Dunlap and Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 2

SOUTH AR OLI A. The SPEECH of his Excellency JOHN MATHEWS, efquire, governor and commander in chief of the Rate of South Carolina, to the General Assembly, at tl.e opening ot the fcifion. Honourable gentleman of the fenate, JMr. fperk gentlemen cf the houfe of fentauves, repre YUR country having been fo long deprived of your deliberations you irufl of courfe expert ihf arcumuttd bufinefs, in that fpa of time, occafion your preO nt feftion to be more lengthy than wd but a' the Supreme D'fpofrr of all human event, ins betn gra cioufly pleafed to remove our inveterate rnemy from every part of this hate, whereby you are again affembled in the capital thereof, under is ven rnb'e roo', the feat of our irlieft deliberations, in fupport of our jufl caufe, and whereby an opportun ry is atfirded you of once more concerting the nr ceffiry meafures for fettling the atf. iirs of your Connfry, in r.li irs parts, on the mofl folid and perma nentib fu.

tJijHer furh agree circumftances then, I perfuade wytelf you will feel a glow of happinefs, that; mu ft rive auiin tion to our counfels, and light en the burthen of a long train of important bufinefs, wi.i.h require ur early an ferious conJideration. lit fore" I proceed to a detail of the fevtral matter hRv he fore you me to rfrr you my fiitcereft cone.rniliitions 011 the re poff flfion nf our capital, and evry other part of the ftate, and on the prefer prof perous flate oarfairs. A ft Ht Uf wd jourmt nf of the iat general affembly, cvry etfnrt to be made ufr of, to carry into i nmediar fx ruiin. the law for procuring recruits on tt plan herrin blilhed but it was attended with fo many em bar raff ments in its execution, that I did, by advue of the privy council, aired the mode, in feme meafure, to be changed, by ordering a part of the negroes to be fold at public autfion, and placing the money arifmg from the fales, in the hands of brigadier general Huger, with inflructions not to allv more than thi ty guineas fo each recruit. On experience, tUf mode of recruiting was found preferable to that pointed out by the act; and our battalions would, at this day, have made a far more refpectable appearance, could the means have been procured for profe cuting the plan but the great fcarcity ofmon in the country foon caufed the prices to be fo reduced, that, by advice of the privy council, I directed the fales to be fufpended until the evacuation of this town, an vent, then generally expected, foon to take place.

However, as it did not happen unfi: a very fhorr time before the meeting of the general afTembly, I did rot choofe to purfue the plan any further, before I knew whether it met with your approbation. The expofd fituarinn of the northern parts of this fhnte, aid of the brigade commanded by brigadier ge r.era! IVIarion, for of a more rtfpeftable and per mnrent body cf cavilry, induced me, by advice of the privy council, to continue in the fervice of the ftate, the corps commanded by lieutenant colonel? Mayham, and Hampton, and afterwards to confolidate them, cJifmifling fuch officers as were fupernumerary. The reafons for up this corps, ceafing with the evacuation of this ilate by the enemy, I did, by advice the privy council, direct it to be difmounted, and the men incorporated with the continental line of this ftate, allowing them the fame bounty as was allowed fo recruits in the line, including the bounty they had before received and the horfes, equipments, and fiores belonging to the regimenf, to be difpofed of, and the money arifing therefrom, to be applied Cowards paying their bounty. I cannot difmifs this fubject, without recommend ine to your favourable notice, the officers who lately commanded that corps as I think their meritorious ferv ces entitle them to the regard of ther country. At the clofe of thelaft (effionj.rinding no law had been pafid relative to the former citixens of this ftate, who Ihculd afterwards furrender themftlves to this govern rnent, I have, by advice of the privy council, received a confiderable number of them, on the conditions pointed nut by the act paffed in the la ft feffion of the general afTembly, entitled, an aft for fettling the qualification? of the electors and elected in the next general afTembly.

In the month of Auguft la ft, received a memorial from a number of Britifh merchants refiding in Charlef town, praying that permiftion might be granted them to remain there af'er irs evacuation by the enemy, for a certain limited time, for the purpofe o' felling, within this ftate, the goods they then on hand. On which memorial I took the advice of the privy council, and thereupon an agreement was entered into with the faid merchants, which agreement I (hall take an early opportunity of laying before you. After my entrance into this town, I found a number of perfons here, who had formerly been citizens cf this ftate, but who had continued to refide under the Britifh government in Charleflown, until its detTo lution; whofe cafes it was thought advifeable by the privy council, to refer to the general afTembly. Jt is therefore left with you to decide on their future deftiny. There are alfo in this town, a number of perfons who are Britifh fubjeclf, and who remained hereon its evacuation, without any conditions on the part of this flate.

I have confider moft of them as prifoners to the ftate, and have parolled them accordingly, until the meeting of the legiflature it now remain with you to determine on their feveral cafes. Agreeable to the directions of the act for difpofing of certain eftfes, and banifhing certain perfont there in mentioned, I have caufed to be apprehended, all perfons found within this ftate, who were objefts of that law. They now are in confinement, waiting for an opportunity to tranfport them to fome pr of his p.ritaonic majefty's dominions, excepting mefTrs. Edmund Petrie, Richard Wayne, and James Lynah, who have been permitted to remain on their plan. aliens, in confequence of reprefentarions made to me in their behalf, by major general Greene, and brigadier general Marion whofe Jettfri thofe gentle men, Tfhall lay before you for ycur confiderafion as well as another letter from major general Greene re fpefting Mr.

Andrew Williamfon. The defencelefs ftate in which this town and harbour have been left by the enemy, require fome immediate and decifive meafures to be taken for the fecurity of both, and alfo for the protection of our trade. The honourable major general Greene has offered to undertake the execution of this important work. This gentleman, to whom this country is already fo greatly indebted for the eminent fervices he has rendered her in the hour of her deepeft to whofe abilities and gallant conduct, fo firmly fupported by the brave officers and fold erunder his command, is, un der Divine Providence, principally to be attributed the tranquility we at prefent enjoy ftill anxious for the future welfare of this ftate. is willing to facrifice that recefs the piefent opportunity affords him, to continue to promote its fecurity and profperity.

I fhall beg leave to refer you to his letter to me on this fubjeft, which I fhall before you. Permit me now to draw your very particular attention, to a matttr of fhe firft coifequence to the future well being of ti is ftate 5' that is, the fettlement of our public accounts, for the variety of demands againft the public, which now remain unliquidated in the hands of the citix ns, not only of this, but other ftate, has been one of the principal caufes of the pre fenr impaired ftate of the public credit and if fome fpeedy and effectual remedy is not applied to prevent it, evry degree of confidence in the public faith mufl be totally loft. I have lately received from the fuperintendant or finance, two req uififions one for this ftate' quota of intereft money due on the domeftic debt of the united fintes, amounting to feventy two thoufand dollars; and the other for its quota of the general expence for the prefent year, amounting to one hundred and twenty thoufand dollars for the firft quarter, with a fuf pending claufe for the remainder, on a fuppofi'ion that it might be raifed by lons. The feveral papers relative thereto I fhall immediately lay before you. It is not the demands of the united ftates that muft at this time engage your attention, but the preffing neceflitifs 6f this ftate likwife call loudly on you for relief.

lean very evidently forfee the many difficulties you will have to encounter in profecuting this bufinefs to the defired iflue. It is a fubjeft that ought to be treated with fhegreateft tendernefs, at the fame time it requires firmnefsanrTdecifion. The firft object for your confidertion will be, the utility of paffing a tax bill; and fecondly, the devif ing fome efficacious plan in aid thereof, for the" regular and fubftantial fupport of this government, and fatisfying the demands of the united ftates. How far the refource of the ftate can be applied fo anfwer thofe great ends, is the matter proper tor your enquiry in the courfe of which, I am confident you will find the efiential interefts of your country fo much depend on a judicious determination on your part, that you will leave nofhng nnefiayed that can lead to an object of fuch magnitude. During the recefs of the general afTembly, amonft the difpatches I have received are feveral from tl.e prefident of congrefs, the minifter of France, the fuperintendant of finance, the frcretary at war, the cretary for foreign affairs, the delegates of this ftate in congrefs, and commodore Gillon, together yith a number of papers, which will require your confederation I (hall therefore immediately lay them before you.

Since your laft an event has taken place in Europe, which promifes very great advantages to the united ftates of Am rica, both in its political and commercial confequences I mean the connection that has been formed between thefe united ftates and feven united provinces of the Netherlands. The latefl official accounts I have received, refpect ing the negociations in Europe for a peace, were dated in the beginning of September Nothing was then determined on Mr. Grenville had returnt to Png land, and IVlr. Fitxherbert had fucceeded him as minifter plenipotentiary, and was then at Paris: but we have been fo long amufed with the pacific difpofition of the court of Great Br'tain, that have every thing toapprehend from her infidious vigilance therefore to be fubftantially prepared for war, will be the moft effectual means to difappoint her ambitious views, and fecure to ourfelves an honourable and advantageous peace. I have endeavoured to comprife the feveral matters I had to communicate to you, in as narrow a com pafs as poftible, knowing that every moment of your time is precious Never was there a period, in which the deliberations of the great council of a nation were more interefting to, and harmony amongft its members, and difpatch to bufinefs more devoutly to be wifhed for by its citizens, than in your prefent ftfHon.

I am happy 10 know, that the reprefentatives of the freemen of the ftate of South Carolina, require no fti mulus to do their duty and that with them, no private confideritinns are ever fuffered to interfere witt the true interefls of their country. January 24, 17S3. jOHN MATHEWS. The ADDRESS of the honourable the fenate, in anfwer to his excellency's fpeech. May it pleafeyour Excellency.

WE beg leave to return your excellency our thanks for your fpeech delivered to both houfes of afTembly. We (hould be wanting to ourfelves, and to thofe we reprefent, were we not to acknowledge, with due gratitude, your excellency's unremitted atientioo, fo the duties of your important ft ion, during a period, when only a combination of difficulties prefented them felves to your choice. With hearts full of the moft unfeigned joy, we accept your excellency's congratulations, and with the deepeft reverence, and the moft devout gratitude to Divine Providence, re acknowledge that manifeft blef fing and protection, which God hath vouchfafed fo bellow upon the councils and arms of America, parti cularly In the connection that has been fornix ffn tUefp united ftates. and the (even vinces of the Netherlands, and in the regaining capital. irr.

t. nnfi Arvi Ko I rrr" C. fy our warmed acknowledgments to the honourahi major general Greene, for the intereft that he is p)eaf? cu iaiL in 1 v. ci 1 1 neik rcfources of genius, to whom the moft dangerous and difficult firuations hve only adrniniftered frefh 0CCa fions of valour nothing but a juft fenfe of theg0 ous object for which they were contending, COnIi have enabled him, and the brave officers and fo'djfrj under his command, to furrnount every difficulty ruing irom me lupcrzur uumucr auu au vauiag ous tuation of he enemy. We are fully fenfibb of the infiduous conduct, ambitiois views of the court ofGeat Britain; Pndw are confident that the moft effectual means to curea permanent, juft and honourable peace, will to make ample provision for carrying on the war witii vigour.

ImprefTed with the importance of the prefent period flnd of the feveral matters which your excellency recommended to our deliberation, we fha 1 proceed to tke them under our moft ferious confederation, difpofitims to promote union and harmony among ourfelves; than which, nothing in our opinion can more conducive to counteract the defign of our nemies. In the3enaft January i 17SJ. JOHN LLCYD, Prefident. His Excellency's ANSWER. Honourable Gentlemen, MY thanks are due to you for this ad drefs.

The difpofition therein manifefted by you, is cnlcuated to promote the welfare of te ftate, th I have not the lenft doubt your country will drrivetij moft folid benefits from your deliberation. have end avoured to difcharge the duties of my office to the beft of my judgment and abilities; ari if my country has reaprd the fmalleft advant. from my rvices, I am amply paid for all the s. ous moments I have experienced during my ltration. JOHN MATHEWS.

January 29, 17S3. In the Senaf, January zg, 17S3. ORDERrD, That the fprech of his excel'ency the governor, delivered fo this houfe and the hcufe of reprefentatives, on the 2.4th itftant; the addrefs cf this houfe, and his excellency's anfwer thereto, Lj printed. By order of the Senate, JAMES SHARP, C. S.

CHARLES TOWN, (South Carolina) Feb. 15. On the 4th inftanf, the I giflatare procrtd tob choice of public effictrs, when tiie following wee elected, vix. The honourable Bfnjamin Guerard, efqu ire, governor and cemmande i. chief; Honourable Richard Perfsford, tfquire, nant governor Prv'vy Council.

Hon. ter Pccque ffquire, Hon. Arnoldus rhorft, efquire, Hon Benjunin Waring, efquire, Hon.Jofiah Smith, efquire, Hon. Nicholas v. le efquire, Hon.

William Hazel! Gibbes, efquire, Hon. Jacob Read, efquire, Hon. Daniel faufTtire, efquire. Sherirf for Charleflown Daniel Stfphen5; efquire. On the next day his excellency the governor eleft, their honours tht li uftnant governor and privy cun cil, took the oaths orefcribed bv tlie conflitntion ia ih houfe of reprefenta tive, in piefencof both bnnch es of the legiflature after wfiich his excellei cy governor, preceded by the Sheriff bearing the fword cf ftate, and accompanied by his honour the lieuenart governor and privy council, the honourable the prefident and members of the fenafe, the honourable thi fpeaker and members of the houfe of reprefentativt5, the honourable imjor general Greme and his fuite, with a numbtr of other gentlemen, attended in tiie bah cony of the fenate houf, where his xc iva3 proclaimed; from whence they proceeded in thefontf order to the exchange, where the governor was agaii proclaimed; after which there was a of rounds and 3 vollies from a party of continent troops, wtiich wre paradrd cn the occafion under command of general Wayne.

The honourable Henry Laurens, John Ralph fzard, lacob Read, and Thomas Sumptr efquirej, are elected delegates frcrn this ftate to congrefs. by advices from North Carolina, we are inform of the arrival of a French fhip there from Martiricoi who confirms the account of the arrival of the combin ed flt from Europe, with a large body of trocps under the command of the marquis Bouiile. AKo of the arrival of a large veflVl of near 400 tons burthen, from Oftend, with a very valuable cargo of dry goods, having a number of merchants on board, intend to fettle in 1 1 ftate. MAFRfED. At Arcab near this town, confl Lewi? Morris, aid camp to the honourable irJirr' general Greene, to Mifs Ann Elliott, daughter of deceafed William Elliotr, Since tiie evcintion was brought in here a btiti judged a prixe to captsin Keen, loaded with wine fr Fayal ihe was intended for this port, and was corfig3' ed to the l3Ce Mr.

William Smith, ir.crcf.aa: cf place..