The second Article of the Association we have
entred into, is this, That we will before the said Day, that
is, before the first Day of January next, form ourselves into
Companies consisting of such as are situated most
conveniently for meeting together. But as the Manner of forming
ourselves into Companies is not particularly express’d, I am now to
acquaint you what previous Steps have been taken to that purpose.
As the Association was sign’d promiscuously by Persons dwelling in
all Parts of the Town, and it was difficult as their Names stood,
to sort them into their respective Neighbourhoods, two Inhabitants
of each Ward were called together, to consider of the properest
Means of dividing the Associators into Companies according to the
Article. After some Consideration they agreed to go round their
respective Wards, and take down the Names of the Associators of
each Ward in separate Lists, by which Lists they might see whether
there were a Number of Members in each Ward sufficient to form a
Company. When the Lists were brought in, it appear’d that some
Wards contain’d Associators more than sufficient for a
[missing]
The first Company to the southward, is Dock
Ward Company, and contains, &c.
Mulberry Ward being very large is divided into
two Companies, and as our German Brethren who are as hearty and as
forward as [any of] us, have desired to be by themselves, [one] of
those Companies is accordingly German, [and the] other English.
If you approve of these Divisions, Gentlemen, I
will deliver Lists of each Company, to some among you who will
undertake to call you to[gether wh]en the Time comes for chusing
your Officers, w[hich] by the Articles is the first Day of January
next. In the mean time, if each Company shall think fit to meet by
itself one Evening in a Week or oftner, to improve in the Exercise
of Arms, those who have the Lists will look out for and provide
convenient Rooms in different Parts of the Town to accommodate the
several Companies. By these private Meetings and Exercises, we
shall not only improve in the Discipline, but become acquainted
with each other, and so be better able to judge, when the Day of
Election comes, who among us are fittest to be our Officers.
Tis hoped all will endeavour to have their Arms
and Ammunition ready by that Day, according to the Articles, and as
our Numbers are daily encreasing, I do not doubt but you will then
be able to make a noble Appearance. [Remainder missing.]