July 14, 1779
The Pennsylvania Gazette
To his Excellency JOSEPH REED, Esq; President of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, The ADDRESS of the Officers of the Second Battalion of Chester County Militia, in the name of said Battalion,
Humbly sheweth, THAT it hath given us great uneasiness to see such unwearied pains as have been taken to overthrow our excellent constitution, and such a load of reproach as has been thrown on those who stepped forth in the support of good order and government, in the exercise of both legislative and executive powers in this Commonwealth.
The honourable Board, of which your Excellency is President, is very justly intitled to the countenance and support of every virtuous citizen in this State, for their firmness, integrity and diligence in managing the public business thereof.
But we observe that a sett of men, who by their influence and public writings have endeavored to throw the State into anarchy at several critical periods, have marked your Excellency as the object of their vengeance, and instead of joining the body of the best whigs in thanking you for preserving the public weal to your own private case and emolument, have endeavoured to plant thorns in the chair of office, with a view either to make you resign or render your situation miserable; but be assured that these measures have increased the number of your friends, and heightened their attachment to you in your exalted station.
Permit us to assure your Excellency, that, as we have taken up arms in defence of our just rights against the encroachments of a venal Parliament, a corrupt Ministry, and a tyrannical Prince, and are determined to support our independence with our lives and fortunes; so we also engaged in like manner to support and encourage and Legislative and Executive Bodies in the exercise of their respective powers, and to abide by our frame of government till something in it more dangerous to our liberties appears than hitherto has done, or it is the general sense of the good people of this State to alter or abolish the same.
And as we have been among the foremost in taking the field against the common enemy, so we are happy in having your Excellency to be Commander in Chief of all the forces in this State; your military character being far above our commendation. And finally, we declare our readiness to follow you against all enemies to our just rights, privileges, and to good order, under whatsoever denomination they may appear. And we hereby give our testimony against all who have trampled upon the law, and opposed the proper officers of government, whether in this county or any other part of the State.
In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands, on this 24th of May, 1779.
David Mackey, Lieut. Colonel. David Hayes, Major; James Fulton, James Anderson, John McKee, John Brians, Ephraim Blackburn, Captains; John Thomson, James Boyd, Arthur Andrews, Robert Thomson, Lieutenants; Jeremiah Simpson, and John Douglass, Ensigns.
His EXCELLENCY'S Answer.
GENTLEMEN,Walnut street, June 21, 1779.
THE favourable sentiments you have been pleased to express in your address demand my early and grateful acknowledgments.
Should our inveterate enemies persevere in their cruel system of desolation and distress, and make it necessary to call forth the militia to the field, I am perswaded you will obey the call of honour and duty with alacrity and cheerfulness.
To partake of your danger and fatigue will be both my duty and pleasure, as the love and service of our common country is, I trust, the ruling principle of our conduct. My best wishes will attend you in every station as citizens and soldiers; and that we may all prove worthy of an properly prize the blessings of Liberty and Independence, vouchsafed us by the favour of Divine Providence, is the unfeigned wish of, Gentlemen,
Your most obliged and very obedient humble Servant,
JOSEPH REED.
This page updated on February 19, 2009