Price Three Coppers. Published every Day, Sunday excepted.
Containing the Freshest Accounts, however long upon the Road.
Philadelphia, October 1
Resolved, That the sum of sixty thousand dollars be advanced to Mr. James Mease, for the payment of the militia, and to pay for the articles he is ordered to purchase; he to be accountable.
Whereas, a full representation in Congress of the several United States is highly necessary on business of much importance to America; therefore, Resolved, That the president be desired to write letters to the conventions and assemblies of the respective states, requesting that measures be taken, to cause, as speedily as possible, a full representation of the said states in Congress.
The letter the president is desired to write gives the reason: that the Congress is at present deeply engaged in matters of the utmost importance to the welfare of America. What those matters are is not said, and the doors have been shut upon them.
Stephen Moylan, Esq; having resigned his office of quarter master general of the continental army, Resolved, That Brigadier General Mifflin be authorized and requested to resume the said office, and that his rank and pay, as brigadier, be still continued to him. A committee of four is appointed to confer with him: Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. Sherman, Mr. John Adams, and Mr. Gerry.
General Mifflin came into this city from the camp at Haerlem, as was noticed in our first number. He did not come for nothing.
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to prepare, and bring in a plan, of a military Academy at the army. The members chosen, Mr. Hooper, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Williams, and Mr. John Adams.
The several matters to this day referred, being postponed.
Philadelphia, October 1
In Council of Safety, Philadelphia, October 1, 1776.
Resolved, That this Board will, on Saturday next, appoint twelve recruiting serjeants, to raise the more expeditiously the quota of men to be furnished by this State to the Continent, agreeable to a late resolve of Congress.
Ordered, That the above resolve be published, that persons willing to engage in that service, who can be well recommended, may send in their applications.
Extract from the minutes,
JACOB S. HOWELL, Secretary.
The Convention having risen, and the frame of Government being passed, it is the Council of Safety that sits.
New-York, September 17
By several gentlemen arrived from the camp we collect the following intelligence.
"In the skirmish on Monday last we killed and wounded about 200 of the enemy; our loss was about 40 men killed and wounded; Colonel Nolton among the slain, a brave officer, who, when he was expiring, asked, Do the enemy run? Do our men fight well? upon being informed they did, he replied, well then, I die contented."
Extract of another letter, of the same date.
"Last night a fire broke out in New-York, and consumed all that part of the city near the North River. The enemy continue quiet, and we are strengthening our lines; we shall soon be so strong that I think they cannot dispossess us."
New-York, September 20
Extract of a letter from a person who has been some time within the enemy's lines, and which is given as it was received.
"They have confiscated several estates, and condemned one man to perpetual confinement, to linger out his life in chains, and to be fed on bread and water. I think such acts of oppression will turn to our advantage; they carry a high hand, and, flushed with the success which nature and not their own strength has given them, they think in a little time to sweep off our army and be in possession of America. Old Oliver De Lancey is a Colonel; your poor friend Woodhull is killed, and that fawning treacherous courtier Governor Tryon lies at the point of death."
The writer adds that his intelligence was got from a person who has been among them some time, and that he thinks it may be depended on. We have nothing to set against it.
New-York, September 19
The following Declaration of Lord and General Howe was printed in a Hand Bill at New York, and is here given entire.
By RICHARD Viscount HOWE, of the Kingdom of Ireland, and WILLIAM HOWE, Esq; General of his Majesty's forces in America, the King's Commissioners for restoring peace to his Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in North-America, &c. &c. &c.
A DECLARATION.
ALTHOUGH the Congress, whom the misguided Americans suffer to direct their opposition to a re-establishment of the constitutional government of these provinces, have disavowed every purpose of reconciliation, not consonant with their extravagant and inadmissible claim of Independency, the King's Commissioners think fit to declare, that they are equally desirous to confer with his Majesty's well affected subjects, upon the means of restoring the public tranquility, and establishing a permanent union with every Colony, as a part of the British Empire.
The King being most graciously disposed to direct a revision of such of his royal instructions as may be construed to lay an improper restraint upon the freedom of legislation in any of his colonies, and to concur in the revisal of all acts by which his subjects there may think themselves aggrieved, it is recommended to the inhabitants at large, to reflect seriously upon their present condition and expectations, and to judge for themselves, whether it be more consistent with their honour and happiness to offer up their lives as a sacrifice to the unjust and precarious cause in which they are engaged, or to return to their allegiance, accept the blessings of peace, and be secured in a free enjoyment of their liberty and properties, upon the true principles of the constitution.
Given at New-York, the nineteenth day of September, 1776.
HOWE. W. HOWE. By command of their Excellencies, HEN. STRACHEY.
Philadelphia, October 1
There is also handed about the town an Explanation of the above, which follows the Declaration word for word and turns each of them. It is given here as it was given to us.
By RICHARD Viscount HOWE, of the Kingdom of Ireland, and WILLIAM HOWE, Esq; General of his Majesty's forces in America, the King's Commissioners for deluding the good people of America by insidious offers of peace, or shedding their blood without mercy.
ALTHOUGH the Congress, whom the much injured Americans suffer to direct their opposition to the establishment of tyranny, and an unconstitutional government over these provinces, have disavowed every purpose of reconciliation, not consonant with that liberty to which they have the most clear and undeniable right; the King's Commissioners aforesaid think fit to declare, that they are equally desirous to confer with his Majesty's subjects (if any so weak and abandoned are to be found) upon the means of establishing a permanent tyranny over every colony, and fix them the everlasting slaves of the British Empire.
The King being most graciously pleased to direct a revision of such of his royal instructions as may seem not to lay a sufficient restraint upon the freedom of legislation in any of the colonies … it is recommended to the inhabitants at large, to reflect seriously upon their present condition and expectations, and to judge for themselves, whether it be more consistent with their honour and happiness to risque their lives in defence of a glorious independency, or return to the galling yoke of tyrannic usurpation.
New-Castle, September 11
The Declaration of Rights of the Delaware State, continued from our last, and here concluded.
11. That retrospective laws, punishing offences committed before the existence of such laws, are oppressive and unjust, and ought not to be made.
12. That every freeman, for every injury done him in his goods, lands or person, by any other person, ought to have remedy by the course of the law of the land, and ought to have justice and right for the injury done to him, freely without sale, fully without any denial, and speedily without delay, according to the law of the land.
13. That trial by jury of the facts where they arise is one of the greatest securities of the lives, liberties and estates of the people.
14. That in all prosecutions for criminal offences, every man hath a right to be informed of the accusation against him, to be allowed counsel, to be confronted with the accusers or witnesses, to examine evidence on oath in his favour, and to a speedy trial by an impartial jury, without whose unanimous consent he ought not to be found guilty.
15. That no man in the courts of common law ought to be compelled to give evidence against himself.
16. That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel or unusual punishments inflicted.
17. That all warrants without oath to search suspected places, or to seize any person or his property, are grievous and oppressive; and all general warrants to search suspected places, or to apprehend all persons suspected, without naming or describing the place or any person in special, are illegal and ought not to be granted.
18. That a well regulated militia is the proper, natural and safe defence of a free government.
19. That standing armies are dangerous to liberty, and ought not to be raised or kept up without the consent of the legislature.
20. That in all cases and at all times the military ought to be under strict subordination to and governed by the civil power.
21. That no soldier ought to be quartered in any house in time of peace, without the consent of the owner; and in time of war, in such manner only as the legislature shall direct.
22. That the independency and uprightness of judges are essential to the impartial administration of justice, and a great security to the rights and liberties of the people.
23. That the liberty of the press ought to be inviolably preserved.
A true Extract from the Journals of the Convention.
JAMES BOOTH, Clerk.
Philadelphia, September 16
The resolve of Congress to which the Council of Safety refers above is given here, that those who consider engaging may see what is asked of this State and what is offered them.
In Congress, September 16, 1776.
Resolved, That eighty-eight battalions be enlisted as soon as possible, to serve during the present war, and that each State furnish their respective quotas in the following proportion, viz.
New-Hampshire, 3. Massachusetts-Bay, 15. Rhode-Island, 2. Connecticut, 8. New-York, 4. New-Jersey, 4. Pennsylvania, 12. Delaware, 1. Maryland, 8. Virginia, 15. North-Carolina, 9. South-Carolina, 6. Georgia, 1.
That Twenty Dollars be given as a bounty to each non-commissioned officer and private soldier who shall enlist to serve during the present war, unless sooner discharged by Congress.
That Congress make provision for granting lands in the following proportions to the officers and soldiers who shall so engage in the service, and continue therein to the close of the war, or until discharged by Congress, and to the representatives of such officers and soldiers as shall be slain by the enemy; such lands to be provided by the United States, and whatever expence shall be necessary to procure such land, the said expence shall be borne by the States in the same proportion as the other expences of the war, viz.
To a Colonel, 500 acres. To a Lieutenant-Colonel, 450. To a Major, 400. To a Captain, 300. To a Lieutenant, 200. To an Ensign, 150.
Fish-Kill, September 23
In Committee of Safety of the State of New-York.
A letter from John Thomas, jun., Esq., chairman of the Committee of Safety for Westchester county, dated the 19th instant and received in Convention on the 21st, relative to the indigent inhabitants of the city of New-York who were sent into that county by a committee of the Convention appointed for that purpose, was read.
Ordered, That the Secretaries write to Mr. Thomas, enclosing a copy of the resolutions of the Convention on that subject passed the 21st of August last, and request of him that he cause report to be made of all the indigent persons which have been sent into that county, agreeable to the directions of the said resolutions; and that this Committee, or the Convention, will make provision for defraying the charge.
Mr. Duer, of the Committee of Correspondence and Intelligence, informed the Committee that he has transmitted to General Washington copies of the resolution authorizing the Secret Committee to purchase or impress any number of vessels not exceeding six, to complete the obstructions of the navigation in Hudson's river opposite to Fort Washington; and of the resolution requesting the superintendents of the frigates building at Poughkeepsie to send down to Mount Washington all the short oak plank they can spare.
The indigent inhabitants were sent out of the city in August. The city burned on the twenty-first.
Boston, September 8
Extract of a letter from Boston.
"Captain Proctor is confined in the common gaol in Halifax, is treated most barbarously, and had been in irons ten weeks on board the Mercury man of war; they threaten to take away his life, but he despises their threats; all that he wants is to meet his enemies in the field. He has been in Halifax gaol about five weeks, together with Col. Allen, Mr. Lovell, and 28 others."
The letter names three men and counts the rest. Who the twenty-eight are is not said.
Entered in. No entries are come from the office this day.
Cleared out. None entered this day.
No notice is come from the office this day.
No price current is come to hand.
Pennsylvania, ss.
NOTICE is hereby given, that a Court of Admiralty will be held at the State-house, in the city of Philadelphia, on Friday, the 27th day of September instant, at ten o'clock in the forenoon of the same day, then and there to try the truth of the facts alledged in the bill of Isaiah Robinson, Commander of the armed sloop called the Sachem, against the brigantine, or vessel, called the Three Friends, burthen about 80 tons, with her guns, tackle, apparel, furniture and cargo, commanded by Andrew Porter. To the end and intent that the owner or owners of the said brigantine, her cargo, &c. or any person concerned therein, may appear and shew cause, if any they have, why the same should not be condemned according to the prayer of the said bill.
By order of the Judge, ANDREW ROBESON, Register.
College of Philadelphia, September 24, 1776.
THE Lectures on MATERIA MEDICA, CHEMISTRY, and the PRACTICE OF PHYSIC will begin on the last Tuesday of October.
TO BE SOLD,
AGREEABLE to the last will and testament of the said Robert Callender, deceased, about 1200 acres of excellent limestone land, situate in East-Pennsborough township, in the county aforesaid, about 10 miles eastward of Carlisle, on the great road leading from Harris's Ferry to the said town of Carlisle, whereon are erected and built, an excellent merchant-mill and saw-mill adjacent, both in very good repair, and now in the tenure of Mr. Francis Silver, on a never-failing stream of water, known by the name of Silver's Spring, which abounds with the finest of trout, the head of said spring being not a mile distant from the said mills, in a plentiful country for wheat and all kinds of grain; the mill-house is built of limestone, two stories high, and has in it two pair of stones, three boulting reels and hoisting works, all which go by water, together with a new two story dwelling-house and stone barn.
TO BE SOLD, on the premises, the 24th day of this instant October,
A VALUABLE plantation, situate in the township of Willistown, in the county of Chester, containing 120 acres of LAND, very pleasantly situated, and in a very healthy part of the country; there are on the premises three separate dwelling houses, a new stone barn, 46 feet by 25, a stable, cart-house, hay loft and hog house, all of stone, and a good stone spring house.
TO BE LETT, and may be entered on immediately,
A WELL-ACCUSTOMED FULLING-MILL, in a good neighbourhood, situate in Londongrove township, Chester county, being the mill lately occupied by William Wood, deceased. The said mill is on a never-failing stream of water, in good repair, and may be had on reasonable terms; together with all the utensils necessary for carrying on the Fulling Business. Any person inclining to know the terms, may be informed, by the owner, living on the premises.
Ninth Month 28, 1776. HENRY HAYES.
LOST, on Monday the 2d instant, about noon, between this city and the Four Mile Stone, on the Wissahickon road, a short heavy KEY of an iron chest. Whoever brings the same to the Printer hereof shall be rewarded for their trouble.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHT DOLLARS Reward.
DESERTED from Bergen town, the 5th of September last, out of Captain Miller's company, belonging to the Flying Camp, John and Benjamin Williams, country born; Owen Jenkins, Ephraim Hallen, John Falls, William Erwin, John Ryan, of Chester county, Pennsylvania; Samuel Stacy, of Philadelphia. From Fort Constitution, deserted the 16th of September, William Idding, Thomas Lyons, Moses Lyons, John M'Kie, Adam Stack, William Grey, and Samuel Marshall. Whoever takes up and secures the said deserters in Philadelphia gaol, shall have the above reward, or Eight Dollars for each.
THOMAS MILLER, Captain.
STRAYED away, on the 26th of September last, from the subscriber, in Frankford, near Philadelphia, a brown MARE, about 15 hands high, 10 years old, well shod before, neither brand nor natural mark remembered, only a few white hairs in her forehead; she is a natural pacer, though trots at times out of hand, has a switch tail, and is trimmed under the bridle. Whoever shall take up the said mare, and secure her, so that the owner may get her again, shall have Fifteen Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
JOSHUA GIBSON.
Philadelphia, September 24, 1776.
FOUR POUNDS Reward.
RUN away from the subscriber, living in Spring-Garden, a servant man, named Frederick Keyerlein, about 19 or 20 years of age, short and well set; has brown hair, one of his fore fingers is crooked and stiff; had on a fine hat, a green cloth coat, with edged steel buttons, a white linen jacket, white striped breeches, white stockings, new shoes, steel buckles, and white shirt. Whoever takes up said servant, and secures him, so that his master may get him again, shall have the above reward, and all reasonable charges.
JAMES BUTLAND, FRINGE and LACE MAKER, in Front-street, near Arch-street, makes and sells all kinds of uniforms for officers and soldiers, in gold, silver, silk, worsted, or thread; where whole battalions may be supplied with lace for hats or clothes, and made to any pattern or colour, at a short notice. Likewise Coachmakers, Upholsterers, Sadlers, and Hatters trimmings, &c. Great price will be given for gold or silver Lace, either old or new, in any quantity.
Wanted 3 or 4 hands, either men or women, that can weave ribbons, lace, fringe, tapes, or other narrow works, who can be well recommended, may have constant work, and good wages.
ALL those who have any demands against the estate of JOHN HYDER, late of this city, deceased, are desired to bring in their accounts, properly attested, to JOHN HYDER, in New-Jersey, or ANN WRITES, in Water-street, near the Upper Ferry, that they may be settled; and it is requested that all those who are indebted to said estate will, to prevent further trouble, immediately discharge the same.
JOHN HYDER, Administrator. ANN WRITES, Administratrix.
FOUR DOLLARS Reward.
STOLEN, on the night of the 28th of September last, from the pasture of Hugh Ely, living in Buckingham township, Bucks county, a sorrel MARE, about 10 years old, full 14½ hands high, with a large blaze in her face, both hind feet white, whitish mane and tail, a small saddle spot on each side of her back, and a small hard lump at the place of buckling the throat strap, paces and trots well, and suckled a foal when taken. Any person taking up said mare, and giving intelligence, so that the owner may get her again, shall have TWO DOLLARS, and if brought home the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
JOHN ELY.
† WANTED, a JOURNEYMAN PRINTER, who is master of his business, and can be well recommended for sobriety. Constant employ and good wages will be given. Enquire of the Printer hereof, at the head of the Valley road.
PHILADELPHIA: Printed by Davidson Signal, near the Sign of the Wolf and Bear, at the head of the Valley road.
The news of the world, 250 years late. A daily paper of the birth of America. Each issue is published on the 250th anniversary of its dateline, and knows only what Philadelphia knew by that day: an issue dated the 1st closes with the post of the 30th, nothing is foreshadowed, and a report that was believed at the time and later proved false is printed here as it was believed.
Written by AI, to rules its publisher set. The events are real and drawn from whatever source records them — not only from what a printer happened to set in type. Where the record is thin, the item is short.
† marks an advertisement composed for this paper — the advertiser, the goods and the terms are ours. Everything else in the advertising columns is reproduced word for word. Nothing concerning an enslaved person or a bound servant is ever composed.
Davidson Signal is a pen name. Corrections run in a later issue; we do not change one that has gone out.
Why this paper takes a side, why Philadelphia, what is made and what is not →