LANCASTER COUNTY. 401 



of those arms, requested some of their members to exam- 

 ine and send them down, intending an appUcation to the 

 Assembly to have them repaired at tlie 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 beforehand 

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

 and seventy of the best of them (for which Mr. Carson 

 lias 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 

 repairing. 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. Tliese persons have been at a considerable expense 

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

 are deprived of them, are not able to purchase others.—* 

 There area 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 circum- 

 stances would greatly damp their martial spirit. 



We conceive it our duty to mention these things to the 

 committee of safety. If that honorable Board, neverthe- 

 less, shall be of opinion that sucli firelocks will be of use 

 and v^ill direct in what maimer the people who havo 



34* 



