The Pennsylvania Convention to James Burd: a Circular Letter
Reprinted from [Thomas Balch, ed.,] Letters and Papers Relating Chiefly to the Provincial History of Pennsylvania... (Philadelphia, 1885), pp. 250-1.
Philadelphia, July 19th, 1776.
Sir:

The Congress of the United States of America, having recommended to this Convention to hasten, with all possible expedition, the march of the associators of this province into New Jersey, agreeable to a former request of Congress, we do earnestly recommend and require you to send forward into New Jersey your battalion, or as many companies as can possibly be armed, with all possible expedition, yielding a most exact obedience to the orders you may receive from this Convention, or from your superior officer, wholly disregarding all reports concerning the countermanding of orders received by you for marching the militia of this province, as such may be propagated by our enemies for wicked and destructive purposes. If you send forward only two companies, the second major is to march with them; if only three, the lieutenant-colonel, or first major; if only four, the lieutenant-colonel and second major; if only five, the colonel and both majors; if six, or the whole battalion, then all the field-officers.

Signed by Order of the Convention.

Benj. Franklin

To James Burd, Esq., Colonel of his Battalion of the County of Lancaster.
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