The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-06-26 00:00:00, page 2

Mz. DUNLAP.
SIR,
As the re-eftablifliing the .credit of our currency, and
the finding the national debt, appear to be matters of the
utroft importance. Your giving the inclofed, contain
ing some reflections on these ^o.its, a place in your paper,
will at least lay one of your taidant readers under an ad
ditional obligation.
*N order to the re <fbbl filing the credit of our
A currency, it miy be highly proper to obtain
from the Board of War an estimate of tee monthly Con
tinentalYxpence, as nearas may be ; and tee different
Legiflitures, after being, informed by Congress of their
quota, He advised immediately to put the wheels of taxa
tion in Motion, with such forge as shall be equal to that
quota Stop the press, and to tupply the present demand
till the mopey arising from taxation can come to hand, let
two more offices be opened for taking money on loan. The
firft to take rnom.es ondpan for one. year without any inte
rest. In the profecutton of this office an alphabetical en
try should be made of the names, public and free, for the
infpe Xioh of every citizen of America, and the poor man's
mite of two hundred dollars by no means to be -rejected.
The second to take monies on loan without interest, ado
for any time which ihaii by Congress be thought adequate ;
at the expiration of which the person depofitiur the money,
shall be intitled to receive as many ounces of fiiver as shall
be equal to the value of one hundred Spanish dollars, for
every hundred dollars placed in the loan, or an equivalent
sum in the then currency, as fhalhbeft please the lender.
By these two offices, together with that already opened by
Congress, / is more than probable that a sum. will be rail
ed am,e and fufficient for the above purpose For my part,
I am so far from believing, that public virtue is decaying
among the people at large, that lam fully convinced, no
thing is wanting but to point cut a channel in which their
exertions may join, and their united efforts will soon re
move every difficulty. Only let the people be informed
of the situation of affairs, what is wanting to be done, and
ia what manner they should benefit the public, and not ruin
themselves, id funding will soon become as popular as
independence But indeed it will be Decenary (as has been
lately hinted and judiciously) to induce individuals who
understand their own and indeed their country's interest,
to invert their money in the public funds ; that their vir
tuous efforts will not be in vain, as it refpeXs their coun
try on the one hand, or end in a deprivation of the means
of supporting their families on the other. People will be
induced to put their money in the firft mentioned loan, firft
from a consideration of serving their country in the present
exigency of affairs, and secondly from a view of receiving
their money at the expiration of one year, greatly increas
ed in value. And besides tliefe configurations they will be
Stimulated to put their money in the other from an additi
onal motive of having something fixed and permanent for
their children.
By doing this much it is not plain that our money will
be preserved from a farther depreciation ; but the people
being convinced that the integrity and attention of these
gentlemen, in whom they have placed their confidence, as
w^ll as that the wealth of these States are equal to the de
phands of the war, will naturally work a credit to the me
, ney, without leffemng the quantity.
Secondly. The finking the national de' tor at least the
reduction ofthe present enormous nominal sum, to 12 or
6,000,000 of Spanish dollars, is so far from being an in
furmouotable difficulty, that it is plain Congress have it
in their pdwer to firike such a stroke in the financing way
as shall astonish all Europe, and nothing but the prohibi
tion of providence or such overtures of peace on the part of
Great Britain, as shall gain the acquiefence of France Add
America, can prevent its being carried into execution. We
are informed Congress have it in contemplation to negoci
ate a foreign loan, and as there cannot be a jingle doubt of
their ability to effect it, I shall take it for granted and ar
gue from it, and suppose the sum to be 12,000,003 of dol
lars, let 6,000,000 of that sum be laid out for Weft-India
produce, such as salt, sugar, coffee, rum, &c. The other
6,000,000 in France, for European and India goods, and
on their arrival in America be divided into thirteen allot
ihents, bearing a cue proportion to the quota ; the States
for which they are intended to be delivered to gentlemen
of repute, appointed by the different Legislatures, who are
to receive the goods and dispose of them on the account of
their said Legislatures, for Continental money only, at
such prices as shall be ftipuhted by Congress, which un
doubtedly will be in proportion Jo the quantity and depre
ciated state of the money at the time of fa'es. If we suppose
them to fell at ten for one, the amount of sales will be
J 20,000,000 However to ease the poor, the real necessaries
of life, such as fait, sugar, tea, coffee, coarse cloths and
linens may be fold atfive for one, and other articles whicli
border uponfaluxury and will principally fall into the hands
o' the gay and opulent, at fifteen for one, or as they now
fell. A : ter the arrival ofthe goods a fufficient time must
be given for conveyance, and a day appointed by Con
gress for the sales, to be begin in all the States at one and
the fame time.
As it is probable feme objections to the foregoing plan
may be made, I shall therefore endeavour to suppose and
obviate them.
Firfl. It may be qtieftioned whether Congress have re
ferred to themselves powers to gointo fucha measure ? If
not, then these powers must remain in the different legi
slative bodies, who, without doubt, would gladly receive
a summons, assemble, impower, and inftrud their Dele
gates on a matter, which so nearly concerns the general
interest.
Secondly. It may be thought dangerous to these States
for Congress to engross their trade or any part of it, and
indeed it must be confeffed, that a standing state monopoly
is by no means admiflible, as it would damp the general
order for extending our commerce, impoverish the people
and prevent the growth of our naval powers. How
ever, if CongreG are possessed of ample powers to go
into the measure, they have only to resolve, that nothing
lets than the present national necessity could have induced
them to adopt it, and that it shall not in future be drawn
into precedent, If these powers are not in Congress, but
remain in the different legislative bodies, then no danger
can arise, as it will lay with them to impower and inftruft
their Delegates for the present emergency only.
Thirdly. It may be obje&d to on account of the dah
fers of the seas. The danger of the seas are so far from
eing an objection, to the measure, that they are the only
thing that could give exigence so the favourable opportu
nity, and therefore, instead of being an objection against
it, are a very potent one in favour of it, and point out the
good policy, and urge the necessity, of prosecuting it
without loss of time. Were we to wait till the dangers of
the navigation cease, the advantages attending the mea
sure will cease with them. If the favourable opportunity
is not embraced by Congress, it soon will be improved by
private adventurers, who will gradually import such quan
tities of goods as will eventually exclude them : For upon
the fvppefition that Congress are a Body of honefl men,
and that they Will fink the money emitted in' the usual or
any other honorable way (neither of which will admit of
a single doubt) then a greater invitation cannot possibly
be held up to the able houses in Europe to export their
property and place it in the American fund. But far
ther, anJ entirely, to. remove this objection, let it be re
memberld, that the benevolence of his Most Christian
Majefiy, out powerful and valuable ally, is directing his
navel powers for the mutual advantage of both nations.
Fourthly. It may be objected, that although 12,000,000
imported and fold at ten for one, would quite or nearly
reach the extent of our emissions, yet that there might be
feme danger of failing in the execution of the measure, as
it is to be feared we have yet a set of men among us who,
upon the prospect of the money's suddenly rifirig to its real
value, would {m the present, as in all other cases, counter
aft every proposal to compleat the independence, ease and
tranquility of these States) monopolize the money as they
have before the produce and merchandize, when the pub
lic good requires a circulation, in order to prevent as
much as in them lies, the goods from felling at the stipu
lated prices, and the celling in the currency. Without
doubt some such there are (although I believe the number
to dcreafe daily, as I am persuaded there is not now a
single 'Tory in all America who any more believes that
Great-Britain will subdue these States, than he does that
himfdf will become an inhabitant of the moon) who from
a confoioufnefs of their own conduct, and the depraved
state of their hearts, being.enable to telifh and digest the
sweets of liberty, might, like the dog in the manger, En
deavour to prevent others from participating the glorious
'repaft. However, I think it is in the power of Congress
to 0* ft them without any dangerous exertions of power.
They emitted the currency for the falvatiob of America ;
by this time the end for which it was emitted will be near
ly accomplished. It must be called in femetime, and it is
the prerogative of thatauguft Body to fix the period. It
has already been observed to be necessary for Congress to
fix the time when the sales should begin in all the States,
it would doubtless be as necessary for them to fix a time
when the different States, by their Agents, should make
a return to the Commissioners appointed to receive and
burn the money. If we suppose the time allowed to com
pleat the sales to be fix months, then Congress keeping
open the Loan Offices in the different States to take in
money on terms the mort generous and best adapted to
those of small capitals, and who cannot be supposed able
to lay long out of it, may decree that the prefect emiffi
6ns cease to be money at the expiration of the fix months,
and forbid their being a tender at any other place than at
the Loan-Offices and Public Stores. If these people place
their money in the Loan Offices, it will immediately be
paid out for public exigencies, and find its way to the
fiores. This plan will not only effectually prevent a
monopoly of the money, but in a great measure secure the
purchasers to the Public Store. Nor do 1 fee that our
monied men can complain; being timely warned, they
are at liberty to put their money in either of the above
Loan- Offices, or take goods at the Public Stores at the
rate of ten for one, which cannot be complained of as in
tolerable, when it is remembered that they received the
money at ten, fifteen and twenty for one.
Lastly. Should one half of the goods purchased abroad
fall into the hands of the British cruizers, the other half
fold at twenty, would call in the prefentemiffions, at least
as much as would be necessary to reduce the prices to the
old standard, and bring the yearly expences of the war to
a trifling sum, and place our worthy countrymen in the
army, both officers and men, in a reputable and comfort
bl@ situation with refpeß to their pay. Or should Con
gress chose to aft cautiously with refpe& to a foreign loan,
and conclude it inexpedient to negotiate for more than
6,000,000, and set the prices to average twenty, it would
on the fame principles be productive of the fame salutary
purposes *, and the preference may be paid to the latter,
net only upon account of the lightness of the loan, but as
there would be a less probability of the country's being
over flocked with goods, and the business tranfaded with
greater ease and in less time. In a word, I can fee no
material obj ^*.ollthat can lay against the measure; the
poor will not complain, as they will be supplied at a much
cheaper rate than they now are, or perhaps than they ever
were considering the rate at which they received their
money ; not a single murmur will be heard from men of
common property with refpeft to the burden of taxes, and
the gay and opulent will be left at full liberty without re
flection and envy to vie with each other in the excels and
richness of their dress, common charity placing their ex
travagance to the account of patiotifm.
A PLEBIA N.
* Three millions well tyd in and fold at forty for one,
would compleat the matter, which the public may rest as
sured is lower on an average than the, now get their goods.
4, ,# ++HO Q-Q-fr**+4 * -9*<,++
TO BE SOLD BY
JOHN DUNL A P,
In Maiket-ftreet, Philadelphia,
The following BOOKS, in the German Language,
errantly printed, viz.
Large family bibles,
TESTAMENTS,
PSALM-BOOKS,
Marburg HYMN-BOOKS,
PSALTERS,
Lutheian CATECHISMS,
Calvinist CATECHISMS,
The above Books are also fold by Ludwig Lauman,
Esq; Lancaster; Mr. Bilmire, York Town ; Mr. Hower,
Frederick-Town, Maryland; Mr. John Span genberg,
Eafton; Mr. Joseph Heister, Reading ; and Mr, Chris
topher Leughner, Philadelphia.
PENNSYLVANIA, ff.
A PROCLAMATION.
B, His Excellency JOSEPH REE D, Efeuire. Pre
Jident, and the SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
of the Common-Wealth of Pennsylvania.
YY7HEREAS the following named persons, late
V¥ and heretofore inhabitants of this State, that is to
fay, John Bartlett, late Clerk in the lire Cuftorn house
of Philadelphia, and George Knapp&r, Baker; both now
or late of thecity of Philadelphia: And Joseph Grefwold,
Difliller; John Clark, late Sheriff's Clerk; John Mac
kinett, Merchant; John Kearney, Gentleman, son of
Doctor John Kearfley, deceased; John Adams, Silk-
Weaver; and Thomas Mackinefs, Trader; all now or
late of the Northern Liberties Township: And Peter
Arthur, House -Carpenter; George Enfor, Cooper ; Den
nis Crockion, Lumber Merchant; John Patterfen, Join
er; and William Rhodden, Mariner; all now or late of
the diftriC tof Southwark: And Jacob Falkenftine, Yeo
man; now or late of the townfaip of Paffyunk, Nathan
Roberts, Yeoman ; now or late of the township of Bristol;
Daniel Jones, Yeoman ; now or late of the township of
Mooreland ; John Robeson, Cordwainer ; and Isaac Tay
lor, Yeoman ; both now or late of the township of Whit
paine; Thomas Gordon, Yeoman ; now or late of the
township of Oxford ; Holton Jones, Hatter ; now or late
of the township of Germantown; and Daniel Williams,
Yeoman ; now or late of the township of Horfham ; all
now or late of the county of Philadelphia; And Robert
Land, late Justice of the Peace, John Land, and Hugh
Jones, Yeomen; all now or late of the settlement of
Cuthichtua; Isaac Walker, Yeoman; now or late of
the settlement of Lachawack; Low Flemming, Yeoman;
now or late of the township of Mount Bethel; Henry
Steininger, and George Philip Wertman, Yeomen ; both
now or late of the township of Lynn ; all now or late of
the county of Northampton ; have severally adhered to,
and knowingly and willingly aided and,afhfted the ene
mies of this State, and of the United States of America,
by having joined their armies within this State. AND
WHEREAS the following named persons, late and here
tofore inhabitants of this State, that is to fay, Charles
Eddy, Ironmonger; and Thomas York, Sailmaker and
Merchant; both now or late of the city of Philadelphia ;
have severally adhered to, and knowingly and willingly
ailed and assisted the enemies of this State, and of the
United States of America, by having joined their ar
mies at New-Y®rk, in the State of New-York: WE
the Supreme Executive Council aforefaid, by virtue
of certain powers and authorities to us given by an
a& of General Assembly; intitled, “An a& for
the attainder of divers traitors, if they render not
themselves by a certain day, and for verting their estates
in this Common-Wealth, and for more effAually difeo
vering the tame, and for ascertaining and fatisfying the
lawful debts and claims thereupon," DO hereby ftriftly
charge and require the said John Bartlett, George Knap
per, Joseph Grefwold, John Clark, John Mackinett,
John Kearfley, John Adams, Thomas Mackinefs, Peter
Arthur, George Enfor, Dennis Crockfon, John Patter
fen, William Rhodden, Jacob Falkenftire, Nathan Ro
berts, Daniel Jon@s, John Robeson, Isaac Taylor, Tho
mas Gordon, Holton Jones, Daniel Williams, Robert
Land, John Land, Hugh Jones. Isaac Walker, Low
Flemming, Henry Steininger, George Philip Wertman,
Charles Eddy, and Thomas York, to render themselves
relpedively to some or one of the Justices of the Supreme
Court, or of the Justices ©f the Peace of one of the 'coun
ties within this State, on or before Thursday the fifth day
of August next ensuing, and also abide their legal trial for
such their treasons, on pain that every of them the said
John Bartlett, George Knapper, Joseph Grefwold, John
Clark, John Mackinett, John Kearfley, John Adams,
Thomas Mackinefs, Peter Arthur, George Enfor, Den
nis Crockfon, John Patterson, William Rhodden, Jacob
Falkenftine, Nathan Roberts,„Daniel Jones, John Ro
beson, Isaac Taylor, Thomas Gordon, Holton Jones,
Daniel Williams, Robert Land, John Land, Hugh Jones,
Isaac Walker, Low Flemming, Henry Steininger, George
Philip Wertman, Charles Eddy, and Thomas York, not
rendering himfelf as aforefaid, and abiding the trial as
aforefaid, Ihall, from and after the said fifth day of Au
gust next, Hand and be attainted of High Treason to all
intents and purposes, and shall fuffer such pains and penal
ties, and undergo all such forfeitures, as persons attainted
of High Treason ought to do. And all the faithful sub
jects of this State, are to take notice of this Proclamation,
and govern themselves accordingly.
&IVEN b, order of the Council, under the hand of His
Excellency JOSEPH REE D, Efauire, PreJident,
and the Seal ofthe State, at Philadelphia, this twenty
fecond da, of June, in the,ear of our Lord One tbou
fandfeven hundred and fevent, nine.
JOSEPH REED, President.
Attert. T. MATLACK, Secretary.
GOD SAVE THE PEOPLE.
T R E N T O N, June 16.
SATURDAY last the Honorable the Legiflafure of
this State adjourned until Wednesday the fifteenth of
September next, then to meet at this place. During their
fitting they passed twenty-nine ads, among which are the
following:
4. An AH to amend an AH, intitled, An A& for the
better enabling the Judges and Justices of this Colony to
afeertain and tax bills of cost, and for making provision
by law for the payment of the Services of the several officers
of the Colony, and for preventing the said officers from
taking exorbitant fees; and for other purposes therein
mentioned.
5. An A& to prevent idle and disorderly persons mil
pending their time at public houses, and for the fuppref.
fion of other immoralities.
7. An aft to embody, for a limited time, one thousand
of the militia of this State, for the defence of the frontiers
thereof.
8. Am Aft for calling out of circulation and for finking
all bills of credit heretofore emitted in this State whilst the
fame was a colony.
10. An Aft to raise the sum of one million of pounds in
the State of New-Jersey.
16. An Aft for recruiting, by voluntary enlistment, the
three regiments of this State, in the service of the United
States.