The York County Committee to the Pennsylvania
Committee of Safety
LS: Pennsylvania State Library, Harrisburg
<York, September 27, 1775: Two months ago the York committee
started searching for some one to make saltpetre and found two
men, Baltzer Moody and George Garver, who began the work in
August. They dug in stables, outhouses, etc.; and the committee
lent them money. Yesterday they delivered the 117 pounds of
saltpetre that accompany this letter: they would have had more if
the recent storm had not injured their earth. Mr. Owen Biddle is
requested to settle the bill. The saltpetre is perhaps as good as
that imported from Europe, and the bounty or price will presumably
be the same. “A Quantity of earth is now Collecting, and we
hope to see the Business prosecuted with Spirit.” Addressed to
Franklin, Biddle, and the committee of safety and signed by
Thomas Hartley, David Kennedy, and John Houston.>
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