LANCASTER COtJNTr. 421 



eftcroachments upon their rights, no matter from what 

 ■source they anticipated tliem. Action, vigilance and 

 union of efforts, seemed to have been their motto on all 

 occasions of apprehended or real danger. 



A circular was issued at Hanover, now Dauphin 

 county, November 28, 17S2, calling a meeting at JNIan- 

 heim, to take into consideration measures touching their 

 jeoparded liberties, as it was then thought. We give tho 

 circular and proceedings : 



Dear sir: — ^The officers and representatives of the ninth 

 battalion of Lancaster couity militia, upon consu tation, 

 have concluled from the present complexion of the 

 present House of Assembly, tliat the constitution and 

 hberty of the State are at stake in some measure; and 

 sensible of the importance of what has caused us so nuich 

 blood and treasure, we have thought it incu.nbent upon 

 113 to exart ourselves for their preservation, as far as our 

 influence extends, and to warn all who wou'd wish to be 

 free from the dangers that seem to impend, not douSting 

 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 mn'.tiply words, tending 

 to inspire your spirit, for we are of opinion you possess 

 the same, and have been on'-j waiting to know the senti- 

 ments of your fellow friends of Liberty. Let us not 

 then coo!ly and simply suffer any of our riglits to be 

 taken from us by any m^en, especially as our constitu-ion 

 invests us with full power to oppose any such attempt. — 

 Perhaps our fears are g"ou,idless ; but in case of appar- 

 ent danger, which undoubtedly is our present rase, a vviso 

 man will be on hisguird; and therefore let us meet at 

 Manheim, oii the 15th day of Januiry next, in order that 

 we may mutUAlly contrive such measures as may have a 



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