About This Collection
Images of a record of the meetings of the Second Council of Safety, established and working as a temporary governmental authority during the British invasion of eastern Pennsylvania in 1777. All meetings were held in Lancaster, Pennsylvania from October 17, 1777 through December 4, 1777. The purpose for the creation and work of the Second Council of Safety is clearly stated in an introductory general proclamation. Business discussed in meetings included warnings by the council to the general public against direct dealings with or aid to enemy troops currently in Pennsylvania, dealings with citizens recanting their allegiance to the United States in the presence of invading and occupying troops, the appropriation of personal goods from citizens to prevent them from falling into enemy hands, appointment of local citizens to be County Commissioners to further proportions of the military to be called out and to furnish military provisions, levying moneys advanced for substitutes, what to do with men who would neither join or send a substitute into the army, punishment for citizens who disobeyed Council Orders of non-fraternization with the enemy, settlement of prices for liquors and goods, permission given to commissioners to seize munitions, goods and food provisions from those who had aided the enemy or refused to take an oath of allegiance, appointment of Commissioners to carry out the afore mentioned orders, consideration of the issue of an Indian incursion into Westmoreland County, defense of frontiers, arrests of civilians dealing with the enemy, mention of hope of Spain and France helping in the American independence movement, raising of companies of men for militias, commissioners gathering arms, blankets and clothing, and lastly, the formal extinguishing of the Councils power when it was no longer needed.
