The Council Met.

On motion,

Ordered, That the Sheriff of the city and county of Philadelphia, be directed to have John Franklin’s irons taken off, he giving his payrole that he will not attempt to make his escape.

Frederick Watt, Esquire, took his seat at this Board as Councillor for the county of Cumberland, upon a return made of the general election for the county aforesaid, agreeably to law, having previously taken the necessary oaths.

The following draft of a message to the General Assembly, was read and adopted: A message from the President and the Supreme Executive Council to the General Assembly.

Gentlemen: Since the last session there has been a renewal of the disturbances at Wyoming, some restless spirits there having imagined a project of withdrawing the inhabitants of that part of this State, and some part of the State of New York, from their allegiance, and of forming them into a new State, to be carried into effect by an armed force, in defiance of the laws of the two States. Having intelligence of this, we caused one of the principal nonspirators to be apprehended and secured in the gaol of this city; and another, who resided in the State of New York, at our request has been taken up by the authority of that Government. The papers found on this occasion, fully discover the designs of these turbulent people, and some of their letters are herewith laid before you. The Government of New York has in this affair, manifested the most friendly and neighbourly disposition towards this State, and has promised to concur with us in such future measures as may be necessary to secure the due operation of the laws, and restore quiet in those parts of both States, where these irregular and ill-disposed settlers have their habitations. To protect the civil officers of our new county of Luzerne in the exercise of their respective functions, we have ordered a body of militia to hold themselves in readiness to march thither, which will be done, unless some future circumstances and informations from those parts may make it appear unnecessary.

The sudden and unaccountable obstruction which the currency of the paper money of this State has lately met with, we earnestly recommend to your consideration as a matter of great importance; the private interests of the citizens being very extensively affected by it, and the public in danger of suffering a loss in its revenue of excise duties and taxes, &ca., proportioned to any depreciation the paper money may be attended with. Perhaps it may be adviseable to put a stop to the farther re-emissions on loan, which are permitted by the law as it now stands.

We would likewise recommend to your consideration the subject of a law to regulate the fees of the various officers of the State, especially those of the Executive and Judicial departments.

The lowering of the price of lands in the new purchase, we now think necessary, it being very evident that they will not sell till this takes place. At the same time we are of opinion it would be of advantage to the State if those who become purchasers had an exemption from taxes for several years, as it would be an encouragement to the people to become purchasers.

Since the expiration of the law for granting lands to the officers and soldiers of the Pennsylvania line, a number of applications have been made to us by persons who were entitled, but for want of information did not apply in time. We therefore recommend it to your Honorable House to pass a law granting a further time for those people to come in and draw for their lands. Sundry dispatches we have received from Congress are herewith communicated.