enable them to advance something to such of their people as stood in need of it; and beg leave to submit to the Convention, whether money should not be immediately lodged here in proper hands, to be paid by discretion of the Committee to the officers that march with the Militia, for the use of their men, most of whom require some little necessaries, and many of them have families with whom they would choose to leave a few shillings. We should be happy to have it in our power to supply these or any other necessaries to our Militia as they march. Their applications are to us; and they expect here to be equipped and assisted, and it gives us pain to see their disappointment.

Our tin-workers say there is no tin to be had in Philadelphia. Should there be any in the publick magazines to spare, we should keep our tinmen employed in making kettles and canteens for the troops. We shall use our best endeavours to keep our gunsmiths busy, and do everything in our power to execute the orders of the Convention, and promote the general interest; and are, sir, your most obedient humble servants.

By order of the Committee:

W. ATLEE, Chairman.

To the Honourable Benjamin Franklin, Esq., President of the Convention of Pennsylvania.

WILLIAM ATLEE TO THE BOARD OF WAR.

In Committee, Lancaster, July 23, 1776.

SIR: Captain Sterling arrived here on the 21st instant, and delivered us your letter of the 16th, mentioning his being appointed to conduct a number of prisoners to this town. The prisoners arrived here with him; and as our barracks were full, we have been under the necessity of taking a house for their accommodation till some additional buildings are made at the barracks; to do which we hourly expect orders from the Committee of Safety, Convention, or Congress.

Captain William Goodwin, of the Artillery, before he left this place to proceed with Captain Sterling for Fredericktown, assured the Committee in writing, under his hand, that, upon his arrival at Fredericktown, he would sign the parole directed by Congress. We therefore permitted John Brown, one of the prisoners sent to our care, to attend him, with directions to have him sent back under the care of Captain Sterling, if Captain Goodwin, upon his arrival at Frederick, should refuse to sign his parole, and engage for the good behaviour and appearance of his servant.

As Captain Gamble experienced the like indulgence at Philadelphia, and had his servant from among the prisoners, upon his signing the parole and engaging for him, and as Captain Sterling assured us the Congress would have permitted all the prisoners to have had their servants had they not absolutely refused signing the parole, we ventured to favour the application of a gentleman who was represented to us by Captain Sterling as a worthy good man, with a family in a distressed situation.

We are, sir, your very humble servants.

By order of the Committee:

WILLIAM ATLEE, Chairman.

To Richard Peters, Esq., Secretary of the Board of War, Philadelphia.

PETITION OF JONATHAN HOLAND AND OTHERS.

Earl Township, Lancaster County, July 23, 1776.

Whereas the Committee of Safety, Philadelphia, July 15, 1776, making a recital in the Gazette, No. 2,482, that the Assembly of this Province did, in a former session, resolve, that if any Associator called into actual service should leave a family not of ability to maintain themselves in his absence, the Overseers of the Poor, with the concurrence of one Justice of the Peace of the City or County where such Associator did reside, shall immediately make provision by way of out-pension for the maintenance of such family; and said Committee considering that the funds of said Overseers will prove greatly insufficient whenever a considerable number of Associators are drawn into actual service, the said Committee have resolved, that out of the funds of which they have the disposition, they will make such provision as they shall think necessary to answer the said purposes, and that it is recommended by said Committee to the Committees of Inspection and Observation for the City of Philadelphia, and he several Counties in the Province, to nominate and appoint a proper number of judicious persons residing in said City and Counties, respectively, to distribute to such distressed families the allowance they shall think reasonable.

Whereas we the petitioners, in behalf of ourselves, in this time of emergency, do make our address to you, gentlemen, who are the Committee of Inspection and Observation for the County of Lancaster, as we are to set out under Colonel Peter Grub in a few days for the Flying-Camp now in the Jerseys, and finding that several families belonging to such Associators as are obliged to march away will in a short time be in a suffering condition, in consideration whereof we the petitioners, request, gentlemen, you would nominate such persons as you may think proper to take the charge of such as may be found not of ability to maintain themselves in our district.

Gentlemen, if it might not be thought impertinent in your petitioners to mention a person for the above purpose, we would be satisfied you would nominate Gabriel Davis, as he is a person we confide in to give us satisfaction in our absence; and your petitioners are in duty bound to pray.

JONATHAN ROLAND,

GEORGE LIGHTNER,

VALENTINE BAUER,

AMOS SCHNEIDER,

PETER BAKER,

HENRY PETTERS,

PETER SCHÆFFER,

HENRY MARKLE,

JOHN LIGHTNER,

MICHAEL BRCBAKER,

VALENTINE REINTZER.

CAPTAIN CREGIER TO THOMAS RANDALL.

Cranberry Inlet, July 23, 1776.

SIR: I received your favour about four weeks since, by the hands of Dr. Boyd, wherein I found you advised me to join Captain Rogers; but understanding Rogers was gone to the Sound in order to refit; and what more induced me to keep to the southward was my having expectation of meeting with some of the fleet, which I much expected this way, but have been deprived of that satisfaction. There appeared six sail one day, and seven sail the other day; but they were all large ships under strong convoys, so there was no doing anything with them, and every day frigates cruising along this coast. Three days ago fell in with a ship and sloop tender about ten guns, the frigate being about a mile and a half from the sloop, and was determined to give the sloop battle, but could not bring her to battle. I have been assisting in bringing into this and Egg-Harbour Inlet, two prizes taken from the West-Indies by two different privateers. One of those prizes I had much trouble with, and in short was three days at work getting the other into port, who lay aground on the bar of Egg-Harbour, a ship of three hundred tons, laden with sugar, rum, and molasses, bound to Bristol.

I am too well informed that your city is invaded by pirates and ruffians, whom I hope in God to hear a good account of, and that very shortly.

My provisions grow short, and in a little time shall want a new supply, unless I fall in with some of the enemy's store vessels; but as for that I cannot promise myself, but will discharge my duty in the search of them; and as for being supplied by the way of Long-Island, I believe there is no prospect; as I do imagine the troops intend landing on the said Island. My bread is but very indifferent, and does not keep good; although it is aired every fortnight, yet it moulds very fast, and believe it never was made of sound flour. You know I laid in only four months' provisions, and you may judge how long what remains will serve me.

My people begin to want many articles, and I would be glad if you will send me some cash, that I may furnish them with a little. I have advanced of my own cash to the officers and men £39. The custom out of Philadelphia is to advance half of their wages monthly, and beg you will send me whatever you think proper, and charge the same to me.

I beg your advice in every respect; and any instructions given me I shall gladly comply with. Myself, officers, and men, are willing at any time to march to your assistance, on the shortest notice; and I am willing to sacrifice both life