The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1778-03-18 00:00:00, page 4

teat the whole of our feamcn appropriates to
the manning of the line of battle Ihips would
equip for actual service, twenty line of barle
snips at the lowty war complement. He was lure
they would not. There were, by the account
from the two Honourable Members (Sir Hugh
Pallifer and Mr. Buller) twenty-two fevemy
f mid, and seven three deckers, firlt and fecund
rates, in the number, including the Foudryant,
which, though only carrying So guns, woulfl
'requite to-be manned as a Second rate, indepen
dent of the th;ee deckers, or thole under the
seventy-sours; he infixed therefore, that 20,000
teamen weie notduhicient to more than man
tee twenty two feveitty-fours alone, at thclow
cß war department.
Mr. Busier emeiea more fully into detail, re
lative to the homedefence, as to the deficiencies,
To much relied upon by the latt honourable gen
tleman, he presumed there were none; but it
tuere were, the prefect mode or interning the
Iloufe differed in nothing from what was Du
al; There were regular returns of the men,
vrMered and borne, which always Viewed the
r^h difference between those in pay and luch
as were wanting, which were hgutd by the Cap
tain. These Returns Bill came further authen
ticated, by the Matter of the Checque at each
yard, whole buhnels it was to fee mat judice
w<sdone to the service. He entered into a
CGntidefation of federal other particulars, in re
ply to M;. Lettered, to rhew, that instead of a
deficiency, there were now on the books 9000
men mere than the vote of the .aft feMun pro
vided for; and ro,oco at the beginning of the
year, tne numbers borne on the hrlt of Janua
ry 1777- being 38,000, instead of 28,00 c;
and in September Lit 54,000, instead of 45,000 ;
and that so far from tne nine months press be
ii^ incTDual, and reproducing more than 3
oi 4000, it had actually, as had been now Hat
ed, produced upwards of 15,000 men,
Sir H^b Pallifer went over a great deal of
the' fame ground; and affirmed, as an officer
and official man, that we had thirty-five ships
Of the line, were an over-match both for the
prefect, and in point of preparation, tor the
united power of the House of Bourbon.
Aor. Burke entered into the comparative ex
pence of tile war with America, with those of
tne four preceding with France, taxing the
fourth year of each as a medium. In 1692, lie
said. the naval expence amounted only to
1,900,000!.; in 1704, to 1,200,0001.; in
1-4.7, when the heroes bred in Anion's fcnool,
hke'thofe who ifl'ued from the Trojan horse,
broke the power of France, as in 1692, they
did at La Hogue, amounted to 3,300,00015
and in 1758, when we were at war with almort
all Europe, and betides victorious in every
quarter of the globe, to 5,200,0001- In that
year, the number of seamen voted, was 60,000,
as in the present ; and he believed it would not
be averting too much, if be inouid lay, that tne
expence o^the navy, for the next year, would
be equal, if not superior, to what it was when
we had two powerful fleets in the North, one
in the Mediterranean, another in the \\'e&t-in
dies, and bad proved victorious in America,
on the coast of Africa, arid in the Eaft-lndies ;
had taken Gaudaloupe, and made an attempt
u r on Martinico.
Mr. Solicitor General infixed that we were
hand by the Address, and tied up from debating
any measure diredly growing out of it, and for
which we already flood actually pledged.
Lord North said, that America was determin
ed to be independent from the beginning. it
was not the Abis that drove the colonies into
rebellion, but they were palled in consequence of
that spirit of turbulence and disobedience which
had already appeared.
Colonel Barre closed the debate with a general
review of the arguments on the part of Admi
nistration ; andemphatically calling upon them to
decline, whether any one of them would rife and
fay, that they seriously expe&ed a revenue from
America, in the way of taxation, or could even
Fuels at what period the present deftruaive war
would be finally te-flnated. No answer
being oiven, the queltion was called for from
all sides of the House, and the resolution agreed
to without a division.
LANCASTER^ Printed by JOHN DUNLAP,
To the Printer of the Pennsylvania Packet.
T T being of the last importance that the Conti
-1 nenta! Regiments bexompleated as quick as pel
hole, and observing that no Ipeedy, eiL&ual me
thods are proposed for recruiting the quota or the
State, I have thrown together the following hints on
that necessary tubje&.
There are twelve regiments to be railed in this
State as us quota of the Continental Army; and as
we have the lame number ci counties, I would pro
pole that one regiment be allotted to each county,
and the counties be obliged to hi their Several regi
ments in proportion to the numbers in the relpe&rve
counties. And although this method will be pro
ductive of an inconvenience, by making the numbers
in tire efferent legiments unequal, yet tne advan
tages which the service will derive from having a
particular regiment under the care of a particular
county, will great y over baLoce any luch incon
venieece, and even this inconvenience may be re
moved in service.
When the number of men required from this
State to make its quota, is ascertained, it will be very
easy to regulate the number required from each
county; exact returns of the effeaive men now in the
several regiments, and the militia rolls of the feverai
counties, will be Sufficient. When the required
number of recruits is fixed, I would then propose
that the counties be divided into small chhTes of
eight oren each (cr any other number that will ao
fwer the purpose of rating-each county's quota) and
that every elafs be compelled to find a fubflitute or
recruit; and that each class shall pay their recruit
debars per month, a part of which Ihad
be in eloathing at the following rates, viz. cloth for
a full Suit at 20s per yard, linen for fix Ihiris and
two overalls at 6s. per yard, fix pair Shoes at 15s.
per pair, three pair yarn Hockings at 15s. per pair,
one hat at 15s. and a blanket at 455. I'hefe lup
plies divided among eight families, would be railed
with case. And in order that justice Should be faith
fully done the so diers, I would have an officer ap
pointed in each county, to whole hands the pay and
neceflaries afo elaid theu'd be delivered, and whole
duty it should be to receive the fame, and pay and
deliver them over to the Pay Master and Quarter-
Matter of the regiment, that the Soldiers may be
provided with cloaths, and receive this pay monthly.
In case of the death, inability, or defection of
any recruit or Substitute thus railed, notice is to be
given to the clah who lent him, and they are to sup
ply his place in one month after such notice, and are
to receive from the Fay-Mader or Charter Matter
any money or eloathing remaining in their hands at
the time of filch death or defection.
By the above mehod our army would soon be
dompkated, and be kept cuohamiy full; the expe
rience we have had of the milaia, must convince
evety m^c that it is totally inadequate to the pur
po eof repcilog the enemy. Let us therefore im
mediately turn cur attention to completing the Con
tinental Army, either by the method above luggeft
ed, or by any other that will anSwer that necefiary
purpose.
An Inhabitant of Pennsylvania.
To the Printer ®f the Pennsylvania Packet.
Mr. Punlap.
p Y your Packet I am informed, that the Con-
O federacy of the United States, as proposed by
Congress, has been assented to by the State of Vir
ginia; and that the inhabitants of the town of Bos
ton have inftru&ed their Representatives to assent to
the ratification of it.
The Confederacy has been drawn up wiih great
judgment, and will be considered by future ages as
the strongest efforts of human genius in a political
capacity. Indeed it contains multumin parvo, being
concise, set copious, and has provided in a great de
gree, to ettablifh a perpetual union of the thirteen
States. Nevertheless, there are feme things not no
ticed, of considerable importance, she hopes that
fume person of more abilities wou d attend to them,
made me suspend these remarks. But they have not
been attended to; and as our Honourable Aflemhiy
are now met, and will probably proceed to the con
^deration of the Confederacy, a regard to the public
good induced me to offer them to the consideration
of the Members through your paper, left they should
be overlocked, as they have been by the House of
Delegates of Virginia, and the inhabitants of the
town of Boston.
It is univerfUly known in the States, that there
are vast tracts of country on the frontiers of the set
tlements in feme of the States, and quit rents, which
were the property of the Crown of Great Britain;
but when America secures her independence, a quef
tion will arise, whole property thole lands, &c. are,
whether of tie State in which they lay, or cf the
United States? 1o me the property appears to be
jointly in the United Stares; for all conquers made
at the common expence of blood and treasure, ought
to be for a common, and not a partial benefit.
If the benefit should be common, why is it not
exprefifdin the Confederacy? Perhaps it might be
thought an improper time; but to me th,s appears
to be the very time when it ought to be determined,
as it is molt likely to be done con'ottent with equal
QRice, and Jess embanatmem, than at aoy future
time.
It is not my intention to advance any arguments
to convince thole Gentlemen that it is both jud and
proper to have the property of those lanes and qua
rents ascertained, but only to call their attention to
these obj-dfs, the good leofe of the membe s mult
luggelt many; for at a bogle glance, tne circum
iTuce of this State, New jericy, Maryland, Rhocie-
Island, Delaware, &c. when compared with feme
other States, are too linking to need any remark:
Ncr can it escape them what prodigious advantages
Canada under its new limos wowd derive, should
the Canadians accede to the Confederacy.
Another thir g which appears to me to be an 0-
mission is, that no pr..viiion has been made for tne
looming of new ft„t.s, cut or the vast unpeopled
territory which lay within the undefined limits of
some of the States; and Inch cases muff occur. Per
haps it may be objected to this, that the limits as
signed by the Kings of Gieat-Britain to the ieverai
States, will include all luch territory that can put
fibly be annexed to the thirteen States. This re
quires a very large ddcuffion; but it is to be hoped
we are not feiz^d with that phreofy, for having a
larger extent of country annexed to any one State
than what can foe governed with convenience to the
people, and th^ energy of Government be extended
through the whole. It is this infatuation and define
for an extensive empire, that has involved, and dai
ly involves, markinci in the miseries of war and fine
ry throughout the world, and if not guarded agamft
in the infancy of the States, may prompt the
Wronger, at feme future day, to endeavour the con
quest cf the weaker, which may give rile to feuds
that will eventually diffjive the union.
The zeal of some may think a hasty ratification
cf the articles of Confederacy necessary 'to cement
the union of the States, ard be unwih ng to discuss
these matters; but if we w;ffi a durable, a perpetual
union to exist amongst the States, every possible ob
stacle to it should be removed in the beginning,
otherwise it will resemble a house built with untem
pered morter that will not cement the parts together
of which it is composed, and inflead of growing
Wronger by age, it will moulder to a diiTjhvion.
CIVI S.
^^^^^^
Tobe SOLD by PUBLIC VENDUE,
On Wednefdav the fit It day of April next,
4 VALUABLE Plantation ortra& of Land, lituate
in Hamilton To^rfhip, Cumberland County,
containing four hundred acres of yoohland, with two
dwelling boules, ftabta and b?rn, and Ipring-hovfe,
with 500 bearing apple trees; t^e-.e is on laid planta
tion one hundred a^d fifty se es of cleared vpl nd, aid
fifty acres of good meadow. AL6 to he icid on the
fame day, a House arid Lot io Cham Serfburgh, known
by che name, cfthe Cols Keys, with ftahles> nd other
ihou'Os suitable for tavern i<e^pin% F o , tr r -ns rpply
to JAMES AND JOHN BURNS.
Tobe SOLD at PUBLIC VENDUE,
On the eighteenth day of March,
A PLAN LA LION in Donegal Townffiio,
Lane, ft r C mty, near M y Town, crntaiirn^
a.bouc three hiudred xc.es, of ”hich one hundred and
fifty are cleared. There ,re on the premises a dw<h-
HI : hru le, barn and spring house, and several foun
tains of water ; alio an orchard, fineen acres ol mea
dw, and more may be made. Attendance will be
given by the fubfcimer.
MATTHFW TATV.
To be SOLD by PUBLIC VENDUr,
on Wednesday the ei?hteeuth day of March next,
at Ten o'clock in the for-no-n,
171 H E Plantation or trad of Land whereon Joseph
ft Sherer, d^ceafed, lately dwelt, lituate io p.xtnq
Township, Lancaster County, containing ?zx acres,
and the allowance, with 30 acres of cleared meadow,
and more may be made, about&> a-res of upland clear
ed, a good young apple orchard of about 150 trees,
and a good fqnare log house and barn on the premi es.
Tire terms ot tale will be made known by
MARY SHERER, Executrix.
SAMUEL COCHRAN,
SAMUEL SHERER, ] Executors.
L : kewife at the lame time and place will he fold, a
tra& of Land in White Deer Creek 1 ownfhip, North
umberland County, containing 300 acres, with the
allowance ; late the property of the said Joseph Sherer,
deceased. Any person inclining to fee the premises
before the day of f Je, may apply as above.