalf  of 
divers  persons  who  have  heretofore  purchased  lands  of  Andrew 
Allen,  Esq'r,  &  who  are  now  ready  to  Pay  the  residue  of  the  pur- 
chase Money,  was  read  &  referred  to  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  for  their  determination, 


750  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Capt.  Zigler's  Letter  of  the  10th  ins.,  with  the  inclosures,  being 
read,  &  considered, 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  do  inform  him,  That  the  account 
of  the  number  of  Rations,  which  is  considered  as  the  most  material 
article  of  information,  is  not  to  be  omitted  by  any  means,  &  that 
no  Women  are  to  be  included  in  the  allowance,  or  can  be  hence- 
forth carried  upon  the  return  ;  That  it  is  expected  particular  care 
will  be  taken  that  no  Articles  issue  to  any  officers  or  soldiers  not 
actually  in  Camp  ;  That  he  be  desired  to  acquaint  the  Board  what 
allowance  is  made  in  the  distribution  of  the  like  articles  by  the 
State  of  Connecticut ;  That  these  returns  be  transmitted  to  CoL 
Farmer,  to  be  examined  &  filed. 

An  application  from  William  Crispin,  Commissary,  being  read  ; 
thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  William  Cris- 
pin, Commissary,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Ten  Thousand 
Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

A  Petition  of  John  Reynolds,  praying  to  be  appointed  First 
Lieutenant  of  the  Franklin  Galley,  vacant  by  the  advance  of  Sam'l 
Carson,  to  be  Lieu,  of  the  Ship  General  Green,  was  read,  together 
with  the  recommendation  of  Nathan  Boys,  George  Garland,  Isaac 
Roaels  &  Stephen  Beaseley  ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  John  Reynolds  be  appointed  First  Lieutenant  of 
the  Franklin  Galley,  &  Commissioned  accordingly.  • 

The  Petition  of  Isaac  Ely,  praying  to  be  appointed  Second  Leu- 
tenant  of  the  Franklin  Galley,  vacant  by  the  appointment  of  John 
Reynolds  to  be  1st  Lieu  of  the  same,  was  read  ;  and  a  recommen- 
dation by  his  superior  Officers,  were  also  read ;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Isaac  Ely  be  appointed  Second  Lieutenant  of  the 
Franklin  Galley,  &  Commissioned  accordingly. 

The  Petition  of  Ann  Tatnall,  Widow  of  Capt.  Robert  Tatnajl, 
late  of  the  Porcupine  Guard  Boat,  deceased,  Praying  that  she  may 
be  allowed  his  Pay  &  Rations  from  the.  time  of  his  being  made 
Prisoner  until  the  third  day  of  March  last,  the  day  of  his  Death, 
he  being  at  that  time  a  Prisoner,  was  read  ;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Widow  of  Capt.  Tatnall  be  allowed  the  Pay 
&  Rations  of  her  deceased  Husband  until  the  third  of  March  last, 
the  time  of  his  decease.  The  Rations  to  be  paid  for  at  their  value 
when  they  became  due. 

Maj.  Gen'l  Armstrong  having  personally  recommended  James 
Thompson  as  worthy  of  trust, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  John  Thompson  be  appointed  Pay-master  of 
the  Five  Companies  of  Rangers  now  to  be  raised  by  authority  of 
Congress  for  the  defence  of  the  Frontiers  of  this  State;  &  also 
Muster  Master  of  the  said  Five  Companies,  &  to  Muster  such  of 
the  Militia  of  the  State  as  may  be  called  into  the  Continental  ser- 
vice, for  the  defence  of  the  North  Western  frontiers  of  the  State  ; 
And  that  he  be  allowed  Pay  &  Rations  as  a  Deputy  Muster  Mas- 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  751 

ter  in  the  Continental  Army,  &  also  the  Pay&  Rations  of  a  Reg't 
Pay-master. 

A  Letter  from  the  Hon'ble  Matt'w  Smith,  Esq'r,  of  the  8th  in- 
stant. 

Ordered,  That  James  Collier  be  appointed  Captain  of  the  Com- 
pany of  Rangers  proposed  to  be  raised  in  the  County  of  Lancaster, 
William  Young,  first  Lieutenant,  &  Will'm  Kelso,  second  Lieuten- 
ant, of  the  said  County. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
John  Hambright,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  Thousand  Dollars,  to 
be  by  him  forwarded  to  the  Hon'ble  Matt'w  Smith,  Esq'r,  to  be 
applied  in  raising  the  Company  of  Rangers  in  the  County  of  Lan- 
caster. 

Ordered,  That  Sam'l  Carson  be  appointed  first  Lieu.,  Jacob  De 
Hart,  Second  Lieu,  of  the  Ship  General  Green. 

That  Rob't  Caldwell  be  appointed  Capt.  of  Marines,  &  John 
Hambright,  jun.,  Lieu,  of  Marines  on  board  the  said  Ship.™[See 
747.] 


The  Council  met, 

Philad'a,  Friday  April  16,  1779. 

PRESENT  I 

His  ExcelPy  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  ~)  w    , 

John  Macky,  &  5  ^  rs' 

A  Certificate  of  the  Valuation  of  the  Ship  General  Green,  at 
^53,057  10,  Signed  by  Joseph  Rush,  James  Craig,  jun.,  Thomas 
Penrose  &  Sam'l  C.  Morris,  was  read. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Jacob  S.  How- 
ell, Receiver  General  of  Cloathing,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of 
One  Thousand  Pounds,  for  which  Sum  he  is  to  account. 

Ordered,  That  a  Proclamation  be  issued,  recommending  to  the 
good  people  of  this  State,  to  set  apart  the  first  Thursday  of  May 
next  as  a  day  of  Fasting,  Humiliation  &  Prayer  to  Almighty  God, 
agreeably  to  the  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  20th  day  of  March 
last. 

Council  observing  that  the  Act  of  Assembly  of  this  State,  enti- 
tled "  An  Act  to  prohibit  the  Sale  of  Goods,  Wares  &  Merchan- 
dizes by  Public  Vendue,  &  to  regulate  Pedlars  &  Hawkers  within 
this  State,"  is  openly  violated  by  the  Sale  of  Goods  at  Auction  in 
this  City,  as  tho'  no  such  restraint  were  in  force ;  &  being  deter- 
mined to  bring  the  offenders  against  the  Law  to  punishment, 


752  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Ordered,  That  the  principal  enacting  Paragraph  thereof  concern- 
ing Vendues  be  published,  to  the  end  that  all  persons  who  may  be 
proceeded  against,  may  be  without  the  excuse  of  ignorance. 

'  A  Letter  from  Aaron  Ogden,  Major  of  Brigade  of  the  12th  ins't, 
enclosing  a  Receipt  for  Frederick  Yerner,  sent  to  New  York  in  Ex- 
change for  Capt.  Taylor. 

A  Letter  from  Ralph  Pomeroy,  Commissioner  of  Cloathing  Ac- 
counts, requesting  to  be  furnished  with  the  account  of  Cloathing 
supplied  to  any  of  the  Continental  Troops. 

Ordered,  That  the  Receiver  General  of  Cloathing  for  this  State 
do  furnish  to  Mr.  Ralph  Pomeroy,  Commissioner  of  Cloathing  Ac- 
counts, a  complete  account  of  the  Cloathing  furnished  by  him  to  the 
Continental  Troops,  &  that  the  same  be  forwarded  with  all  possible 
dispatch  to  James  Mease,  Esq'r,  where  Mr.  Pomeroy  will  receive 
them. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  John  Moyes. 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  Twenty-five  Pounds 
on  account,  &  charge  the  same  to  his  account. 

Adjourned  'til  Monday,  His  Excell'y  the  President,  being  under 
the  necessity  of  visiting  the  Fortifications  on  the  River. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  April  19,  1779, 

PRESENT ! 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice-President. 

Joseph  Hart,  John  Hambright,  &  >  ™     , 

John  Macky,  Jac.  Arndt,  \      ^ 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Caleb 
Lome,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  thirty-five  Pounds,  for  cutting 
the  State  Arms  in  Printer's  metal. * 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  Lewis 
Farmer,  Commissioner  for  purchasing,  &ca,  or  his  order,  for  the 
Sum  of  Fifteen  Thousand  Pounds,  the  same  to  be  charged  to  ac- 
count of  the  said  Col.  Farmer. 

An  application  from  Francis  McClester,  master-workman,  em- 
ployed in  building  Cheveaux  de  Frize,  for  2  large  double  blocks, 
one  single  block,  one  large  Tackle  fall,  &  8  small  blocks  &  falls, 
was  read ;   thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  George  Henry  do  furnish  Mr.  Francis  Mc- 
Clester with  2  large  double  blocks,  1  single  block,  1  large  Tackle 
fall,  &  8  small  blocks  &  falls,  for  which   Mr.  McClester  is  to  ac- 

•This  Plate  of  the  Arms  is  in  the  hands  of  Hall  &  Sellers. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  753 

count  to  Mr.  Henry.  This  Plate  of  the  Arms  is  in  the  hands  of 
Hall  &  Sellers. 

Petitions  of  Lieut's  Honeyman  &  Pugh,  praying  to  be  allowed 
to  draw  the  enumerated  Articles  was  read. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Petition  be  referred  to  further  consid- 
eration, Congress  having  lately  made  some  regulations  which  may 
include  the  Petitioners  &  which  are  not  yet  come  to  hand. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
John  Macky,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  Hundred. 
Dollars,  in  part  ot'  his  pay  as  Councellor. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  April  20th,  1779 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Macky,  Jacob  Arndt,  >  *,    , 

Joseph  Hart,  &  ■  j    .     ■     " 

Capt.  Hambright  retired  with  leave  for  a  few  weeks. 

A  letter  from  the  Hon'ble  John  Jay,  Esq'r,  President  of  Con- 
gress, dated  18th  ins.  enclosing  two  Acts  of  Congress  of  the  14th 
ins.  One  relative  to  persons  going  within  the  Enemy's  lines  ;  The 
other  relative  to  the  exportation  of  Provisions  to  the  State  of  Mas- 
sachusetts Bay. 

•  Petition  of  James  Dundas,  for  Money,  &ca;  was  read ;  &  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Petitioner  lay  a  state  of  his  accounts  before 
the  board,  in  order  to  warrant  issuing  as  prayed. 

On  application  by  Col.  Humpton, 

Ordered,  That  the  following  named  seven  persons,  now  confined' 
in  the  Goal  of  this  City,  on  charges  of  Felony,  be  discharged,  they 
paying  the  fees  <fc  making  restitution  of  the  Goods  stolen  &  the 
Prosecutors  respectively  being  satisfied,  Viz  : 

Joseph  Hoskins,  alias  Dukes,  belonging  to  the  5th  Pennsylva- 
nia Reg't)  Patrick  Ivory,  1st  Maryland  Reg't ;  John  Cluney,  Mary- 
land-Reg' t;  John  Blaney,  alias  Seine,  James  Reynolds  &  John 
Bowman,  all  of  the  10th  Pennsylvania  Reg't;  Joseph  Brown,  9th 
Pennsylvania  Reg't 

A  Letter  from  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  .Court,  dated  this  day,. 
&  enclosing  a  Trenscript  of  the  conviction  of  George  Hardy,  of  the 
the  City  of  Philadelphia,  of  Treason,  at  a  Court  of  Oyer  &  Ter- 
miner &  General  Goal  delivery,  held  at  Philadelphia,  for  t%  City 
voi.  xi.— 48. 


754  MINUTES  OF  THE 

•  &  County  of  Philadelphia,  on  the  eighth  day  of  April  instant,  k 
the  sentence  of  the  said  Court,  that  the  said  George  Hardy  be 
hanged  by  the  Neck  'til  he  be  dead  ;  &  that  Petitions  of  the  Jurors 
charged  with  the  trial  of  the  indictment  of  George  Hardy,  &ca  ; 
And  also  the  Petition  of  a  number  of  inhabitants  in  favor  of  the 
said  George  Hardy  ;  And  the  same,  with  the  inclosed  Papers,  were 
read ;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  Warrant  be  issued  for  the  execution  of  the 
Sentence  of  the  Court  of  Oyer  &  Terminer  &  General  Goal  de- 
livery upon  George  Hardy;  &  that  the  same  be  executed  on 
Saturday  the  first  day  of  May  next,  between  the.  Hours  of  Ten 
O'Olock  in  the  forenoon  &  two  Q'Clock  in  the  ilfternoon,  at  the 
usual  place  of  Execution. 

Ordered,  That  the  further  consideration  of  the  Petitions  in 
favor  of  George  Hardy,  be  to  Wednesday  the  28th  ins. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  write  to  John  Hubley,  Esq'r,  of 
Lancaster,  &  request  him  to  send  down  to  Philadelphia  the  two 
brass  Field  Pieces  now  in  that  Borough ;  And  to  send  down  also, 
by  the  same  opportunity,  the  Writing  Paper  committed  to  bis 
care. 


The  Council  met, 

Philad'a.  Wednesday  April  21,  1779, 
present: 
His  ExcelFy  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 


Esq'rs. 


Joseph   tiart,  Jacob  Arndt, 

John  Macky,  & 

Resolved,  That'  Dav'd  Rittenhouse,  Esq'r,  the  Treasurer,  be  di- 
rected to  find  sufficient  security,  to  be  approved  of  by  the  Judge  of 
the  Amiralty,  for  the  share  adjudged  to  the  State  of  the  Prize 
Sloop  Active,  taken  by  the  Brigautine  Convention  &  the  Gerard 
Privateer ;  &  take  up  the  Money,  which  will  exceed  Eleven  Thou- 
sand Pounds,  for  the  use  of  the  State;  One-half  the  Sum  allotted 
to  the  Convention  coming  to  the  State. 
On  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Peter  De  Haven  be  appointed  au  Agent  for 
forfeited  Estates  in  the  County  of  Philadelphia. 

A  Recommendation  from  Col.  Francis  Johnston,  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Reg't,  in  favor  of  Benja.  Marshall  as  a  suitable  person  to  be- 
an Ensign  in  the  said  Regiment,  being  read;  it  was  thereupon, 

OrdAed,  That  Benjamin  Marshall  be  appointed  an  Ensign  in 
the  fiftli  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  commanded  by  Col.  F.  John- 
ston. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  755 

Whereas,  divers  books  belonging  to  the  State  Library  are  miss- 
ing, &  there  is  reason  to  apprehend  that  the  same  are  in  the  hands 
of  persons  who  have  had  recourse  to  the  said  Library,  &  who  have 
neglected  to  return  them  ;  therefore, 

Ordered,  That  Public  notice  be  given  to  all  persons  having 
Books  belonging  to  the  State,  to  return  the  same  to  the  Secretary 
without  delay,  otherwise  the  Council  will  be  induced  to  think  they 
are  detained  from  improper  motives,  and  to  take  further  measures 
for  the  recovery  of  them. 

The  Hon'ble  George  Ross,  Esq'r,  Judge  of  the  Admiralty,  at- 
tended in"  Council  &  took  the  Oath  required  by  the  Constitution 
io  qualify  him.  for  his-  said  Office. 


.1    The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  April  22,  1779, 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,      ~) 
John  Macky,  &  J-Esq'rs. 
Jacob  Arndt;,      J 

The  Memorial  of  Theobald  Shubel  being  read, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  transmitted  to  the  Justices  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  &  that  they  be  desired  to  make  immediate  enquiry 
into  the  facts  charged,  &  do  therein  what  to  Justice  shall  apper- 
tain. 

A  letter  from  His  Excell'y  Gen'l  "Washington,  dated  the  I9th 
ins.  was  read. 

A  Petition  of  Matthew  Gregg,  Waggon  Master  of  the  County 
of  Cumberland,  being  read  &  Considered, 

Ordered,  That  the  Petitioner  be  informed,  That  as  Waggon 
Masters  are  absolutely  necessary  for  the  Public  Service,  &as  it  hag 
been  a  practice  for  the  Quarter  Master  General  to  pay  the  Wag- 
goners when  called  forth  under  the  Waggon  Law,  by  a  parity  of 
reasons  every  other  necessary  Officer  ought  to  be  paid  in  the  same 
manner,  &  that  it  will  very  much  embarrass  that  service  from  which 
the  Quarter  Masters  department  has  derived  so  much  benefit,  if 
difficulties  are  made  in  Payment. 

Mr.  Drayton  returned  2  Yols.  of  State  Tracts  belonging  to  the 
State  Library. 

Whereas,  the  Hon'ble  House  of  General  Assembly,  on  the  Slsfe 
day  of  August  last, 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council,  to  appoint  Auditors  to  hear  '&  determine  the  claims  of 


756  MINUTES  OF  THE 

John  Eyre,  and  such  other  persons  as  have  had  Timber  &  Plank 
taken  from  them  by  the  Enemy,  &  employed  in  building  the  Re- 
doubts &  bridge  near  this  City ; 

And  the  said  John  Eyre  now  applying  to  have  the  said  Resolve 
carried  into  execution, 

Ordered,  That  William  Ball,  Esq'r,  William  Moore,  Esq'r,  & 
Mr.  John  Purviance,  be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid : 
And  that  they  be  directed  to  give  Public  notice  of  the  time  &  place 
of  their  meeting,  &  report  to  the  Gen'l  Assembly  at  their  next 
meeting. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  James  Dundas, 
Paymaster  at  Billingsport,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  Hun- 
dred Pounds,  for  which  Sum  he  is  to  account. 

Ordered,  That  Two  Companies  of  the  Battalion  of  Artillery  of 
this  City  &  the  adjoining  districts,  be  immediately  called  into  ser- 
vice, to  relieve  the  Garrison  at  Mud  Island  &  Billingsport,' consist- 
ing of  Col.  Proctor's  Reg't,  now  called  into  the  field  for  other  ser- 
vice; And  that  the  Lieutenant  of  the  City  &  adjoining  Districts, 
be  directed  to  draw  out  the  said  two  Companies  as  soon  as  may  be, 
&  send  one  of  them  to  Mud  Island,  and  the  other  to  Billingsport. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Friday  April  23,  1779. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,      "J 
John  Macky,  &  lEsq'rs, 
Jacob  Arndt,       i 


A  Petition  of  James  White,  praying  permission  for  his  Wife  to 
go  into  New  York,  was  read. 

Application  of  James  Walsh  to  be  appointed  Superintcndant  of 
Armb,  was  read. 

Application  of  Major  Eyre,  for  the  Payment  of  the  Money  due 
for  the  Ship  General  Green,  was  read. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Benj'a  Eyer  & 
Co.,  or  their  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Fifty-three  Thousand  &  Fifty- 
seven  Pouuds  &  Eleven  Shillings,  consideration  Money  for  the  Ship 
General  Green,  purchased  of  the  said  Company  for  the  use  of  the 
State. 

Information  being  received  that  there  remains  in  the  hands  of 
Esq'r  Patterson,  about  160  Stand  of  Arms  &  some  Ammunition, 
which  was  sent  to  arm  the  Militia  who  escorted  the  Convention 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  757 

Troops  thro'  this  State,  &  which  Mr.  Patterson  is  desirous  of  de- 
livering up, 

Ordered,  That  William  Henry,  Esq'r,  Lieu,  of  the  City,  be  re- 
quested to  send  a  suitable  person  to  bring  down  the  said  Arms  & 
Ammunition. 

An  application  from  Maj.  Armstrong,  for  Money  to  Pay  the 
Workmen  employed  at  Billingsport,  &ca.;  thereupon, 

Ordered,  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Col.  John  Bull, 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Two  thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged 
to  his  account. 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Saturday  April  24,  1779, 


PRESENT  : 

His  ExcelPy  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  )  TjiQ„»ra 

John  Macky,  &  j  ^Sq 

The  return  of  Justices  for 

(Blank  in  Council  Book.) 

Petition  of  Capt.  B.  Van  Hier,  praying  that  his  Troop  of  Horse 
may  be  allowed  to  draw  enumerated  Articles,  was  read  &  rejected. 

Whereas,  it  hath  been  heretofore  represented  by  His  Excellency 
the  Commander-in-Chief  to  this  Board,  that  the  intercourse  which 
has  been  maintained  by  the  passing  of  so  many  Persons  to  New 
York,  is  exceedingly  prejudicial  to  the  Interests  of  America  general- 
ly, &  the  safety  of  the  Army  in  particular;  &  it  being  also  appa- 
rent that  some  persons  who  have  been  recommended  to  go  within 
the  Enemies  line  on  condition  of  not  returning,  have  nevertheless 
returned,  &  are  now  residing  in  this  State. 

Resolved,  That  this  Board  will  not  in  future  give  any  recom- 
mendation but  in  cases  of  a  particular  &  extraordinary  nature,  <$* 
then  only  to  such  as  shall  be  recommended  to  the  Board  by  per- 
sons of  known  good  Character:  And  that  in  all  cases  where  a  re- 
commendation is  given  upon  condition  of  not  returning  without  the 
permission  of.  Public  Authority,  $•  two  good  Securities  be  given  for 
the  performance,  or  the  application  be  rejected. 

Ordered,  That  the  following  Pay  be  allowed  to  the  Captain  & 
other  Sea  Officers  on  board  the  Ship  General  Green,  Viz : 

Captain  50  Dollars  'p  month;  1st  Lieutenant  30  Dollars  %  do; 
2d  Lieutenant  24  Dollars  ^  do ;  Surgeon  24  Dollars  ^  do ;  Mus- 
ter Master  24  Dollars  '§3  do;  Master's  Mate  15  Dollars  *$  do: 


758  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Boatswain  13  Dollars  ^  do;  Boatswain's  Mate  9  Dollars  °§  do;. 
Gunner  13  Dollars  ^  do;  Gunner's  Mate  9  Dollars^  do;  Carpenter 
15  Dollars  f  do;  Gunner's  Mate  9  Dollars  ^  do;  Cooper  9  Dollars 
$do;  Midshipman  12  Dollars  ^J  do ;  Armourer  9  Dollars  ^  do; 
Cook  9  Dollars  f  do;  Steward  10  Dollars  f  do;  That  the  Capt.  of 
Marines  receive  30  Dollars  ^  do,  #•  the  Lieutenants  20  Dollars  ^ 
do ;  That  the  Capt.  of  the  Ship  General  Green  be  allowed  40  Dol- 
lars ip  week  for  Subsistence  in  domestic  Ports,  in  lieu  of  all  Ra- 
tions; fy  whilst  at  Sea  20  Dollars  ^  Week  for  Cabbin  expences; 
That  the  Lieutenants  of  the  Ships,  Surgeons,  Captains,  <§"  Lieuten- 
ants of  Marines,  whilst  in  actual  service  $*  domestic  Ports,  be  al- 
lowed 20  Dollars  ^  Week  for  subsistance,  during  such  time  as  the 
Ship  is  not  in  condition  to  receive  them  on  board. 

A  letter  wrote  to  the  board  of  War,  requesting  to  know  whether 
this  State  is  a  separate  department  from  the  department  of  the 
Commander  in  Chief,  within  the  meaning  of  the  Resolution  of 
Congress  of  the      Instant. 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Monday  April  26,  1779. 


PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  HEED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  >  ™    » 

John  Macky,  k  $      q "' 

Mr.  Peter  Dehaven  having  declined  the  Office  of  Agent  of  for- 
feited Estates, 

Ordered,  That  Mr  Thomas  Cuthbcrt  be  appointed  to  said  Office, 
&  that  the  Secretary  give  him  notice  thereof. 

A  Petitiou  from  Mr.  Hunter,  to  Pass  to  New  York,  rejected;  A 
like  Petition  from  Mary  &  Middleton  Braddock,  iu  order  to  go  to 
Europe,  to  their  Friends,  granted  upon  condition  of  not  returning, 
and  sureties  given  in  £500  for  the  performance  of  the  condition. 

A  Letter  wrote  to  the  Agents  desiring  them  to  recommend  a 
second  Lieutenant  &  Master  to  the  Ship  General  Green,  &  that 
preference  be  given  to  the  Old  Supernumary  Officers  of  the  stater 
if  of  abilities.  At  the  same  time  inclosed  recruiting  instructions, 
to  Capt  Caldwell,  of  the  Marines;  Also,  enclosed  Mr.  Henry's  list 
of  the  Stores  under  his  care,  &  directed  the  Agents  to  take  as  much 
as  they  could  from  thence,  to  save  expence. 

A  Letter  received  from  the  Board  of  War,  informing  that  Raw- 
lins Reg't  would  soon  begin  their  March  to  Fort  Pitt. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  759 

The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  April  27,  1779. 

PRESENT  '. 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  >  £sa>rs 

John  Macky,  &  5 

A  Letter  was  written  to  Congress  respecting  a  proposed  resum- 
ing of  the  case  of  General  Arnold. 

Major  Armstrong,  superintendant  of  the  workmen  at  the  Forti- 
fications on  Delaware,  applied  for  the  use  of  a  pair  of  Timber 
Wheels. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  be  directed  to  request  of  Col. 
Mitchell,  A.  Q.  M.  G.  to  supply  Maj.  Armstrong  with  the  use  of 
a  pair  of  Timber  Wheels,  on  his  application  for  it. 

Petition  of  A.  Kleir,  Colonel,  praying  allowance  of  enumerated 
Articles,  was  read  &  rejected. 

A  return  of  an  Election  for  chusing  Justices  of  the  Peace  for 
the  District  of  West  Fallowfield,  Sadsbury  &  West  Cales,  in  the 
County  of  Chester,  was  read;  by  which  it  appears  that  William 
Cloughan,  Esq'r,  &  Joseph  Parker,  were  chosen ;   thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  WilFm  Cloughan,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  &  Com- 
missioned to  be  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Chester. 

The  following  Two  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Viz : 

In  favour  of  Thomas  Nevil,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One 
Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account ;  & 

In  favor  of  Robfc.  Lollar„  Esq'r,  Paymaster  of  Militia  of  the 
County  of  Philadelphia,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thou- 
sand &  five  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

Application  for  a  recommendation  of  Mrs.  Duche  to  pass  into 
the  City  of  New  York  with  her  children,  being  now  read, 

Ordered,  That  a  recommendation  be  given  to  Mrs.  Duche,  wife 
of  the  Rev'd  Jacob  Duche,  to  pass  into  New  York  with  her  chil- 
dren, she  giving  security  not  to  return  again  without  permission 
from  the  Authority  of  the  State,  in  the  Sum  of  ^61500. 


760  MINUTES  OF  THE 


The  Council  Met. 


Pkilad'a,  Wednesday  April  28, 1779, 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 


Esq'rs. 


Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt, 

John  Macky,  & 

An  application  for  Money  from  Capt.  Stiles ;  &  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Capt.  Jos. 
Stiles,  Commissary  of  Military  Stores,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of 
Five  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco't. 

A  Letter  to  the  Secretary  from  Matt'w  Clarkson,  was  read. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Matt'w  Clarkson,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  &  Commis- 
sioned to  be  Marshall  of  the  Admiralty.  Matfc'w  Clarkson  offers 
as  sureties  Mich'l  Hillegas,  Esq^r,  &  Dr.  Ger.  Clarkson,  &  they 
are  approved. 

A  Letter  from  Patrick  Anderson  of  27th  ins  ,  representing  that 
Elections  of  Officers  in  the  Militia  have  been  held  in  Chester 
County,  &  voters  admitted  who  have  not  taken  the  test,  &  returns 
of  the  said  Election  by  Col.  Gronow. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  write  Col.  Gronow,  &  enquire 
into  the  aforesaid  charge. 

The  Secretary  represented  to  Council,  that  he  had  not  been  able 
to  determine  whether  the  Fees  on  Marriage  Licences  were  to  be 
raised,  as  well  as  the  Fee  Payable  to  the  State,  as  on  his  own  fees, 
&  requested  their  direction  therein.  On  consideration  of  the  Law7 
it  was  the  Opinion  of  Council  that  tho'  Assembly  probably  intended 
to  have  raised  the  Fee  due  to  the  State,  yet  the  words  did  not  fully 
authorize  the  Secretary  to  raise  it. 

Petition  of  Rob't  McNeil,  a' Prisoner  in  the  Goal  of  the  County 
of  Lancaster,  convicted  of  stealing  a  Mare,  the  property  of  John 
Harris,  was  read ;  And  it  appearing  that  having  suffered  the  Cor- 
poral Punishment  adjudged,  he  had  agreed  to  bind  himself  a  Ser- 
vant to  Pay  his  Fees. 

Ordered,  That  the  further  consideration  of  the  case  of  Geo. 
Hardy,  now  under  sentence  of  Death,  be  referred  to  to-morrow. 

A  return  of  Justices  elect  for  the  district  of  lower  Saucon  Town- 
ship, in  the  County  of  Northampton,  was  read,  by  which  it  appears 
that  John  Biles  &  Authony  Lirch  the  elder,  were  elected;  &  there- 
upon, 

Ordered,  That  John  Biles  be  appointed  <fe  Commissioned  to  be 
a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Northampton. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL,  761 

The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a  Thursday  April  29,  1779. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,      ~) 
John  Macky,  &  t-  Esq'rs. 
Jacob  Arndt,      J 

Passes  granted  to  Robert  Dunbar  &  Alexander  McFarlin,  to 
North  Carolina. 

A  Letter  from  Col.  Rich'd  Humpton,  of  the  Tenth  Pennsylvania 
Reg't,  respecting  the  settlement  of  his  accounts,  &  a  Note  to  him 
from  the  Auditors  of  the  Public  Accounts;  Thereupon, 

A  Letter  was  written  to  the  Auditors  on  that  Subject. 

Andrew  Boyd,  Esq1!-,  County  Waggon  Master  of  Chester  County, 
&  his  Deputies,  having  applied  to  this  Board  for  their  Pay  in  said 
Offices, 

Resolved,  That  is  the  opinion  of  this  Board,  that  the  same  being 
a  regular  charge  to  the  United  States,  founded  upon  Law,  &  Calcu- 
lated for  their  advantage,  &  which  has  been  found  beneficial  to  the 
Quarter  Master's  department,  it  will  promote  the  service  &  be  most 
regular  that  they  should  be  paid  by  the  Quarter  Masters  in  the  first 
instance.  County  Waggon  Masters  is  by  Law  entitled  to  Major's 
Pay  &  Rations  when  in  actual  service,  Deputy  Waggon  Masters, 
Captain's  Pay  &  Rations  during  actual  service ;  And  that  the  Pres- 
ent Petitioner^  be  recommended  to  the  Quarter  Master  General  or 
his  Assistants,  therefor, 

The  Board  taking  into  consideration  the  great  difficulty  attend- 
ing the  attempt  to  Man  the  State  Ship  General  Green,  &  that  di- 
vers of  the  Seamen  which  had  entered  themselves  on  board  he'r, 
have  been  induced  to  go  on  board  Merchantmen,  after  having  re- 
ceived a  great  part  of  their  bounty  Money, 

Ordered,  That  an  Embargo  be  laid  on  all  Ships  &  other  Vessels 
for  &  during  the  space  of  fifteen  days,  &  that  the  Officers  Com- 
manding at  Billingsport  &;  Mud  Island  be  directed  to  stop  all  out- 
ward bound  Vessels  until  further  orders  from  this  Council. 

The  Council  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  unhappy  case  of 
George  Harding,  &  the  two  several  Petitions  of  divers  inhabitants, 
The  Petition  of  his  Wife,  The  Petition  of  the  Jurymen  who  convicted 
him,  &  the  representation  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  be- 
ing read,  &  some  considerable  time  being  spent  in  deliberation  ; 
thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  this  Council  do  dismiss  the  said  Petitions. 


762  MINUTES  OF  THE 

A  Letter  from  Gen'l  St.  Clair,  requesting  the  Accounts  against 
Recruiting  Officers  to  be  sent  to  Camp,  as  many  Soldiers  Complain 
they  have  not  been  paid  their  bounty, 

Ordered,  That  a  Transcript  of  said  accounts  be  forwarded  to 
Camp,  &  that  Gen'l  St.  Clair  be  informed  that  the  Congress  has 
not  furnished  this  Board  with  any  Money  for  the  Recruiting  Ser- 
vice. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  write  to  Thomas  Hewitt,  Esq'ry 
k  his  Brother,  the  Justices  of  Northumberland,  that  the  discharge 
of  a  Soldier  by  a  Court  of  Sessions  is  irregular  and  improper,  the 
Sessions  not  having  such  a  power,  and  that  Joseph  McHarg,  of  the 
12th  Pennsylvatia  Reg't,  who  has  been  lately  discharged  upon 
his  own  Affidavit,  ought  to  be  delivered  up  to  his  proper  Officer,  & 
procure  his  discharge  in  the  usual  form. 

A  Letter  from  Mr.  Wilercks,  in  behalf  of  himself  &  others, 
Owners  of  the  Scho.  Liberty  &  Brig  Achilles,  setting  fcrth  that 
the  same  is  bound  to  Statia,  laden  with  Tobacco,  and  the  other  to 
Martinico,  laden  with  Flour,  for  the  use  of  the  French  Fleet ;  that 
both  are  cleared,  &  requesting  permits  to  pass  the  Forts,  &  engages 
that  no  Seaman  in  the  Service  of  the  State  on  board  either. 

Resolved,  That  a  Pass  be  given  to  the  Achilles,  on  the  Master 
giving  good  Security  in  £2000,  not  to  carry  off  any  Seaman  or  Ma- 
riner in  the  service  of  the  State,  or  any  Seaman  belonging  to  the 
Vessels  of  the  Subjects  of  His  most  Christian  Majesty,  without 
leave  obtaiued  from  the  Consul  in  Writing. 


The  Council  met. 


Philad'a,  Friday  April  30,  1779. 


PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  )  -p     , 

John  Macky,  &  $        ! 

Ordered,  That  a  Certificate  be  granted  to  Mrs.  Duche,  Wife  of 
Jacob  Duche,  late  of  this  City,  of  her  having  obtained  leave  to  depart 
this  State  with  her  family  &  Children,  on  her  Voyage  to  Great  Bri- 
tain, $•  a  recommendation  to  such  of  the  Citizens  of  the  United 
States  into  whose  hands  she  may  fall,  to  treat  her  with  kindness  & 
humanity. 

An  application  being  now  made  by  John  Wharton,  Esq'r,  in  be- 
half of  the  Navy  Board  middle  department  of  the  United  States,  for 
permission  for  the  Sloop  Polly,  Sanford  Monroe,  Master,  laden 
with  189  bbls.  Flour,  11  bbls.  of  Middlings,  &  100  bbls.  of  Ship 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  763 

Stuff,  for  the  use  of  the  Navy  at  Boston,  to  clear  out  for  the  said 
Port. 

Ordered,  That  the  Naval  Officer  be  directed  to  clear  out  the  said 
Sloop  Polly  for  Boston. 

Ordered,  That  the  Officer  commanding  at  Billingsport  &  Mud 
island,  be  directed  to  permit  the  Sloop  Polly,  Capt.  Sanford  Mon- 
roe, to  pass  on  her  Voyage  to  Boston,  any  orders'  to  the  contrary 
from  this  Council  notwithstanding. 

The  following  Proclamation,  laying  an  Embargo  on  Vessels  Out- 
ward bound,  being  read  fy  considered,  was  ordered  to  be  issued. 


"  Pennsylvania,  ss : 

«  A  PROCLAMATION. 

"  By  His  ExeelVy  JOSEPH  REED,  *E$q'r,  President,  &  the  Su- 
preme Executive  Council  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania  : 

u  Whereas,  the  Hon'ble  the  General  Assembly  of  this  State, 
at  the  earnest  solicitations  &  instance  of  the  Merchants  &  Traders 
of  this  City,  did  resolve,  that  a  Ship  of  War  should  be  fitted  out 
with  all  Possible  dispatch,  for  the  protection  &  security  of  the  Trade 
&  Commerce  of  this  State  : 

"  And  this  Board  having  accordingly  procured  and  equipped  a 
Vessel  for  the  said  purposes,  at  a  very  great  Public  expence,  it  is 
now  represented  that  notwithstanding  the  great  encouragement 
given,  a  sufficient  number  of  Seamen  &  Mariners  have  not  yet  en- 
tered on  board  said  Ship,  &  also  that  many  Masters  of  outward 
bound  Vessels  have  received  &  carried  off  seamen  belonging  to  said 
Ship,  who  had  taken  the  Public  bounty,  whereby  there  is  just  cause 
to  fear  that  the  said  Ship  may  be  delayed  on  her  Cruize,  &  our  in- 
veterate Enemies  continue  their  depredations  &  insults  without  any 
Check  : 

U  ^^f^er  therefore,  the  more  effectually  to  execute  the  benefi- 
cial motions  of  the  Legislature,  &  answer  the  reasonable  expecta- 
tions of  the  Merchants  and  other  Traders,  by  affording  them  imme- 
diate relief  &  protection :  (all  other  measures  to  remedy  said  evil 
having  been  found  ineffectual  :) 

"  We  do  hereby  lay  an  embargo  on  all  outward  bound  Vessels 
whatsoever,  for  &  during  the  space  of  Fifteen  days,  and  for  that 
purpose  do  forbid  the  clearing  out  &  dispatch,  &  the  sailing  of  any 
Ship  or  other  Vessel,  of  which  the  Naval  Officer,  the  Commanding 
Officers  of  the  (rallies  &  of  the  Forts  on  the  Delaware,  &  the  said 
State  Ship,  &  all  other  Officers  in  the  service  of  this  State,  are  to 
take  notice  &  govern  themselves  accordingly. 

"And,  Whereas,  it  hath  been  represented  to  this  Board  that  some 
persons,  preferring  their  own  private  gain  to  the  benefit  &  service 


764  MINUTES  OF  THE 

of  their  Country,  have  clandestinely  Shipped  &  exported  Flour  & 
other  Provisions,  contrary  to  the  Law  of  this  State ;  We  do,  there- 
fore, hereby  strictly  enjoin  &  require  all  Merchants,  Traders,  Mas- 
ters of  Vessels,  &  others,  to  Pay  a  due  regard  to  the  said  Law, 
declaring  that  the  most  effectual  measures  will  be  taken  to  detect 
<fc  punish  such  parties  in  future,  &  the  Law  enforced  in  its  fullest 
extent. 

"  Given  by  order  of  the  Council,  under  the  hand  of  his  Excell'y 
the  President,  &  the  Seal  of  the  State,  at  Philadelphia,  this 
thirtieth  day  of  April,  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  One  Thousand 
Seven  Hundred  &  Seventy-Nine. 

JOSEPH  REED,  President. 
"  Attest :— -T.  Matlack,  Sec'y." 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  May  1,  1779. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Yice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,      "1 
John  Macky,  &   I  Esq'rs. 
Jacob  Arndt,      J 

The  Council  again  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  case  of 
George  Harding,  now  under  sentence  of  Death,  &  ordered  to  be 
executed  this  day  ;  &  after  a  full  consideration  of  his  case, 

Ordered,  fhaLt  the  said  George  Harding  be  reprieved  until  the 
end  of  the  next  Session  of  General  Assembly,  the  word  Session 
being  understood  to  mean  sitting. 

John  Wilcox  attended  &  represented  that  the  Schooner  Liberty, 
Henry  Hawkins,  Master,  had  cleared  out  before  the  emhjpo  was 
laid,  &  that  she  has  passed  the  Fortifications  at  Billings^rt  and 
Mud  Island;  &  on  Consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Scho.  Liberty,  Henry  Hawkins,  Master,  be 
permitted  to  pass  on  her  voyage,  any  order  of  this  Council  hereto- 
fore given  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

A  Petition  of  Jacob  Deisher,  Supervisor  of  the  Highways  from 
Maxetawney  Township,  in  Bucks  County,  praying  that  the  Records 
may  be  searched  for  the  return  of  a  certain  Road  in  the  said  Town- 
ship was  read  ;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  apply  to  Joseph  Shippeu,  Esq'r, 
late  Secretary  or  Clerk  of  the  Council,  &  obtain  from  him  the 
Public  Records  belonging  to  his  said  Office. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  765 

Letters  from  Col.  Hunter,  of  Sunbury,  Dr.  Allison,  &  others, 
relating  to  the  depredations  of  the  Indians. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  Hutchinson  be  directed  to  procure  a  Box  of 
Medicines  sufficient  for  a  Regiment  for  four  Months,  &  a  case 
of  Instruments,  to  be  forwarded  immediately  to  Northumberland 
County,  to  the  care  of  Samuel  Hunter,  Lieutenant  of  the  said 
County. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Ilon'ble 
Jos.  Hart,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Ten  Thousand  Dol- 
lars, to  be  by  him  forwarded  t«  Col.  Samuel  Hunter,  Lieutenant  of 
the  County  of  Northumberland,  &  charged  to  the  said  Hunter. 

Ordered,  That  Dr.  Andrew  Todd  be  appointed  Surgeon  of  the 
State  Ship  General  Green. 

The  following  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  for  Work  done  on 
board  the  (rallies,  Viz  : 

In  favor  of  Hill  &  Marriott  for  the  Sum  of  Two  Hundred  & 
Sixty  Pounds  Two  Shillings  &  Seven  pence,  &  in  favor  of  Hale  & 
Lawton,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred  &  Thirty  Eight  Pounds 
Ten  Shillings  &  Three  Pence. 

Application  of  Samuel  Dewees,  Esq'r,  Sub-Lieutenant  of  the 
County  of  Philadelphia  for  150  Stand  of  Arms,  for  the  use  of  Two 
Classes  of  the  7th  Battalion  of  the  said  County, 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Stiles  do  deliver  to  Samuel  Dewees,  Esq'r, 
Sub-Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  One  Hundred  & 
Ffty  Stand  of  Arms,  for  the  use  of  the  Militia,  for  which  Mr.  De- 
wees is  to  be  accountable. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  do  exchange  for  James  Hepburne, 
a  Sum  of  the  Emissions  of  Continental  Bills  called  out  of  circu- 
lation, for  Bills  now  Current,  not  exceeding  Three  hundred  Dollars, 
the  same  having  been  received  by  him  of  the  Treasurer. 

Petition  of  Henry  Van  Vleck  was  read,  praying  recommenda- 
tion to  pass  into  New  York,  &ca. 

Ordered,  That  a  Pass  be  granted  to  Henry  Van  Vleck  to  go 
into  New  York  k  to  return,  bringing  with  him  his  Negroes. 

On  amplication  by  Col.  Humpton, 

Ordered,  That  the  Fine  adjudged  .by  the  Court  of  Quarter  Ses- 
sions of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  to  be  paid  by 
John  Allen,  now  confined  in  Goal,  be  remittal ;  &  that  he  be  dis- 
charged, on  Payment  of  his  Fees;  Doct.  John  Sparhawk,  from 
whom  the  Goods  were  Stolen,  having  had  the  same  returned  to 
him, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Dav'd  Ken- 
nedy, Commissioner  for  purchasing  of  Cloathing  for  the  Continen- 
tal Army,  in  York  County,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Four  Hun- 
dred <fe  Fifty  Pounds,  the  same  to  be  charged  to  account  of  the  said 
Kennedy. 

A  Letter  from  Mr.  George  Henry,  Commissary  of  Military 
Stores,  with  an  Inventory  &  account  of  Sales,  read  &  filed, 


766  MINUTES  OF  THE 

A  Letter  from  Mess.  McClenaghan  &  Irwin  ;  whereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  D.  Hart  be  appointed  Second  Lieutenant,  & 
Mr.  Hollingshead  Master,  of  the  Ship  General  Green. 

Application  from  Robt.  Knox  &  Coinp'y,  setting  forth  that  a 
Brig  belonging  to  them  was  cleared,  and  the  Papers  signed  before 
the  Embargo  took  place,  May  3d,  1779,  &  praying  a  Permit  to 
pass  the  Forts. 

On  consideration, 

Resolved,  That  it  is  not  consistent  with  the  public  Interest  to 
permit  any  Vessel  to  depart  until  the  State  Ship  is  sailed. 

The  two  following  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  Viz  : 

In  favor  of  the  Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for 
the  Sum  of  Three  Hundred  &  Fifty  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his 
account. 

In  favor  of  Col.  Lewis  Farmer,  Commissary  for  purchasing,  &ca. 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Six  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged 
to  his  account. 


The  Council  met 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  May  4,  1779. 

present: 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  }  ™    , 

JobnMacky,&  \  Estl  rs 

A  Letter  from  the  Hon'ble  John  Jay,  Esq'r,  President  of  Con* 
gress,  of  this  date,  enclosing  a  Resolve  of  Congress,  dated  the  3d 
ins.,  requesting  such  of  the  Militia  of  this  State  to  take  Post  at 
.Fort  Mifflin  &  Biilingsport,  in  the  room  of  Colonel  Proctor's  Men, 
as  shall  be  judged  by  the  said  President  &  Council  sufficient ;  the 
said  Militia  to  he  allowed  Continental  Pay  &  subsistance,  was  read  ; 
And  Council  having  ordered  Two  Companies  of  Militia  Artillery 
to  go  down  to  the  said  Forts,  Council  conceived  that  those  two 
Companies  will  answer  the  intention  of  Congress,  &  be  entitled  to 
the  Continental  Pay  &  Rations  under  the  said  Resolve. 

It  being  represented  to  Council  that  Robert  French,  Cornelius 
Tlillman,  &  Benjamin  Loxley,  jun.,  are  at  this  time  endeavouring 
to  entice  away  tho  seamen  now  in  this  Port,  and  induce  them  into 
service  in  the  neighbouring  States,  while  an  embargo  is  in  force  to 
enable  the  Council  to  Man  the  Ship  General  Green,  State  Ship, 

Ordered,  That  a  Warrant  be  issued  to  the  Sheriff  of  the  City 
&  County,  to  take  the  said  Robert  French,  Cornelius  Hillraan,  & 
Renja.  Loxley,  jun,;  and  "bring  them  forthwith  before  this  Council 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  767 

On  application  by  Doct.  Jennings,  who  is  stationed  at  Sunbury, 
&  under  peculiar  difficulties  in  this  respect, 

Ordered,  That  the  Receiver  General  of  Cloathing  do  furnish  to 
Doct.  Jennings,  Cloth  of  any  Colour  other  than  blue,  &  trim- 
mings for  a  Coat  &  Jacket,  Linnen  for  two  Shirts,  &  two  pair  of 
Thread  Stockings. 

Ordered,  That  Thomas  Hale  be  appointed  an  Agent  for  seizing 
of  forfeited  Estates  in  the  County  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  room  of 
Thomas  Cuthbert,  who  has  resigned. 

The  Council  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  abuses  by  Vendues 
being  held  contrary  to  Law. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  be  directed  to  write  to  &  request 
Edward  Pole,  Thomas  Hale  &  Edward  Evans,  to  pay  attention  to 
this  abuse,  &  that  the  Council  will  give  them  effectual  support  in 
every  legal  measure  which  shall  be  taken  for  suppressing  this  grow- 
ing evil,  &  order  prosecutions  to  be  instituted  against  offenders. 

Resolved,  That  Maj.  William  Armstrong  be  appointed  Paymas- 
ter of  the  Workmen  &  others  employed  at  Mud  Island  <&  Billings- 
port,  or  other  public  works  on  the  Delaware,  &  that  he  settle  the 
accounts  of  Money  already  advanced  to  Col.  Bull,  so  as  to  take  up 
the  same  from  the  beginning. 


The  Council  met, 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  May  5,  1779. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President, 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,      "\ 

John  Macky,  &  I  Esq'rs, 
Jacob  Arndt,     J 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Philip  B'oehm, 
jun.,  Paymaster  af  Militia  in  the  County  of  Northampton,  for  the 
Sum  of  Four  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Major  William 
Armstrong,  Paymaster  of  the  Workmen  at  Billingsport,  dbca.,  or 
his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Five  Thousand  Pounds,  &  to  be  charged 
to  his  account. 

Mr.  John  Chaloner,  one  of  the  Commissarys  of  Purchases,  repre- 
sented to  the  Council,  that  an  Agent  acting  under  authority  of  a 
Law  of  the  State  of  Maryland,  had  purchased  of  Mr.  Levi  Hollings- 
worth  a  quantity  of  Flour,  &  thereby  raised  the  Price  of  Flour 
near  five  Pounds  P  cent, 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  write  to  Mr.  Hollingaworth  & 
,  desire  him  not  to  deliver  the  Fiour  until  this  matter  is  enquired 
into,  and  his  attendance  in  Council  immediately, 


768  MINUTES  OF  THE 

The  Council  having  received  information  that  Frederick  Kessel- 
man,  late  of  this  City,  Trader,  hath  gone  over  to  &  joined  the  Eue- 
my  at  New  York, 

Ordered,  That  a  Proclamation  be  now  issued  requiring  the  said 
Fred'k  Kesselman  to  render  himself  on  or  before  the  20th  day  of 
June  next,<&  abide  the  Judgment  of  the  Court,  according  to  the  Law 
of  the  State,  entitled  "  An  act  for  the  attainder  of  divers  Traitors, 
&ca,  if  they  render  not  themselves  by  a  certain  day,  &  for  vesting 
their  Estates  in  this  Common-wealth,  &  for  more  effectually  discov- 
ering the  same,  &  for  ascertaining  &  satisfying  the  lawful  Debts 
tfc  claims  thereupon.  , 

i '  Pennsylvania,  ss  : 

"A' PROCLAMATION. 

"By  His  ExcelFy  Joseph  Reed,  Esq'r,  President,  &  the  Su- 
preme Executive  Council  of  the  Common-Wealth  of  Pennsylva- 
nia : 

"  Whereas,  Frederick  Kesselman,  late  an  inhabitant  of  this  State, 
Trader,  hath  adhered  to  '&  knowingly  &  Willingly  aided  &  assisted 
the  Enemies  of  this  State  &  of  the  United  States  of  America,  by 
having  joined  their  Armies  at  the  City  of  New  York; 

We,  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  aforesaid,  by  virtue  of  cer- 
tain powers  &  authorities  to  us  given,  by  An  Act  of  General  As- 
sembly entitled 

'  An  Act  for  the  attainder  of  divers  Traitors,  if  they  render  not 
themselves  by  a  certain  day,  &  for  vesting  their  Estates  in  this 
Commonwealth,  &  for  more  effectually  discovering  the  same,  &  for 
ascertaining  &  satisfying  the  lawful  Debts  &  claims  thereupon,' 
do  hereby  strictly  charge  &  require  the  said  Frederick  Kessel- 
man To  render  himself  to  some  or  one  of  the  Justices  of  the 
Peace,  Supreme  Court,  or  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  one  of 
the  Counties  within  this  State,  on  or  before  the  Twentieth  day  of 
June  next  ensuing,  &  also  abide  his  legal  trial  for  such  his  Treason, 
on  pain  that  he,  the  said  Frederick  Kesselman,  not  rendering  him- 
self as  aforesaid,  &  abiding  his  trial  aforesaid,  shall  from  and  after 
the  said  Twentieth  day  of  Juoe  next,  Stand- &  be  attainted  of  High 
Treason,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  &  shall  suffer  such  pains  & 
penalties,  &  undergo  all  such  forfeitures,  as  persons  'attainted  of 
High  Treason  ought  to  do  ;  And  all  the  faithful  Subjects  of  this 
State  are  to  take  notice  of  this  Proclamation,  and  govern  themselves 
accordingly. 

"  Given  by  order  of  the  Council,  under  the  hand  of  His  ExcelFy 
the  President,  &  the  Seal  of  the  State,  at  Philadelphia,  the  fifth 
day  of  May,  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  Oue  Thousand  Seven  Hun- 
dred &  Seventy-nine. 

"JOSEPH  REED,  President. 
"  Attest :— T.  Matlack,  Secret'y"  • 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  769 

Cornelius  Hillman  being  brought  before  the  Council,  and  heard 
concerning  the  charge  against  him,  and  it  appearing-that  he  had  not 
been  concerned  in  Spiriting  away  the  Seamen,  after  he  knew  of  the 
intention  of  Capt.  French,  He  was  dismissed. 


The  Council  Met 

Philad'a,  Friday  May  7,  1779. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  >  «    , 

John  Macky,  &  S  rS' 

An  Account  of  work  done  by  Ebenezer  Cowell,  in  repairing 
Arms,  was  examined  ;  &  thereupon, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Ebenezer 
Cowell,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  One  Hundred  &  Seventy-Three 
Pounds  &  thirteen  Shillings,  the  amount  of  the  said  account. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
John  Bayly,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Sixty  Pounds  Fif- 
teen Shillings  &  two  Pence,  balance  due  him  for  his  attendance  in 
Council,  Statement  of  which  account  is  as  follows,  Via't: 
"  The  State  of  Pennsylvania, 

"  To  Jno.  Bayly,  Dr. 
"For  attendance  in  Council   from  May  29,1777,  to  the  5th 
Feb'ry,  1778,  when  I  resigned,  being  253  days. 

"Nov'r  8,  1778, 
"Cr.  Rec'd  of  D.  Rittenhouse,  in  part,  the  sum  of    £lSi  11  6 
"  Due  in  Balance  to  John  Bawly,  -         -         -  68  15  % 

u  Absent  during  the  above  said  time,  Viz : 
"  1777,  In  June  16  days, 


"July    31 

a 

"August  6 

a 

"October3 

u 

"Novem  3 

u 

"Decern. 17 

a 

"7778,  "Jan'y    14 

a 

"Feb'ry   3 

(C 

Absent  days         93 

a 

<l  Balance  of  days  16C 

►,  a  25s,  - 

^200  0  0 

"Mileage  for  80,. a  10d, 

3  6  8 

£203  6  8  £203  6  8 
YOZ*.  XI. — ±9* 


770  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Capt.  Rob't  French  &  Mr.  Benja.  Loxley,  jun,  were  brought  be- 
fore the  Council,  &  Mr.  Loxley  being  examined,  it  appeared  that 
he  had  been  in  search  of  several  Seamen  who  had  deserted  his  ser- 
vice after  having  entered  on  board  a  Vessel  in  which  he  was  in- 
terested : 

And  Capt.  French  being  heard,  &  it  appearing  that  he  had  been 
endeavouring  to  Spirit  away  the  Seamen,  &  having  pledged  his 
Honor  not  to  attempt  to  engage  any  Seamen  in  this  State  until  after 
the  Ship  Geu'l  Green  shall  have  Sailed; 

Ordered,  That  Captain  French  do  give  Security  to  the  State,  him- 
self in  the  Sum  of  One  thousand  Pounds,  &  one  sufficient  Surety 
in  the  like  Sum  of  One  thousand  Pounds,  that  he /will  not  directly 
or  indirectly  entice  away  any  Seamen  from  this  State  until  after  the 
Ship  General  Green  shall  have  Sailed. 

A  Letter  from  Lieu.  Col.  Adam  Hubley,  dated  Mill-Stone  Camp, 
May  4,  1779,  inclosing  a  Certificate  Signed  by  Ar.  St.  Clair,  Maj. 
Gen'l,  that  Col.  Hubley  is  elected  Lieu,  Col.  in  the  Troops  of  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania,  &ca. 

The  Council  took  into  consideration  the  return  of  Justices  elect 
for  Mulberry  Ward,  by  which  it  appears  that  William  Rush,  Esq'r? 
&  WilPm  Colliday,  were  duly  elected  ;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Will'm  Rush,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  &  Commissioned 
to  be  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  City  of  Philadelphia. 

Mr  Matt'w  Stony,  proposing  to  the  State  that  he  will  Sweep  the 
River  in  search  of  Anchors,  &ca.,  &  allow  to  the  State  one-fourth 
part  of  what  he  may  recover, 

Ordered ',  That  the  said  Matt'w  Strong  have  permission  to  sweep 
the  River  in  search  of  Anchors,  &ea.,  he  allowing  to  the  State  one- 
fourth  part  of  what  he  shall  procure  in  so  doing. 

The  following'  Petitioners  praying  permission  to  go  into  New 
irork,  were  read,  "Viz  : 

Sarah  Smith  permitted  to  go,  on  giving  Security  ^15007  not  to 
return  without  permission  from  the  State. 

Peter  Taylor  permitted  to  go,  on  giving  like  security  in  the  Sum 
of  £500. 

Mary  Carr  &  her  Daughter  permitted  to  go,  in  she  having  given 
Security  not  to  return  without  permission  from  the  State. 

Mary  Hamilton  permitted  to  go  without  giving  security,  her  ease 
being  singular  &  distressing,  &  she  without  Friends. 

The  Petition  of  Mrs.  Rebecca  Shoemaker  being  again  read  & 
considered,  the  Council  were  unanimously  of  opinion  That  she 
cannot,  consistent  with  the  Interest  of  the  State,  be  permitted  at 
present  to  go  into  the  City  of  New  York. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  771 

The  Council  met. 

Phxlad'a,  Monday  May  10,  1779. 
present  : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  >  ™     , 

John  Macky,  &  3       7 

Capt.  Martin,  of  the  armed  boat  Lyon,  attended  in  Council,  Si 
represented  that  divers  of  the  Seamen  belonging  to  the  State  Fleet 
had  disappeared,  &  that  it  was  apprehended  they  were  gone  to  Bal- 
timore by  persuasion  of  Capt.  Robert  French,  &  Duncan  Mc- 
Kenzie  also  appeared,  <&;  deposed  that  he  saw  two  of  the  Men  be- 
longing to  the  said  armed  boat  Lyon,  in  Company  with  Capt. 
French's  people,  and  that  he  believes  they  are  gone  off  to  Balti- 
more with  Captain  French. 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Martin  do  immediately  proceed  to  Balti- 
more, in  Maryland,  &  use  his  utmost  endeavours  to  secure  &  return 
to  their  duty  such  of  the  Men  belonging  to  the  State  fleet  as  he  can 
find. 

Ordered,  That  application  be  made  to  the  Quarter  Master's  de- 
partment for  a  Horse  for  Capt.  Martin,  of  the  armed  boat  Lyon,  to 
go  to  Baltimore  on  Public  business. 

The  Council  being  informed  That  there  is  not  a  supply  of 
Ammunition  at  Mud  Island, 

Ordered,  That  Col.  Flower  be  requested  to  send  down  to  Mud 
Island,  as  soon  as  possible,  a  supply  of  ammunition  for  Two 
Twenty-four  Pounders  &  One  Thirty-Two  Pounder. 

A  Letter  from  Henry  Haller,  Esq'r,  dated  Reading,  May  4, 1779. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  write  to  Col.  Haller,  &  desire 
liim  to  send  down  a  list  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  Coun- 
ty of  Berks,  who  have  taken  the  oath  of  Office,  &  also  of  those 
who  have  neglected  or  declined  to  do  so,  with  their  reasons,  so  far 
as  has  com.e  to  his  knowledge. 


The  Council  met. 

Phxlad'a,  Tuesday  May  11,  1779. 
present : 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,   )  ™    , 

John  Macky,  &  }  ^  rS* 

Letters  from  Mr.  Robt.  Morris,  informing  of  his  having  received 
fr  om  Cape  Francois  Sixty  Seven  Stand  of  Arms,  belonging  to  the 


772  MINUTES  OF  THE 

State ;  from  Col.  Flower,  requesting  that  future  orders  for  Militaz j 
Stores  may  come  to  him  thro'  the  board  of  War;  from  Board  of 
War  on  several  Subjects,  dated  May  10,  1779. 

Return  of  officers  of  Militia  from  John  Carothers,  Esq'r,  Lieu- 
tenant of  the  County  of  Cumberland,  dated  May  1,  1779,  by  which 
it  appears  that  the  fallowing  Gentlemen  were  elected,  Viz  : 

[Blank  in  Council  Book.] 

Ordered,  That  Commissions  be  accordingly  issued. 
Application  was  made  by  Col.  Morgan  Connor,  for  Cloathing 
for  the  Eleventh  Pennsylvania  Reg't. 

And  application  was  also  made  for  Cloathing  for  the  fourth  Penn- 
sylvania Battalion. 

Ordered,  That  the  Receiver  General  of  Cloathing,  do  immedi- 
ately deliver  to  Lieu.  Jeremiah  Jackson,  of  the  11th  Pennsylvania 
Regt,  Two  Hundred  Shirts  &  Cloth  and  Trimmings.,  for  eight  suits 
of  Cloaths ;  And  also  One  Hundred  Shirts  and  Cloth  and  Trim- 
mings for  four  suits  of  Cloaths,  for  the  fourth  Pennsylvania  Regt., 
to  be  put  up  in  a  parcel,  separate  from  the  Cloathing  ordered  for  the 
11th  Regt. 

The  following  Petitions  for  permission  to  pass  into  New  York, 
was  read,  Viz  : — Elizabeth  Holdsworth,  wife  of  James  Holdsworth- 
&  Mary  Ann  Goreley. 

Ordered,  That  recommendations  be  given  to  the  said  Eliza. 
Holdsworth  &  Mary  Ann  Goreley,  to  be  permitted  to  pass  into  New 
York,  they  giving  surety  in  the  Sum  of  ,£500,  not  to  return  again 
without  permission  first  had  from  the  State. 

Ordered,  That  the  67  Stand  of  Arms  belonging  to  the  State,  & 
lately  arrived  from  Cape  Francois,  now  in  the  hands  of  Rob't  Mor- 
ris, E>:q'r,  be  delivered  to  Capt.  Joseph  Stiles,  Commissary  of  Mili- 
tary Stores. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Mr.  Robert  Al- 
lison, or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be 
charged  to  his  account. 
On  application, 
Ordered,  That  the  Sloop  Betsey  and  Alithea,  Joseph  Basden 
Commander,  late  from  the  Island  of  Bermuda,  in  quest  of  Provi- 
sions to  relieve  the  inhabitants  of  that  Island  from  extreme  neces- 
sity, be  permitted  to  pass  the  Fortifications  on  Delaware ;  And  also 
the  Sloop  Betsy,  William  Popham  Commander;  Also,  the  Sloop 
Little  Bernard,  Capt.  Leonard  Albony;  the  last  mentioned,  with 
3  bbls.  Flour,  3  bbls.  Bread  &  3  bbls.  Beef  or  Pork,  &  the  follow- 
ing passengers,  Viz  : — Capt.  John  Osbourne,  Capt.  Erasmus  Mo- 
ritzen,  Capt.  Henry  Fishorst,  Mr.  Frederick  Dashong  &  Mr.  John 
Potts,  agreeable  to  Petition. 

Col.  Grono,  Sub-Lieutenant  of  Chester  County,  attended  in  con- 
sequence of  a  Letter  wrote  him  of  the  28th  April,  And  it  appearing 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  773 

that  the  Election  referred  to  in  the  said  Letter,  was  conducted 
without  a  proper  attention  to  the  Test  Law,  &  that  the  said  Elec- 
tion on  that  account  is  informal, 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  vacated,  &  that  Col.  Grono  be  direc- 
ted to  hold  a  new  Election  as  soon  as  convenient,  &  report  to  this 
Board,  that  Commissions  may  issue  without  farther  delay. 

Application  was  made  to  Council  in  behalf  of  Edward  Tew, 
Rookloff  Albertson,  John  Huddle,  Joseph  Best,  James  Craft,  k 
John  Knox,  requesting  they  may  have  permission  to  Sweep  the 
Delaware  in  search  of  Cannon  &,  Anchors,  they  restoring  to  the 
State  one-fourth  part  of  all  they  shall  obtain,  <k  giving  to  the  State 
a  preference  in  the  purchase  thereof. 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  request  be  complied  with,  &  the  said 
Edw'd  Tew,  Rookloff  Alberston,  John  Huddle,  Joseph  Best,  James 
Craft,  &  John  Knox,  be  authorized  to  Sweep  the  Delaware  on  the 
terms  proposed  by  them. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  May  12, 1779. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  "j  -™    , 

John  Macky,  &  j  ^  rs* 

(Jas.  Read,  Esq'r,  now  returned  &  took  his  Seat  in  the  Council.) 

Ordered,  That  the  Sloop  Betsy  &  Alithea,  Capt.  Jos.  Basden, 
be  permitted  to  take  on  board  Six  barrels  of  Flour,  Six  bbls.  Bread, 
Six  bbls.  Pork,  &  twelve  Kegs  of  Bread. 

The  following  Letters  were  received  &  read  : 

From  the  Hon'ble  Tho's  Scott,  Esq'r,  of  Westmoreland,  dated 
'  April  9th,  1779,  inclosing  a  Letter  from  General  Mcintosh  to  Archi- 
bald Lochry,  Esq'r,  Lieutenant  of  the  County  of  Westmoreland. 

From  the  same,  dated  April  26,  1779,  enclosing  return  of  Elec- 
tion of  Justices  for  Tyrone  Township,  in  the  County  of  West- 
moreland. 

From  Archibald  Lochry,  Esq'r,  Lieu,  of  the  County  of  West- 
moreland, Two  Letters,  both  dated  May  1,  1779,  one  of  them,  en- 
closing a  Resolve  of  the  People  of  the  said  County. 

All  these  relating  to  the  State  of  the  Frontiers. 

Also  a  Letter  from  John  Burd,  Esq'r,  dated  May  5,  1779. 

A  Memorial  from  Francis  Hopkinson,  Esq'r,  having  been  read 
&  considered, 


774  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Resolved  That  an  order  be  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the 
said  Francis  Hopkinson,  Esq'r,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  & 
five  hundred  Pounds,  &  that  the  same  be  delivered  to  him  on  his 
giving  Bond  with  sureties,  that  if  any  claims  or  demands  shall  here- 
after be  made  on  the  Estate  ot  the  Rev'd  Mr.  Jacob  Duche,  which 
shall  be  allowed,  so  as  to  lessen  the  present  apparent  value  thereof 
to  the  State,  that  then  the  said  Francis  Hopkinson  shall  refund  the 
said  One  Thousand  &  five  Hundred  Pounds,  or  such  part  thereof 
as  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  shall  decree,  so  as  that  the 
said  allowance  may  be  made  proportionate  to  the  real  Value  of  the 
Interest  accruing  to  the  Common- Wealth  from  the  said  forfeiture, 
any  former  allowance  or  decree  notwithstanding. 

The  following  three  orders  were  drawn  on  the  Treasurer, 
Viz.: 

In  favor  of  Col.  Lewis  Farmer,  Commissary,  &ca.,  or  his  order, 
for  the  Sum  of  Twenty  Thousand  bounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  ac- 
count. 

In  favor  of  Capt.  Joseph  Stiles,  Commissary  of  Naval  Stores, 
or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Three  Thousand  Dollars,  to  be  charged 
to  his  account. 

In  favor  of  his  Excell'y  Joseph  Reed,  Esq'r,  President,  or  his 
order,  for  the  sum  of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his 
account,  as  part  of  his  salary. 

The  return  of  Justices  elect  for  Tyronne  Township,  in  the 
eounty  of  Westmoreland,  being  read,  it  appears  that  John  Allen? 
&  James  Paterson  were  elected ;   thereupon. 

Ordered,  That Allen,  Esq'r,  be  appointed  k  Commis- 
sioned to  be  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Westmore- 
land. 

Ordered,  That  a  Copy  of  the  Letter  from  Gen'l  Mcintosh  to 
Col.  Lochry,  be  transmitted  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Maj.  John  Brown,  of  the  fifth  Battalion  of  Militia  of  the  County 
of  Philadelphia,  having  sent  in  his  Commission  &  expressed  his  in- 
tention to  resign  the  same,  &  it  appearing  that  he  stands  charged 
with  misbehaviour. 

Ordered,  That  the  resignation  of  the  said  Maj.  John  Brown  be 
not  now  accepted. 

Petition  of  Serjeant  Cline,  praying  to  be  appointed  Ensign,  was 
read,  &  dismissed ;  no  Serjeant  being  to  be  promoted  but  upon 
special  recommendation  of  the  Officers  of  the  Regiment  to  which 
he  belongs. 

The  Petition  of  Shewbart  Armitage,  praying  to  be  appointed  an 
Officer  in  the  Rog't  of  Artillery  commanded  by  Col.  Proctor,  be- 
ing read;  &  his  recommendation  by  Col.  Proctor  considered, 

Ordered,  That  Shewbart  Armitage  be  appointed  third  Lieu,  in 
Col.  Proctor's  Reg't  of  Artillery. 

A  Certificate  of  an  Election  of  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  Barre 
Township,  in  the  County  of  Bedford,  being  read ;  &  it  appearing 
upon  the  face  of  it  that  there  was  some  controversy  about  it, 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  775 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  do  write  to  the  Hon'bleTho's  Urie 
Esq'r,  &  enquire  into  the  circumstances  of  the  Election,  &  report' 
to  Council  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Council  having  received  information  that  divers  Officers  in  the 
Militia  stand  charged  with  Misbehavour,  &d  that  there  is  a  necessi- 
ty of  a  Court  of  enquiry  being  immediately  held  :  thereupon. 

Ordered,  That  a  Court  of  enquiry  be  appointed. 

Ordered,  That  the  Court  of  enquiry  consist  of  William  Bradford, 
Esq'r,  Col.  1st  Bat'l,  President;  Sharpe  Delany,  Esq'r,  Col.  2d 
Bat'n;  Will' in  Will,  Esq'r,  Lieu.  Col.  3d  Bat'l  j  — -  Boyd,  Esq'r, 
Maj.  4th  Bat'n  ;  Jos.  Copperthwaite,  Esq'r,  Col.  5th  Bat'n  ;  Rob't 
Allison,  Esq'r,  Lieu.  Col.  6th  Bat'n ;  Tho's  Nevill,  Esq'r,  Lieu. 
Col.  of  Artillery ;  Capt.  Robert  Smith,  1st  Bat'n ;  Capt.  WiU'm 
M'Culloch,  2d  Bat'n;  Capt.  Cha's  W.  Peale,  4th  Bat'n;  Capt 
Lieu:  ;W  in.  Leonard,  of  the  Artillery  Bat'n;  Lieu.  Henry  Mover, 
of  the  3d  Bat'n ;  Lieu.  James  Skinner,  of  the  6th  Bat'n ;  And 
that  a  Commission  be  issued  under  the  Seal  of  the  State. 

Petition  of  Peter  Behaven  was  read;  Thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Peter  Behaven  be  appointed  &  Commissioned  to 
be  Health  Officer  for  the  Port  of  Philadelphia. 

Application  was  made  by  Mr.  Blair  McLenaghan,  for  the  follow- 
ing Stores  for  the  Ship  Gen'l  Green,  Viz.: 

800  round  Shot,  600  d'ble-headed  Shot,  200  round  Shot  for  3 
Pounders,  100  d?bie-headed  do.,  50  round  of  Shot  for  Six  Pounders, 
50  d'ble-headed  do.,  5  Sheets  Copper,  300  lbs.  of  Sheat  lead.&  2 
Drums  &  Fifes. 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Stiles  make  immediate  enquiry  whether  the 
above  articles,  or  any  of  them,  can  be  had  from  the  Continental 
Commissary  of  Military  Stores,  &,  if  so,  to  apply  to  the  Hon'ble 
Board  of  War  for  an  order,  it  being  to  replace  Articles  of  the  same 
kind  lent  to  the  Continent  to  go  to  South  Carolina  two  Months 
since. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  May  13,  1779. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Bxcell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,      1 
John  Macky,  &  lEsq'rs. 
Jacob  Arndt,       J 

And  Mr.  Thompson  attended  again  &  took  his  seat. 

A  Letter  from  the  Hon'ble  John  Jay,  Esq'r,  President  of  Con- 
gress, dated  12th  ins.,  enclosing  Resolves  of  Congress  of  the  fifth 
instant,  respecting  Commissary  Trumbull's  account. 


776  MINUTES  OF  THE 

A  Letter  from  Col.  Bartram  Galbraith,  dated  5th  instant,  re- 
specting the  Militia  of  Lancaster  County. 

Memorial  of  Samuel  Story,  praying  to  be  appointed  an  Officer 
in  Col.  Proctor's  Regiment,  was  read.  On  consideration  of  his 
recommendations, 

Ordered,  That  Sam'l  Story  be  appointed  a  Third  Lieutenant 
in  Colonel  Proctor's  Regiment  of  Artillery. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Vice  President,  Mr.  Jas.  Read,  &  Col.  Hart, 
be  a  Committee  to  enquire  into  the  legality  of  the  late  Election  of 
Managers  of  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital,  &  report  to  this  Council. 


The  Council  Met. 

.Philad'a,  Friday  May  14,  1779. 

PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 

Hon'ble  George  Bryan*,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

John  Macky,                        Jacob  Arndt,  &     )  ^    , 
James  Read,  &  Thompson,  3 

The  President  having  laid  before  the  Board  a  very  complete  & 
elegant  draught  of  the  proposed  Fortifications  for  the  defence  of 
the  River  Delaware  &  the  City,  made  by  the  General  De  Portail 
&  his  Assistants,  at  the  joint  instance  of  Gen'l  Washington  & 
this  Board, 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Council  be  given  to  General 
De  Portail,  for  his  important  services  in  this  respect;  &  that,  as 
is  customary  on  such  occasions, 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  said  Gen- 
eral De  Portail,  for  Two  Thousand  Dollars,  which  he  be  desired  to 
accept,  as  an  additional  acknowledgement,  for  his  time  &  labor 
spent  in  the  service  of  the  State. 

Resolved,  also,  That  an  order  be  drawn  in  favor  of  Col.  La  Ra- 
dine,  assistant  Engineer  to  Gen'l  De  Portland,  for  One  Thousand 
Dollars,  &  for  Six  Hundred  Dollars  in  favor  of  Ville- 

panche,  to  be  delivered  in  like   manner,  for  their  services  in  the 
same  business. 

A  Petition  from  the  Officers  &  Men  of  Col.  Eyre's  Battalion  of 
Militia  Artillery,  now  in  Garrison  at  the  Posts  on  the  River,  was 
read   &  considered ;  Whereupon, 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  is  fully  convinced  of  the  Justice  & 
Truth  of  the  facts  set  forth,  &,  the  sentiments  therein  expressed  ; 
&  that  they  will  recommend  the  said  application  to  the  Hon'ble 
House  of  Assembly,  at  the  next  Sessions  for  proper  attention  &  re- 
lief )  &  that  in  the  meantime,  from  a  desire  to  do  equal  Justice,  & 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  777 

to  encourage  all  those  brave  Men  &  true  Patriots  who  turn  out  to 
defend  &  protect  the  Country  in  time  of  danger,  Mr.  Crispin,  the 
Commissary  of  the  State,  be  directed  to  supply  them  with  Rum, 
Tea,  Sugar,  Soap  &  other  Articles  furnished  the  Continental 
Troops,  agreeable  to  a  Resolve  of  x^ssembly  of  the  5th  of  December, 
in  the  same  proportion  &  at  the  same  Rates  as  the  same  are  fur- 
nished to  any  Troops  in  the  service  of  the  State ;  The  same  to  be 
issued  at  the  respective  Posts,  and  to  such  only  as  are  on  actual 
duty 

Resolved,  That  Col.  Bull  do  proceed  to  execute  the  Plan  of  For- 
tification delivered  in  by  Gen'l  D.  Portail,  with  all  expedition,  & 
that  the  same  be  not  in  any  respect  departed  from,  without  the 
concurrence  of  this  Board. 

That  the  Refugee  line  at  Billingsport,  be  repaired,  at  the  least 
expensive  mode  of  completeing  that  Work. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissaries  of  Stores,  supply  Col.  Bull 
with  such  Tools  &  other  Articles  as  they  may  have,  &  he  may  want 
from  time  to  time,  in  carrying  on  said  Works,  taking  his  Receipt 
therefor. 

Resolved,  That  Col.  Bull  do  confer  with  Capt  Boys,  &  other 
Captains  of  the  Gallies,  on  the  proper  places  to  sink  the  new  Che- 
vaux-de-Frize,  &  determine  the  numbers  necessary, 

Resolved,  That  Col.  Bull  be  allowed  at  the  Rate  of  Twenty-four 
Dollars  ^  day,  for  his  trouble  &  service  for  Superintending  &  di- ' 
recting  said  Work,  &  that  the  same  do  commence  from  the  time 
the  said  Col.  Bull  was  engaged  by  this  Board  to  attend  said  Work, 
&  collect  materials,  under  a  former  Resolve;  to  Wit:  the  27th  Feb- 
ruary last. 

Whereas,  the  purposes  intended  to  be  answered  by  the  embargo 
on  all  Ships,  &ca.,  has  not  yet  been  fully  answered, 

Resolved,  That  the  Embargo  on  all  Shipping  be  further  contin- 
ued for  fifteen  days,  or  until  otherwise  ordered  by  this  Council. 

"A  PROCLAMATION. 

"  Pennsylvania,  ss  : 

■u  By  His  ExcelVy  Joseph  Reed,  Escfr,  President,  &  the  Supreme 
Executive   Council  of  the  Commonivealth  of  Pennsylvania:        Jf 

"  Whereas,  We,  by  our  Proclamation,  dated  on  the  Thirtieth 
•day  of  April  last,  did  lay  an  Embargo  on  all  Vessels  within  this 
Port: 

And  Whereas,  The  purposes  of  the  said  Embargo  are  not  yet 
fully  answered :   We  do  therefore,  think  proper,  &  do  hereby  far- 


778  MINUTES  OF   THE 

ther  continue  the  said  Embargo  until  the  first  day  of  June  next, 
unless  sooner  revoked  by  the  Authority  of  this  Board. 

"  Given  by  order  of  the  Council,  under  the  hand  of  his  Excel- 
lency, Joseph  Reed,  Esq'r,  President,  &  the  Seal  of  the  State  at 
Philadelphia,  this  fourteenth  dayof  May,  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord 
One  Thousand  Seven  Hundred  &  Seventy-nine. 

"  JOSEPH  REED,  President. 
"  Attest :  T.  Matlack,  Sec'y." 

An  order  was  'drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Frederick 
Snyder,  for  the  Sum  of  £233  2  1,  (Two  hundred  &  Thirty-Three 
Pounds,  Two  Shillings  &  one  Penny,)  amount  of  his  account,  in- 
cluding his  Pay  to  the  12th  instant,  inclusive. 

Charles  Hil,  Esq'r,  Assist' t  Q'r  M'r  Gen'l,  having  applied  to  the 
Board  for  the  approbation  &  Warrant  to  call  out  a  number  of 
Teams  for  the  transportation  of  Provisions  and  Stores  for  the  Sup- 
ply of  the  Troops  ordered  to  the  Western  frontiers, 

Resolved,  That  the  same  be  complied  with,  &  the  Waggon  Mas- 
ters of  Lancaster,  York  &  Cumberland,  (in  which  Counties  the 
said  Provisions  are)  do  furnish  the  number  required  with  all  expe- 
dition, &  that  the  same  be  as  follows,  Viz : — from  Lancaster  40, 
York  county  30,  Cumberland  25. 

Gen'l  St.  Clair,  Commanding  officer  of  the  Pennsylvania  line., 
having  certified  that  Adam  Hubley,  Esq'r,  Lieu.  Colonel  of  the 
Reg't  of  the  Troops  raised  by  this  State,  is  the  oldest  Lieu.  Colo- 
nel in  the  line,  &  therefore  entitled  to  succeed  to  the  vacancy  made 
by  the  resignation  of  Col.  Hartley,  in  the  11th  Reg't. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Lieu.  Colonel  Hubley  be  recommended 
to  the  Hon'ble  Board  of  War  for  the  Commission  of  Lieu.  Colo- 
nel Commandant  of  the  Eleventh  Regiment. 


The  Council  Met. 

Philad'a,  Saturday  May  15,  1779. 
present :  ' 
His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Jacob  Arndt,  &       ~\ 

John  iMacky,  Thompson,  V  Esq'rs. 

Ja's  Read,  J 

An  application  from  William  Crispin,  Esq'r,  Commissary,  for 
One  Thousand  Pounds  ;  Thereupon 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Will'm  Cris- 
pin, Esq'r,  Commissary,  or  his  order,  for  the  sum  of  Ten  Thousand 
Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  acco. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  779 

A  certificate  signed  by  Holker,  certifying  that  the  Schooner 
Swan,  Capt.  James  Robinson,  is  freighted  to  transport  Three  Hun- 
dred barrels  of  Flour  to  St.  Pierre  of  Martinique,  for  the  use  of 
the  Fleet  Commanded  by  His  Excell'y,  the  Count  d'Estaing.  &  ap- 
plication by  George  Meade,  <feca,  Owners  of  the  said  Schooner,  for 
permission  to  clear  out  for  St.  Pierre  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  the  Naval  Officer  do  clear  out  JEW  St.  Pierre, 
Martinique,  The  Scho.  Swan,  Capt.  Ja's  Robinson,  freighted  with 
Tnree  hundred  barrels  Flour,  for  the  use  of  the  Fleet  commanded 
by  His  Excell'y,  the  Count  d'Estaing. 

Ordered,  That  the  State  Treasurer  be  requested  to  furnish  the 
Council  with  an  account  of  the  Monies  paid  by  him  upon  orders 
drawn  by  Auditors  of  accounts. 

The  Petition  of  John  Taylor,  a  disabled  soldier  of  the  Flying 
Camp,  was  read  •  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Justices  of  the  County 
of  Northampton,  to  enquire  whether  the  Petitioner  has  been  wound- 
ed in  an  engagement,  or  whether  he  has  been  disabled  by  natural 
sickness )  if  the  former  be  the  case,  the  said  Justices  will  provide 
for  him,  according  to  the  Act  of  Assembly  for  the  relief  of  disa- 
bled soldiers  &  seamen,  passed  18th  September,  1777;  if  disabled 
by  natural  sickness,  it  is  recommended  to  the  Overseers  ,of  the 
Poor  to  make  provision  for  the  Petitioner,  according  to  his  circum- 
stances &  necessity.  » 

Letters  from  Gen'l  Du  Portail ;  &  from  Board  of  War,  dated 

instant;  from  Col.  Henry,  with  return  of  officers  of  Militia  elected, 
with  the  date  of  their  election. 

Ordered,  That  Commissions  be  accordingly  issued. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Monday  May  17,  1779. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  .  — : —  Thompson, 

John  Macky,  James  Read,    &      J-Esq'rs. 

Matt'w  Smith,  •  Jacob  Arndt, 

(Col.  Smith  having  this  day  resumed  his  seat,  in  his  return  from 
a  visit  to  his  family.) 

A  Letter  from  Lodowick  Sprogell,  Muster  Master  General  of 
Pennsylvania. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Lodowick 
Sprogell,  Muster  Master  General,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of 
Three  Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 


} 


780  MINUTES  OF  THE 

A  like  order  in  favor  of  Will.  C.  Bradford,  Pay-master  of  the 
State  Fleet,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  Thousand  &  five 
Hundred  Pounds,  to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

An  order  was  also  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Hon'ble 
Matt'w  Smith,  Esq'r,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Forty  Thousand 
Dollars,  of  which  said  sum  Twenty  Thousand  Dollars  are  to  be  by 
him  sent  to  (3ol.  Lochry,  of  the  County  of  Westmoreland,  to  be 
applied  in  rwsiog  Men  in  that  County;  Ten  Thousand  Dollars  to 
be  sent  to  the  Captain  of  the  Company  to  be  raised  in  the  Coun*ty 
of  Cumberland ;  &  Ten  Thousand  Dollars  to  be  applied  in  raising 
the  Companies  in  Lancaster  and  in  Northumberland  Counties. 

Ordered,  That  the  Muster  M'r  Gen'l  do  Muster  the  Officers, 
Seamen,  &  Marines  of  the  Ship  Gen'l  Green,  as  near  the  time  of 
her  sailing  as  may  be. ' 

A  transcript  of  the  Record  of  conviction  of  Thomas  Taylor, 
Esq'r,  late  of  Cocalico  Township,  in  the  County  of  Lancaster,  be- 
fore the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  held  at  Lancaster,  on  the  fifth 
day  of  May  ins.,  of  Felony  &  Robbery,  &  the  sentence  of  the  Court 
thereupon  :  "  That  the  said  Thomas  Taylor  be  hanged  by  the  Neck 
"til  he  be  dead;"  being  read; 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Saturday  the  fifth  day  of  June  next,  be  appointed 
for  the  execution  of  the  said  sentence,  between  the  hours  of  Ten  ot 
•the  Clock  &  Two  of  the  Clock  of  the  same  day,  at  the  usual  place 
of  Execution  ;  &  that  a  Warrant,  under  the  less  Seal  of  the  State, 
signed  by  the  President,  &  attested  by  the  Secretary,  be  accordingly 
issued. 

A  transcript  of  the  record  of  conviction  of  Catherine  Fisher,  late 
of  the  County  of  Lancaster,  before  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
held  at  Lancaster,  on  the  fourth  day  of  May  instant,  of  Murder,  & 
the  sentence  of  the  Court  thjfreupon  :  "That  the  said  Catherine 
Fisher  be  hanged  by  the  Neck  'nl  she  be  dead ;"  being  read  ; 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Saturday  the  fifth  day  of  June  next,  be  appointed 
for  the  execution  of  the  said  sentence,  between  the  hours  of  ten  of 
the  Clock  in  the  forenoon  &  two  of  the  Clock  in  the  Afternoon  of  the 
same  day,  at  the  usual  place  of  execution  ;  &  that  a  Warrant,  under 
the  less  seal  of  the  State,  signed  by  the  President,  &  attested  by  the 
Secretary,  be  accordingly  issued. 

A  transcript  of  the  record  of  conviction  of  Tho's  Crouch,  late  of 
the  Township  of  Exeter,  in  the  County  of  Berks,  Yeoman,  before 
the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  held  at  Reading,  on  the  Eleventh 
day  of  May  ins.,  of  Felony  &  Burglary,  and  the  sentence  of  the 
Court  thereupon  :  "  That  the  said  Thomas  Crouch  be  hanged  by  the 
neck  until  he  be  dead;"  being  read; 
On  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  Saturday  the  fifth  day  of  June  next,  be  appointed 
for  the  execution  of  the  said  sentence,  between  the  hours  of  Ten  of 


SlfPKEME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  781 

the  Clock  in  the  forenoon  &  two  of  the  Clock  in  the  afternoon  of 
the  same  day,  at  the  usual  place  of  execution  ;  &  that  a  Warrant, 
under  the  less  seal  of  the  State,  signed  by  the  President,  &  attested 
by  the  Secretary,  be  accordingly  issued. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Tuesday  May  18,  1779; 

I  PRESENT : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  GeokGe  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 
Joseph  Hart,  Thompson,! 

John  Macky,  James  Read,  &     J-  Esq'rs. 

Matthew  Smith,  Jacob  Arndt,        J 

A  Letter  from  Col.  Proctor,  informing  that  three  Men  belonging 
to  his  Reg't,  Viz  : 

George  Farrell,  Patrick  GofF  and  William  Alexander,  are  now 
confined  in  Gaol,  are  by  their  conduct  rendered  unfit  for  his  Regi- 
ment, &  proposing  that  they  be  shipped  on  board  the  General 
Green. 

Ordered,  That  George  Farrell,  Patrick  Goff  &  Will.  Alexander, 
now  confined  in  the  Gaol  of  Philadelphia,  belonging  to  Col.  Proc- 
tor's Reg't  of  Artillery,  enlisted  to  serve  during  the  War,  be  ship- 
ped on  board  the  Ship  General  Green. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Wednesday  May  19,  1779, 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  Thompson,  1 

John  Macky,  James  Read,  &     lEsq'rs. 

Matthew  Smith,  Jacob  Arndt,        J 

A  return  of  an  Election  of  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  Town- 
ship of  Barree,  in  the  County  of  Bedford,  being  now  laid  before 
the  Board  &  considered, 

Resolved,  That  by  the  Act  of  Assembly  passed  the  15th  Feb'ry, 
1777,  each  Township  in  Cumberland,  Bedford,  Northumberland  & 
Westmoreland,  is  restricted  to  one  Justice  of  the  Peace,  &  Robt. 
Smith,  Esq'r,  having  been  commissioned  as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace 
for  the  said  Township  of  Barree,  it  is  not  within  the  power  of   this 


782  MINUTES  OF  THE 

Board  to  Commission  another.  If  the  Township  is  so  large  that 
one  Justice  will  be  inconvenient,  application  should  be  made  to  the 
Justices  of  the  Peace  at  the  County  Court  to  divide  the  Township, 
which  being  done,  an  election  may  be  held  for  the  Township  so  di- 
vided, and  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  duly  Commissioned. 
.  Capt.  Martin  having  returned  from  Maryland,  attended  in  Coun- 
cil, &  informed  That  he  had  secured  &  brought  from  Baltimore 
four  men  belonging  to  the  State  Fleet;  &that  there  were  on  board 
Capt.  Buchannan's  Brig,  Two  men  belonging  to  the  State,  which 
which  he  could  not  obtain,  &  that  one  man  belonging  to  the  State 
was  detained  by  Capt.  Loxley  &  Mr.  Purviance,  on  a  writ  issued 
for  the  recovery  of  Money  advanced  to  him  by  them.  Capt.  Mar- 
tin also  exhibited  an  account  of  his  expences,  Amounting  to  Seven- 
ty-five Pounds,  which  appearing  to  be  as  reasonable  as  the  times 
will  admit  of,  the  same  is  allowed. 

Ordered,  That  the  Pay  master  do  pay  to  Capt.  Henry  Martin,  or 
his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  Eighteen  Pounds  fifteen  Shillings,  due  to 
John  Brannon,  one  of  the  Seamen  deserted,  &  the  like  Sum  due 
to  Rob't  Martin,  another  of  the  Seamen  deserted,  and  charge  the 
same  to  the  said  Brannon  &  Martin  : 

And  an  order  was  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  Captain 
Henry  Martin,  or  his  order,  for  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Dollars, 
balance  of  his  account  of  expences  to  Baltimore,  to  be  charged 
Captain  Montgomery. 

Ordered,  That  Capt.  Jas.  Montgomery  be  directed  to  charge  the 
Sum  of  One  Hundred  Dollars,  one-half  of  the  expences  of  Captain 
Martin,  on  his  journey  to  Baltimore,  to  the  two  Seamen  belonging 
to  the  Ship  General  Green,  which  Capt.  Martin  arrested  at  &  brought 
from  Baltimore,  one-half,  (Viz.:  eighteen  Pounds  &  fifteen  Shillings,) 
%o  edch. 

Ordered,  That  Matt'w  Dill  be  appointed  a  Sub-Lieutenant  of 
the  County  of  York,  in  the  place  &  stead  of  Mr.  Rob't  Stevenson, 
lately  deceased. 

A  Resolution  of  Congress  of  the  18th  ins.,  recommending  to  the 
Executive  Powers  of  the  States  of  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Mary- 
land, Virginia  &  North  Carolina,  respectively,  to  permit  One  Thous- 
and bushels  of  Indian  Corn  to  be  exported  from  each  of  the  said 
States,  for  the  relief  of  the  distressed  inhabitants  of  the  Bermuda 
Islands,  &ca.,  was  read;  &  the  same  being  considered, 

Resolved,  That  it  is  very' clearly  the  opinion  of  this  Council,  that 
the  said  Resolve  of  Congress  cannot  be  complied  with,  consistent 
with  the  Laws  of  this  Commonwealth. 

A  Letter  from  Col.  Walter  Stewart,  of  the  Second  Pennsylvania 
Battalion,  recommending  Will'in  Murran  to  be  appointed  to  be  an 
Ensign  in  the  said  Regiment. 


SUPREME  EXECUTIVE  COUNCIL.  783 

Ordered,  That  Will'm  Murran  be  appointed  an  Ensign  in  the 
Second  Pennsylvania  Battalion,  commanded  by  Col.  Walter  Stewart. 

Application  was  made  by  Mr.  Jos.  Pennell,  for  an  order  to  the 
Naval  Officer  to  clear  out  the  Continental  Schooner  Hannah  <& 
Polly,  Davrd  Latham  Commander,  bound  to  Boston,  laden  with 
300  bbls.  of  Ship  Stuff,  &  51  bbls.  of  Bread,  Shipped  by  the  Com- 
missaries of  the  Navy  Board  for  the  middle  district,  for  the  use  of 
the  Navy. 

Ordered,  That  -the  Naval  Officer  do  clear  out  the  said  Schooner 
Hannah  &  Polly. 


The  Council  met. 

Philad'a,  Thursday  May  20, 1779. 

PRESENT  : 

His  Excell'y  JOSEPH  HEED,  Esq'r,  President. 
Hon'ble  George  Bryan,  Esq'r,  Vice  President. 

Joseph  Hart,  •  —  Thompson, 

John  Macky,  James  Bead,  & 

Matthew  Smith,  Jacob  Arndt, 


tEsq'rs. 


A  Petition  of  Margaret  Potts,  Wife  of  John  Potts,  praying  to  be 
permitted,  with  her  three  Children  and  a  Maid  Servant,  to  go  into 
New  York,  &  to  take  with  her  three  feather-beds  with  furniture ? 
<fe  some  Kitchen  furniture,  was  read  ;  &  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  a  recommendation  be  granted  to  Margaret  Potts, 
agreeable  to  her  request,  She  giving  security  in  the  Sum  of  Two 
Thousand  Pounds,  that  she  will  not  return  without  leave  of  the 
Council ;  And  also,  That  the  Articles  mentioned  be  accounted  for 
with  the  Commissioner  of  forfeited  Estates,  if  it  shall  hereafter 
appear  that  they  are  now  the  property  of  John  Potts. 

A  Petition  from  a  number  of  Merchants  addressed  to  Congress 
respecting  the  Court  of  appeals,  was  sent  into  Council,  with  a  re- 
quest that  Council  would  give  the  same  their  Countenance  &  have 
it  laid  before  Congress. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  delivered  into  the  hands  of  the  Dele- 
gates of  the  State  in  Congress,  with  a  request  to  them  to  lay  it  be- 
fore Congress,  &  to  express  to  them  the  concurrence  of  Council 
therewith. 

Ordered,  That  as  the  purpose  of  the  Embargo  is  in  a  good  degree 
answered,  That  a  Proclamation  be  issued  for  taking  off  &  annuling 
the  same,  &  the  following  Proclamation  being  read  &  considered, 
was  ordered  to  be  issued,  Viz,  ***'. 

t    i       N 


784  MINUTES  OF  THE 

"  Pennsylvania,  ss  .* 

«  A  PROCLAMATION. 

"By  His  ExcelVy  JOSEPH  REED,  Esq'r,  President,  &  Supreme 
Executive  Council  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania  : 

"Whereas,  the  purposes  for  which  the  Embargo  hath  been  lately 
layed  by  our  several  Proclamations  of  the  thirtieth  day  of  April 
last,  &  of  the  fourteenth  day  of  May  ins.,  on  all  Vessels  outward 
bound  from  this  State,  have  been  in  great  measure  answered  : 

Wherefore,  we  do  hereby  revoke  &  disannul  the  same,  hereby 
permitting  all  Vessels,  not  exporting  any  Provisions  contrary  to 
Law,  to  depart  this  Port,  the  aforesaid  Prohibition  notwithstand-. 
ing,  Of  all  which  the  Naval  Officer  &  all  others  concerned,  are  to 
take  notice,  &  govern  themselves  accordingly. 

"  Given  by  order  of  the  Council,  under  the  hand  of  His  Excell'y  Jo- 
seph Reed,  Esq'r,  President,  &  the  less  Seal  of  the  State,  at 
Philadelphia,  this  Twentieth  day  of  May,  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord 
One  Thousand  Seven  Hundred  &  Seventy  Nine. 

"JOSEPH  REED, 

11  President. 
"  Attest— T.  Matlack,  Sec'y. 

A  Letter  from,  Rob' t  Morris,  Esq'r,  informing  of  the  arrival  of 
Thirty-Three  Arms  from  Cape  Francois,  belonging  to  the  State, 

Ordered,  That  Capfc.  Joseph  Stiles,  Commissary  of  Military 
Stores,  do  apply  to  &  receive  from  Rob't  Morris,  Esq'r,  Thirty- 
Three  stand  of  Arms  belonging  to  the  State. 

*George  Reid,  one  of*  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County 
of  Lancaster,  sent  in  nis  .resignation,  &  the  same  was  ree'd. 

*He  was  chosen  for  Martick  Township. 


END   OF   VOL.  XX. 

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