under the direction and command of our Brigadier General, to the assistance of all or any of the Free and Independent States of America; that associators to be drafted out of each county, by the Brigadier Generals, shall be in the same proportion as directed by the late Provincial Conference held in Philadelphia.1 The DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE was passed by the Continental Congress at Philadelphia on the same day when the Military Convention met at Lancaster, to wit, on July 4th, 1776. On that day the thirteen Confederate Colonies dissolved their allegiance to the British crown and declared themselves free and independent under the name of the Thirteen United States of America. The members from Pennsylvania who signed the declaration were: By direction of the Council of Safety the Declaration of Independence was published at Lancaster on Monday July 8, 1776. 1 Rupp, History of Lancaster County, pp. 405-407. CHAPTER V. THE STATE GOVERNMENT. On Monday July 15, 1776, the Convention for forming a Constitution for the State of Pennsylvania met at Philadelphia, and elected Dr. Benjamin Franklin, President, Colonel George Ross, Vice President, John Morris, Secretary, and Jacob Garrigues, Assistant Secretary. The delegates from Lancaster County were George Ross, Philip Marsteller, Thomas Porter, Bartram Galbraith, Joseph Sheerer, John Hubley, Henry Slaymaker and Alexander Lowry. By solemn resolution they directed Divine Service to be performed before them by the Rev. William White, afterwards first Bishop of Pennsylvania; and, offering to Almighty God their praises and thanksgivings for the manifold mercies, and the peculiar interposition of his special providence, in behalf of the injured and oppressed United States, they prayed for his divine grace and assistance in the important and arduous task committed to them. From the instant of its organization, the convention assumed the whole political power of the State. Among its first acts, was the appointment of delegates to Congress,1 and the preparation of their instructions. They were enjoined constant and punctual attendance in Congress-to culti vate and strengthen the union of the States, until a just, equal, and perpetual confederation should be effected—to use their utmost power and influence for the establishment of a navy, which was necessary to every trading nation, and least dangerous and expensive to the liberties of mankind. They were forbidden to enter into any treaty with Great Britain or other foreign power, but as free and independent States-and were permitted, when Great Britain should acknowldge the United States free and independent, to treat with her, in conjunction with the other States, concerning peace, amity, and commerce, on just and equal terms. The great labor of forming the Constitution was not completed until Saturday, the twenty-eighth day of September. On that day it was read in Convention for the last time, signed by the President and every mem ber, and committed to the charge of the Council of Safety, with directions to deliver it to the general Assembly of the State, at their first meeting, immediately after they should have chosen their speaker. In Committee of Safety. Philadelphia, 16th July, 1776. By order of the Board, an order was drawn on Jno. Nixon, Esq'r, ani 1 Go: don. others, the Committee of Accounts, in favor of Adam Zantzinger, for £163 15, which, with one other order on Rob't Towers, to deliver 200 lbs. Gunpowder, is in full for 855 lbs. of salt petre manufactured at Lancaster, and received by the Commissary for account of this Board. In Council of Safety, Aug. 16, 1776. Resolved, That the Committee of Inspection and Observation of Lancaster County, be requested to assist Capt. Matthew Smith in the procuring of 160 Rifles, and that they direct the Gun Smiths in their County to make that Quantity of Rifles with all Convenient dispatch, so as not to hinder them from repairing the arms of the Militia now on their march to Head Quarters in Jersey. In Council of Safety, Aug. 19, 1776. The following accounts were passed, and Mr. Nesbitt directed to pay them, and charge the same to Congress, viz: Capt. Rob't M'Kee for Mileage of 2 men of his Comp'y, belonging to Col. Ferree's Batallion, Lancaster County, 77 Miles each, Valentine Vanhalt's account for meals: Capt. Jno. Rowland's Comp'y of Col. Ferree's Battalion of Capt. Jacob Carpenter's Comp'y of do. Battalion, Capt. Bowman's Comp'y of do., Capt. Alexander Martin's Company, Capt. Coppenhaven's Comp'y, Col. Green's Battalion, Lancaster County, In Council of Safety. Dec. 2, 1776. Wm. Parr, Esq'r, was directed to remove all the Records and Public Papers in his possession to Lancaster immediately. In Council of Safety, Dec. 9, 1776. Resolved, That our Treasury and the books of that office be removed to Lancaster, and that a wagon be provided to-morrow morning early for that purpose. In Council of Safety, Dec. 27, 1776. Resolved, That Colonel John Bull be directed to procure wagons to remove the public stores from Norristown and French Creek to Lancaster; the powder to be laid in different places of security in the town and Country adjacent. In Council of Safety, January 11,1777. Resolved, That John Hubley, Esq'r., be appointed Commissary of the Continental Stores, and of the Stores of this State at Lancaster, with the Rank and pay of a Major, and to have full powers to appoint such Depties as he may judge necessary. In Council of Safety, January 14, 1777. Resolved, That John Hubley, Esq'r., be authorized to employ all the Shoemakers amongst the Hessian Prisoners at Lancaster, in making Shoes for this State, for which purpose the sum of two thousand Pounds shall be advanced to him or his order, for the purchase of leather and other materials for working upon; and he is to pay them a small allow. ance for their labor, for which service Mr. Hubley is to have a reasona ble compensation. Resolved, That the officers of the first Battalion of Lancaster County, and the few men who remained with them when they were deserted by the greater part of the Battalion on the 12th instant, deserve the warmest acknowledgments of this Board for their endeavors to prevail on their Countrymen to stay, though those endeavors proved unsuccessful; and that the conduct of those who basely deserted, at that time, without applying to this Council, and waiting for redress, if they thought themselves aggrieved, is highly reprehensible. An order was drawn on Mr. Nesbitt in favor of John Hubley, Esq'r., for two Thousand Pounds, (agreeable to a Resolve of the 11th Inst.,) to be charged to his account. The Council met-PHILADELPHIA, Friday March 7th, 1777. PRESENT: His Excellency THOMAS WHARTON, jun'r., President. The Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esq., Vice President. The Resolve of Congress of December 11, 1776, recommending in the following words, viz: "Whereas, the just War into which the United States of America have been forced by Great Britain, is likely to be still continued, by the same violence and injustice which have hitherto animated the Enemies of American Freedom; And whereas, it becomes all Public Bodies, as well as Private Persons, to reverence the Providence of God, and look up to him as the Supreme Disposer of all events, and the Arbiter of the Fate of Nations; Therefore the Congress hereby Resolve, "That it be recommended to all the States, as soon as possible, to ap point a day of Solemn fasting and humiliation, to implore of Almighty God the forgiveness of the many Sins prevailing among all Ranks, and to beg the countenance and assistance of his Providence in the Prosecu tion of this just and necessary War. The Congress do also, in the most earnest manner, recommend to all the members of the United States, and particularly to the Officers, Civil and Military, under them, the Exercise of Repentance and reformation; and further do require of the said Offi cers of the Military Department, the strict observation of the Articles of War in general, and particularly that of the said Articles, which forbids Profane swearing and all other immoralities; of which all such Officers are desired to take Notice. It is left to each State to issue out Proclamations, fixing the day that appear most proper for their several bounds; 'being laid before the Council, and the same being considered;' thereupon, "Ordered, That Thursday the third day of April, be appointed for the said purpose. A Draft of a Proclamation thereof being laid before the Council, was read and approved, and is in the words following, viz: "By the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. "A PROCLAMATION. "Whereas, the Hon'ble the Continental Congress, pointing out to Public bodies, as well as private persons, the duty of reverencing the Providence of God, and looking up to him as the Supreme disposer of all events, and the Arbiter of the fate of Nations; did, on the 11th day of December last, resolve to recommend to the several States the appointment of a day of Solemn Fasting and Humiliation, to implore of Almighty God the forgiveness of the many Sins prevailing among all Ranks, and by the Countenance and assistance of his Providence, in the prosecution of the most just and necessary War into which the United States have been forced by Great Britain, and which is still likely to be continued by the same violence and injustice that has hitherto animated the Enemies of American Freedom, and did, also, in the most earnest manner, recommend to all the members of the United States, and particularly to the Officers, Civil and Military, under them, the exercise of Repentance and Reformation, leaving it to each State to fix on such day for the same as may be most proper for its bounds: "We, therefore, do hereby recommend to all the People of this Commonwealth, to observe and keep Thursday the third day of April next, as a day of Solemn Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer, for the purposes before mentioned, of which the inhabitants of this State are desired to take notice. "Given in Council, under my hand and the Seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this Seventh day of March, in the Year, &c., 1777. "Attest-T. Matlack, Sec'y. "THO'S. WHARTON, jun'r., President. "GOD SAVE THE COMMONWEALTH." Whereupon, Ordered, That the same be Published in all the Papers, English and German, and that Five Hundred Copies be struck off and forwarded by the earliest opportunity to the distant parts of the State, Three Hundred English and Two Hundred German. Adjourned to Monday next, Three O'Clock Afternoon. |