Price Three Coppers. Published every Day, Sunday excepted.
Containing the Freshest Accounts, however long upon the Road.
Philadelphia, October 7
Resolved, That the sum of 8,000 dollars be advanced to the committee of Lancaster, to defray the expences of enclosing the barracks in that borough with a stockade, and to pay and subsist the guard; the said committee to be accountable.
William Davies was elected deputy muster master general for the flying camp, in the room of Jonathan B. Smith. A letter from Brigadier General Moore, of the 19 September, and a letter from John Hanson, dated St. Croix, 14 August, were read. The petition of James Browne, a prisoner, for leave to return to Ireland, the place of his nativity, was granted.
Resolved, That a commissary of prisoners of war be appointed in each of the United States: That the said commissaries be directed to make monthly returns of the state and condition of the prisoners, under their respective care, to the Board of War: That the said commissaries be appointed by the respective states.
General Lee, having informed Congress of his arrival in Philadelphia, attended by order; and having given an account of the state of affairs in the southern department, he withdrew. What account he gave is not given out.
Resolved, That General Lee be directed to repair to the camp on the heights of Harlem, with leave, if he thinks it proper, to visit the posts in New Jersey.
A committee having reported that bills drawn by the General upon his agent in England have been returned protested,
Resolved, That the sum of 30,000 dollars be advanced to General Lee, upon his giving bond to the treasurer to account for the same, and taking such steps, in conjunction with Robert Morris, Esq. on behalf of the Congress, as will secure the most effectual transfer of his estate in England, to reimburse the Congress for the advance now made to him.
The committee appointed to enquire into the causes of the miscarriages in Canada brought in a report, which was ordered to lie on the table.
Upon the report of the committee on General Washington's letters of the 24 and 25th of September,
Resolved, That as a further encouragement for gentlemen of abilities, to engage as commission officers in the batallions to be furnished by the several states, to serve during the war, their monthly pay be increased as follows:
A colonel, 75 dollars; lieutenant colonel, 60; major, 50; captain, 40; lieutenant, 27; ensign, 20; quartermaster, 27½; adjutant, 40 dollars.
The further consideration of the report is postponed.
Philadelphia, October 7
An order was drawn on Mr. Nesbitt, in favour of Captain John Hazlewood, for 50l. on account of fire rafts, to be charged to his account.
Resolved, That all the Powder now on board the Ship, Floating Batterys and armed Boats belonging to this State, be delivered to Mr. Robert Towers, Commissary, who is hereby directed to replace it with a like Quantity.
Philadelphia, October 5
A commission was granted to William Connell, commander of the schooner General Thomson, of 6 carriage guns, 12 men and 40 tons, owned by Edmund Beach and Co.
Philadelphia, September 26
Of the resolve of the Convention respecting the elections, we gave the beginning in our first number. The remainder appoints the election of Inspectors on Saturday, the second day of November next, directs how the Judges are to be chosen and the votes cast up, and names the places of election in the counties of Bedford, Northumberland and Westmoreland. It then sets the oath of every elector, which the Judges and Inspectors are also to take, besides the oaths of the old law:
Every elector, before his vote is received, shall take the following Oath or Affirmation, instead of that heretofore required, viz: "I , do swear, (or affirm,) that I will be faithful and true to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and that I will not, directly or indirectly, do any act or thing prejudicial or injurious to the Constitution or Government thereof, as established by the Convention."
And it concludes:
Resolved, That the said General Assembly, chosen in consequence of the foregoing resolves, shall meet at Philadelphia, on Tuesday, the nineteenth day of November next.
Philadelphia, September 27
On information, that a number of soldiers, belonging to Colonel Miles's Battalion, had mutinied and returned to this city, the Convention appointed a committee to inquire into the affair, and directed that the soldiers be marched to the Barracks, and kept there until the Convention, or Council of Safety, shall have considered their case. The committee's report, being read, was referred for further consideration.
On motion, Resolved, That it be recommended to the first General Assembly of this State, to make a law similar to the habeas corpus act of England, for the security of the personal liberty of the inhabitants.
Princeton, September 19
By an act of this day, for the security of the government of this State, all officers, civil and military, are to take the following test:
"I, A B, do sincerely profess and swear (or, if one of the people called Quakers, affirm) that I do not hold myself bound to bear allegiance to the King of Great Britain; so help me God."
"I, A B, do sincerely profess and swear (or, if one of the people called Quakers, affirm) that I do and will bear true faith and allegiance to the Government established in this State, under the authority of the people; so help me God."
An officer neglecting to take it for one month after notice is disqualified from his office.
Princeton, September 20
An act passed this day makes the bills of the Continental Congress, and of the late Congress or Convention of this State, and the bills issued here on loan, a legal tender; whoever refuses them, when the whole of a debt is tendered, "shall be forever barred from sueing for or recovering the same in any court in this State". Whoever counterfeits or alters these, or the bills of any of the United States, or knowingly utters them, "shall be adjudged guilty of felony, and be punished with death".
Fish-Kill, September 26
A motion being made that money be sent to Major Joab Hoisington, for the pay of his Rangers in Cumberland county, it was objected, that the Committee of that county had, by their letter of the 21st of June last, "reserved, or pretended to reserve, to the people of that County, a right of seceding from the Government of this State." Mr. Stevens, one of the Deputies from Cumberland, being asked the question, "declared that he does fully acknowledge the jurisdiction of this State over the said County." Mr. Sessions answered in the like manner.
Fish-Kill, September 27
The Cumberland Deputies, examined upon that letter, being asked whether they would think themselves bound by its instructions if they should appear injurious to the State, "They respectively answered, by no means. That they did not think themselves bound by those instructions whenever they might work any injury to the State, or whenever they should be out-voted." The letter and the Major's application are committed to a committee.
Abraham Lott, Esq., late Treasurer, called on to answer why his public accounts are not delivered, gives a wounded wrist, the gout, and his books removed from New-York by way of Newark, as "the true causes", and is referred to the Convention.
Michael O'Farrell and Richard Gazart, prisoners in the guard-house, are ordered confined, "there being great reason to believe from the imperfect accounts given of themselves respectively, and particularly from the many contradictions in the account given by the said Richard Gazatt, that they are Deserters from the American Army."
Boston, September 26
Last Tuesday the Washington privateer sent into Newbury-Port a prize bark, one of the enemy's transports, bound from the British fleet at New-York, to St. Vincents. Her cargo consists of provisions and some other stores.
Another paper of this day gives it thus: "Yesterday Capt. Odiorne, in the Washington privateer, carried into Newbury-Port, a bark from New York, bound to St. Vincent's, with provisions for 120 men for 6 months. She sailed in company with 5 or 6 transports, under convoy of the Solebay frigate, in order to fetch troops from thence."
Last Thursday arrived in this harbour the prize ship Venus, from Honduras, with logwood, mahogony and turtle-shell, taken by Capt. Paine in the schooner Eagle, on the 23d of August at night. The next day he took a brigantine from Virginia, bound to Hamburgh, laden with tobacco; but by the papers and letters found on board, it appeared she was destined for London.
Libels are filed in the Maritime Court of the Middle District, among others, "In behalf of William Cows and Company of the armed Schooner Warren, and the Owners thereof, against the ship Picary, burthened about 300 Tons, Breholt Cleveland, late Master; and against the Brigantine Swallow, burthened about seventy Tons, Benjamin Griffiths, late Master"; and on behalf of Capt. John Fisk and his company, in the armed sloop Tyrannicide, against the snow Anna, Jonathan Dudfield, late master. The court sits at Salem on Tuesday, the 15th of October. The Picary was given in our first number, from Cape-Ann, as a ship of 400 tons.
Watertown, September 28
On the 27th the Council granted the petition of John Donneston, late master of the ship Ann, who had been near four months in this country and asked leave to go home along with Mr. William Ross: he may depart "in the Ship William, commanded by Benjamin Moore, lately purchased by Mr. Ross, for the purpose of transporting himself and others to Great Britain," if Mr. Ross permit him to go in her.
This day, on a letter from Salem that Captain Dudfield was taken and brought in there by Captain Fisk, in the Tyrannicide, and asks leave for himself, his son and the surgeon of his vessel to sail for England with Mr. Ross, it was ordered, "That liberty be granted to Captain Dudfield, his son and servant, to depart this State in the Ship William, Benjamin Moore Master, lately purchased by Mr. Ross, for the purpose of transporting himself and others to Great Britain; but permission is not granted to his Surgeon."
Providence, September 28
The paper of this town says, "Major Crane, of this Town, was wounded in the Foot by a Shot from the Ship Rose, commanded by the infamous Wallace, when he was attacked and so roughly used in the East River, a short Time since."
It has also a prize of Captain James Monro's, in the privateer Sally, of that place, which appears to be the ship given in our last from Boston: "a large Frigate-built Ship, laden with Sugar, Rum, Cotton, Madeira Wine, Whale Oil, &c. bound from Barbados to England", and sent into a safe port.
Annapolis, September 17
The Bill of Rights and form of Government reported to the Convention having been referred to Monday, the 30th instant, by reason of the attendance in Congress of several of the representatives of the people, it was, on motion of Mr. Fitzhugh,
Resolved, That the said Bill of Rights and form of Government be immediately printed for the consideration of the people at large, and that twelve copies thereof be sent without delay to each County in this State.
The previous question was called for by Mr. Gustavus Scott, and the motion carried in the affirmative.
St. Eustatia, September 18
Extract of a letter.
Yesterday a vessel arrived here from Guadaloupe, by which we learn, that all the vessels along the coast are lost, besides 18 ships at Point Petre (a very fine harbour) and 52 houses blown down.
Boston, September 26
On the 31st of August last was taken by the schooner Hannah and Molly, and the Dolphin privateers, and carried into Frenchman's Bay, the brigantine Royal George, commanded by Dennis Doyle, having on board the following articles, viz. 200 tierces of pork, 231 barrels of beef, 270 firkins of butter, 169 barrels of oatmeal, 11 tierces of beef, 1 crock of butter, 25 sacks split peas, 25 boxes candles, 30 boxes of soap, 20 barrels pork; she was bound from Waterford in Ireland to Hallifax, out 10 weeks, brings no news, excepting that they had an account in Ireland, that the British troops had taken possession of the greatest part of Philadelphia, and had taken the Continental Congress prisoners.
Entered in. We hear that on Monday the 7th a vessel arrived here from Surinam, with some powder, lead, some stands of arms, and some woollen cloths, molasses, &c. and that a vessel from Bermuda, with salt, arrived the same day.
Cleared out. None entered this day.
No notice is come from the office this day.
No price current is come to hand.
Philadelphia, September 28, 1776.
THE Committee appointed by the Assembly to settle the Accounts of the Commanding Officers in the different Battalions of Associators in Pennsylvania, for the Wages of Adjutants, Serjeant-Majors, Fife-Majors, Drum-Majors, Fifers and Drummers, agreeable to the late Resolution of Assembly, will attend on that Service (to adjust the said Accounts and draw Orders on the Provincial Treasurer for Payment) at the State-House in the City of Philadelphia, the 21st Day of October next, and will continue from Day to Day (Sunday excepted) until the 2d Day of November inclusive. Those who have such Demands against the Public, are desired to attend within the Time limited as aforesaid.
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ss.
To all whom it may concern.
NOTICE is hereby given, that a Court of Admiralty will be held at the State-house, in the city of Philadelphia, on Tuesday the fifteenth day of October next, 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 John Barre, commander of the brigantine of war called the Lexington (who as well, &c.) against James and Joshua, Negro Slaves, lately taken on board the prize sloop called the Edward, commanded by Richard Boger. To the end and intent that the owner or owners of the said slaves, or of either of them, 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.
Sept. 27, 1776.
THIS day is published, printed and sold by R. AITKEN, printer and bookseller, Front street, price three Dollars,
L'INGENIEUR de CAMPAGNE, or FIELD ENGINEER. Written in French by the Chevalier de Clairac; and translated by Major Lewis Nicola. To which is added, by way of appendix, a short Treatise on SEA BATTERIES, shewing their defects, and an attempt to remedy them. Likewise an explanation of all the technical terms used in the work. By the Translator. Embellished with forty useful quarto copperplates. Price three dollars neatly bound.
Likewise sold by said Aitken, SIX SKETCHES on the HISTORY of MAN. By Henry Home, Lord Kaims.
Philadelphia, Tenth-Month 4, 1776.
EIGHT DOLLARS Reward.
RUN away from the subscriber, on the 29th of last month, a Mulattoe servant man, named CHARLES CASE, about 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, and about 25 or 26 years of age, well made, when in haste to speak stammers; had on a felt hat, old homespun shirt, patched, a striped jacket, without sleeves, new homespun trowsers, one leg of which has been pieced near the bottom, a pair of blue and white cotton stockings; he stole 45 shillings, and has bought a new check shirt and a new pair of shoes, and will perhaps lay out the rest for small trifles. Whoever secures the said servant, so that his master may have him again, shall receive the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by JOSEPH PEMBERTON, Grazier.
N. B. It is likely that he will get a pass forged, as he has done time past. The reason of his being a servant is his repeated thefts, though he declared to me that it was sickness
FOUR DOLLARS Reward.
RAN away from the subscriber in Springfield township, Chester county, the 8th instant, an English servant lad named PHILIP BROOKES, about seventeen years of age, near five feet high, black hair, and has a hobble in his walk. He had on a homespun shirt, striped tow trousers almost new, coarse felt hat almost new, homespun cloth jacket half worn, and half worn shoes with old buckles. Whoever takes up said servant, and secures him so that his master gets him again, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges.
Sept. 10, 1776. JOHN OGDEN.
WAS stolen from the subscriber, in Sadsbury township, Chester county, on the evening of the first of August last, half a sett of dark calicoe curtains, two calicoe short gowns, one of which had long sleeves, ruffled, one sheet of a ten hundred linen, a lincey check apron, a pair of blue yarn stockings, with red clocks, a pair of high heeled shoes, also a pair of mens shoes, one shirt and a pair of blue and white striped trowsers, a beaver hat, scolloped on the brim; the above goods were stolen by a woman that called herself Peggy Moor, and said she served her time with one Sleator, a Tavern-keeper; she had on a black calimancoe petticoat, a white short gown, a black bonnet; wants her teeth before, black hair, a little grey; she could speak Dutch and said she had been living with Dutch people. Whoever secures the above described woman and goods, shall be entitled to a reward of FOUR DOLLARS; and any person that can give information of any of the goods, or woman, shall be sufficiently rewarded, by
JOSEPH PARK.
To be sold by public sale, on Wednesday, the 9th of October, at 5 o'clock in the evening, at the London Coffee-house,
A CERTAIN lot or piece of ground, situate on the north side of Mulberry or Arch-street, between Third and Fourth-streets, in this city, being 25 feet front on said street, and 124 feet in depth. And on Saturday, the 12th, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, will be sold, at the Sign of the Mermaid, in Kensington, 15 lots of ground, situate in Kensington aforesaid, agreeable to a plan to be seen at the Coffee-house and at the place of sale, viz. Four lots, 19½ feet front each, on a street 50 feet wide, called Queen-street, and about 82 feet deep; five lots, 20 feet front each, on a street 30 feet wide, called Bishop-street, and 78 feet deep; four lots, 19½ feet front each, on a street 52 feet wide, called Union-street; one water lot, 78 feet front on Union-street, and extending in depth to low-water mark; also one lot, situate on Marlborough-street, between Queen-street and the river Delaware, being 20 feet front on said street, and 100 feet deep. All the said lots are clear of groundrent; late the estate of Joseph Watkins, sen. deceased.
JOSEPH WATKINS, JAMES WATKINS, and SAMUEL DAVIS, Executors.
⁂ If the weather should prove unfavourable the sale will begin on the next fair day.
Philadelphia, October 3, 1776.
IF MARY ANN HARRISON, whose Maiden Name is GUITAR, late of this City, but supposed to have gone in the Country to Service, will return and enquire at Christopher Carren's, Taylor, in Chestnut-street, she may hear of a Sum of Money being left her by her Husband, JOHN HARRISON, now going another Voyage to the West-Indies.
PHILADELPHIA: Printed by Davidson Signal, near the Sign of the Wolf and Bear, at the head of the Valley road.
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.
† 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.
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