The citizens of Philadelphia came to a determination a few evenings ago to purchase the freedom of such S[eamen] belonging to this port as are now in captivity at Algiers, and a large Committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions for that purpose-During the time of the appointment of [th]is Committee, a letter addressed to the Citizens present, was received from Mess" Wign[el]l & Reinagle declaring their obligations to the Citizens of Philadelphia an[d as] a proof of their gratitude prop[osed an evenin]gs-entertainment at the New Theatre as a benefit for those unfor[tunate] persons in slavery at Algiers. This was received with the loudest shout of applause and last evening the Commedians fulfilled their promise. It is supposed they got at least two thousand dollars-Preceding the Play Mr. Wignell delivered an animated and well written address suited to the occasion. Remember me to your brother Edward and other old friends and believe [me] to be most sincerely your friend & humble servant, EZEKIEL FORMAN I have this moment been informed that a resolve for laying an embargo on all our shipping has just passed the House of Representatives of the United States. MR. JOHN C. ROCKHILL. renders our merchantmen liable to condemnation on their islands, her next policy will be an open declaration of war, to which indeed her former injuries appear preparatory. An embargo, then, on our shipping appears a measure of first necessity."-General Advertiser. "The management of the New Theatre generously and humanely propose appropriating the profits from this evenings performance, towards mitigating the sufferings of our distressed brethren in Algiers. An offer so noble and philanthropic justly merits the thanks and approbation of the Citizens of Philadelphia, and will no doubt ensure a numerous audience."-General Advertiser, March 24, 1794. "In aid of a Fund about to be established for the relief or redemption of American citizens Captives in Algiers. . . . Comedy 'Every one has his Faults,' and the 'Sailors Landlady,' with the Comic opera, 'The Poor Soldier' &c." From advertisement in General Advertiser of March 24, 1794. EXTRACTS FROM THE LETTER-BOOK OF JAMES CLAYPOOLE. [The following are selections from the letter-book of James Claypoole, merchant, of London, who emigrated to Philadelphia in 1683. This book consists of 447 pages of large cap size, 426 of which contain the letters written in London between 3d mo. 6th, 1681, and July 10, 1683, and the remainder of those sent from Philadelphia. The latter are here given entire; of the former, only extracts are given of such portions as relate to Pennsylvania and his intended removal thither.] To SAMUELL CLARRIDGE LONDON, ye 12th. 5th mo 1681 "I have begun my letter in too little a ps. of pap. to give thee my Judgmt. of Pensilvania, but in short I and many others wiser than I am doe very much approve of it: and doe Judge Wm. Penn as fitt a man as any is in Europe to plant a Country: when he comes to towne I shall treat with him for 5000 Acres for thee: I know 100 b is y° purchase thereof: and if thou dost not conclude soon it may be too late for wee suppose in a few weeks hee will be gone thither:" To EDWD. CLAYPOOLE LONDON, 13 of 5th. mo. 1681 "My Sister Norton and her son James are to imbarque this month for New Jersy to my brother." To SAMUELL CLARRIDGE LONDON 26th. of 5 mo. 1881 "My servt. sent thee a pap that Wm. Penn gave him about Pensilvania: I would have had some discourse with him but yt hee was in such extra. haste to be gone towards Bristole y' wee could not have time, but hee said hee had writt to thee, and would discourse mee fully in a few dayes: there is great encouragmt. both as to y° Country. and Gouvernour, who I believe will establish good lawes as near as if I hee cann, I have not time else I would say more had a mind to buy Land there, I would forbear till I saw that he was not interrupted by Baltamore in his taking possession, for this Baltimore is a great Governor. in Maryland, that borders upon Pensylvania, and has recd. Rent for some yeares past of the Inhabitants thereof, and its like does so to this day by Connivance, but keep this to thy selfe." LONDON ye 10 7 mo 1681 To SAMUELL CLARRIDGE"William Penn does not intend for Pensylvania till next spring and then tis like there will be many people ready to goe from England Scotland & Ireland: he is offred great things 6000 for a Monopoly in Trade: wch. he refuses: and for Islands & ticular places great sums of Money, but he designes to doe things equally betweene all partyes, and I believe truely does aime more at Justice and righteousnes & spreading of truth, then at his owne Pticular gaine: I try'd him about thy proposalls to take 100 lb for 5000 Acres, and abate y quitt Rent, wch. he refused intending to do equally by all. If thou wilt be concerned y halfe of 5000 Acres, I will have the other halfe, and make as good tearmes for thee as for myselfe: It may be I shall get him to take his mony in Ireland:" "No quitt Rent to begin by the purchasers of Pensylvania till above 3 yeares hence." TO ARTHUR COTTEN LONDON, 24th. 7 mo. 1681 "There is a ship going to Pensilvania from Bristoll, and Wm. Pen is gone thither to take his leave of ye friends, and there is another ship going thither from hence, and may be ready in a fortnight, but Wm. Pen goes not till spring." To SAMUELL CLARRIDGE LONDON. 22 8 mo 1681 I have possitively bought 5000 Acres of land of Wm. Penn and am to pay him 100 b for it next 3d. day, and I know not but yt I may buy yo quitt Rent off also for 20 " VOL. X.-13 To NORTON CLAYPOOLE LONDON 28th 8th. mo 1681 "I have purchased of Wm. Penn 5000 Acres in his Country, and I know not how I may be disposed in my own mind in a year or 2 time to remove thither wth. my family, however in the mean time I propose to send over my attorney wth. some servts. to build and plant &c. and to vide Cattle and all other necessarys, that if I ever come there, my land may be still Improving or some prt. of it and not lye wholy wast, Or if I should send over one of my Sons as overseer, and servants, wt. sort of Servants may be most fitable." To SAMUELL CLARRIDGE LONDON 26. 9 mo. 1681 "Thomas Rudyard is agreeing here with a great shipp for Pennsillvania: and I here there is another goeing from Bristoll: and in y° beginning of y° Summer it is expected there will goe 3,, or 4,, shipps more from here: I must send some servants to Improve my land, if I could tell where to gett some that were likely to doe well, and should be glad of a little advise from thee:" To SAML. CLARRIDGE LONDON, 13 10 mo 1681 "If thou hadst not forbid the delivery of Thy letter to W. P. thou mights well think I would have given it him and as to thy judgmt. of the letters from New Jarsy that they are to decoy people that is known to be otherwise, and that the chiefest of them came from very honest faithfull friends:" To FRANCIS & GEORGE ROGERS. LONDON. 11 12 mo. 1681 "The method of friends taking up land of Wm. Pen is by deeds of conveyance for wch. the Purchaser pays abt. 12s. If it be for 5000 Acres wch. is called a whole share or priety for that we pay £100 & 50s. annum quit rent to begin in 83 or 84 (I cannot tell wch.) they that will pay no rent must pay £120 prest., & so for a lesser quantity portionable, and he that can settle some few familys, I think abt. 6 may have his land altogather and every purchaser of 5000 Acres is to have 100 Acres by lot in yo first city, the consessions or fundamentalls for governmt. are to be fected this day and then to be Ingrosed & signed & sealed by y governour & purchasers, wch. if it may be @mitted, I shall send you a Copy of, and then may write you more at large, if you intend to be concerned as also abt our Pensilvania Compa." To WM. POPPLE & ROB. STEWART. LONDON. 9 1 mo 1681-2 "I am desired by Wm. Pen, who is my singular good friend, whom I suppose Wm. Popple has also some knowledge of to write to get abt. 1500 or 2000 vine plants to carry with. him to Pensilvania a Colony in y West Indies near Mary Land wch. the King has given him, lying in 41, 42. 43 degr. of Northern latitude, whether he Intends God willing wth. his family and servts. & many friends this summer, he desires of those that bears the best grapes, rather than y most" To FRANCIS & GEO. ROGERS. LONDON, 14 1 Mo 1681-2 "As to ye settling of a Compa. in Pennsylvania we have had many meetings, and debated about it, and brought matters now so to bear as we think will give generall content. The proposalls or Articles are transcribeing, and next week we shall come to a conclusion either to desist or send coppies abroad, and then I shall advise you further." To FRANCIS & GEO. ROGERS LONDON, 21 1 mo 1681-2 "As to planting my land in Pensilvania, I have had divers considerations in my mind wch. way to ceed, but cannot come to any result, sometimes I am thinking to send one of my sons as an overseer wth. 2 or 3 servants to build a little house and plant an Orchard & Garden & get some Cattell & ground cleared for Corne, and so to go on raising of Corne & Cattell, & other times I am thinking to send some honest poor friend wth. a servt. or two to act for me as my Attorney, that if I should have an Inclination hereaftr. to go thither wth. my family, I may have a house & some visions |