LANCASTER COUNTY. 421 



encroachments upon their rights, no matter from what 

 source they anticipated them. Action, vigilance and 

 union of efforts, seemed to have been their motto on all 

 occasions of apprehended or real danger. 



A circular was issued at Hanover, now Dauphin 

 county, November 28, 1782, calling a meeting at ]\Ian- 

 heim, to take into consideration measures touching their 

 jeoparded liberties, as it was then thought. W^ give the 

 circular and proceedings : 



Dear sir: — The officers and representatives of the ninth 

 battalion of Lancaster county militia, upon consultation, 

 have concluded from the present complexion of the 

 present House of Assembly, tliat the constitution and 

 liberty of the State are at stake in some measure; and 

 sensible of the importance of what has caused us so much 

 blood and treasure, we have thought it incumbent upon 

 us to exert ourselves for their preservation, as far as our 

 influence extends, and to warn all who would wish to be 

 free Irom the dangers that seem to impend, not doubting 

 at the same time but you are ready to take the alarm, as 

 you must be sensible of the same danger. 



We do not think it necessary to multiply words, tending 

 to inspire your spirit, for we are of opinion you possess 

 the same, and have been only waiting to know the senti- 

 ments of your fellow friends of Liberty. Let us not 

 then coolly and simply suffer any of our rights to be 

 taken from us by any men, especially as our constitution 

 invests us with full power to oppose any such attempt. — 

 Perhaps our fears are groundless ; but in case of appar- 

 ent danger, which undoubtedly is our present rase, a wise 

 man will be qx\. his guard ; and therefore let us meet at 

 Manheim, on the 15th day of January next, in order that 

 we may mutually contrive such measures as may have a 



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