262 AUTHENTIC HISTORY 



Resolved, That John Hubley, Esq'r., be authorized to employ all the 

 Shoemakers amongst the Hessian Prisoners at Lancaster, in making 

 Shoes for this State, for which purpose the sum of two thousand Pounds 

 shall be advanced to him or his order, for the purchase of leather and 

 other materials for working upon ; and he is to pay them a small allow- 

 ance for their labor, for which service Mr. Hubley is to have a reasona- 

 ble compensation. 



Resolved, That the officers of the first Battalion of Lancaster County, 

 and the few men who remained with them when they were deserted by 

 the greater part of the Battalion on the 12th instant, deserve the warm- 

 est acknowledgments of this Board for their endeavors to prevail on 

 their Countrymen to stay, though those endeavors proved unsuccessful ; 

 and that the conduct of those who basely deserted, at that time, without 

 applying to this Council, and waiting for redress, if they thought them- 

 selves aggrieved, is highly reprehensible. 



An order was drawn on Mr. Nesbitt in favor of John Hubley, Esq'r., 

 for two Thousand Pounds, (agreeable to a Eesolve of the 11th Inst.,) to 

 be charged to his account. 



The Council met — Philadelphia, Friday March 7th, 1777. 



PRESENT: 



His Excellency THOMAS WHARTON, jun'r.. President. The 

 Hon'ble George Bryan, Esq., Yice President. 



John Evans, Jonathan Lowdan, And ^ 



George Taylor, John Proctor, J- Esquires. 



Jonathan Hoge, J 



The Resolve of Congress of December 11, 1776, recommending in the 

 following words, viz : 



" Whereas, the just War into which the United States of America have 

 been forced by Great Britain, is likely to be still continued, by the same 

 violence and injustice which have hitherto animated the Enemies of 

 American Freedom ; And whereas, it becomes all Public Bodies, as well 

 as Private Persons, to reverence the Providence of God, and look up to 

 him as the Supreme Disposer of all events, and the Arbiter of the Fate 

 of Nations ; Therefore the Congress hereby Resolve, 



" That it be recommended to all the States, as soon as possible, to ap- 

 point a day of Solemn fasting and humiliation, to implore of Almighty 

 God the forgiveness of the many Sins prevailing among all Ranks, and 

 to beg the countenance and assistance of his Providence in the Prosecu- 

 tion of this just and necessary War. The Congress do also, in the most 

 earnest manner, recommend to all the members of the United States, and 

 particularly to the Officers, Civil and Military, under them, the Exercise 

 of Repentance and reformation ; and further do require of the said Offi- 

 cers of the Military Department, the strict observation of the Articles of 



