USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > History of Berks County, Pennsylvania, in the Revolution, from 1774 to 1783 > Part 2
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Information about these Acts reached Boston on May the roth, and on the 13th, at a town meeting, the in- habitants resolved:
" That, if the other Colonies would unite with them to stop all importations from Great Britain and the West Indies until those Acts should be repealed, it would prove the salvation of North America and her liberties; but if they should continue their ex- ports and imports, there was reason to fear that fraud, power and the most odious oppression would triumph over justice, right, social happiness and freedom."
Copies of this resolution were transmitted to all the other Colonies. It awakened not only a feeling of sympathy but a strong spirit of co-operation, and led them to concur in the propriety of calling a Provin- cial Congress.
Public meetings were held at different places, such as county towns, and, besides discussing topics so im- portant to liberty and general welfare, committees of correspondence were appointed to communicate the actions of the several meetings to one another through- out the Colonies. In this way it was discovered tliat the same feeling prevailed everywhere, and naturally there came to be united efforts towards accomplishing a common result for the benefit of all.
About this time the terms "Whigs " and "Tories" were introduced to designate either those who were arrayed on the side of the Colonies in sympathy witli Boston, or those who were in sympathy with the pol- icy of the British government.
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EN. P. det.
PREISS"
READINGYPA
COURT HOUSE, PENN SQUARE, READING,
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CHAPTER II.
PATRIOTIC SPIRIT OF THE COUNTY.
PUBLIC MEETING AT READING IN 1774-
When the news reached Reading, in Berks County, the citizens manifested great excitement and meetings were held at which the action of the British govern- ment was condemned. These meetings were called by notices headed "Boston Port Bill," and posted throughout the town. A report of one of these meet- ings has been preserved, and is presented in this con- nection to show what action the people of Reading and vicinity were inspired to take, and what expressions they were led to make in the matter.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
At a meeting of a very respectable body of free- holders and others, inhabitants of the County of Berks, held in the Court House at Reading, the 2d of July, 1774, Edward Biddle, Esq., in the chair, the following resolutions were adopted :
"This assembly, taking into their very serious consideration the present critical situation of American affairs, do unanimously resolve as follows, viz .:
"1. That the inhabitants of this county do owe, and will pay due allegiance to our rightful Sovereign, King George the Third.
"2. That the powers claimed, and now attempted to be put into execution by the British Parliament, are fundamentally wrong, and cannot be admitted without the utter destruction of the liberties of America.
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"3. That the Boston Port Bill is unjust and tyrannical in the extreme. And that the measures pursued against Boston are in- tended to operate equally against the rights and liberties of the other colonies.
"4. That this assembly doth concur in opinion with their re- spective brethren of Philadelphia, that there is an absolute neces- sity for an immediate congress of the deputies of the several advices, in order to deliberate upon and pursue such measures as may radically heal our present unhappy disturbances, and settle with precision the rights and liberties of America.
"5. That the inhabitants of this county, confiding in the pru- dence and ability of the deputies intended to be chosen for the general congress, will cheerfully submit to any measures which may be found by the said congress best adapted for the restoration of harmony between the mother-country and the colonies, and for the security and firm establishment of the rights of America.
"6. That, as the people of Boston are now suffering in the grand and common cause of American liberty,
"Resolved, That it is the duty of all the inhabitants to con- tribute to the support of the said sufferers, and that the commit- tee hereafter named do open subscriptions for their relief. And further, that the said committee do lay out the amount of such subscriptions in purchasing flour and other provisions, to be sent by them to our said suffering brethren.
"7. That Edward Biddle, James Read, Daniel Brodhead, Henry Christ, Esqs., Christopher Schultz, Thomas Dundas and Jonathan Potts, gentlemen, be, and they are hereby appointed a committee to meet and correspond with the committees from the other counties of the Province."
The thanks of the assembly were unanimously voted to the chairman for the spirited manner in which he pointed out the dangerous situation of all the American colonies. He expressed at the same time the greatest loyalty to King George, notwith- standing he had the highest regard for the liberties of America.
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There was great unanimity of sentiment as to the resolutions, and all cordially agreed to sacrifice every temporary advantage for the purpose of securing free- doin to themselves and to their posterity.
The committee doubtless raised money and for- warded flour and provisions to the suffering brethren at Boston soon after the meeting, but I have not been able to ascertain the quantity. Reading was a promi- nent centre of trade in 1774, and the country rounda- bout possessed an abundance of grain and provisions. There were numerous grist mills within a radius of ten miles, and the collection of many barrels of flour was a comparatively easy matter for such a worthy cause, especially under the appeal of such men as composed the committee. All were capable, influen- tial men. Biddle and Read were attorneys, Christ an innkeeper, Potts a physician, Dundas a merchant, Brodhead a large miller of Heidelberg, and Schultz a prosperous farmer of Hereford.
Similar meetings were held in the other counties during June and July, and committees were also appointed to act for and represent the respective counties.
From this meeting to the close of the Revolution, the people of Reading and of the county participated actively in all the affairs of the province which were conducted towards the establishment of independence. They were represented by delegates at the several conferences; and they contributed their quota of men, money and supplies in the successful prosecution of the war.
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PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE.
The delegates from the several counties of the Province were called to meet at Philadelphia on July 15, 1774. This meeting was attended by the com- mittee named as representatives from Berks County. The notice for the meeting was issued by the commit- tee of Philadelphia City in the following form:
" The Governor declining to call the Assembly, renders it neces- sary to take the sentiments of the inhabitants; and for that pur- pose it is agreed to call a meeting of the inhabitants of this city and county at the State House on Wednesday the 15th instant [July. ] And we would wish to have the sentiments and concur- rence of our brethren in the several counties who are equally interested with us in the General Cause. We earnestly desire you to call together the principal inhabitants of your county and to take their sentiments. We shall forward to you, by every occa- sion, any matters of consequence that come to our knowledge and we should be glad if you would choose and appoint a committee to correspond with us."
The first action of the meeting was the reading of the letters from Boston, dated May 13, 1774, and a statement of the steps taken in consequence thereof, and of the measures pursued in this and the adjoining provinces. Then a series of sixteen appropriate reso- lutions were adopted, which are remarkable for earn- estness and courage in behalf of local rights and independence; and a committee was appointed to pre- pare and bring in a draught of instructions. On this committee was Daniel Brodhead, from Berks County. The committee performed its duty in an admirable manner, and the result of its deliberations was a doc- ument truly distinguished for its devotion to the King, bitt also to the political and social welfare of the peo-
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ple. Upon its adoption, the committee was directed to present the same to the General Assembly (which was then in session at Philadelphia), and this the committee accordingly did, in a body, on the 21st of July.
CONGRESS OF DEPUTIES. ·
Among other things in the instructions, they asked the Assembly "to appoint a proper number of persons to attend a Congress of Deputies from the several Colonies at such time and place as may be agreed upon to effect a general plan of conduct;" and the Assembly accordingly appointed eight Deputies from the representatives of the eleven counties in the State. Edward Biddle, Esq., from Berks County, was selected as one of them. The other Colonies also appointed Deputies. All of them, numbering fifty-five, assem- bled at Philadelphia on September 4, 1774, and effected an organization in Carpenter's Hall on the 5th, with Peyton Randolph, of Virginia, as president. The sessions of this Congress were continued until the 25th of October following. Thougli a desire for conciliation was manifested, the opposition of Mas- sachusetts to the Parliamentary legislation was ap- proved and the declaration was made that, if the British government should attempt to carry out its provisions, all America ought to unite in sustaining the sister colony in her opposition. The delegates agreed upon a declaration of rights, a determination to stop im- ports from and exports to Great Britain and a discon- tinuance of the slave trade ; and they also prepared a
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petition to the King and an address to the British people. Then they adjourned to meet again at the same place on May 10, 1775, unless redress should be afforded in the meantime.
Besides the matters mentioned, this Congress also adopted Articles of Association, and one of the articles provided that a Committee of Observation should be chosen in every county, city and town by the qualified electors.
COUNTY COMMITTEE OF OBSERVATION.
Pursuant to advertisements scattered throughout Berks County, a respectable number of the inhabi- tants met on December 5th, 1774, at the court-house, in Reading, and proceeded by ballot to the election of a committee, as recommended by Congress, when the following gentlemen were duly chosen :
Edward Biddle, Michael Bright, Sebastian Levan,
Christopher Schultz, John Patton, George Nagel,
Dr. Jonathan Potts, Mark Bird, Christopher Witman,
William Reeser, John Jones, Jacob Shoemaker,
Baltzer Geehr, John Old, James Lewis.
In the latter part of December, the Committee re- ceived a communication from the Committee of Phil- adelphia, dated December 22, 1774, which read as follows:
"Gentlemen: By order of the Committee of the City and Lib- erties of Philadelphia, we have the pleasure to transmit you the following resolves, passed this day with great unanimity, viz:
" That this Committee think it absolutely necessary that the Committees of the Counties of this province, or such deputies as they may appoint for this purpose, be requested to meet together in provincial convention as soon as convenient ; and that it be recommended to the County Committees to meet in said convention on Monday, the 23d day of January next, in the City of Philadelphia."
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"From a view of the present situation of public affairs, the Committee have been induced to propose this convention that the sense of the province may be obtained; and that the measures to be taken thereupon may be the result of the united wisdom of the Colony.
" The obvious necessity of giving an immediate consideration to many matters of the greatest importance to the general welfare will, we hope, sufficiently apologize to you for naming so early a day as the 23d of January."
DELEGATES TO PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.
In pursuance of this letter, the Committee met at Reading on January 2, 1775, and unanimously agreed to the proposed Provincial Convention, and they ap- pointed the following delegates to represent the county at the convention :
Edward Biddle, Sebastian Levau, Jonathan Potts,
Mark Bird, John Patton, Christopher Schultz.
Baltzer Geehr,
They also then appointed a Committee of Corre- spondence for the county:
Edward Biddle, Jonathan Potts, Christopher Witman.
Mark Bird, William Reeser,
This Committee selected Dr. Jonathan Potts to act as secretary.
LETTERS TO LANCASTER COMMITTEE.
On the same day, Dr. Potts addressed a letter to the Committee of Correspondence for the County of Lan- caster, stating therein that they had received a letter from the Committee of Correspondence of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, in which it was pro-
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posed that a Provincial Convention be held at Phila- delphia on the 23d instant, and adding that they had considered the proposition, unanimously agreed to the convention, and appointed the delegates named to at- tend the proposed convention in behalf of Berks County. He concluded his letter by informing them also of the selection of a Committee of Correspondence, and adding the five names of the Committee.
Another letter from the same Committee was ad- dressed to the Committee of Lancaster on January 5, 1775. It was as follows:
"Gentlemen: Enclosed is an extract from the proceedings of the Committee of this County, by which you will see that depu- ties are appointed to attend the proposed Provincial Convention.
"When we consider that our disputes are drawing fast to a cri- sis, and that the most cordial unanimity is absolutely necessary for our preservation, we cannot doubt but that your respectable committee will without hesitation appoint deputies to attend the Provincial Congress. The neglect of any one County may have the most fatal consequences. And we well know the pleasure it would give our enemies to see even the appearance of a disunion at this very important time. The great consequence of this sub- ject will, we hope, apologize for this freedom."
CIRCULAR LETTER AS TO WOOL.
The following letter, in reference to sheep and wool in the county, was circulated throughout the county during the latter part of January, 1775:
"READING, January 16th, 1775.
"To the Farmers of Berks County :
"The Committee of the County of Berks having considered the association of the butchers of this town not to kill any sheep whatsoever till the first day of May next, take the liberty earn- estly to recommend to the inhabitants of this county not to
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sell any sheep whatsoever to any butcher from Philadelphia or elsewhere till the first day of May. The preserving of wool being an object of the greatest consequence, the committee flatter them- selves that the farmers will cheerfully observe this recommenda- tion, and as the committee will meet in Reading on Tuesday, the 14th day of February, if any inhabitants have any objections to make to the measure hereby recommended, such inhabitants are requested to attend the committee to make their objections, that the same may be maturely considered.
"Any person having wool which he cannot dispose of in the country, may bring it to the house of Mr. Mark Bird, in Reading, who will give fourteen pence per pound for any quantity.
"By Order of the Committee, "JONATHAN POTTS, Secretary."
From the patriotic spirit that prevailed, this recom- mendation was doubtless observed, but I could not find any notice of a meeting of the Committee on February 14, 1775.
RESOLUTIONS OF PROVINCIAL CONVENTION.
The delegates from the several counties accordingly assembled at Philadelphia on January 23, 1775, and adopted the following resolutions :
That this Convention most heartily approve of the conduct and proceedings of the Continental Congress.
That we will faithfully endeavor to carry into execution the measures of the Association entered into and recommended by them.
That, as it was necessary to lay a restraint on importation and supply of articles necessary for subsistence, and clothing and de- fense must be provided, no person should use, sell or kill for mar- ket any sheep under four years old, and it was recommended that woolen manufactories be set up, especially for coating, flannel, blankets, rags, coverlids, hosiery and coarse cloths.
That flax and hemp be raised, and mills be erected for breaking, swinging and softening them; salt made in the manner used in other countries, and saltpetre; gunpowder manufactured as largely
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as possible; nails, wire and steel made, and also different kinds of paper from the old linen and rags preserved for that purpose ; that houses be set up for glass, wool combs and cards, tin plates, copper sheets, bottoms and kettles, grindstones and fulling mills; and as the brewing of malt liquors would tend to render the con- sumption of foreign liquors less necessary, that proper attention be given to the cultivation of barley.
That all the inhabitants of the province promise themselves to use our own manufactures, and those of the other colonies in preference to all others.
That societies be established and premiums be granted in the several counties to persons who may excel in the several branches of manufacturing.
That any manufacturer or vender of goods, who shall take advantage of the necessities of his country by selling his mer- chandise at an unusual or extravagant profit, shall be considered an enemy to his country and be advertised as such by the com- mittee.
That printers use the types made by an ingenious artist in Ger- mantown in preference to any which may be hereafter imported.
That the Committee of Correspondence of Philadelphia be a standing Committee for the several counties, but to give notice to them whenever a Provincial Council becomes necessary."
While preparations were being made for this Con- ference, the House of Lords met in London on Jan- uary 20th, and it was on that occasion that Chatham made his brilliant defense o the American Colonies and appealed most eloquently for reconciliation. But his appeal was in vain, for his motion was rejected by a vote of 68 against 18, almost four to one.
BATTLE AT LEXINGTON AWAKENS COUNTY ..
The battle of Lexington was fought on April 19, 1775. When the news of the battle reached Reading, about a week afterward, a company of men was formed, who wore crape for a cockade in token of the
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sorrow for the slaughter of their brethren. Each township in Berks County resolved to raise and disci- pline its company. On the 25th of April, a town meeting was called at Philadelphia, when thousands of the inhabitants assembled, and agreed to associate for the purpose of defending with arms their lives, their property and their liberty.
This patriotic feeling prevailed also at Reading and in the county. The following extract of a letter from Reading, dated' April 26, 1775, presents it forcibly:
"We have raised in this town two companies of foot under proper officers ; and such is the spirit of the people of this free county, that in three weeks time there is not a township in it that will not have a company raised and disciplined, ready to assert at the risk of their lives the freedom of America."
The companies mentioned were those commanded by Capt. George Nagel and Capt. John Spohn.
Conscientious Scruples against War .- A meeting of deputies of divers inhabitants of the county, who were conscientiously scrupulous against bearing arms, was held at Reading on September 1, 1775. They passed certain resolutions, which, briefly stated, were as fol- lows:
1. Agreeing to voluntary subscriptions for the uses pointed out by the recommendations of the Assembly on June 30, 1775, and of the Continental Congress on July 18, 1775.
2. Ordering accounts of moneys received and expended to be kept by a treasurer.
3. Submitting the moneys to the disposal of the Committee of Safety as a part of the share to be accounted for by Berks County.
4. Agreeing to answer requisitions on them by the Committee of Safety:
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These resolutions were signed by Wm. Reeser, as president of the meeting. On September II, 1775, he sent a copy of them to the Committee of Safety, stating in his accompanying letter that they were conscientiously scrupulous of taking up arms, though fully sensible of the justice of the cause, but that they were willing to contribute to its support. He acknowl- edged to have received in hands the sum of £152 for the Committee of Safety, and assured the Commit- . tee that they would ever cheerfully contribute their proportion towards the safety and welfare of the public.
FIRST OFFICERS SELECTED FROM THE COUNTY.
The first meeting of the Committee of Safety at Philadelphia, which Edward Biddle, Esq., attended, was on January 2, 1776. Congress had recommended that Pennsylvania furnish four battalions of troops, and at this meeting the Committee were to agree upon the four colonels who were to be placed in command. Biddle evidently attended to favor Daniel Brodhead, of Heidelberg township, but he could not control a sufficient number of votes. On the next day they voted for Lieutenant Colonels. Brodhead's name was again presented with seven others, but he was not selected. On the 4th of January, they selected field officers ; George Nagel, of Reading, was one of them. On the following day, he was commissioned as Major of the Third Battalion ; and then they also selected 31 Captains for the four Battalions. Among those chosen were John Spohn, Peter Scull and Peter
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Decker, all of Reading. On January 6th, they se-
lected 32 Lieutenants. Among them was Daniel Brodhead, of Reading. It appears that Biddle did not attend any meetings after the 6th of January. His absence was doubtless caused by sickness.
GERMANS TO THE RESCUE.
By looking over the names of the numerous men in Berks county who participated in the movement for independence, it will be found that they are almost entirely German. The population of the county was largely German and of German descent, and this pre- ponderance of names over those of all other nation- alities was to be expected. The proportion was fully nine-tenths. They used the German language in their daily affairs, excepting the transfer of title to real estate which was required to be in the English lan- guage by a provincial law. The location of the Eng- lish people in 1775 was mostly at Reading, and in Robeson, Caernarvon, Union, Exeter, Oley, Maiden- creek and Richmond townships, or eight districts out of twenty-nine, but the major part of the people in these districts also was German, excepting the south- ern section of the county. It can be stated that Berks county was then distinctively the most German county of the eleven counties in the Province.
It was natural for the electors of the county to show a most positive sympathy for this movement, because it was in accordance with their notions of political life and social existence. They had a firm belief in local government and desired to carry it on successfully
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without unnecessary restrictions or burdens. Taxa- tion without representation was to them a most un- reasonable and unjust doctrine, and they were not disposed to tolerate its continued enforcement. Either they or their fathers had emigrated from Germany and settled in the county during the previous fifty years for the express purpose of enjoying civil rights, and of conducting their business, social and political affairs with as little foreign interference as possible ; and find- ing that extra taxes were to be imposed upon and ex- acted from them without their consent for the benefit of the King of Great Britain, and not for their own improvement or convenience, they felt impelled to ex- press a decided opposition to such a proceeding.
The system of militia, which had been provided for by the Assembly, was appreciated by them, and they co-operated sincerely in its establishment throughout the county. They effected an organization and re- sponded to the call for troops in a willing and prompt inanner. Their promptness gave them such public distinction that Bancroft, the historian, makes especial mention of it in that part of his History of the United States which relates to the Revolution. This action was shown soon after the Battle of Lexington had been fought, not simply at Reading where there was a con- siderable population in a small area of territory cov- ering less than a square mile, but in every township of the county whose inhabitants were widely scattered over an extended area embracing fully twelve hundred square miles. The militia returns of the county for 1775 show the organization of seven battalions, and by July, 1775, there were at least forty companies
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ready to answer the call for practical military duty in actual warfare. Their zeal will be inore fully appre- ciated when we understand that there was not a single post office in the county, and that the only means of dispatching communications was by express riders.
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