The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1783-01-30 00:00:00, page 3

Extracts from the Minutes
for the (hip Amazon, John Floyd, matter, to proceed
from New York to Wilmington, in the date of Dela
ware, with divers article for the Rri'ifh and German
prisoners of war, in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Vir
ginia*
2d. A letter from major W. Jackson, affidant fecre
tary at war, to mffrs. Kean and Lee,'burgeffes of
Wilmington, r<quefling ether of them s o furnifh capt.
Armdrong, fuperintendant for conducting the busi
ness of theabove mentioned Amazon flag of truce, with
passports for the transportation of the fuppli^s, enume
rated in invoices transmitted with his letter, to the in
terior country.
3d. General abfarad of dores (hipped on board the
Amazon, figeed by W. Armdrmg, captain 64th.
4th. Letters, viz. No. 1, fron, captain Armstrong
to the affidant secretary at war. No. 2, from the as
sistant secretary at war to the prudent of Pennsylva
nia; No. 3, from the president of Pennsylvania to
meffrs. Hannum, Frazer and Taylor, in Chester coun
ty ; No. 4, from captain Armstrong to the assistant fe
cretary at war; No. 5, from the assistant secretary at
war to the honourable Thomas M'Kean, esquire ; No.
6, from captain Armstrong to the assistant secretary at
war.
1 he following message from nis excellency the prefi
&nt and the fupr°me executive council, having be^n
delivered to Mr Speaker w^s by him laid before the
froufe, and bring read, is as follows, viz.
Gentlemen,
^^/'E think it onr duty to lay before you immedi
¥¥ ately, the papers that wdl be deliver d wj;h
this message. They relate to business of high impor
taoce in several refpe&H ; the rights of coogrefs—the
authority of this flare —and of the commander in chief,
appear to be involved in the questions that arise from
it; and the welfare of American prisoners of war, fe'ems
to be particularly interfiled in them.
We have had a conference with a committee of con
gress on this affair, and learn from them, t at the mem
bers of that honourable body are unanimowfly of opini
on, that the seizure is a viol tion of the laws of nations,
and of the rights of the united flares. We have feri
body deliberated on this fubjeß, and ar A convinced,
that we are not competent,to the solicited redress.
sth. A letter from the assistant secretary at war to
the president of congress.
6th. A letter from the assistant secretary at war to
the president and supreme executive council of Penn
sylvania.
And on motion and by special order, the said message
and papers therewith transmitted were read the second
time.
Message from the FrefiJeu' and the Supreme Executive
Council, to the General Affemb'y.
To the honourable the Representatives of the Free
men of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in As
sembly met.
The memorial and address of Nathan Dennison, Hugh
Forfman, Obediah Gore, Samuel Shepard, and John
Paul Schott, inhabitants, settlers and proprietors of
a territory of country situate on the waters of Suf
quehannah river, under the claim of the flare of Con
necticut, in behalf of themselves and the rest of the
inhabitants, settlers, &c. of the (aid country.
Most refpeHfully fheweth,
TH AT in the year 1754, a number of the inhabi
tants of Connecticut, finding all the lands east
ward of the line of the state of New-York, fettled and
-appropriated, proceeded to purchase of the Six Nati
ons, a large territory of country, extending from De
iaware river weft ward, about one hundred and sixty
miles, and in breadth, the whole forty-two degrees of
north latitude, and gave a valuable consideration ;
supposing that without dispute, the aforefaid territory
was included in the charter granted them by king
Charles 111, April 14, i66t, and formed tbemfelves
into a company of proprietors, by the confeot of the
leg flature, and regulated by the laws of said state,
and proceeded to locate the valuable lands, situated on
rthe eastern branch of the Sufquehannah river, the full
breadth of the forty-two degrees, extending fix miles
If the determination was to be made only upon the
the rights of congress, the general executive powr^fz
sovereign Bate, and the laws of nadons, our difficulty
weird not b fogr at : but the " Aft for the more es
feHual fuppr f Ton of all-intercourse and commerce
wit the enemis of the unit'd dates of America " be
ing point'd tn the case that now exists, we are bound
to ap obfervapce of that a&, and can not presume to
determine, how far the dirr flions therein prescribed,
concerning the “ in?rociuAion of nec ffary clothing
for prison rs of war," is a violation of the laws of na
tions, or of the ri,'ns of th',e united dates. The decisi
on of that poin', we efte-rn ourselves obliged, rUped
fudy to defer to your honour bk houfe.fit
JOHN DICKINSON.
Ordered, That the said message and papers accompa
nying i f be referred to Mr. Delany, Mr. G. Gray, Mr.
J Montgomery, Mr. Clymer and Mr. W. Montgo
mery, to report thereon.
"ift.tCopy of a piTport granted oy his excellency
George Wafhurgton, esquire, general anl commander
The papers alluded to in the foregoing message and
transmitted there^rh, were also read, as follows,
viz.
in chief of the armies of the united dates of America,
An address and memorial, signed by John Paul
Schott, agent for the inhabitants of Wyoming, was
read, and is as follows :
Of the honorable the General Assembly of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Council Chamber,
Philadelphia, Jn, 18, 1783,
MONDAY, January 20, 1783. A. M.
The right of jurisdiction was always esteemed impor
tant to the clainling states, and more especially to the
settlers and tenants who bad- ventured their all there,
and who were combatting difficulties and dangers in
in every (hape.
After refourfe to Great Britain was cut off, it was
provided, '~ That in all deputes, &c. concerning
boundaries, iurifdiHion, &c. the united dates in
congress (hall be the lift resort and appeal.
That judges be appointed to hear an^i determine the
matter in question, and that the Sentence of the court
be decisive between the parties; and aifo, all contro
verfies, the private right of foil, claimed under diffe
rent grants of two or more states, &c. said grants,
&c. shall, on the petition of either party to the cogrefs
of (he united states, be finally determined, as wear as
may be, pursuant to this provision. The honorable
Congress established a court: both states were cited,
and appeared : the cause was heard for more than forty
days : the grounds flared, on which each Bate assert
ed their right of jurifdi&ion. On which the court fi
nally adjudged in favor of the state of Pennsylvania,
by which tne juriididion of the disputed territory on
which your memorialifts live, is adjudged yours. By
this adjudication, we are under your jurifdidion and
protection. We are fubjefts and free citizens of the
state of Pennsylvania, and have now to look up to your
honors, as our fathers, guardians and protestors, en
titled to every tender regard and refpeft, as to jus
tice, equity, liberty and protection, on which we de
,pend, and which we are warranted to do, by tne im
partial treatment that all, 'even Brangers, have receiv
ed, when once they become inhabitants and citizens
of this great and flourifliing Bate.
Thus have we Bated the grounds on which out title
was eftabliflied, whigh, though determined to be ill
grounded by the honorable court, appeared to be
founded in the highest reason. We verily thought it
our duty to do as we did. If we have committed faults,
we pray for mercy and forgivenefs. if we have de
served any thing, we hope something from the grati
tude of our country. We have fettled a country (in
its original Bate) but of little value; but now culti
vated (by your memorialifts) is to them of the great
est importance, being their all.
We are yet alive, but the richest blood of our neigh,
boor's and friend's children, hufomds and fathers
has been fpilt in the general cause of their country,
and we ourselves have fuffered every danger this fide
death. We supplied the continental army with many
valuable officers and soldiers, and left ourselves weak
and unguarded against the attacks of savages, and 0
thersof more savage nature. Our houses are desolate,
many mothers childless, widows and orphans multi
plied, our habitations destroyed, and many families
reduced to beggary, which exhibits a feene most piti
ful, and deferring of mercy. If the greatest mis or
tunes can demand pity and mercy we greatly del rve
them—That the country twenty-fix miles in breadth,
rhe length aforefaid, when compared with the extended
territory of the state of Peunfyivauia is trifling indeed.
That the pretent population of the country is of far
more consequence to this state, than it could have been
in an uncultivated state.
east, and twenty miles weft of said branch, having no
apprehension that any royal grant covered the fame ei
ther previous or subsequent to the aforefaid charter of
Connecticut, they proceeded to plant tbemfelves through
(aid territory, and aparted the fame, among which
planters and settlers are your petitioners, and tnem
whom we represent. In full confidence of the juflice
of our title under Connecticut, with the mofthoneft
inflirutjoos, we uniformly maintained oir supposed
right, by oppofiog perfohs claiming under the Penn
sylvania proprietary, who frequently interrupted us
in what we eßeemed our lawfulbufinefs and profrffion,
constantly wishing for an abfoiute decision betwixt
the two hates concerning jurisdiction, we used every
effort to expedite such a dectfion, rtfolwely determin
ed to maintain the title which we had acquired, till a
more equitable one could be established.
In the ye?r >763, and a number of fucceffi /e years,
appeals were made to the crown, by one and the other
state, for a final decision, which a variety of reasons
prevented, till the commencement of the present war
put a period to ail appeals to the crown ; in the course
of which appeals, the opinion of the council, most
eminent @nd learned in the law, was taken, who ad
vised (as we apprehended) fully in favor of the claim
of Connecticut. This preaty encouraged your mem>.
rielißs, that they were rightist supporting their claim.
In 1774, the legislature of the fhte of Connecticut,
affected their claim, ere Ct-d civil jurisdiction, and a
compleat civil and military edablifhmen', according
to the laws and usages of ,said state, which lead vour
memorialifis into a greater confidence of their fecuri
ty under said flare, and induced them to build houses
and mills for their c nveniepce, and to cultivate a
country which weefieemed our own. Since that time,
attempts have been made to difpoffeis us, 01 an nofbie
manor, whch the law of felf-preLrvation obliged to
oppose ; in the course of winch, there were probably
faults on both sides, which we hope may be canceled
and buried in oblivion.
That your honours of your abundant goodness and cle-*
mency, would be pleased to grant and confirm to your
memorialifis, and those whom they represent, the incon
Bderable part of the claim contested, extended as above
to be aparted as they were before the decision. Thus
will you increase the inhabitants of this flourishing state,
will add to its wealth and strength, will give joy and
comfort to the widow and fatherlefs. dure these must
be irrefiflable motives 0 a just, generous and merci
ful assembly. Our only resource is in your decision;
if that is unfavourable, we are reduced to desperation',
unable to purchase the foil: we must leave our cuitiva
We are yet entitled to another trial for our particu
lar poffeffioni, according to the ninth article of the con
federation ; but reduced in every refpett, we are unable
to maintain a trial against an opulent B ate ; we there
fore present a request, which the laws of juflice and
policy suggest, and which the dilates ofhumarfity de
mand, viz.
tions and possessions, and be thrown into the wide
world, our children crying for bread, which we shall
be unable to give them.
It is impossible that the magnanimity of a powerful
and opulent Bate, will ever condefeend to dillrefs an
innocent and brave people, that have unluccefsfully
firuggled against the ills of fortune. We care not uu^
der what state we live, if we can live protected and hap
py. We will serve you, we will promote your int-=
beds, will fig it your battles; but in mercy, goodness,
wisdom, juflice, an l every gre t and generous prin
ciple lea ve us our possessions, the deare i ipledge offour
brothers, children arid fathers, which their,hands have
cuhirated, and their blood fpilt, in the cau e of their
country, has enriched.
We further pray that a general ad of oblivion and
in I mn,ty be passed, and that courts of judicature be
TtablhheJ according to the ufagesandcuftpms of this
Bate, that we be not only a happy, but a well orga
nic d'and regulated people; and that all judicial pro
codings of the prerogative courts, and the common
law courts held by and under the authority of the
Bate of Coone-Beut, be ratified and fully confirmed.
And they, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
JOHN PAUL SCHOTT,
Agent for the inhabitants of Wyoming.
Philadelphia, January 18, 1783.
From CONNECTICUT,
a few weeks raft Opened a SCHOOL for the
¥ ± li^ru&ion 01Ladies &nd Gentlemen in VO.
CAL MUSIC, has procured a conveni, nr Room for
that pu pole, between Second and Tn.T-iLetts in an
alley near the Wpite-horfe tavernfo Cnefnut Preet,
which joins Elbow- anr , from Ma. ket-Brect: Wae,r.
he will attend on inch as favour nim with the r compa
ny, five Afternoons and Evenings in a week.
Mr. LAW will furnifh to thole who choose, a Col.
hdiun 01 modern a,d approved Pieces 0/ Divine MU
SIC ; such as Psalm Tunes, Hymns and Anthems, neat
ly bound, with ifflftru&tons, .< a mdderate price.
To sll Perlons Indebted for Taxes on Land in No.,
thbm^eriand County, fiom 1773 to 1781, both in
clusive :
English Seine Twine,
TO BE SOLD BY
Thomas Forrefl,
At hw S TO R E opposite tne Arch or Hamilton's
Whirs, near the Draw pridge, Jan. 30.
Notice is hereby Given,
T'4 r th - fu ifcriber is properly authorifed to
fettle and receive all such Taxes : The Commif
h^e s nave hitherto proceeded with great moderation
and forbearance ; but f> far as reiptdh the Ei^hteen
penny T^x s, of which due and legal notice hath beta
long lines given, a further delay need not be ixped: 1
it the pufent opportunity is not embraced : The oth r
lubhqumt taxes will be received either in old cent -
nentai mils of m dit, state money, or Ipecie, as the la
direct, . It is hoped is tne public demands are urgent,
that without further delay HI perlons concerned will at
tno, fettle and dife targe their rdpe&jve dues, for
whicnpmpolt attendance will be given at dodor J -
f«ph Gardner's, in Market-ttr&t, near the Biack-horle,
during (he hours of recess from the bufmefs of the g.-
ne.ai assembly dining the prelent session, and no l^-
"> b y WILLIAM MONTGOMERY.
Fight Dollars Reward.
RAN-AWAY from the subsc r iber, 3 likely Nerro
WENCH, named Suck, about al years of age,
fhurt irt, very fmar iand talkative; had on when the
went away, a striped linley j-cket and petticoat, blue
flockings, old fhoet, with one odd buck! : has a pretend
eu p 18 or certifi ate from Mr. Hailey, of her being free;
as (he hrs tak-n off with her all her clothes, it's pioba
bte me may change her dress. Whoev.r takes up Aid
Wvnch, and delivers tier to the fubferiber, shall 'have
tne above reward and all reasonable chorees paid, by
J^. 24. ELIZABETH COCHRAN.
To the Creditors of JOSEPH JUDSON, a Prison-r,
confined in tne Gaol of the City and Couny ot Fui-
Hdelphia :
Gentlemen,
PLEASE to take Notice, that I have
petitioned th- on^ahle the R iprefenta tivei of
th^ Freemen of the C mmonwealih of Pel nfylvan^,
lor a Bill to be paff?d in;o a Law to relieve my Person
from Imprifonm-nt ; and the, have ordered Ntice to
be g ven of this my Application ; and govern vour
fefves accordingly. JOSEPH JUDSON.
Dited in Gal, J n. 28, 1783
C H A R I O T.
*CTH E fubferiher having fenifhed Hmfelf with a
I compleat CHARIOT and a PAIR of excellent
HORSES, with a go u tDriver, oegs leave to inßnm
his Flend, and die Public in g naral, that he intends
to appropr ate it as a HACKNEY COACH ; a.d Gn
tlinen and Ladies, bra; ply n< at his Liver, Stables,
behind the Cits T vent, may be conveyed to any part
of the citv, or elsewhere, at as moderate roe as the
times wili ?dmt SAMUEL HODGSON.
Philadelphia, December 3, 1782-
Mr. L A W,
Beft' three Thread