USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > History of Berks County, Pennsylvania, in the Revolution, from 1774 to 1783 > Part 4
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And Whereas, the inhabitants of this commonwealth have, in consideration of protection only, heretofore acknowledged alle- giance to the king of Great Britain, and the said king has not only withdrawn that protection, but commenced and still continues to carry on with unabated vengeance, a most cruel and unjust war against them, employing therein not only the troops of Great Britain, but foreign mercenaries, savages and slaves, for the avowed purpose of reducing them to a total and abject submission to the despotic domination of the British Parliament, (with many other acts of tyranny more fully set forth in the declaration of congress) whereby all allegiance and fealty to the said king and his successors are dissolved and at an end, and all power and au- thority derived from him ceased in these colonies.
And Whereas, it is absolutely necessary for the welfare and safety of the inhabitants of said colonies, that they be henceforth free and independent states, and that just, permanent and proper forms of government exist in every part of them, derived from, and founded on the authority of the people only, agreeable to the direction of the honorable American Congress.
We, the representatives of the freemen of Pennsylvania, in general convention met, for the express purpose of framing such a government, confessing the goodness of the great governor of the universe, (who alone knows to what degree of earthly happiness mankind may attain by perfecting the arts of government) in permitting the people of this state, by common consent and with- out violence, deliberately to form for themselves, such just rules as they shall think best for governing their future society ; and being fully convinced, that it is our indispensible duty to estab- lish such original principles of government, as will best promote the general happiness of the people of this state and their poster- ity, and provide for future improvements, without partiality for, or prejudice against, any particular class, sect or denomination of men whatsoever, do, by virtue of the authority vested in us by our constituents, ordain, declare and establish the following dec- laration of rights, and frame of government, to be the constitu- tion of this commonwealth, and to remain in force therein for
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ever unaltered, except in such articles as shall hereafter, on ex- perience, be found to require improvements, and which shall by the same authority of the people, fairly delegated, as this frame of government directs, be amended or improved for the more ef- fectual obtaining and securing the great end and design of all government, herein before mentioned.
Declaration of Rights.
1. That all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent and unalienable rights, amongst which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
2. That all men have a natural and unalienable right to wor- ship Almighty God, according to the dictates of their own con- sciences and understanding, and that no man ought, or of right can be compelled to attend any religious worship, or erect or sup- port any place of worship, or maintain any ministry, contrary to, or against his own free will and consent ; nor can any man who acknowledges the being of a God, be justly deprived or abridged of any civil right as a citizen, on account of his religious senti- ments, or peculiar mode of religious worship ; and that no author- ity can, or ought to be vested in, or assumed by any power what- ever, that shall in any case interfere with, or in any manner control the right of conscience in the free exercise of religious worship.
3. That the people of this state have the sole, exclusive and in- herent right of governing and regulating the internal police of the same.
4. That all power being originally inherent in, and consequently derived from the people; therefore all officers of government, whether legislative or executive, are their trustees and servants, and at all times accountable to them.
5. That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the com- mon benefit, protection and security of the people, nation or com- munity ; and not for the particular emolument or advantage of any single man, family or set of men, who are a part only of that community ; and that the community hath an indubitable, un- alienable and indefeasible right to reform, alter or abolish govern- ment, in such manner as shall be by that community judged, most conducive to the public weal.
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6. That those who are employed in the legislative and executive business of the state, may be restrained from oppression, the peo- ple have a right, at such periods as they may think proper, to reduce their public officers to a private station, and supply the vacancies by certain and regular elections.
7. That all elections ought to be free and that all free men, having a sufficient evident common interest with and attachment to the community, have a right to elect officers or to be elected into office.
8. That every member of society hath a right to be protected in the enjoyment of life, liberty and property ; and therefore is bound to contribute his proportion towards the expense of that protection, and yield his personal service when necessary, or an equivalent thereto ; but no part of a man's property can be justly taken from him or applied to public uses, without his own con- sent or that of his legal representatives ; nor can any man who is conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms be justly compelled thereto if he will pay such equivalent, nor are the people bound by any laws but such as they have in like manner assented to, for their common good.
9. That in all prosecutions for criminal offenses, a man hath a right to be heard by himself and his council; to demand the cause and nature of his accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses, to call for evidence in his favor, and a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the country, without the unanimous consent of which jury he cannot be found guilty ; nor can he be compelled to give evidence against himself ; nor can any man be justly deprived of his liberty, except by the laws of the land or the judgment of his peers.
10. That the people have a right to hold themselves, their houses, papers and possessions free from search and seizure ; and therefore warrants, without oaths or affirmations first made af- fording a sufficient foundation for them, and whereby any officer or messenger may be commanded or required to search suspected places, or to seize any person or persons, his or their property not particularly described, are contrary to that right, and ought not to be granted.
11. That in controversies respecting property, and in suits be- tween man and man, the parties have a right to trial by jury, which ought to be held sacred.
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12. That the people have a right to freedom of speech and of writing and publishing their sentiments ; therefore the freedom of the press ought not to be restrained.
13. That the people have a right to bear arms for the defense of themselves, and the state ; and as standing armies in the time of peace are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be kept up, and that the military should be kept under strict subordination to, and governed by the civil power.
14. That a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles and a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry and frugality, are absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty and keep a government. The people ought therefore to pay particular attention to these points in the choice of officers and representatives, and have a right to exact a due and constant regard to them from their legislatures and magistrates, in the making and executing such laws as are necessary for the good government of the state.
15. That all men have a natural and inherent right to emigrate from one state to another that will receive them, or to form a new state in vacant countries, or in such countries as they can pur- chase, whenever they think that thereby they may promote their own happiness.
16. That the people have a right to assemble together to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to apply to the legislature for redress of grievances by address, peti- tion or remonstrance.
It were well if the foregoing sentiments could be impressed upon the people, so as to lead them to fully appreciate their excellence and adaptation for the gen- eral welfare. Their preservation is dependent upon the uniform elevation of the people through industry, education and equality, under the guidance of a frater- nal spirit. Manhood, citizenship and patriotism, with social impulses towards the prosperity and peace of the people, are superior to mechanical progress and the riches, envy and strife which it develops in certain channels and classes, and they are therefore worthy of serious public consideration.
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CHAPTER V.
MILITIA SYSTEM.
The Convention of 1776, in framing the first Con- stitution of Pennsylvania, made the following provi- sion for the establishment of a military system :
"The freemen of this commonwealth and their sons shall be trained and armed for its defense under such regulations, restric- tions and exceptions as the General Assembly shall by law direct, preserving always to the people the right of choosing their Colo- nels and all commissioned officers under that rank."
In pursuance of this provision, the General Assen- bly established the necessary regulations, and through them the county of Berks, under the direction of the officer designated thereby, called a "Lieutenant," with the assistance of "Sub-Lieutenants," was enabled to supply promptly and successfully all the orders made by the State government for troops during the progress of the Revolution.
Previous to this system, the military affairs were governed by Articles of Association. The men who associated together for purposes of defence were com- monly known as "Associators," and those who acted in opposition, either openly or secretly, were called " Non-Associators."
By the following returns, it is apparent that the men in the county, subject to military duty, appre- ciated the necessity of organization and co-operated
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earnestly with the Executive Council in making the law effective. The persons chosen for lieutenant-col- onels and majors of the seven battalions for 1775, at the beginning of the Revolution, represent the best class of taxpayers that the county possessed. They were all prominent men and stood at the head of bus- iness, political and social affairs. This selection ex- hibits, not only the discrimination which the people exercised, but also the respect which they had for qualification and influence. The subsequent returns until 1783 show a similar selection of men.
COUNTY RETURNS FOR 1775.
The following officers were cliosen for the several battalions of the Associators of Berks County for the year 1775-76. It is the earliest military record of this county that I could find relating to the Revolution. The company rosters were not published in that con- nection :
1st Battalion-Central Section. Lieut .- Col., Henry Haller. Maj., Gabriel Hiester. end Battalion-Southern Section. Lieut .- Col., Mark Bird. Maj., John Jones. 3rd Battalion-Central Section. Lieut .- Col., Nicholas Lotz. Maj., John Old. 4th Battalion-Northern Section. Lieut .- Col., Balser Geehr. Maj., Michael Lindemuth. 5th Battalion- Western Section. Lieut .- Col., John Patton. Maj., John Thornburgh. 6th Battalion-Eastern Section.
Lieut .- Col., Daniel Hunter. Maj., Conrad Leffler. 7th Battalion-Northeastern Section. Lieut .- Col., Sebastian Levan. Maj., Samuel Ely.
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COUNTY RETURNS FOR 1776.
Seven battalions were organized in the county, as will appear by the delegates sent to the election at Lancaster, July 4, 1776, for two brigadier-generals, but the complete returns for 1776 have not yet been discovered.
Eight companies of the County Militia were paid for subsistence during the Summer of 1776. They were as follows :
Captains. £. sh. d. Captains. £. sh. d.
Daniel Deturk, 1 3 6 George Will, 1 18 8
Jacob Moser, 16 15 5 John Old, 2
4
Nicholas Scheffer, 1
3 4
- Moyer, 1 13 4
John Soder, 2 2 8 Stephen Crumrine, 15
Three companies were on duty at South Amboy, ill New Jersey, in August, 1776, commanded by Michael Wolf, George Miller and Michael Furrer.
These eleven companies are all that I could find for this year, of whichi any mention was made.
County Delegates to Lancaster Convention .- A pub- lic meeting was held at Lancaster on July 4, 1776, for the purpose of electing two brigadier-generals to com- inand the battalions and forces in Pennsylvania. The meeting consisted of the officers and privates of fifty- three battalions of the Associators. A full ratio of men was sent by the militia of Berks County. The following delegates represented the county at the meeting :
1st Battalion : Officers-Major, Gabriel Hiester ; Lieut., Philip Cremer ; privates, John Hartman, Peter Filbert.
and Battalion : Officers-Col., Mark Bird ; Major, John Jones : privates, David Morgan, Benjamin Tolbert.
3rd Battalion : Officers-Lieut .- Col., Nicholas Lotz ; Captain, George Riehm; privates, Henry Spohn, Matthias Wenrich.
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4th Battalion : Officers-Major, Michael Lindemuth ; Captain, George May ; private, Michael Moser.
5th Battalion : Officers-Col., John Patton ; Lieut .- Col., John Rice ; privates, Jacob Seltzer, Christian Winter.
6th Battalion : Officers-Major, Conrad Leffler ; Lieut., John Miller ; privates, John Hill, Henry Lark.
7th Battalion : Officers-Col., Sebastian Levan ; Adj., Samuel Ely ; privates, Philip Wisters, Casper Smeck.
Colonel Mark Bird, of the 2nd Battalion, was one of the judges of the election. Daniel Roberdeau was elected the first brigadier-general, and James Ewing, the second. Mark Bird received seven votes. Eight candidates were placed in nomination.
COUNTY RETURNS FOR 1777.
Colonel Jacob Morgan and his sub-lieutenants met at Reading on April 25, 1777, for the purpose of receiving returns of the inhabitants of Berks County, between the ages of 18 and 53 years. The number then returned was about 4000. These were arranged in six districts, and meetings were ordered to be held on the 5th and 6th of May following, for the purpose of electing officers and forming companies. Morgan reported that he had forwarded to the Execu- tive Council an exact list of the field officers, cap- tains, subalterns and court-martial men, comprising the six battalions of the Berks County militia, or one battalion for each district. This list appears in the Pennsylvania Associators, vol. 2, pp. 257 to 276. The several battalions were returned on May 16, 1777. I have added the sections of the county showing where the companies were organized.
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Ist Battalion-Eastern Section.
Col., Daniel Hunter, Oley.
Lt .- Col., John Guldin, Oley.
Chaplain, Jacoh Michael.
Maj., John Cunius, Oley.
Q. M., Isaac Feather, Reading.
Adj., Philip Bertolet, Oley.
Surgeon, Daniel Welcher.
1st Co .- Hereford.
5th Co .- Colebrookdale.
Mathias Wick,
Captain.
Jacoh Hill,
Christopher Folk,
1st Lieut.
George Schall,
Charles Geiger,
2nd Lieut. John Betz,
Henry Reiff,
Ensign.
Joseph Delaplane,
John Pott,
Court Martial
Philip Mathias,
Jacoh Heffner.
men.
Jacoh Antey.
2nd Co .- Colebrookdale.
6th Co .- Ruscombmanor.
Stephen Crumrine,
Captain.
Peter Wanner,
Henry Knouse,
1st Lieut.
Henry Strauch,
Isaiah Davis,
2nd Lieut.
Adam Hamscher,
Jacoh Gerver,
Ensign.
Henry Schurtz,
Mathias Rhoads,
Court Martial
Elias Wagner,
Baltzer Trout.
men.
Henry Hess.
3rd Co .- District.
7th Co .- Oley.
Sebastian Lentz,
Captain.
Daniel Reiff.
Jacoh Rhoads,
Ist Lieut.
Daniel Leinhach,
Adam Heiter,
2nd Lieut.
Philip Reiff,
Henry Hess,
Ensign. Peter Scheffer,
Baltzer Beam,
Court Martial
Daniel Schneider,
Peter Gahel.
men.
John Scheffer.
4th Co .- Oley.
8th Co .- Hereford.
George Focht, John Stapleton,
Captain.
David Strause,
1st Lieut. Jacoh Rickstein,
2nd Lieut. John Miller,
Ensign. John Roeder,
Court Martial
Henry Rauch,
George Yoder.
men.
George Moll.
Jacob Griesemer, John Yoder,
Daniel Levan,
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2nd Battalion-Northeastern Section.
Col., Daniel Udree, Oley.
Lt .- Col., Jacob Boyer, Oley.
Maj., John Huy. Adj., George Riehm, Cumru.
Surgeon, John Umstead, Union.
Surg. Mate, Thos. Kerlin, Amity.
Q. M., Conrad Foose, Reading.
1st Co .- Longswamp.
5th Co .- Maxatarony.
Charles Crouse,
Captain.
Casper Smeck,
Philip Mertz,
1st Lieut.
Jacob Grim,
Nicholas Mertz,
2nd Lieut.
Jacob Zimmerman,
Christian Kercher,
Ensign, Jacob Sigfried,
Casper Seibert,
Court Martial
Joseph Gross,
Adam Helwig.
men. John Beaver.
2nd Co .- Rockland.
6th Co .-- Richmond.
Peter Smith,
Captain.
Michael Voyge,
George Roap,
1st Lieut.
Henry Adam,
Michael Eayre,
2nd Lieut.
John Fegley,
John Kreamer,
Ensign.
John Lesher,
Henry George, George Leye.
meň.
Valentine Hoffman.
3d Co .- Richmond.
7th Co .- Maidencreek.
Jacob Rothermel,
Captain. Abraham Huy,
Jacob Dreibelbis,
1st Lieut.
Christian Bearringstein,
Christopher Denn, Daniel Ely,
Ensign.
Christian Burkhart,
Jacob Wanner,
Court Martial
Jacob Stein,
George Kelchner.
men.
Jacob Rhaun,
4th Co .- Maxatawny.
8th Co .- Longswamp.
George Kemp,
Captain.
Henry Egner,
Jacob Levan,
1st Lieut.
Henry Fegley,
Michael Peifer,
2nd Lieut.
John Trice,
Jacob Schweyer,
Ensign.
Martin Royer,
Philip Geehr,
Court Martial
Philip Deal,
Peter Scherer.
men.
Jacob Collman.
2nd Lieut.
John Weidenhammer,
Court Martial
Frederick Leiby,
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3rd Battalion-Northern Section.
Col., Michael Lindemuth, Bern. Lt .- Col., George May, Windsor. Maj., Martin Kercher, Windsor.
1st Co .- Pine Grove.
5th Co .- Bern.
Jacob Wetstein,
Captain.
John Soder,
George Brouch,
Ist Lieut.
Jacob Frantz,
Ludwig Herring,
2nd Lieut.
John Epler,
Henry Wetstein,
Ensign.
Philip Fox,
Conrad Sheffer,
Court Martial
Jacob Frey berger,
Rudolph Buzzard.
men.
John Epler, Sr.
2nd Co .- Brunswick.
6th Co .- Windsor.
Conrad Minich,
Captaiu.
Jacob Shadle,
John Graul,
1st Lieut.
Charles Siegfried,
John Stout,
2nd Lieut.
William Williamson,
Philip Boning,
Ensign.
George Reber,
Gideon Moyer,
Court Martial
George Hower,
John Crawford.
men
Eberhard Shappel.
3d Co .- Bern.
7th Co .- Bern.
Jacob Shraedel,
Captain.
Daniel Will,
George Albright,
1st Lieut.
Jacob Meicksel,
George Kaufman,
2nd Lieut.
Henry Kalbach,
Adam Klauser,
Ensign. Abraham Luckenbill,
Court Martial
Peter Focht,
Christian Albright, John Knevel.
men.
Peter Baldy.
4th Co .- Bern.
Sth Co .- Windsor.
Sebastian Emrich,
Captain.
Ferdinand Ritter,
Francis Umbehacker,
Ist Lieut.
Michael Smith,
George Ludwig,
2nd Lieut.
George Adam,
George Moyer,
Ensign. Jacob Stapleton,
George Belleman,
Court Martial
Jacob Tenant,
Anthony Kershner.
men.
John Brobst.
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4th Battalion-Central Section.
Col., Nicholas Lotz, Reading. Lt .- Col., Joseph Hiester, Reading. Maj., Peter Decker, Reading,
1st Co .- Reading.
5th Co .- Reading.
Conrad Geist,
Captain.
George Riehm,
Philip Ruppert,
1st Lieut.
Henry Focht,
Charles Gobin,
2nd Lieut.
Thomas Atkinson,
John Kidd,
Ensign. John Wentzel,
Peter Feather,
Court Martial
Jacob Koch,
George Gardner.
men. William Hottenstein.
2nd Co .- Reading.
6th Co .- Heidelberg.
John Reitmyer,
Captain.
Conrad Eckert,
Michael Bush,
1st Lieut.
Adam Hain,
Christian Grouse, John Burkhard,
2nd Lieut.
Peter Young,
Ensign. Mathias Wenrich,
Jacob Groff, Nicholas Scherer.
Court Martial
Peter Kuhl,
men.
Simpson Hain.
3d Co .- Alsace.
7th Co .- Cumru.
Daniel DeTurck,
Captain.
Sebastian Miller,
Paul Feger,
Ist Lieut.
Adam Ruth,
Jacob Kissinger,
2nd Lieut.
John Gernant,
Henry Schneider,
Ensign.
John Ruth,
Isaac Levan, John Baum.
men.
Peter Fisher.
4th Co .- Reading.
8th Co .- Cumru.
Peter Nagel,
Captain.
Philip Krick,
Paul Kerper,
1st Lieut. Philip Spohn,
Daniel Grove,
2nd Lieut.
Michael Moyer,
Joseph Colier,
Ensign. John Bullman,
Baltzer Fornewalt,
Court Martial
Henry Spohn,
Henry Wolf.
Court Martial
Michael Ruth,
men.
Joshua Evans.
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5th Battalion-Southern Section.
Col., Jacob Weaver, Amity. Lt .- Col., Mathias Rhoads, Amity. Maj., George Lorah, Amity.
1st Co .- Union.
5th Co .- Amity.
Thomas Parry,
Captain.
Jacob Rhoads,
William Hays,
1st Lieut.
Joseph Sands,
George Kerston,
2nd Lieut.
Jacob Weaver,
George Ax,
Ensign.
Daniel Ludwig,
John Umstead,
Court Martial
Daniel Winder,
John Wagner.
men.
Henry Haffa.
2nd Co .- Robeson.
6th Co .- Douglass.
William Lewis,
Captain.
George Bucher,
Adam Beard,
1st Lieut.
Solomon Mathews,
Richard Millard,
2nd Lieut.
Michael Stophlet,
John Hahn,
Ensign.
Jacob Keely,
Adam Scheirer,
Court Martial
Peter Meffert,
Herman Umstead.
men.
John Swineheart.
3rd Co .- Exeter.
7th Co .- Robeson.
John Bishop,
Captain.
Joseph Davis,
Mathias Herner,
1st Lieut.
Thomas Hamilton,
John Ludwig,
2nd Lieut.
David Edwards,
John Thompson,
Ensign.
George Glass,
Adam Young,
Court Martial
Paul Geiger,
Nicholas Herner.
men.
Casper Straub.
4th Co .- Alsace.
Sth Co .- Caernarvon.
Adam Alstatt,
Captain.
David Morgan,
John Wagner,
1st Lieut.
John Robinson,
Mathias Patterner,
2nd Lieut.
Joseph Talbot,
Paul Derst,
Ensign.
Jacob Finfrock,
Abraham Levan,
Court Martial
James Ross,
John Hartman,
men.
Henry Menges.
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6th Battalion-Western Section.
Col., Henry Spyker, Tul'hock'n. Adj., Fred'k Ernst, Tul'hock'n. Lt .- Col., George Miller,
Q. M., George Lechner, “
Maj., Michael Furrer,
Surgeon, Philip Finkel, “
1st Co .- Heidelberg.
5th Co .- Tulpehocken.
John Lesher,
Captain.
Michael Bretz,
Isaac Depuy,
1st Lieut.
Bernhard Zimmerman,
John Anspach,
2nd Lieut.
Peter Bressler,
Valentine Reed,
Ensign.
Peter Smith,
Martin Stupp,
Court Martial
John Stone,
Jacob Weiser.
men. Peter Smith,
2nd Co .- Bethel.
6th Co .- Tulpehocken.
George Batdorff,
Captain.
Henry Weaver,
Henry Batdorff,
1st Lieut.
John Scheffer,
Jacob Rehrer,
2nd Lieut.
Henry Koch,
Tobias Rheam,
Ensign.
Jacob Knoll,
Leonard Swartz,
Court Martial
Adam Emrich,
Nicholas Ketner.
men.
Valentine Moyer.
3rd Co .- Tulpehocken.
7th Co .- Tulpehocken.
Henry Shepler,
Captain.
Jacob Kremer,
Christopher Kern,
1st Lieut.
Jacob Rehrer,
John Riegel,
2nd Lieut.
Daniel Hoffman,
George Loos,
Ensign.
George Stout,
Nicholas Hawk,
Court Martial
Michael Kehl,
John Foust,
men.
George Berger.
4th Co .- Heidelberg.
8th Co .- Heidelberg.
Conrad Weiser,
Captain. Philip Filbert,
Daniel Womelsdorf,
1st Lieut.
Philip Moyer,
Henry Walter,
2nd Lieut.
Francis Artellia,
George Gensemer,
Ensign. Leonard Zerbe,
Jacob Seltzer,
Court Martial
Henry Knopp,
George Brown.
men.
Samuel Boyer.
Commissions were forwarded to Col. Jacob Morgan for the foregoing six battalions June 14, 1777, by Tim- othy Matlack, Secretary of the Executive Council.
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NEW MILITIA SYSTEM PROVIDED.
After the foregoing returns had been made, the As- sembly deemed it necessary to provide a new militia system, because the " Associators " had lost their ef- fectiveness. Shortly after the Battle of Princeton whole companies deserted. In this behalf a law was passed on June 13, 1777.
Oath of Allegiance .- One of the first requirements was the taking of an oath of allegiance which had to be done before July 1, 1777. This was allowing only seventeen days, but in this time its provisions had be- come thoroughly known in Berks County. The time for deliberation or hesitation had passed, and prompt action was necessary.
The preamble and oath, provided by the said Act, were as follows :
" Whereas, From sordid or mercenary motives, or other causes inconsistent with the happiness of a free and independent people, sundry persons have withheld, or may yet be induced to withhold, their service or allegiance from the Commonwealth of Pennsylva- nia as a free and independent State, as declared by Congress.
" And Whereas, Sundry other persons in their several capacities have, at the risk of their lives and fortunes, or both, rendered great and eminent services in defence and support of the said in- ·dependence, and may yet continue to do the same, and as both these sorts of persons remain at this time mixed, and in some measure undistinguished from each other, and the disaffected de- riving undeserved service from the faithful and well-affected.
" And Whereas, Allegiance and protection are reciprocal, and those who will not bear the former are not or ought not to be en- titled to the benefits of the latter.
" Therefore, be it enacted, etc., That all white male inhabitants .of the State, except of the counties of Bedford and Westmore-
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land, above the age of eighteen years, shall, before the 1st day of the ensuing July, and in the excepted counties before the Ist day of August, take and subscribe before some justice of the peace an oath in the following form :
"I, -, do swear, (or affirm,) that I renounce and refuse all allegiance to George the Third, King of Great Britain, his heirs and successors; and that I will he faithful and bear true allegiance to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as a free and independent State, and that I will not at any time do, or cause to be done, any matter or thing that will be prejudicial or injruious to the freedom and inde- pendence thereof, as declared by Congress; and also, that I will discover and inake known to some justice of the peace of said State all treasons or traitorous conspiracies which I now know or hereafter shall know to be formed against this or any of the United States of America."
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