OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 221 



sufficiently apologize to you for naming so early a day as the 23d of 

 January. 



We are, gentlemen, respectfully, 



Your humble servants, [Signed] 



Jos. Reed, Charles Thomson, Geo. Clymer, John Nixon, John Benezet, 

 Sam'l. Meredith, Thos. Mifflin, Jona. B. Smith, Committee of Correspond- 

 ence. 



The following letter from the Committee of Correspondence for the 

 county of Berks, was sent to the committee of this place, viz : 



Reading, 2d January, 1775. 



This day the Committee of this county met here. A letter from the 

 Committee of Correspondence of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, 

 (meaning the same above,) was laid before them proposing a provincial 

 convention, to be held at Philadelphia, the 22d instant. The letter being 

 duly considered, the Committee unanimously agreed to the proposed 

 convention, and appointed Edward Biddle, Jonathan Potts, Mark Bird, 

 Christopher Shultz, John Patton, Sebastian Levan, and Balzer Gehr, a 

 committee to attend the said convention, in behalf of this county. The 

 Committee then proceeded to choose a Committee of Correspondence, 

 and Edward Biddle, William Reerer, Mark Bird, Jonathan Potts, and 

 Christopher Wittman, were duly elected a Committee of Correspondence 

 for this county. 



Extract from the proceedings of the Committee. 



Jonathan Potts, Clerk. 



Another letter from the same Committee of Correspondence of the 

 county of Berks, to the committee of this place, viz: 



Gentlemen: Enclosed is an extract from the proceedings of the 

 Committee of this county, by which you will see that deputies are 

 appointed to attend theproposed provincial convention. 



When we consider that our disputes are drawing fast to a crisis, and 

 that the most cordial unanimity is absolutely necessary for our preser- 

 vation; we cannot doubt but that your respectable committee will with- 

 out hesitation appoint deputies to attend the provincial Congress. The 

 neglect of any one county may have the most fatal consequences. And 

 we well know the pleasure it would give our enemies to see even the 

 appearance of a disunion at this very important time. 



The great consequence of this subject will, we hope, apologize for thi.s 

 freedom. 



We are, gentlemen, with the greatest respect. 



Your most obedient humble servants, [Signed] 



Edward Biddle, Jonathan Potts, William Reerer, Christopher Wit- 

 man, Mark Bird, Committee of Correspondence. 



Reading, 5th January, 1775. 



