The Council resumed the consideration of the application of Henry Osborne, Esquire, for permission to remove the books of the minutes of the Council under the late government of Pennsylvania, from the Secretary's office to his chambers, for the purpose of searching them for documents relative to the matter now in controversy between this State and the State of Connecticut, and taking extracts of such minutes as may relate to that business. Whereupon,

Ordered, That the Secretary be authorized to deliver over to Mr. Osborne, for the purpose aforesaid, the said minutes, one vol ume at a time, taking Mr. Osborne's receipt for the same, to be returned within seven days; and that Mr. Osborne be enjoined on oath not to take notes or extracts from the said minutes of other proceedings than those which relate to the said claim.

This Board taking into consideration the frequent desertions from the Continental army, and having just reason to believe that many of the deserters are received and entertained on board of Letters of Marque and other private vessels of war sailing from this port,

Resolved, That the owners and masters of such vessels be requested and directed to discourage a practice so dangerous and detrimental to the public good; that they give all due encouragement and support to officers of the army in discovering and detecting deserters, and it is particularly recommended to the merchants, owners of vessels, and all agents, not to pay any prize money to any deserter, or to any person justly suspected to be such, until inquiry can be made into the case.

three pounds specie each, they being inhabitants of Westmoreland county, taken prisoners and carried into Canada, from whence they have made their escape to this place, the same being to bear their expences to their several homes.

James Hannums having laid before the Council several letters threatening to injure divers persons by burning and destroying their houses and effects, signed by Thomas Bulla, an attainted traitor, and representing that a certain Stephen Anderson and John Jackson, also attainted traitors, were said to be his accomplices. Ordered, That the following proclamation be issued.

By his Excellency WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, President, and the late Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

A PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS, It hath been represented to us that divers attainted traitors, who have heretofore adhered to the United States of America, have returned into this State, to the great danger and annoyance of the liege subjects of the State, and more especially a certain Thomas Bulla, Stephen Anderson and John Jackson, late of the county of Chester, who, or some of them, have threatened to burn and destroy the houses and property of the good people of the State:

And whereas, It is of great importance to bring such audacious offenders to speedy and condign punishment; we do hereby offer a public reward of fifty pounds specie, to be paid to any person who shall apprehend the said Thomas Bulla and secure him in any jail within the State, and a reward of twenty pounds specie to be paid to any person or persons who shall apprehend the said Stephen Anderson, and secure him in any jail within this State, and the like reward of twenty pounds specie to be paid to any person or persons who shall apprehend the said John Jackson and secure him in any jail within this State: And all Judges, Justices, Sheriffs, Constables ond other peace officers of the State, are hereby strictly charged, enjoined and required to use all possible diligence in searching for, apprehending and securing the said Thomas Bulla, Stephen Anderson and John Jackson: And we do hereby strictly charge, enjoin and require, the said peace officers to enquire concerning, apprehend, and secure, all persons who shall be justly suspected of aiding, abetting and comforting, or having aided, abetted or comforted, the said Thomas Bulla, Stephen Anderson and John Jackson, in order that they may be dealt with according to law.

Given in Council, under the hand of his Excellency WILLIAM MOORE, Esquire, President, and the seal of the State at Philadelphia, this seventeenth day of July, Anno Domini 1782.

"

WILLIAM MOORE, President.

· Attest-TIMOTHY MATLACK, Secretary.

GOD SAVE THE COMMONWEALTH.

An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Mr. Jacob Bailey. for the sum of fifty-seven pounds, being amount of his account for sixty reams of paper, for re-printing the laws of the State.

A petition from John Lownes, setting forth his claim to a city lot, in right of the original purchase of Roger Beck from William Penn, first Proprietor of Pennsylvania, and praying that the said lot may be laid out accordingly, was read; and thereupon,

Ordered, That the said petition be sent to the Surveyor General of the State, to make enquiry respecting the same, and report thereon to this Board as soon as may be.

An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of John Nicholson, Esquire, Comptroller General of the State, for one hundred and twenty five pounds specie, in full for one quarter's salary, due the thirteenth instant.

Two deeds were examined and signed by his Excellency the President, to Isaac Snowden, Esquire, vizt: One of them for ten lots in the city of Philadelphia, numbered from 389 to 391, from 401 to 404, and from 949 to 951. Consideration five hundred and thirty-eight pounds. One other for sixteen lots in the said city, numbered from 533 to 537, and from 602 to 612, inclusive. Consideration six hundred and forty-nine pounds. The said lots being sold agreeably to law, for the redemption of the bills of credit of this State of the twenty-ninth of April, 1780, and marked in the general plan of city lots remaining in the Surveyor General's office. Deeds dated the eighteenth instant.

A letter from Alexander M'Clean, Esquire, respecting the running of the line between this State and the State of Virginia.

The Council resumed the consideration of a letter from his Excellency Governor Harrison, of Virginia, dated the twenty-ninth of June last, inclosing the resolutions of the General Assembly of that State, dated the first day of June; and thereupon,

Ordered, That Monday the fourth day of November next be appointed to run the line between the States of Pennsylvania and Virginia, agreeably to the said resolution; and that a guard of one hundred militia be ordered to attend the Commissioners while on that duty.

A deed was examined and signed by his Excellency the Presi dent, to Jonathan D. Sergeant, for lots No. 321, 322, and 323, and numbered from 424 to 427, in the city of Philadelphia, marked in the general plan of city lots remaining in the Surveyor General's office, and sold agreeably to law, for the redemption of the bills of credit of this State of the twenty-ninth of April, 1780. Deed dated the eighteenth instant.

Ordered, That William Smith be directed to bring up from Billingsport the arms now there belonging to this State, and deliver them to Captain Stiles, Commissary of Military Stores; and that he also bring up the powder now at Billingsport, and deliver it to Captain Stiles, and report to this Board.

Ordered, That Major Thomas Forrest be notified to attend this Board on Monday next, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon.

Ordered, That a pass to Dobbs' ferry, not to return again, be granted to Mary Pickles.

Ordered, That Colonel Joseph Hart, Lieutenant of the county of Bucks, be directed to order out a guard of fifty men from the militia of the said county, for the purpose of guarding the gaol of the said county.

An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of James Loughead, Paymaster of the militia of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, for three hundred and forty-seven pounds thirteen shillings and six pence specie, for paying the militia lately called into service for guards, to be charged to William Henry, Esq'r, Lieutenant of the said city and liberties, and paid out of the money arising from militia fines only.

Ordered, That a pass to Dobbs' ferry, and to return again, be granted to Margaret Thompson.