Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 4(a)

                                 CERTIFICATE OF
                               LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                                       FOR
                          ATLAS AMERICA PUBLIC #9 LTD.

<PAGE>

Microfilm Number 200058-1718  Filed with the Department of State on July 31,
2000
                 ----------

Entity Number 2955034           /s/ Kim Pizzingrilli
             --------------  ---------------------------------------------------
                                       Secretary of the Commonwealth

                      CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                            DSCB:15-8511 (Rev 90)

        In compliance with the requirements of 15 Pa.C.S. Section 8511
(relating to certificate of limited partnership), the undersigned desiring to
form a limited partnership, hereby certifies that:

1.  The name of the limited partnership is: ATLAS AMERICA PUBLIC #9 LTD.

2.  The (a) address of this limited partnership's initial registered
    office in this Commonwealth or (b) name of its commercial registered office
    provider and the county of venue is:

    (a) 311 ROUSER ROAD,        MOON TOWNSHIP   PA      15108   ALLEGHENY
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Number and Street       City            State   Zip     County

    (b) c/o
                N/A
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Number of Commercial Registered Office Provider         County

    For a limited partnership represented by a commercial registered office
    provider, the county in (b) shall be deemed the county in which the limited
    partnership is located for venue and official publication purposes.

3.  The name and business address of each general partner of the partnership is:

                NAME                            ADDRESS

    ATLAS RESOURCES, INC.               311 ROUSER ROAD, P.O. BOX 611
                                        MOON TOWNSHIP, PA 15108

4.  (Check, and if appropriate complete, one of the following):

    /X/ The formation of the limited partnership shall be effective upon
        filing this Certificate of Limited Partnership in the Department of
        State.

    / / The formation of the limited partnership shall be effective on:
                   at
        ----------    ----------------
           Date             Hour

        IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the undersigned general partner(s) of the
limited partnership has (have) executed this Certificate of Limited
Partnership this 27th day of July, 2000.
                ------      ------

-----------------------------           ATLAS AMERICA PUBLIC #9 LTD.
         (Signature)                    By:     ATLAS RESOURCES, INC.
                                                Managing General Partner

                                        /s/ Tony C. Banks
-----------------------------           ---------------------------------
         (Signature)                    Tony C. Banks, President and CEO<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10(a)

                                ESCROW AGREEMENT

<PAGE>

                                                                  Exhibit 10(a)

                          ATLAS AMERICA PUBLIC #9 LTD.

                                ESCROW AGREEMENT

       THIS AGREEMENT, made to be effective as of the 18th day of August,
2000, by and between Atlas Resources, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the
"Managing General Partner"), Anthem Securities, Inc., a Pennsylvania
corporation ("Anthem"), Bryan Funding, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation
("Bryan Funding"), collectively Anthem and Bryan Funding are referred to as
the "Dealer-Manager", Atlas America Public #9 Ltd., a Pennsylvania limited
partnership (the "Partnership") and National City Bank of Pennsylvania,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent").

                                   WITNESSETH:

       WHEREAS, the Partnership intends to offer publicly for sale to
qualified investors (the "Investors") up to 1,500 limited partnership
interests in the Partnership (the "Units"); and

       WHEREAS, each Investor will be required to pay his subscription in full
upon subscribing ($10,000 per Unit, however, the Managing General Partner, in
its discretion, may accept one-half Unit [$5,000] subscriptions, with larger
subscriptions permitted in $1,000 increments), by check, draft or money order
except that the broker-dealers and the Managing General Partner, its officers
and directors and Affiliates, may purchase Units net of the Dealer-Manager
fee, the commissions and reimbursement of marketing expenses and bona fide
accountable due diligence expenses set forth below, and registered investment
advisors and their clients may purchase Units subject to the Dealer-Manager
fee but net of the commissions and reimbursement of marketing expenses and
bona fide accountable due diligence expenses set forth below (the
"Subscription Proceeds"); and

       WHEREAS, the Managing General Partner and Anthem have executed an
agreement ("Anthem Dealer-Manager Agreement") pursuant to which Anthem will
solicit subscriptions for Units in all states other than Minnesota and New
Hampshire on a "best efforts" "all or none" basis for $1,000,000 and on a
"best efforts" basis for the remaining Units on behalf of the Managing General
Partner and the Partnership and pursuant to which Anthem has been authorized
to select certain members in good standing of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") to participate in the offering of the Units
("Selling Agents"); and

       WHEREAS, the Managing General Partner and Bryan Funding have executed
an agreement ("Bryan Funding Dealer-Manager Agreement") pursuant to which
Bryan Funding will solicit subscriptions for Units in the states of Minnesota
and New Hampshire on a "best efforts" "all or none" basis for $1,000,000 and
on a "best efforts" basis for the remaining Units on behalf of the Managing
General Partner and the Partnership and pursuant to which Bryan Funding has
been authorized to select certain members in good standing of the NASD to
participate in the offering of the Units ("Selling Agents"); and

       WHEREAS, the Anthem Dealer-Manager Agreement and the Bryan Funding
Dealer-Manager Agreement, collectively referred to as the "Dealer-Manager
Agreement", provide for compensation to the Dealer-Manager which includes, but
is not limited to:

         (i)      a 2.5% Dealer-Manager fee;

         (ii)     a 7.0% sales commission;

         (iii)    a .5% reimbursement of marketing expenses; and

                                       1

<PAGE>

         (iv)     reimbursement of the Selling Agents' bona fide accountable
                  due diligence expenses of .5%

per Unit to participate in the offering of the Units, all or a portion of
which compensation will be reallowed to the Selling Agents and wholesalers; and

       WHEREAS, under the terms of the Dealer-Manager Agreement the
Subscription Proceeds are required to be held in escrow subject to the receipt
and acceptance by the Managing General Partner of the minimum Subscription
Proceeds of $1,000,000, excluding any optional subscription by the Managing
General Partner, its officers, directors and Affiliates; and

       WHEREAS, no subscriptions to the Partnership will be accepted after
receipt of the maximum Subscription Proceeds of $15,000,000 or December 31,
2000, whichever event occurs first (the "Offering Termination Date"); and

       WHEREAS, to facilitate compliance with the terms of the Dealer-Manager
Agreement, the Managing General Partner and the Dealer-Manager desire to have
the Subscription Proceeds deposited with the Escrow Agent and the Escrow Agent
desires to hold the Subscription Proceeds pursuant to the terms and conditions
set forth herein;

       NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions
herein contained, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby
agree as follows:

1.      APPOINTMENT OF ESCROW AGENT. The Managing General Partner, the
        Partnership and the Dealer-Manager hereby appoint Escrow Agent as the
        escrow agent to receive and to hold the Subscription Proceeds deposited
        with Escrow Agent by the Dealer-Manager and the Selling Agents pursuant
        hereto and Escrow Agent hereby agrees to serve in such capacity during
        the term and based upon the provisions hereof.

2.      DEPOSIT OF SUBSCRIPTION PROCEEDS. Pending receipt of the minimum
        Subscription Proceeds of $1,000,000, the Dealer-Manager shall deposit
        the Subscription Proceeds of each Investor with the Escrow Agent and
        shall deliver to the Escrow Agent a copy of the Subscription Agreement
        of such Investor. Payment for each subscription for Units shall be in
        the form of a check made payable to "Atlas America Public #9 Ltd.,
        Escrow Agent, National City Bank of PA". The Escrow Agent shall deliver
        a receipt to either:

        (a)      Anthem and the Managing General Partner for each deposit of
                 Subscription Proceeds made pursuant hereto by Anthem; or

        (b)      Bryan Funding and the Managing General Partner for each
                 deposit of subscription proceeds made pursuant hereto by Bryan
                 Funding.

3.      INVESTMENT OF SUBSCRIPTION PROCEEDS. The Subscription Proceeds shall be
        deposited in an interest bearing account maintained by the Escrow Agent
        entitled "Armada Government Fund." Subscription Proceeds may be
        temporarily invested by the Escrow Agent only in income producing
        short-term, highly liquid investments secured by the United States
        government where there is appropriate safety of principal, such as U.S.
        Treasury Bills. The interest earned shall be added to the Subscription
        Proceeds and disbursed in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 4
        or 5, as the case may be.

                                       2

<PAGE>

4.      DISTRIBUTION OF SUBSCRIPTION PROCEEDS. If the Escrow Agent:

        (a)      receives written notice from an authorized officer of the
                 Managing General Partner that at least the minimum aggregate
                 subscriptions of $1,000,000 have been received and accepted by
                 the Managing General Partner; and

        (b)      determines that Subscription Proceeds for at least $1,000,000
                 as determined by the Managing General Partner have cleared the
                 banking system and are good;

        then, the Escrow Agent shall promptly release and distribute to the
        Managing General Partner such escrowed Subscription Proceeds which have
        cleared the banking system and are good plus any interest paid and
        investment income earned on such Subscription Proceeds while held by
        the Escrow Agent in an escrow account.

        Any remaining Subscription Proceeds, plus any interest paid and
        investment income earned on such Subscription Proceeds while held by
        the Escrow Agent in an escrow account shall be promptly released and
        distributed to the Managing General Partner by the Escrow Agent as such
        Subscription Proceeds clear the banking system and become good.

5.      SEPARATE PARTNERSHIP ACCOUNT. During the continuation of the offering
        after the Partnership is funded with cleared Subscription Proceeds of
        at least $1,000,000 and the Escrow Agent receives the notice described
        in Paragraph 4 of this Agreement, and prior to the Offering Termination
        Date, any additional Subscription Proceeds may be deposited by the
        Dealer-Manager directly in a separate Partnership account which shall
        not be subject to the terms of this Agreement.

6.      DISTRIBUTIONS TO SUBSCRIBERS.

        (a)      In the event that the Partnership will not be funded as
                 contemplated because less than the minimum aggregate
                 subscriptions of $1,000,000 have been received and accepted by
                 the Managing General Partner by twelve p.m. (noon), local
                 time, on December 31, 2000, or for any other reason, the
                 Managing General Partner shall so notify the Escrow Agent,
                 whereupon the Escrow Agent promptly shall distribute to each
                 Investor a refund check made payable to such Investor in an
                 amount equal to the Subscription Proceeds of such Investor,
                 plus any interest paid or investment income earned thereon
                 while held by the Escrow Agent in an escrow account as
                 calculated by the Managing General Partner.

        (b)      In the event that a subscription for Units submitted by an
                 Investor is rejected by the Managing General Partner for any
                 reason after the Subscription Proceeds relating to such
                 subscription have been deposited with the Escrow Agent, then
                 the Managing General Partner promptly shall notify the Escrow
                 Agent of such rejection, and the Escrow Agent shall promptly
                 distribute to such Investor a refund check made payable to
                 such Investor in an amount equal to the Subscription Proceeds
                 of such Investor, plus any interest paid or investment income
                 earned thereon while held by the Escrow Agent in an escrow
                 account as calculated by the Managing General Partner.

7.      COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF ESCROW AGENT. The Managing General Partner
        shall be solely responsible for and shall pay the compensation of the
        Escrow Agent for its services hereunder, as provided in Appendix 1 to
        this Agreement and made a part hereof, and the charges, expenses
        (including any reasonable attorneys' fees), and other out-of-pocket
        expenses incurred by the Escrow Agent in connection with the
        administration of the provisions of this Agreement. The Escrow Agent
        shall have no lien on the Subscription Proceeds deposited in an escrow
        account unless and until the Partnership is funded with cleared
        Subscription Proceeds of at least $1,000,000 and the Escrow Agent
        receives the

                                       3

<PAGE>

        notice described in Paragraph 4 of this Agreement, at which time the
        Escrow Agent shall have, and is hereby granted, a prior lien upon any
        property, cash, or assets held hereunder, with respect to its unpaid
        compensation and nonreimbursed expenses, superior to the interests of
        any other persons or entities.

8.      DUTIES OF ESCROW AGENT. The Escrow Agent shall not be obligated to
        accept any notice, make any delivery, or take any other action under
        this Escrow Agreement unless the notice or request or demand for
        delivery or other action is in writing and given or made by the party
        given the right or charged with the obligation under this Escrow
        Agreement to give the notice or to make the request or demand. In no
        event shall the Escrow Agent be obligated to accept any notice,
        request, or demand from anyone other than the Managing General Partner
        or the Dealer-Manager.

9.      LIABILITY OF ESCROW AGENT. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any
        damages, or have any obligations other than the duties prescribed
        herein in carrying out or executing the purposes and intent of this
        Escrow Agreement; provided, however, that nothing herein contained
        shall relieve the Escrow Agent from liability arising out of its own
        willful misconduct or gross negligence. Escrow Agent's duties and
        obligations under this Agreement shall be entirely administrative and
        not discretionary. Escrow Agent shall not be liable to any party hereto
        or to any third party as a result of any action or omission taken or
        made by Escrow Agent in good faith. The parties to this Agreement will
        indemnify Escrow Agent, hold Escrow Agent harmless, and reimburse
        Escrow Agent from, against and for, any and all liabilities, costs,
        fees and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) Escrow Agent
        may suffer or incur by reason of its execution and performance of this
        Agreement. In the event any legal questions arise concerning Escrow
        Agent's duties and obligations hereunder, Escrow Agent may consult with
        its counsel and rely without liability upon written opinions given to
        it by such counsel.

        The Escrow Agent shall be protected in acting upon any written notice,
        request, waiver, consent, authorization, or other paper or document
        which the Escrow Agent, in good faith, believes to be genuine and what
        it purports to be.

        In the event that there shall be any disagreement between any of the
        parties to this Agreement, or between them or any of them and any other
        person, resulting in adverse claims or demands being made in connection
        with this Agreement, or in the event that Escrow Agent, in good faith,
        shall be in doubt as to what action it should take hereunder, Escrow
        Agent may, at its option, refuse to comply with any claims or demands
        on it or refuse to take any other action hereunder, so long as such
        disagreement continues or such doubt exists. In any such event, Escrow
        Agent shall not be or become liable in any way or to any person for its
        failure or refusal to act and Escrow Agent shall be entitled to
        continue to so refrain from acting until the dispute is resolved by the
        parties involved.

        National City Bank of Pennsylvania is acting solely as Escrow Agent and
        is not a party to, nor has it reviewed or approved any agreement or
        matter of background related to this Agreement, other than this
        Agreement itself, and has assumed, without investigation, the authority
        of the individuals executing this Agreement to be so authorized on
        behalf of the party or parties involved.

10.     RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF ESCROW AGENT. The Escrow Agent may resign as
        such following the giving of thirty days' prior written notice to the
        other parties hereto. Similarly, the Escrow Agent may be removed and
        replaced following the giving of thirty days' prior written notice to
        the Escrow Agent by the other parties hereto.

        In either event, the duties of the Escrow Agent shall terminate thirty
        days after the date of such notice (or as of such earlier date as may
        be mutually agreeable); and the Escrow Agent shall then deliver the
        balance of the Subscription Proceeds (and any interest paid or
        investment income earned thereon while held by the Escrow Agent in an
        escrow account) in its possession to a successor escrow agent as shall
        be appointed by the other parties hereto as evidenced by a written
        notice filed with the Escrow Agent. If the other parties hereto are
        unable to agree upon a successor or shall have failed to appoint a
        successor prior to the expiration of thirty days following the date of
        the notice of resignation or removal, the then

                                       4

<PAGE>

        acting Escrow Agent may petition any court of competent jurisdiction
        for the appointment of a successor escrow agent or other appropriate
        relief; and any such resulting appointment shall be binding upon all of
        the parties hereto.

        Upon acknowledgment by any successor escrow agent of the receipt of the
        then remaining balance of the Subscription Proceeds (and any interest
        paid or investment income earned thereon while held by the Escrow Agent
        in an escrow account), the then acting Escrow Agent shall be fully
        released and relieved of all duties, responsibilities, and obligations
        under this Agreement.

11.     TERMINATION. This Agreement shall terminate and the Escrow Agent shall
        have no further obligation with respect hereto upon the occurrence of
        the distribution of all Subscription Proceeds (and any interest paid or
        investment income earned thereon while held by the Escrow Agent in an
        escrow account) as contemplated hereby or upon the written consent of
        all the parties hereto.

12.     NOTICE. Any notices or instructions, or both, to be given hereunder
        shall be validly given if set forth in writing and mailed by certified
        mail, return receipt requested, as follows:

        If to the Escrow Agent:

                  National City Bank of Pennsylvania
                  Corporate Trust Department
                  National City Center LOC 25-166
                  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-4802

                  Attention:  Mr. John C. Hoffman, Asst. Vice President

                  Phone: (412) 644-8401
                  Facsimile: (412) 644-7971

        If to the Managing General Partner:

                  Atlas Resources, Inc.
                  311 Rouser Road
                  P.O. Box 611
                  Moon Township, Pennsylvania 15108

                  Attention:  Tony C. Banks

                  Phone: (412) 262-2830
                  Facsimile: (412) 262-2820

        If to Anthem:

                  Anthem Securities, Inc.
                  311 Rouser Road
                  P.O. Box 926
                  Coraopolis, Pennsylvania 15108

                  Attention:  John S. Coffey

                  Phone: (412) 262-1680
                  Facsimile: (412) 262-7430

                                        5
<PAGE>

        If to Bryan Funding:

                  Bryan Funding, Inc.
                  393 Vanadium Road
                  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15243

                  Attention:  Richard G. Bryan, Jr.

                  Phone: (412) 276-9393
                  Facsimile: (412) 276-9396

       Any party may designate any other address to which notices and
instructions shall be sent by notice duly given in accordance herewith.

13.     MISCELLANEOUS.

        (a)      This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
                 accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

        (b)      This Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit
                 of the undersigned and their respective heirs, successors and
                 assigns.

        (c)      This Agreement may be executed in multiple copies, each
                 executed copy to serve as an original.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement to be
effective as of the day and year first above written.

                                        NATIONAL CITY BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA
ATTEST:                                 As Escrow Agent

By: /s/ Susan W. Kulich                 By: /s/ John C. Hoffman
   ---------------------------------       ------------------------------------
   (Authorized Officer)                    (Authorized Officer)

                                        ATLAS RESOURCES, INC.
ATTEST:                                 A Pennsylvania corporation

By: /s/ Barbara J. Krasnicki            By: /s/ Tony C. Banks
   ---------------------------------       ------------------------------------
   Secretary                               Tony C. Banks, Senior Vice President
                                           and Chief Financial Officer

                                        ANTHEM SECURITIES, INC.
ATTEST:                                 A Pennsylvania corporation

By: /s/ Barbara J. Krasnicki            By: /s/ John S. Coffey
   ---------------------------------       ------------------------------------
   Secretary                               John S. Coffey, Director

                                       6

<PAGE>

                                        BRYAN FUNDING, INC.
ATTEST:                                 A Pennsylvania corporation

By: /s/ Cynthia L. Bryan                By: /s/ Richard G. Bryan, Jr.
   ---------------------------------       ------------------------------------
   Secretary                               Richard G. Bryan, Jr., President

                                        ATLAS AMERICA PUBLIC #9 LTD.

                                        By:  ATLAS RESOURCES, INC.
ATTEST:                                      Managing General Partner

By:                                     By: /s/ Tony C. Banks
   ---------------------------------       ------------------------------------
   Secretary                               Tony C. Banks, Senior Vice President
                                           and Chief Financial Officer

                                       7

<PAGE>

                         APPENDIX I TO ESCROW AGREEMENT

                    COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES OF ESCROW AGENT

Escrow Agent annual fee per year or any part thereof                  $3,000.00

                                       8

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00014-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00014-of-00352.parquet"}]]