296 AUTHENTIC HISTORY 



said prisoners, to take possession of tlie said stores with all mercliandize 

 therein contained, and report to this Board ; placing a sufficient guard to 

 secure the same until further orders from this Board. And if any goods 

 wares, and merchandize, other than made up uniforms, shall hereafter be 

 brought into the said borough or county, under the pretence aforesaid^ 

 to seize and secure the same in like manner and report to this Board. 



Ordered^ That all Judges, Justices, Sherifts, and other peace officers of 

 the State, be required to arrest all persons found hawking or peddling 

 contrary to law, and more especially all British prisoners, whether 

 natives of that country or foreigners ; and the wives or agents of such 

 British prisoners who shall be found selling or offering to sell or barter 

 any goods, wares, or merchandizes, of any kind, under any pretence 

 whatsoever, in order that they may be dealt with according to law." 



The subjoined documents speak well for the intelligent patriotism of 

 the citizens of Lancaster County. The first is a circular of this tenor; 



Dear Sir: The officers and representatives of the ninth battalion of 

 Lancaster county Militia, upon consultation have concluded, from the 

 complexion of the present House of Assembly, that the Constitution and 

 Liberty of the State are at stake in some measure; and sensible of the 

 importance of what has cost us so much blood and treasure, we have 

 thought it incumbent upon us to exert ourselves for their preservation 

 as far as our influence extends, and to warn all who would wish to be free 

 from the dangers that seem to impend, not doubting at the same time, 

 but you are ready to take the alarm, as you must be sensible of the same 

 danger. We do not think it necessary to multiply words, tending to 

 inspire your spirit, for we are of opinion that you possess the same, and 

 have been only waiting to know the sentiments of your fellow friends to 

 Liberty. Let us not then coolly and simply suffer any of our rights to 

 be taken from us by any men, especially as our Constitution invests us 

 with full power to oppose any such attempt. Perhaps our fears are 

 groundless; but in case of apparent danger, which undoubtedly is our 

 present case, a wise man will be on his guard ; and therefore let such a 

 number of persons as you will please to appoint meet us at Manheim, on 

 the 15th day of January next, in order that we may mutually contrive 

 such measures as may have a tendency to preserve our good and ines- 

 timable Constitution and our dear Independence and sweet Liberty. Be 

 active and do not tail to fulhl our request. 



By order of the whole. John Eodgers, Colonel. 



Hanover, November 28th, 1782. 

 To tlie Colonels of the Lancaster County Militia. 

 MILITIA MEETING. 



Present — Colonel Thomas Edwards. 



Colonel Ziegler, Colonel Lowry. 



