OF LANCASTER COUXTY. 273 



« 



sation of divine Providence, and confess their iniquities and transgres- 

 sions, for whicli the land mournetk; that they may implore tlie mercy 

 and forgiveness of God, and beseech Him tliat vice, profancness, extor- 

 tion, and every evil, may be done away, and that we may be a reformed 

 and happy people ; that they may unite in humble and earnest Supplica- 

 tion, that it may please Almighty God to guard and defend us against 

 our enemies and give vigour and success to our military operations by 

 sea and land ; that it may please Him to bless the civil rulers and people, 

 strengthen and perpetuate our Union, and in his own good time establish 

 in the peaceable enjoyment of our rights and liberties; that it may please 

 Him to bless our Schools and Seminaries of learning, and to make them 

 nurseries of true piety, virtue and useful knowledge ; that it may please 

 Him to cause the earth to yield its increase, and to crown the year with 

 His goodness. And it is recommended to the inhabitants of the United 

 States, to abstain on that day from labor and recreation.' 



'''■And Whereas^ it hath pleased God to suffer the enemy to take posses- 

 sion of our Capital, and the distresses attending on War have fallen 

 heavy on the State, whereby it is become peculiarly necessary for the 

 inhabitants to humble themselves before Him who governs the Universe 

 and turneth the hearts of men as he pleaseth. And therefore, as well as 

 in due respect to the said recommendation of Congress, "We do hereby 

 most earnestly recommend to the good people of this Commonwealth to 

 set apart Wednesday, the Twenty-second day of April next, for the pious 

 purposes mentioned in the said resolve, and that they abstain on that day 

 from labor and recreation. 

 " Given at Lancaster this thirteenth day of March, in the Year of our 



Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy-eight. 

 "By order of Council. 



"Thomas Wharton, junr. President. 



"Attest — Timothy Matlack, Secretary. 



Council to Genl. Lacey, 1778. 



In Council, Lancaster, March 12th, 1778. 

 Sir: I rec'd your letter of the 4th Inst., which I laid before Council. 

 It is greatly to be lamented that there are any amongst us so lost to every 

 sentiment of Virtue as in any manner to aid those who are Enemies to 

 the just cause we are engaged in. Your neighborhood seems to abound 

 with such, and therefore every means should be exerted to bring the 

 traitors to justice. Those you have taken should be safely secured, in 

 order for trial, as the Treason Law of this State will reach the crime 

 you mention if proper proof be exhibited, which I beg you to attend to. 

 However, as the Chief Justice is in this borough, I will consult him upon 

 it, and let you know his opinion bv the next opportunity. 

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