THE REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE. Your very humble servant, Brig. Gen. Joan Lacex, jr. GEN. WASHINGTON TO GEN. LACEY. Camp, Warwick, Feb. 2, 1778. SIR-My strength is reduced so low that I am under Head-Quarters, 8th Feb. 1778. the necessity of collecting the small remains into one SIR-The communication between the city and counbody, as it is impossible to do any service in the weak try, in spite of every thing hitherto done, still continuand scattered condition in which I had them posted. - ing, and threatening the most pernicious consequences; Two-thirds of their time was taken up in hunting provi- I am induced to beg you will exert every possible expesions, which the detached parties had always to procure dient to put a stop to it. In order to this, to excite the for themselves; being at too great a distance to be sup- zeal of the militia under your command, and make them plied by the Commissary. Enclosed I send you a re- more active in their duty, I would have you let every turn of my numbers; showing also when their times ex- thing actually taken from persons going into and compire. None of the classes, either from Northampton, ing out of the city, redound to the benefit of the parties Cumberland, York, or Northumberland, have yet arri- who take them. At the same time it will be necessary ved at camp; and I am assured by several people from to use great precaution to prevent an abuse of this Northampton, that the Lieutenants of that County have privilege; since it may otherwise be made a prenot received their instructions for calling them out-text for plundering the innocent inhabitants. which induces me to believe the orders from your Ex-method to prevent this will be, to let no forfeitures take cellency have been miscarried. place, but under the eye, and with the concurrence of some commissioned officer. Two horsemen only have joined me from Philadelphia and Bucks; though I hear more are making ready. The enemy have made several manœuvres as if they were coming out with large foraging parties; but have advanced no further than Frankford. Seven deserters from them came to me last week-two Hessians, and five British soldiers. I have appointed Lieut. David Forst, my Brigade Major, and beg your Excellency will please to forward him a commission by the bearer. I remain, sir, with respect, Your very humble servant, To the President of Council. IN COUNCIL. J. LACEY. Lancaster, Feb. 6, 1778. SIR-I received your letter of the 2d instant, which enclosed a return of the militia under your command, I however and I am sorry to find the number so small. hope you will shortly be reinforced so considerably as to make your corps formidable; and enable you to render service to your country by preventing the enemy doing injury to the inhabitants, unless they come out in force. One Any horses captured in this manner, fit for the public service, either as light or draught horses, must be sent to camp, to the Quarter-master General, who will be directed to pay the value of them to the captors. I cannot but think your present position is at too great a distance from the city, and puts it in the power of the disaffected very easily to clude your guards, and carry on their injurious commerce at pleasure; I would recommend to you to remove to some nearer post, and not to depend upon fixed guards; but to keep out continual scouts and patroles, as near the city as possibleto ramble through the woods and bye-ways, as well as the great roads. The strictest orders should be given to the parties; even, when necessary, and the intention is evident, to fire upon those gangs of mercenary wretches who make a practice of resorting to the city with marketing. I am informed a considerable re-inforcement is coming to your aid. I am, sir, To Brigadier General LACEY, } GEN. LACEY TO COUNCIL. It would be well for you to write to the issuing Commissary to furnish you with provisions regularly, so that your men may be employed more advantageously than in collecting them; for, notwithstanding the trouble or Warwick, Bucks, Feb. 15, 1778. inconveniency, of furnishing the scouting parties there- SIR-My force is at last reduced to almost a cypher. with, yet it should be done if possible—for if it is left to Only sixty remain fit for duty in camp. With this numthemselves to procure, I am much afraid irregularities ber, you must of course suppose we are in no wise cawill be committed, and complaints exhibited by the in-pable of guarding so extensive a country as this; nor habitants, that may employ more of your time to rectify, than you will find leisure for. Brigade Majors are not furnished with commissions. It is customary, I believe, to establish their rank by signifying it in general orders. The paymasters of each county have generally paid the men for their rations of liquor, as it is not possible for us to furnish it. I hope the Assembly at their next sitting will put a stop to a practice so expensive, and on many accounts, very injurious. VOL. III. I am, with respect, sir, even safe in our camp, as our number will not afford a sufficient picquet and scout for our protection. I hear some troops, from Cumberland county, are on their way to join me. Six or seven, who out-travelled the rest, arrived in camp last night. A party of Light Horse came up as far as Butler's tavern, on the old York road, about fourteen miles from Philadelphia, the night of the 13th inst. took Mr. Butler, and thence struck across the country to Major Wright's tavern, near White Marsh-took the Major, with some others, prisoners, and retired to the city. Yesterday another party of Foot and Horse advanced up tive and enterprising officers-If this is not the case, or the Newtown road as far as Smithfield, and took, it is the design should be previously talked of, or communireported, near forty prisoners--the Collectors and Mili-cated, it is almost certain that the enemy will be informtia officers. I hear they are yet in the neighborhood. I remain, sir, with respect, your Excellency's most obd't humble servant, To the President of Council. J. LACEY. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GEN, WASHINGTON TO "Head-Quarters, 13th Feb. 1778. GEN. LACEY TO GEN. WASHINGTON. ed of it; and will not only find means to prevent the execution of the plan, but will take measures to cut off the party. The situation of the place is some what peculiar and difficult. This is an additional motive for se, crecy, and the greatest activity. If the party could go on one way, and come off another, it would be advisable; and it appears to me if they could return Chiatus in M.S.) Guides in their retreat would be the more secure. P.S. If there is any hay towards Dunk's Ferry, or any where else, which you suppose will be in the reach of the enemy, that should be destroyed also, if you cannot remove it. Gen. Washington to Gen Lacey. Head Quarters, Valley Forge, 2d March, 1778. Sir, I yesterday recieved yours of the 27th Feby. †→ had heard of the loss of the cattle before it came to hand; and I am sorry to say that the loss is imputed to your having refused to let the drovers have a guard, when they applied for one. I shall be glad to know whether it is so; and if true, what could be your reason for refusing. Camp, Warwick, Bucks, Feb. 18, 1778. SIR-I received your favor of the 8th inst. I am well apprized of the intercourse kept up between the country and city; but my strength hitherto has been such as rendered it impossible for me to put a stop to it. My numbers begin to increase; and I expect in a few days to be in a condition to encamp nearer the city. At present I have, out of about six hundred men, but one hundred and forty that are armed. I expect arms to arrive to-I morrow sufficient to complete the whole; when I assure your Excellency every measure shall be taken, in my power, to put a stop to the intercourse with the city. The enemy comes out every night, and returns next morning. A large party of their horse came up last night, and took Major Murray prisoner. They also took the greatest part of his men, with all the cloth in his possession, and all that was left at the Fulling-mill. On the arrival of the news of the enemy being at Newtown, I marched what men I had armed toward that place; but soon found they had left. In order to cover that party of the enemy which came to Newtown, they had detached large parties up the old York road, the road to Vancort's, and the Smithfield road. They have seized and taken in with them numbers of the inhabitants. I am informed they have repaired Morris' mill, (one which was dismantled,) and are now using it, I remain, &c. His Excellency Gen, WASHINGTON. J. LACEY. Gen. Washington to Gen. Lacey. Head Quarters Valley Forge, Feb. 21st.1778. Sir, I received your favours of the 19 & 20th inst.* With respect to the three men you mentioned to have taken, when going to Philadelphia, I wish you to examine them and the witnesses on the subject, and to punish them in such manner as they may deserve. If there are any of them who appear to be great offenders, and to be proper objects for capital punishment, you will send them to head quarters, with the witnesses, that they may be tried by a general court martial here. I am informed there still remains a considerable quantity of Hay at Point-no-Point, notwithstanding the large supplies the enemy have obtained from thence. This, it is more than probable they will attempt to get away before it be long, since all accounts agree that the forage they collected heretofore is nearly expended. As it is of infinite importance to distress them in this article, and prevent them [from] obtaining further supplies, I must request that you will devise some method immediately for destroying all the hay at the place I have mentioned. The business should be conducted with great address and secrecy, and suddenly by an active party, under ac * Both missing, I desire you to send a party of 150men, under a good officer, well armed and completed with amunition, to Bartholomew's Tavern on Wednesday next at 11 o'clock in the morning. The officer will meet a party there at that time from this camp, and will then receive his or ders. As a very particular piece of service is to be execut ed, I beg that the party may be punctual to the time, and not fail upon any pretence whatever. You are constantly to make me weekly returns of your numbers, and where your parties are posted, that I may know how to direct the route of any parties sent from this army. I don't well know what to do with the great numbers Your most obedient serv't. To Brig. Gen. LACEY, P.S, If either or any of the persons now in your custody are such that you think are proper to make examples of, and you have sufficient evidence to convict them, send them over to me, and I will have them immediately tried by a court martial. GEN. LACEY TO GEN. WASHINGTON. Camp, Crooked Billet, March 3d, 1778. Sir, I received your Excellency's favor of the 2d inst. at seven o'clock this evening. It is true I refused the drover a guard for the cattle; and the reason was on ac † Missing. 1829.] REVOLUTIONARY LETTERS AND PAPERS. count of the smallness of my numbers. Although four hundred troops were newly arrived from Cumberland and York counties, only 100 of them at that time had received any arms: and nearly half of those were without flints. About fifty of the Chester county militia made up my whole force; and the times of those fifty expired the evening the application was made-and next morning the arms were delivered up. I advised the drover to take a course further back in the country, where I concluded they might pass without danger. In the condition I was in, I was not able to furnish the guards and patroles sufficient for the safety of my own camp: nevertheless had I suspected the least danger, I should have sent what men I had equipped with them. When the former classes were discharged, the arms were sent to Allentown to be repaired. Those men new ly arrived came without arms; and it was some time before we could by any means get them back, for the want of waggons. I have near forty men in camp unarmed at this time. The flints did not arrive until last night. I am very badly off for provisions. The men have been many days without any; and at this time I have not two day's allowance in camp. 307 or kept to exchange for those inhabitants who have lately been taken from their families. I wish most sincerely the state would adopt some plan of this sort; and designate some place where the villains might be sent, for their confinement, or punishment. Many have been whipped, their horses, marketting, and every thing taken from them; yet they will not desist--and I am well convinced that nothing will stop them but confinement. I should be glad to know your determination as speedily as possible. A drove of cattle which was passing through the country, was taken the beginning of last week, by the enemy. The times of the Chester county militia had expired; and those newly arrived from Cumberland and York counties, were without arms. I was not able to furnish them with a guard; which, it is supposed, was the principal reason of their being taken. The Major has sent a return of the Brigade to Col. Your Excellency's most obdt. hble. servt. To the President of Council. P. S. Fifteen Light Horse have joined me from Proof is very hard to find against those taken on the Philadelphia and Bucks county. I found it necessary to road going to market, sufficient for their conviction, un-have some person to command them; as I could have no less what marketing they have in their possession will be sufficient. One of the prisoners, is charged with passing counterfeit money, as well as carrying on a trade with the enemy. As soon as I can collect the evidence, I will send him over for trial. order without it. I have directed Mr. Robert Vanhorn to take the command, until the pleasure of the Council should be known. He is from Bucks county, and acts, as yet, very well. He is willing, I believe, to engage during the campaign in that way, if the Council should think proper to keep up a Troop. I have likewise appointed Mr. Jos. Rodman to act as Quarter-master to the Troop. There is none appointed to the Philadelphia Horse. They all act together. I should be glad to know the Council's pleasure, respecting these regula tions; and also what further steps they may think necessary. GEN. LACEY TO COUNCIL. Camp, Crooked Billet, March 4th 1778. Dear General, Little did I expect to take the field so soon, when I saw you last; neither did I expect so much trouble was allotted to me, as I have found since I have Camp, near Whitemarsh, March 11, 1778. had the command. I do not mean hard fatigues of body; SIR,--I have been visiting the enemy's lines, and for that, where things go on smoothly, I pride in-but have made two attempts to destroy the forage on the it is the incessant fatigue and anxiety of mind, of Point; but both proved unsuccessful. The last time I which I complain. I have been turned out into a wide should have effected my design, had not my pilot decountry, to protect its inhabitants, and to stop an inter-ceived me. The quantity of hay on the Point is but course with the enemy, (which it would require two thousand troops to effect,) with only fifty men, which was actually my strength for a long time; and when a reinforcement came, they were helpless and without arms, and none in camp. It was some time before the arms, (which were at Col. Antes's, and at Allentown,) could be brought to camp, for the want of waggons While in this awkward situation, a drover of cattle which was passing through the country, was taken by the enemy, on account of my not being able to provide them with a guard. We are sadly off, for want of provisions. What we Your most obed't humble servt. Gen. ARMSTRONG. small; the greater part having been removed. I have destroyed a large quantity of forage between the Red Lion and Dunk's ferry, on the Delaware. As soon as I approach within eight or ten miles of the enemy's lines, the inhabitants having their horses concealed in bye-places, mount them, and taking their way through fields and private paths, repair directly to the city with the intelligence that the rebels are in the neighborhood. Not one word of intelligence can we procure from them-not even the directions of the roads. There are large sums of counterfeit money circula ting in the lower part of Bucks and Philadelphia coun ties; which are brought out of the city by the market people. I moved over into this quarter with a view to join Col. Nagle; but find he has returned to Head-Quarters. GEN. LACEY TO COUNCIL. As there are a number of mills on the Neshaminy emCamp, Crooked Billet. Marck 4th, 1778. ployed in grinding for the army, some of which have a Sir, It is distressirg to learn the numbers of people considerable store of wheat and flour in them, I have who flock to the enemy with marketing; amongst whom thought it might be of more service to lay somewhere in there are many young fellows who have fed from reach of them, to prevent the enemy from destroying, their homes to save their fines, and are carrying on a ped- or taking off the flour; for which purpose I mean to dling trade between the city and country. I have taken move further in that neighborhood. My scouting par several of them who were going to the enemy with par- ties keep pretty low down towards the enemy. cels of meal on their backs. Some of them I am acquainted Enclosed is a return of my Brigade. They are situawith; and I do believe they were going to join the en-ted in the following manner: emy. Present at this place, rank and file, On command, with cattle, do I have written to his Excellency, Gen. Washington, concerning them. He is willing that they shonld be delivered up to the state,either to be punished as criminals, 399 50 On do with Capt. Henderson and Capt. 50 At Doylestown, guarding the stores, On furlough, 616 I have the honor to be with respect, &c. To the President of Council. IN COUNCIL. 35 you will immediately send me notice. If your parties Lancaster, March 12, 1778. SIR-I received your letter of the 4th inst., which I laid before Council. It is greatly to be lamented that there are any amongst us so lost to every sentiment of virtue, as in any manner to aid those who are enemies to the just cause we are engaged in. Your neighborhood seems to abound with such; and therefore every nerve should be exerted to bring the traitors to justice. Those you have taken should be safely secured in order for trial; as the treason law of this state will reach the crime you mention, if proper proof be exhibited; which I beg you to attend to. However, as the Chief Justice is in this borough, I will consult him upon it, and let you know his opinion by the next opportunity. To Mr. VANHORN, COM-2 J. LACEY. BUSINESS OF THE LAND OFFICE. To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met. the Assembly in that case made and provided, I respectIn conformity to the requisitions of the several acts of fully report to the House of Representatives, the situaThe militia law will not justify the Lieutenant of the tion of the office of the Secretary of the Land Office, and County to permit two men to serve as one, and to be also the business done in the office during the year enddischarged at the expiration of one month; and I am noting with the 30th day of November, 1828. a little surprized that any gentleman in that line would give it the least countenance. Both Philadelphia and Bucks counties have for a long time been greatly exposed to the insults and ravages of the enemy. Council, therefore, relying that you will do your utmost, not only to protect the inhabitants, but to annoy the enemy, have no doubt they will soon hear that a total stop is put to the insults of the Torics by your alacrity and good conduct. I am sir, Your very humble servant, Brig. Gen. JoпN LACEY, Jr. Esq. 2 at Camp, Philad'a county. GEN. WAYNE TO GEN. LACEY. Bensalem, March 15, 1778. SIR--His Excellency having ordered me to collect and drive in all the cattle, horses, and wagons in the counties of Bucks and Philadelphia, likely to fall into the hands of the enemy-especially the properity of the Tories,-I wish you to order your Troops to make a grand forage between Newtown and Philadelphia, and in that direction, through both counties: driving the property so taken into your rear,--and from thence to camp--passing certificates to the owners for the same, to the end that the well-affected may at one day receive compensation. You need not be very nice with regard to the cattle being fat, but order all to be taken that can be used-together with the horses fit for cavalry, or draft; and all sheep and hogs fit for use, together with wagons and gears, which you will cause to be loaded with forage. You will please to order all these articles, that you Gen. LACEY. Your most humble servant, GEN. LACEY'S ORDERS TO HIS SCOUTING PARTY. Camp, March 19th, 1778. SIR-You are to proceed with your Troop towards the enemy's lines-to keep on the roads leading to Bristol, to Smithfield, the York, and the White Marsh roads. You will keep constant patroles on these roads, by night and by day; and if the enemy should come out, Business done for which no fees are received. 749 Patents written, sealed, &c. 749 Patents recorded. Business done in the office from the 1st of October, 1827, to the 1st October, 1828, for which fees were receivable, 182 Searches. 283 Calculations. 80 Exemplifications of patents. 18 Caveats entered. 19 Citations issued. 31 Certificate discharge of liens.. 45 Orders for valuing islands. 8 Judgments of board of property. Of the balance of the appropriation for clerk hire, for the year 1827, which remained unexpended on the first day of October of that year, there was expended in compensating clerks to the first of April, 1828, the sum of 1846 dollars 96 cents. 1829.] ARSENAL AT HARRISBURG. By the act of the 16th of April, 1827, there was an nually appropriated for clerk hire, in this office, the sum of three thousand six hundred dollars, of which sum there hath been expended for clerk hire, from the first day of April, until the first day of October, 1828, $1849 96, leaving unexpended to compensate clerks to the first of April, 1829, $1700 54. Of the appropriation for the contingent expenses of this office for the year 1827, there was expended from the first of October, 1827, until the first of April, 1828, $335 89. Of the annual appropriation for the contingent expenses of the office, from the first of April, to the first of October, 1828, $699. 42, has been expended, leaving a balance unexpended of $50 58. Contingent expenses of the office from the 1st of October, Paid for paper, parchment and printing, $734 50 47 37 Messengers wages, 132 00 Washing office, repairing stoves and Binding laws and record books, 17 35 1st December, 1828. In obedience to the directions of the several acts of the Assembly in that case made and provided, I have the honor to make report to the Legislature, of the business performed in, and the state of this office within the last year, and of the manner in which the appropriation for clerk hire has been applied, and of the contingent expenses, including those of the board of property. Business for which no fees are receivable, viz. 360 new warrants to survey, entered, numbered and filed, copies of which have been made and directed to the deputy surveyors for execution. 88 warrants of acceptance, entered, numbered and filed. 1041 tickets directed to the Secretary of the land office, each of which required a search to be made. 735 returns made to the Secretary of the land office, for patenting, the surveys and warrants endorsed accordingly, and corresponding entries made in the warrant books. 1553 searches for warrants and surveys, of which copies or connections were required. 1553 warrants and surveys re-filed, of all which copies or connections were made. 248 copies made and furnished to deputy surveyors and other contractors with the board of property, in pursuance of the provisions of the act, entitled "An act explanatory and supplementary to the act, entitled "An act directing the recovery of the principal & interest due the Commonwealth, from persons holding lands by virtue of locations and other office titles issued from or under the proprietary government, and for other purposes," passed the 11th day of April, 1825, besides a great number of searches to enable them to perform the duties required by their contracts, agreeably to the requisitions of the said act. Returns have been received from the aforesaid contractors for five counties. 45 copies of warrants, surveys and extracts from deputy surveyors' lists of returns, made for the Sec 919 309 retary of the land office, for the use of the pros- 520 entries made in the fee book. 4 quarterly accounts made out and settled at the Business for which fees have been received, amounting to 61 connections & copies of general drafts, embracing 465 surveys. 699 searches. During the recess of the legislature, considerable further progress has been made in the revision of the patented files, referred to in former reports, and many errors and omissions corrected and supplied. On the first day of April last, there remained unexpended of the appropriation for clerk hire for the year ending on that day, $100, since then there has been applied in the payment of clerks up to the first day of October last, $1550, leaving a balance of $1650 for the remainder of the year ending on the first day of April Of which $225 814 has been expended since the first day of April last, leaving a balance of the appropriation for contingent expenses of $224 183 for the remainder of the year ending on the first day of April next. As to the state of this office required by the provisions of the act in pursuance of which, this report is made, I can only remark at present, that due care and attention has been observed, in bringing up the business of the office, and the preservation and arrangement of the books and papers in their proper order. All which is respectfully submitted. GABL. HIESTER, Surveyor General. |