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These Ordinances are in the following words, viz:
"An Ordinance for the relief of the Prisoners in the several Jails in the State of PENNSYLVANIA.
"Whereas at this time the Courts of Justice within this State are surceased, and all process and proceedings, by which suits can be legally commenced, proceeded in, or determined, are by the authority of the people justly and totally suppressed: And whereas the detaining in custody debtors under execution, who are willing to deliver up their estates for the use of their creditors, or debtors confined under mesne process, who have no legal mode of entering bail in order to free their persons from imprisonment, is not only oppressive, but can be of no real benefit or advantage to the creditors: And whereas a total change of government by the assistance of Divine Providence has been effected within the United States, and acts of grace to criminal;
sometimes are granted on events of such importance:
"Be it ordained and declared by the Representatives of the Freemen of the State of Pennsylvania, in General Convention met, That all and every person and persons
"Provided always. That all and every person and persons who shall take or claim the benefit of this ordinance shall, before his, her, or their discharge, exhibit a petition in the respective Counties where such person or persons are confined, to the persons hereinafter named, setting forth the reasons of such their imprisonment; and if he, she, or they so petitioning shall be charged in execution, such prisoner or prisoners shall, with his, her, or their petition, annex the name of his, her, or their creditors, and the debts due, as near as can be, and certify an account of his, her, or their whole real and personal estate, with the securities wherein any part of it consists, and the deeds, books of accounts, notes or bonds relating thereunto; and upon such petitions and certificates delivered, the persons hereinafter named in the respective Counties, or any two of them, may, and they are hereby required to order such prisoners to be brought before them, and administer or tender to such prisoners the oath or affirmation heretofore required and taken in cases of insolvent debtors, by act of Assembly of Pennsylvania made in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twenty-nine; and upon having taken such oath or affirmation, such prisoner or prisoners shall make an assignment of such his, her, or their estate, in the same manner as required by the said act of Assembly, and to and for the purposes therein mentioned, and subject to the pains and penalties declared in the said act; and thereupon he, she, or they shall be discharged out from custody: From and after which discharge he, she, or they shall not at any time hereafter be imprisoned for the same debt or debts for which he, she, or they have made such assignment. And in case it shall appear that the person or persons confined, is or are in custody upon mesne process only, the persons hereinafter named, or any two of them, in the respective Counties, shall and are hereby required, by order in writing under their hands, to discharge such prisoner or prisoners from his, her, or their confinement: Provided nevertheless, That such suit or action shall not cease until finally determined by due course of law.
"And he it further ordained; That George Bryan, James Young, Jacob Schryner, John Bull, Henry Hill and Peter Knight, of the City and County of Philadelphia, or any two of them, be, and are hereby nominated, empowered, and required to hear and discharge the prisoners in the Jail of the City and County of Philadelphia; and John Wilkinson, Henry Wynkoop, and James Wallace, of the County of Bucks, or any two of them, be, and are hereby nominated, empowered, and required to hear and discharge the prisoners in the Jail of the County of Bucks and David Cowpland, John Crosby, and John Sellers, of the County of Chester, or any two of them, be, and are hereby nominated, empowered, and required to hear and discharge the prisoners in the Jail of the County of Chester; and William Henry, William Bowsman, and John Hopson, of the County of Lancaster, or any two of them, be, and are hereby nominated, empowered, and required to hear and discharge the prisoners in the Jail of the County of Lancaster; and Samuel Johnston, Martin Eychelberger, and William Leas, of the County of York, or any two of them, be, and are hereby nominated, empowered, and required to hear and discharge the prisoners in the Jail of the County of York; and Robert Miller, John Homes, and Stephen Duncan, or any two of them, be, and are hereby nominated, empowered, and required to hear and discharge the prisoners in the Jail of the County of Cumberland; and James Read, William Raser, and Daniel Hiester, of the County of Berks, or any two of them, be, and are hereby nominated, empowered, and required to hear and discharge the prisoners in the Jail of the County of Berks; and Robert Trail, Abraham Birlain, and Henry Barnet, of the County of Northampton, or any two of them, be, and are hereby nominated, empowered, and required to hear and discharge the prisoners in the Jail of the County of Northampton; and William Todd, Charles Cissna, and Robert Elliot, of the County of Bedford, or any two of them, be, and are hereby nominated, empowered, and required to hear and discharge the prisoners in the Jail of the County of
"And be it further ordained, That the several Sheriffs and Jailers, of the several and respective Counties, heretofore elected and appointed, shall, and they are hereby authorized, directed, and commanded, to keep in safe custody all such persons that now are, or shall hereafter be, committed to them for capital offences, practices against the present virtuous measures of the American States, and prisoners of war, until they shall be discharged by due course of law, or by the authority of the honourable the Congress of the United States.
"By order of the Convention:
"GEORGE ROSS, Vice President.
"Passed 1st day of August, 1776.
"Attest: JOHN MORRIS, Jun˙, Secretary."
An Ordinance for the relief of the Prisoners in the several Jails in the State of Pennsylvania
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imprisoned or detained in any Jail within this State by reason of any process, writ, or commitment for debt, or any criminal offence whatsoever, (except for capital offences, or practices against the present virtuous measures of the American States, or prisoners of war,) be forthwith released and discharged.
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Bedford; and Samuel Hunter, Laughlin M' Cartney, and John Boyd, of the County of Northumberland, or any two of them, be, and are hereby nominated, empowered, and required to hear and discharge the prisoners in the Jail of the County of Northumberland; and Edward Cook, Robert Hanna, and David Semple, of the County of Westmoreland, or any two of them, be, and are hereby nominated, empowered, and required to hear and discharge the prisoners in the Jail of the County of Westmoreland: And that all Sheriffs and Jailers heretofore elected and appointed, and all other persons within this State, give due obedience to the said persons, or any two of them, within their several Counties, who have been hereby authorized and appointed to hear and discharge the prisoners aforesaid.