The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-11-16 00:00:00, page 3

MESSAGGE from the President and Supreme Exe
cutive Council, to the Representatives of the Freemen
of Penrifylvania in General Assembly met.
Gentlemen of the General Assembly,
,~n H E Ihort space of time which has elapsed since our
a address to tae late Assembly, has produced but few
events, efficiently imereflin^ to become objects of your
attention. The advanced season of the year items almost
to forbid the hope of any thing more decisive ; but when
we look hack, and take a general view of the operations
and events of the campaign, we shall find fufficient cause
to acknowledge the favour and goodness of Providence,
and to congratulate you on the happy state of public
affairs.
Chile the efforts of the enemy have been feeble, fpirit
fe^ and indecisive, our defenfive fyfiem has been supported
with firmnefs and effeft in every part of America, and
when it has been departed from, the bravery, discipline,
and good conduct of our officers and folders, have been
eminently conspicuous.
The seasonable and generous assistance of the Count
D'Efiaing, and the gallant force under his command, tho'
not attended with all the success which our fang,vine ex
pectations suggested, may justly be reckoned among the
happy events of the year, as it has disconcerted the plans
of the enemy, been attended with success in capturing ma
ny of their veffeb, and is in every refped a frefh proof
of the magnanimity and attention of our allies, which will
justly endear them to every sincere lover of his country.
The evacuation of Rhode-Ifland, the acquisition of
which was deemed by the enemy an object of such great
importance at a former period, is at once a proof of their
weakness, and apprehension, and, we trust, a prelude to
their total evacuation or expulsion from this country.
The expeditions under General Sullivan and Colonel
Brodhead will, we hope, have the happy effeds to make
the savages of the wilderness dread the weight of the Ame
rican arms, and give that fafety and security to the
diflreffed frontiers which were the great objects of the
expeditions. But as very few marks of submission or hu
miliation have been manifefted, and from some late
appearances on the frontiers of Bedford and Northum
berland, the inhabitants feera to be under great apprehen
sion and alarm, we could not think it prudent to depend
so far on the success as to omit the necessary preparation to
repel any incursions which distress or revenge may induce
the enemy to make, and have therefore procured a confi
durable detachment to be Rationed in such places as will
be most likely to answer this desirable purpose and ease
the minds of the good people in that quarter.
Our domestic tranquility has been interrupted by some
unhappy commotions to which free States have in all ages
been fubje&. We trust they are rather to be considered as
the casual overflowings of liberty than proceeding from
avowed licentiousness or contempt of public authority.
And as it is the firft, and we hope will be the last instance
where individuals will take the vindication of their real or
apprehended injuries into their own hands; and as the dis
cussions will be painful to th-ir fellow citizens, and open
a breach we with to fee closed, we submit it to your
consideration whether an ad of oblivion and indemnity
will not have a happy tendency to compose the minds
of the people, and in its effects prove more beneficial to
the public interests than a rigorous pursuit of legal mea
sures.
The institution of a Court of errors and a revifal of the
law refpe&ing clandestine marriages were formerly recom
mended to the Assembly of this State, but the multiplicity
and pressure of other objects have hitherto excluded them
from public view. The time appears to us favourable,
end they involve con fiderations so very interesting to the
liberty and happiness of the State, that we would with to
fee them meet with due (hare of attention.
The counterfeiting the currency of the United States,
has made such an alarming progress in some parts of this
State as to require a severe and immediate check. The
counterfeiting the emissions of an early date is by special
aft of Assembly a capital crime, while the fame practice is
only punishable at common law in the case of late emissions,
which has ^ccafioned a diftinßion of punishments for the
fame offence, by no means consonant to the principles of
reason and justice or the feelings of mankind. We would
therefore recommend the passing a law Ebje&ing all offen
ders to penal and equal punishment.
The Other domestic regulations having been referred
specially by your predecessors, your vigilance and zeal for
the public service and the interests of the State make it un
necessary for us to enumerate them
The supplies of the army, though attended with very
heavy expence, we have hitherto been able to compass,
so ^s to draw the grateful a knowledgments of the troops
for this just attention to their necessities: We shall in a
few days forward both to officers and men so compleat a
supply of cloathing both in quantity and quality, as will
enable them to meet the rigours of the approaching season
with ease and chearfnlnefs.
But while we contemplate with grateful fatisfafliou the
general profpea of public and domestic affairs, we cannot
help expreffiog our concern and apprehensions on the state
of public credit. The depreciation o' the currency and
its fatal consequences to the honour and interest of Ame
rica seem no.v so generally felt and acknowledged, that
we trust a fafe and sure foundation is laid for the success of
any measures which may be adopted to check this growing
and alarming evil.
How far any State can fafely ad^pt a separate fyfiem on
a matter of so great and general concern, we cannot ven
ture to decide, but we can havo no doubt the Representa
tives of the Freemen of Pennsylvania will countenance and
promote every measure that will tend to establish the pub
lic faith, and fix it upon the solid basis of truth and justice.
We shall think our time and labour devoted to the most
valuable purposes, if we render the public any service on
this important point; and in every other shall endeavour,
as far as depends on us, to forward the business of the
State with dispatch, utility, and mutual fatisfadion.
The Secretary will deliver you sundry resolves of the
Honourable the Continental Congress of the United States,
on matters of great importance to the general interests, and
also several other public pipers from ®ur filler States,
which we must recommend to your serious confederation.
JOSEPH REED, President.
Council Chamber,
Nov. 13, 1779.
PHILADELPHIA.
In GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
November 13, 1779.
The, Bill intitled, “ An Aft for regulating Chimney-
Sweepers, within the city of Philadelphia, the diftrift of
Southwark, and the township of the Northern Liberties;"
was read a second time, and being debated by paragr phs,
was ordered to be transcribed and printed for public con
sideration Extract from the Minutes,
THOMAS PAINE, Clerk of the General Affmbly.
An ACT for regulating Chimney-Sweepers, within the
city of Philadelphia, the diftrid of Southwark, and the
townfllip of the Northern Liberties of the city of Phila-
delphia,
WHEREAS the houses and eßates of the inhabi
tants of the city of Philadelphia, the diEnd of
Southwark, and the township of the Northern Liberties;
of the city of Philadelphia, are frequently endangered by
Chimneys taking fire, and blazing out at the top; and
great complaints have been made for want of a proper re
gulation among those, who undertake the sweeping of
CTimneys: For remedy whereof,
Be it enabled, and it hereby enaded bythe Representa
tives of the Freemen of the Commonwealth of Pcnnfylva
nia in General Assembly met, and by the authority of the
lame, That no person or perlons whatsoever, after the
publication of this Ad, shall follow the business or occu
pation of a Chimney-Sweeper, either by himfelf, his ser
vants, negroes, or others, within the city of Philadelphia,
the diftria of Southwark, or the township of the Northern
Liberties aforefaid, without having firfl made application
to the officer herein after appointed, and having register
ed, or caused to be registered, his or their name or names,
and the name or names of his or their servants, negroes,
or other persons aforefaid, with a number affixed to each
and every such name, in a book by the said officer to be
kept for that purpose, and without procuring and receiv
ing from the said officer, a certificate of every such regis
try, containing the number and name of every person so
entered, under the penalty of for every day he shall
follow by himfelf, or cause to be followed by his servants,
negroes, or others, the laid business; which said certifi
ates the said officer is hereby enjoined and required to
make out, under ids hand, and to deliver to the person or
persons who shall apply tor the fame, and for every such
registry and certificate lie ftiall receive the sum of
and no more.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid,
That if any person or persons, undertaking the business or
occupation aforefaid, shall not, within forty eight hours
after application to him or them made, by any of the in
habitants of the laid city, diftrid, or Northern Liberties,
sweep, or cause to be swept, such Chimney or Chimneys,
as he or they shall be required to sweep, every such perlon
or persons so offending, shall forfeit and pay the sum of
And be it further exacted by the authority aforefaid,
That every Chimney Sweeper shall have and receive, for
every Chimney by him swept, within the city of Philadel
phia, and for every Chimney by him swept in thediftriCt,
and liberties aforefaid, not more than one mile distant
from the Northern and Southern boundaries of the said
city, such Chimney having but one funnel, a sum not ex
ceeding and for every Chimney with two funnels,
a sum not exceeding
And be it further enaded by the authority aforefaid,
That if the Chimney of any person or persons within the
said city, diftrid or liberties, flial! take fire, and blaze
out at the top, the fame not having been swept within the
space of one Kalender month, next before the time of tak
ing such fire, every such person and persons shall forfeit
and pay the sum of and ifany Chimney shall take
fire, and blaze out at the top, the fame having been swept
within one Kalender month after the time of such taking
fire, the person who swept the lame, either by himfelf, his
servants or negroes, shall forfeit and pay the sum of
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid,
That every person who shall follow the business or occu
pation of a Chimney Sweeper, either by himfelf, his ser
vants, negroes or others within the said city of Philadel
phia, the Diftri&t ®f Southwark, or the townfllip of the
Northen Liberties, shall pay unto the officer herein after
appointed, the sum of for every working day,
from and after the publication hereof, untill the firfl day
of A,nl next ensuing, and thereafter from the firft day of
October 'till the firft day of April in each and every year
during the continuance of this Ad, for his care and trou
ble in the execution thereof.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid
That it shall and may be lawful, for the Justices of the
Peace, for the city and county of Philadelphia, or any
three or more of them in open court of Quarter Sessions,
or at any other time, to regulate, lessen or increase, and
fix the prices for tweeping of Chimneys, in such manner as
to them shall appear just, and under their hands, from
time to time to publish the fame, in one or more of the
news-papers, so, that all concerned may govern them
selves accordingly, any thing in this Ad, in that refped
contained, to toecontrary in anywise notwithstanding:
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid,
That all and every the penalties and forfeitures, imposed
by virtue of this Aft, Shall be paid, one half thereof to
the use of the officer aforefaid, and the other half there
of, to the Overseers of the Poor, of the said city, diftrift,
or township, where the offence fliall be committed, for
the use of the Poor thereof, to be sued for in the name of
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid,
That every person following the business aforefaid witnin
the said city, diftri& and liberties, shall (if he follows the
employment himfelf) wear, or (if he employs his servants,
negroes, or others) cause to be worn, on the front of their
caps, in full view, without any concealment, the fame fi
gures and numbers respectively as shall be so as aforefaid
entered in the said book, and contained in his or their ref
pedive certificates, and none other, in large figures, not
less than two inches in length, to be made of strong dura
ble tin or copper; and that all and every person and per
sons, who shall follow the said business or employment, by
him or themselves, or by his or their servants, negroes, or
others, not having the said number fixed on his or their
cap and caps, and the cap and caps of his and their ser
vants, negroes, and other persons aforefaid, according to
the directions aforefaid, or, when fixed, shall wilfully de
face or conceal the fame, or shall negled to keep them
plain and visible, shall, for each and every such offence,
forfeit and pay the sum of for every day he or they
shall follow the said employment, not wearing the said
number as aforefaid.
fthe officer, and recovered before any Justice of the Peace,
or the said city and county, who is hereby authorized to
hear, try, and determine the fame.
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid,
that so much of the Afi of General Assembly, passed
in the year One thousand (even hundred and twenty-one,
intitled, “ An Aft for preventing accidents that may hap
pen by fire,' ' and of the Aft of General Assembly, passed
in the year One thousand seven hundred and fifty-one, in
titled, " An Aft for the more effectually preventing ac
cidents which may happen by fire, and for suppressing i
dienefs, drunkenefs and other debaucheries," as relates to
the fireing of Chimneys within the said, city ; and one other
Aft of General Assembly, passed the twenty-firft day of
March, One thousand seven hundred and seventy-two;
intitled, " An Aft for regulating Chimney Sweepers with
in the city of Philadelphia, the diflrift @f Southwark, and
the township of the Northern Liberties;" shall be, and
are hereby declared to be repealed.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid,
That this Aft Shall continue and be in force from the pub
lication hereof, for and during the term of seven years next
ensuing, and from thence to the end of the next fitting of
General Assembly and no longer.
*, Far the continuation of Col. Ethan Allen's Nar
rative fee the fourth page.
MMMXiMMXMMXXMXIXMXXXX
To be SOLD by Public Vendue,
At the Cvff.e house, on Wednesday the 24th initant,
no HAT well known elegant Country ^eat late the
4 property of Andrew Alien, Esq; seventeen miles
from tin# city, and one mile from Nefluminy Ferry,
containing one hundred acres, thirty of which is good
meadow ; on laid place is an elegant done house, frame
barn and other buildings, with a fine orchard. The
whole under a good fence. The sale to begin precisely
at Twelve o'clock, it not fold by private fie by that day,
by ISAAC SIDMAN, in PearJirect, Philadelphia
N. 3. A quantify of B £ AVER to be fold by said
Sidman. Nov.
BOARD and LODGING to be had in a gen
teel family, or rooms ready furnished to be let.
Enquire of the Printer.
Or' A KEN UP by the fabferiber, in Lower
A Smithfield township, Northampton county, State
of Pennsylvania, a bay STALLION, about four
teen h. nds high, trots and paces, ^bout seven years old,
neither brand nor tear raaik, a final! white fgot on one
of his hind feet. The owner is desired to come, prove
property, pay charges and take him away.
July 20 1779. SAMUEL VAND^RMARK.
W A ^ FU U A
At the corner of Walnut in Water street,
A POCKET-BOOK with Two Hundred and Se
venty Continental Pollais in it. Whoever has loft
the fame, by applying to Richard Tittermary,
Rope-maker, in Shippen-lbe t, proving property and
paying charges, may have it again. Nov. 14.
Philadelphia, Nooember 4.
Three Hundred Dollars Regard.
QTRAYED or STOLEN from the Commons
O of this city, a fman sized sorrel HORSE, about fix
y:ars old, a natural pacer, and has a pretty long tail.
Likewise a bay M A RE, about three years old, four
teen hands high, has a faddh msrk on her near ihoul
der, and a natural trotter. Whoever will deliver the
said horse or mare to the fubferiber in Walnut ftreet^
shall have One Hundred Dollars for either, and if ftolep,
One Hundred Dollars for the thief, and reafon^ble
charges, paid by LAZARUS STOW.
N. B. They were turned out of the stable to avoid
the danger of the late fire in Elmfley's-alley.
~W A f—E~ d;
PERSONS properly qualified to aft as STEW
ARD and MATRON in the Penafylvania Hef
pital. No persons need apply who cannot produce
fufficient recommendations for honesty and sobriety.
Enquire of Joseph Swift or Joshua Howell,
the present fitting Managers.
One Hundred Pounds Reward.
IX^HEREAS the fabferiber was bail for the ap-
VV pearanee of Benjamin Nugent, of Cumberland
county, at the Court of Oyer and Terminer and Ge
neral Goal Delivery, held at Carlifle, the 18th of
Odober last past, and he not appearing according to
promise; therefore any person who will apprehend
said Benjamin Nugent, and secure him in any goal of
the State of Pennsylvania, fothar he may be brought
to tryal at a Court of Cumberland county aforefaid,
shall receive the above reward, and reasonable charg
es paid by MOSES LAMB.
November 12.
BROKE in the pasture of Mr. Van Deren, the
beginning of October, a biackifh HORSE,
near 15 hands high, about 7 years old, not branded.
Whoever has left said Horse, by applying to the fab
feriber in Fourth street, a little above Arch street;
proving their property, paying charges, may have
him again. LEONARD FISHER.
—f 'n '
TWO Sorrel HORSES, one of them about
12 hands high, with a bald face. The other
about 14 hands high, without either marks or brand.
Whoever has loft the said Horses, may have them a
gain, by paying the expences, from JACOB
KECKLE R, at the Ccntiaental Stables in Phi
ladelphia. November 5,