author of the "Farmer's Letters," was made chairman, and a committee of correspondence, of which Samuel Howell was a member, was appointed to write to the people of Boston, assuring them of sympathy, commending their firmness, declaring their cause that of the colonies, and promising to stand fast for the right. The committee immediately organized, with John Dickinson at its head, and forwarded the letter of sympathy to Boston, and took such other measures as the crisis in their judgment demanded. Early in June news arrived of the passage by parliament of two additional acts intended to still further harass the people of Boston. This increased the public indignation and led the committee of correspondence to arrange for a mass-meeting at the State-House yard (Independence Square) on 18 June, 1774. On the day named some eight thousand citizens assembled at the appointed place, and Thomas Willing and John Dickinson presided. "The meeting," writes Dr. Stillé, "took some bold steps, which became very important in the progress of the controversy. It not only declared the Boston Port Bill unconstitutional, but created a committee of correspondence with practical functions of great importance. This committee was to correspond and consult not merely with like committees in the other colonies, but also with similar committees to be appointed in each county of this province."* Samuel Howell was chosen a member of the new committee, composed of forty-three of the leading citizens. Steps were immediately taken by this body for a convention (or conference, as it was called), to be composed of delegates elected in the several counties of the province. Mr. Howell was elected from Philadelphia, and participated in the convention which met at Carpenters' Hall, 15 July, 1774, with Thomas Willing as chairman. "The actual weight and influence of the province was here gathered, and the convention acted as if conscious of its power, asserting colonial rights, condemning parliament, favoring united action and a colonial congress, pledging Pennsylvania to co-operate with the other colonies, and requesting the provincial assembly (which was already called) to appoint deputies to the congress." By the vote of the convention, the delegates from Philadelphia were constituted a committee of correspondence for the province, and Mr. Howell remained a member of this important body until 3 July, 1775, when it was succeeded by a council of safety, of which Benjamin Franklin was the head. The council was, in fact, a board of war, and had the direction of military affairs in the province. Mr. Howell was not made a member at its creation, but in the following October the assembly reappointed the old members of the council and added several others, Mr. Howell being one of the latter. He entered actively on the business of the council, which was that of raising, arming, and equipping troops, creating a navy, building fortifications, procuring the munitions of war, etc.; and not only did he vote for such 23 21 *Stillé's Life of John Dickinson, 110. † Scharf and Westcott's History of Philadelphia, 290. 161 measures, but he served on special committees in furtherance of these ends, some of which services are outlined in the following extracts from the proceedings of the council : " Resolved, That Samuel Howell and Col. Cadwalader be appointed to purchase some powder."'* "Resolved, That Mr. Howell & Mr. Clymer be a committee to enquire into the quantity of sulphur that is now in this city."† 'Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Board that Mr. Wharton, Mr. Whyte, Mr. Nixon, Mr. Howell, Mr. Rob't Morris & Mr. Clymer, be a committee to contract with such persons as they may think most capable, for the immediate building and equipping a ship of war for the river service, to mount twenty eighteen pounders, and to provide the guns, necessary ammunition, provisions, and other articles fitting for such ship." ‡ "Resolved, That as it appears to this Board that the providing a number of Fire Rafts will contribute greatly to defend this city against hostile attacks from Men-of-War; Mr. Howell, Capt. Whyte, Mr. James Biddle, & Mr. Owen Biddle, be a Committee to inquire into the construction of such Fire Rafts, and to give immediate directions for building so many of them as may be necessary, and Report thereon to this Committee." " Resolved, That Messrs. George Clymer, James Mease, Samuel Howell, Owen Biddle, Anthony Wayne, & John Cadwalader, be a Committee, with full powers, to compleat an agreement with Mr. Samuel Potts and Mr. Bustead, for casting a number of heavy canon, and that these Gentlemen be requested to take Mr. Rittenhouse with them to Mr. Pott's works, or to take any other measures for effecting this purpose which they may thing proper." || Resolved, That for the further defence of this Province, a Floating Battery be built; That Samuel Howell, Robert Whyte and George Clymer, be a Committee to have the said Battery completed as soon as possible, and that they purchase the Guns and other necessaries for her."¶ Mr. Howell continued a member of the council until 22 July, 1776. He was then re-elected, but declined the honor. During the same year he was elected to the assembly, receiving the highest vote in the poll. He became a contributor to the Pennsylvania hospital in 1754, and was one of its managers, 1784-9, and the president of the board 1786-9; was chosen one of the signers of the provincial currency in 1772, and in 1774 he was elected a member of common councils, serving in this capacity until its sessions were interrupted by the Revolution. He was a member of the "State in Schuylkill" (now known as the "Schuylkill Fishing Company"), the oldest social organization in the world. In 1788 he was chosen one of the port wardens of Philadelphia, and 19 March, 1791, was appointed by President Washington a commissioner of the United States bank. His decease is thus noted in the Aurora of 14 December, 1807: "DIED—at his seat, (Tacony near Frankford) on the ninth instant, in the 85th year of his age, Samuel Howell, Esq., for many years a Merchant of great respectability in this city." anted to pur be» re into the que M.. Wave M.. Vraith such perc hp of war for the later sex say di rinition, r 9 e providing a number of Fre R. f will poate to inge into the cons ** y of den, as may be nere sary, Sampie" How il, Given 14 e. Arhony to complet an a, cent with Mr canon, and that these Gentlemen be virka, or to take any other measure for ༦ཟླ pt •he bull. That e to how che said Bett ry com hot naves i for her." 4 until 22 July, 1775. He was sime year he was elected to the He became a contributor o the 1615 1784-9, and the presi ก ber of the State S. L. yll lov kuna taz Schoy Fishing Compav"). the ola st sociirgin'zation in t world. In 188 he was chosen one of the port warden, of Phu tolpine, and 19 March, 1791, was apt moed by Fresident Washangton è cotary stoner of the Unit. 4 States bark. His decease is thus tooted in the duo 7 of 14 comber, 1807: **p sat bis seat, Lacny near Frankfo,d) in de ninth ia tant in the 85th year of his ge, |