278 HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. [1774. 



of these events as occurred in our midst, or in our immediate 

 vicinity. 



By the passage of the Boston Port Bill, the people became 

 aroused to the necessity of adopting active measures in defence 

 of their liberties. Meetings were held in Philadelphia, from 

 which emanated a circular to the people of the several counties 

 of the Province. This circular was addressed to Francis 

 Richardson, Elisha Price, and Henry Hayes, of Chester County, 

 who immediately issued the following call for a meeting of the 

 people of the county : 



" To the Freeholders and others, inhabitants of the County 

 of Chester, qualified by law to vote for Representatives in 

 General Assembly, 

 " Gentlemen : 



" The large, and very respectable com- 

 mittee for the City and County of Philadelphia, have wrote to 

 us, the subscribers, requesting that a committee might be chosen 

 for this county as soon as possible, to meet the committee from 

 the other Counties of this province, at the city of Philadelphia, 

 on the 15th day of this instant, to deliberate on matters of the 

 greatest weight and importance, not only to us, but to all Ame- 

 rica. And we are now assured, that on the account of the 

 Indian disturbances, his Honour the Governor has found it 

 necessary to call the Assembly to meet, in their legislative 

 capacity, on Monday the 28th of this instant ; and we also find, 

 that it is not only the opinion and request of the said committee 

 for Philadelphia, but also the opinion and desire of a number of 

 respectable persons of this county, coinciding with our own 

 opinions, as lovers of civil and religious liberty, that the com- 

 mittees of the several counties of this province, should meet at 

 Philadelphia, on the said 15th of this instant, in order to assist 

 in framing instructions, and preparing such matters as may be 

 proper to recommend to our representatives, at their meeting the 

 Monday following. 



" We have therefore thought proper on mature deliberation, 

 and by the advice of a number of gentlemen of this county, to 

 appoint Wednesday the 13th instant, at one o'clock in the after- 

 noon, as a proper time for the inhabitants of this county to meet 

 at the Court House in Chester, to choose a number of our best 

 and wisest men as a committee for this county, as shall be judged 

 necessary to meet the other committees, at the time and place 

 above mentioned, for the purpose aforesaid, and for such other 

 purposes, as may then be deemed useful and necessary. And 

 we sincerely hope, that the good people of this county, will give 

 their attendance on that day, and calmly and heartily join with 



