The Lancaster County Committee to the Pennsylvania
Convention
Copy: Library of Congress
<Lancaster, July 23, 1776: Your ordinance for disarming the nonassociators
and the circular letters to the commanders of the
county battalions of associators arrived last night. This morning
we forwarded them to each commander, who will receive them by
noon or one P.M. and will doubtless do everything possible to
forward the march of the militia.
We are making every effort to carry out the recommendations
of Congress, that the troops be provided with what is needed.
Captains whose companies are ready or nearly so have received
money, camp kettles, and a few muskets and bayonets; our gunsmiths
have been busy in the past days repairing weapons, but our
stores are almost exhausted. We have scarcely enough muskets for
the necessary guards, and our tinsmiths lack tin for kettles. We
have collected most of the available cash from our men of substance,
so that something may be advanced to soldiers who need
it; and we submit to you whether money should not be sent for
the purpose. Most of the militia require some small necessity, and
many wish to leave a few shillings with their families; they apply
to us and “expect to be here equipped and assisted and it gives us
pain to see their disappointment.” Our tinsmiths report no tin to
be had in Philadelphia; should there be any to spare from public
stores we could continue making kettles and canteens. “We shall
use our best endeavour to keep our Gunsmiths busy and do every
thing in our power to execute the orders of the Convention and
promote the general Interest.” Addressed to Franklin as president
of the convention and signed on order of the committee by W.
Atlee, Chairman.>
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