“That the Officers of each Company be chosen by the respective Companies.

“That each Soldier be furnished with a good Musket, that will carry an ounce ball, with a Bayonet, Steel Ramrod, Worm, Priming Wire, and Brush, fitted thereto, a cutting Sword or Tomahawk, a Cartridge-Box that will contain twenty-three rounds of Cartridges, twelve Flints, and a Knapsack.

“That the Companies be formed into Regiments or Battalions, officered with a Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, two Majors, an Adjutant or Quartermaster.

“That all Officers above the rank of a Captain be appointed by their respective Provincial Assemblies or Conventions, or, in their recess, by the Committees of Safety appointed by said Assemblies or Conventions.

“That all Officers be commissioned by the Provincial Assemblies or Conventions, or, in their recess, by the Committees of Safety appointed by said Assemblies or Conventions.

“That all the Militia take proper care to acquire military skill, and be well prepared for defence, by being each man provided with one pound of good Gunpowder, and four pounds of Ball, fitted to his Gun.

“That one-fourth part of the Militia in every Colony be selected for Minute-Men, of such persons as are willing to enter into this necessary service, formed into Companies and Battalions, and their Officers chosen and commissioned as aforesaid, to be ready at the shortest notice to march to any place where their assistance may be required for the defence of their own or a neighbouring Colony; and as these Minute-Men may eventually be called to action before the whole body of the Militia are sufficiently trained, it is recommended, that a more particular and diligent attention be paid to their instruction in military discipline.

“That such of the Minute-Men as desire it be relieved by new draughts, as aforesaid, from the whole body of the Militia, once in four months.

“As there are some people who, from religious principles, cannot bear arms in any case, this Congress intend no violences to their consciences, but earnestly recommend it to them to contribute liberally to the relief of their distressed brethren in the several Colonies, and to do all other services to their oppressed Country which they can consistently with their religious principles.

“That it be recommended to the Assemblies or Conventions of the respective Colonies to provide, as soon as possible, sufficient stores of Ammunition for their Colonies. Also, that they devise proper means for furnishing with Arms such effective men as are poor and unable to furnish themselves.

“That it be recommended to each Colony to appoint a Committee of Safety to superintend and direct all matters necessary for the security and defence of their respective Colonies, in the recess of their Assemblies and Conventions.

“That each Colony, at their own expense, make such provision, by Armed Vessels or otherwise, as their respective Assemblies, Conventions, or Committees of Safety, shall judge expedient and suitable to their circumstances and situations, for the protection of their Harbours and Navigation on their Sea-Coasts against all unlawful invasions, attacks, and depredations, from Cutters and Ships of War.

“That it be recommended to the makers of Arms for the use of the Militia, that they make good substantial Muskets, with barrels three feet and a half in length, that will carry an ounce ball, and fitted with a good Bayonet and Steel Ramrod; and that the making such Arms be encouraged in these United Colonies.

“Where any Colony Militia is already formed, under regulations approved of by the Convention of such Colony, or by such Assemblies as are annually elective, we refer to the direction of such Convention or Assembly, either to adopt the foregoing Regulations, in whole or in part, or to continue their former, as they, on consideration of all circumstances, shall think best.

“CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.”

And in order that all persons, in every rank, degree, and station, may be truly informed of the premises, and none hereafter plead ignorance, this Board do earnestly recommend to all Committees of Inspection and Observation in this Province, to cause this publication to be dispersed, read, and explained, within their respective Districts, in such manner that every person, capable of associating for mutual defence, may be made sensible it is the duty they owe to themselves and Country to do it without further loss of time.

And as it is necessary that this Board be speedily informed of the number of Associators in the several Counties or Districts, the said Committees are requested to make Returns, as soon as possible—first, of the several Battalions already formed; secondly, of the several new Associators not yet formed into Battalions; thirdly, of all such persons, from sixteen to fifty, their names and places of abode, as may refuse to associate, not having any conscientious objections, if any such there be; and lastly, of the number of men, in their respective Districts, who conscientiously decline bearing arms, with their names and places of abode.

The several Committees of Inspection and Observation having been desired to make Returns to this Board, as soon as conveniently could be, of the several Battalions of Associators already formed in their Districts, are now informed, that it will be necessary to mention in said Returns the rank of every Battalion of a County in regard to others in the same County. And to prevent uncertainly among the Officers of the General Association, respecting rank or command, and to ascertain the same with precision, this Committee, in forming the following Plan, (which they purpose to observe strictly in granting Commissions, and which they recommend to the general acquiescence of all the Associators,) have had a regard to the seniority or priority of establishment of the several Counties, viz:

1. All Officers already chosen or appointed in the City and District of Philadelphia to take rank or precedence of all other Officers of equal dignity chosen or appointed in any other part of the Province.

2. All Officers chosen or appointed in Philadelphia County to take rank of all Officers of equal dignity chosen or appointed in any other County.

3. All Officers already chosen and appointed in Bucks County to take rank of all Officers of equal dignity chosen or appointed in any other than the City and District and County of Philadelphia.

4. All Officers already chosen and appointed In Chester County to take rank of all Officers of equal dignity chosen or appointed in any other than Bucks, Philadelphia County, and Philadelphia City and Districts.

5. All Officers already chosen and appointed in Lancaster to take rank of all Officers of equal dignity chosen or appointed in any other than Chester, Bucks, and Philadelphia County, and Philadelphia City and Districts.

6. All Officers already chosen and appointed in York County to take rank before Officers of equal dignity in any other than Lancaster, Chester, Bucks, and Philadelphia, Counties, and Philadelphia City and Districts.

7. All Officers already chosen and appointed in Cumberland County to rank before Officers of equal dignity in the junior Counties of Berks, Northampton, Bedford, Northumberland, and Westmoreland.

8. All Officers already chosen or appointed in Berks County to rank before Officers of equal dignity in the Counties of Northampton, Bedford, Northumberland, and Westmoreland.

9. All Officers already chosen or appointed in Northampton County to rank before Officers of equal dignity in Bedford, Northumberland, and Westmoreland Counties.

10. All Officers already chosen or appointed in Bedford County to rank before Officers of equal dignity in Northumberland and Westmoreland Counties.

11. All Officers already chosen or appointed in Northumberland County to rank before Officers of equal dignity in Westmoreland County.

12. All Officers already chosen or appointed in Westmoreland, the youngest or last made County in this Province, yield up rank or precedence to all Officers of equal dignity already chosen or appointed in every other County in this Province.

13. Where Commissions of equal dignity in different Counties bear the same date, precedency to be determined by seniority of Counties; but where they are in the same County, by the rank of the Battalion.