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"Upon the receipt of this answer, it was seriously considered in what manner to conduct in the present situation; and proposed, whether we should immediately break off all connexion and commerce with Savannah, and all other inhabitants of this province, who have not fully acceded to the continental association.

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"It was considered, that as we were denied commerce with any other colony, and but one merchant among us considerable for dry goods, had signed our association, and he insufficient for a present supply, and we utterly unable at present to procure materials or manufactures for clothing among ourselves, we must, by such a resolution, become extremely miserable; it was therefore concluded, that till we could obtain trade and commerce with some other colony, it is absolutely necessary to continue it in some respects with our own, and determined that it be carried on under the following regulations:

"1. That none of us shall directly or indirectly purchase any slave imported at Savannah, (large numbers of which we understand are there expected,) till the sense of the Congress shall be made known to us.

"2. That we will not trade at all with any merchant at Savannah, or elsewhere, that will not join in our associating agreement, otherwise than under the inspection of a committee, for that purpose appointed, and for such things only as they shall judge necessary, and when they shall think there are necessary reasons for so doing.

A committee was then nominated, and appointed to sit weekly on Thursdays, for the purposes aforesaid.

"It was then resolved, that a delegate be sent from this parish to the Congress, to be held at Philadelphia, in May next, and that Tuesday, the 21st of March, be appointed for chusing one.

"On the said 21st of March, at a full meeting, Lyman Hall esq. was unanimously chosen, to represent and act for the inhabitants of this parish, as a delegate at the general Congress, to be held in Philadelphia, in May next, who are determined faithfully to adhere to, and abide by the determination of him, and the other honorable inembers of the same.

66

Midway, St. John's Parish,

Signed by order of the inhabitants,

By ĎANIEL ROBERTS, and twenty others,

members of the committee."

in the province of Georgia, April 13, A. D. 1775."

A petition from the county of Frederick, in Virginia, addressed to the Congress, was presented and read.

Agreed, That it be referred to the committee on Monday.
Adjourned till Monday at nine o'clock.

MONDAY, May 15, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

Besides those who met at the opening of the Congress, the following members attended; from New York, Mr. Jay, Mr. Wisner, Mr. Schuyler, Mr. Clinton, Mr. Morris, and Mr. R. R. Livingston; from Pennsylvania, Mr. Wilson; from Maryland, Mr. Stone, and Mr. Goldsborough.

Upon motion,

Agreed, That the secretary be allowed to employ Timothy Matlack, as a clerk, he having first taken an oath, or affirmation, to keep secret the transactions of the Congress, that may be entrusted to him, or may come to his knowledge.

The city and county of New-York, having, through the delegates of that province, applied to Congress for advice how to conduct themselves with regard to the troops expected there, the Congress took the matter into considér

ation. During their deliberations, it became necessary to take the opinion of the Congress by colonies, upon which a question arose, whether the delegate from the parish of St. John's, in the colony of Georgia, could be admitted to vote. After some debate on this question, the delegate from that parish arose, and after observing, that the present distressful situation of American affairs had induced a necessity of this Congress, which was composed of delegates representing whole colonies; that as he did not represent a colony, but only a part, he did not insist on giving a vote as a colony, but was contented to hear and assist in the debates, and to give his vote in all cases, except when the sentiments of the Congress, were taken by colonies.

The Congress then resumed the consideration of the matter referred to them; during the debate, Samuel Ward, esq. one of the delegates from Rhode-Island, appeared and produced his credentials, which being read, were approved, and are as follows.

By the honorable the general assembly of the English colony of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, in New-England, in America.

(L. S.)

To the honorable Stephen Hopkins, esq. and the honorable Samuel Ward, esq. Greeting: Whereas the general assembly of the colony aforesaid, have nominated and appointed you, the said Stephen Hopkins and Samuel Ward, to represent the people of this colony, in a general Congress of representatives, from this and the other colonies, to be holden in, the city of Philadelphia, and there, in behalf of this colony, to meet, and join with the commissioners, or delegates from the other colonies, in consulting upon proper measures to obtain a repeal of the several acts of the British parliament, for levying taxes upon his majesty's subjects in America, without their consent; and upon proper measures to establish the rights and liberties of the colonies, upon a just and solid foundation, agreeable to the instructions given you by the general assembly.

By virtue of an act of the general assembly, I, Henry Ward, esq, secretary of the said colony, have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said colony, this seventh day of May, A. D. 1775, and in the fifteenth year of the reign of his most sacred majesty George the third, by the grace of God, king of Great-Britain, &c.

Signed,

HENRY WARD.

The matter under consideration being resumed, the Congress Resolved, That it be recommended, for the present, to the inhabitants of· New-York, that if the troops, which are expected, should arrive, the said colony act on the defensive, so long as may be consistent with their safety and security; that the troops be permitted to remain in the barracks, so long as they behave peaceably and quietly, but that they be not suffered to erect fortifications, or take any steps for cutting off the communication between the town and country, and that if they commit hostilities or invade private property, the inhabitants should defend themselves and their property, and repel force by force; that the warlike stores be removed from the town; that places of retreat, in case of necessity, be provided for the women and children of New-York; and that a sufficient number of men be embodied, and kept in constant readiness for protecting the inhabitants from insult and injury.

Two memorials, one from Samuel Shoemaker, the other from James and Drinker, merchants of this city, respecting some cargoes purchased by them, and intended for Newfoundland, but which are stopped by the committee of this city, were laid before the Congress, and read, and ordered to lic on the

table.

Upon motion,

Resolved, That Mr. Washington, Mr. Lynch, Mr. S. Adams, and the delegates from New-York, be a committee, to consider what posts are necessary to be occupied in the colony of New-York, and that they be desired to report as speedily as possible.

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Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of America.

Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow.

TUESDAY, May 16, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

A memorial from Robert and John Murray, of New-York, was laid before the Congress, and read.

Ordered, To lie on the table.

Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of America; after some time spent therein, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Tilghman reported from the committee, that they had taken the matter referred to them into consideration, but not having come to any resolution, desired him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the state of America.

Adjourned till to-morrow at twelve o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, May 17, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment, and the order of the day being postponed till to-morrow :

Upon motion,

Resolved unanimously, That all exportations to Quebec, Nova-Scotia, the island of St. John's, Newfoundland, Georgia, except the parish of St. John's, and to East and West Florida, immediately cease, and that no provision of any kind, or other necessaries be furnished to the British fisheries on the American coasts, until it be otherwise determined by the Congress. Ordered, That this be published immediately. Adjourned till to-morrow at nine o'clock.

THURSDAY, May 18, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

The honorable Stephen Hopkins, esq. from Rhode-Island, and Patrick Henry, esq. from Virginia, attended and took their seats in Congress.

Upon motion, Resolved, That the rules of conduct, to be observed in debating and determining questions, laid down by the last Congress, be adopted and observed by the present Congress.

The president laid before the Congress, some important intelligence he received last night, by express, relative to the surprising and taking of Ticonderoga, by a detachment from Massachusetts-Bay and Connecticut, which was read.

Upon motion, greed, That Mr. Brown, who brought the express, be called in: After he withdrew, the Congress, taking into consideration the letters and intelligence communicated to them,

Resolved, Whereas there is indubitable evidence, that a design is formed by the British ministry, of making a cruel invasion from the province of Quebec, upon these colonies, for the purpose of destroying our lives and liberties, and some steps have actually been taken to carry the said design into execution; and, whereas, several inhabitants of the northern colonies, residing in the vicinity of Ticonderoga, and immediately exposed to incursions, impelled by a just regard for the defence and preservation of themselves and their countrymen from such imminent dangers and calamities, have taken possession of that post, in which was lodged a quantity of cannon and military stores, that would certainly have been used in the intended invasion of these colonies; this Con

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gress earnestly recommend it to the committees of the cities and counties of New-York and Albany, immediately to cause the said cannon and stores to be removed from Ticonderoga to the south end of lake George; and, if necessary, to apply to the colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, and Connecticut, for such an additional body of forces as will be sufficient to establish a strong post at that place, and effectually to secure said cannon and stores, or so many of them as it may be judged proper to keep there. And that an exact inventory be taken of all such cannon and stores, in order that they may be safely returned, when the restoration of the former harmony between Great-Britain and these colonies, so ardently wished for by the latter, shall render it prudent, and consistent with the over-ruling law of self-preservation.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the state of America.

Adjourned till to-morrow at nine o'clock.

FRIDAY, May 19, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

The committee appointed to consider what posts are necessary to be occupied in the colony of New-York, and by what number of troops it will be proper they should be guarded, brought in their report, which, being read, was referred to the committee of the whole.

Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved themselves into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of America, and continued to do so, from day to day, till Wednesday the 24th, on which day the honorable Peyton Randolph, president, being under a necessity of returning home, and having set out this morning early, the chair was vacant, whereupon, On motion, the honorable John Hancock, esq. was unanimously chosen president.

The Congress then resolved themselves into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of America, and repeated the same on the day following.

FRIDAY, May 26, 1775.

The Congress being met according to adjournment, one of the delegates from New-Jersey laid before them a minute from the journals of the assembly of that colony, together with a resolution of the commons of Great-Britain, which were read as follows:

"NEW JERSEY, HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, May 20, 1775.

"His excellency having laid before the house, a copy of the resolution of the honorable house of commons of Great-Britain, of the 20th of February, 1775, containing a plan formed for the accommodation of the unhappy differences between our parent state and the colonies; which plan, under the present circumstances, this house, could not comply with and adopt, and yet this house being desirous of making use of all proper means to effect a reconciliation, do recommend it to their delegates to lay the same plan before the Continental Congress, for their consideration.

"A true copy from the journals,

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"RICHARD SMITH, Clerk of Assembly."

Copy of a resolution of the house of commons, February 20, 1775. "Resolved, That when the governor, council and assembly, or general court, of any of his majesty's provinces, or colonies, in America, shall propose to make provision according to the condition, circumstances, and situations of such province or colony, for contributing their proportion for the common defence, (such proportion to be raised under the authority of the general court,

or general assembly of such province or colony, and disposable by parliament,) and shall engage to make provision also for the support of the civil government, and the administration of justice, in such province or colony, it will be proper, if such proposal shall be approved by his majesty, and the two houses of parliament, and for so long as such provision shall be made accordingly, to forbear, in respect of such province or colony, to levy any duty, tax or assessment, except only such duties as it may be expedient to continue to levy, or to impose, for the regulation of commerce, the neat produce of the duties, last mentioned, to be carried to the account of such province, or colony, respectively."

Ordered, That the above be referred to the committee for taking into consideration the state of America.

The Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of America; after some time spent therein, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported from the committee, that they had come to some resolutions which he was desired to report, but not having finished the business, desired him to move for leave to sit again.

The report from the committee being read, the Congress came into the following resolutions:

Resolved unanimously, That his majesty's most faithful subjects, in these colonies, are reduced to a dangerous and critical situation, by the attempts of the British ministry to carry into execution, by force of arms, several unconstitutional and oppressive acts of the British parliament for laying taxes in America; to enforce the collection of those taxes, and for altering and changing the constitution and internal police of some of these colonies, in violation of the natural and civil rights of the colonists.

Hostilities being actually commenced in the Massachusetts-Bay, by the British troops, under the command of general Gage, and the lives of a number of the inhabitants of that colony destroyed, the town of Boston having not only been long occupied as a garrisoned town in an enemy's country, but the inhabitants thereof treated with a severity and cruelty not to be justified even towards declared enemies; large reinforcements too being ordered and soon expected, for the declared purpose of compelling these colonies to submit to the operation of the said acts; that therefore, for the express purpose of securing and defending these colonies, and preserving them in safety against all attempts to carry the said acts into execution, by force of arms, these colonies be immediately put into a state of defence.

But, as we most ardently wish for a restoration of the harmony formerly subsisting between our mother country and these colonies, the interruption of which must, at all events, be exceedingly injurious to both countries, that with a sincere design of contributing by all the means in our power, not incompatible with a just regard for the undoubted rights and true interests of these colonies, to the promotion of this most desirable reconciliation, an humble and dutiful petition be presented to his majesty.

Resolved, That measures be entered into for opening a negotiation, in order to accommodate the unhappy disputes subsisting between Great-Britain and these colonies, and that this be made a part of the petition to the king.

Resolved unanimously, That the militia of New-York be armed and trained, and in constant readiness to act at a moment's warning; and that a number of men be immediately embodied and kept in that city, and so disposed of as to give protection to the inhabitants, in case any insult should be offered by the troops, that may land there, and prevent any attempts that may be made to gain possession of the city, and interrupt its intercourse with the country.

Resolved unanimously, That it be recommended to the provincial convention at New-York, to persevere the more vigorously in preparing for their defence, as it is very uncertain whether the earnest endeavours of the Congress,

VOL. I.

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