Liberties of Philadelphia was presented to the House and read, setting forth “that the late honourable House of Assembly having thought proper to emit thirty-five thousand Pounds for publick use, the same was generally received by the inhabitants of this Province in payment, and met with the usual currency; but that the Committee are now greatly concerned to find that some persons, not sufficiently attending to the importance of preserving publick credit at this critical juncture, scruple receiving the bills of the above emission, by which means there is the utmost reason to fear a depreciation, and consequently the publick interest materially injured; that, in particular, the persons referred to in the annexed papers have refused receiving the bills of credit of this Province of the above emission; that the Committee, not doubting the zeal and attachment of the House to the great and important concerns of this Province, beg leave to solicit their attention to this matter, and pray that they will take such steps as they may judge will have the best tendency to remedy and prevent this evil.”

Ordered to lie on the table.

The House resumed the consideration of the Resolutions directing the mode of levying Taxes on Non-Associators in this Province; and, having made some progress therein, adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow morning.

Thursday, November 23, 1775.

The House met pursuant to adjournment.

Mr. Speaker laid before the House a Letter from Samuel Hunter, Esq., and others, of the County of Northumberland, dated Sunbury, the 20th inst., acquainting the House that two of the Magistrates and the Sheriff of the said County had lately had an interview with Zebulon Butler, and some others of the principal men among the Connecticut settlers at Wyoming, had read the late Resolves of this Assembly to them, and inquired whether they would peaceably submit themselves to the laws of Pennsylvania; to which they answered, they despised the laws of that Province, and never would submit to them unless compelled by force; and that if the Government of the said Province thought it advisable to use such means with them, they should be ready to meet them at any hour they pleased; that the said Magistrates and Sheriff having received a great deal of threatening and abusive language from the common people, returned home by another way, apprehending that if they came back the same road they had gone up, it must be with great risk to their lives.

Ordered to lie on the table.

The House proceeded in the consideration of the Resolutions directing the mode of levying Taxes on Non-Associators in this Province; and, after some time spent therein, adjourned to three o’clock, P. M.

The House resumed the consideration of the Resolutions directing the mode of levying Taxes on Non-Associators in this Province; and, after a debate of considerable length, adjourned to nine o’clock, to-morrow morning.

Friday, November 24, 1775.

The House met pursuant to adjournment.

The Sergeant-at-Arms producing to the House an Account of four Pounds, seventeen Shillings, and six Pence, for giving notice to certain absent Members to attend the publick service,

Ordered, That the same be paid by the Clerk, out of the money in his hands.

The House having taken into consideration the representation from the Committee of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, respecting the refusal of some persons to receive the Bills of Credit lately issued in this Province,

Resolved, That any person refusing to receive in payment any of the Bills of Credit emitted by the Resolutions of the late or present House of Assembly, thereby endeavours to injure the currency of the said Bills; and as such conduct has a manifest tendency to obstruct the publick measures for defending the freedom and promoting the welfare and safety of this Country, such person ought therefore to be deemed inimical to the liberties of America.

The House again took up the Resolutions directing the mode of levying Taxes on Non-Associators in this Province; and having made further progress in the consideration thereof, adjourned to three o’clock, in the afternoon.

Upon motion, Ordered, That Mr. Parker, Mr. Rodman, Mr. Pearson, and Mr. Jacobs, with the Speaker, be a Committee to examine and adjust the Accounts of the several Battalions of Associators in this Province, and that they have power to draw orders for payment of the same upon Michael Hillegas, Esq., which he is required to pay out of the Eighty Thousand Pounds ordered to be struck and emitted by the Resolutions of this House.

Resolved, That the said Committee be directed to make particular inquiry concerning the contributions made by the people called Menonists, Omish Menonists, and Sunday Baptists, in Lancaster County, in pursuance of the recommendations of the late House of Assembly on the thirtieth of June last, and report to this House, at their next meeting, how much of the said contributions has been paid for the use of any, and what Battalion or Company of Associators in that County; and the said Committee are also directed not to draw any order in favour of such Battalion or Company, until they receive further directions from this House.

The House resumed the consideration of the Petition and Account from Benjamin Loxley, and referred the same to the Committee appointed to settle the Accounts of the Battalions in this Province, who are directed to draw an order on Michael Hillegas, Esquire, for payment of the balance they shall find due on the said Account.

Upon motion, Resolved, That Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Hillegas, and Mr. Morris, with the Speaker, be a Committee to revise and correct the Minutes of this House before they are printed.

Upon motion, the Petition from Christopher Tully was again read; and, after some debate,

Ordered, That Mr. Gray, Mr. Parker, and Mr. Miles, be a Committee to inquire whether the said Tully first introduced the machine he describes into this Province, and whether it is likely to be of any, and what service to the publick.

The House resumed the consideration of the Letter from Thomas Mifflin, Esq., requesting that his election to a seat in this House may be considered as void.

Resolved, That the seat of the said Member be vacated accordingly, and that the Speaker do issue his order for a new election before the next meeting of this House.

The House resumed the consideration of the Resolutions directing the mode of levying Taxes on Non-Associators in this Province; which, being gone through, were ordered to be transcribed.

The House adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow morning.

Saturday, November 25, 1775.

The House met pursuant to adjournment; and taking into consideration the Letter from Northumberland County, respecting the Connecticut settlers at Wyoming,

Ordered, That Mr. Potts and Mr. Brown wait on the Governour with the said Letter, and request he will be pleased to give orders for a due execution of the laws of this Province in the Counties of Northumberland and Northampton.

Ordered, That the said Members acquaint his Honour the House have agreed to adjourn to Monday, the 12th of February next, if he has no objection thereto.

Upon consideration of the motion of the 23d instant,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Commissioners of the County of Philadelphia to finish the new Jail as speedily as may be, and that the Prisoners be removed thither without loss of time.

Upon motion, Resolved, That Mr. Slough and Mr. Webb be requested to have such repairs made at the Lancaster Barracks as appear to be immediately necessary, and lay an account of the expense before the House.

The Members appointed to wait on the Governour with the Northumberland Letter and the verbal messages of the House, reported they had delivered the same according to order, and that his Honour was pleased to say he had no objection to the adjournment proposed by the House.