OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 265 



" The neighboring States are hurrying forward their Militia, and we 

 hope by rising as one Man, and besetting the foe at a distance Irom his 

 Fleet, we shall speedily inclose him like a Lion in the toils. 



The Council therefore most humbly beseech and entreat all persons 

 whatsoever, to exert themselves without delay, to seize this present 

 opportunity of crushing the foe, now in the bowels of our Countrv, by 

 marching forth instantly under their respective officers, to the assistance 

 of our great General, that he may be enabled to environ and demolish 

 the only British army that remains formidable in America, or in the 

 World, Animated with the hope that Heaven, as before it has done in 

 all times of difficulty and danger, will again crown our righteous oftbrts 

 with success, we look forward to the prospect of seeing our insulting foe 

 cut off from all means of escape, and by the goodness of the Almighty, 

 the Lord of Hosts and God of Battles, wholly delivered into our hands. 



"Attest, Tho's Wharton, jun'r Presid't. 



" Timothy Matlack, Secretary. 



"God Save the People." 



Resolved, That the foregoing Proclamation be published. 



Intelligence having been received by the President of Congress that 

 Philadelphia was unsafe, the members resolved to meet at Lancaster 

 where they arrived on September 27th, the very day on which Sir Wil- 

 liam Howe occupied Philadelphia. The archives, treasure and, it is said, 

 even the State House Bell were by a circuitous route sent to Lancaster. 

 The enemy were still in Chester county, and in order to evade him the 

 route pursued was by the way of Bristol and Reading. 



Congress met at Lancaster, but deeming it unsafe, adjourned to York 

 where they opened their deliberations on Sept. 30, 1777, and remained 

 until June 27, 1778, when they returned to Philadelphia. 



The Council of Safety and the Supreme Council met at Lancaster from 

 October 1, 1777, to June 20, 1778, both days included. 



In Council of Safety, October 25, 1777. 



Agreed, That the following Ordinance be passed and Published, viz : 



"J^w Ordinance for appointing and authorizing an additional number of 

 Sub- Lieutenants^ to act in the County of Lancaster. 



"Whereas, the Inhabitants of the County of Lancaster, from their 

 great numbers and the disposition of some to oppose or delay the Opera- 

 tion of the Militia laws of this State, have Rendered the duties of the 

 Lieutenant and sub-Lieutenants of the said county not only difficult, but 

 also very extensive and burdensome, whereby it hath become necessary 

 to appoint a greater number of sub -Lieutenants than is mentioned m the 

 Militia law. It is, therefore. Ordained by the Council of Safety of the 

 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that Curtis Grubb, Esq'r, William Ross, 



