The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-08-05 00:00:00, page 3

Philadelphia, Ju'y 22, 1779.
Gentlemen,
I was honoured with the receipt of your letter of the
21st this day at rroon, and take the earMeft opportunity of
replying to it. T beg leave to make my acknowledge
ments for the assurances you give of your intentions to re
move uteafinrfs and-restore tranquility and public friend
ship, and trust that efforts to this purpose will meet the
applarfe of every friend to otir country. Permit me to
teftify the pleasure I feel from your profeffions of candour,
a virtue which, as it is necessary, so is it to be expected in
those who have been enttufted by our fellow-citizens to
make that enquiry, which, as you well observe, might at
any other time be deemed an innovation on the rights and
freedom of trade. Belying on that candour I shall study
the greatest brevity, that T may not giveyou or them un
necessary trouble.
r am fatisfied in my own particular that the enquiry has
been made, as I hold myfelf ready to arafwer every inves
tigation. At the fame time it rhay perhaps be worthy df
consideration how far, in times differing from the present,
innovations upon the freedom and fights of mankind may
be fanHioned by those aHs which I again repeat to you I
do not regret so far as my conduct is concerned. It was
not my intention to appeal in the publication you allude to,
either from or prior to your report; my reasons for pub
lishing are fairly slated, and the thing itfelf was indifpen
fible. I need'not take notice of the conjectures formed of
Mr. Deane having property in this cargo, as I am confi
dent that y^u, Gentlemen, are convinced they were ill
founded. I cannot help differing from you in opinion that
the tranfa&ions in question have any thing in them of en
grossing or monopolizing. I may not be a judge of the
legal sense affixed to these terms, but in reason and com
mon sense they seem to mean the purchasing a large quan
tity of any commodity, and keeping poffemon of it until
the consequent scarcity enables the holder to extort from
the public or private necessities an unreasonable profit ; and
this, lam told, is the legal lignification. But it will be
admitted on all hands that I made as speedy sale as portable ;
consequently when the variety of the commodities of which
this cargo was composed is considered, and that many of
them were unsaleable, I must appear, what I really think
I was, the fair and open Merchant, who by contributing
to the immediate purchase encouraged the foreign com
merce, and by expeditions sales, with moderate profits,
supplied rhe necessities of my fello'w-cifrens on the most
reasonable terms in my power. I have (aid above that
man, of these commodities were unsaleable, and in my
former letter that they were unsuited to the season and
climate. You seem to call for some explanation of these
things; it is needless to enumerate the articles, and the
shortest explanation is this, that these articles have been
constantly exposed to sale from the firft opening until this
time; they still remain, and I shall be much obliged to
any person who will become the purchaser of them. You
will pardon me, Gentlemen, for differing from you in one
sentiment, " That I must feel myfelf out of character,
though ftriftly within rules as a Merchant, when I confi
der the stations I have held and the times in which I live."
Thoroughly defpifingjthofe pedling tricks which have lat
terly b@en pradifed and are frequently adduced to disgrace
trade and tradie, I declare that the character @f a real
merchant, a generous, open and honest merchant, is a
character lam proud of. It is the profeffion to which I
have been bred from my earliest youth; the Ration in
which it has pleased God to place me ; and if I have afted
IN Mr. Dunlap's Paper of Saturday, the 24th of July,
is pablifhed a letter finned T. Matlack, David Ritten
houfe, Thomas Paiee, Charles Willfon Peale, and J. B.
Smith, together with their report on the transitions re
lating to the car ®of the polacre Victorious I received
these papers at noon the 221 July, and immediately wrote
an aniwer § as I was going oul oi town, I left it with one
of my Clerks to copy, and deliver to some one of the Com
mittee. He veils me, that having c lied several times on
Me. Matlack, and not finding him at heme, he had no
opportunity to deliver the letter until Saturday morning,
which 1 mention in justice to the Committee, as by this
accident they had not an opportunity of finding my let
ter to the press. I suppose it would have been read at the
Town- Meeting, on Monday the 26th, had their report
been taken tip. But it was agreed, that this was unneces
sary in which 1 acquiesced, considering it as an acknow
ledgement on the part of the Committee, that my conduct
was not reprehensible.
When a report of the General Committee was read, on
the fubjeft of Mr. Holker's affairs, which isalfo published
in Mr. Dunlap's paper of the 24th, I could not refrain
from faying a few words in juftificanon of that gentleman
and of myfelf. I gratefully acknowledge the patience
with which I was heard by my fellow citizens, until my
ftnfibility was so strongly affected by their repeated plau
dits, that I could not give utterance to what I had intend
ed to fay further on that fubjeft.
A gentleman prefect made a motion for approving my
conduct, but put the question himfrlf, which ought to have
been done by the Chairman; the Chairman did not repeat
it, and therefore, (from this irregularity) although I have
the pleasure to fay, that the approbation of my conduct
was alrnoft, if not altogether unanimous, the vote taken
upon the occasion has not appeared among the refoliations
of the Meeting figued by the Chairman.
It would be tedious and perhaps unnecessary on this oc
casion, to go through the arguments which might be urged
on the matter in question, relative to Mr. Holker and
myfelf. I am confident that a full invefligation of the
rranfa&ion will redound much to our advantage, and I
shall therefore only repeat the declaration I made upon
my word and honor to my fellow citizens, in the State
house Yard, that I was not myfelf, neither was Mr. Hol
ker, to the best of my knowledge and belief, either directly
or indirectly, concerned in exporting from this Continent,
since the embargo took place, a single barrel of provisions,
except on account of His Most Chriftiau Majesty, for the
life of his seamen and troops.
Had the letter and report firft mentioned been confined
to tl is city, or the question on my conduH been regular
ly put, I should not have given the reader this trouble, but
as the former is published, and the latter is not published,
it became my duty to relate what had passed, and to sub
join the letter I wrote to the Committee, as they bad not
an opportunity of fending, it to the world wit;> their own,
for the reafoih before mentioned. It is in these words :
To the PUBLIC.
as confidently in every other flation I may look Back with
pleasure: If I have otherwise erred iu my condud, it has
been because the line in which I moved as a merchant pre
cluded me from the ftuily of those fubjeHs which are ne
cessary for political life.
Since you have been pleased to furnifh me with a copy of
your intended report for " perusal, animadversion or ex
planation," you will d®ubtlefs excuse a few short observa
tions on it. The double species es engrossing you men
tion, ift, of the promise, and idly of the cargo, I cannot
easily comprehend. The engrossing of promises would be
but a bad (peculation in these days, nor would any man be
envied for having a large dock of such commodities as pro
mises are generally experienced to be If Mr Sollikoff's
offers for the cargo had been rightly underflood they
would not have been accepted, it would have been disposed
of otherwise, and of course the promise he obtained would
have been of no benefit to him or injury to any body else,
had his bargain been valid. I think I have clearly shewn
the cargo was not engrossed but fairly purchased, and im
mediately offered for sale at a moderate profit. This pro
mise was obtained by Mr. Soilikoff before his application
to me, and of course if there were any thing blameable in
it, t must be clear, and still more so when it is considered
that I limited my concern in the purchase to a price then
generally deemed moderate, and which the fupetcargoes
refufed when they came to understand it. For all which
relates to the Commercial Committee bf Cohgrefs, I hav6
to observe that as I knew nothing of any treaties between
them and the owners of the cargo in question, I am neither
chargeable with keeping it out of their hands or trifling
with them : And for any profit which was unnereffartl, td
be made out of the public, I fay that had the Commercial
Committee purchased the whole cargo on the best term#
that could then have been made and taken out the articles
wanted for the public service at the price I fold them, the/
would have loft more on the sales of the remainder, that!
was gained as a profit on the sales of these articles to them.
If this Rate of the case be just, as I really believe it is, the
public made a profit by me, instead of paying one to me.
That I offered these goods to the Agents, rather than to
the Commercial Committee, was purely, because I was
ignorant the Committee made such purchases, .and the
more so, as I had ante the honor of being a Member,
when such purchases were not made by them but by th^
Agents, and therefore not being acquainted with any
change in the mode of proceeding, thought I was pursu
ing the true line. There is a small mistake in your report,
which f doubt not you will readily perceive. You fay
that I gave as a reason why the owner found me a conve
nient purchaser that I could furnifh tobacco, &c. but you
will recoiled, that my transaction at that period was not
with the owners but with Mr. Sollikoff, who found me to
be a convenient , rfon to be concerned with him because t
had tobacco. A small alteration of this kind will give a
different face to the relation, and render the remarks
which the Committee have made upon it unnecessary.
Having thus hastily gone through your letter and re
port, I trust, Gentlemen, that all defers will be supplied
by your candour and love of justice. These, with the firm
reliance I have upon my fellow-citizens, and the consci
ousness of the rectitude of my intentions, form the most
fdiid ground to expert that those who may be empowered
to acquit or condemn, will honor me with their acquittal,
whenever the question shall be fairly and impartially put.
I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient and very humble servant,
ROBERT MORRIS.
To Timothy Matlack, David Rittenhoufe,
Thomas Paine, Charles Willfon Peale,
J. B. Smith, Esquires.
I regret it as a great misfortune tint I have been so often
forced to claim the public attention to vindicate my own
character and conduH. I with to live a quiet private life,
under the proteHion of good laws wifely adminiftred, and
notwithstanding the pain I have fuffered from the attacks
unjustly made upon me, I have been much more concern
ed from public confederations, at the many publications of
this fort which have appeared. For ill-founded accusations
tend hot only to destroy the confidence absolutely necef
fyy for the comdua of our affairs, but they weaken the
effeH ofthofe which may at any time be made with justice
and truth.
ROBERT MORRIS.
Philadelphia, frfy 31, 1779.
M^X^X^XOKM^^
Philadelphia, Augufl 4.
Just imported from Ireland, and to be fold at the store
of Messrs. J. M. NESBITT and Co. in Front
ftreet,
AL A RGE assortment of plain and printed linens,
fineft hollands, lawns, cambricks, cotton and
linen checks, fi'k ftockingi, handkerchiefs, and fevefal
other articles. The sale to begin on Monday the ninth
inft^nt.
KEPPELE and LYNN;
Have for SALE at their ftpre the north fide of Mar
^ street, one door below the corner of Third -street,
o F pofite the Meal-Market,
JAMAICA SPIRITS,
Weft India and Philadelphia R U M,
Mufeovado SUGAR,
TE A,
COFFEE,
Philadelphia, August 4.
^ be SOLD by Public Vendue,
On Saturday the seventh instant, on Bright's, Good
man's, and Arch-street wharves,
AQU AN TITY of damaged Bread and Salt Po
" vitons. The file to begin precisely at Nine o'clock
in the morning, and the money to be paid on the foot.
r 0 B- s 0 L
A WINDSOR RIDING CHAIR, in good
order, the geers almost new; very convenient for
travelling, as it is accommodated with a large Aiding
box which locks. Enquire of Mr. M'Carty, at the
George Tavern, the corner of Arch and Second- streets,
Philadelphia:
Port cf PhKadelpbia, Pennfol-vania, IT.
T O ALL wnom it may concern;
NOTICE Is hereby given, That a Court of Ad
miralty will be held a, theState hsufe in the city of
Philadelphia, on the twenty fevanth day of Auguftinft.
at Ten o'clock in the forenoon of the fameday, then and
there to try the truth of the fafts alledged in the bill of
Samuel Nicholson, Esquire, (qui tarn, &:.) against the
armed schooner or vellci calles the Tiyal, hurthen about
fluty tons, lately commanded by Robert Wirlihg, her
guns; tackle, ^^irel, furniture, &c. To the end and
intent that the owner or owners thereof, or any person
concerned therein, may appear and fiiew cause, if any
they have, why the lame should not be condemned ac
cording to the prayer of the laid bill.
B, order of the judge,
%uft a,. ANDREW" ROBESON, Reg.
F O R S A L 'E,'
A CHARIOT almost new, with new harness
1 compleat for a pair of horses. Enquire of the
Printer.
Engraving and Copper-plate Printing,
In all its various branches, done by . the fubferibetS m
Fr6nt-ftre<t, opposite so Rots' Vendue ftope,
«T 7 HERE may be had the following Books, cal-
VV cuiated !6f the infoufiion and amusement of
Children, ernam^nte# with a variety of copper-plates,
vZ. The World turn'd up-fide down,
Lilliputian Auaibn;
Sm^ll Fables;
Book of Birds.
Ciild's Plaything',
Book of Riddles,
Pircerf.,,.
Ako, an elegsht head of General Washington , mapb
df the continent, New York and Conne&cut ; paper
hangings tor rbom% o' different patterns and colours.
Chapnien and others may be supplied with large quan
tities on the hiorteft notice, to whom a handsome al
lowance will be made by
, . NORMAN and BEDWEL L.
Philadelphia, July 31.
To be SOLD by Public Vendue,
At Benjamm Norris's, at the .Cross Roads, Bucks co 1-
ry, on Saturday the „h day of August,
^J 1 I GHT sour-horse Teams ; Waggons and Gears
1L complect; to he fold in teams or Separate, as may
here teit He purchaser. AIG 3 number of Saddle Horses,
the whole tit tor imm^dian u'c. The sale to begin at
Ten o'clock, where attend nee will be piven by
ISAAC SIDMAN, and
JOHN TAGGART.
SALE of forfeited Efates.
O N the tenth day of August next, at Eleven o'clock
" in tbe forenoon, will he exposed to public sale at rte
Court byule in the city of Philadelphia, a certain let cf
ground fiiuate on the north fide of Mulberry-street, be
tween Front and Second -streets, in the said city, con
taining in breadth on Lid Mulberry-street about twenty
four feet eight inches, and extending in depth about
one hundred and eighty-four feet, incre rfing confidera
by in breadth on each fide near the back end, with the
privilege of a twelve feet ab"y extending from the back
end of laid lot into Front-street; bounded eastward by
ground of John Gillingham and others, westward by
ground of Thomas Mason, Jacob Cooper, Michael Hil
hga„ Samuel Miles and others, northward by ground
late of Edward Brooks, and southward by Mulberry
ftreet aforefaid; on which laid lot are erected a large
and elegant three story brick meffuage, kitchen, (tables,
coach house, &c. and a pump in the yard ; formerly
the estate of Samuel Shoemaker, late of the said city;
Esq; forfeited and seized in due course of law, and to be
fold by CHARLES W. PEALE,
WILLIAM WILL, >Agent&
ROBERT SMITH,)
At the time and place aforefaid will also be exposed
to public sale, a certain three-story brick mefTuage,
kitchen and lot of ground, fixate on the south-westerly
corner of Walnut and Front streets; in the said city of
Philadelphia, the lot containing in breadth on Front
ftreet about nineteen feet; and extending in depth on
Walnut street about eighty feet, be the fame in breadth
or depth more or less ; bounded southward by a meffu
age and lot of Patrick Byrne, westward by an alley ex
tending from Walnut-street southward, northward by
Walnut street, and eastward by Front-street; formerly
the estate of David Sproat, late of the said city, mer
chant; forfeited and seized in due course of law and
to be fold by CHARLES W. PEALE, 7 '
WILLIAM WILL, ^Agents
ROBERT SMITH, , J °
TO BE SOLD B~Y
JOHN J O N E S.
In Front street, near Vine street; Philadelphia,
PRIME American Porter, Beer and Cyder, by the
grocc or dozen, for present cash and bottles restored
on delivery. Wine and common Vinegar of the firft:
quality, by the gallon or quart.
N. B. C^fh arid the heighch of the market will be given
for empty bottles.
Princeton, Jul, 19, 177,.
A R OBBERY!
FIFTY POUNDS REWARD.
LAST night the fliop of the fubferiber was broke
open, and the following articles taken out, viz.
One chamber or spring clock, maker's name Edward
Clark, CornhiH, London, with a silver washed face; one
pair of half worn silver fho%kuckles, two pair of sleeve
buttons, several broaches, &c. Whoever apprehends
the thief so that he may be brought to justice, and se
cures the good; shall have the above reward, or in pro
portion for any part of said goods, paid by
SAMUEL STOUT, Goldsmith.
N. B. Should the clock be offered for sale it is request
ed it may be flopped.