1775.] HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. 283 



hereby appointed a Committee to essay a draufrht of a petition 

 to present to the General Assembly of this Province, with regard 

 to the manumission of slaves — especially relatinfj to the freedom 

 of infants hereafter born of black women within this Colony — and 

 do make repoH of the same to this Committee at its next 

 meetini;." 



On motion, '' ordered, that each member in this Committee, 

 will use his utmost dilif];ence in collecting the several sums of 

 money subscribed for the use of Boston, and pay the same into 

 the hands of Anthony Wayne, Esq., Treasurer, at the next meet- 

 ing of the Committee." 



The Committee then adjourned, to meet at the house of David 

 Cowpland, in the borough of Chester, on Wednesday, the 31st 

 of May next. 



The following extract from their proceedings shows that the 

 Committee met at an earlier day than that to which they ad- 

 journed. 



'' In Committee, Chester, May 22, 1775. 



" Whereas it appears very necessary, in order to avert the evils 

 and calamities which threaten our devoted country, to embody 

 ourselves and make all the military preparation in our power; 

 and it appears absolutely impossible to carry this laudable design 

 into execution, without observing the greatest order, harmony 

 and concord, not only under the laws of civil government, but 

 also while under arms and in actual duty, — we therefore unani- 

 mously recommend the following Association, to be entered into 

 by the good people of this County: — 



" AVe, the Subscribers do most solemnly resolve, promise and 

 engage, under the sacred ties of honor, virtue, and love to our 

 country, that we will use our utmost endeavours to learn the 

 military exercise and promote harmony and unanimity in our 

 respective companies; that we will strictly adhere to the rules of 

 decency, during duty; that we will pay a due regard to our 

 officers ; that we will, when called upon, support with our utmost 

 abilities the civil magistrate in the execution of the laws for the 

 good of our country, and that we will at all times be in readiness 

 to defend the lives, liberties, and properties of ourselves and 

 fellow countrymen against all attempts to deprive us of them. 

 "Extract from the minutes. 



'' By order of the Committee, 



" Francis Johnston, Sec'y." 



The following is the next call for a meeting of the Commit- 

 tee : — 



