person of competent legal talents to digest and arrange them into a regular and concise system will be of great utility.. We are informed that many industrious inhabitants who are conscientiously opposed to the test law, and who consider it as creating an invidious and improper distinction between citizen and citizen, have left the State, and that many others of the same opinion are preparing to follow them. While our neighbours are giving every encouragement to settlers within their boundaries. The Le-. gislature of Pennsylvania will no doubt endeavour to remove causes of uneasiness on the part of her citizens so far at least as is consistent with the security and reputation of the State. As the act of Assembly entituled "An Act for facilitating the redemption of the bills of credit emitted in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, and for redeeming part of the funded debt of the State by the speedy collection of the arrearages due for unpatented lands which were located before the declaration of Independency," will expire on the tenth day of April next. commend the extension of that law in the present session, and submit to the consideration of the General Assembly the expediency of limiting the time for receiving in the Land Office, certificates which have not been given for original debts of this State. We re The improvement of the public roads being under the consideration of the General Assembly, the late purchase of land on the south side of Lake Erie will naturally call their attention to that quarter. A communication between Presque Isle, (which is included in that purchase,) and the city of Philadelphia will, in our opinion, prove of the greatest utility to the public. That communication may be best effected by joining the heads of the West Branch of Susquehanna with the sources of the Allegany river, between which it is said there is a short portage; the most convenient portage from the Susquehanna to the Schuylkill has been thought by persons of credit and information, to be between the Sweetara and Tulpehoccon. We are informed that the river Delaware at a very moderate expence may be made navigable to the northern extremity of Penusylvania, by which means an extensive country, at this time containing many valuable settlements and hitherto of little use to the State, will be brought to communicate with the capital, and afford a considerable supply of those articles which form the principal staples of Pennsylvania. Several petitions for the continuation of the Frankstown road to Philadelphia by the way of Sunbury and Reading, are herewith transmitted. Many respectable citizens wish for a continuation of the same road by Huntington and down Juniata; Council are of opinion that the roads proposed would be beneficial to the public. The navigation of the Lehigh and the roads leading from thence to Nescopeck and Wyoming, on the East Branch of Susquehanna, 660 MINUTES OF THE SUPREME EXEC. COUNCIL. are also objects of considerable consequence to the trade of the State. A letter from his Excellency Beverly Randolph, Esquire, inclosing a letter from the Speakers of the Senate and General Assembly of the State of Virginia, with a copy of the application agreed to by the General Assembly, to be made to the Cess of the United States. A letter from Henry Knox, Esquire, Secretary at War, with the act of Congress of the twelfth of August last, to which it refers. The petition of Ebenezer Frothingham, in behalf of himself and other officers. A representation from the Auctioneers of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, relative to a diminution of a branch of the public revenue. i he report of a Committee of Council appointed to visit the jail of the city and county of Philadelphia. A letter from Thomas Scott, Esquire, lately elected a representative of this State in the Congress of the United States, containing his resignation. And the Comptroller General's report of the annual expences of the corps of Invalids, exclusive of their pensions, with an estimate of the expence of performing the services required of that corps by watchmen, under the direction of the City Wardens, are herewith transmitted. Council Chamber, Philadelphia, February 6th, 1789. } THOMAS MIFFLIN. END OF VOL. XV. BOOKS ARE LENT FOR TWO WEEKS Usually books are lent for two weeks, but there are exceptions, and all loans expire on the date stamped in the book. If not returned then the borrower is fined ten cents a volume for each day overdue. Books must be presented at the desk for renewal. |