ing any territory, they lose a vast tract and territory, which they conveyed to him, purely and for no other end in the world, but that they might have somewhat, that might be at peace and free from interruption. Wherefore they earnestly hope that both Governors shall be most strictly enjoined to keep the peace, but with this addition, that the limits of their respective jurisdictions may be precisely and respectively determined, for the present only, and without the least view or intention to prejudice the right of one, or advance the right of the other, Proprietor. For, as it at present stands, to keep the peace amongst the people inhabiting the said borders, it will be utterly impossible to know what or where, those borders are. The borders of Lord Baltimore's charter are incontestably in the middle of the peninsula, above fourscore miles below these disturbances, but as Cressap has first propagated it, it may now be pretended, for Lord Baltimore, that his borders reach above fourscore miles higher than that, and even more north than the city of Phidelphia itself, which space contains by far the greatest number of settlements in the whole province; wherefore, if all that country may be called borders, or contested bounds, that will open a door for all imaginable inconveniences and contests about jurisdiction between the two provinces, and will leave, in effect, the whole province without any jurisdiction at all, or under an uncertainty which jurisdiction they belong to, which would be attended with the most fatal consequences. Nay, indeed, to leave one single mile, without a certain jurisdiction, would be an opportunity for debtors, for criminals, and all lawless persons, to establish and shelter themselves there, without control, to the annoyance of every body in both provinces, which the proprietors are very certain was never intended. The Pennsylvania proprietors do most humbly offer, that they already have, and will in the most positive and effectual manner, give directions to their deputy governor and officers, not to pretend, till the dispute is ended, to claim the least jurisdiction whatever, beyond the lines settled by Lord Baltimore's own agreement in 1732, on condition only that Lord Baltimore will give the like directions to his governor and officers-and the Pennsylvania proprietors humbly pray that such directions may be, in the most effectual manner, enforced by his Majesty's royal orders. And thus, a certain temporary limit may be established for the exercise of jurisdiction, which may preserve peace and good order amongst all his Majesty's subjects, and thereby answer the whole of his Majesty's most gracious and good intentions. But with respect to the not granting out any lands in contest, nor any part of the three lower counties, the Pennsylvania proprietors do most dutifully submit to their Lordships, that such a restraint would prevent both the proprietors from answering the declared ends and purposes for which the charters were granted to them. As the lands in contest may be said and pretended to be the whole country, if Lord Baltimore thinks proper to depart from the former claim and settlement of the bounds; and any such restraint would be more particularly hurtful to Mr. Penns, who though they suffer in their loss of their fortune by it, have yet the pleasure to observe, that that constitution which was established by their father has so fully answered the ends of his charter, as to invite foreigners, in very great numbers, from every part of Europe, who find themselves oppressed at home, to seek shelter in Pennsylvania, and become useful and additional new subjects to his most sacred Majesty, and who would be utterly disappointed, and that good end defeated, if lands could not be granted out to them, or, which is all one, if no lands but such as lay a great way back, in the uninhabited part of the country could be granted out to them. Wherefore, they humbly hope his Majesty will not see cause that so great a check should be put to settling this most flourishing province of Pennsylvania, and the rather, since the other matter of settling the jurisdiction, may fully answer his Majesty's royal intentions, and fully preserve peace to all his subjects. But the last part of the direction at present subsisting, not to grant any part of the lower counties, is appreliended to bear hard on Mr. Penns, and on them only, and they submit whether there may appear occasion for the same, since none of the forementioned matters are pretended to have happened there, or within very many miles of the same. And Mr. Penns humbly hope there is the less reason now, for laying any restraint whatever, on their granting out land in the lower counties, in regard not only that those counties lie very remote from the scene where the Marylanders have committed all the foregoing disturbances, but also that, in August 1737, when the quieting order was made, Lord Baltimore had then two petitions depending, to oppose Mr. Penns nomination of a new gov ernor of the three lower counties, which his Lordship called an assertion of his right to those counties; but, within a few days now past, when those petitions were brought on and appointed to be heard, his Lordship moved, by the advice of his council, as declared, to withdraw those petitions. Mr. Penns hereby offer, That they already have, and will further give the most effectual and positive orders to their governors and officers, not to grant any lands whatever pending the suit, beyond the lines settled by Lord Baltimore's own agreement, and humbly hope his Lordship shall be directed to confine himself (during the continuance of the suit) to the lines so fixed and settled by himself, and not to set up a pretence, that the whole province of Pennsylvania is in contest; and that upon the injuries complained of by the original petition, your Lordships will make such order as shall to your Lordships seem just. EMIGRATION.· W. MURRAY. A daily statement of the number of waggons, teams, &c. which passed through Easton Pennsylvania from 19th Sept. to 24th Oct. 1817, emigrating to the westward principally to Ohio-average 6 souls each, 3066. Sept. 19 Waggons. 53 Oct. 1 567 15 20 37 2 6 25 16 13 IMPORTS AT THE PORT OF PHILADELPHIA. 217 Imports from Foreign Countries at the Port of Philadelphia, from the year 1822 to 1827. [Phiad. Price Current. REVOLT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA LINE. DOCUMENTS Concluded from p. 206. As it was a misunderstanding in regard to sending the prisoners to your quarters, we hope you'l excuse-however they are gone under a proper guard to the committee of Congress's quarters over the river--however if you are desirous now to see them, we shall bring them to your quarters. We are Yr. Ible. Servts. Signed, Excellency Gov. Reed, & Genl. Wayne, &c. WM. BOUZAR. A court of inquiry to set this afternoon at 4 o'clock at Somerset, state of Pennsylvania, to hear and report their opinion, whether John Mason late of N. York, and James Ogden, of South River, state of New Jersey, were found within the lines of the American army in the character of spies-And if the said court find the charge, then to give their determination thereon. Genera! Wayne will preside. Genl. Irvine, Col. Butler, Col. Stewart, and Major Fishbourne, members. Given at Head quarters 10th Jany. 1781. STIRLING, M. G. In obedience to the above order, the two above mentioned prisoners were executed at the time and place above mentioned. Jan'y. 11. 1781. BEN. FISHBOURN, Ad. Camp. January 11, 1781. His Excellency Gov. Reed, and Genl. Potter, &c. Bloomsbury, Jan'y. 12, 1781. Dear Sir-Mr. Smith arrived this afternoon, and his presence will be useful. I hoped he would have brought the money, as I fear there will be much confusion till the discharged are separated from the retained. The commissioners began to day as the troops are clamorous, and disagreeable things expected if any delay was attempt ed. At the same time it must be observed, that we have not yet had the necessary papers. They therefore proceeded no further than one company-and the discharged of that are still here for want of a little money to bear their expenses. If therefore it is not already done, I persuade myself it will be sent immediately. Farmer came last evening and to-day I formed his arrangements, so that he will begin to-morrow. Mr. Deane will take care of money matters. The officers at Pennington were in so deplorable a plight that I was obliged to borrow £270 specie in this town on my own credit to relieve them. The people of the country are prejudiced against them, and callous to their necessities, Mr. Deane has just returned, having paid them the above sum on account of their depreciation. I expect we must send them £500 more. By a little address we have saved the 100 guineas, and our credit as you will see by the enclosed. Genl. Wayne was gone up to Pennington, and as I apprehended some mistake in the matter, I did not like to give up so much money without farther light. I have not yet been able to settle the money sent up by Nicola. There is a justice necessary to be observed with soldiers in money matters, which we must in future attend to. I shall be much obliged to you for one or more of the laws for making up the de preciation, the soldiers have not been properly made acquainted with it. I wish they had known it sooner, I think it would have had a good effect. The commissioners and some of the principal officers had some little warmth to-day as I am informed. The former proceeded in their own way, and I believe it was the right one. Great indulgences must and ought to be shown to the feelings of the officers in this new and unexpected scene-it is a sore trial, and requires no small degree of patience and good sense to submit to it. The men certainly had not those attachments which the officers supposed, and their fears being now at an end, they give loose to many indecencies, which are very provoking to those who have been long accustomed to receive unconditional submission. The mutineers are in all cases to be condemned; there are sometimes in armies just causes of discontent. The people of this state are universally in sentiment with the men. The officers remaining with them have not been able to make the smallest party on whom to depend even for information. I shall set out early on Sunday morning for Philadelphia, nothing happening to prevent, which I will let you know. And am with much regard to yourself and council, Dear Sir, Your obed. Hbble. Serv't. [Direction missing.] JOS. REED. [Instructions to Mr. Smith, when ordered to Bordentown to distribute the cloathing, &c.] Sir-You will be pleased to proceed to Bordentown as soon as convenient, where you will first direct the Agreeable to the information of two serjeants of our issue of the cloathing to such troops as shall be sent hoard, who waited on your Excellency, that in conside-down by the commissioners, and who will be under the ration of the two spies they informed the remainder of care of some officer or officers. 2dly. Pay each man the board that your Excellency has been pleased to of one month's pay, taking a receipt therefor-viz. fifty fer a sum of gold as a compensation for our fidelity-but shillings or the equivalent in continental, at 75 for as it has not been for the sake, or through any expecta-one. 3dly. Pay each recruit, who shall be certified by tion of receiving a reward, but for the zeal and love of our country, that we sent them immediately to Genl. Wayne, we therefore do not consider ourselves entitled any justice of peace as enlisted, for the war freely and voluntarily, and attested to serve the United States, six pounds state money, or the value in old continental, at the exchange of 75 for one, and one guinea. 4thly.pany. Mr. K. stated that one member of the committee The articles to be delivered to the soldiers who remain on Fire Companies had declined signing the report, bein service, are a pair of woollen overalls, a pair of shoes, cause he looked upon the petition of the Diligent Hose a shirt, and a blanket, unless he have one. 5thly. You Company as couched in such indecorous language as to will be particular in causing every soldier to whom the render it unworthy of attention. above articles are delivered, to sign a receipt therefor, and the same of the pay and recruiting money. 6thly. All necessary assistance to be procured, and will be allowed in your account of expenses. I shall send up from Philadelphia in a few days some persons who will take the burthensome part of the business off your hands, but the payment of monies you will be pleased to keep in your own hands. You will write frequently to inform me or in my absence the vice president, of your proceedings. I am sir, Yr. Obedt. & very Hbb. Ser❜v. Bloomsbury, Jany. 13, 1781. (Copy.) J. B. Smith, Esq. Mr. Keyser from the same committee, made a report, accompanied with a bill providing for the protection of the apparatus of the Fire Companies during times of fire. The bill, which consists of a single section, imposes pecuniary penalties on all persons who shall cross over the hose with carriages in time of fire, or shall in any way injure the hose or other apparatus. Mr. Linn inquired if Councils had the power to pass such a bill. Messrs. Keyser, Lowber and Tilghman replied in the affirmative. Mr.Donaldson thought the bill was not strong enough, JOS. REED. inasmuch as it provided for the protection of the apparatus, during the time of fire only. Mr. Tilghman thought it quite strong enough, and looked upon the common law as affording sufficient remedy for the abuses complained of. PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS. TUESDAY EVENING, Oct. 9, 1828. Mr. Lowber thought the enactment of such an ordinance, inasmuch as it positively prohibited the passing of carriages over the hose, would drive out of use the small bridges at present employed by the firemen, to allow wheel-carriages to pass along the streets without be-injuring the hose. A letter was received from the Mayor, stating that, since the last report, he had received a balance of rent, of one hundred and eighty dollars, from the estate queathed to the city by the late James Wills, and that he had paid over the same to the city treasurer. Mr. Keyser replied that the companies would still have to keep the small bridges in use, to facilitate the passage of the engines. Mr. Tilghman, from the committee on Independence Square, made a report recommending to the early at- Mr Troth and Mr. Linn were both of oponion that tention of the next Councils, the petition of the Wash- the common law did not afford a sufficient remedy for ington Grays, for a room in the State House, for an ar- the evil complained of. Persons who were not actumory. It is stated in the report, that the rooms in theated "by malicious mischief" frequently injured the State House will be occupied for some time by the carpenters employed in rebuilding the steeple: and that it is understood, that application will be made for the rooms for the use of the Courts, and for other public purposes. The committee was discharged at its own request. On motion of Mr. Linn, the price of each chart of the river Schuylkill, lately published at the expense of the city, was fixed at fifty cents. Mr. Lowber, from the committee to which the subject had been referred, made a report recommending compliance with the request preferred by Mr. Tanner, for liberty to incorporate the recent survey of the river Schuylkill in his new plan of the City of Philadelphia and adjacent districts. Adopted. Mr. Walmsley, from the coinmittee on accounts, presented the following report: The Committe of accounts to whom was referred the Accounts of the City Treasurer, and so much of the City Commissioners' accounts as relates to expenditures, beg leave to report, That they have examined the accounts of the City Treasurer from the 1st day of January, to the 30th day of June, inclusive, compared the same with the vouchers, and find them correct; leaving a balance of $1522.48, which agrees with the Pennsylvania Bank book exhibit ed to them. They also report, that they have examined the City Treasurer's account of Dr. Benj. Franklin's Legacy from the 1st day of January 1828, to the 30th day of June, inclusive, and find the same correct, leaving a balance in his hands of $277.88. hose by passing over it with wheel-carriages, and against them the law gave the firemen no protection. They mentioned several instances that had occurred within their own knowledge, the hose being burst by carts and other cariages passing over it in time of fires. Mr. Fell thought great inconvenience would result from a law which should positively, and under all circumstances, prohibit carriages from passing along the streets in which the hose should happen to be laid. Mr. Keyser said that as the members of Council did not appear prepared to act definitively on the subject, he would move to lay the bill on the table. The motion was adopted. On Motion of Mr. Lowber, the following resolution was unanimously adopted. "Resolved, That it affords the members of this Council, great pleasure to bear testimony to the ability, punctuality, and independence with which Joshua Percival has discharged the duties of the office of President of the Council, and that he has their thanks therefor." Mr. Percival made his acknowledgements in a brief address, in which he spoke of the great pleasure he had derived from his association with the members of Council, and disclaimed any merit except that which arose from a disposition to discharge the duties of his station with fidelity. Gentlemen, we may never meet again, but I trust that we shall in going to our homes, carry with us the richest reward which honest men can enjoy, the consciousness of having endeavoured to fulfil our duty. On motion of Mr. Thompson, the following resolution was unanimously adopted by Select Council: "Resolved that the thanks of this Council be present They further report, that they have examined so much of the City Commissioners accounts as relates to expened to John M. Scott, Esq, their President, for the abili ditures, from the 1st day of January 1827, to the 1st day ty, punctuality, and impartialty, with which he has of January 1828, compared the same with the vouchers discharged the duties of the office." and findthein correct. Mr. Scott was abssent from the meeting last evening. Mr. Keyser from the committee on Fire Companies, City Commissioners Office, Oct. 8th, 1828. made a report on the petition of the Diligent Hose Com-To the President and Members of the Select Council. pany. In the report the committee state, that they are Gentlemen--The City Commissioners respectfully sensible that no part of their conduct has given a colour submit to Councils, a state of their accounts, this day. to the charge of want of impartiality, which was brought They also enclose a letter received touching Walnut against them by the members of the Diligent Hose Com-street Wharf. No. 1. New Paving.... 2. Unpaved Streets.. 6. Pumps and Wells.... 7. Regulating Ascents, &c. 9. Expenses of Offices,, 10. Services in the Markets... 11. Incidental Expenses of Councils.. 13. Repaving over Water Pipes, &c,. 14. City Property,.. the memorial of the Philadelphia Chamber of Com merce, Respectfully sheweth That your memorialists being impressed with the belief, that great benefits would result to the government. and to the community, by a change in the mode of collecting the duties on imports, beg leave respectfully to suggest to your consideration, that suitable warehouses be provided by the government, in which imported merchandise may be deposited under charge of the revenue officers, and that the duties be payable in cash when such merchandise is taken out for home consumption. By such a system, under liberal provisions, your memorialists believe that the commerce of the country would be increased, and the collection of the revenue rendered certain. Merchants would not be obliged as at present, to force their wares into consumption, or to reexport them for the benefit of drawback to avoid greater loss. .$54,450 81 .7,019 90 .14,012 14 ..3,083 31 .26,669 49 .2,326 68 ...1,137 96 ..601 13 .410 00 ....52 83 By the present mode of collecting the duties, oppor.8,385 53 tunity is afforded to the importer, and frequently em.6,133 89 braced, for creating fictitious capital to the amount of 19. Purchase of Paving Stone.. ..13 20 the duties levied. Thus assuming the duty at 334 per 20. Repaving Footways.... ..8 25 cent., and that the goods be quickly converted into mo21. Expenses authorised by Councils......8,419 45 ney, as is extensively the case, three importations leave To the City Commissioners of the City of Philacelphia. in the hands of the importer an amount equal to the first Gentlemen:--The subscribers on behalf of the Penn- importation, and the more deeply he runs in debt the sylvania, Delaware and Maryland Steam Navigation more capital he will have at command. This temptation Company, is desirous of knowing whether the Corpora- to overtrade, which in many cases is found to be irresisttion think of improving Walnut street wharf, for a pub-ible, producing great injury to the foreign and domestic lic landing for a steam boat wharf, and what in that event trade of the country, would be remedied by the system would probably be the rent and the length of the lease we propose, while at the same time, as no duties would they would grant. Very respectfully, be payable, except when the merchandise should be reJ. MOLLETER, moved from the public stores for consumption, no hardPresident of the Pennsylvania Delaware and ship would be experienced by the importer, and a cerMaryland Steam Navigation Co. tainty of supply to the country would be insured. Mr. Donaldson read in his place a bill for the preservation of the Steeple of the State House. It was passed, as follows: AN ORDINANCE, For the protection of the Steeple on the State House, and for appointing a suitable person to take charge of the clock to be placed therein. SECTION 1. Be it ordained & enacted by the citizens of Philadelphia, in Select and Common Councils assembled, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That if any person or persons, shall wilfully cut, or deface any part of the Steeple on the State House, by writing or drawing thereon, or in any other manner, he, she, or they so offending, shall forfeit and pay for each and every offence, the sum of five dollars, to be recovered with costs by any person who will sue for the same, before the Mayor or any Alderman of the city in the same manner as debts under one hundred dollars are by law recoverable, one half thereof for the use of the person who shall sue for the same and the other half for the use of the Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of Philadelphia. Sect. 2. Be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the Mayor be and he is hereby authorised to appoint a suitable person to take charge of the Clook to be placed in the Steeple, at a salary not exceeding one hundred dollars per annum. Enacted into an ordinance at the City of Philadelphia, this 9th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight. JOSHUA PERCIVAL President of the Common Council. TH. KITTERA, President Pro. Tem. of the Select Council. N. R. POTTS, Clerk of Select Council.-Phil. Gaz. Requiring sureties to custom-house bonds, by linking commercial houses together, involves many in the folly and misfortunes of a few. Very little advantage is derived by government from such suretics, for during the predominance of fictitious capital and the credit system, the appearances necessary for a custom-house surety are very readily acquired by the facility of creating capital as above shown, It is believed also that the best interests of the country would be promoted by encouraging a foreign carrying trade. At present an importer is compelled to reexport within twelve months, at whatever disadvantage, without relief or appeal, or lose the benefit of drawback, and have his goods thrown into the home market, for which perhaps they were neither designed, nor at all adapted. To avoid this, cargoes are frequently shipped at great expense and inconvenience, and landed at foreign ports there to await the opening of a suitable market. propriety be put into warehouses, and others could not As some articles of a perishable nature, could not with conveniently be sold while there, a liberal discount of 7 dies may deem just and proper, might be allowed to or 8 per cent. or such other sum as your honourable boplace the importers of such goods upon a footing of equality with the importers of articles to be warehoused. Aware of the pernicious consequences which usually any sudden or violent change in the long established result from premature revolutions in trade, we urge not commercial usage of the country, but respectfully recommend that convenient warehouses be provided by government in all our principal ports, preparatory to any alteration of the credit system, and that the existing as, while they shall insure to commerce its just share of reyenue laws may undergo such a judicious revision public patronage, shall provide for the gradual introduction of a well digested system of cash payment WAREHOUSING SYSTEM AND GOVERNMENT of duties. To the Honourable the Senate and House of Represen- And your memorialists will ever pray, &c. ROBERT RALSTON, President. JOHN VAUGHAN, Secretary. |