The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-04-17 00:00:00, page 2

^ On eenfi&fatidn of circiurftances, met nothing
,tinted appearing against him, he was difeharged
aud reflored to his former fruation."
RICHMON D, March gr.
In- the SENATE, March 17, 17S1.
nr H E house, according to the order of the day, re
-1 folded itfelf into a committee of the whole house,
on the bill, '' For punching the counterfeiters of the
paper mphey of this state, or of the United States, and
for making the fame a legal tender," and after some
time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and
Mr. Harrison reported, that the committee had, ac
cording to order, had the (aid bill under their conside
ration, and had gone through the fame, and made se
veral amendments thereto, which he read in his place,
and afterwards delivered the bill with the amendments
in at the clerk's tabl", where the fame were again tw ce
read, and on the question put thereupon, agreed to by
the li< use?
fOrdered, That the bill with the amendments, be
repel a third time.
The bill " For punishing the Counterfeiters of the
paper money of t is slate, or of the United States, and
for making the fame a legal tender,"' with the amend
ments, was read the third time, and the question be
ing put that the fame do pa^.
it puffed in the affirmative. Ayes 7. Noes 5.
The members that voted in. the affirmative, are Mr.
Jones of Brunswick, Mr- Bassett, Mr. Rutherford,
Me. Jones of Dinwiddie, Mr. Cabell. Mr. Winston,
and Mr. Jolin Cary.&
The members that voted in t'e fc ?gative, are Mr.
Adama, Mr. H. Lee, Mr. Francis L. Lee, Mr. Har
rison, and Venable.
PROTEST PRESENTED.
BECAUSE making treasury n tes a tender for debts
formerly contrasted, withouta due allowance for de
preciation, isenabling debtors to defraud their credi
tors of as much of wbax they fairly owe, as the real
value of the notes, at the time of tender, between the
value of the money tendered and that for which the
contrast was mde.
B<caue such a law is authorizing and even enforc
ing frau I, corrupting the morals of the people, de
flroying all . confidence between man and man, and per
verting the very end of legislation : which is to repress
wrong and enjoin right. And being directly destruc
tive of justice, subverts one of the moR sacred articles
of our bill of. rights, which declares, that no free go
vernment or the bleffngs of liberty, can be preserved
to any people, but by a firm adherence to justice.
Be aufe as it is confeffed, that a law to oblige a man
to take one pound for a just debt of one hundred and
fifty pounds, is such an outrage upon honefly, that it
would be scandalous for any member of thecommunity
to avail himfelf of it. The continuing to pass laws for
such a purpose, is as difgraceful to the legislature as it
is pernicious to the people.
Because by authorising a fraudulent payment of
debts among our citizens, we Shall give just cause of
complaint to the fubjeds of our illustrious ally, the
King of France, and to all other foreigners who trade
among us; by which the commerce of this slate must
be essentially injured.
Becau e we cannot assent to what is asserted, that
the general voice of the people ca'ls for this law; as it
would be the highest reflexion upon those we repre
sent, to suppose that they desire that which is apparent
ly unjust ; and we are happy to find ourselves confirm
ed in t ds good opinion of our countrymen, by the pre
fect practice of the jury's, who, aHuated by a spirit
different from that which prevails in this law, do make
allowance for depreciation. But if the people could
possibly possess such a depravity of disposition, it would
be the indifpenfible duty of the legislature to re strain
and corre& it.
Because it is not enabling the people to pay their
dwbts as is pretended, but evidently empowering a
jhamelefs debtor i® defraud his just creditor, by not
paying his debt
Bec me a law, evidently tending to corrupt the mo
rals of the people, and exposing orphans, widows, and
other helpless petfons, who fubfiß upon the interest of
their money, to be reduced to ebfolute beggary, for
the benefit of these who are puffeffed of their property,
is a crying fin, that may call down the vengeance of
a justly offended Deity upon this unhappy country.
Because the ambiguity of the tender will beget an in
finity of law Suits, and diflurbthe peace of the whole
community.
Because two amendments were offered to the bill by
which the treasury notes to be emitted might have
been a tender for their just and real va ue, or the
iatereft flopped on refufil; as the former laws more
equitably directed, which amendments were reje&ed,
and the full blown evils of the law let loose amtng
the people.
Because we cannot comprehend how making this
money a legal tended in difeharge of ah debts, can
give it any additional credit; Since it is confeffed that,
in its depreciated date, no man can tender it without
forfeiting all claim to honour and honefly. A qua
Jity, which if ufeJ, would occasion a total lots of
eharaHer, cannot be of any value.
Richard Adams,
Frances L ghtfoot Lee,
(bigne) Nathaniel Harrison,
Henry Lee.
A Copy from the journal,
WILLIAM DREW, C. S.
B A L T I MO R E. April 10.
Since our last the marquis de la Fayette, with his
divifign of continental troops, in a numb rof trans
ports. filed for the Head of Elk (whereth p y have un
doubtedly arrived) trona Annapolis, the Britith ships
having led their Ration off the harbour of that place,
and gone down Cbefapeake.
A ew d:ys ago, 47 transports arrived in Hampton
Road from New. Ye k, having on board a body #f
British troops, tender the command of major general
Phillips, defined, it is f^id, to reinforce earl Corn
wallis, who, by the latest accounts, was making
forced marches towards Wilmington, on Cape-fear
river, and had reached the dis ffeHed fettlemepfs on
Cross-creek, on that route. We have various accounts
of the number of troops with general Phillips ; feme
fay they amount to 35.00, while others after t they con
sist ®f but 15^0.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Annapolis,
d^ted on Sunday last.
" Two fltips and a brig appeared off our harbour
this merging, about an hour by fun, and immediately
flood down the Bay ; They were out of fight by 11
o'clock. It is said 6 fllips are gone up Potowmack,
and that they had destroyed colonel Richard Barnes's
house, and robbed him to- .a copfidfrable amount.
They have, it is reported, aifo burnt Prleft Hunter's
house."
SALE M, (New-England,) March 97.
Last Friday arrived at a sea port, a packet from Ja
maica, bound to London, cap.ured by the Ship Thorn,
who engaged her two glasses, during which the pack
et had four men killed and fourteen wounded. The
Thorn had not a single man hurt. We are in hopes
before our next, to have the papers that came in the
packet ;in one of themwe learn is the following pa
ragraph :
" We are sorry to acquaint our readers, the French
squadron was in fight of and were purling the Cork
fleet, confiding of 100 fail ; Which intelligence Came
by a vessel just arrived at Port Royal, and made her
efc?pe from them."
Yeflerday the privateer Chip Rhodes, captain Buf
fington, arrived here from a fuccefsful cruise, having
captured four valuable prizes, three of which are ar
rived, the other is hourly expelled.
BOSTO N, April z.
Last Thursday there was information of a privateer
flbop, mounting 12 4 pounders, belonging to the ene
mies of the slates) being in the harbour of Cape-Cod,
when by the peculiar and spirited exertions of Captain
Smith of Philadelphia, commander of a brigantine now
in this port, who, by the common modes of prepara
tions could not be fit far sea in fix days, was actually
under way in as many hours, when an unfortunate
cafuality of carrying away his fore top gallant mast
and jibb boom, prevented the purfait, which we
doubt not would have ended for the honour of the ac
tive sea officer.
Many merchants of the town have expressed their
warmest attachment to his conduct, which evidently
shews that the honor ®f the flag and the protection of
trade were the sole motives of his exertions.
The Brutus and Neptune privateers of Salem, went
in quell of the above sloop ; and yesterday the Brutus
returned into port with her, the Neptune being left to
cruize for her consort, a brig of 14 guns, which was
hourly expelled at Cape Cod.
Monday last arrived at Providence, the brig John,
captured by the Prote&or and Deane: She was from
Ireland bound to the Weft-Indies, and is laden with
beef, butter, &c.
April s . Nothing can be more evident than the
warm disposition of our allies tffeAually to aid the
cause of America. The late expeditions from Rhode-
Island are frefh and strong proofs of such a difpofiti
nn. It difeovered no small spirit in th. French com
mander to make two enterprizes for the fuccour of
Virginia, in the face of a superior British squadron.
In the naval action which ensued upon the last, great
honour was reflected upon the arms of France : Tho'
the British squadron was superior by 88 guns, yet the
advantage was clearly on the fide of the French : And
indeed the whole conduit of our allies through the war,
convince us of the folly of our former prejudices ref
pelting the vaf lfuperiority of the fkitl and prowess of
the Britons in comparison with the French.
An officer of reputation in the American army, who
was on board the French fleet in the late action, and
an eye witness to the whole, speaks in the hi^heft
terms of the coolness, intrepidity and good conduit
of the chevalier Defteuche and his whole squadron.
Their foperiority, he fays, in the engagement was
undeniably evident; and the conduit of the Br tiih
squadron, while in action, and when they retired, were
but ill adapted to support the vaunts of that nation.
Last Tuesday arrived at Newport a fliip from Ber
muda, bound to New York, prize to the Hermoine
frigate. The Surveillante frigate has also taken a
large brig, which was afterwards funk.
Extract of a letter from a g-ntleman in Nantz, dated
November 25, 1780.
" The Dutch have at last signed tee neutral treaty,
the 21fl in Rant, to th great joy es all Europe. This
has been the only answer they have given fir Joseph
Yorke, on the address he had made for fatisfallion for
the papers found on Mr. Laurens, concerning a treaty
between the United States aid the State -of Amster
dam."
Extraa: of a letter from New London, March 20.
" Captain Peck is just arrived in a short passage from
St. Croix, and informs, that admiral Rodney took
possession of St. Euftatia, St. Martins and Saba, on
the 3d of February.
" Captain Seymoreis also just arrived from Efque
bo, who informs, that that place and Demerara are
both taken by the British, and the inhabitants plun
dered. It was also reported, that eight fail of the line
and a number of troops, were failed for Curracoa.”
PROVIDENCE, March 31.
Monday last his raoß Chrifiiau Majesty's fleet, com
manded by M. Debouches, which failed Iron New
port the Bth instant, returned to that place.
By trie wefiern pod we learn, that a vcffel arrived
at New London, a few days fiace, and brought an ac
count that the British have taken the Dutch settle
ment of Demarara, to leeward of Surinam, where
about 50 fail of veriels fell into their hands, fume of
them Americans.
NEW - L O N, D ON, April &
We hear that two British men of war have arrived
at New York from Ghefapeakß:y, in so mattered a
condition that they could bar $ y keep above water
owing to the damage they received in the late ariion'.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in ths western
part of this Rate te his friend ear this town.
" The British government of New York have issued
proclamations, offering the refugees there te supply
them w ith armed boats, provisions and wulike stores,
all at free cost, to go and plunder on the rebel shores,
(as they call thorn) and to cruize in the rivers, todif
trefs the persons who live near the water. This is a
late refolut ion in New. York.
It is said near 100 boats, besides several Rallies, are
conned mow at Huntington Bay, and that many peo
ple in coufequeuce thereof, are removing their effefls
from several of the wefttni towns on the found.
Philadelphia, Aprilry.
ExtraH of a letter from Bollen, dated April 5, 1781.
" Yesterday a vessel was condemned in our court of'
admiralty, brought in here by an armed ship of the
state, covered with clearances for Bermudas. Ano
ther vessel that bad been upon a trading voyage to
that place with masts and spars, and brought back
English' goods, was also condemned for the use of the
flare. These in fiances give no little pleasure among
all good eitiz-ns. A merchant of reputation in this,
town weut openly and gave the information against
the last ; and there is in the whole government an&i
in the body of. ths people a disposition to check fuck
pernicious add. dishonourable methods of traded'
In Counci l.
Philadelphia, April 9th, 1781.
WHEREAS by anAft of Afffembly paffedth e
twenty-third day of December last, intitle''
" An Act to compleat the quota of the Federal Ar
my affigaed to this Rate," certain duties were en join
ed upon the commissioners of the city and fevera'
counties, and on the neglect or rcfwfal thereof, (ex
cept in case of sickness or removal) such commiffiauerg.
ihould be fined by the Supreme Executive Council of
this slate, in any sum not exceeding five hundred
pounds. And whereas there is reason to believe, di
vers of the said commissioners have not rendered a
punctual compliance with the said law, in as much as
the said quota's of recruits have not been provided'
as directed, nor have the monies to be levied on the de
linquent caffes, been paid into the refpe&ive county
treasurers, as they ought to have been. This Board'
therefore conceiving it to be their indifpenfible duty
to enquire into aid remedy delinquencies, in points
so essential to tho welfare of the state.
Resolved, That unless fufficient cause be shewn to
this board, by the delinquent commissioners on the east
fide «' Susquehanna, by the firft of May, and by
those oq the weft fide of Susquehanna, by the twelfth
of May (the counties of Bedford, Northumberland
and Weßmoreland excepted, who are allowed to the
firfl of June next) this board will proceed to levy the
penalty as by law directed, without refpe£ lto perlons.
APRIL 16, 1781.
On Consideration, Ordered, That the agents for con
fifeated eftstes do proceed to fell the confiscated estates
in the city and several counties of this slate, as. soon
as poflible, according to the former orders of this
board. Extras from the minutes.
T. MATLACK, Secretary.
STATE of PENNSYLVANIA.
A further'Supplement to the A&, entitled, " An. Aft
“ for making the River Schuylkill navigable, and
“ for the Preservation of the Fish in the fail River."
^^.v HER EAi several of the commissioners, no-
Vw minated and appointed in and by the As lof
Assembly, passed on the twenty-sixth of February in
the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred se
venty and three, entitled, " A Supplement to the A%
entitled, An Act for making the river Schuylkill na
vigable, and for the preservation of the Fish in the
said river," have, fir.ee the passing of the fame, de,
parted this life, removed from the neighbourhood of
the said river, or engaged in other business, so that
the regulations and provisions in the said Aft contain
ed, to which this A& is a further Supplement, cannot
now be properly carried into execution.
Be it therefore enabled, and it is hereby enabled by
the Rrpr fentabves of the Freemen of the Common
wealth of Pennsylvania, in General Afferably met, and
by the Authority of the fame, That Daid Ritten
houfe, Owen Biddle, Mark Bird, Baltzar Gheer, Tho
mas Potts, David Chomas, Patrick Anderson, John
Mear, Isaac Kewes, Nathan Levering, George Don
glafs, John Hiefter, and Christian Steer, shall be and
they are hereby appointed cemmiffioners for clearing,
feeuring, and making the river Schuylkill navigible,
and for putting in execution all and lingular the pur
poses mentioned in the Afl, puffed the fourteenth day
of March, in the year 01 our Lord out thousand se
ven hundred sixty and one, intitled, “ An A^l for
making ttie river Schuylkill navigible, and for the
prekrvation of p.e nth in the said river," or contained
in the above r cited Supplement thereto ; and that
they, or a majority of them, or of the survivors of
them, shall have, nold, and ex rcife, all and every
the powers, authorities, jurif lidiotr, rights and pri
vileges, given and grained in and by the said recited
Act to the cohimiffinuers therein appointed, and shall
be (abject to tire fame duties to all intents and pur
. poses, as if they had been the commiffiGners therein
particularly appointed.
And be it further enabled by the Author ity afore
faid, Tout thefurviving cpmroiffioners, appointed by
the said recited AH, entitled, " A Supplement to the
Adl, entitled. An Afi for making the river Schuyl
kill navigable, and for the preservation of the fifa in
the Hid river," shall, and they are hereby enjoined
and required, immediately after the passing of this
AH, to deliver over to toe commiiEcners herein be-