Action Concerning Certain Disaffected Associators in a Berks County Battalion. WHEREAS, THIS COUNCIL IS INFORMED that many of the principal Associators of Col. Hunter's Battalion of Berks County, refuse to march, to join General Washington's army at this Important Crisis, when so glorious an opportunity offers of Crushing the enemy, and thereby have prevented and discouraged the rest, and proceeded even to dare to enforce the resolves of this Council upon them; therefore, Resolved, That Colonel Hunter be directed forthwith to Collect all the well affected in his Battalion, and to seize upon the ringleaders in this defection, and send them under guard to Philadelphia, and that he do execute the Resolve; the resolve of this Council of the sev enth of December last, upon all who refuse to march without favour or affection, and that they do Collect Blankets and other necessaries for the use of those who are to march, paying a reasonable price for the same; and should any person refuse to deliver such necessaries as they can spare, the Colonel is directed to take and pay for the same. Those that turn out are to march the most direct road to Head Quarters. January 18, 1777. Authority for the Possession and Care of the Arms of Sick and Deceased Soldiers. R ESOLVED, THAT THE COMMITTEE FOR TAKing care of the Sick Soldiers who have arrived in this City be, and they are hereby authorized and fully empowered to take into their Possession all the Arms of the aforesaid sick, also all the Arms of those who have died in this City; all persons who shall be found secreting any Arms of the Soldiers aforesaid, or of those who have died in their Houses, will be severely dealt with by this Board. January 22, 1777. Concerning Deserters from the Militia of the State. WH WHEREAS SEVERAL OF THE MILITIA, AFTER receiving advance Pay, and drawing Rations, have basely deserted their Officers, and returned home, without rendering their Country the least Service, but on the Contrary, their ill example will probably produce the most fatal consequences in the Army, unless such delinquents are speedily punished; Therefore, Resolved, That the six weeks for which the militia of the State are now called forth to serve in defence of their Country, are to Commence at and shall be accountable from the time they arrive at Head Quarters; And that such of the Militia as leave their Officers before their time of service is expired, unless they are regularly discharged, shall be advertised as Deserters, and carried back to the army, there to remain until properly discharged by the Commanding Officer, and this Board will defray all reasonable expences that may attend securing such Deserters. January 24th, 1777. Chapter VI. THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH, 1776. THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COMMONwealth of Pennsylvania, as established by the general convention elected for that purpose, and held at Philadelphia, July 15, 1776, and continued by adjourn ment, to September 28, 1776. WH HEREAS ALL GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO BE instituted and supported for the security and protection of the community as such, and to enable the individuals who compose it, to enjoy their natural rights, and the other blessings which the author of existence has bestowed upon man; and whenever these great ends of government are not obtained, the people have a right by common consent to change it, and take such measures as to them may appear necessary, to promote their safety and happiness. And whereas the inhabitants of this Commonwealth have, in consideration of protection only, heretofore acknowledged allegiance to the King of Great Britain, and the said king has not only withdrawn that protection, but commenced and still continues to carry on with unabated vengeance, a most cruel and unjust war against them, employing therein not only the troops of Great Britain, but foreign mercenaries, savages aud slaves, for the avowed purpose of reducing them to a total and abject submission to the despotic domination of the British parliament ( 627 ) |