The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-12-19 00:00:00, page 2

I RIL ADELPHI A, December TO.
On Monday laftthy flowing Address was presented
to his Excellency the President of th? State
io bis Exceliency JOHN DICKIN ON, bfquire, PreJident
of the Supreme Executive Council of Penofyivania, &c. &c.
'^7 "' '" e SO^irribers, Officers of the troops of Penri-
Sylvania in the Continental army, 'beg leave to
piefent our cng,attritions on your appointment to the
'hi h office you now fill
Deeply interested as we are in the happiness and profpe.
ruy of our common Country, to procue which we have
:iv?n dur unremitted exertiops under erv great difficul
• °s, we confide; your appointment as the returning dawn
of that temper and good fnie which long'diffinguiShed
Pen fylruria, and augo to oorfelves and the communi y
treat advantages, from a person of such known abilities
, J integrity, md who has hid so distinguished a part in
wringing about the present Revolution, being, placed at
the Head of Government.
That your Administration may be attended with lifting
tellings to the people over wh m you preside, which can
ne render it Satisfactory to your enlarged mind, is the
Sincere wifu of, Sir,
You' Excelßncys very bumble Servants,
Arthur St. Claft, Major-General
Richard Humpton, Col. 6th Regiment.
Richard Butler Col. yb Ditto.
T. Robinson, Li-ut Col. if Ditto.
J., Grier, Major 6tb Ditto.
T. 1.. Moore, Major yb Ditto.
William Buller, Lieut. Col. Command, 4th Ditto.
Walter Stewart, Col. id Ditto.
Benjamin Temple, Lieut. Col. ^tb Light Dragoons.
-TO L Keene, Captain.
-1U rJ©hn Chriftiej Cape <th Regiment.
miJernes Humphreys, C«pl. 6th Ditto.
Matihew M'Conn 11, Captain.
Y'A. G. Claypoole, Cap. 3d Ditto.
J. Simondsy fa,, artillery.,
1 homys Douglais, (apt. 45b Reg. Artillery.
William MTlharton, Captain. °
Junes M'Lvan, I.vutmnt,
A Lvtl, Li<ut. fh-Regim-nt.
Matthew M'Guire, <4,/. Lieut. Artillery.
Join Streeker, Capt. Liew. Artillery.
John Wigton, Laut. 3d Regiment,
Jolin Stricker, Li,ut. zd Data.
C. De hfycfldn, Lieut, zd Ditto.
jams Gilchrist, Lieut. sth Ditto.
Robert McConnell. Capt. Lieut. Artillery.
Thomas Dungan, Lieut. 6 b Regiment.
J. Van Herne, Copt, rd Ditto.
L. Davis, Lieut. 3th Ditto.
Andrew Walker, Capt nd Ditto.
T. B. Bowen, Cabt. 3th Ditto.
William Mureni Lieut. 2d Ditto.
Henry D, "urfeß, 1 Cut. 2d Ditto.
Nath bid. '.n"th Lieut. sh pitto.
J. Pt ft, Lieut, ytb Ditto.
William Huffon, Lieut. Gtb Ditto.
E. Beatty, Lieut. 4th Ditto.
James : rnahan, Capt. 4th Ditto.
James M Michael, Li^ut ^b Ditto.
Edward Sper, Lieut. 6th Ditto.
T. Procter, Capt. Artillery.
William Feltrnan, Lieut iff Regiment.
. Alexander Stewart, Surgeon, 3d Ditto.
John, Doyle, Capt 6th Ditto.
Robert Patton, Capt. 6tb Ditto.
Edmund Bourke, Capt. f Ditto.
Roterr Martin, Lieut ift Ditto.
John B. WebSter, Lieut. Artillery.
Franks Thornbury, Lieut. 3d Regiment.
John Armstrong, Lieut. 3d Di'to.
, feph Ashton, Capt. Lieut Artillery.
William Wilson, Capt. if Regimen.
Samuel Montgomery, Capt. gtb Ditto.
Alexander Parker, Capt, ^b Ditto.
James Gamble, Lieut. 4th Ditto.
' Edward Butler, Lieut. sth Ditto.
George M'Cully, Capt. 3d Ditto.
William M'Curdy, Capt. if Ditto.
Francis Johnston, Colonel.
- Henry Carbery, Captain.
Henry Piercy, Lieut. 2d Regiment.
To which bis Excellency was pleaded to return the fol
lowing ANSWER.
Gentlemen;
I A M oppressed by the honor which you have now con
ferred upon me, and fin.l it impoffble to expefs my.
gratitude for it, but by referring myfelf to that liberality'
of minds ftom which it flows, and trusting, that there
perfect justice w 11 be done to my fentifnents,
That your urn emitted exertions, under very great dif
ficulties, may soon be rewarded with those lifting blessings
to the pec de, which promote. )you to make them, and
with that grateful consideration by your country, which
is so justly due to them,, nd that every happiness, in
every feene of life, may attend you, is, Gentlemen,
among the warmest wishes my heart can form."
Extras of a letter from a gentleman at LOrient, ON. 26.
'• Since our arrival, there have been fix fail of the Ja
maica fleet captured and brought in here by the Revolu
tion, Cptain Wetb, and the Cicero, Captain Hjll. both
belonging to Them N. E. -Capt. Barry, in the Alliance,
has also brought in 4 fail more of the above fleet. The
fl set were convoyed by the Ville de Paris of 110 guns, the
Ramilies, tne Glorirux the Centaur of 74 guns each,
and some othr Ship: they met with a very heavy gale
of wind, in .-rch a nu ;ber of the convoy was loft—-the
Ville de P 0 . loft her ma s-- the Ramilies was also dif
mafted and Tendered 5 bays after the gale, and all the
crew per.fhed except 40-00 were brought in the prizes.
The Glorieux was so leaky before the gate as to be hardly
a'le t doit, and ha not since been heard of. We are
since informed that the Centaur was loft at sea.-— The
scattered remains of this fleet had not arrived wljen the
last accounts left England. We have had a flying, report
of a Prince of the blood being killed at the siege of Gi
braltar, but this wants confirmation."
Other accounts fay, that Admiral Graves, who was on
board ope of the above Ships, fared himfelf, with hit
captain arid some others, by getting on board one of the
merchant Ships, that has since been captured and carried
into France.
AND WHEREAS the Honorable Congress, by their
aft of the twentieth day of February lalt, pointed out a
mode for the Speedy Settlement and liquidation of public
accounts, and by their refdve of the nineteenth day of
Ma r cb\&\\ have recommended to the Several Legislatures
of the United Seat's, to day and prevent Suits of individuals
againtt public Officers, their Deputies and Agents: And
it appearing to this Legislature highly unjust that any per
son or persons, having a&ed as public Officers, or Depu
ties and Agents aforefaid, should be involved in distress
and ruin, in cpnfequence of their honed and virtuous ex
ertions for the common interest and fafety of the public :
Be it therefore enaNed by the Representatives of the Free
men of the Commonwealth of Peunfylvania, in General Af
fembl) met, and by the authority of the fame, That in every
case where any action hath been, or hereafter Shall be
brought, during the continuance of this a^, against any
person or erfons who have afted in any of the public
departments aforefaid, either as Principals, Deputies or
Agents, .upon any contrast,, bargain or agreement, and
which was entered into before the firft day of January last,
the Court before whom such action hath or may be prose
cuted Shall, upon application, proceed in a summary man
ner into the examination of the circumstances of such
Suit; and if it Shall appear to the Satisfaction of the
Court, that the debt or sum feed for was contracted by
the said Officer, his Agent or Deputy, for the public Ser
vice, and that the property for which said contract was
made was delivered and came to th? use of the public, at
the price for which said property was originally purchaD
ed by said Officer, his Agent or Deputy, and that the
@id Officer, Agent or Deputy, hath not had a Settle
ment and payment of his accounts, nor hath Sufficient
of the public money in his hands so as to enable him to
discharge the debt or demand in question therewith, to
all and every which queries the said Officer, Deputy or
Agent Shall answer on oath, or affirmation, if thereto
required by the plaintiff, then and in such case the Gid
Court are hereby impowerec and required to order a stay
of all proceedings on such aCtion or actions.
Provided always. That where any plaintiff or plaintiffs
in any suit heretofore -brought, or which may hereafter
be brought, against any public Officer, Agent or Deputy
as aforefiid, ihall, by authenticated official papers, or
other Sufficient evidence (for which purpose it Shall be
lawful for any such plaintiff or plaintiffs to call for and
require, and the Courts are hereby enj rihed to order to
be produced on oath or affirmation, all the books and pa
pers kept by such Officer, his Deputy ^r Agent, of his or
their agency) make it appear to the fatisfa&ion of the Court,
that the defendant in,fuch Suithath fettled his accounts, and
received payment for the balance due to hint as an Officer,
Agent or Deputy as aforefaid, from the public, or that he
hath Sufficient public money in his hands to pay the debt
or demand for which such Gut hah or may be brought,
then, and in such case, it Shall b- lawful for furb plaintiff
or plaintiffs to prosecute there Ai: or Suits, in the nfiial
course of law, So judgment aco execution any thing
herein before ton ained notwith ft inding. /Ind it public
money Sufficient to discharge the wnple of such debt 01.
demand, for which such frit, hath or may be brought,
Shall not be in his or their hands or po&flion,°thA.tthen,
and in such case, judgment and .execution, with crifts of
suit in the u<ual course of law, fadll proceed against the
said public Officer, Agent or Deputy as. aforefaid, for
frich sum or Suns of public m ney as sh JI be founJ, on
the evidence aforefaid, to be in bis or their hands or pos
session.
Provided also, That if the plaintiffin any such fu*t Shall
recover only part of his debt or demand as aforefaid from
such public Officer, Agent or Deputy, such recovery Shaft
•not prevent, hinder .or be a bar to his prosecuting any
b;h, Suit hereafter against such Officer, Agent or D'mu',
tb'for the residue of his debt or demand; in case th? said
Officer, Agent or Deputy, Shall hereafter receive more
public money to pay and difeharge the debts or demands
so contracted by him as aforefaid.
Provided also, That nothing in this.aft contained °fhall
be conftiued or taken to render any of the said Officers,
Agents or Deputies, liable for the payment of Such debts
or demands, further or otherwise than they-were or might
have been liable for the payment of the fame by law be
fore the passing of this a&.
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid, That,
to enable the plaintiff or plaintiffs the better to Support
such suit or suits, all Officers' or other persons within this
State, who are in possession of books, official papers, or
other authentic documents, Shall, and they are hereby re
quired, on application to him or them made for that pur
pose, to make out and certify copies from Such books,
official papers, and other authentic documents, or such
parts thereof as such plaintiff or plaintiffs Shall think
necessary; which copies, so made out and certified on
. oath or affirmation, Shall be evidence to the Court, lo
far as they may relate to the Staying or prosecuting such
suit or fuits', and in no other case whatsoever ; excepting
in such cases wherein they may be considered by the
Court as legal evidence.
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid, That
this a& Shall be and continue in force for the term of
eighteen months from publication hereof, and from
thence to the end of the next fitting of the General Af
fembly,.and no longer.
Signed, by Order of the House,
FREDERICK A. MUHLENBERG, Speaker.
Enabled into a Law, at Philadelphia, on
Friday, the twenty -ninth day of No
vember, in the year of our Lord One
thousand seven hundred and eighty two.•
PETER Z. LLO'YD, Clerk of the General assembly.
STATE of PENNSYLVANIA.
An A CT to flay and prevent faits being brought against
fandry Officers Deputies or Agents, heretofore employed in
the service 0/ this State, and of the United States.*
WH E R E A S sundry inhabitants of this State, duly
autnorifd and appointed, agreeable to the resolu
tions of Congress, hive aCted as Agents for the United
States, in the several characters of Com miffa. ies, Quarter-
Matters, Forage-Makers, -and in the Clothier and Medi
cal Departments:
AND WHEREAS other persons, under the proper au
thority and appointment of this State, have also afted in
the fame chara&e% and, through their laudable zeal for
rhe good of the Service, have not only used their belt en
deavours as public Officers, but have also engaged their
private credit, in many instances, for the payment of pub-'
lie debts:
An ACT to prevent the ereNing any new and inde
pendent State within the limits of th s Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, by the separation of the Thirteen
United States from Great-Britain, the Common
wealth of Pennsylvania hath become a sovereign and inde
pendent State : And in consequence of such separation
a government, established solely on 'he authority of the
people, hath been formed; and it being evident rhat
every county hath by the coh^itution, or by laws enacted
for that purpose, an inconteftible right to fend Deputies
to represent them in the General Assembly, and that
they have exercised that right, they being now actually
represented in this House; therefore all the inhabitants
of this Commonwealth as they are under the protection
of its laws, are bound by and do owe allegiance thereto.
AND WHEREAS great exertions have been made
for the defence of the frontiers, and large sums expended
therein, notwithstanding the embarrassments and difficul
ties under which the Commonwealth hath and still doth
labour in its finances :
AND WHEREAS this Commonwealth is indebted
to the late proprietaries of Pennsylvania in a'large sum
of money, payable at the end of the war, and each and
every county ought to contribute its just part or propor
tion for that end, and the unlocated lands within this
S f ate are and always have been considered a valuable
fund towards paying and discharging the said debt:
AND WHEREAS, notwithstanding the premises,
this House hath received information that divers ill dis
posed persons, setting at nought every principle of public
virtue, and pursuing their ambitious and interested views,
have caused great uneafinels among the good people of
this State, by manifeftife the. most criminal design of
setting up a diftindt State or government within this Com
monwealth:
Be it therefore enaßed, and it is hereby enaNed by the Re
presentatives of the Freemen of the Common wealth of Penn
sylvania, in General Afcmbly met, and by the authority of the
fame, That if any perfenor persons ihall ered or form,
or Shall endeavour to efc& or form any new and inde
pendent government within the boundaries of this Com
monwealth, as described „in flre charter, and fettled be
tween this State and the "State of Virginia, such person
or persons, being thereof legally convicted in any Court
of Oyer and Terminer, Shall be adjudged guilty of high
treason:
And be it further enaNed by the authority aforefaid, That
if any person or persons Shall set up any notice, written
or printed, calling or requeuing the people to meet toge
ther for the design or purpose o' forming a new and inde
pendent government as aforefaid, such person or persons,
and all others who Shall affembje themselves for that pur
pose, in consequence of Such notice, Shall be adjudged
guilty of high treason.
. And be it further enafled by the authority aforefaid, That
if any person or persons, at any meeting of the people,
convened for the purpose aforefaid, or for any other pur
pose, Shall maliciously and advisedly recommend or desire
them to ere& or form any new government, in any part
of this State, independent of the present, or Shall read to
them any hew form of a Constitution, with design to in
duce them to adopt the.fame, as a new and independent
Constitution, every such person or persons, being thereof
legally convi&ed, Shall be adjudged guilty o' high treason.
Provided always, add be it further enaEted by ths authori
ty aforefaid, That nothing contained in this a& Shall ex
tend, or be construed to extend to the dispute now fobfifting
berween the State of Pennftlvania and the State of Connec
ticut, respecting their limits, boundaries or jurifdi&ion.
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid, That
if any person or persons Shall commit any offence agairift
this a&, every such offender Shall be tried in any county
within this Commonwealth, if the Supreme Executive
' obricil shall think proper to order and direct said trial t©
be had :n any other county than that in which the offence
may have been committed,
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid, That
any person or perforts, who Shall offend against this a&,
and (nail be thereof legally crwvi&ed, by the evidence of
two fufficient witness, ^ any Court of Oyer and Termi
ner within this Commonwealth, he or they Shall be ad
judged guilty of high treaion, and Shall fuffer death; and
his or their estate is hereby declared to be forfeited to this
Commonwealth'
And in osder the more effectually to prevent the mif
chiefs which this a& is intended to guard against and re--
medy, Be it entfed by the authority aforefaid, That the
Supreme Ekecmive Counri 1 Shall be, and they are hereby
enabled to call out the militia of such counties, as they
may think necessary to prevent or suppress any attempts to
set up a new and independent government in any county
or bounties within the boundaries of this Commonwealth,
as above mentioned. Signed, by Order of the House,
FREDERICK A. MUHLENBERG, Speaker.
Enabled into a Law, at Philadelphia, on
Tuesday, the third da, of December,
in the year of cur Lord One thousand se
ven hundred and righty two.
pETER Z. LLOYD, Clerk of the General Assembly.
Mr. CLAY POOL E.
S I. Rr
You •will oblige feme of ,owr ,Fritndr, by furrifoing the follawirg
Letter a corner in your ,4,/•, jn order to place an injured Cha
racter in a prefer point rt n^eiu.
To Colonel F RA N CIS JOHNSO N.
S I R, . - - .
HAVING f . en ; n the Freeman's Journal, of the nth
inst. a very illiberal attack upon ycu, under the appella
tion of one Frank Johnson; in order to obviate any ill imnref
fions it may ma%e upon those to wtom vop are a ftranget we
your brother office's, uhr have fervid,with voo in the most try
ing times and dangerous Situations, and been witheffes of ymr
always ^covering that Spirit aid perfevera-nce, which are the
charaApriffics of the soldier and the patriot, tho° labouring under
an infirm cenftituti<n. think -it our duty to declare, that the
charge and insinuations refe r rrd to, are falfe, malicious and fcan
daious; gnd we do not recoiled your having ever been absent
from the arrnv, whilst von remained in service, but when com
pelled to it from want of health, or from your having been sent
as an A-ent for the Pennfylvanid lire, to tranfaA bufit efs with
the Legislature of rhe^a-e. We are, -with refeeri and fr<m,
S I R, Yur very burble servants,
H, St. Ctair, Mfyr-GererA.
Richard Ilurnften, Colcnel.
Dec *6 1 """'' A. D. C.
''/ /Thomas Robinson, Lieus. Colonel.
"''Walter Stewart, Colonel.
Thomas L, Moore, Major.