From Valentine Eckert (unpublished)
Reading Nov. 9th. 1787
Sir,

I have now the Satisfaction to inform you that I have (but with a great deal of Difficulty) so far accomplished your Orders as to have sixty Men in readiness for a March and expect to have the seventh (the Number I was ordered to call out) in a short Time. Agreeable to your Orders I had two Classes of the Battalion called, whose turn it was to perform their Tour of Duty, and proposed to them either to turn out themseves or find Substitutes but found the People so unwilling to go, and so quarrelsome that it was not in my Power to do any Thing with them the Day they had a Meeting, but in Order to bring them too I had some of them bound over to Court. I shall to Day set out with what Men I have from Reading to Kutts-Town, from whence I expect to March with my full Complement next Monday at furthest for Fort-Allen. I have the honor to be Sir Your Excellencies most obedient and humble Servant

Valentine Eckert

His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr. President of the Supreme Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania.
Addressed: His Excellency / Benjamin Franklin Esquire / Philada.
Endorsed: 1787 Novemr 9th Letter Valentine Ekkart to The President
643872 = 045-u258.html