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English constitution, and respective charters and constitutions of the colonies, and to be worthy of their most vigorous support, as essentially necessary to liberty; likewise the ruinous and iniquitous measures, which, in violation of these rights, at present convulse and threaten destruction to America, appear to be clearly pointed out, and judicious plans adopted for defeating them.

Resolved, That the most grateful acknowledgments are due to the truly honorable and patriotic members of the Continental Congress, for their wise and able exertions in the cause of American liberty; and this Congress, in their own names, and in behalf of this colony, do hereby, with the utmost sincerity, express the same.

Resolved, That the hon. John Hancock, the hon. Thomas Cushing, esqrs. Mr. Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Paine, esqrs. or any three of them, be, and they are hereby appointed and authorized to represent this colony, on the tenth of May next, or sooner if necessary, at the American Congress, to be held at Philadelphia, with full power, with the delegates from the other American colonies, to concert, agree upon, direct and order such further measures, as shall to them appear to be best calculated for the recovery and establishment of American rights and liberties, and for restoring harmony between Great-Britain and the colonies.

A true copy of record,

BENJAMIN LINCOLN, Secretary.

IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, CAMBRIDGE, February 6, 1775.

Resolved, That the hon. John Hancock, the hon. Thomas Cushing, esqrs. Mr. Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Paine, esqrs. appointed by the last provincial Congress to represent this colony, on the tenth of May next, or sooner if necessary, at the American Congress, to be held at Philadelphia, be, and they are hereby authorized and empowered, with the delegates from the other American colonies, to adjourn from time to time, and place to place, as shall be judged necessary, and to continue in being, as delegates for this colony, until the thirty-first day of December next ensuing, and no longer.

A true copy of record,

BENJAMIN LINCOLN, Secretary.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT. November 3, A. D. 1774.

This house proceeded to nominate, chuse, and appoint delegates, to attend the general Congress, to be holden at Philadelphia, on the tenth day of May next; and made choice of the honorable Eliphalet Dyer, honorable Roger Sherman, Silas Deane, * Titus Hosmer, and Jonathan Sturgess, esqrs. to be their delegates, any three of whom are authorized and empowered to attend said Congress, in behalf of this colony, to join, consult and advise with the delegates of the other colonies in British America, on proper measures for advancing the best good of the colonies.

WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Speaker.

A true copy, extracted from the journals of the house.
Attested,

RICHARD LAW, Clerk.

At a provincial convention formed of deputies from the city and county of New-York, the city and county of Albany, and the counties of Dutchess, Ulster, Orange, West-Chester, King's, and Suffolk, held at the city of NewYork, the 22d day of April, 1775, for the purpose of appointing delegates to represent the colony of New-York, in the next Continental Congress, to be

*

held at Philadelphia, on the tenth of May next, Philip Livingston, James Duane, John Alsop, John Jay, Simon Boerum, William Floyd, * Henry Wisner, Philip Schuyler, * George Clinton, Lewis Morris, * Francis Lewis, and Robert R. Livingston, jun. esqrs. were unanimously elected delegates, to represent this colony at such Congress, with full power to them, or any five of them, to meet the delegates from the other colonies, and to concert and determine upon such measures as shall be judged most effectual for the preservation and re-establishment of American rights and privileges, and for the restoration of harmony between Great-Britain and the colonies.

Signed, Leonard Lispenard, Isaac Roosevelt, Abraham Walton, Alexander M'Dougall, and twenty-four others.

We, the subscribers, do, in behalf of ourselves, and those free-holders of Queen's county, at whose request we attended the convention, signify our assent to, and approbation of, the above delegation.

Signed, John Fulman, Zebulon Williams, Jacob Blackwell, Joseph Robinson.

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IN ASSEMBLY, PERTH-AMBOY, Tuesday, January 24, 1775.

Resolved unanimously, That James Kinsey, Stephen Crane, William Livingston, John De Hart, and Richard Smith, esqrs. or any three of them, be, and they are hereby appointed to attend the Continental Congress of the colonies, intended to be held at the city of Philadelphia, in May next, or at any other time and place; and that they report their proceedings to the next session of general assembly.

Upon motion,

A true copy from the journals,

RICHARD SMITH, Clerk of the Assembly.

PENNSYLVANIA.

IN ASSEMBLY, December 15, 1774, A. M.

Resolved, N. C. D. That the honorable Edward Biddle, John Dickinson, Thomas Mifflin, Charles Humphreys, John Morton, and George Ross, esqrs. be, and they are hereby appointed deputies on the part of this province, to attend the general Congress, proposed to be held at the city of Philadelphia, on the tenth day of May next; and that they or any four of them do meet the said Congress accordingly, unless the present grievances of the American colonies shall before that time be redressed.,

Extract from the journals,

CHARLES MOORE, Clerk of the Assembly.

IN ASSEMBLY, May 6, 1775, A. M.

Resolved, N. C. D. That Benjamin Franklin, the honorable Thomas Willing, and James Wilson, esqrs. be, and they are hereby added to the deputies appointed by this house, to attend the Continental Congress, expected to meet the tenth instant, in this city.

Extract from the journals,

On motion,

CHARLES MOORE, Clerk of the Assembly.

LOWER COUNTIES ON DELAWARE.

IN ASSEMBLY, Thursday, March 16, 1775, A. M.

Resolved, N C. D. That the honorable Cæsar Rodney, Thomas McKean, and George Read, esqrs. be, and they are hereby appointed and authorized

Note-All the members attended, except those marked thus.*

to represent this government at the American Congress, proposed to be held at the city of Philadelphia, on the tenth day of May next, or at any other time or place, with full power to them, or any two of them, together with the delegates from the other American colonies, to concert and agree upon such farther measures, as shall appear to them best calculated for the accommodation of the unhappy differences between Great-Britain and the colonies, on a constitutional foundation, which the house most ardently wish for, and that they report their proceedings to the next sessions of general assembly. True copy of minutes of assembly,

DAVID THOMSON, Clerk to the Assembly.

MARYLAND.

At a meeting of the deputies, appointed by the several counties of the province of Maryland, at the city of Annapolis, by adjournment, on the 8th of December, 1774, and continued till the 12th day of the same month,

*

Resolved unanimously, That the honorable Matthew Tilghman, Thomas Johnson, junior, Robert Goldsborough, William Paca, Samuel Chase, John Hall, and Thomas Stone, esqrs. or any three or more of them, be delegates to represent this province, in the next Continental Congress; and that they, or any three or more of them, have full and ample power to consent and agree to all measures, which such Congress shall deem necessary and effectual to obtain a redress of American grievances; and this province bind themselves to execute, to the utmost of their power, all resolutions which the said Congress may adopt. And further, if the said Congress shall think necessary to adjourn, we do authorize our said delegates, to represent and act for this province, in any one Congress, to be held by virtue of such adjournment.

Signed by order,

VIRGINIA.

JOHN DUCKET, Clerk.

At a convention of delegates for the counties and corporations in the colony of Virginia, at the town of Richmond, in the county of Henrico, on Monday, the 20th of March, 1775;

The convention proceeded to the election of delegates, by ballot, to represent this colony in general Congress, to be held at the city of Philadelphia, on the tenth day of May next, when the honorable Peyton Randolph, George Washington, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, Edmund Pendleton, Benjamin Harrison, and Richard Bland, esqrs. were chosen for that purpose.

PEYTON RANDOLPH, President,

JOHN TAZEWELL, Clerk of the Convention.

NORTH-CAROLINA.

At a general meeting of delegates of the inhabitants of this province, in convention, at Newbern, the 5th day of April, 1775;

Present; the honorable John Harvey, esq. moderator, and 68 members: On motion,

Resolved, That William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and Richard Caswell, esqrs. be, and they are hereby appointed delegates to attend the general Congress, to be held at Philadelphia, on the tenth day of May next, or at any other time and place that shall be appointed for that purpose, and they are hereby invested with such powers as may make any acts done by them, or any of them, or consent given in behalf of this province, obligatory, in honor, upon every inhabitant thereof.

A true copy from the minutes,

Attested by ANDREW KNOX, Clerk.

JOHN HARVEY, Moderator.

IN THE ASSEMBLY, 7th of April, 1775.

Resolved, That the house do highly approve of the proceedings of the Continental Congress, lately held at Philadelphia, and that they are determined, as members of the community in general, that they will strictly adhere to the said resolutions, and will use what influence they have, to induce the same observance in every individual of this province.

This house having received information, that William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and Richard Caswell, esquires, were appointed by the convention, held at Newbern, as delegates to attend the meeting of the Continental Congress, soon to be held at Philadelphia;

Resolved, That the house approve of the choice made by the said convention. A true copy from the journal of the house of assembly,

JAMES GREEN, junior, Clerk.

SOUTH-CAROLINA.

IN THE COMMONS HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, FRIDAY, February 3, 1775. WHEREAS the Continental Congress, held at the city of Philadelphia, in September last, amongst other things, recommended to the several colonies in North-America, to chuse deputies as soon as possible, to hold another Congress at the same place, on the tenth day of May next, and this house being fully satisfied with the conduct and fidelity of their late deputies at the Congress, do hereby nominate and appoint the honorable Henry Middleton, esq. Thomas Lynch, Christopher Gadsden, John Rutledge, and Edward Rutledge, esquires, deputies for and in behalf of this colony, to meet the deputies appointed, or to be appointed, on the part and behalf of the other colonies, at the city of Philadelphia, or any other place, that shall be agreed on by the said deputies in general Congress, with full power and authority to concert, agree to, and effectually prosecute such measures, as in the opinion of the said deputies, and the deputies to be assembled, shall be most likely to obtain a redress of American grievances.

Resolved, That the deputies hereby appointed on the part and behalf of this colony, are authorized and empowered to agree, that the Continental Congress may meet at any future time, and at such place, as shall be agreed on, and to adjourn from time to time; provided it do not exceed nine months from the date of their meeting in May next.

Attested,

THOMAS FARR, junior, Clerk. Extract from the journals of the Provincial Congress of South-Carolina, published by order of the Congress, the 11th of January, 1775.

Resolved, That the honorable Henry Middleton, esquire, Thomas Lynch, Christopher Gadsden, John Rutledge, and Edward Rutledge, esquires, or any three of them, be, and they are hereby appointed and authorized to represent this colony, on the tenth day of May next, or sooner, if necessary, at the American Congress, to be held at Philadelphia, or elsewhere; with full power to concert, agree upon, direct and order such further measures, as, in the opinion of the said deputies, and the delegates of the other American colonies to be assembled, shall appear to be necessary for the recovery and establishment of American rights and liberties, and for restoring harmony between Great-Britain and her colonies.

Upon motion,

Resolved, That the thanks of the Congress be given to the rev. Mr. Duche, for performing divine service, agreeable to the desire of the Congress, and for his excellent prayer so well adapted to the present occasion.

Ordered, That Mr. Bland, Mr. Willing, and Mr. Sullivan, be a committee to wait upon Mr. Duche, and return the thanks of the Congress, agreeable to the above resolution.

Upon motion,

Resolved, That the doors be kept shut, during the time of business, and that the members consider themselves under the strongest obligations of honor to keep the proceedings secret, until the majority shall direct them to be made public. A circular letter from the agents, William Bollen, Benjamin Franklin, and Arthur Lee, esquires, directed to the speakers of several assemblies, and sundry papers therein referred to, were laid before the Congress and read;

the letter is as follows:

"SIR,

"LONDON, February 5, 1775.

"Our last letter informed you, that the king had declared his intentions of laying the petition before his two houses of parliament. It has accordingly been laid before each house, but undistinguished among a variety of letters and other papers from America.

"A motion made by lord Chatham, to withdraw the troops from Boston, as the first step towards a conciliating plan, was rejected; and the ministry have declared in both houses the determination to inforce obedience to all the late laws. For this purpose, we understand, that three regiments of foot, one of dragoons, seven hundred marines, six sloops of war, and two frigates, are now under orders for America.

"We think it proper to inform you, that your cause was well defended by a considerable number of good and wise men in both houses of parliament, though far from being a majority: and that many of the commercial and manufacturing parts of the nation, concerned in the American trade, have presented, or, as we understand, are preparing to present, petitions to parliament, declaring their great concern, for the present unhappy controversies with America, and praying expressly, or in effect, for healing measures, as the proper means of preserving their commerce, now greatly suffering or endangered. But the treatment the petitions, already presented, have hitherto received, is such, as, in our opinion, can afford you no reliance on the present relief through their means. "As soon as we learnt that the petition of the Congress was before the house of commons, we thought it our duty to support it, if we might be permitted so to do, as there was no other opportunity for the numerous inhabitants of the colonies to be heard in defence of their rights: accordingly, we joined in a petition for that purpose. Sir George Saville kindly undertook to present it. But, on previously opening the purport of it, as the order is, a debate arose on the propriety of receiving it, and on a division, it was rejected by a great majority. "The following extract of a letter from general Gage to lord Dartmouth, as laid before parliament, we think it our duty to transmit, viz.

"Dec. 15, 1774. Your lordship's idea of disarming certain provinces, would doubtless be consistent with prudence and safety, but it neither is, nor has been practicable, without having recourse to force, and being masters of the country."

"It was thrown out in debate by a principal member of administration, that it would be proper to alter the charters of Connecticut and Rhode-Island.

"Inclosed, we send you a copy of the resolutions passed in a committee of the whole house, on Thursday last, which are to be reported on Monday. It is said that these resolutions are to be the foundation of several bills to be brought in, but the purport of those bills we have not yet learnt with sufficient certainty.

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We send you likewise, a copy of lord Chatham's first motion in the house of lords, and of his plan of a bill for settling the troubles between Great-Britain and the colonies; both which were rejected on the first reading.

(Signed)

With great respect, we are, sir,

Your most obedient, humble servants,
WILLIAM BOLLEN,

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE."

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