The Connecticut courant, and the weekly intelligencer — Hartford [Conn.], 1781-02-20 00:00:00, page 1

From the Pennsylvania Packet.
An account of the late disturbances in the
PENNSYLVANIA LINE.
AS the public will probably expea some ac
count of the late unhappy movements in
the Pennsylvania line, and the proceedings had
thereupon, we have, from authentic documents,
enabled ourselves to give the following concise
narrative of that transaction.
It appears that considerable difeontents had for
some time taken place amongst the Soldiers, on
account of uncertain inliftments, deficiencies
of eloathing, arrearages of pay, and depreciation
of the currency ; which, as yet, extended no far
ther than private complaints and murmurs. What
ever real causes of difeontent, in some of these
particulars, might have been occasioned by the
public necessities, owing to disappointments, un
avoidable in times of war and invasion, it is evi
dent, that they were greatly exaggerated by the
influence of too great a mixture of British defcr
ters in the Pennsylvania line. It is more than,
probable, that this diffatisfaCEon would not have
affirmed the formidable aspect in which it after
wards appeared, hadnot concurrent circuntiftances
administered the occafton,
New-Year's day, being a day of customary
feftivity, an extra proportion of rum was served
Out to the Soldiers; This, together with what
they were able to purchase in the neighbourhood
of the line, was Sufficient to enflame the minds
of men, already pre-difpeled by a fixture of real
and imaginary injuries, to break forth into out
rage and disorder. 'As soon, as night came on;
the Camp was observed to be in great confusion,
and by eleven o'clock became quite tumultuous;
the troops avowedly threw off all obedience and
prepared to march. In vain did general Wayne,
and the officers of the line, exert themfelvcstq re
duce the mutiny and restore order and discipline;
the affair had gone too far to yield to their exer
tions, and one ofthe officers unhappily loft his life
in the attempt.
At length the line left their Camp, in a tumul
tuous and disorderly manner, and marched to
Princeton, where they fixed their quarters.
General Wayne, uncertain whether this muti
nyarofe from British influence and difaffeaion, or
only from the grievances they so loudly complained
of, thought it most prudent to get this disorderly
body, if possible, organifed into some regularity,
in which situation the mutineers might be treated
with and the truth difeovered. To this he was
the more encouraged as they had repeatedly and
in the strongest terms denied the lead tinaureof
difaffe&ion, or any intention of deserting to the
enemy. He accordingly recommended it to them
to choose a number of sergeants, to fit as a board
and represent their grievances, so that redress
might De had, if their complaints should appear
to be well founded. This advice they readily at
tended to ; a board of sergeants was accordingly
formed, and the business seemed to put on a more
manageable appearance.
Intelligence of this affair was soon conveyed to
New-York. The enemy were highly elated on
the occasion, and exerted themselves to the utmofl,
not abating their diligence, although the rain
poured down inceffaqtly. Four or five thousand
troops were immediately embarked, in order to
make adefcent on Jersey at South-Amboy, under
a full persuasion that the Pennsylvania line wait
ed only an opportunity to join the British troops.
WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER.
HARTFORD : Printed by HUDSON and GOOD W I N, near the Great Bridge.
TUESDA Y, February 20, 1781.
They were confirmed in this idea by a person
from Woodbridge, who Wentover to Staten-Idand
and informed, that such was the determination of
the board of sergeants. , . .;
; On the arrival of this news at Philadelphia, the
President of the State, and a committee of Cons
grefs, attended by the Pennsylvania troop of
horse; set out for Trenton.,
In the mean time, some negotiations had taken
place between the board offergeants and general
Wayne : but not to any effect. The general was
yet in doubt as to the real designs of the muti
neers ; but a eircurnftance, now occurred, which
seemed to evince the fidelity of the difeontented
troops. A spy from New-York, attended by a
guide, appeared before the board of fergeants,with
a paper, rolled in Sheet lead, intimating that if
the Pennsylvania line would direct their inarch to
wards South River, a large body of British troops
should be ready to receive them; and promiting
very large emoluments to every soldier who should
thus desert his country's cause. No fopner did this
emissary make his errand known, ^ the board of
sergeants rejected the proposal wifi disdain, and
sent the spy with his companion under guard to
Gen. Wayne,' with a reServe, however, that they
should be re-delivered to the board if demanded.
President Reed having, on the 6th, advanced
near Princeton, (being alio fully auttiorifed by
she committee ofCongrefs to make proportions)
wrote a letter to general Wayne, in which heex
preffed some doubts as to the propriery of going
within the picquets of the insurgents. This letter
being, Shewn to the sergeants, they immediately
wrote to the president in these words.' " Your
" excellency need not be in the leaSt afraid or ap
" prehenfive of any irregularities or ill'treatment,
" that the whole line will be very happy howex
" pedient your excellency would be, in fettling
" the unhappy affair."......
Encouraged by these circumftancbs, but with
out any great confidence in them, more especially
as the board offergeants had demanded the fries
from general Wayne, and at this tinle had them
in pofleflion, his excellency determined to venture
amongst them. That he had no fine dependence
on their pacific affurances,.appears by a passage
in a letter to the vice-president, at Philadelphia,
just before he went into Princeton ; wherein he
fays,---" I have but one life, and my country has
" the firft claim to it. I diere fore go with the
" chearfulnefs which' attends performing 2 necef
" fary, tho' not a pleasant duty." Upon his en
try into Princeton the whole line was drawn up
for his reception, and every rihark of military ho
nour and relpe& Shewn him. After this inter
view the neguciation commenced in regular form
During the treaty the president had the addr^fs to
persuade the mutineers to advance f 6 Trenton;
for, notwithstanding all favourable appearances,
he dill remained jealous of their Situation;
After a correspondence of some days, in which
great tenaciousness was Shewn on the part of the
mil-contents, and equity with firmnefs on the
part of his excellency, articles of agreement were
finally assented to and confirmed on both Sides.
The articles were as follows, viz.
PROPOSALS made to the Non-commissi
oned Officers and Soldiers of the PENN
SYLVANIA LINE, at Princeton, Ja
nuary 7, 1781.
His excellency JOSEPH REED, esquire, pre
sident, and the honourable brigadier-general
POTTER, of the council of Pennsylvania, ha-
ving heard the complaints of thefoldiers,as repre
sented by the sergeants, inform them, that they
are fully authorized to redress reasonable griev
ances, and they have the fulleft disposition to
make , them as easy as polhble;' for which end
they propose, ,
First, That no noh-commiffi oned officer or
soldier Shall be detained beyond the time for
which he freely and voluntarily engaged: but
where they appear to have been in any refpea
compelled to enter or sign, Such cnhflment to be
deemed void, and the soldier discharged.
Secondly, To fettle, who. are and who are not,
bound to day, threq, persons to be appointed by
the president .and' the council,* who are to exa^
mine into the terms of enlistment ; where the ori
ginal enlistments cannot be found, the Soldier's
oath to be admitted, to prove the time and terms
of enlistment," and the soldier to be discharged up
on his oath of the condition of the enlistment.
Thirdly, Wherever any 'Soldier has enlisted fort
three years or duririfthe war, he is to be difehar
ged, unless he Shall appear afterwards to have re
enlisted voluntarily and freely. The gratuity of
one hundred dollars given by Congress, not to be
reckoned as a bounty, or any men detained in
consequence of that gratuity. The commiffiqner's
to be appointed by the president and council, to
adjust any difficulties' which may arise on this ar
ticle alfq.,
Fourthly, The auditors to attend as soon as
possible, to fettle the depreciation with the soldi
ers, and give them certificates. Thtyr arrearages
of pay to be made up as soon as circumstances
will admit. , #
Fifthly, A pair of Shoes, overalls and foirt will
be delivered to each soldier in a few days, as they
are already purchased and i^dy to be lent for
ward, whene^e: the line Shall be fettled. 1 hose
who are difchatged to receive the above articles at
Trenton, producing the general's discharge.
The prefidefithones, that no foldierqf the Penn
sylvania line will break his bargain, or go from the
contract made with the public, and they may de
pend upon it, that the utmost care will be taken
to furnifh them with every nec^iiary fitting for a
soldier; . ,
The prefictent will recommend to the Rate to
take some favourable notice of thole who engaged
for the war. ..
The commissioners will attend at Trenton,'
-/here the eloathing and the (lores will be imme
diately brought, and the regiments to be fettled
with in their order. A field-officer of each re
giment to attend during the Settlement of his re
giment.
Purfuarif th* general Wayne's orders, of the 2d
infant, no man to be brought to any trial or cen
fute for what has happened on or since new-year's
daf but all matters to be buried in oblivion.
JOS. REED,
TAMES POTTER.
On the conclusion of the above articles the two
emiffafies were again delivered up ; but his ex
cellency having been informed by general Wayne,
that at the time they were firft brought to him, he
had promised the two soldiers who conducted
them FIFTY GUINEAS each, as a reward for
their fidelity, he determined to fulfil this engage
ment and accordingly sent lor these men, and
* This appointment was made ,afterwards by
the committee of Congress, as the most proper
channel of authority.
(No. 839.)