CC

stevens ad and 339
WILLIAM L.CLEMENTS
LIBRARY OF
AMERICAN HISTORY
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN




Pennsylvania. Colonyl Committee of safety 1775.6

RULES
For ESTABLISHING RANK or
PRECEDENCE amongſt the
Pennnſylvania ASSOCIATORS.
TH
HE COMMITTEE of Safety appointed by
the Affembly of the Province of Pennſyl-
vania, being deſirous of performing the import-
ant duties of their ſtation in the moſt ſatisfac-
tory manner to the public, beg leave to lay be-
fore them, certain reſolves of the Honorable
CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, dated the 18th July,
which have already been publiſhed, but it is ap-
prehended have not come to the knowledge of
many able bodied effective men, aged from 16
to 50 years, that may be very deſirous of ferv-
ing their country in the preſent glorious ſtruggle
for Liberty, in the mode pointed out by faid re-
folves, which are in the following words:
IN CONGRESS, July 18, 1775.
RESOLVED
" THAT it be recommended to the inhabi-
tants of all the United Engliſh Colonies in
North-America, that all able bodied effective
men,

[ 2 ]
men, between 16 and 50 years of age in each
Colony, immediately form themſelves into re-
gular companies of militia, to conſiſt of one
Captain, two Lieutenants, one Enfign, four
Serjeants, four Corporals, one Clerk, one
Drummer, one Fifer, and about fixty-eigh
Privates.
" That the Officers of each company be
choſen by the reſpective companies.
" That each Soldier be furniſhed with a
good muſket, that will carry an ounce ball, with
a bayonet, ſteel ramrod, worm, priming wire and
bruſh fitted thereto, a cutting ſword or tomhawk,
a cartridge box, that will contain twenty-three
rounds of cartridges, twelve flints and a knap-
fack.
6. That the companies be formed into regi-
ments or battalions officered with a Colonel,
Lieutenant-Colonel, two Majors, an Adjutant
or Quarter Maſter.
" THAT all Officers above the rank of
Captain be appointed by their reſpective Pro-
vincial Affemblies or Conventions, or in their
recefs, by the Committees of Safety appointed
by faid Aſſemblies or Conventions.
46 That all Officers be commiſſioned by the
Provincial Affemblies or Conventions, or in their
receſs, by the Committees of Safety appointed
by faid Aſſemblies or Conventions.
06 THAT

of
[3]
66 THAT all the militia take proper care to
acquire military ſkill, and be well prepared for
defence, by being each man provided with one
pound of good gun-powder and four pounds
ball fitted to his gun.
NO
100
190
“ That one fourth part of the militia in
every Colony be ſelected for minute men, of ſuch
perſons as are willing to enter into this neceſſary
ſervice, formed into companies and battalions,
and their Officers choſen and commiſſioned as a-
foreſaid, to be ready, on the ſhorteſt notice, to
march to any place where their aſliſtance may
be
required for the defence of their own or a neigh-
bouring Colony; and as theſe minute men may
eventually be called to action before the whole
body of the militia are ſufficiently trained, it is
recommended thata more particular and diligent
attention be paid to their inſtruction in military
diſcipline.
( THAT ſuch of the minute men, as defire
it, be relieved by new draughts, as aforeſaid,
from the whole body of the militia, once in four
months.
“ As there are ſome people, who, from re-
ligious principles, cannot bear arms in any caſe,
this Congreſs intend no violence to their confci-
ences, but earneſtly recommend it to them to
contribute liberally, in this cime of univerſal ca-
lamity, to the relief of their diſtreſſed brethren
in the ſeveral Colonies, and to do all other fer-
vices

[ 4 ]
vices to their oppreſſed country, which they can
confiftently with their religious principles.
< THAT it be recommended to the Aflem-
blies or Conventions in the reſpective Colonies
to provide, as ſoon as poſſible, ſufficient ſtores
of ammunition for their Colonies ; alſo, that
they deviſe proper means for furniſhing with
arms, ſuch effective men as are poor and un-
able to furniſh themſelves.
" That it be recommended to each Colony
to appoint a Committee of Safety, to fuperin-
tend and direct all matters neceſſary for the fe-
curity and defence of their reſpective Colonies,
in the receſs of their Affemblies and Conventions.
" That each Colony, at their own expence,
make ſuch proviſion by armed veſſels or other-
wiſe, as their reſpective Aſſemblies, Conventions,
or Committees of Safety ſhall judge expedient
and ſuitable to their circumſtances and ſituations
for the protection of their harbours and naviga-
tion on their ſea coaſts, againſt all unlawful in-
vaſions, attacks and depredations, from cutters
and ſhips of war.
" That it be recommended to the makers
of arms, for the uſe of the militia, that they
make good fubftantial muſkets, with barrels
three feet and a half in length, that will carry an
ounce ball, and fitted with a good bayonet and
ſteel ramrod, and that the making ſuch arms be
encouraged in theſe United Colonies.
66 WHERE,

[ 5 ]
" Where, in any Colony, militia is already
formed under regulations approved of by the
Convention of ſuch Colony, or by ſuch Affem-
blies as are annually clective, we refer to the dif-
cretion of ſuch Convention or Aſſembly, either
to adopt the foregoing regulations in the whole
or in part, or to continue their former, as they,
on confideration of all circumſtances, ſhall think
beſt.
A true Copy from the Minutes,
2
CHARLES THOMSON, Sec.”
And in order that all perſons of every rank,
degree and ſtation, may be truly informed of
the premiſes, and none hereafter plead igno-
rance, this Board do earneſtly recommend to all
Committees of Inſpection and Obſervation in
this province, to cauſe this publication to be
diſperſed, read and explained within their reſ-
pective diſtricts, in ſuch manner that every
perſon, capable of aſſociating for mutual de-
fence may be made ſenſible, it is a duty they
owe to themſelves and country, to do it without
further lofs of time. And as it is neceſſary that
this Board be ſpeedily informed of the number
of Affociators in the ſeveral counties or dir-
tricts, the faid Committees are requeſted to
make returns as foon as poſſible, Firſt, of the
ſeveral battalions already formed; Secondly, of
the ſeveral new Affociators not yet formed into
battalions ; Thirdly, of all ſuch perſons from
fixteen to fifty, their names and places of
abode,

[ 6 ]
abode, as may refuſe to aſſociate, not having
any conſcientious objections, if any ſuch there
be ; and laſtly, of the number of men in their
reſpective diſtricts, who conſcientiouſly decline
bearing arms; but the names of this laſt claſs are
not required, for this Committee acquieſcing
in the benevolent ſentiments of the Honorable
Congreſs, only defire ſuch perſons to " contri-
" bute liberally in this time of univerſal calami-
ty, to the relief of their diſtreſſed brethren
in the ſeveral colonies, and to do all other
- ſervices to their oppreſſed country, which
they can conſiſtently with their religious
«
principles.”
66
The ſeveral Committees of Inſpection and
Obſervation having been deſired to make re-
turns to this Board, as ſoon as conveniently
could be, of the ſeveral Battalions of Affocia -
tors already formed in their diſtricts, are now
informed, that it will be neceſſary to mention,
in ſaid returns, the rank of every battalion of
a county in regard to others in the ſame coun.
sy, and to prevent uncertainty among the of-
ficers of the General Aſſociation, reſpecting
rank or command, and to aſcertain the ſame
with preciſion. This Committee in forming
the following plan (which they purpoſe to ob-
ſerve ſtri&ly in granting commiſſions, and which
they recommend to the general acquiefcence of
all the Aſſociators) have had a regard to the le-
niority or priority of eftabliſhment of the fe.
veral counties, viz.
ift. All

[ 7 ]
ift. All Officers already choſen or appointed
in the city and diſtrict of Philadelphia, to take
rank or precedence of all other officers of equal
dignity, chofen or appointed in any other pare
of the province.
2d. All officers already choſen or appointed
in Philadelphia county, to take rank of all of-
ficers of equal dignity, choſen or appointed in
any other county.
3d. ALL officers already choſen or appointed
in Bucks county, to take rank of all officers of
equal dignity, chofen or appointed in any other
than the city and diſtrict and county of Phila-
delphia.
4th All officers already chofen or appoint-
ed in Cheſter county, to take rank of all offi-
cers of equal dignity chofen or appointed in
any other than Bucks, Philadelphia county,
and Philadelphia city and diſtricts.
5th. All officers already choſen or appoint-
ed in Lancaſter county, to rank before officers
of equal dignity, choſen or appointed in any
other than Cheſter, Bucks, and Philadelphia
counties, and the city and diſtricts.
6th. All officers already choſen or appoint-
ed in York county, to rank before officers of
equal dignity, in any other than Lancaſter,
Cheſter, Bucks, and Philadelphia county, l'hi-
ladelphia city and diſtricts.
th.

[ 8 ]
7th. All officers already choſen or appointed
in Cumberland county, to rank before officer's
of equal dignity, in the junior counties of
Berks, Northampton, Bedford, Northumber-
land and Weſtmoreland.
8th. All officers already choſen or appointed
in Berks county, to rank before officers of
equal dignity in the counties of Northampton,
Bedford, Northumberland and Weſtmoreland.
gth. All officers already choſen or appointed
in Northampton county, to rank before officers
of equal dignity in Bedford, Northumberland,
and Weſtmoreland counties.
1oth. All officers already choſenor appointed
in Bedford county, to rank before officers of
equal dignity in Northumberland and Weft-
moreland counties.
11th. All officers already chofen or appoint-
ed in Northumberland county, to rank before
officers of equal dignity in Weſtmoreland coun-
ty.
12th. All officers already choſen or appoint-
ed in Weſtmoreland, the youngeſt or laſt made
county in this province, yield up rank or pre-
cedence to all officers of equal dignity already
chofen or appointed in every other county in
this province.
13th,

[ 9 ]
13th. WHERE commiſſions of equal dignity
in different counties bear the ſame date, prece.
dency to be determined by ſeniority of counties;
but where they are in the ſame county, by the
rank of the battalion.
14th. The Colonels already choſen or ap-
pointed in the city and diſtricts, having deter-
mined their ranks with reſpect to each other by
lot, their and the other Field Officers commiffi-
ons will be dated according to the lot ſo drawn.
15th. The Colonels already chofen or ap-
pointed in every county are to determine their
rank with reſpect to each other by lot, and com-
miſſions for them and their reſpective Field Of
ficers will be dated accordingly.
16th. The Captains in every battalion to de
termine their rank in battalion by lot, and their
commiffions with thoſe of their Lieutenants and
Enſigns will be dated accordingly,
17th. All Officers hereafter choſen or ap-
pointed to have their commiſſions dated at the
time of ſuch choice or appointment, and to take
rank according to faid dates.
18th. All battalions now raiſed to be com-
pleated as foon as poſſible, and to conſiſt of
eight companies of about ſixty-eight privates
each, and one company of Light Infantry; and
to have for Officers, a Colonel, Lieut. Colonel;
B
TWO

[ 10 ]
two Majors, a Standard Bearer, Adjutant, Ser-
jeant Major, Drum and Fife Major; and the
Officers of each company to conbil of a Captain,
Iwo Lieutenants, one or two Enſigns, four
Serjants, four Corporals, a Drummer and Fifer,
except the Light Infantry company, which, in-
ſtead of two Lieutenants and two Enſigns, are
to have four Lieutenants, the two youngest of
which are to rank as Enligns.
19th. The Standard Bearer of each battalion
to rank as eldeit Lieutenant of the battalion.
20th. ALL national diftinctions in dreſs or
name to be avoided, it being proper that we
ſhould now be united in this general Aſociation
for defending our Liberties and Properties, un-
der the fole denomination of Americans.
21ſt. COMPANIES to take poft in their bat-
talion according to the date of their Captains
commiflions, if the Captains be preſent, but it
abfent, ſuch Companies to take poft as youngeſt
in the battalion.
22d. No Field Officers to have companies.
23d. For the better order and government
of companies which may be raiſed after the com-
pletion of the ſeveral battalions already formed
in the city and counties, ſuch companies are not
to be admitted as independent, but are to be
annexed to the moſt convenient battalion, until
nine

[ 11 ]
nine companies are raiſed to form a new battalion,
and no number of affociators are to be conſider
ed as a company, unleſs they conſiſt of at leaſt
tory men; but it is recommended that till that
number be compleated, the allociators join the
moſt convenient battalion, exerciſe and do duty
with luch battalion.
240h. ALL battalions now formed as well as
thole hereafter to be formed, are deſired to make
the neceffary returns of their numbers and Of-
ficers with their reſpective ranks, to the Com-
mittee of their county, and the Committees are
defired to certify ſuch returns with the reſpective
rank of each battalion in their county to this
Board, that commiffions may be iſſued immedi-
ately for every Officer, in conformity with theſe
rulcs.
25th. And as there may happen occaſions
wherein it may be neceſſary to call out a part
of the aſſociators to actual, though temporary,
ſervice, and not the whole body; and it would.
be extremely inconvenient and burthenſome, it
upon every alarm, where the aſliſtance of part
only may be wanted, the whole ſhould come to-
gether, or any much greater number than the
occafion required, and it would be therefore ne-
ceſſary to have ſuch diviſions made of the afoci-
ators, as that parts ſmaller or greater may be
diftin&tly called for, and the fervice as equally
and fairly allotted and divided as the nature there-
of will admit; it is recommended, not only the
battalions

( 12 )
battalions of each county, but alſo, that the
companies of each battalion be by lot numbered
1, 2, 3, 4, &c. fo that orders may iſſue from
the Commander in Chief to the Colonels, either
to march their whole battalions, or to ſend to
an appointed redezvous, the firſt, or ſecond, or
any number of companies that fhall be wanted,
each company ſerving on ſuch calls in its turn,
and for ſuch proportion of time as ſhall make the
burchen nearly equal, and if the aſſociators who
are called forth, are not all yet provided with
good arms, it is recommended to thoſe who
have ſuch, and are not called out, to lend the
fame for that occaſion, at the riſque of the
public.
Laſtly. This Board having drawn up thirty-
two articles of agreement for the due regulacion
and government of all the aſſociators in the pro-
vince, which is publiſhed herewith, they do re-
commend the ſame to be adopted, ſigned and
agreed to by all the ſaid affociators, in order
that one general ſyſtem may prevail in Penn-
fylvania.

ARTICLES of
Of ASSOCIATION in PENNSYLVANIA.
E, the Orrocers and SOLDIERS, engaged in the preſent ASSOCIATION for the DEFENCE OF AMERICAN
LIBERTY, being fully fenfible that the Strength and Security of any Body of Meis, a Etirg together, confifts in just
Regularity, due Subordination, and excet Obedience to command, without which no individual can have thet confi-
dence in the ſupport of thoſe about him, that is so neceſſary to give firmneſs and reſolution to the whole, DO VOLUN,
TARILY and FREELY, after confideration of the following ARTICLES, adopt the same as the Rules by which
we agree and reſolve to be governed in all our military concerns and operetions, until the same or any of them ſhall be
changed or diſſolved by the Aſſembly, or Provincial Convention, or in their recess, by the Committee of safety,or a happy
Reconciliation ſhall take place between Great Britain and the Colonies.
1
1. F any officer wake uſe of any profane oath or execration, when on duty, he ſhall forfeit and pay for each and eve-
ry ſuch offence, the ſum of Five Shillings : And if a non-commiſſioned officer or ſoldier be thus guilty of curſing
or ſwearing, he ſhall forfeit and pay, for each and every ſuch offence, the ſum of One Shilling,
II. Any officer or ſoldier, who ſhall refuſe to obey the lawful orders of his ſuperior officer, may
be ſuſpended
from doing duty on that day, and ſhall, upon being convicted thereof, before a regimental court-martial, make
ſuch conceffions as faid court-martial ſhall direct.
III. Any officer or foldier, who ſhall begin, excite, cauſe, join in or promote, any diſturbance in the battalion, troop,
or company, to which he belongs, or in any other battalion, troop or company, ſhall be cenſured according to the nature
of the offence, by the judgment of a regimental court-martial.
IV. Any officer or foldier who ſhall ſtrike his fuperior officer, or draw or offer to draw, or ſhall lift up any weapon, or
offer any violence againſt him, being in the execution of his office, fhall, upon conviction, before a regimental court-mar-
tial, be diſmiffed, and ſhall be deemed to be thereby diſgraced as unworthy the company of Freemen.
V. Any commanding or other officer, who ſhall ſtrike any perſon when on duty, thall, upon conviction before a gene-
ral court-martial, be in like manner diſmiſſed and diſgraced.
- VI. Any officer, non-commiffioned officer, or ſoldier, who ſhall make uſe of infolent, provoking, or indecent lan-
guage while on duty, ſhall ſuffer ſuch cenſure or fine, as ſhall be inflicted by a regimental court-martial, according to the
nature of the offence.
VII. If any officer or ſoldier ſhould think himſelf injured by his colonel or the commanding officer of the battalion,
and ſhall, upon due application made to him, be refuſed redreſs, he may complain to the general of the Pennſylvania Affo-
ciators, or to the colonel of any other battalion, who is to ſummon a general court-martial, and ſee that juſtice be done.
VIII. If any inferior officer or foldier ſhall think himſelf injured by his captain or other ſuperior officer in the battalion,
troop, or company, to which he belongs, he may complain to the commanding officer of the regiment, who is to ſum-
mon a regimental court-martial, for the doing juſtice according to the nature of the caſe,
IX. No officer, non-commiſſioned officer or foldier, ſhall fail of repairing with their arms, ammunition, and accoutre-
ments, upon any regular alarm, or at the time fixed, to the place of parade, or other rendezvous appointed by the com-
manding officer, if not prevented by fickneſs or ſome other evident neceſſity, or ſhall go from the place of parade, without
leave from the commanding officer, before he ſhall be regularly diſmiſſed, on penalty of being fined or cenſured, according
to the nature of the offence, by the ſentence of a regimental court-martial. But no officer or foldier ſhall be obliged to
attend to learn the military exerciſe more than once in a week.
X. Any officer or ſoldier found drunk when under arms, ſhall be ſuſpended from doing duty in the battalion, compa-
ny or troop on that day, and be fined or cenſured, at the diſcretion of a regimental court-martial.
XI. WHATEVER centinel ſhall be found ſleeping upon his poſt, or ſhall leave it before he is regularly relieved ſhall
ſuffer ſuch penalty, or diſgrace as ſhall be ordered by a regimental court-martial.
XII. WHATEVER commiſſioned officer ſhall be convicted before a general court-martial, of behaving in a fcandalous or
infamous manner, unbecoming the character of an officer and a gentleman, ſhall be diſmiſſed from the affociation with
diſgrace.
Xul. Every non-commiſſioned officer or ſoldier who ſhall be convicted at à regimental court-martial of having fold,
careleſsly loſt, wilfully ſpoiled, or waſted, or of having offered for ſale, any ammunition, arms or accoutrements belonging
to this province, ſhall be diſmiſſed ſuch battalion troop or company as an unworthy member, and be proſecuted as the law
directs.
XIV. All diſorders and neglects which officers or foldiers may be guilty of, to the prejudice of the good order and
military diſcipline of the aſſociation of this colony, are to be taken cognizance of, by a general or regimental court-martial,
according to the nature and degree of the offence, and be cenſured at their diſcretion.
XV. That on the firſt meeting of every battalion after ſubſcribing theſe articles of aſſociation and from thenceforward
on the firſt meeting of every battalion after the third Monday in September annually, there be choſen two perſons, ſuch as
are entitled to vote for members of aſſembly, out of each company in the reſpective battalions, by the non-commiſſioned
officers and privates, whoſe duty and office ſhall be for the year following to fit and join with the officers in courts-martial,
which perſons fo choſen ſhall be ftiled court-martial men.
XVI. Every general court-martial ſhall confifl of thirteen members, fix of whom ſhall be commiſſioned officers under the
rank of a field officer and fix court-martial men, who ſhall be drawn by lot out of the whole number, and theſe twelve are to
chooſe a preſident, who ſhall be a field officer and have a caſting voice.
XVII. Every regimental court martial ſhall be compoſed of ſeven members, three officers, three court martial
men, and
a preſident, who is to be a captain, and to be choſen by the fix and alſo to have a cafting voice,
XVIII. In all courts-martial not leſs than two thirds of the members muſt agree in every ſentence for inflicting penalties,
or for difgracing any aſſociator, otherwiſe he ſhall be acquitced.
XIX. The preſident of each and every court-martial whether regimental or general, ſhall require all witneffes, in order to
the trial of offenders, to declare on their honor, that what they give in as evidence, is the truth, and the members of all
courts-martial fhall make a declaration to the preſident, and the preſident to the next in rank, upon their honour that they
will give judgment with impartiality.
XX. All non-commiſsioned officers, drummers, fifers, or others that ſhall be employed and receive pay in any of the bac-
talions, companies or troops, ſhall ſubſcribe theſe rules and regulations, and be ſubject to ſuch fines, to be deducted from
their pay and to ſuch penalties as a regimental court-martial ſhall think proper, upon being convicted of having tranfgreffed
any of theſe regulations.
XXI. ALL
a

XXI. All affociators called as witneffes in any caſe, before a court-martial, who ſhall refuſe to attend and give evidence,
ſhall be cenſured or fined at the diſcretion of the court-martial.
XXII. No officer or foldier being charged with tranfgrefling of theſe rules' ſhall be ſuffered to do duty in the regiment,
company or troop to which he belongs, until he has had his trial by a court-martial, and every perſon fo charged ſhall be
tried as ſoon as a court-martial can be conveniently aſſembled.
XXIII. The officers and ſoldiers of every company of artillery or other company, troop or party, that is or ſhall be an
nexed to any battalion, ſhall be ſubject to the command of the colonel or commanding officer of faid battalion, and the offi-
cers fhall fit as members of courts martial, in the ſame manner as the officers of any other company.
XXIV. No penalty ſhall be inflicted at the diſcretion of a couro martial other than degrading, caſhiring or fining. The
fines for the officers not to exceed Three Pounds, and the fine for a non-commiffioned officer or foldier not to exceed
Twelve Shillings for one fault.
XXV. The field officers of each and every battalion ſhall appoint a perſon to receive ſuch fines as may ariſe within the
fame, for breach of any of theſe articles, and ſhall direct thoſe fines to be carefully and properly applied to the relief of
the fiek, wounded, or neceflitous foldiers, belonging to that battalion, and ſuch perſon ſhall account with the field officers
for all fines received, and the application thereof.
XXVI. The general or commander in chief of this aſſociation for the time being, ſhall have full power of pardoning or
mitigating any cenfures or penalties ordered to be inflicted, for the breach of any of theſe articles, by any general court-
martial, and every offender convicted as aforeſaid by any regimental court-martial, may be pardoned or have his penalties
mitigated by the colonel or commanding officer of the battalion, excepting only where ſuch cenſures or penalties are directed
as fatisfaction for injuries received by one officer or foldier from another.
XXVII. Any officer, non-commiſſioned officer, or other perſon, who having fubſcribed theſe articles, ſhall refuſe to
make ſuch conceflions, pay fuch fines, or in any other matter refuſe to comply with the judgment of any court-martial,
fhall be dilimiffed the ſervice, and held up to the public as'unfriendly to the Liberties of America.
XXVII. Upon the determination of any point by a regimental court-martial, if the officer or foldier concerned on either
fide thinks himſelf ftill aggrieved, he may appeal to a general court-martial, but if upon a ſecond hearing the appeal appears
groundleſs and vexatious, the perſon fo appealing ſhall be cenfured at the diſcretion of the general court-martial.
XXIX. Upon the death, refignation, promotion, or other removal of an officer from any battalion, troop, or com-
.
pany, («xcept field officers,) or any court-martial men, fuch vacancy is to be filled by the perſon or perſons ſuch troop or
company fhall elect.
XXX. No officer or ſoldier ſhall be tried a ſecond time for the fame offence, except in caſe of appeal.
XXXI. All officers and ſoldiers of every battalion, troop, company, or party of affociators, who ſhall be called by the
affembly or committee of ſafety in receſs of aſſembly, into actual ſervice, and be on pay, ſhall, when acting by themſelves, or
in conjunction with the continental forces, be ſubject to all the rules and articles made by the Honourable Congreſs for the
government of the continental troops.
XXXII. No commiffioned, non-commiffioned officer, or private, ſhall withdraw himſelf from the company to which
he belongs, without a diſcharge from the commanding officer of the battalion, nor ſhall ſuch perſon be received into any
other company without ſuch diſcharge.
IN TESTIMONY of our approbation and conſent, to be governed by the above regulations, which have been deliberate-
ly read to, or carefully peruſed by us, we have hereunto ſet our hands.
na bubre
bro
G







90
c
1775
pe
Permasalania, Committee
of safety.
BUNDY SANG ORA 1 DEUTCLIFF
FOR HENRY STZVENS, SUN & STILES, LONDON