To Benjamin Franklin Esqr. President of the Supreme, Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania

The Representation of a Number of the Inhabitants of Chester County, Respectfully sheweth

That Instead of a tranquil Enjoyment of the Blessings of Peace, once more Mercifully restored to our Land, many of the peaceable, and faithful subjects of this Government have to feel the severity of a Malitia Law rigourously executed on them; whereby hard-hearted and unreasonable Men are Invested with Authority grieviously to oppress their fellow subjects; the Effect whereof many Industrious Families have deeply felt, and many more likely to feel, by the Lavish Distraint and Spoiling of their Property: And these our Grievances, we apprehend not a little Augmented by the Officers exceeding even the Intent of the Law under the pretended Execution thereof; there being heavy Fines imposed on many for not marching in the Malitia in the Year 1781, altho Countermanding Orders were Isued some Days before the time appointed for that purpose; as appears by the Declaration of Thomas Cheyney Esqr. then one of the sub-Lieutenants of said County; who thus asserts, “That on the second Day of October he recieved Countermanding Orders, as he was holding an appeal for Col: Pierces Battalion being the Day appointed for them to march, and that said Orders were dated some time before;” also Divers of those who then met and answered to their Names, never Marched at all, and those who did, went but a few miles, and then returned home; Notwithstanding which the Delinquents in said Battalion are held to the payment of their full Fines, being from ten Pounds, to twenty and upwards: The deep Destresses consequent on the Collection whereof, by extravigant seizures and spoiling of goods, we respectfully recommend to thy Consideration, and Sympathetic Attention; whose general Character of Benevolence, Humanity, and Tenderness has emboldened thy Memorialists thus to address thee; hoping thou may’st use thy Influence to afford such relief in the Premises as thy humane feelings, and Unabated Zeal for the good of the Community at large may suggest: thus availing thyself, of that lasting Peace resulting from a Consciousness of having ruled well, and relieved the oppressed from their Burthens. Which is the earnest Desire of