The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1780-12-02 00:00:00, page 3

, To the P RTNTERS.
CENT and refpeaful remarks upon tte pro
ceedings of our legislative or executive bodies,
are not only consent with the constitution of
this Pate, but may be useful to the gentlemen con
cerned, who, from inattention, or multiplicity of bul,
nefs, may fall into errors which, uncorrecte!, will
grow into dangerous precedents. I observe in A late
vote that a committee of the house is authorifed to ad
minister oaths. This I think is a power which neither
can nor ought tobe delegated. Every lawyer will tell
us that the British House of Commons, as such ? can
not administer an oath, tho' individual members, as
juftices,of th^ peace, may The couftitution of this
flate.admits the house to adminifler an oath, but the
house cannot devolve any power intruded by the con
flitution to a patt of the house. The ass ably.may
pass a law, impeach a criminal, chufe their officers,'
&c. but they cannot devolve the power to any part of
the house. /'
A petition I observe is presented to the house by sun
dry performs, alledging they did not know of the law
for the gradual abolition of slavery, and have, not re
gistered their negroes, and praying they may be en-,
flawed for life. I fay endued, because at present they
are free, and there can cxift no other confbtutional or
kgal right to enclave them than any other person in
the slate. Ignorance of the law is no excuse in law,
Because every person ought to know the laws, and it is
a plea which can never be disproved. But there are ma
ny circumstances to (hew how ill founded this plea
may be in the present case. The law in quefliori was,
tinder the consideration of two different assemblies ; the
Bill was published for consideration md lay over to
another sessions; it was then pafled, givingfeven months
to every person to regifler their negroes. But lend
the owners of negroes should be inattentive, the clause
of the law requiring them to be regiflered, was re
published in the news papers this fall, and at most of
the ehflions notice was again given. After all this,]
what law can be expected to take eff ft, if ignorance
Can be alleged.' It may be a loss to those individuals,
but the injustice to the negroes and discredit to the
affenibly, would infinitely overbalance any such consi
derations. Slavery was never expressly authorised by
any law of this Bate when a province: it grew into
^fage and was so countenanced by sundry afls of as
sembly that it was tolerated, not enabled. And (hall
freemen, just escaping out of the hands of tyranny
rhemfelves, by an express law Subjugate these poor
Creatures (their equals by nature) to a perpetual bon
dage from which they are happily emancipated, whe
ther by their masters ignorance or neglect is immateri
al. The, are now.free, and it would be so indelible
a stain on the legislative annals of this slate to deprive,
them of the blessings of liberty, that it is to be hoped
these hitherto ffiendlefs beings will find in the virtue
and justice, of the house of assembly, ample protection
from the Shackles which they have so fortunately esca
ped. P HILOTHEUROS.
Philadelphia, Dec. 2.
Tuesday evening arrived here the brig Neptune, cap
tain Alien; in twenty seven days from St. Croix.——
Many vessels had got in there difmafted and otherwise
much damaged; having put out to sea from different
Weft-India, islands during the late hurricane.
Wednesday last arrived here the brigantine Duke of
Leinfter, captain Souder, from L'Orient. By this ves
sel we learn, that the court of Portugal had acceeded to
the Family Corepaa, and forbid the fate, in any of
their ports, of prizes to British vessels, and alfodirea
ibg them to depart within a limited period.
Captain John Paul Jones, in an American frigate, is
hourly expected to arrive in tnis port having failed
from France with the brigantine Duke of Leinfter.
On Thursday arrived the brig American, captairi
Reeler, from St. Euflatia.
The following is taken from a Holland paper, with
their remark at bottom :
London Sept. 1. The Alienator privateer, from Lon
don, capt. Cfaig, has taken and brought to Falmouth,
the Liberty, a Ruffian Snow, from Riga to Nantz,
with 220 bales of hemp and 550 bars of iron. This is
the firftßuffian vessel, that we know of, that the En
glish have captured. We are very anxious to know
what will be the event of this affair at the court of
Ruflia.
Since our !aft arrived a prize Coop, from New-York
bound to Charleftown, with a cargoof fait ; fentin by
the Ariel, captain Lawler.
Letters from Maryland fay that the enemy's forces
have left Cheffapeak, and that their fleet was Seen (land
ing out to lea : accounts from New- York confirm this,
with the addition of their having gone to South-Caro
lina.
Last Wednesday James Sutton was executed on the
ifland opposite this city, having been tried and convicted
of Piracy.
Since the apprehension of the persons mentioned in onr
last Saturday's paper, further difeoveries have been
made, of a dangerous and infamouscommerce with New-
York. It appears that a partnership has been formed of
persons in Philadelphia, New-Jersey and New-York, to
carry lumber, whieh is in so grat demand in New-York,
that boards have fold at thirty pounds, specie, per thou
sand. The vessels were cleared out for Boston, or
fone other eastern port, fleered dire&ly for New-York,
if taken they were provided with passports from the
British admiral, which sent them forward: when they
arrived at New-York, the parties tirere took the ma
nagement; the cargo was deposited generally at t.e
King's yard, where timber is much wanted. Goods
were purchased in return, tor specie sent out, but ge
nerally the former. The American commissary of
prfoners charged the captain and mariners as Ameri
can prisoners, and received of equal rank and number
in return. One of these captains lias been five times in
New-York since last Spring. A great number of per
sons are charged, chiefly in New jersey, who it is ho
ped by this time, are fafe int e hands of justice, and
will meet their deserts. No less than three of these cap
tains came out last Saturday, viz. James Steelman,
John Shaw, and William Blacky who are all appre-
hended and in prifoh. One Atkinfoh, another of the
gang, made his escape into New-Jersey.
At a court of oyer and terminer, &c. held at Eafton
for the counts of Northampton, the 30th of Odober,
1780, before the honourable Thomas M'Kean, efqaire,
chief justice, &c. and the honourable William Augus
tus Atlee, and George Bryan, enquires, justices, &c.
Ralph Morden was tried, convicted and sentenced to
be hanged for treason, in joining the Indians. ~
Robert Land, James Griffin and Isaiah M'Carty
were indicted for the fame offence.
, A bill was also preferred against Elisha Barton for
said offence, arid returned ignoramus: he was ordered
to give security, himfelf in 5000 pounds, and two good
sureties in 2500 pounds each, for his good behaviour,
&c,till the next court of oyer and terminer at Eafton-
Hilkiah Varvey, alias Vanvem, was tried for th,
murder of her baftar'd child, and acquitted"; and tie
groe Abraham was also tried and acquitted of being
acceffarj to said murder. , r .
Michael Ohl, junior, was tried for a rapri and ac
quitted. .
Bills preferred against Jacob Irwin, for burglary,'
John Mash, for felony in uttering counterfeit money,,
Anthony Bishop,; for manslaughter, arid Daniel
Hughes, for b.uggefy, were returned ignoramus. ,
Sighmurid Lachjnfky was discharged by proclama
tion of a charge of uttering counterfeit money, &c. ;
At a court of oyer and terminer, &d. held at Read
ing for Berks county, before the said judges, the 6th.
of November, 1780, Neal HariTiin and John Fort
were indited, tried and acquitted of burglary. £
Jacob. Weaver, esquire, was tried and convi&ed of
adultery, and ordered to pay a fine of 2000 pounds
and the costs of prosecution. . < ~, ~.
, David Bright, 4 fohn Schaffer,' Jacob Ruth, Petef
Lebo, Valentine Mayer, .Philip Read, Henry Mayer,,
Jacob Lingel, Michael Wolfard, Jacob Read, Adam
Brown,' Nichola's Kinfecker,' Jacob Decker," William
Goodman, Michael Paffenberger, Jacob Lebo, Jacob
Bettleman,, George Gibbard, Andrew Saltzgaber,'
Christian Badorff," John Albert, /John George Read/
John Light, John Hubler, Henry Kiplinger, Michael
Kappenhaver, Henry Schoffer, Windle Kieffer, Cas
per Reed, Nicholas Gouker, Andrew Schett, John
Riegle, Michael Will, Robert M'Cann, Conrad Weft,
George Hawk, Charles Ramberger/ George Geefman,
John R oan, Adam Pateicker, Anthony Fitzler, Con
rad Gifller, Christian Shell, Peter Ritzman, Michael
Kuhn, John Sweitzer, Peter Mohn., Peter Kreitze?,
George Wolf, Nicholas Hawk, Casper Ruth, Joseph
Giffler, John George Weil, Martin Brawn, Michael
Read, Christopher Wolfard, Philip Gundrum, George
May, Adam Riehm, acob Arttt, Henry Holtzman,
John Brown, Michael Walborn, Peter Lief', Leonard
Stup, Peter Schwartz, Mickael Troutman, Thomas
Kurr, junior, Simon Kern, Jacob Weifer, Henry Le
bo, Peter Krieger, Christian Walborn, Jacob Bort
ner, John Nicholas Dock, John Wirtz, Jacob Butzi
us, George Moyer, John Swartzhaubt, .Philip Clare,
George Windle Woolf, Adam Albright, chriftopher
Kern, George.Kremey, Henry, Goodman, Abraham
kiffinger, Albright Hoy, Godfried Rehrer, Peter
Kirfekner, John Heck, Conrad kuhl, Nicholas Kline,
Ludwig Toby, Eberhart Seeman, Ludwig Seeman,
George Matz, Frederick Mepgel, John Kelckner, Hen
ry Reefer, Anthony Kerfhner, John Kline,' Conrad'
Loss, Conrad Christ, Nicholas Lerch, Michael Wom
mer, Balzer Umbenhauer, Samuel Umbenhauer, Ja
cob Fees, Andrew Leimifte?, Henry Filippy, Nicho
las Filipp/, Thomas, Philbert, Melchior Fiegel, Philip
Kann, William Wilterrhoot,. Adam Eyler, John Alt
houfe, Conrad Schnyder, Mathias Roth; Frederick
Bohn, George Ludwig, Nicholas Haas, Philip Strous,
Jacob Stroua, Michael Eyler, George Roth, Daniel
Schlabbick, Mathias Weaver, Thomas Gefohell, Wil
liam Leymifter, Henry Runkle, Jacob Conrad, Ulrick
Backenftee, Nicholas Mogel, George Beltman, Jeff-
Stout, George Rick, Michael Wemert, Henry Lutri;
Casper Freym^n, Peter Zuber, Jacob Fouft, Frede
rick Platt, Joft Schlabbeich, Mathias Klefs, John
Leab, Andrew Winter, ^nd Philip Refer, were indict
ed for a (editions cenfpiracy to oppose the execution of
tome of the tak laws with force, and being charged,
submitted to the court, and were ordered to p#y a fine
of 300 pounds each, and discharge the costs of prose
cution.
State of Pennsylvania.
In GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
Wedneflay, Nov. 29, 1780. P. M.
Ordered, That the bill intitled, “ a supplement to an
ad entitled, an aft for funding and redeeming the bills
of credit of the United States of America, &%'' be
tranferibeH for the third reading, and in the mean time
printed for public consideration.
Extract from the minuter
SAMUEL STERETT, clerk,
A fripplemerit to an aft intitled, " an a& for funding
and redeeming the bills of credit of the United States
of America, and for providing means to bring the
present war to a happy conclusion.
WHEREAS it is the duty of the Representatives of
the Freemen of this State, to provide adequate
funds for redeeming and cancelling the eighth
part of the new Bill' of Credit emitted or to be emitted
by Congress, in consequence of their Aft of rhe 18th of
March last, amounting to one million two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars, of the value of four (hillings and
fix pence flerling each, or so many thereof as may be is
sued, together ^ith the interest thereon to accrue as men
tioned in the Aft to which this Aft is a Supplement:
Be it therefore euafted, and it is hereby euafted, by
the Representatives of the Freemen of the Commonwrflth
of Penofylvania, in General Assembly met, and by the
authority of the fame, That the sum of
(hall be raised. levied and paid in each and ever,
of the next fix fu^ceeding years, on the persons and es
tates of the inhabitants of the city of Philadelphia, and
the several counties of this State, in the proportion and
manner following, that i# to fay; the city and county
of Philadelphia, the county
of Bucks, &c.
Amounting in the whole to
to be cancelled and deflroyed at such time as the General
Assembly of this State (hall hereafter direst.
And be it enacted by the authority aforelaid, That
the AS iotitled, « An Aft to raise the supplies for the
year One thousand seven hundred and seventy nine," paf
fM on the third day of April, i'n tti^year of our Lord
One thousand seven hundred and fetepty nine,, and the
Aft intitled, '' An Aft for railing the addition,! sum bl
five millions seven hundred thousand dollars, for the cur
rentyear One thousand feyep hundred and fevepty^nine,"
passed the tenth day of October in said year, and every
clause and thing in said Afts contained, shall be ip force,
a: d (hall be extended and applied r,the raffing, 'levying^
collecting and paying the taxes or furoa of money tereby
directed to be levied and paid, as fully as if (aid Aft#
were herein inferred, except only where the former it
amended, supplied or altered by the latter,, or either of
toe said Acts are amended, supplied or altered by this
Aa, ; .
AND WHEREAS divers owners of lands whereotl
improvements have been made, and of tenements, may
pot reside in the county or diftrift where fach lands or
tenements are situated; whereby it may be difficult to.
cjjha the taxes assessed on (uch real estate ; for remedy,
whereof, „ .
Be it evaded by the authority aforefaid, That the fr
riant or tenants or ether person refilling on or occupying
such real estate, his, her and their goods and chattels,
as well as the lands, goods arid chattels of the owner or
owners thereof, (hall be liable to be diflrained to fatisfy
the said taxes or any of them ; and in cafe,the tenant or
tenants or other person or perfaQ' raiding on or occur
p>ing such real ertate, (hall pay any tax laid thereon by
virtue of this Aft, or (hall be diftrained to fatisfy such.
tax, such tenant or tenants may retain the feme out of
the rent,by him, her or them, payable for such estate
to the landlord, of the said tenant or tenants or other oc
cupier or occupiers of such estate, ^4l. recover the fame,
with coils of suit, of the owner of such estate by action
of debt, if coder pounds, in a sum
mary way, in like manner as small debts are recoverable^
But if the fame exceeds pounds, its
any Court of Common Pleas.
Provided always, That nothing in thi* Aft (ball in
any manner alter any contract made between any land
lord and tenant concerning the payment of taxes,
. And be fit enabled by the authority aforefaid, That
the ißta feftion of the Aft intitied, " An Aft for railing
the. additional sum of five millions seven hundred thou
sand dollars for the current year 1779?" passed on the
tenth day of October, in said year, obliging tenants hold
ing under l<aft-s made before the firft day of January 1777,
wuereby the rent had been reserved in current mney,
to p^y over and above said rent all taxes on his holding,
Ihall not be extended to the paying of the taxes herein
directed to be levied and paid.
And be it enabled by the authority aforefaid, That the
office and duty of County Assessor (hall hereafter cease,
arid the Commifficners of the City and the several Coun
tie/of this State (hall do and perform the several duties
heretofore done and performed by the said County Asses
sors, any Law of this Commonwealth to the contrary in
any wife notwith ft ending
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid.
That the time the Commissioners Ihall meet in the City end
Counties of this State, to issue their warrants io purfo
pnee of this Aft to the Ward, Diftrif? or Township As
sessors, (hall be on or about the , day yearly.
AND WHEREAS it is highly necessary that the
Bills of Credit emitted or that Ihall hereafter be emitted
by Congress, according to their Ab lof the ißtb of March
last, as the quota of this State, should be made legal ten
der in all payments Whatsoever:
.Be it therefore enabled by the authority aforefaid,
That the said Bills emitted or issued as the quota of this
State in manner aforefaid, (hal l hereafter be current
fnoney in this State, and legal tender, to all intents and
purposes whatsoever, according to the sum mentioned or
expressed in said Bills, that is to fay, every dollar of said
Bills (hall be of the value of one Spanish milled silver dol
lar, weighing Seventeen penny weight and fix grains, arid
eight dollars of said Bills ffiall be equal in value to one
gold half Johannes of Portugal, weighing nine penny
weight, and in the like proportion for all other gold or
Elver coin; and every tender and payment in said new
Bills is hereby declared to be ^ood to all intents and
purposes whatsoever, any contract, agreement, or bar
gain between parties to the contrary in any wife notfrith,
Handing.
And be it enabled by the authority aforefaid, That if
any person or persons, bodies politick and corporate,
from and after :he passing of this Abt, (hall refufe to
receive any of the said Bills of Credit, when tendered
in payment of any debt or demand whatsoever; provided
the whole of such debt or demand be so tendered, such
person or persons, bodies politick and corporate, so re.
fufingp (halbbe forever barred from fuiog for, or reco
vering the fame, before any Judge, or in any Court of
this State; and in all cases where tender shall be made
as aforefaid, if the person to whom such tender may be
made, (hall afterward assign, transfer, or set over an,
mortgage, bond, specialty bill or note; every such per
son shall be, and is hereby declared to be guilty of a
fraud, and shall forfeit and pay to the person to whom
such affigntr.ent as aforefaid may be made, or to his or
her heirs, executors or adminiftratora, a sum equal to
double the fumfo affigoed or transferred, to be recovered
by an action of debt, in any Court of Record in this State.
And be it enabled by the authority aforefaid, That if
any person whatsoever, shall after the paffine of this Abt,
refufe to take and receive any of the Bills of Credit
aforefaid, in payment for any live flock, necessary of life,
commodity, manufacture, article or goods whatsoever,
which he or flit shall fell, or expose to fate, or offer the
fame for a less price, or fm^ller sum of money to be paid
in gold or silver, than in the Bills of Credit emitted as
aforefaid, or that shall give or receive a greater nominal
sum of said new Bills of Credit for a left in gold or sil
ver, every such person being thereof legally convibled in
any Court of General Quarter Sessions in this State, shall
fuffer imprifonmeut during the prefect war, and forfeit ta
the Commonwealth one half of his or her lands and tene
ments, goods and chattels.
*#* Doblor Shipper's Vindication came too la(e fqz
this day's paper, but shall have a place in our ngtf