USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial Records of Pennsylvania Volumes 1 > Part 43
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An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Hon'ble Jacob Arndt, Esq'r, for the Sum of One thousand & Two hundred Pounds, to be charged to John Arndt, Esq'r, to be applied in pay- ing for Provisions purchased for Congress.
Colo. Broadhead attended the Council & represented that the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment is now on . March to the Westward, & re- quested, that in consideration of the Great difficulty in sending Cloathing after them, the Officers may be furnished with their Regi- . mentals ; thereupon,
Ordered, That Jacob S. Howell do supply the Officers of the Eighth Pennsylvania Battalion with their Regimentala, as far as it is in his power to do.
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The Council met.
LANCASTER, Friday June 19, 1778. PRESENT :
Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esq'r, Vice President.
Mackay, John Hambright, &
Matt'w Smith, Thomas Scott, Esq'rs.
Jacob Arndt,
Intelligence from His Excell'y Gen'l Washington, of the evacu- ation of the City of Philadelphia by the Enemy, was received at Eleven O'Clock.
Ordered, That a Writ be issued for the holding of an Election for chusing a Councellor for the County of Philadelphia.
The Council met.
LANCASTER, Saturday June 20, 1778. PRESENT :
Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esq'r, Vice President.
- Mackay, John Hambright, & - Matt'w Smith, Thomas Scott, Esq'rs.
Jacob Arndt,
Capt. Hugh Montgomery applied to Council for Ten Waggons for the accommodations of the Officers & Men belonging to the State Fleet, now going to Philadelphia ; And,
An order was drawn and signed by the Hon'ble Vice President, directed the Waggon Master of the County of Lancaster, request- ing him to furnish Capt. Montgomery with Ten Waggons.
Doct. Frederick Phyle exhibited an account of service done by him for the State as a Physician, amounting to the Sum of Thirty- one Pounds, for which Sum
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the said Doet. Phyle.
An order was also drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Doct. Frederick Phyle, for the Sum of Ten Pounds Fourteen Shillings & Six Pence, for Frovisions purchased by him for the use of the Men belonging to the State Fleet.
A Representation from the inhabitants of Cumberland County, for a supply of Arms & Ammunition, being made,
Ordered, That an application be made to the Board of War for 5 lbs. of Gun powder, 12 Ibs. of Lead & 100 Riffles, to be put into the hands of John Carothers, Esq'r, to be distributed by him as oo- casion may require.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Ludwig Lau- man, or his order, for the Sum of Three Pounds seven shillings & six pence, for writing Paper supplied the Council.
Capt. Lang, one of the Collectors of Cloathing in the County of Lancaster, represents that there are many difficulties in getting the Cloathing made up in this Borough, & that the demands of the Tradesmen employed in making them, are enormous in their de- mands, & proposes to remove to Philadelphia, if the Council think it proper ; thereupon, !
Ordered, That Capt. Lang be directed to remove to Philadel- phia such part of the Cloathing to be made up under his direction, as he shall find necessary.
In order was drawn (dated yesterday) on the Treasurer in favor of the Hon'ble Thomas Scott, Esq'r, for the Sum of Seventy-six Pounds Nine Shillings & Nine Pence, for his attendance in Council 29 days, Mileage on 274 Miles, & including also his expences to York Town on Public business, Amounting to £2 18 1.
(N. B. This order includes his Wages of this day.)
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Hugh Mont- gomery, or his order, for the Sum of One thousand Pounds, to be paid to the Officers & Men belonging to the State Fleet, & charged to William C. Bradford, Paymaster of the State Fleet.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Hon'ble Thomas Scott, Esq'r, for the Sum of Three Thousand Pounds, to be by him delivered to Colo. John Proctor, Paymaster of Militia of the County of Westmoreland, & Charged by the Treasurer to Thomas Dorsey, Pay-Master of Militia.
The Council now intending to remove to the City of Philadel- phia, & the publishing of a Newspaper at the Public expence, of course not absolutely necessary,
Ordered, That Mr. Dunlap be informed that the Council decline taking any more of his papers on the Public account; & that Mr. Bailey be informed that the Council decline taking any more of his Papers after next Week.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Hon'ble Wiliam Mackey, Esq'r, for the Sum of Two hundred Dollars, to be charged to his Account.
The Oficers of the State Fleet represented that they had been at a very considerable expence in removing themselves & families from Trenton to this Borough, & that they had not been supplied with their Rations on the Road, by which their expences had been extravagantly high, & such as they were not able to bear;
On Consideration,
Ordered, That the Officers of the State Fleet who were ordered up to Lancaster, be allowed for their extra expences on the road, two Dollars a day cach, besides their back Rations.
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The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday June 26, 1778. PRESENT :
Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esq'r, Vice President.
Matt'w Smith, Jona. Hoge, James Edgar,
Joseph Hart, &
Jacob Arndt. Esq'rs.
First meeting in the City after the evacuation by the Enemy.
Brig. Gen'l Lacy attended the Council & represented the state of the Militia now in the field as being very low, and the number very inconsiderable, and that there remains about 150 Stand of Arms in his possession.
Ordered, That the arms now in the hands of Gen'l Lacy be re- moved to the city, & report thereof made to this Council ; except only that 50 stand remain in the County of Bucks, under the care & direction of Gen'l Lacy.
Memorial of Mrs. Eliza Ferguson, of Groeme Park, was presen- ted & read.
Petition of divers inhabitants of the County of Northumberland, was read ; Prayer in effect granted a few days ago.
Council took into consideration the state of the Magistracy in this City.
The Council took into consideration the propriety of commemo rating the Anniversary of Independency, now approaching.
Ordered, That Provision be made for a decent entertainment on the 4th of July next, at some suitable place.
Ordered, That Colo. Smith & the Secretary wait on Gen'l Ar- nold, & enquire what is his intention in ordering the Shops in this City to be shut, & report to the Council to-morrow morning.
The Council met.
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PHILADELPHIA, Saturday June 27, 1778. PRESENT :
Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esq'r, Vice President.
Matt'w Smith, Jona. Hoge, James Edgar,
Joseph Hart, &
Jacob Arndt. Esq'rs.
Mr. Smith & the Secretary report, That they had waited on Gen'l Arnold, agreeable to the order of yesterday, & that the General had sent to the Council the following Paper, which con- tain a general view of his conduct, Vizt :
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 523
" Instructions from His Excell'y Gen'l Washington, dated 18th Jane, 1778."
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" A Proclamation issued in the City by Maj. Gen'l Arnold, on the 19th June instant, containing a resolve of Congress of the 4th instant."
" A letter from the board of war to Ger'l Arnold, &ca, 23d June instant;" and
" A Permission to the Retailers to open their Shops, dated 26th instant ;" & Published this day in hand Bills.
(The Secretary informed the Council that he had in charge Maj. Gen'l Arnold's Compliments to the Council, with an invita- tion to the Council to dine with the General on Monday next.)
That they had mentioned to the General the difficulties made by the Clothier General of the United States, in supplying the Troops of this State in the Continental Army with Clothing, &os, & desired to be informed what was bis intention with respect to the disposal of the procured in the City, & mentioned to the Gene- ral the Memorial lately presented by the Officers of the Troops of this State on the subject of Cloathing; to which he replied, that he would give orders to the Cloathier General to wait on the Coun- .
oil & explain his conduct on this subject. The General also re- marked, that he had not been informed of any Committee having been appointed by Congress in pursuance of their Resolve of the 4th instant.
N. B. That the Resolve of Congress of the 4th instant has not been received by Council.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Peter Dehaven or his order, for the Sum of One Thousand Pounds, for the use of the Gun Factory.
On Consideration,
Ordered, That a Warrant (under the less Scal) be issued for apprehending & bringing before this Council the bodies of all those persons named in the law for the attainder of divers Traitors, kon., to be dealt with according to Law.
On Consideration,
Ordered, That a Warrant under the less Seal be issued for ap- prebonding & bringing before this Council all those persons within the City & County of Philadelphia, (named in the first Proclama- tion,) to be dealt with accordingly to Law.
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The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday June 29, 1778.
PRESENT :
Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esq'r, Vice President.
-Mackay, John Hambright, &
Matt'w Smith, Jac. Arndt, Esq'rs.
James Edgar,
A Certificate of the Election, being held according to Law in Fannet Township, in the County of Cumberland, for chusing two persons to be returned for Magistrates, & that David Elder & Noah Abraham were duly elected & returned, but the return had twice miscarried ; On consideration,
Ordered, That David Elder & Noah Abraham be appointed Jus- tices of the Peace for the County of Cumberland, & that they be commissioned accordingly.
The Council taking into Consideration the great necessity of re- pairing the Butchers' Market House, the Stalls, dos., having been destroyed by the British Army,
Ordered, That proper persons be appointed to agree with such of the Butchers & others who may have Occasion for Stalls in the Butchers' Market House, to have the same repaired, upon sach general plan as the persons so to be appointed may order ; such Butchers & others paying the expence & deducting the same out of the growing Rent.
Petition & Remonstrance from the 7th Pennsylvania Battalion of the County of Chester, were read, and the Hon'ble John Bayard, Esq'r, Speaker of the House of Assembly, attended the Council & informed that divers persons of Consideration were desirous that the House should be called earlier than the day to which they stand adjourned ; on consideration,
Ordered, That Writs be now issued for calling the General As- sembly to meet in this City on Tuesday the fourth day of Augest next ensuing.
Petition of divers inhabitants of Fannet Township, praying for Arms, was read.
On consideration,
Ordered, 'That William Henry, Esq'r, be directed to deliver to John Carothers, Esq'r, Licut. of the County of Cumberland, two hundred Muskets, to be by him put into the hands of such persons as he shall Judge proper.
Ordered, That two hundred copies of the Resolve of Congress for suspending or repealing the Regulating Law, be printed & pat up in the City, with a Nota Bene, That " The General Assembly of Pennsylvania have suspended the Operation of the Act for regt-
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 525.
lating the prices of Goods in this State until their next meet- ing." Received of Robert Levers, Esq'r, the sum of Fifty-eight Pounds and seventeen shillings, for one Marriage Licence & Thirty-two Tavern Licences.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday June 30, 1778. PRESENT :
Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esq'r, Vice President.
Jos. Hart, Jacob Arndt, -
- Mackay, James Edgar, &
Jonathan Hoge,
John Hambright,
Esq'rs.
Matt'w Smith,
The Sheriff of the county of Northampton being deceased, & the necessity of appointing another in his stead being considered ;
On motion,
Ordered, That John Segfried, Esq'r, be appointed Sheriff of the County of Northampton, & that he be commissioned accor- dingly.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Mr. Ebenezer Cowell or his order, for the sum of six hundred Pounds, for the Gun Factory, for which sum he is to account.
Ordered, That the several Persons in this City heretofore held upon Parole, be now discharged from their Parole, excepting only The Rev'd Thomas Coombe, jun'r, & Phineas Bond, Esq'r. (Copy of this order sent to Edward Shippen, jun'r, Esq'r, John Lawrence, Esq'r, James Humphreys, Esq'r, William Smith, D. D., Captain Henry Gurney, Thomas Asheton, & Samuel Murdock, written on their several Paroles.)
. Ordered, That the Hon'ble Jacob Arndt, & Peter Buckholder, Esq'r, be received as security for John Segfried, Esq'r, Sheriff of the county of Northampton, for his faithful performance of his - said office.
The Hon'ble James Read, Esq'r, Councellor for the County of Berks, appeared & took the Oaths required by the Constitution, and took his seat in Council.
By a return of Goods found in the City on the evacuation of. the Enemy, made by order of Gen'l Arnold, it appears that there is in the hands of Mr. Heyman Levy the property of the En- emy.
Ordered, That the Commissioners be directed to enquire con- corning the Goods in the hands of Mr. Heyman Levy belonging to the Enemy.
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The Council Met.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday July 1, 1778.
PRESENT :
1
Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esq'r, Vice President. Joseph Hart, James Edger, 7 Mackay, James Read, Esq'rs.
Matt'w Smith, Jacob Arndt, &
Jonat'n Hoge, John Hambright.
In pursuance of an Act of General Assembly, giving to this Coun- cil certain powers relating to the City, &ca., Joseph Redman, Esq'r, Clerk of the Market, being called before the Council, was now di- rected to have the Market House thoroughly cleansed & repaired, & let for such reasonable time as shall be found practicable, to per- sons who will advance the Money, the Pay the expence.
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The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday July 2, 1778.
PRESENT :
Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esq'r, Vice President.
Joseph Hart, James Edgar,
-- Mackay, James Read, &
Matt'w Smith,
John Hambright. SEog'a
Jonathan Hoge,
Capt. James Carnahan, of the 13th Pennsylvania Regiment, represented that he had enlisted two Recruits & advanced them some Money ; that he was under Marching Orders for Pittsburgh, agreeable to the request of Gen'l McIntosh, & therefore requested that he might be repaid his Money the Bounty allowed for enlist ing the said two Men ; On Consideration,
An order was drawn on the Treasurer, in favor of Capt. James . Carnahan, of the 13th Pennsylvania Reg't, for the Sum of Eighty- eight Dollars, to be charged to Colo. Walker Stewart.
Petition of Dan'l Levan, Jun'r, praying to be appointed Procho- notary of the County of Berks, was read.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
The Council met.
.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday July 6, 1778.
PRESENT :
Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esq'r, Vice President.
James Read, John Hambright, & )
- Mackey,
Jona. Hoge. Esq'rs.
James Edgar,
The Council took into Consideration the great necessity of open- ing the Courts of Justice in this County.
Ordered, That a Commission be immediately issued, appointing Jonathan Bayard Smith, Esq'r, to be Prothonotary of the County of Philadelphia, and also a Commission appointing him to be one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas for the said County.
Capt. Montgomery attended the Council & informed that he had brought down from Trenton one of the Galleys, & asked to be in- formed whether she should be immediately repaired.
On consideration,
Ordered, Capt. Montgomery do apply to one of Mr. Ayres's, & have the necessary repairs done to the Armed Galley under his command.
On application,
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Capt. John Bankson, of the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, for the Sum of Four hundred & fifty Dollars, for the recruiting Service, for which sum. he is to account.
The Rev'd Mr. Thomas Coombe, Jun'r, attended in Council, & informed that he declines to take the Oath of Allegiance to the State, and he now requests that he may be permitted to pass out of this State on his way to New York, there to take passage for Europe ; thereupon,
Ordered, That a Pass under the less Seal be granted to the Rev'd Thomas Coombe, jun'r, to leave this State.
.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday June 7, 1778.
PRESENT:
Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esq'r, Vice President. James Read, John Hambright, & )
Mackay, Jon'a Hoge. q James Edgar,
Petition of Jacob Packman was read; Ordered, To lie on the Table.
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Petitions of divers inhabitants of this City was presented by Thomas Hale & Nicholas Weaver, and read.
On consideration,
Ordered, That the Sentiments of Council on this Petition be expressed in Writing & handed to Mr. Hale & Mr. Weaver.
Colo. Nicola, the Town Major, applied to Council & requested, that he might be furnished with Rations.
On consideration,
Ordered, That Mr. Crispin be directed to furnish Colo. Nicola with Rations.
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The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday July 8, 1778.
PRESENT :
Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esq'r, Vice President.
Mackay, James Read, & )
John Hambright, Jon'a lloge,
James Edgar. Esq'rs.
.
A Letter from Robert Levers, Esq'r, of the 6th instant, inolos ing a deposition respecting the depredations committed at & neu Wyoming, by the Indians & Tories.
Ordered, That a Copy of the deposition of Mr. Alexander Pat- terson be made out & sent to Congress.
. A Letter from Samuel Hunter, Esq'r, of the 4th instant, also relating to the ravages of the Indians.
The Council took into consideration the return of an Election of Justices for Augusta Township, in the County of Northumberland, including the Town of Sunbury.
Ordered, That Thomond Ball, & David Mckinney, & Wilton Atkinson, be appointed & Commissioned to be Justices of the Peace for the. County of Northumberland.
Capt. Williams Alexander, of the 7th Pennsylvania' Regiment, laid before the Council a sketch of his account in the Recruiting Service ; and thereupon,
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Capt. William Alexander, of the 7th Pennsylvania Regimn't, for the Sum of Five hundred & twenty Dollars, for the Recruiting Service, for which sum he is to account.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of William Pol- lord & Company, for the sum of Two thousand eight hundred and Thirty-seven Pounds & Ten Shillings, balance of an account for Spirits scized for the use of the State Fleet. The said sum to be charged to William Crispin, Commissary of the State Fleet
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
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The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday July 9, 1778.
PRESENT :
Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esq'r, Vice President.
Mackay, James Read, &
John Hambright, Jona. Hoge,
James Edgar, Esg'rs.
Ordered, That the Secretary write to the Commissioners ap- pointed under the Ordonance of the Council of Safety, to seize the personal Estate of Persons who have gone over to the Enemy, di- recting them to make complete returns to the Secretary's Office of all the effects seized by them, & an account of sales where they have been sold, & that this be done without delay.
The following orders were drawn on the Treasurer for the Re- cruiting Service, Vizt : In favor of Lieut. Miller, of the 7th Penn- sylvania Reg't, for the Sum of One hundred Dollars, to be charged to him ; and in favor of Lieut. Abraham Lewis, of the 4th Pennsyl- vania Reg't, for the sum of One hundred Dollars, to be charged to him.
Robert Mackey, a Mariner, represented to Council, that he had brought off from the Vigilant an armed Boat, which now in the Possession of the State Navy Board.
Ordered, That Major Benjamin Eyre, taking one other Judicious person to his assistance, do Value the said Boat & make return to this Council.
Mr. Blewer, Mr. Eyre & Commodore Hazlewood attended the Council, & informed that the Armed Boats belonging to the State are now afloat & getting ready for service.
Ordered, That the Convention Brig be fitted out as soon as possible, & go down into the Bay, and as many of the Armed Boats as can be manned, be also repaired with all expedition & put into service.
VOL. XI .- 34.
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530
MINUTES OF THE
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday July 10, 1778.
PRESENT :
Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esq'r, Vice President.
Mackay, James Read, &)
John Hambright, James Edgar, Esq'rs.
Jona. Hoge,
Ordered, That application be made to the board of War for a supply of Ammunition for the Militia of Northampton County, & that Mr. Hambright & Mr. Hoge wait on the board of War on this important occasion, & press them for an immediate supply.
Petition of Colo. Thomas Hartley was read ; &
Ordered, That the Petition of Colo. Hartley do lie on the Table. An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Lieut. Jobn Boyd, of the 12th Pennsylvania Reg't, for the sum of three hun- dred & Sixty Dollars, for the Recruiting service, to be charged to him.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday July 11, 1778.
PRESENT :
Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN Esq'r, Vice President.
Mackay, Jonathan Hoge, & ! Esq'rs.
John 'Hambright, James Read, -
Capt. Hugh Montgomery recommended Catharine Murphy, Ma- ry Roan & Lydia Leonard, Wives of Privates on board the Gallies, as being in great distress for want of Provisions; thereupon,
Ordered, That it be recommended to the Navy Board to give the said three Women such temporary relief as their immediate necessity may require, until some regulations can be adopted re- specting them.
Ordered, That a representation of the situation of our distressed frontiers be now made to Congress, & their attention to the relief of them solicited & earnestly pressed for.
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SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 581
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday July 13, 1778.
PRESENT :
Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esq'r, Vice President. Jos. Hart, Jonathan Hogo, & & Eeq'rs. - Mackay, James Read,
A Letter from Col. Morgan, Lieut. of the County of Berks, ia- ' closing a Letter from Col. D. Hunter, to several Colonels of the Berks County Militia, requesting immediate assistance.
Ordered, That a Copy of the said Letter from Col. Hunter be laid before Congress.
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An indecent & affronting application having been made by Charles Thompson, Secretary of Congress, to the Hon'ble George Bryan, Eeq'r, Vice President, demanding possession of a House which he says Colo. Proctor unjustly detains from him, & insisting
[Blank in Council Book. ]
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The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday July 14, 1778.
PRESENT :
Hon'ble GEORGE BRYAN, Esq'r, Vice Presid't.
Mackay, Jacob Arndt, and )
Jos. Hart, John Hambright, Esq'rs. Jona. Hoge,
The following draught of a Circular letter was read in Council and agreed to, Vizt. :
" In Council, Philad'a, July 14th, 1778.
" Sir,
"The attack which has been made by the Indians and others, on the Frontiers of this State, having been laid before the Congress, and a consultation held between the Board of War and Council, they have agreed upon the following arrangements for defence, to wit :
" A detachment of Col Hartley's Regiment to march from New Jersey to Easton, there to join Col. Kowatz, who has under his command a small number of horse. The remainder of Col. Hart- ley's Reg't, now in Philad'a, to march immediately to Sunbury and join the Two Companies lately raised at Wioming. Col. Broad- head's Regiment, now on their march to Pittsburgh, to be ordered to the Standing Stone. But it is necessary to add to these Conti
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mental troops a considerable body of Militia. Council have therefore determined to order to Sunbury three hundred Militia from the County of Northumberland, four hundred from the County of Lan- caster & one hundred and fifty from the County of Berks; to the Standing Stone, three hundred from the County of Cumberland, and two hundred from the County of York; to Easton, from the County of Northampton three hundred men, & from the County of Berks one hundred and fifty men.
"You are, therefore, to exert yourself to get into the field three hundred men of the militia of your county, and march them im- mediately to For this purpose you are to order out the first, second, third, & even fourth class, if it be necessary to make up this number-the men must be had. It is expected that there are guns sufficient in you hands to arm them. Ammuni- tion and provisions will be supplied to you by order of the Board of War.
"The arrival of a powerful fleet from France, having a considera- ble number of troops on board, with orders to act in conjunction with the Continental army, & now actually blocking up the British fleet in the harbor of New York, has induced the Congress to de- termine to make a vigorous effort to destroy the whole British fleet. now in that City, & there appears to be a reasonable ground to hope for success in the attempt. This determination makes it highly improper to detach any part of the main army for the defence of the frontiers. If the attempt to reduce the whole British force should be crowned with success, it will undoubtedly be attended with the most salutary effects in removing the Enemy from the frontiers, as it cannot be doubted but that they must see the im- possibility of their continuing, with any hope of success, their attack on us, when we shall be able to employ our whole force against them, and we are confident that the blow given by the In- dians will be severely revenged before the War with them is closed."
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