The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-05-15 00:00:00, page 3

mington. Lord Rawdon's force I can't ascertain,
though vastly inferior to ours, which, I suppose, upon
a rough calculation, amounts to io or 1200 effective
continentals, and about 500 North-Carolina militia,
and Washington's and Le^'s horse. Sumpter will co'-
left 1000 militia to aft in conjunction This may, I
believe, be depended on, by the best information di
really from him. Clarke has defeated a body of torses,
mounted as dragoons, near Ninety Six, headed ^y a
Er tilh officer; he killed 30) and made 40 prisoners.”
A report prevailed here on Saturday lafl, and hath
not since been contradicted, that general Greene hath
made-Mmfelf master of the British post at Camden,
with the garrison, and all the artillery and fores.
Ft is just non reported, that the British troops, un
der command of general Phillips, after having destroy
ed a large quantity of tobacco, and other property,
at Petersburg, had taken post at Manchester, common
Iy called Rocky Ridge, on the Couth fide of James Ri
ver, opposite to, and about half a mile from, Rich
mood. That the last-mentioned town had been for
mally summoned, by general Phillips, to surrender :
but that he had received a very spirited negative from
the marquis de la Fayette, who is polled there with 1200
continental infantry, a detachment of colonel Lamb's
regiment of artillery, and a body of Virginia militia,
completely equipped, and determined to defend the
place to the last extremity. It is also repoted, that
©ur friends have destroyed zo fail of veffls in James Ri
ver, which lay exposed to the enemy, to prevent their
falling into their hands. We have a variety of other
reports, refpeßing the military operations in North-
Carolina and Virginia, but at present, they appear
too vague to present our Readers.
T R ENTO N, May 9.
On the 21st ult. a party of about 70 of the enemy,
game over to Elizabeth-Town, from Staten-Island.
They landed at Halflead's- Point,and were difeovered
between that place and the town, by Captain Hen
dricks who was petroling with about ic or 12 men,
and though so much inferior in number, he kept up a
(mart fire on them, which prevented them from pene
trating farther into the town than Doctor Winans's.
After collecting a few horses, &c. firing through the
windows, in the room where Mrs. Winans was fitting,
by which a boy was wounded in the arm, and burn
ing the hou e of Mr. Ephraim Marffi, they went off to
their boats. In this excursion these freebooters had
one of the banditti, viz. Elias Mann, late an inhabi
tant of Elizabeth-Town, killed, and the noted Smith
Hetfield, wounded in two places.\
Andon Friday night last another party of the plun
derers were over at Elizabeth-Town, and carried off
about 40 head of cattle.
By persons from New-York we are informed, that
a number of troops had embarked on board of trans
ports, their defiination said to he to the Eastward.
That last week a very hot press took place there, by
which several hundred men from the city were carried
on board the fleet, and 309 American prisoners were
^lfo carried from the Prison Chips and forced on board
their ships of war, among whom were Captains, Mates,
and other officers. Such is the unexampled barbarity
of the piratical nation against which we have to con
tend I They revere neither the laws of GOD nor of
nations.
We are told that in 3 New-York paper of the goth
tilt is an order for a Feu de-joye, in consequence of
Cornwallis's success on the fifth of March, at Guil
ford Court-House. As that success undoubtedly
effected a retreat, it were to be wished, upon the
,ureft principles of whiggifm, that the enemy might
meet with the like success every day. Were this to
be the case, we should oblige them, ere long, to retreat
from the continent, not only because of fatigue, and
for the want of provisions, reasons they assign for re
treating, but left there should not be one man left to
tell the tale of these successes to their Royal Master,
the Tyrant of Britain. Never could the firing of a
Feu de joye be more necessary to put a good face
upon a bad bargain.
Philadelphia, May 15.
On Wednesday last an action of ejectment was tried
at nifi prius at Chefier, wherein the lessee of Benjamin
Brooks was plaintiff, and Thomas Roberts, defendant.
The defendant had, the beginning of September 1778,
fold his plantation in Charles Township, containing
277 acres to Brooks, at the rate of ten pound by the
acre, payable by inflallments; one thousand pounds
in the spring following, and further payments yearly
till the year 1783. A firm iaflrument was thereupon
executed between the parties ; the words bargain and
fell used, and polfeflion to be given, with confirmation
by a formal deed on the day appointed for the firfl
payment, security being found- for the red.-On the
day after signing and sealing the articles, Brooks paid
in part two hundred pounds. Next spring he tender
ed eight hundred pounds, demanded a deed for the
land, and possession, which were refufed, as a little be
fore Roberts, who had joined infu rveying theplanta
tion, and had even found thingies- to cover the dwel
ling-house, on condition the plantiff would put them
an immediately, began to repent of his bargain. He
had by thustime found that he had fold his land fora
Shadow, this produced the suit which the defendant
flood, in hopes that an honest jury would break through
the rules of law, in order to relieve hm. On the other
hand, the plaintiff, to keep the jury heady, before he
adduced his evidence, renounced all idea of taking
advantage of the depreciation of the confederation mo
ney, and proposed that if he should be allowed a ver
dict for theehate, to refer it to the jurors to adjust in
wheat, the sums already due, as well as the future in
flallments, in order to (ecure to the defendant his re
al price. This was accepted, and after this manner
did the court and jury endeavour to attain fubflanti-.
al justice. See the efficacy of tender laws: and how
little the ideas of the people at large quadrate with
Wofe of their representatives in affimbly !•
*/ Th? SALE of the PROVINCE-ISLAND
will positively begin To-MORR OW, about TEN
o'clock, at the Coffee-Houfe.
In C OUNCI L.
Philadelphia, May 11th, 1781.
The board taking iffto confederation the Tate aft of
assembly intitled " ah act for the better fuDport of the
" public credit, by an immediate sale of the lands
" therein mentioned, and fully Securing the purchasers
''thereof, in their titles; and also for preserving the
" common lands appurtenant to the city of Phijadel
" phia, and other towns in this hate, from unwarrant
" able encroachment," and sensible of the importance
and necessity of proceeding so a sale of the said lots a
greeable to the said law, in order to redeem the bills
of credit dated the 29th of April 1780.
Resolved, That the wardens of the city be required
to perform the duty required of them by the aft of as
sembly firft mentioned, without delay, so that the ap
propriation and division of the lots may be made, for
the purposes in the said afl expressed.
Resolved, That the surveyor general do proceed
with all convenient expedition, to apportion and set
out the said lots agreeable to the inftruftions given
him by this board.
Resolved, That the surveyor general take such as
sistance as may be necessary in the above firvice, the
reasonable expence of which, this board will defray.
Extras from the Minutes.
T. MATLAC K, Secretary.
By His Excellency JOSEPH REED,
Esquire, Prefidenr, and the supreme Ex
ecutive COUNCIL of the Common
wealth of Pennfylvania v
A Proclamation.
WHEREAS the general assembly of this flat?,
at their last session reciting, " that it was not
" to be expelled, during the present war with Great
" Britain, that Sufficient quantities of gold and Silver
" money could be procured or retained in this slate, for
" procuring and providing fufficient supplies of pro
" visions-and other articles for the support of the ar
" my, and the purposes of private dealings," did di
red an emiflion of five hundred thousand pounds in
bills of credit, redeemable with the many and large ar
rearages due to the slate for lands heretofore granted
within this commonwelth: and whereas, by another
ad, directing the payment of one third of the depreci
ation to the officers and soldiers of the Pennsylvania
line, oae hundred and thirty thousand pounds of the
said money has been emitted ; and by the aft firft men
tioned “ every person refufing the said bills of credit,
" or felling, giving or receiving the fame, at a less rate
" than gold and silver, are made liable to prosecution
“ in the courts of quarter- sessions of the peace, or, if
" under five pounds, before a justice, and on convc
" tion to forfeit the value of the goods or articles in
" question: 7 ' and whereas it is not only an essential,
but the indifpenfible duty of all persons in a well re
gulated government, to make the laws of the country
the rules oftheir conduct, seeking, by legal and peace
able modes, an alteration of any laws which they ap
prehend to be grievous or impolitic. Upon a due con
sideration therefore of the above laws, the special ob
ligation upon us who are sworn faithfully to execute
them, the great difficulties which will result to the
well-affected, to the ind ufirious poor who have receiv
ed this money in exchange for the old Continental
Money, and to those who have fold their merchandize
or produce to the public commissioners, if the said
bills of credit should not find a free circulation, We do
mofi earnestly recommend to all the citizens of this
state, and especially to Landlords, and those engaged
in trade and dealing of every kind, to receive the said
money agreeable to law; and for their encouragement
herein, we do assure such persons, that no more of the
said money that! be issued- untiithe meeting of the as
sembly, when it will be in an especial manner recom
mended to them to secure the possessors thereof from
an y pohlble loss ; —and also informing them, that by
letters received from the country, it is the determina
tion of the inhabitants to fuppott the full execution of
the law upon this fubjefl, they appearing- fully fenfe
ble of the necessity of continuing the money undepre
ciated, and resolving to u(e their utmost efforts to this
purpose. And we do in like manner recommend to all
persons, and especially to the meritorious militia,
both officers and privates, not to be led into tumults
and outrages-,- which involve innocent families in dis
tress, fully the dignity of any cause, and will be turned
by their enemies to prejudice of that necessary and'
honourable service, but to wait with patience the meet
ing of their representatives, who alone can afford
competent relief under present difficulties. We like
wise enjoin upon aH magistrates, Sheriffs and constables,
to use their utmost influence and authority to guard a
gainft and suppress any irregularities or disorders,
which are inconsistent with the peace and good order
of government : and all other officers, civil and milita
ry, and all w^ll-difpdfed citizens are required to be
aiding and aflifling them therein.
GIVE N, by order of the council, under the hand
of ids' excellency JOSEPH REE D, esquire,/
president, and the seal of the flat% at Philadel
phia, this eleventh day of May, in the year of
our Lord one, thousand seven hundred and
eightyone.
JOSE PH REE D, Preffdent.
Attest. T. Matlack, Secretary:
GOD SAVE THE COMMONWEALT H
TO BE I. ET,
A three dory brick House, fitu
afed in Waier-ftreet near Walnut-ftrcet, For terms
enquire of SAMUEL MEREDITH ?
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ff.
To ALL whom it may concern;
TtyOTICE is hereby given. That a Court of AdmN
" rahy will be held at the Admiralty-office in Arch
ftreet, between Third and Fourth-streets, in the city
of Philadelphia, on the Seventeenth day of May, in
stant, at TEN o'clock in the Forenoon of the fame
day, for the Trial of the Privateer F/gantine called
the RATTLESNAKE, &c. lately taken at sea, sent
into this Port and libelled against as Prize by SAMUEL
CA.SSEN (qui tam, &c.) To the Intent, that the
Owner or Owners, or any Persons concerned therein
may appear and shew Cause, if any they have, why a
Decree should not pass pursuant to the Prayer of the
Litel, &c. By Order of the Judge,
ANDREW ROBESON, Regifter.'
One Guinea Reward,
STRAYED from Subferiber, about four
weeks since, a Red and White COW, with a flit
and hole cut in each ear, and is ntar calving. Any
person who takes up the said Cow, and returns her to
the fubferiber in Arch-street, shall receive the above
Reward. ANDREW ROBESON. May i 4.
TO BE SO L D, A
Mulatto Wench and her two
CHILDREN; die is fit for town or country Business.
Enquire of the Printer hereof.
A 'CH A~ R— FOra
Almost new, made of the best Materials, with Harness
for a pair of Horses compfeat, To be Seldr Enquire of
the Pinter. May §.
Bucks county, December 2d, 1780,
Whereas the Eflates of John
Overholt, Evin Thomas, Jchn M.ridith and Alex
ander Corbert, all late of the county of Bucks, having
been in Jue course of law forfeited and seized to the use
of this S ate : I th? fubferiber. Agent for said county,
do hereby give Notice, that the Estates of the said John
Ove holt, Evan Thums, John Meredith and Alexander
Corber', confining of the following Me ffuages or Trails
of Land, viz. A valuable Meffuage and Plantation,
fituste in Tinicum township, containing about 200
acres ot L^nd; having thereon two good dwelling
Houses, a Grist-mill newly repaired, good Orchard,
Meadow, &- „within 2 mi e of the river Delaware and
Sherrard's ferry; late the Estate of said John Overholt.
A Meffuage and Tenement, containing 50 acres of
Land, lituate in Hilltown; on which is a Log-house
and Barn, Orehard, Meadows, &c. late the Estate of
said Evan Thomas.
A Mtffuage and Plantation, containing too acres of
Land, situate in New-Britton township; having there
on a House, Barn, Orchard, Meadow, &c. late the
Estate of said John Meredith.
A valuable Meffuage and Plantation, situate in Up
per Makefield township, containing 150 acres of Land ,
having thereon a good Stone dwelling House, Barn,
Orchard, Meadow, &~c, late the Estate of said Alexan
der Corbert.
All which willfbe Sold at the Court-Hcufe at New
towrt, in Gid county, on the /Bth of June next ; the
Sale to begin at to o'clock on said day. The Terms
of Sale will be as follows: One fourth part to be re
duced to a ground rent, payable in wheat, at ten (hil
lings per bushel, to he delivered half yearly at the pub^
lie market in Philadelphia, or in cash at the currant
price, at the option of the Trustees of the University-
The said ground rent redeemable at any time after
three vears and within ten years, such purchaser pay
ing fifteen years purchase. One fourth of the remain
ing sum of he purchase money to be paid to the Agents
ten days after sale, or the bidder liable to pay the State
a film equal to the said fourth part, and the premises
to revert to the State; 2nd if the said fourth part it
paid, and the purchaser shall not pay the remaining
three-fourths within one month after the day of sale
the money to be paid forfeited, the yremifes, in like
manner to revert to the State, and the Estate remain
free for a future sale ; gold, silver, or Paper Money
made legal Tender by Ad of Assembly, or Certificates
to the Officers and men of the Pennsylvania Lint for
their Depreciation, will be received in Payment.
GEORGE WALL, Agent Bucks county.
Philadelphia, May 14, 17^1.
Last Sunday was a week, my
San, on the other fide of George Gray's ferry, found,
in the middle of the road, two Bundles of CONTI
NENTAL MONEY, amounting to Eighteen Hundred
Dollars, Any Person having loft the fame, by prov
ing their property and paying the cost of this adver
tif<mtn\ may have it again, by applying to DAVI,
BE VA N, in Water- flreet.
N. B. There is a piece of white paper round one
of the Bundles, mentioning the receipt of freight fc r
one case of Gin arid ionic oth>r things not Underftodd^
Five Pounds Reward.
W AS LOST in th ~ month of April, 1781, between
the barrack# and Market Street Philadelphia,
A black tether pocket b®ok, with a certificate there
'"' , f ,° r nil"'' pounds sixteen frillings Specie, signed
by Calonel Richard Butler, number forgot )telon/jng
to George Hariris,'formerly belonging to h ra F ith Peric^
fylvania Regiment, now in Colonel Piaster's Artillery
Whoever finds laid pocket book with the Certificate,
and bringyhem to Cg-, Criey, shall receive the above
reward.-