USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > History of Berks County, Pennsylvania, in the Revolution, from 1774 to 1783 > Part 3
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Some opposition to this movement was shown in the county, but it did not presume to effect an organ- ization in behalf of preventing the development of the sentiment for indepencence. The people who mani- fested this feeling were confined to the districts where the English language was used, and on that account they were called "Tories." The property of some of these was confiscated and converted to the uses of the government in prosecuting the war.
A small number of inhabitants in the county had conscientious scruples against war, and though they succeeded in holding a public meeting and forming an organization, they did not constitute a factor of any importance in creating public opinion.
A slight inclination was also manifested by some men in the county to discourage the continental cur- rency. Two men were arrested for doing this, but they were discharged after having publicly acknow- ledged their error at Reading on January 30, 1776, begged the pardon of the community, and promised to conform thereafter to the rules and regulations that existed.
It is evident that the Germans were too numerous and their sympathies for independence too strong to permit any feelings or sentiments contrary to their own to become of any recognized public influence.
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POPULATION AND DISTRICTS OF THE COUNTY.
In 1776, the territory of Berks County included not only that part which lies within the present boundary lines to the south of the Blue Mountains, but also nearly the entire area of Schuylkill County to the north, the excepted portion being about one-sixth part at the eastern end. But that section beyond the mountains was sparsely settled, the resident taxables numbering about 150, and the population about 600. The total population-as near as I can estimate it- was about 20,000, and the taxables numbered about 4000, the same number as those subject to military duty between the ages of 18 and 53 years.
The estimated population of Pennsylvania then was 300,000 white people and 2000 black.
The townships or districts established in the county numbered 29. They were distributed as follows :
East of the Schuylkill River-18.
Manatawny Section :
Alsace,
Douglass, Reading,
Amity,
Exeter,
Rockland,
Colebrookdale, District, Oley,
Hereford,
Ruscombmanor.
Ontelaunee Section :
Albany,
Maidencreek, Richmond,
Greenwich,
Maxatawny, Windsor.
Longswamp,
West of the Schuylkill River-9.
Schuylkill Section : Brecknock,
Cumru,
Union.
Caernarvon,
Robeson,
Tulpehocken Section : Bern, Bethel,
Heidelberg, Tulpehocken.
Beyond the Blue Mountains-2.
Brunswick and Pine Grove.
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CHAPTER III.
ASSOCIATORS.
At the inception of the Revolution, there were eleven counties in the Province of Pennsylvania. They were:
Philadelphia, York,
Bedford,
Bucks, Cumberland,
Northumberland,
Chester,
Berks,
Westmoreland.
Lancaster,
Northampton,
On June 30, 1775, the General Assembly approved of " the Association entered into by the good people of this colony (Pennsylvania) for the defense of their lives, liberties and properties;" decided to pay the nec- essary expenses of the officers and soldiers while in active service, repelling any hostile invasion of British or other troops; and recommended the county com- missioners of the several counties to "immediately provide a proper number of good, new firelocks with bayonets fitted to them, cartridge boxes with 23 rounds of cartridges in every box, and knapsacks." The allotted number for Berks County was 400. Edward Biddle and Henry Christ were then the rep- resentatives from Berks County, and Biddle was se- lected by the Assembly as one of the Committee of Safety "for calling forth such and so many of the Associators into actual service when necessity re- quires." The committee consisted of 25 members.
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RECOMMENDATION OF CONGRESS.
On July 28, 1775, the Assembly approved of the resolution of Congress, passed July 18th, which recom- mended :
"That all able-bodied men between 16 and 60 years of age in each colony immediately form themselves into regular companies to consist of one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, four ser- geants, four corporals, a clerk, drummer and fifer, and 68 privates.
"That the officers of each company be chosen by the respective companies.
"That the companies be formed into Battalions, officered with a Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, two Majors, and an Adjutant or Quartermaster.
"That the officers above captain be appointed by the Assembly or by the Committee of Safety.
"And that each soldier be furnished with a good musket that will carry an ounce ball, with a bayonet, steel ram-rod, worm priming wire with brush fitted thereto, a cutting sword or toma- hawk, a cartridge box that will contain 23 rounds of cartridges, 12 flints, and a knapsack."
The musket barrels were 3 ft. 8 in. long, and the bayonets 16 in. long ; the bore of the barrels of suffi- cient size to carry 17 balls to the pound.
COUNTY COLONELS OF ASSOCIATORS.
Delegates from the eleven named counties, number- ing altogether fifty-three, assembled at Philadelphia on August 19, 1775, for the purpose of adopting Art- icles of Association. They were Colonels of the As- sociated Battalions. The representatives from Berks County were:
Edward Biddle, Mark Bird,
Daniel Brodhead, Christian Lower.
Baltzer Geehr,
*
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Preamble to Articles of Association .- The preamble to the Articles of Association read as follows:
"We, the officers and soldiers, engaged in the present associa- tion for the defense of American liberty, being fully sensible that the strength and security of any body of men acting together, consists in just regularity, due subordination, and exact obedience to command, without which no individual can have that confi- dence in the support of those about him, that is so necessary to give firmness and resolution to the whole, do voluntarily and freely, after consideration of the following articles, adopt the same as the rules by which we agree and resolve to be governed in all our military concerns and operations, until the same or any of them, shall be changed or dissolved by the Assembly or Provin- cial Convention, or in their recess, by the Committee of Safety, or a happy reconciliation shall take place between Great Britain and the Colonies."
There were thirty-two articles which provided for the regulation of military affairs, and these articles the Associators were expected to sign.
County Committee Recommends Articles .- The Com- mittee of Safety in Berks County recommended the adoption of the Articles of Association, as will appear by the following letter:
READING, January 20, 1776.
At a meeting of the Standing Committee for Berks County, held this day, Mark Bird, Esq., in the chair,
The Committee taking into their consideration the present state of the Association in this County, and being persuaded of the pressing necessity of being prepared for defence, do earnestly recommend it to their brethren to sign the Articles of Association formed by the House of Assembly at their last meeting; this Committee trusting that such amendments will be made at the next sitting of Assembly as will make the Association uot only more effectual but more consonant to the principles of justice and equality. And afterward, at a meeting of the Committee, on the 30th of the same month,
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Resolved, unanimously, that it is the opinion of this Committee that it will be highly requisite, in case the Assembly should not think proper to make the necessary amendments in the said Asso- ciation, that a Provincial Convention be held for that purpose; and they do accordingly appoint-
Edward Biddle,
Daniel Brodhead,
Valentine Eckert,
Mark Bird,
Baltzer Geehr.
Nicholas Lotz,
Jonathan Potts,
Collinson Read,
Sebastian Levan,
Richard Tea,
to attend the said Convention in behalf of this county.
By order of the Committee,
COLLINSON READ, Secretary.
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CHAPTER IV.
INDEPENDENCE OF THE PROVINCE.
Suppression of British Authority .- On May 15, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted a resolution that recommended the total suppression of all authority under the King of Great Britain. It was as follows :
Whereas, his Brittanic majesty, in conjunction with the Lords and Commons of Great Britain, has by a late Act of Parliament, excluded the inhabitants of these United Colonies from the pro- tection of his crown.
And Whereas, no answer whatever, to the humble petitions of the colonies for redress of grievances and reconciliation with Great Britain, has been, or is likely to be given, but the whole force of that kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be ex- erted for the destruction of the good people of these colonies.
And Whereas, it appears absolutely irreconcilable to reason and good conscience, for the people of these colonies, now to take the oaths and affirmations necessary for the support of any govern- ment, under the crown of Great Britain; and it is necessary, that the exercise of every kind of authority, under the said crown should be totally suppressed, and all the powers of government ex- erted, under the authority of the people of the colonies, for the preservation of internal peace, virtue and good order, as well as for the defense of their lives, liberties and properties, against the hostile invasions and cruel depredations of their enemies; therefore,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the respective assemblies and conventions of the United Colonies, where no government sufficient to the exigencies of their affairs has been hitherto es- tablished, to adopt such government as shall, in the opinion of the representatives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular, and America in general.
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Support of Civil Authority by the County .- A copy of this resolution having been received at Reading shortly afterward, and the people taking its import- ance into serious consideration, the Standing Commit- tee of the county determined that the existing civil authority should nevertheless be supported until a new government should be provided, and accordingly passed the following resolution :
READING, June 8, 1776.
At a meeting of the Standing Committee of the County of Berks held this day, Mark Bird in the chair,
Resolved, That as some people have declared that no obedience ought to be paid to the civil authority, because a government will shortly be founded on the authority of the people in the room of the present government ; and as such a conduct will only serve to introduce confusion and disorder, and endanger the lives and properties of every individual in society, it is the opinion of this committee, and they are determined to support the same to the utmost of their abilities, that the same obedience should be paid to the civil authority as used to be paid to it, till a new Constitution shall be formed by a Provincial Convention, and commissions shall be issued by virtue of the new legislative authority for the ap- pointment of courts and magistrates, to preserve the peace and administer justice to the people ; and then the authority of the present courts and magistrates will cease of course.
By order of the Committee,
COLLINSON READ, Secretary.
PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE.
Pursuant to the foregoing resolution of Congress, a Provincial Conference was held in Carpenters' Hall, at Philadelphia, from June 18th to June 25th, 1776, which was composed of deputies from the several coun- ties of the Province. The deputies fromn Philadelphia
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had issued a circular letter to the Committees of the several counties, fixing a time and place for the pro- posed meeting, and suggesting the appointment of deputies.
Deputies from the County .- The representatives from Berks County were :
Col. Jocob Morgan, Dr. Bodo Otto, Col. Valentine Eckert,
Col. Henry Haller, Mr. Benjamin Spyker, Col. Nicholas Lotz,
Col. Mark Bird, Col. Daniel Hunter, Capt. Joseph Hiester, Mr. Charles Shoemaker.
The Conference determined that a Convention should be called for the purpose of forming a new government in this province on the authority of the people only, fixed the qualifications of Associators and of the members of the Convention, and asked each county to send eight delegates. The election of the delegates was ordered to be held on Monday, July 8, 1776, and the delegates were directed to assemble at Philadelphia on Monday, July 15, 1776.
Address of Conference .- 'The following Address was then issued :
To the people of Pennsylvania :
Friends and Countrymen : In obedience to the power we de- rived from you, we have fixed upon a mode of electing a con- vention, to form a government for the Province of Pennsylvania, under the authority of the people.
Divine Providence is about to grant you a favor, which few people have ever enjoyed before, the privilege of choosing depu- ties to form a government under which you are to live. We need not inform you of the importance of the trust you are about to commit to them ; your liberty, safety, happiness and everything that posterity will hold dear to them to the end of time, will depend upon their deliberations. It becomes you, therefore, to choose such
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persons only, to act for you in the ensuing convention, as are dis- tinguished for wisdom, integrity and a firm attachment to the liberties of this province, as well as to the liberties of the United Colonies in general.
In order that your deputies may know your sentiments as fully as possible, upon the subject of government, we beg that you would convey to them your wishes and opinions upon that head immediately after their election.
We have experienced an unexpected unanimity in our councils and we have the pleasure of observing a growing unanimity among the people of the province. We beg, that this brotherly spirit may be cultivated, and that you would remember that the present unsettled state of the province, requires that you should show forbearance, charity and moderation to each other. We beg that you would endeavor to remove the prejudices of the weak and ignorant, respecting the proposed change in our gov- ernment, and assure them that it is absolutely necessary to secure property, liberty, and the sacred rights of conscience, to every in- dividual in the province.
The season of the year, and the exigencies of our colony, re- quire dispatch in the formation of a regular government. You will not therefore be surprised at our fixing the day for the elec- tion of deputies so early as the 8th of next July.
We wish you success in your attempts to establish and perpet- uate your liberties, and pray God to take you under his special protection. Signed by unanimous order of the Conference,
THOMAS M'KEAN, President.
Declaration of Independence .- And the following Declaration of Independence of the Province was agreed to :
Whereas, George the Third, King of Great Britain, etc., in vio- lation of the principles of the British constitution, and of the laws of justice and humanity, hath by an accumulation of oppressions, unparalleled in history, excluded the inhabitants of this, with other American Colonies, from his protection,
And Whereas, he hath paid no regard to any of our numerous and dutiful petitions for a redress of our complicated grievances, but hath lately purchased foreign troops to assist in enslaving us;
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and hath excited the savages of this country to carry on a war against us, as also the negroes to imbrue their hands in the blood of their masters, in a manner unpracticed by civilized nations, and hath lately insulted our calamities, by declaring that he will show us no mercy until he has reduced us.
And Whereas, the obligations of allegiance, (being reciprocal between a king and his subjects) are now dissolved, on the side of the colonists, by the despotism of the king, insomuch that it now appears that loyalty to him is treason against the good people of this country.
And Whereas, not only the parliament, but there is reason to believe too many of the people of Great Britain, have concurred in the aforesaid arbitrary and unjust proceedings against us.
And Whereas, the public virtue of this colony, (so essential to its liberty and happiness,) must be endangered by a future politi- cal union with, or dependence upon a crown, and nation so lost to justice, patriotism and magnanimity.
We, the deputies of the people of Pennsylvania, assembled in full Provincial Conference, for forming a plan for executing the resolve of congress, of the 15th May last, for suppressing all Au- thority in this province, derived from the crown of Great Britain, and for establishing a government upon the authority of the peo- ple only, now in this public manner, in behalf of ourselves, and with the approbation, consent and authority of our constituents, unanimously declare our willingness to concur in a vote of the congress, declaring the United Colonies free and independent states ; providing the forming the government, and the regulation of the internal police of this colony, be always reserved to the people of the said colony ; and we do further call upon the nations of Europe, and appeal to the great arbiter and governor of the empires of the world, to witness for us, that this declaration did not originate in ambition, or in an impatience of lawful authority; but that we were driven to it in obedience to the first principles of nature, by the oppressions and cruelties of the aforesaid king and parliament of Great Britain; as the only possible measure that was left us, to preserve and establish our liberties, and to transmit them inviolate to posterity.
Address for Flying Camp .- In obedience to the resolutions of Congress of the 3d and 4th of June, 1776, this Conference also made provisions for raising
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4500 militia towards establishing a "flying camp " of 10,000 men in the Middle Colonies, and caused the following remarkable address to the Associators to be issued :
To the Associators of Pennsylvania :
"Gentlemen : The only design of our meeting together was to put an end to our own power in the province, by fixing upon a plan for calling a convention, to form a government under the authority of the people. But the sudden and unexpected separation of the late Assembly has compelled us to undertake the execution of a resolve of Congress for calling forth 4500 of the militia of this province, to join the militia of the neighboring colonies, to form a camp for our immediate protection. We presume only to rec- ommend the plan we have formed to you, trusting that, in a case of so much consequence, your love of virtue and zeal for liberty will supply the want of authority delegated to us expressly for that purpose.
" We need not remind you that you are now furnished with new motives to animate and support your courage. You are not about to contend against the power of Great Britain, in order to displace one set of villains to make room for another. Your arms will not be enervated in the day of battle with the reflection that you are to risk your lives or shed your blood for a British tyrant ; or that your posterity will have your work to do over again. You are about to contend for permanent freedom, to be supported by a government which will be derived from yourselves and which will have for its object, not the emolument of one man or class of men only, but the safety, liberty and happiness of every individ- ual in the community. We call upon you, therefore, by the re- spect and obedience which are due to the authority of the United Colonies, to concur in this important measure. The present cam- paign will probably decide the fate of America. It is now in your power to immortalize your names by mingling your achieve- ments with the events of the year 1776-a year which, we hope, will be famed in the annals of history to the end of time, for es- tablishing upon a lasting foundation the liberties of one-quarter of the globe.
"Remember the honor of our colony is at stake. Should you desert the common cause at the present juncture, the glory you
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have acquired by your former exertions of strength and virtue will be tarnished ; and our friends and brethren, who are now ac- quiring laurels in the most remote parts of America, will reproach us and blush to own themselves natives or inhabitants of Penn- sylvania.
"But there are other motives before you. Your houses, your fields, the legacies of your ancestors, or the dear-bought fruits of your own industry, and your liberty, now urge you to the field. These cannot plead with you in vain, or we might point out to you, further, your wives, your children, your aged fathers and mothers, who now look up to you for aid, and hope for salvation in this day of calamity only from the instrumentality of your swords.
"Remember the name of Pennsylvania-Think of your ances- tors and of your posterity.
"Signed by an unanimous order of the conference,
"THOMAS M'KEAN, President. "June 25, 1776."
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE BY CONGRESS.
The "Declaration of Independence " was passed by the Continental Congress late on the afternoon of July 4, 1776, and ordered to be printed. A resolution was adopted at the same time, directing copies to be .sent to the several Assemblies and Committees of Safety, and to the several commanding officers of the Continental troops, and that it be proclaimed in each of the United States and at the head of the army.
There were seventy representatives accredited fromn the several Colonies to the Continental Congress. Of these, twenty-two did not sign the Declaration of In- dependence for various reasons. Among this number was Edward Biddle, and the reason explaining the omission is given as follows in the History of Phil- adelphia, (1884) :
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"Edward Biddle, of Philadelphia, died during the session of a lingering disease, which probably disabled him at the time of the Declaration."
This statement is erroneous in two particulars. Biddle was not of Philadelphia, and though he had inet with an accident before 1776, which culminated in serious illness, he did not die until 1779. He at- tended the meetings of the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania during January, 1776. In 1778, he was one of the Representatives from the county to the Assembly, and that body selected him as one of seven members to Congress.
Declaration Read in the County .- In pursuance of the resolution of Congress, the State Board of Safety addressed a letter to the Committee of Berks County on the 6th of July, 1776, enclosing a copy of the Decla- ration of Independence, and directing it to be read on Monday, July 8th, at 12 o'clock noon, at the place where the election of delegates was to be held. This was done by Henry Vanderslice, the sheriff of the county, on that day at the Court House on Penn Square, the bell having been rung earnestly before- hand, as elsewhere, to call the people together so that they should learn the comprehensive significance of that important and courageous public document in behalf of political freedom and representative govern- ment.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF THE PROVINCE.
Delegates from the County .- According to the di- rection of the Provincial Conference, the electors of
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Berks County held an election on Monday, July 8, 1776, at the Court House, in Reading, and chose as their representatives the following eight prominent inen :
Jacob Morgan,. Benjamin Spyker, Charles Shoemaker,
Gabriel Hiester, Daniel Hunter, Thomas Jones.
John Lesher,
Valentine Eckert,
On July 15, following, they attended the Conven- tion at Philadelphia and participated in the formation of a Constitution for the government of the Province.
The labors of the Convention were concluded on September 28, 1776, and then all the delegates pres- ent subscribed the Constitution which they had adopted. All the delegates from Berks County sub- scribed their names, excepting John Lesher and Dan- iel Hunter.
On July 23, 1776, the Constitutional Convention elected a Council of Safety to discharge the executive duties of the State government, dissolving in this manner the Committee of Safety. This Council was composed of twenty-five members, among them Dan- iel Hunter, of Berks County.
The Preamble and Declaration of Rights being so elevated in sentiment and so admirable in construction, I introduce them in this connection. John Lesher represented Berks County in the committee of eleven, (one from each county) who were appointed to draft the frame of government.
Preamble.
Whereas, all government ought to be instituted and supported for the security and protection of the community as such, and to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural
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rights, and the other blessings which the author of existence has bestowed upon man ; and whenever these great ends of government are not obtained, the people have a right by common consent to change it, and take such measures as to them may appear neces- sary, to promote their safety and happiness.
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