The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-03-12 00:00:00, page 1

The PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST-
In C ON GRES S, March 9, 1776.
RESOLVED, That no oath, by way of test,
be imposed upon, exacted or required of
^. any of the inhabitants of these Colonies,
by any military officer.
Extract from the minutes.
Published by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
EXTRACTS from the VOTES.
TUESDAY, February 27, 1776. A.M.
MR. Speaker laid before the Hcufe a letter from Benja
min Franklin, Esq; which was read by order, and is
as follows, viz.
“ Sir, February 26, 1776.
'' I am extremely sensible of the honor none me by my
fellow citizens, in choosing me their Representative in
Assembly, and of that lately conferred on me by the House,
in appointing me one of the Committee of Safety for this
province, and a Delegate to the Congress. It would be a
happiness to me if I could serve the public duly in all those
Rations ; but, aged as I now am, 1 feel myfelf unequal to
so much business, and on that account think it my duty to
decline a part of it. I hope, therefore, that the Houle will
be so good as to accept my excuse for not attending as a mem
ber of the present Assembly, and, if they think fit, give
orders for the election of another in my place, that the city
may be more completely represented.
“ I request also that the House would be pleased to dif
pence with my farther attendance as one of the Committee of
Safety.
“ With the greatest and most sincere refped to yourfelf
and the House, I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient and humble servant,
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN."
To the Hon. John Morton, Esq;
Upon consideration of the foregoing letter,
Resolved, That the feat of the said member in this House
be vacated accordingly, and that the Speaker do issue his
order to the Provincial Secretary for the election of another
fit person in the room of the member who has resigned.
The House proceeded in the consideration of the memorials
and . petitions from the officers and privates of the Military
Association, and after farther debate,
Ordered, That Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Gray, Mr. Reed,
Mr. Rodman, Mr. Brown, Mr. Pearson, Mr. Humphreys,
Mr. Slough, Mr. Ross, Mr. Eewing, Mr. Montgome
ry, Mr. Chreift, Mr. Kachlein, Mr. Dougherty and Mr.
Hunter, be a Committee to revise the rules and regulations
formed by this House for the better government of the Mili
tary Aflociation, together with the resolutions directing the
mode of levying taxes on Nonaffociators, to report such alte
rations and additions thereto as shall appear necessary; also
to feled from the petitions of the Associators, lately present-
Vol. ll.]
Price only Iwo Cobbers. Published every Tuesday, Pburfday, and Saturday Evenings.
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1776.
127
November 4th.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Assem
blies or Conventions of the Colonies respectively, to set and
keep their gunsmiths at work to manufacture good firelocks,
with bayonets ; each firelock to be made with a good bridle
lock, three quarters of an inch bore, and of good substance
at the breech.—The barrel to be three feet eight inches in
length. The bayonet to be eighteen inches in the blade, wire
a Reel ramrod, the upper end thereof to be trumpet-mouthed;
that the price to be given be fixed by the Assembly, or Con
vention, or Committee of Safety of each Colony ; and that,
until a fufficient quantity of good arms can be manufactured,
they import as many as are wanted by all the means in their
power.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Legisla
tures, Assemblies or Conventions of the Colonies, to enact a
law or pass an ordinance, inflicting the following punifhraents
upon such as harbour deserters knowing them to be such, viz.
A fine upon all such offenders not less than thirty, nor more
than fifty dollars, and in case of inability to pay the fine, to
be punished with whipping, not less than thirty-nine ladies for
each offence. Also that they impower the Commander in
Chief, or the officer commanding a detachment, or any out
post, to administer an oath, and swear any person or persons
to the truth of any information or intelligence, or any other
matter relative to the public service.
November 25.
Resolved, That all such Rips of war, frigates, sloops,
cutters and armed vessels, as are or shall be employed in the
present cruel and unjust war against the United Colonies, and
shall fall into the hands of, or be taken by, the inhabitants
thereof, be seized and forfeited to and for the purposes herein
after-mentioned.
That all transport vessels in the fame service, having on
board any troops, arms, ammunition, clothing, provisions,
or military or naval flores, of what kind soever, and all ves
sels, to whomsoever belonging, that shall be employed in
carrying provisions or other necessaries to the Britoh army,
or armies, Or navy, that now are or shall hereafter be within
any of the United Colonies or any goods, wares or merchan
dize for the use of such fleet or army, shall be liable to sei
zure, and with their cargoes shall be confifcated.
That no matter or commander of any vessel shall be inti-
ed such parts as point out defe&s and propose amendments
to the said rules and regulations, and lay them before the
House, in one view, for the more easy consideration thereof.
Thursday, February 29, 1776. The resolutions of
Congress, laid before the House the twenty-second inst. were
again read by order, and are as follow, viz.
In CONGRESS, October 26, 1775.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Provincial
Assemblies, Conventions, or Councils or Committees of Safety
of the United Colonies to export to the foreign Weft-Indies on
account and rift of their refpeftive Colonies as much provision
or other produce, except horned cattle, sheep, hogs and poul
try, as they may deem necessary for the importation of arms,
ammunition, and faltpetre.
[Num. 178.