The New America Times

From the Southward

Annapolis, October 29

The Convention of this State this day resolved, "That the Council of Safety be empowered to issue warrants to Recruiting Sergeants for the inlistment of non-commissioned officers and privates in the Continental service, as a part of the eight Battalions for this State, agreeable to the resolutions of this Convention, and that any freeman enrolled for the Flying-Camp service be permitted to inlist."

The Convention "being informed that in the Constitution or form of Government agreed to by the Delegates of Virginia, a claim is made by them injurious to the inhabitants of this State," ordered the same to be read, and it was read, beginning: "The territories contained within the charters erecting the Colonies of Maryland, Pennsylvania, North and South-Carolina, are hereby ceded, released, and forever confirmed to the people of those Colonies respectively, with all the rights of property, jurisdiction, and government, and all other rights whatsoever, which might at any time hereafter have been claimed by Virginia, except the free navigation and use of the rivers Patowmack and Pocomoke, with the property of the Virginia shores or strands, bordering on either of the said rivers, and all improvements which have been or shall be made thereon." The Convention will to-morrow resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take the same into consideration.

Charles-Town, (South-Carolina) October 17.

The General Assembly this day, upon the sixth paragraph of the report of the committee to revise the Constitution, amended it by inserting the word "taxable" between "and" and "property," and the question being put, that the House do agree to the paragraph as amended, "the House divided; and the nays went forth. Teller for the noes Colonel Gadsden—30; teller for the yeas Honourable Mr. Bee—30. So Mr. Speaker decided by voting with the yeas." The President sent down the following Message:

"Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen: I send you a letter which I received from Colonel Moultrie, with a list of men in the Second Regiment who have been disabled in the service of this State, and doubt not that you will make suitable provision for them. JOHN RUTLEDGE. 17th October, 1776."

Charles-Town, (South-Carolina) October 18.

The preamble being agreed to, the Report on the Constitution, as amended and agreed to by the House, is ordered to be forthwith printed. A bill to empower the Court of Admiralty to have jurisdiction in all cases of capture of the ships and other vessels of the inhabitants and subjects of Great Britain, "to establish the trial by Jury in the said court in cases of capture," passed the House.

On the report of the Honourable Mr. Heyward, from the committee to whom the President's two Messages were referred, the House agreed, "That Sergeant John Young, of Captain McDonald's company, who lost his right leg in the engagement on Sullivant's Island, the 28th of June, be allowed ninety pounds per annum, to be paid quarterly. That George Mason, of Captain Francis Huger's company, who lost his leg in the said engagement, be allowed eighty pounds per annum, to be paid quarterly. That James Sims, of Captain Harleston's company, who lost his right leg in the service of this State, be allowed fifty pounds per annum, to be paid quarterly. That Robert Wade, of Captain Motte's company, who was wounded in his right arm by a shell in the aforesaid engagement, which has rendered it entirely useless, be allowed fifty pounds per annum, to be paid quarterly. That Thomas Smith, of Captain John Blake's company, who lost the two middle fingers of his right hand in the aforesaid engagement, be allowed twenty pounds per annum, to be paid quarterly. And there be immediately advanced to each of the said persons the first quarterly payment of his annuity."

The Army at New-York

Head-Quarters, White Plains, October 30.

Among the General Orders of this day are the following:

The frequent, indeed constant complaints of the men for want of provisions upon any move which is necessary for them to make, induces the General once more to desire the commanding officers of regiments and corps to see that they are never without three days' provisions ready dressed by them.

It is strictly enjoined upon all officers to disengage themselves of heavy and cumbrous baggage, as the difficulty of procuring teams for transportation for necessary baggage and stores, which necessarily occasions all heavy boxes, chests, &c., to be thrown away.

Head-Quarters, White Plains, October 31.

And in the General Orders of this day:

The General, in a ride he took yesterday, to reconnoitre the grounds about this, was surprised and shocked to find both officers and soldiers straggling all over the country, under one idle pretence or other, when they cannot tell the hour or minute the camp may be attacked, and their services indispensably necessary.

The Court-Martial whereof General Beall was President having found Captain Weisner guilty of misbehaviour before the enemy in the 'attack on Montresor's Island,' and ordered him to be cashiered with infamy; the General approves the sentence, and orders him to be dismissed the army.

It is with astonishment the General hears that some officers have taken horses between the enemy's camp and ours, and sent them into the country for their private use. Can it be possible that persons bearing commissions and fighting in such a cause, can degrade themselves into plunderers of horses? He hopes every officer will set his face against it in future; and does insist that the Colonels and commanding officers of regiments immediately inquire into the matter, and report to him who have been guilty of these practices; and that they take an account of the horses in their respective encampments, and send to the Quarter-master-General all that are not in some publick service.

Peter Buise, of Colonel Haslett's regiment, convicted by a General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Hitchcock was President, of desertion from this camp, and found near the enemy's sentinels, is sentenced to suffer death.

The General approved the sentence, and ordered it to be executed the next day, at eleven o'clock.

From Berks County

Reading, October 31

At a meeting of the General Committee of Berks County, at the Court-House in Reading, October 31, 1776, Mark Bird, Esq., in the chair:

The Resolutions passed at a meeting of the inhabitants of the city of Philadelphia, on the 21st and 22d instant, respecting the conduct of the late Convention of this State, were read and considered, when the question being put, "Whether this Committee do approve of the resolutions of the said meeting, and whether they will concur with their brethren of the city of Philadelphia in the choice of an Assembly in the mode, and for the purposes pointed out by the said resolutions, without taking the oath prescribed by the Convention to the electors of this State?" the same was passed in the affirmative by a very great majority.

Resolved unanimously, That the Inspectors be authorized to administer to such persons as the Judges of election shall have just cause to suspect are inimical to the liberties of this State, the following oath or affirmation, viz: "I, A. B., do swear [or affirm] that I will bear true allegiance to the State of Pennsylvania, and support the independence of the same, and that I do not think myself bound to pay any allegiance to the King of Great Britain, or any acting under him;" without which their votes ought not to be received.

In Congress

Philadelphia, November 2

Congress this day resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the ways and means of supplying the treasury; whereupon, "Resolved, That the Board of Treasury be directed to prepare all the necessary materials, and to have ready for a new emission Five Millions of Dollars, to be issued when the Congress shall direct: That 500,000 Dollars be speedily issued in small bills of two-thirds, one-third, one-sixth, and one-ninth of a Dollar."

A further sum of 3,000 dollars is advanced to Colonel Moses Hazen, "for the purpose of recruiting his Regiment; he to be accountable"; and the Committee of Treasury reporting due to Isaac Dennis, to be paid to Francis Lewis, Esq., for dieting 80 men, and oats, &c., for horses of Captain Thomas Price's company, in New-York government, 13 67½-90th dollars, and to Bartholomew Van Heer, for his pay as Brigade-Major from 20 June to 20 October, four months at 33 dollars per month, 132 dollars, the accounts are ordered paid. It is "Resolved, That Congress will, on Monday next, consider the application for employing Mons. Roche de Fermoy in the Continental service."

In Council of Safety

Philadelphia, November 2

At the Council of Safety this day, present Thomas Wharton, Jun., President, and others, it was "Resolved, That the Committees of the several Counties in this State, where Prisoners of War are stationed, be directed to make monthly returns of such Prisoners to this Council, or other Executive power of this State, and that they do not, on any account whatever, permit any Prisoner to leave his place of abode without permission first obtained from this Council or the Board of War."

Mr. Nesbitt was directed to pay Colonel John Bull, "for Arms purchased from Non-Associators, 44l. 17s. 9d.;" and an Order was drawn on him in favour of John Fleming, "a soldier who was left on Long-Island in the engagement, and made his escape from thence," for 1l. 10s., to be charged to Congress. Mr. Nesbitt is to pay Colonel Philip Greenwall 94l. 11s. 9d., for arms, powder, lead, &c., Samuel Holmes 37l. 10s. for fifty cutlasses, Josiah Wood 49l. 6s. for one hundred and sixty-one pikes, Alexander Rutherford 141l. 19s. for cartouch-boxes, bayonet-straps, belts, &c., for the use of the Artillery, and Captain Hugh Montgomery 10l. 13s. 3d. for recruiting expenses.

Convention of this State

Philadelphia, September 26

From the resolves of the Convention of this State respecting the ensuing election:

In CONVENTION for the State of Pennsylvania, Thursday, September 26, 1776.

The freemen of the county of Bedford shall vote in four districts for this present year, as follow, viz. the freemen of the first district, containing the townships of Bedford, Colerain and Cumberland valley, at the court-house in the town of Bedford;—Of the second, containing the townships of Bethel, Air and Dublin, at the house of John Burd, at Fort Littleton;—Of the third, containing the townships of Barre, Hopewell and Frankstown, at Standing Stone;—And of the fourth, containing the townships of Brothers valley, Turkeyfoot and Quemachoning, at the house of John Kemberlin, near the junction of the said three townships.

The county of Northumberland shall be divided into four districts; to wit, The freemen of Augusta, Penns and Mahony townships, shall meet at the town of Sunbury;—Of Turbut, Mahoning and Wioming, shall meet at the town of Northumberland;—Of Buffaloe, White-Deer and Potter, shall meet at Foutz's mill, in Buffaloe township;—and of Munsey and Bald-Eagle, shall meet at the house of Amariah Sutton, in Munsey township.

The electors of the county of Westmoreland shall hold their election in manner following; that is to say, the electors on the north side of Kiskemenetas and Cannemach shall hold their election at Captain Samuel Moorhead's mill;—The second district shall be bounded by the Laurel-hill, Connemach, the Chesnut ridge and Youghany, and shall hold their election at Ligonier: The other electors in the said county, not comprehended in the foregoing districts, shall hold their elections at the two places directed by the Conference of Committees for electing members of this Convention.

Convention of New-York

Fish-Kill, October 31

Yesterday a letter from Mr. McNeal was laid before the Committee of Safety of this State, and was ordered to lie on the table. Mr. Abraham Yates and Mr. Wisner were appointed to devise ways and means for obtaining intelligence from Albany, and keeping up a regular communication between Fishkill and Albany; and Major Strang, from White-Plains, on request, attended, "and informed this Committee of the intelligence from the Army, and their present situation."

This day the powers of that committee were "increased, and that they devise ways and means for the conveying intelligence to other parts of the State by publishing Handbills, Newspapers, or otherwise." Upon Mr. Peter T. Curtenius's letter of the 20th, it was ordered, "That the sum of 15,000l. be immediately remitted to Peter T. Curtenius, for the purposes of paying for the Clothing, &c., that he has purchased for the use of the Troops raised or to be raised in this State." A letter from Egbert Dumont, Esq., giving his reasons for not complying with the order of the Convention of the 12th of September last, directing him to account with the Treasurer for moneys advanced him, was read, and the reasons resolved "unsatisfactory and insufficient"; whereupon, "Ordered peremptorily, That the said Egbert Dumont do immediately comply with the said Order." Uriah Mitchell, "one of the daily Riders from this place to the Head-Quarters," is advanced one hundred dollars on account of his wages.

From the Eastward

Massachusetts-Bay, October 28

By resolves of the General Court passed this day there is to be paid to Ruth Parker 7l. 14s. 9d., "in full for the loss her late husband sustained on Bunker-Hill"; to Thomas Mighill 2l. 6s., "in full of his loss on Bunker-Hill"; to Walter Spooner, Esq., 13l., "for the use of Job Trip, &c."; to Jacob Frost 28l. 18s., "in full for his wages, thirteen months and a half, while in captivity, and for things lost in the battle"; and out of the Publick Treasury to Josiah Pierce 3l. 9s. 2d., to Andrew McNet 4l. 15s. 4d., to Joel Munn 18s., and to Jacob Thayer 2l. 14s. 2d. The Commissary-General is empowered to sell and deliver at Watertown, to the Selectmen of any town, or the Committee of any unincorporated plantation, "such quantity of Gunpowder, at the price of five shillings per pound, as the keeper of either of the said Powder-Mills was, by the resolve above-said, empowered to sell."

Advertisements

THREE POUNDS Reward.

RUN away from the subscriber, living in Salisbury township, Lancaster county, an indented servant woman, called Margaret Collins, aged above 30 years, remarkably large, fond of company and drink, and very impertinent and talkative when in liquor; had on, and took with her, a red striped lincey short gown and petticoat, a man's beaver hat and shoes, three shirts and two pair of trowsers, one pair checked. Whoever takes up and secures said servant, so that her master may get her again, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by

Sept. 3, 1776. JOHN DOUGLAS.

FOUR DOLLARS Reward.

RUN away from the subscriber, living in East-Pennsborough, Cumberland county, the 7th day of March, 1776, a servant BOY, named Patrick Kelly, born in the West of Ireland, and speaks on that dialect, about 12 or 14 years of age, short black hair, of a pale complexion, and slender made; had on, when he went away, a dark coloured bearskin coat, tied with strings, almost new, good shirt, old leather breeches, and trowsers over them, good shoes and white stockings; he appears to be an innocent lad, but an arrant rogue, much given to lying; he lived some time in Philadelphia, perhaps might try to get there again. Whoever secures him, so that his master may get him again, shall have the above reward, paid by

WILLIAM KELSO.

New-Castle County, Fourth-Month 18, 1776.

FORTY SHILLINGS REWARD.

RUN away last night, from the Subscribers, living near Brandywine Bridge, two Irish servant women, one named Margaret Ferguson, about 40 years of age, tall and lusty, stoop shouldered, with short light or sandy coloured hair. The other named Mary Caulfield, 24 years of age, of low stature, but thick and strong built, with black or dark brown hair; had on, and took with them, one camblet riding habit, faced with blue peelong, one old taffaty gown, of a straw colour, one other cotton and linen gown, of a light green colour, two calicoe and one lincey short gown, 3 striped lincey petticoats, a black quilt, a grey coating cloak, without a cape, each a black bonnet, one low the other high heeled shoes, &c. Any person securing the said servants, so that their masters may have them again, shall be entitled to the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by

WILLIAM STARR, and JOSEPH TATNALL.

FORTY SHILLINGS Reward.

RUN away from the subscriber, living in New-Garden township, Chester county, on Firstday, the 28th day of April last past, a Spanish servant man, named Francisco de Herarra, about 31 years of age, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, a well set fellow, of a very dark complexion, with long black hair, tied behind, speaks bad English; had on, when he went away, a half-worn wool hat, an old light coloured cloth jacket, much worn, an under ditto, of a mixed brown and white colour, tow shirt and trowsers, a hogskin apron, a pair of blue and brown woollen yarn stockings, and strong leather pumps or brogues, tied with strings; said servant has had a very bad cut on the fore finger of his left hand, which renders it useless; he likewise has a remarkable mark on the inside of each arm, put in with powder or the like; it is likely he is in or about Philadelphia. Whoever secures said servant, so that his master may get him again, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by

JONATHAN JOHNSON.

CAME to the plantation of George Gordon, of the township of Montgomery, Philadelphia county, sometime ago, a sorrel MARE, about 9 years old, about 13 hands high, has a white blaze down her face. The owner is desired to come and prove his property, pay charges, and take her away.

Sept. 13, 1776. GEORGE GORDON.

WANTED,

A HAND that understands the Fulling Business, that can dye a variety of good colours, such as blue, red, green, brown, winestone, lead, black, white, and divers other colours, as the quality of the cloth may require; and can dress worsteds, tammies, camblets, and dye them such colours as the quality of thin stuffs may require. A person that understands every branch of the business, and can be recommended, may hear of good wages, and accommodations found him, by immediately applying to ROBERT MILLER, living in Warminster township, Bucks county. Sept. 4, 1776.

STRAYED, the 14th of October instant, a light GREY MARE, 14½ hands high, shod before, paces and trots, has a large spot on her near shoulder, has been chafed with the coylers, which causes the hair to appear darker than the natural cast. Whoever brings said mare to ISAAC LORT, in Strawberry-alley, shall have Fifteen Shillings reward.

TO BE SOLD,

A VALUABLE plantation, situated on Doe-Run, in West Marlborough township, Chester county, adjoining lands of William Harlen, containing about 102 acres, aoout one third cleared, the rest well timbered; some meadow made, and 20 acres more may be made, and well watered, as the creek runs through said tract; there are likewise a good log-house and barn on said place. Any person inclining to purchase said place, may know the terms, by applying to JACOB CHANDLOR, or ELIZABETH RING, living near said tract.

WANTS EMPLOY,

A PERSON who has been regularly brought up to the several different branches of the Cloathing Manufacture, such as combing, scribling, weaving, fulling, dying, and cloth dressing; at all which branches he has worked in this country these seven years past, and can be well recommended, both for his abilities and sobriety, at the different Fulling Mills he has worked at. The said person would be willing to superintend a Fulling Mill, either on shares or at a sallary, or to rent a mill on reasonable terms. For further particulars, enquire at Mr. JOHN SMALLMAN's, shoemaker, in Walnut-street, or at the Fulling Mill, near Dover, Kent county, on Delaware.