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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 Ilewes, 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.

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IN THE COMMONS HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, FRIDAY, February S, 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.

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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.

"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.”

The papers referred to in the foregoing letter, being published in the newspapers, it is not necessary to insert them.

Mr. Hancock laid before the Congress a letter from the provincial Congress of Massachusetts-Bay, together with certain resolutions formed by said Congress, and a copy of a letter, sent by said Congress to their agent in England, and an address to the inhabitants of Great-Britain, on the late engagement between the troops under general Gage, and the inhabitants of MassachusettsBay; also a number of depositions, duly attested, relative to the commencement of said hostilities, all which were read, and are as follows:

IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, WATERTOWN, May 3, 1775.

To the honorable American Continental Congress, to be convened at Philadelphia, on the tenth of May instant.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOURS,

The Congress of this colony, impressed with the deepest concern for their country, under the present critical and alarming state of its public affairs, beg leave, with the utmost submission, whilst acting in support of the cause of America, to request the direction and assistance of your respectable assembly.

The inclosed packet, containing copies of the depositions, which we have despatched for London, also an address to the inhabitants of Great-Britain, and a letter to our colony agent, Benjamin Franklin, esq. are humbly submitted to your consideration.

The sanguinary zeal of the ministerial army, to ruin and destroy the inhabitants of this colony, in the opinion of this Congress, hath rendered the establishment of an army indispensably necessary; we have accordingly passed an unanimous resolve for thirteen thousand six hundred men, to be forthwith raised by this colony, and proposals are made by us to the Congress of NewHampshire, and governments of Rhode-Island and Connecticut colonies, for furnishing men in the same proportion.

The sudden exigency of our public affairs, precluded the possibility of waiting for your direction in these important measures, more especially, as a considerable reinforcement from Great-Britain is daily expected in this colony, and we are now reduced to the sad alternative of defending ourselves by arms, or submitting to be slaughtered.

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With the greatest deference, we beg leave to suggest, that a powerful army, on the side of America, hath been considered, by this Congress, as the only means left to stem the rapid progress of a tyrannical ministry. Without a force, superior to our enemies, we must reasonably expect to become the vicims of their relentless fury. With such a force, we may still have hopes of seeing an immediate end put to the inhuman ravages of mercenary troops in America, and the wicked authors of our miseries, brought to condign punishment, by the just indignation of our brethren in Great-Britain.

We hope that this colony will, at all times, be ready to spend and be spent in the cause of America. It is, nevertheless, a misfortune greatly operating to its disadvantage, that it has a great number of sea-port towns, exposed to the approach of the enemy by sea; from many of which, the inhabitants have removed, and are removing their families and effects, to avoid destruction from ships of war. These, we apprehend, will be generally distressed from want of subsistence, and disabled from contributing aid for supporting the forces of the colony; but we have the greatest confidence in the wisdom and ability of the continent to support us, so far as it shall appear necessary for supporting the common cause of the American colonies.

We also inclose several resolves for empowering and directing our receivergeneral to borrow the sum of one hundred thousand pounds, lawful money, and to issue his notes for the same; it being the only measures, which we could have recourse to, for supporting our forces; and we request your assistance in rendering our measures effectual, by giving our notes a currency through the continent. JOSEPH WARREN, President, P. T,

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The papers inclosed, and referred to, in the above, are as follows:
IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, WATERTOWN, May 3, 1775.

Resolved, That the receiver-general be, and hereby is empowered to borrow the sum of one hundred thousand pounds, lawful inoney, and issue colony security for the same, payable, with annual interest, at six per cent. June 1, 1777, and that the continental Congress be desired to recommend to the several colonies, to give a currency to such securities.

A true extract from the minutes,

SAMUEL FREEMAN, Secretary, P. T.

IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, WATERTOWN, May 3, 1775.

Resolved, That the securities given by the receiver-general for the monies borrowed by him, in pursuance of the aforegoing resolve, be in the form following, viz.

No.

COLONY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS-BAY.

the

day of A. B.

A. D. 177 bor

the sun of

rowed and received of lawful money, for the use and service of the colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, and in behalf of said colony. I do hereby promise and oblige myself, and successors in the office of treasurer, or receiver-general, to repay to the said or to his order, the first day of June, 1777, the aforesaid sum of lawful money, in Spanish milled dollars, at six shillings each, or in the several species of coined silver and gold, enumerated in an act made and passed in the 23d year of his late majesty, king George the Second, intituled "An act for ascertaining the rates at which coined silver and gold, English half-pence and farthings, may pass within this government:" and according to the rates therein mentioned, with interest, to be paid annually, at six per cent. Witness my hand

A. B.
C. D.

E. F.

And whereas inconveniencies may arise, by the receiver-general's issuing notes for small sums, therefore,

Resolved, That the receiver-general be, and he hereby is directed, not to issue any notes for a less sum than four pounds lawful money.

A true extract from the minutes,

SAMUEL FREEMAN, Secretary, P. T.

To the hon. Benjamin Franklin, esq. at London.

IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, WATERTOWN, April 26, 1775.

"SIR, "From the entire confidence we repose in your faithfulness and abilities, we consider it the happiness of this colony, that the important trust of agency for it, in this day of unequalled distress, is devolved on your hands, and we doubt not your attachment to the cause and liberties of inankind, will make every possible exertion in our behalf, a pleasure to you; although our circumstances will compel us often to interrupt your repose, by matters that will surely give you pain. A singular instance hereof is the occasion of the present letter. The contents of this packet, will be our apology for troubling you with it.

"From these you will see how, and by whom, we are at last plunged into the horrors of a most unnatural war.

"Our enemies, we are told, have despatched to Great-Britain a fallacious account of the tragedy they have begun ; to prevent the operation of which, to the public injury, we have engaged the vessel that conveys this to you, as a packet in the service of this colony, and we request your assistance in supplying captain Derby, who commands her, with such necessaries as he shall want, on the credit of your constituents in Massachusetts-Bay.

VOL. I.

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"But we most ardently wish, that the several papers herewith inclosed, may be immediately printed and dispersed through every town in England, and especially communicated to the lord mayor, aldermen, and council of the city of London, that they may take such order thereon, as they may think proper. And we are confident your fidelity will make such improvement of them, as shall convince all, who are not determined to be in everlasting blindness, that it is the united efforts of both Englands, that can save either. But that whatever price our brethren in the one, may be pleased to put on their constitutional liberties, we are authorized to assure you, that the inhabitants of the other, with the greatest unanimity, are inflexibly resolved to sell theirs only at the price of their lives."

Signed by order of the Provincial Congress,

JOSEPH WARREN, President, P. T. A true copy from the original minutes,

SAMUEL FREEMAN, Secretary, P. T.

The depositions relative to the commencement of hostilities, are as follows:
LEXINGTON, April 25, 1775.

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We, Solomon Brown, Jonathan Loring, and Elijah Sanderson, all of lawful age, and of Lexington, in the county of Middlesex, and colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New England, do testify and declare, that on the evening of the 18th of April, instant, being on the road between Concord and Lexington, and all of us mounted on horses, we were, about ten of the clock, suddenly surprised by nine persons, whom we took to be regular officers, who rode up to us, mounted and armed, each having a pistol in his hand, and after putting pistols to our breasts, and seizing the bridles of our horses, they swore, if we stirred another step, we should be all dead men, upon which we surrendered ourselves. They detained us until two o'clock the next morning, in which time they searched and greatly abused us, having first enquired about the magazine at Concord, whether any guards were posted there, and whether the bridges were up, and said four or five regiments of regulars would be in possession of the stores soon. They then brought us back to Lexington, cut the horses' bridles and girths, turned them loose, and then left us.

“SOLOMON BROWN,
“JONATHAN LORING,
"ELIJAH SANDERSON."
LEXINGTON, April 25, 1775.

"I, Elijah Sanderson, above named, do further testify and declare, that I was on Lexington common, the morning of the 19th of April, aforesaid, having been dismissed by the officers abovementioned, and saw a large body of regular troops advancing towards Lexington company, many of whom were then dispersing. I heard one of the regulars, whom I took to be an officer, say, "Damn them, we will have them," and immediately the regulars shouted aloud, run and fired upon the Lexington company, which did not fire a gun. before the regulars discharged on them. Eight of the Lexington company were killed while they were dispersing, and at a considerable distance from each other, and many wounded, and although a spectator, I narrowly escaped with my life.

"ELIJAH SANDERSON."
LEXINGTON, April 23, 1775.

"I, Thomas Rice Willard, of lawful age, do testify and declare, that being in the house of Daniel Harrington, of said Lexington, on the 19th instant, in the morning, about half an hour before sun-rise, looked out at the window of said house, and saw (as I suppose) about four hundred regulars in one body, coming up the road, and marched towards the north part of the common, back of the meeting-house of said Lexington, and as soon as said regulars were

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