PRICE OF FLOUR IN THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET, FROM 1784 TO 1828. Average of the price of Wheat in Eng. Per Quarter January Febr'y. March. April. July. August. Sept'r. (October Nov'mb. Dec'ber Remarks. Aver. Years. 45s. 438. May. June. 45s. 458. 41 6d 40 6d 40 42 6d 42 6 35 45s. 478. 438.6d. 438 6d 43 42 40 39 2 33 40 6 34 6 34 35 44 11 42 6 42 6d 51 43 3 46 51 11 37 6d 37 6 47 38 6 43 9 A LETTER From the Merchants and Traders of Philadelphia, in the Province of Pennsylvania, to the Merchants and Manufacturers of Great Britain. GENTLEMEN-After the repeal of the late American stamp act, and some acts of regulation, injurious to the trade of Great Britain and her colonies, in which you so generously interposed your aid and influence; we flattered ourselves, that no similar measures would in future be adopted; but that the business so happily begun would have been prosecuted and ended in the general emolument of both countries. For, with great truth we assure you, that it is our firmest desire to see the commercial interests of the latter, inseparably connected with the former, on principles of mutual benefit; the grand cement, and only solid foundation, on which a permanent union between them can be properly established. An attempt to support a trade between two countries on any other, must appear to you, who have had much experience, idle and chimerical. With the utmost concern, therefore, we observe, that instead of relieving the commercial intercourse between us, from the restrictions under which it has long laboured, new impositions have been laid by the British parliament, on the importation of sundry manufactores of Great Britain, and other articles of trade imported from thence into America, for the sole purpose of revenue: This, we apprehend, is not only injurious to our rights as British subjects, (who cannot be constitutionally and legally taxed, but by their own, or the consent of their representatives) but very detrimental and impolitic, with respect to the future trade between Great Britain and her colonies: hence we find ourselves again under an indispensable necessity to address you, and to request that you will exert your interest and influence to obtain a repeal of the acts imposing those duties; and a further relief from the other burthens, which the American trade has long laboured under, with almost insuperable difficulty. Measures, which we propose to you with the more freedom, as we are convinced your interest is full as much concerned as ours, to have them accomplished with all possible expedition. mitted to remain inviolate, and the progress of commerce left to advance, in its old successful channel. But we must inform you of a solemn truth, which we think highly worthy of the most serious attention of our superiors, before it is too late; that if those acts of parlia ment, which prohibit us from a circuitous trade, restrain us from a proper medium of commerce, impose duties on British manufactures, and oppress us with other burthens and difficulties, in discharging our debts and fulfilling our contracts with the merchants in Britain, are continued; the people of America must from necessity, if not from motives of interest, set up manufactories o their own; which must gradually diminish, and in its consequence put an end to that mutually beneficial.commerce, that has hitherto subsisted between us. For although the late, and perhaps the present disposition of the colonists in general, leads them to the cultivation and improvement of lands, and to rely on the mother country for her manufactures and merchandize, to supply them with a variety of necessaries; yet, should those restrictions and duties be continued, it is too evident to be denied, that they will impel the people from necessity, to raise the raw materials, and operate as bounties, by encouraging the Americans to manufacture for themselves. Materials of almost every kind may be found or raised in America: the different soils and climates will encourage the undertaking; and when the benefits thereof shall be once generally known and experienced, the business will be lastingly established, and the present commerce between the two countries, must in a great measure cease; where the loss and injury will fall, it is easy to perceive. America, taught and impelled by the indiscretion of the mother country, to raise and save every necessary within herself, we are satisfied, will be greatly benefitted; but how far the British merchant and manufacturer will be affected and distressed, we must leave you to determine. Under these circumstances, we still hope the parliament may, by proper information, be convinced, that the true interest of the mother country will hereafter in a great degree depend on their relieving us from those unnatural and useless fetters, with which the sinews of American commerce have been so injudiciously cramped; and in particular the following, which we beg leave to remind you of in a brief manner, as we have been full and explicit on most of them, in our address to you of November, 1765. The statutes imposing duties on paper, glass, tea, &c. being a tax on the Americans, without their consent, we look upon, unconstitutional and destructive of our rights, as your brethren and English subjects. But as the assembly of this province, we are informed, have with decency and firmness petitioned the British legisla- dize imported from Great Britain, taken off, and no fu1st. Were the duties, lately imposed on the merchanture for relief, in which the dangerous effects and inju-ture burthens laid on them; the colonists, as heretofore, rious operation of these acts to our privileges, are set would naturally pursue the cultivation and improvement forth, we think it unnecessary to be more particular on of their lands, rely on the British merchants for the sup this head; but the inexpediency and bad tendency of these statutes, were they in themselves constitutional, ply of a great variety of necessaries, as well as luxuries, must, in our opinion, (whenever they are considered without interfering with the interest of the mother counwith the attention due to matters of so much consequence try in her manufactures. to both countries) furnish abundant reason for their repeal. You are well apprised, that by several laws, the American merchants are prohibited from importing such goods as are manufactured in Great Britain, and other merchandize interfering with her trade, from any other part of Europe: hence the colonists have ever paid such prices for them, as the British merchants and manufacturers have thought proper to charge; notwithstanding which, they have hitherto generally contented themselves with supplying their wants, and even their luxuries, from their mother country; and applying their labour and industry to the cultivation of their lands, and raising such commodities as would either mediately or immediately serve for remittances in discharge of their debts to Britain. 2dly. The restriction on paper currency, from being a legal tender in colony debts, as it deprives us of the only circulating medium of trade, which we can by any means retain among us, prevents the cultivation of our lands, obstructs the improvement of the country, and is peculiarly embarrassing and distressing to commerce; which your own experience must inform you cannot be carried on to extensive advantage without it. 3dly. The prohibition of the colonists, from exporting bar iron to the foreign ports of Europe, is manifestly injurious to both countries; as it deprives the Americans of a considerable circuitous remittance to Great Britain. 4thly. The importation of wines and fruit, from the continent of Europe, into America through England, is attended with delay, which often endangers the total loss of the latter, and occasions a very great and unne Thus an interesting and beneficial commerce between cessary expense, as well as the risque of a double voy them has been formed on the most lasting principles; it age to the colonies, without producing the least profit has increased beyond the most sanguine expectations, or advantage to the revenue of Great Britain; and thereand would continue so to do, to the inexpressible advan- fore, we conceive it to be an unnatural as well as unne tage of the mother country, were those principles per-cessary restriction on our trade. Peter Turner, junior David McMurtrie 5thly. Our trade to Madeira, formerly contributed to | William Heysham John Wilday ! enable us to make remittances to Great Britain, by an exportation of wines of the growth of that Island from these colonies, which is now totally obstructed by the heavy duty to which that article is subjected, and no drawback allowed on exportation to Great Britain; which we esteem a great grievance: redress therein will be of manifest benefit to us, without prejudice to our mother country. We have also the like cause of complaint in the articles of coffee and foreign indigo. 6thly. By an act of parliament passed in the year 1765, sugars of the growth of the West India Islands, imported into Great Britain from the continent of North America, are declared, "shall be deemed and taken to be foreign sugars, and liable to the same duties and restrictions;" which is a discouragement to the commerce of the colonies with Great Britain; because it deprives the North American merchants of an advantageous remittance, which they might often make to the British merchant, when the markets of these colonies are overstocked with those sugars, received in return for our flour and other produce shipped to the British Islands; this is a circumstance that often happens, and reduces the merchants here to very considerable difficulties. Thus we have given you, from motives of real regard to the interests of both countries, a brief view of the restrictions and burthens on our trade, which, we think, ought in all good policy to be redressed, and the regu lations to be made for their mutual benefit. Should these take place, we are confident our commercial connections will necessarily revive, and our trade increase, to the inconceivable benefit of the mother country. Because it will from hence follow, that the greatest part of the produce of the labour and industry of the colonists must flow to Great Britain; while the former, at liberty in their commerce, will never think it worth while to manufacture among themselves: but should the present burthens on trade be continued, and particularly the acts imposing duties on tea, paper, glass, &c. for the sole purpose of raising a revenue in America; it is our serious and candid opinion, the commerce between G. Britain and her colonies must, of necessary consequence, greatly diminish, and the general importation of goods suddenly cease. As you have heretofore had occasion to consider the subject, we have only to add, and repeat our earnest request, that you will for your, as well as our interest, and that of both Coutries, exert your interest and influence with the Ministry and Parliament to obtain redress. The manner of doing it must be submitted to you, who are on the spot, and can best determine on the proper est method. Jacob Reynell Carsan, Barclay & Mitchell Joshua Fisher and Sons Philip Benezet Peter Reesc Joseph Wharton, junior Joseph Pennel George Emlen, junior Samuel Mifflin Joshua Howell John and Peter Chevalier Isaac Hazelhurst Benjamin Wynkoop George Meade Richard Parker John Inglis and Son James Maccubbin George Fullerton John Steinmetz Swett and Guy Joseph Richardson Robert Morris Isaac Cox William Morrell Conyngham and Nesbit Francis Richardson William and Samuel Corry William Smith John Boyle Samuel Purviance Joseph Sims Jacob Shoemaker, junior Andrew Bankson Enoch Hobart Randle Mitchell Gibson and Asheton Walter and Bertles Shee Matthias Aspden Isaac and Joseph Paschall Owen Jones Owen Jones, junior Alexander Bartram Daniel and John Benezet and Thomas Barrow Isaac and Moses Bartram William Shippen and Son John Drinker James Wharton Curtis Clay Isaac Wikoff Aiexander Huston Wm. and Thos. Bradford' Samuel Shoemaker 3816 John Snyder (B. M.) 4526 247 James B. Wood 241 4155 The new Councils met yesterday morning. James M. Linnard was elected President of the Common Council, and J. R. Vogdes, Clerk. The Select Council re-elected J. M. Scott, esq. President, and Tho. Bradford, jr. Clerk. 6587 Yesterday morning between 12 and 1 o'clock, about 6547 Printed every Saturday morning by William F. Ged- were on the "Working THE REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE. Lord President Lord Steward At the Court of Whitehall, this 13th day of Novem- Duke of Devonshire ber, 1685. PRESENT: The King's Most Excellent Maj'ty, His R'll. H'hss. Pr. George Lord Arch Bishop of Cant. Lord Chancellor Lord Treasurrer Lord Privy Seal Earle of Craven Earle of Nottingham Lord Bishp. of London Duke of New Castle NO. 43. Earl of Hay Earl Fitzwalter Upon reading at the Board a report from the right honourable the Lords of the Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs, dated the fourth of this instant, in the words following, vizt. Your Majesty having been pleased, by your orders in Council of the seventeenth of March, 1736-7, and the twenty first of July, 1737, to refer unto this committee, several petitions from the President, Council, and General Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania; and Lord Dartmouth likewise from the Governor and Council, and the comLord Godolphin missary and clergy of the province of Maryland, which Mr. Chall. of ye Exchr. petitions represent (amongst other things) that great The following report from the Rt. Honble the Lords disorders and outrages have been committed upon the of the committee for trade and foreign plantations being borders of the said respective provinces, and humbly this day read at the board. The Lords of the committee praying your Majesty's most gracious interposition and for trade and plantations having pursuant to his late commands for the preservation of the peace on the said Maj'tys order in councill of the 31st of May 1683 exam- borders, until the boundaries of the said provinces shall ined the matters in difference between the Lord Balti-be finally settled and adjusted. The Lords of the commore and William Penn Esq. in behalf of his present mittee of Council did on the twenty ninth of the said majesty concerning a tract of land in America, common- month of July, take the matter of the said complaints ly called Delaware. Their Lordships find that the into their consideration: and thereupon reported to your land intended to be granted by the Lord Baltimore's Majesty what they thought most advisable for your Mapatent was only land uncultivated and inhabited by Sa-jesty to do, in order to prevent the further continuance vages and this tract of land now in dispute was inhabited and planted by Christians at and before the date of the Lord Baltimore's patent, as it hath been ever since to this time and continues as a distinct colony from that of Maryland soe that their Lordships humbly offer their oppinion That for avoiding ffurther differinces, the tract of land lying between the river and bay of Delaware and the Easterne sea on the one side and Chesapeake Bay on the other, be divided into equal parts by a line from the Latitude of Cape Henlopen to the 40th deg. of northerne Latitude and that one half thereof lying towards the Bay of Delaware and the Eastern sea be adjudged to belong to his majesty and that the other half remaine to the Lord Baltimore as comprized in his charter. Council Chamber 8 Nov. 1685. His Majesty well approving of the said report it was thereupon ordered by his Maj'ties Ex. Council that the said lands be fforthwith divided accordingly, whereof the said Lord Baltimore and William Penn Esq. together with their respective officers and all others whom it may concerne are to take notice and give due and ready obedience there. Signed WM. BRIDGEMAN. This is a true copy of the original done by the Gover'r. WM. MARKHAM, Sec'y. of the said disorders, and to preserve peace and tranquility on the said borders, until the boundaries should be finally settled. And your Majesty having approved of what was proposed by the said report, was pleased, by your order in council, of the eighteenth of August 1737, to direct as follows, viz: That the governors of the respective provinces of Maryland and Pennsylvania, for the time being, do not, upon pain of incurring his Majesty's highest displeasure, permit or suffer any tumults, riots or other outrageous disorders to be committed on the borders of their res pective provinces; but that they do immediately put a stop thereto, and use their utmost endeavours to pre serve peace and good order amongst all his Majesty's subjects under their government, inhabiting the said borders. And as a means to preserve peace and tranquility on the said borders, his Majesty doth hereby enjoin the said governors, that they do not make grants of any parts of the lands in contest between the proprietaries respectively, nor of any part of the three lower counties, commonly called New Castle, Kent and Sussex; nor permit any person to settle there, or even to attempt to make a settlement thereon, till his Majesty's pleasure shall be further signified. And his Majesty is further pleased to direct that this order, together with duplicates thereof, be delivered to the proprietaries of the said provinces, who are hereby required to trans At the Court at Kensington, the twenty fifth day of mit the same forthwith to the governors of the said resMay, 1738. pective provinces accordingly. That since the issuing the said order, your Majesty hath been pleased to refer unto this committee an address of the deputy governor, and of the upper and |