per annum. The great advantage given to the Non-Associator in point of interest, would entirely defeat the Association, if the people in general were not actuated by a patnotick spirit. We pray the honourable House particularly to attend to this objection.

“If the number of times of exercise was increased in the manner before-mentioned, and the Non-Associators to pay in proportion to the number of such times of exercise, and the Associators allowed one Shilling for every day that they exercise, to find them in provisions, the inequality between Associators and Non-Associators would be greatly reduced.

“11th Article. We think the Field-Officers of the several Battalions more proper and impartial judges to determine appeals, or discharge or lower assessments of Non-Associators, than the Commissioners, many of whom are themselves Non-Associators, particularly in this County.

“We think, as the fines for not associating are fixed at a certain sum by the Assembly, they should not be lowered or discharged by the Commissioners, or any other person, except for such reasons as are mentioned in the preceding article, viz: Death of the Non-Associator, or the dissolution of the Association; as no fines can accrue after either of those times; but we are of opinion, that to lodge so large a power in the Commissioners as to discharge or lower assessments as they shall think proper, will tend to defeat the Association entirely.

“We beg leave further to represent to this honourable House, that there are a great many persons able and willing to assist in the defence of the Province, but cannot afford to buy arms and accoutrements; or if they could afford it, the publick demand for them is so great, that they cannot be procured by a Militia; others there are who have arms, but are unwilling to associate. The time is now fast approaching, when a large Army is expected to invade the Province, and it will be necessary to strain every nerve in our defence. To have at such a time a large number of able-bodied men useless for want of arms, which may easily be procured, would, in our humble opinions, be extreme bad policy. We, therefore, pray the House to direct, that all Non-Associators shall, within a small space of time, deliver up their arms to the nearest Captains of the townships or places in which they reside, who should appoint proper persons to value them, and give the respective owners certificates of such receipt and valuation; and, in case of a loss, the Province refund their value; these arms to be distributed by the commanding officers of the several Battalions in the same manner as the Provincial arms are distributed.

“That the several matters and things before-mentioned may be fully considered, and redress granted in the premises by the honourable House, is the humble prayer of your Petitioners.

“MARK BIRD,
“DANIEL BROABHEAD,
“BALSAR GEEHR,
“JONATHAN POTTS.”

“In Committee, February 17, 1776.

“The foregoing Petition being deliberately read and considered,

“Ordered, That the same be signed by the Chairman in behalf of this Committee.

“MARK BIRD, Chairman.”

Ordered to lie on the table.

A Petition from the Magistrates, Sheriff, and Coroner of the County of Northumberland, was presented to the House and read, setting forth, That the Petitioners, in pursuance of the express orders of his Honour the Governour, (founded on a Message from this honourable House, requesting orders to be given for a due execution of the laws of this Province, in the County of Northumberland, &c.,) assembled the posse of this County, in order to serve processes upon, apprehend, and bring to justice, a number of notorious offenders, who, for some years past, have, with open force, bid defiance to the laws of this Province; that the posse aforesaid proceeded into the neighbourhood of Wyoming, were unexpectedly fired upon, and had one man killed and several wounded; that the Petitioners soon discovering that the obnoxious persons were intrenched, and that they could not force a passage along the accustomed road without great loss, attempted to cross the river, were again fired upon, and had one man mortally wounded; that the great severity of the weather, and other concurrent circumstances, determined the Petitioners to return home; that the Petitioners are sorry to inform the House that, notwithstanding their utmost care and frugality, a very considerable expense is incurred by this unfortunate attempt; that they hope, however, their endeavours to support the laws of the Province will meet with the approbation of the House, whose protection they implore, and humbly pray that some proper and effectual means may be used to secure them in the peaceable enjoyment of their property, and a due execution of the laws; or, if force only must decide the controversy, (which seems to be the wish of their adversaries,) the Petitioners beseech the House that they may not be left single and unsupported, to contend with a whole Colony.

Ordered to lie on the table.

Post Meridian.

The Bill intituled “An Act to enable the Keepers of Records in the Counties of Philadelphia and Chester to remove them to more safe and convenient places,” being transcribed according to order, was read the third time, and compared at the table.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass.

Ordered, That Mr. Roberts and Mr. Humphreys wait on the Governour therewith, for his assent to the same.

A Petition from the Committee of Privates of the Military Association of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, was presented to the House, and follows in these words, viz:

“To the Honourable the Representatives of the Freemen of the Province of PENNSYLVANIA, in General Assembly met.

“The Petition of the Privates of the Military Association of the City and Liberties of PHILADELPHIA, humbly showeth:

“That your Petitioners, having the greatest confidence in the equity and justice of this honourable House, have signed the Articles of Association framed the last session, notwithstanding the many difficulties to which they are thereby subjected; and the strong inducements to them to become Non-Associators, by the easy terms of exemption, being firmly persuaded that, on a reconsideration, this honourable House will remove every reasonable cause of complaint, and hear with favourable attention what your Petitioners, with the greatest deference and respect, beg leave to point out as necessary to quiet the minds of the Associators, and excite them to act with cheerfulness and vigour in the service to which they may be called. When the importance and necessity of defending our country against the ravages of a cruel and desolating enemy are so obvious, no arguments can be necessary to show it to be the duty of every good citizen to bear an equitable and proportional part of the publick burden; and surely no terms of exemption, affecting property merely, can be deemed equal to the risks and dangers to which they expose themselves, who are under the most solemn engagements of honour and duty, to lay down their lives, if necessary, in defence of their country. But your Petitioners would more especially solicit the attention of this honourable House to the following particulars, in which they humbly apprehend the resolutions of the House to be defective:

“First. That no regard has been shown to the great and otherwise useless expense Associators have been at, to equip themselves with arms and other accoutrements, and the long and earnest assiduity with which they have endeavoured to qualify themselves for the duties of the field. They beg leave to observe, that, in levying penalties upon Non-Associators, this honourable House have confined their views to the future only, imposing no more on such persons than what might be esteemed an equivalent to the twenty days which are expected to be employed in the field; though this honourable House, upon the slightest attention to the subject, must, and indeed seem to be sensible, that the time prescribed is not sufficient to acquire a competent knowledge of the art military, as they recommend it to the Associators, not already sufficiently expert, to meet as frequently as they can, at other times, to perfect themselves in the military exercise. Here, then, your Petitioners conceive themselves aggrieved; that, while animated with a fervent regard to liberty and their country, they have acquired a share of military knowledge sufficient, they hope, to encourage them

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