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by the Honorable Congress in convention, for the militia of this Province."

The following is of the same date, and written immediately under, in German, and then the names are attached :

"Derry Township, July 25, 1776.-We, the undersigned' are willing to serve in the fourth Battalion, commanded by Col. James Burd, agreeably to order of Congress, and agree to serve until the first day of November, 1776, in the land service of the country, in favor of the flag of Liberty.

Frederick Hummel, Alexander Montgomery, David Hum-
mel, Philip Blessing, Philip Fishburn, Henry Miller,
Nicholas Zimmerman, Samuel Ramsey, Peter Grove,
Mathias Hoover, John M'Farlane, George Lower, Thos.
Roulin."

HARRIS LOOKS AFTER THE RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY.

On the 20th of March, 1776, John Harris wrote to the Committee of Safety, informing that body that "a large quantity of pitch and tar may be made up the Susquehanna, Juniata, &c., which, if wanted for the public use, may be brought down the river in boats to Middletown, and from thence to Philadelphia." He also states that "there are some good four-pounder cannons at Sunbury, cannon balls, swivels, &c."

JOHN HARRIS TO PRESIDENT WHARTON ON THE STATE OF

AFFAIRS.

"PAXTON, January 29, 1778.

SIR: The bearer, Col. Wm. M'Eleary, is an honest man, and a true friend to the glorious cause of liberty, going down for aid to defend our frontiers against the encroachments of the savages. I am of opinion that the Indians will take an active part next spring (for or against us,) as their young men don't understand

acting as neutrals in time of war; and unless they, the western Indians, delivers up hostiges to the United States immediately, or sends a number of their warriors to our camp to join us, we may depend upon an Indian war taking place against us, and ought to prepare for it as well as our present circumstances will admit. A defensive war against savages will never do the needful.

However prudent and necessary it may be to grant assistance to several parts of the frontiers, &c., at particular times, and when we are assured that a general Indian war will take place, we must attack them in their own country at all hazards. If a French war takes place, I hope we may be eased of an Indian war, which will be a great mercy. I make free to give your honor my sentiments of the times, and conclude

Your Honor's humble servant,

JOHN HARRIS.

Hon. THOS. WHARTON."

JOHN HARRIS OFFERS HIS SERVICES TO TRANSPORT SUPPLIES.

The situation of the people of Northumberland county, in the spring of 1778, was imminently critical. A large party of Indians, Tories and English had entered the county and commenced a war of extermination upon the settlers, who, being without the means of defence, fell an easy prey to the enemy. It was to furnish supplies to these settlers that prompted Mr. Harris to write the following letter to the Vice President of the Executive Council:

"PAXTON, June 3d, 1778.

SIR: I have received several letters from Col. Hunter lately, mentioning the distressed situation of Northumberland county, &c. It appears absolutely necessary that some person should receive, store, provide, and forward any stores the public may order up the Susquehanna, Juniata, &c., during the present In

dian war. A quantity of flour is wanted; not a cask or bag to put it in. The inhabitants are leaving said county in great numbers. I pity my bleeding country, and am willing to assist the supplying the county of Northumberland by any means in my power, or forward any article up the different branches of this river from time to time. I am as good a judge of the navigation, in either boat or canoe, on our river as can be found. I expect to send up a quantity of stores to the lead mines, up Juniata, at Water Street, as soon as I receive a letter from Mr. Roberdeau, which I hourly expect. The present flood, to convey by water, should not be lost, as perhaps no other may happen till next fall. The Quartermaster can furnish provisions for boatmen or any necessary escorts, &c. If the inhabitants in their fright are suffered to move off as they are doing, and assistance not soon sent up, the crops will be lost in many frontier places, that may be saved by their getting timely aid from the public. A quantity of arms, some powder and lead, is here for Northumberland county, which I expect will be forwarded tomorrow. There's two good store-houses at my dwelling plantation, exclusive of a cellar fifty feet by forty, under my dwellinghouse, so that there's plenty of store room for the public use if wanted. There's a great concourse of public wagons, &c., with stores, on the Reading road, too few flats at the Ferry here, and what there is will not be properly attended, that the public may suffer for want of a few men employed by the public (to assist in my opinion.) I have rented my Tavern, Ferry, &c., and am at leisure to assist the transporting stores, &c., up the Susquehanna as offered, if proper instructions are sent me. You'll please write to me by bearer, Mr. Whitsell, if you judge necessary. I am, sir, with the greatest esteem,

Your most obed't and most humble serv't,

Hon. GEORGE Bryan.

P. S. Excuse haste and blunders.

JOHN HARRIS.

J. H."

WYOMING REFUGEES SEEK PROTECTION AT HARRIS' FERRY.

In July, 1778, a large number of the survivors of the Wyoming massacre arrived at Harris' Ferry in boats and flats to seek protection from the enemy. The following letter from Col. Matthew Smith alludes to this circumstance as follows:

"PAXTANG, July 12, 10 o'clock, 1778.

"SIR: I am this moment arrived at Harris' Ferry, and just now behold the greatest scene of distress I ever saw; the numerous poor ran away from their habitations, and left their all, and several families lost, part killed and scalped on their retreat; the most cruel butcheries ever known are practiced; wounded and others thrown into fires while yet living. The inhabitants, however, are much distressed; the Wyoming people are undoubtedly, by last accounts, entirely defeated. Northumberland county is evacuated. Not more than one hundred men with Col. Hunter at Sunbury; the Blue Mountain [five miles above Harrisburg] is now the frontier; and I am afraid Lancaster county will shortly follow the example of the other county. The stores at Carlisle are something very considerable. I doubt not their object is to destroy that place. I am informed there is not that care taken that should be. I think it would be necessary to appoint some careful officer at that place, that would do the duty more punctually.

This party is large, having Col. Butler at their head, one hundred regular troops at first; about the same number of Tories, but is increased in two or three times that number; seven hundred Indians, all around in a most formidable manner, every one of them, exclusive of guns and tomahawks, as usual, each one has a large spontoon, and as soon as engaged, rushes on in a most dreadful manner. It is said they have field pieces, or swivels, and a number of light horse.

It is the earnest request of all friends of their country, as well

as your humble servant, that something shall be done in the greatest haste. Be pleased to send an order for what arms are ready at Lancaster and Hummelstown, also for ammunition, and I shall exert every nerve in forwarding matters to the spot the men shall collect.

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Mrs. Elizabeth Brooks, still living in York county, a grandmother of the publisher of the "Annals," was one of the Wyoming settlers who sought protection at Harris' Ferry upon this occasion.

HARRIS' FERRY A SUPPLY DEPOT FOR THE ARMY.

It would seem that Harris' Ferry was a depot for army supplies during the Revolution. Col. Hartley wrote to President Reed, May 11, 1779, that "the Commissary in this county. (York) had exerted himself very much in procuring provisions for the troops on the Susquehanna. The expedition on these waters must greatly depend upon the supplies from hence; but unfortunately no wagons can be provided in the ordinary course to transport the flour to Harris' Ferry, where the boats are to receive the same."

Middletown, in this county, is also noticed in the Colonial Records as being a supply depot for the army.

COL. SMITH PROPOSES RELIEF TO THE SETTLERS IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.

The earnest appeal of the struggling settlers of Northumberland county for succor, was quickly responded to by the Paxtonians, as will be seen by the following letter from Col Smith:

"PAXTANG, July 31, 1779.

"SIR: I take the opportunity of conveying a few lines by the bearer, John Gilchrist, Esq., (a member of the House of

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