230 AUTHENTIC HISTORY 



After the troops raised by the province in the late war were disbanded, 

 a number of muskets and military accoutrements were lodged at a Mr. 

 Carson's in Paxtang, where they remained without any notice or care 

 being taken of them, until the unhappy disputes between Great Britain 

 and the Colonies rendered it indispensably necessary for our safety to 

 associate and arm in defence of our rights. The then Committee of this 

 county, upon hearing of those arms, requested some of their members to 

 examine and send them down, intending an application to the Assembly 

 to have them repaired at the public expense, and put into the hands of 

 such associators as were unable to furnish themselves, and who were to 

 give receipts for them to be returned, if not lost in actual service. At 

 this time arms were sought for with great assiduity by every one, who 

 wished to be instructed in the military discipline. The inhabitants of 

 Cumberland county, knowing also of the provincial muskets, were be- 

 forehand with us, and having the first choice, took between sixty and 

 seventy of the best of them (for which Mr. Carson has a receipt) leaving 

 a' parcel of rubbish which were sent to this town, consisting of barrels 

 mostly without locks and stocks, and all of them so covered with rust 

 that they were thought almost unfit for use, and scarcely worth repair- 

 ing. Many of them were loaded and had probably been so for many 

 years. Some of the poor associators here took the barrels, and with 

 much labor had them cleaned. By the help of some old locks which 

 about this time were found in a garret in this town (without an owner) 

 and were distributed amongst them, they had them put into such repair, 

 as to serve them to exercise with. These persons have been at a con- 

 siderable expense in putting them in the order they now are ; and if they 

 are deprived of them, are not able to purchase others. There are a few 

 indeed of the best of the firelocks which we think could safely be trusted 

 to for real service. To take the arms from the poor people under such 

 circumstances would greatly damp their martial spirit. 



We conceive it our duty to mention these things to the Committee of 

 Safety. If that honorable Board, nevertheless, shall be of opinion that 

 such firelocks will be of use and will direct in what manner the people 

 who have been at expense in repairing them are to be reimbursed, we 

 shall cheerfully exert ourselves to the utmost of our power in calling 

 them in, and forwarding them to Philadelphia. 



This, gentlemen, is the first opportunity we have had of answering 

 your letter relative to the arms. Give us leave to assure you, it will afford 

 us great pleasure to be instrumental in any degree to the safety of the 

 city of Philadelphia. We feel very sensibly the situation of your citi- 

 zens ; we deem ourselves most strongly bound to give every assistance 

 in our power to repel any attack which may be attempted against you, 

 and humbly trust we shall not be deficient in the day of danger. 



