THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES GIFT OF COMMODORE BYRON MCCANDLESS JOURNALS OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS LIBRARY OF CONOR HSS T thj: 't-'ttil TT-' /~> /—,.\. ' r-^ t^ i^W^ iOagfA 3HT 3D31'^21THOfl1 ^RDS I.. S BY FORD J Ot MANUSCRIPTS WASH!' 1904 THE ASSOCIATION OF 1 774 FRONTISPIECE (Thre« pUte* in pocket of cover) LIBRARY OF CONGRESS JOURNALS OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS 1774-1789 EDITED FROM THE ORIGINAL RECORDS IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS BY WORTHINGTON CHAUNCEY FORD CHIEF, DIVISION OF MANUSCRIPTS Volume I. 1774 WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1904 Collesre Library \ V, i PREFATORY NOTE The Journals and Records of the Continental Congi'ess have never been printed in full. The entries made from day to day by Secretary Charles Thomson were far from complete, and were subjected to revision by committees before publication; but the contemporary issues of the Journals have served as the basis of all subsequent reprints, and the original manuscript has remained almost unused, except by the curiovis bent upon studying the course of a certain measure. For the first time these valuable records of consultation and legislative action are now to be printed as written and as they were kept by the office of the Secretary of Congress. The entries will be supplemented by information gathered from the indorse- ments made upon papers and reports laid before Congress, which often note action not entered upon the Journals, and from such other sources as will aid in reconstituting the proceedings of this Revolutionary body. The Congress of 1774 stands by itself. The first step toward common measures, carefully taken by the com- mittees of correspondence and more or less popular assemblies of the localities, easily led to a general or Continental Congi-ess, whose powers were but ill defined, and whose acts were largely tentative. It was not pre- pared to take any radical step, and an assertion of the 5 6 Prefatory Note claims to rights rather than of the rights of the Colonies formed the burden of these papers. The conservative feeling carried the day and restricted the proceedings to statements of the grievances and appeals for relief. The delegates were unable to go beyond their instructions, and these were limited to consultation on the present state of the Colonies and the measures demanded by the situation for the best good of the dependencies. A res- toration of union and harmony between Great Britain and the Colonies was the wish of the meeting. The resulting addresses and papers were on that line, and only when the Congress of 1775 assembled was it seen that the time was ripe for action. Of the original papers prepared and adopted in this Congress of 1774 but one has been preserved — the Arti- cles of Association. From a number of sources docu- ments have been obtained throwing light upon the measures submitted and the various forms they assumed before acceptance or rejection. What is printed here will even thus form only a journal of proceedings, with the reports prepared in the Congress ; but the intended pub - lication of the papers and documents of the Continental Congress in full will supply to the student the material necessary to the understanding of the position, measures, and influence of this body. WORTHINGTON ChAUNCEY FoKD Chief of Division of Manuscripts Editor Herbert Putnam Librarian of Congress PRINCIPAL CONTENTS Page Editorial statement 5 Illustrations ......... 9 Journal, 177-4 13 List of deleoates 13 Credentials of delegates: New Hampshire . 15 Massachusetts Ba.y ...... . 15 Rhode Island 16 Connecticut ......... 17 New York 19 New Jersey ......... 19 Pennsylvania ......... 20 Delaware 21 Maryland 22 Virginia 23 South Carolina 23 North Carolina 30 Suffolk Countv resolves 32 Non-importation resolve • . . 43 Joseph Galloway's plan 43 Non-exportation resolve 61 Letter from Boston 55 Letter to General Gage = CO Statement of violations of rights . . . ... 63 Association 75 Address to the people of Great Britain .... 81 Memorial to the inhabitants of the British Colonies 90 Letter to St. Johns, Nova Scotia, &c. .... 103 8 Principal Contents Page. Letter to the agents of the Colonies .... 104 Address to the inhaiutants of Quebec .... 105 Letter from General Gage 114 Peyton Randolph to Charles Thomson .... 115 Petition to the King 115 Charles Thomson to Benjamin Franklin .... 122 Benjamin Franklin to W. & R. Molleson . . . 123 Note by Benjamin Franklin ...... 123 Note by Governor Thomas Pownall .... 124 Bibliographical note 127 Index 139 ILLUSTRATIONS Page Association Frontispiece Page of MANtrscpapi' Journal 13 Resolution not to import ....... 43 Authority given by the Delegates of Vircunia to (teorge Wasiungton, October, 1774 53 Printed association 75 Address to people of Ureat I^ritain .... 81 Letter to inhabitants of Quebec . . . . . 1(»1 Title-page, first issue of Journal .... 102 Lettre adressee aux Habitans de la Province de Quebec 105 Signatures to petition to the Kino 121 Headings of PENNS■i^-VANIA Journal (2) .... 127 9 JOURNALS 1 774 11 i^, 1.,M^^^ ^ t^^^i^t^Ly, .^4, ^■O /ctt L^. ^ <> jt .0^,„i7. '-, ^i^ (J^^^, .,„^„ ,,, ^y^, ^j^^ ■'/' JOURNAL OF CONGRESS. I 774 /t ""y ^^*^ Of" ™E MANUSCRIPT / / ^v' ,v , 'iy A ^♦v'*.-> .'#. Tm" •'" "'!T iO 3DAH 0'f!--<:/ ^.^-»^ JOURNALS OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS 1774 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1774 A number of the Delegates chosen and appointed by the Several Colonies and Provinces in North America to meet and hold a Congress at Philadelphia assembled at the Cari^enters' Hall:' PRESENT: From Neil} Hampshire. From Hhod^ Island. Major John Sullivan, Esqf The Hon"!" Stephen Hopkinw. Esqf Col" Nathaniel Folsom, Esq:' The Hon"!" Samuel Ward, Esqf F'"om Massachusetts. From Connectimtt. The Hon^'l" Thomas Gushing, Esq!" Mr. Samuel Adams. The Hon"!'^' Eliphalet Dyer. Esq!" John Adams, I xp . ra Silas Deane, Esqf Robert Treat Paine, ) ^*^ ' The Hon'"!" Roger Sherman, Esqf ' "The members met at the City (or Smith's) Tavern, at ten o'clock, and walked to the Carpenter's Hall, where they took a view of the room, and of the chamber where is an excellent library. * * * The general cry was. That this was a good room, and the question was put, wiiether we were satisfied with this room? and it passed in the affirmative. A very few were for the negative, and they were chiefly from Pennsylvania and New York." — John Adams's Works, II, 365. Galloway wished the State-house to be used. 13 14 Journals of Congress From the City and Coim.ty of Nm^ YorA', and other eountt&s i?i the ■provvtice of Neio Yorli. James Duane, John Jay, Philip Livingston, Isaac Low, •Esq': From the county of Suffolk^ 'hi. the province of Ne%v ITnrl-. Col" William Floyd, Es(ir From New-Jersey. James Kinsey, William Livingston, John Dehart, Stephen C'ranc, Richard Smith, Esq": From Fennsi/tmni/'a. The llon'"^ Joseph (Calloway, Esq Samuel Khoads, Thomas Mifflin, Charles Humphreys, Esq'.' John Morton, Edward Biddle, From JVew- Castle, Ketit, and S^is- sex, 0)1 Delaware. Csesar Rodney, | Thomas McKean, Esq" George Read, ) From Marylamd. Robert Goldsborough,] William Paca, Esq'.' Samuel Chase, | From Virginia. The Hon"!"' Peyton Ran- dolph, Col" Richard Henry Lee, present the 2" day. George Washington [Esq"? Patrick Henry, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrison, Edmund Pendleton, From South Carolina. Henry Middleton, John Rutledge, Christopher Gadsden, Thomas Lynch, Edward Rutledge, Esq? The Congress proceeded to the choice of a President, when the Hon"'' Peyton Randolph, Esq' was unani- mously elected/ Mr. Charles Thomson was unanimously chosen Sec- retary.^ The gentlemen from the several Colonies produced their respective credentials, which were read and approved & are as follows : ' The nominations of both Randolph and Tlionison were made by Thomas I.ynch. John Adams says that Duane and Jay were at first inclined to seek further for a Secretary. ^American Quarterly Review, I, 30. September, 1774 15 FOR THE PROVINCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE: ' At a meeting of the deputies appointed hy the several towns in this province, held at Exeter, in the county of Rockingham, 21st July, 1774r, for the election of delegates, on behalf of this province, to join the General Congress proposed. Present, 85 members. The Hon".'" John Wentworth, Esq!", in the chair. Yuted^ That Major John Sullivan, and Col" Nathaniel Folsom, Esq"?, be appointed and impowered as delegates, on the part of this province, to attend and assist in the General Congress of delegates from the other Colonies, at such time and place as may be appointed, to devise, consult, and adopt measures, as maj' have the most likely tendency to extricate the Colonies from their present difficulties; to secure and perpetuate their rights, liberties, and pri\nleges, and to restore that peace, harmony, & mutual confidence which once happily subsisted between the parent country and her Colonies. Attested : J. Wentworth, Chainaan. FOR THE PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY:' In the House of Representatives, June l7th, 1774. This house having duly considered, and being deeply affected with the unhappy differences which have long subsisted and are encreasing between Great Britain and the American Colonies, do resolve, that a meeting of Committees from the several Colonies on this Continent is highly expedient and necessary, to consult upon the present state of the Colonies, and the miseries to which they are and must be reduced ' It would be impossible in this place to give even a short account of the political events in each colony preceding the appointment of delegates to the General or Con- tinental Congress. Local histories give a sketch of these events, but not always in such a form as to present the relations maintained by the agitators of one colony toward those in another. The newspapers of the day printed the proceedings of county or town conventions and such few communications on political affairs as suited the varying opinions or interests of the editors. The best source of informa- tion is to be found in the handbills and broadsides issued by the different parties or factions, and this is especially true for New York, where the contest was most severe, and in Pennsylvania, where such arts of political agitation had long been practiced. '^ General Gage had adjourned the general court to Salem, and there these resolves were adopted with only 12 dissenting voices in a membership of 129. The names of 11 of the dissenters are given in a journal of the day, on rumor, and is printed in Force, American Archives, Fourth Series, I, 421 n. 16 Journals of Congress by the operation of certain acts of Parliament respecting America, and to deliberate and determine upon wise and proper measures, to be by them recommended to all the Colonies, for the recovery and estab- lishment of their just rights & liberties, civil & religious, and the res- toration of union & harmony between Great Britain and the Colonies, most ardentl^^ desired by all good men. Therefore, Resolved, That the Hon"!" James Bowdoin,' esq":., the Hon''!" Thomas Cushing, esq":., Mr. Samuel Adams, John Adams, & Robert Treat Paine, esq"., be, and they are hereby appointed a Committee on the part of this province, for the purposes aforesaid, any three of whom to be a quorum, to meet such committees or delegates from the other Colonies as have been or may be appointed, either Tjy their respective houses of Burgesses, or representatives, or by convention, or by the com- mittees of correspondence appointed by the respective houses of Assembly, in the city of Philadelphia, or any other place that shall be judged most suitable by the Committee, on the iirst day of September next; & that the Speaker of the House* be directed, in a letter to the speakers of the house of Burgesses or representatives in the several Colonies, to inform them of the substance of these Resolves. Attested: Samuel Adams, Clerk. FOR RHODE ISLAND:" By the Hon*'!" Joseph Wanton, esq'., governor, captain-general, and commander in chief of and over the English Colony of Rhode- Island and Providence plantations, in New England in Amei'ica. To the Honourable Stephen Hopkins, esq";., and the Honourable Samuel Ward, esq"^., greeting: Whereas the General Assembly of the Colony aforesaid have nominated and appointed you, the said Stephen Hopkins & Samuel Ward, to represent the people of this Colony in general congress of representatives from this and the other Colonies, at such time and place as should be agreed upon by the major part of the committees appointed, or to be appointed by the colonies in general: ' Bowdoin declined his appointment. ' Thomas Cushing. •■"The resolution of the Assembly was passed 15 June, 1774. Rhode Island Records, VII, 246. September^ 1774 17 I do therefoi-e herebj' authorize, impower, and cominissionatc yo\i^ the said Stephen Hoplcins & Samuel Ward, to repair to the city of Philadelphia, it being the place agreed upon hj' the major part of the colonies; 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 particularly an act lately passed for blocking up the port of Boston, and upon proper measures to establish the rights and liberties of the Colonies, upon a just and solid foundation, agreable to the instructions given you l>y the general Assemblj\ Given under my hand and the seal of the said colony, this tenth day of August, in the year of our Lord 1774, and the 14th [l. s.] of the reign of his most sacred Majesty Geoi'ge the third, by the gi*ace of God, king of Great Britain, & so forth. Signed J. Wanton. By his honour's command, Henry Ward, Secy. FOR CONNECTICUT: In the House of Representatives of the Colony of Connecticut, June 3d, 177 h.. Whereas a congress of commissioners from the several British colo- nies in America, is proposed by some of our neighbouring colonies, and thought necessary; and whereas it may be found expedient that such Congress should be convened before the next Session of this Assembly: Resolved, by this house, that the committee of correspondence' be, and they are herebj* empowered, on application to them made, or from time to time, as may be found necessary, to appoint a suitable number to attend such congress, or convention of connuissioners, or commit- tees of the several Colonies in British America, and the persons thus ' This committee of correspondence was appointed by the Connecticut House of Rep- resentatives, May 21, 1773, in response to a suggestion of the Virginia House of Burgesses. The names of the committee are appended to the minute of the meeting, that of Samuel Bishop alone being wanting. 30127— VOL 1—04 2 18 Journals of Congress to 1)6 chosen f^hall bo, and the}' are hereby directed, in behalf of this Colony, to attend such Coug'ress; to consult and advise on proper measures for advancing the best good of the Colonies, and such con- ferences, from time to time, to I'eport to this house. True Extract & Copy from the Journal of the house. Attest William Williams, Clerk. Colony of Connecticut, .w. New London, J'nJy 13fk, 177^. At a meeting of the Committee of Correspondence for this Colony: The honourable Ebenezer Silliman, Esqf in the chair: The hon"!" Eliphalet Dyer, the hon"!" William Samuel Johnston, Erastus Wolcott, Silas Deane, and Richard Law, Es(j''." were nomi- nated pursuant to the a(;t of the honourable House of Representatives of the said Colonj-, at their session in May last, either three of which are hereby authorised and empowered, in behalf of this Colon}', to attend the general Congress of the colonies proposed to ))e held at Philadelphia, on the first day of September next, or at such other time & place as shall be agreed on by the Colonies, to consult and advise with the Commissioners or Committees of the several English Colonies in America, on proper measures for advancing the best good of the Colonies. (Signed:) Ebenezer Silliman, William Williams, Benjamin Payne, Erastus Wolcott, Joseph Trumbull, Samuel H. Parsons, Nathan! Wales, jun. Silas Deane. Colony of Connecticut, *■«. Hartford, August [ ],'' 177 ^. At a Meeting of the Committee of Correspondence for this colony: Erastus ^^'(:)lcott, Chairman. The honourable William Sanmel Johnston', Erastus Wolcott, and Richard Law, Esq" nominated b^' this committee at their meeting at New-London, on the 13th of July last, as persons proper to attend the ' Johnson pleaded .in important law case requiring his atteiulance at Albany, a plea which gave occasion to no little comment, as implying a disinclination to accept the appointment to the Congress. A defence of him by Silas Deane will be found in Leltrra and Jonmah of iSamuel B. Webh, I, 37. ^ The meeting must have been held very early in August, as a newspaper announced the results on the 3d. September^ 1774 19 general congress, to hv held at Philadelphia, on the l'.' of September next, as by said appointment, being unable, b\^ reason of previous engagements and the state of their health, to attend said Congress, on behalf of this colon}'; the hon'''." Roger Sherman, & Joseph Trum- bull, Esq""? were nominated in the place of the aforesaid gentlemen, as persons proper to attend said Congress, in behalf of this Colony, either of which are empowered, with the hon'"'.'' Eliphalet Dyer, and Silas Deane, Esq!' for that purpose. (Signed) William Williams, Benjamin Payne, Joseph Trumbull, Nathl Wales, Jun, Sam' H. Parsons, Samuel Bishop. FOR NEW YORK: By duly certifycd polls, taken by proper persons, in seven wards, it appears that James Duane, John Jay, Philip Livingston, Isaac Low, & John Alsop, Esq"'.' were elected as Delegates for the City & County of New York, to attend the Congress at Philadelphia, the first day of September next; and at a meeting of the Committees of several districts in the County of West-Chester, the same gentlemen were appointed to represent that County. Also by a Letter from Jacob Lansing, Jun'', chairman, in behalf of the Committee for Albany, it appears, that that Cit}' & County had adopted the same for their delegates. By another letter,' it appears, that the Committees from the several districts in the County of Duchess, had likewise adopted the same as delegates to rep- resent that County in Congress, & that Committees of other towns approve of them as their delegates. By a writing duly attested, it appears, the County of Suflolk, in the Colony of New York, have appointed Col" William Floyd, to rep- resent them at the Congress. FOR NEW JERSEY:^ To James Kinsey, William Livingston, John D'hart, Stephen Crane, & Richard Smith. Esq" each and every of j'ou: The Committees, appointed by the several Counties of the Colouj" of New Jersey, to nominate Deputies, to represent the same in the ' It was dated August 20. ' The proceedings of the convention making these nominations are printed in the Neiv Jpraey Archives, First Series, X, 469. Kinsey and Crane were members of tlie New Jersey Committee of Correspondence. 20 Journals of Congress general congress of deputies from the other Colonies in America, con- vened at the City of New Brunswick, have nominated and appointed, and do herebj' nominate and appoint you, and each of you, deputies, to represent the Colony of New Jersey in the said general congress. In testimony whereof, the Chairmen of the several Committees here met, have hereunto set their hands, this twenty third daj- of July, in the fourteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third, and in the year of our Lord 1774. (Signed) William P. Smith [Essex County], Jacob Ford [Morris Coimty], John Moores [Middlesex County], Robert Johnson, Robert Field, Robert Friend Price, Peter Zabriskie [Bergen County], Samuel Tucker [Hunterdon County], Edward Taylor [Monmouth County], Hendrick Fisher, Archibald Stewart,^ Thomas Anderson,' Abra Brown,' Mark Thompson.' FOR PENNSYLVANIA:" EXTRACT FROM VOTES OF THK ASSEMBLY. Friday, July £3". 1774, «• w- The Committee of the wliole house, taking into their most serious consideration, the unfortunate diflcrences which have long subsisted between Great-Britain and the American Colonies, and been greatly increased by the operation and effects of divers late acts of the Brit- ish Parliament: Resolved, N. C I). That there is an absolute necessity that a Con- gress of Deputies from the several Colonics, be held as soon as conven- iently may be, to consult together upon the present unhappy State of the Colonies, and to form and adopt a plan for the purposes of obtain- ing redress of American grievances, ascertaining American rights upon the most solid and constitutional principles, and for establishing that Union & harmony l)6tween Great-Britain and the Colonies, which is indispensably necessary to the welfare and happiness of both. ' Hugh Hughes w;i8 the cliairmau of tlie Sussex County meeting, but does not appear to have been at the New-Brunswick meeting. These four persons were pres- ent as delegates from Sussex. ^ The instructions to the delegates from Pennsylvania were printed in the Packet, September 5, 1774. As a postscript in the same issue was given the Quebec bill. September, 1774 21 EODEM DIE, p. M. The house resuuied the consideration of the I'esolve from the Com- mittee of the whole house, and, after some debate thereon, adopting antl confirming the same, JieaolveJ, JV. ('. D. That the hon'"'.'" Joseph Galloway, speaker; Samuel Rhoads, Thomas Mifflin, Cha" Humphreys, John Morton, George Ross, & Edward Biddle, Esqivs, be and thej' are hereby appointed a Committee, on the part of this Province, for the purposes aforesaid, and that they, or any four of them, do meet such Commit- tees or Delegates from the other Colonies, as have been or may be appointed, either by their respective houses of representatives, or by convention, or by the provincial or Colony Committees, at such time and place, as shall be generally agreed on by such Committees. FOR THE THREE COUNTIES NEWCASTLE, KENT, & SUSSEX, ON DELAWARE: Au(/7ist 1, 1774, ^- •^^•' The Representatives of the freemen of the Government of the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, & Sussex, on Delaware, met at New- castle, in pursuance of circular letters from the Speaker of the house, who was requested to write and forward the same to the several Members of Assembly, by the Committees of correspondence for the several Counties aforesaid, chosen and appointed for that among other purposes, by the freeholders and freemen of the said Counties respec- tively: And having chosen a Chairman,^ and read the resolves of the three respective Counties, and sundry letters from the Committees of correspondence along the Continent, they unanimously entered into the following resolution, viz: We, the rejiresentatives aforesaid, by virtue of the power delegated to us, as aforesaid, taking into our most serious consideration the several acts of the British parliament, for restraining manufactures in his Majesty's colonies and plantations in North-America, — for taking awaj^ the property of the Colonists without their participation or con- sent, — for the inti'oduction of the arbitrary powers of excise into the Customs here, — for the making all revenue excises liable without Jury, and under the decision of a single dependant Judge, — for the ' The selection of delegates to the Congress was made on the morning of August 2d. * Caesar Rodney. 22 Journals of Congress trial, in England, of persons accused of capital crimes, committed in the Colonies, — for the shutting up the port of Boston, — for new- modelling the government of the Massachusetts-Bay, and the opera- tion of the same on the property, liberty, and lives of the Colonists; and also considering, that the most eligible mode of determining upon the premises, and of endeavouring to procure relief and redress of our grievances, would ha^'c been by us assembled in a Legislative capacitj^, but that as tlie house had adjourned to the thirtieth da}' of September next, and it is not to be expected, that his Honour the Governor would call us, b}^ writs of summons, on this occasion, having refused to do the like in his other Province of Pennsylvania; the next most proper method, of answering the expectations and desires of our Constituents, and of contributing our aid to the general cause of America, is to appoint commissioners or deputies in behalf of the people of this government, to meet and act with those appointed by the other provinces, in general Congress; and we do, therefore, unanimously nominate and appoint C'tesar Rodney, Thomas M'Kcaii, and George Read, Esq''." or any two of them, deputies, on the part and behalf of this government, in a general continental congress, pro- posed to be held at the city of Philadelphia, on the first Mondaj' in September next, or at any other time or place that maj' be generally agreed on, then and there, to consult and advise with the deputies from the other colonies, and to determine upon all such prudent and lawful measures, as may be judged most expedient for the Colonies immediately and unitedlj' to adopt, in order to obtain relief for an oppressed people, and the redress of our general grievances. Signed by order of the convention, C^:sAR Rodney, Chairman. FOR MARYLAND: At a Meeting of the Committees appointed by the several Counties of the province of Mar3'land, at the City of Annapolis, the 22'' day of June, 177-i, and continued by adjourmnent, from day to day, till the 25"' of the same month: Matthew Tilghman, Esq'^ in the Chair: John Ducket, Clerk:' Resolved, That Matthew Tilghman, Thomas Johnson, Jun', Robert Goldsborough, William Paca, and Samuel Chase, Esq'." or any two or more of them, be deputies for this province, to attend a General Cou- ' John Duckett. September, 1774 23 gress of deputies from the Colonies, at such time and place as may be agreed on, to effect one general plan of conduct, operating on the commercial connexion of the colonics with the mother country-, for the relief of Boston, and preservation of American liberty. FOR VIRGINIA: Monday the 1st of August, in the year of our Lord, ITT-I. At a general meeting of Delegates from the ditfei-ent Counties in this Colony, convened in the city of Williamsburgh, to take under their considei'ation the present critical and alarming situation of the Continent of North-America: The Honourable Peyton Randolph in the Chair: It was unanimously resolved; that it is the opinion of this meeting, that it will be highly conducive to the security and happiness of the British Empire, that a general congress of deputies from all the Colonies, assemble as ([uickly as the nature of their situations will admit, to consider of the most proper and effectual manner of so oper- ating on the commercial connexion of the colonies with the Mother Country, as to procure redress for the nmch injured province of Massachusetts-Bay, to secure British America from the ravage and ruin of arbitrary taxes, and speedily as possible to procure the return of that harmony and Union, so beneficial to the whole Empire, and so ardently desired b3- all British America. Friday, August 5'", iTT-i. The Meeting proceeded to the choice of Delegates, to represent this Colon}' in general Congress, when the hon''!'' Peyton Randolph, Rich- ard Henrj' Lee, George Washington, Patrick Henry, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrison, & Edmund Pendleton, Esq"? were appointed for that purpose. FOR SOUTH-CAROLINA. ' In the commons, house of Assembly, Tuesday, the '2d A&y of August, 1774. Colonel PowelP acquainted the house, that during the recess of this house, viz: on the 6th, 7th & 8th daj^s of July last at a general meet- ing of the inhabitants of this colon}', they having under consideration 'Ramsay, Revolution in South Carolina , ], 18. Drayton, Memoirs of tlie American Reiolution, I, 126. Force, American Archives, Fourth Series, I, 525. ' George Gabriel Powell. 24 Journals of Congress the acts of parliament lately passed with regard to the port of Boston and Colony of Massachusetts-Bay as well as other American grievances, had nominated and appointed the hon^l" Henry Middleton, John Rut- ledge, Thomas Lynch, Christopher Gadsden, & Edward Kutledge, Esq'^^'' dejiuties on the part and behalf of this Colony, to meet the depu- ties of the other Colonies of North America, in general Congress, the first Monda}' in September next at Philadeljihia, or at any other time and place that may be generally agi'eed on, there to consider the acts lately passed, and bills depending in parliament with regard to the port of Boston and Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, which acts & bills in the precedent and consequences affect the whole Continent of Amer- ica — also the grievances under which America labours, hj reason of the several acts of parliament that impose taxes or duties for raising a revenue, and lay uimecessary restraints and burdens on Trade; and of the statutes, parliamentary acts, and royal instructions, which make an invidious distinction between his majesty's subjects in Great-Brit- ain and America, with full power and authority to concert, agree to, and effectually prosecute such legal measures, as in the opinion of the said deputies, and of the deputies so to l)e assemljled, shall be most likely to obtain a repeal of the said acts, and a redress of those griev- ances: and thereupon moved that this house do resolve to recognize, ratify, and confirm said appointment of the deputies for the purposes aforesaid. Rewlved, N. C. D. That this house do recognize, ratify, and con- firm the appointment of the said deputies for the purposes mentioned in the said motion. Attested, Thomas Faek, Jun': Clerk. A motion was made ^ and seconded that a Committee be appointed to draw np some rules of conduct to be observed by the Congress in debating and determining questions that come under consideration. But after some debate another motion was made and seconded that the farther consideration of this question be deferred untill tomor- row, which was carried by a large majority. Whereupon a motion was made to adjourn, and the vote (?) being put, agreed that the Congress be adjourned to meet at this place tomorrow morning 10 o Clock. ' By James Diiaiie. September, 1774 25 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1774. At 10 o'clock a. m. The Congress met according to adjournment. Present: The same members as yesterday, and more- over, from the colony of Virginia, Richard Henry Lee, Esq!, from counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware, Thomas McKean, Esq! The Congress, resuming the consideration of appoint- ing a Committee to draw up rules of conduct to be observed in debating and determining the questions, that come under considei^ation, after a good deal of debate the motion was diverted to facts 1. Shall a Committee be appointed to draw up rules for the proceedings of this Congress. Carried in the Negative. 2. Shall a Committee be appointed to fix the mode of voting by allowing to each province one or more votes, so as to establish an equitable representation according to the respective importance of each Colony. Carried in the negative. Upon motion the Question was put and Resolved, That in determining questions in this Con- gress, each Colony or Province shall have one Vote. — The Congress not being possess'd of, or at present able to procure proper materials for ascertaining the importance of each Colony.^ 'The "debate" printed in Workx of John Adanu II, 366, must have taken place also on the 6th, and not wholly on the 5th as printed. Patrick Henry favored num- bers of freemen as a basis of representation; Lynch wished the weight of each Colony to be determined by numbers and property. Richard Henry Lee raised the proper objection of a want of information to make any scale, in which John Adams agreed with him. Gadsden favored voting by Colonies. The difficulty to be met was raised by Virginia, who claimed a prominence that the delegates from other Colonies were unwilling to concede. It was finally decided that each Colonj' should have "one voice; but as this was objected to as unequal, an entry was made on the iournals to prevent its being drawn into a precedent." Connecticut Delegates to Gov- ernoT Trumbull, October 10, 1774. 26 Journals of Congress Resolved, That uo person shall speak more than twice on the same point, without the leave of the Congress. Resolved, That no question shall be determined the day, on which it is agitated and debated, if any one of the Colonies desire the determination to be postponed to another day. Resolved, That the doors be kept shut during the time of business, and that the members consider themselves under the strongest obligations of honour, to keep the proceedings secret, untill the majority shall direct them to be made public. Resolved, unan: That a Committee be appointed to State the rights of the Colonies in general, the several instances in which these rights are violated or infringed, and the means most proper to be pursued for obtaining a restoration of them. Ordered. That the appointment of the Committee, and the number of which it shall consist, be deferred untill to-morrow. Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to examine & report the several Statutes, which affect the trade and Manufactures of the colonies. Same order as above respecting the appointment & number of this Committee. Resolved, That the Rev^ Mr. Duche be desired to open the Congress tomorrow morning with prayers, at the Carpenter's Hall, at 9 o'Clock.^ '"After settling tlie mode of voting, whicli is by giving each Colony an equal voice, it was agreed to open the business with prayer. As many of our warmest friends are members of the Church of England, [I] thought it prudent, as well on that as on some other accounts, to move that the i^ervice should be performed by a clergyman of that deuonunatiou." Samud AiUimii to J. Wurrm, 9 September, 1774. Jolm Adams says it was Gushing who made the motion that business be opened with prayer, and John Jay and Rutledge opposed it on the ground of a diversity in religious sentiments. That Sanmel Adams asserted he was no bigot, and could hear a prayer from any gentleman of piety and virtue, wlio was at the same time a friend to hia country; and nominated Duch6. See note under September 7, post. September, 1774 27 Thomas Johnson, Juu', Esq!' one of the Delegates from Maryland, attended and took his seat. Extract from minutes of the directors of the Library- Company of Philadelphia, dated August 31'.', — directed to the Pi'esident, was read, as follows: Upon motion, ordered, That the Librarian furnish the gentlemen, who are to meet in Congress, with the use of such Books as they may liave occasion for, during their sitting, taking a receipt for them. By order of the Directors, (Signed) Wilijam Attmore, Si-e^. Ordered, That the thanks of the Congress be returned to the Directors of the Library Company of Philadelphia, for their obliging order. Adjourned until nine o'clock to-morrow. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1774, 9 o'clock a. m. The Congress met according to adjournment. Agreeable to the resolve of yesterday, the meeting was opened with prayers by the Rev'? Mr. Duche. Voted, That the thanks of the Congress be given to Mr. Duche, by Mr. Cushing and Mr. Ward, for perform- ing divine Service, and for the excellent prayer, which he composed and deliver'd on the occasion.' The Congress, taking into consideration the appoint- ment of the Committees. A vote was taken on the num- ber of which the first Committee should consist, and, by 'Duche attended in full poutitiicala, read several prayers in the established form, the collect for the day (Psahu XXXV), and then "struck out into an extemporary prayer, which filled the bosom of every man preseut. I must confess I never heard a better prayer, or one so well pronounced. * * * It has had an excellent effect upon everybody here." Jolm Adams to his wife, — September, 1774. Joseph Reed thought the appointment and prayer a "masterly stroke of pcilicy." Ward recorded "one of the most sublime, catholic, well-adapted prayers I ever heard." 28 JourMls of Congress a great majority, agreed that it consist of two from each of the Colonies, as follows : New Hampshire, Major John Snllivan, and M' [Nathan- iel] Folsom. Massachusetts -Bay, M!' Samuel Adams, and M' John Adams. Rhode Island, M' [Stephen] Hopkins, and W- [Samuel] Ward. Connecticut, Col'-' [Eliphalet] Dyer, and M' [Roger] Sherman. New York, W- James Duane, and M!' John Jay. New Jersey, M^ [William] Livingston, and M- [John] Dehart Pennsylvania, M- Joseph Galloway, and M!' E[dward] Biddle. 3 counties [Delaware government], M^ Csesar Rodney, and M' [Thomas] M^Kean Maryland, W Tho' Johnson, and M' [Robert] Golds - borough . Virginia, M' [Richard Henry] Lee, and M^ [Edmund] Pendleton. South Carolina, M' [Thomas] Lynch, and M' J[ohn] Rxitledge.' ' The Committee to ' ' state the rights &c ' ' met on the 8th, entered into tlie sul.)ject, and adjourned. John Adams says the Committee sat all day, ' ' and a most ingenious, entertaining de])ate we had." This dehate is summarized in his Workx, II, 370. Another meeting was held on the 9th. "Agreed to found our rights upon the laws of Nature, the principles of the English Constitution, and charters and compacts; ordered a Sub-Committee to draw up a Statement of Rights." ( Ward.) Galloway and Duane were for excluduig the law of nature; John Adams insisted on retaining it. Asecond (juestion was the authority to Ije conceded to Parliament; "whether we should deny the authority of Parliament in all cases; whether we should allow any authority to it in our internal affairs; or whether we should allow it to regulate the trade of the Empire with or without any restrictions" Adams. The sub-committee, of which John Adams and John Rutledge were members, held sessions from the 10th to the 14th, and then reported to the great Committee, where the affair hmig so long that other members of Congress were "jealous." On the 22? a rei>ort was made to Congress. On the 14th the great Committee appointed a sub-(»nimittee to ' ' state the infriuge- ments of our rights." The report was laid before Congress on the 24tb. September, 1774 29 Agreed, that the second Committee consist of one chosen from each Colony, as follows: — Neiv Haw,pshire, Mr. [John] Sullivan. Massachusetts Bay, Mr. [Thomas] Gushing. Rhode Island, Mr. [Stephen] Hopkins. Connecticut, Mr. [Silas] Deane. New York, Mr. [Isaac] Low. New Jersey, Mr. [James] Kinsey. Pennsylvania , Mr. [Thomas] Mifflin. 5 counties, Mr. [George] Read. Maryland, Mr. [Samuel] Chase, Virginia, Mr. [Patrick] Henry. South Carolina, Mr. [Christopher] Gadsden. Ordered, That Isaac Lefevre and James Lynch, he em- ployed as Door -Keepers and messengers to this Congress. Resolved, That the President may adjourn the Con- gress from day to day, when he finds there is no husiness prepared to be laid before them, and may, when he finds it necessary, call them together before the time to which they may stand adjourned. Adjourned until to-morrow Morning, 9 o'Clock. THURSDAY [SEPTEMBER 8,1 9 O'CLOCK A. M. The Congress is farther adjourned till to -morrow morn- ing at 9 o'clock. FRIDAY [SEPTEMBER 9] 9 O'CLOCK A. M. The President agreeable to the resolve of the 7'." Ins' adjourned the Congress till tomorrow at 9 o'Clock. SATURDAY [SEPTEMBER loj 9 O'CLOCK A. M.' Adjourned till Monday next at 9 o'Clock. ■This is the first entry in the MS. Journah made by Charles Thomson. In the printed Jonrnals the entries for September 8, 9, and 10 were omitted, and the following entry made: "The President, agreeable to the resolve of the seventh Inst, adjourned the Congress from day to day until." 30 Journals of Congress MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1774. Matthew Tilghman, Esq!' one of the delegates from Maryhiud, appeared and took his seat in Congress. No business being prepared for the Congress, the Presi- dent adjourned it till tuesday, & from Tuesday till Wednesday. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1774, A. M, The Congress met according to adjournment. William Hooper and Joseph Hewes, Esq™ two of the deputies from North -Carolina, attended the Congress, & produced their credentials, as follows : I^orth- Carolina, at a general meeting of deputies of the Inhabitants of this province, New Bern, the 25*" day of August, Anno Domini 1774:: Re-solvcd, That we approve of the pi-oposal of a general Congress, to be held in the City of Philadelphia, on the twentieth day of Septem- ber next, then and there to deliberate upon the present state of British America, and to take such measures, as they ma}^ deem prudent, to effect the purpose of describing with certainty the rights of Americans, repairing the breaches made in those rights, and for guarding them for the future from any such violations done under the sanction of public Authority. Hesolmd, That William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and Eicbard Cas- well, Esquires, and every of them, be deputies to attend such Con- gress, and they are hereby invested with such powers, as may make any acts done by them, or consent given in behalf of this province, obligatory in honour upon every inhabitant heicof , who is not an alien to his country's good, and an apostate to the liberties of America. Signed, John Hakvey, Moderator. Attested, Andrew Knox, Clerh. The above being read and approved, the deputies took their seats. Henry Wisner, a delegate from the County of Orange, in the Colony of New -York, appeared at Congress, & produced a certificate of his election by the said county, September, 1774 31 which being read and approved, he took his seat in con- gress as a deputy for the Colony of New -York. George Ross, Esq- one of the delegates for the province of Pennsylvania, & John Alsop, Esq"" one of the delegates for the Colony of New -York, appeared & took their seats in Congress. Ordered, That William Hooper & Joseph Hewes, Esq''." from North -Carolina, be added to the committee appointed to state the Rights of the Colonies, &c. & That William Hooper, Esq^ be one of the Com- mittee appointed to report the statutes, which affect the trade, &c. of the colonies. The delegates from the Province of Massachusetts -bay, agreeable to a request from the joint committees of every town & district in the county of Middlesex, in the s** province, communicated to the Congress the proceedings of those committees at Concord, on the 30th & 31st days of August last, which were read.' Adjourned until to-morrow at 9 oClock. No business being prepared, the Congress was ad- journed from day to day, till Saturday morning, at 9 oClock. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1774, A. M. The Congress met according to adjournment. Richard Caswell, Esq' one of the deputies from North - Carolina, appeared, and took his seat in Congress. The Resolutions entered into by the delegates from the several towns and districts in the county of Suffolk, in the province of the Massachusetts -bay, on tuesday the 6th instant, and their address to his excellency Gov!' 'These proceedings were issued an a broadside, and copies are in the American Antiquarian Society, of Worcester, Mass., and in tlie Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. 32 Journals of Congress Gage, dated the Oth instant, were laid before the con- gress, and are as follows: At a meeting of the delegates of every town & district in the county of Suffolk, on tuesday the 6th of Septl', at the house of M!' Richard Woodward, of Deadham, & by adjournment, at the house of Mr. [Daniel] Vose, of Milton, on Friday the 9th instant, Joseph Palmer, esq. being chosen moderator, and William Thompson, esq. clerk, a committee was chosen to bring in a report to the convention, and the following being several times read, and put paragraph by paragraph, was unanimously voted, viz. Whereas the power but not the justice, the vengeance but not the wisdom of Great-Britain, which of old persecuted, scourged, and exiled our fugitive parents from their native shores, now pursues us, their guiltless children, with unrelenting severity: And whereas, this, then savage and uncultivated desart, was purchased by the toil and treasui'e, or acquired 1>y the blood and valor of those our venerable progenitors; to us they bequeathed the dearbought inheritance, to our care and protection they consigned it, and the most sacred obligations are upon us to transmit the glorious purchase, unfettered by power, unclogged with shackles, to our innocent and beloved offspring. On the fortitude, on the wisdom and on the exertions of this important day, is suspended the fate of this new world, and of unborn millions. If a boundless extent of continent, swarming with millions, will tamely submit to live, move and have their being at the arbitrary will of a licentious minister, they basely yield to vohmtary slavery, and future generations shall load their memories with incessant execrations. — On the other hand, if we arrest the hand which would ransack our pockets, if we disarm the parricide which points the dagger to our bosoms, if wo nobl}^ defeat that fatal edict which proclaims a power to frame laws for us in all cases whatsoever, thereby entailing the end- less and numberless curses of slavery upon us, our heirs and their heirs forever; if we successfulh' resist that unparalleled usurpation of unconstitutional power, whereby our capital is robbed of the means of life; whei'cby the streets of Boston are thronged with military execu- tioners; whereby our coasts are lined and harbours crouded with ships of war; whereby the charter of the colony, that sacred barrier against the encroachments of tyranny, is mutilated and, in effect, annihilated; whereljy a murderous law is framed to shelter villains from the hands of justice; whereby the unalienable and inestimable inheritance, wliich September, 1774 33 we derived from Dature, the constitution of Britain, and the privileges warranted to us in the charter of the province, is totally wrecked, annulled, and vacated, posterity will acknowledge tliat virtue which preserved them free and happy; and while we enjoy the rewards and hlessings of the faithful, the torrent of panegyrists will roll our reputa- tions to that latest period, when the streams of time shall be al)sorbed in the abyss of eternity. — Therefore, we have resolved, and do resolve, 1. That whereas his majesty, George the Third, is the rightful successor to the throne of Great-Britain, and justly entitled to the allegiance of the British realm, and agreeable to compact, of the English colonics in America — therefore, we, the heirs and successors of the first planters of this colony, do cheerfully acknowledge the said George the Third to be our rightful sovereign, and that said covenant is the tenure and claim on which are founded our allegiance and submission. 2. That it is an indispensable duty which we owe to God, our country, ourselves and posterity, by all lawful ways and means in our power to maintain, defend and preserve those civil and religious rights and liberties, for which many of our fathers fought, bled and died, and to hand them down entire to future generations. 3. That the late acts of the British parliament for blocking up the harbour of Boston, for altering the established form of government in this colony, and for screening the most flagitious violators of the laws of the province from a legal trial, are gross infractions of those rights to which we are justly entitled by the laws of nature, the British constitution, and the charter of the province. 4. That no obedience is due from this province to either or any part of the acts above-mentioned, but that they be rejected as the attempts of a wicked administration to enslave America. 5. That so long as the justices of our superior court of judicature, court of assize, &c. and inferior court of common pleas in this county are appointed, or hold their places, by any other tenure than that which the charter and the laws of the province direct, they must be consid- ered as under undue influence, and are therefore unconstitutional ofiicers, and, as such, no regard ought to be paid to them by the people of this county. 6. That if the justices of the superior court of judicature, assize, &c. justices of the court of common pleas, or of the general sessions of the peace, shall sit and act dui'ing their present disqualified state, this county will support, and bear harmless, all sheriffs and their deputies, 30127— VOL 1—04 3 34: Journals of Congress constables, jurors and other officers who shall refuse to carry into execution the orders of said courts; and, as far as possible, to prevent the many inconveniencies which must be occasioned bj^ a suspension of the courts of justice, we do most earnestly recommend it to all credi- tors, that they shew all I'easouable and even generous forbearance to their debtors; and to all debtors, to pay their just debts with all possible speed, and if any disputes relative to debts or trespasses shall arise, which cannot be settled by the parties, we recommend it to them to submit all such causes to arbitration; and it is our opinion that the contending parties or either of them, who shall refuse so to do, ought to be considered as co-operating with the enemies of this country. 7. That it be recommended to the collectors of taxes, constables and all other officers, who have public monies in their hands, to retain the same, and not to make ^nj payment thereof to the provincial county treasurer until the civil government of the province is placed upon a constitutional foundation, or until it shall otherwise be ordered by the proposed provincial Congress. 8. That the persons who have accepted seats at the council board, by virtue of a mandamus from the King, in conformity to the late act of the British parliament, entitled, an act for the regulating the gov- ernment of the Massachusetts-Baj^ have acted in direct violation of the duty they owe to their country, and have thereby given great and just offence to this people; therefore, resolved, that this county do recommend it to all persons, who have so highly offended by accepting said departments, and have not already- pulilicly resigned their seats at the council board, to make public resignations of their places at said board, on or before the 20th day of this instant, September; and that all persons refusing so to do, shall, from and after said day, be con- sidered by this county as obstinate and incorrigible enemies to this countrj^. 9. That the fortifications begun and now carrying on upon Boston Neck, are justly alarming to this county, and gives us reason to appre- hend some hostile intention against that town, more especially as the commander in chief has, in a very extraordinary manner, removed the powder from the magazine at Charlestown, and has also forbidden the keeper of the magazine at Boston, to deliver out to the owners, the powder, which they had lodged in said magazine. ^ 10. That the late act of parliament for establishing the Roman Catholic religion and the French laws in that extensive countr}-, now September, 1774 35 called Canada, is dangeroufs in an extreme degree to the Protestant religion and to the civil rights and liberties of all America; and, therefore, as men and Protestant Christians, we are indispensably obliged to take all proper measures for our securitj-. 11. That whereas our enemies have flattered themselves that thej" shall make an easy prey of this numerous, brave and hardy people, from an apprehension that they are unacquainted with military disci- pline; we, therefore, for the honour, defence and security of this county and province, advise, as it has been recommended to take awaj' all commissions from the officers of the militia, that those who now hold commissions, or such other persons, be elected in each town as officers in the militia, as shall be judged of sufficient capacity for that purpose, and who have evidenced themselves the inflexible friends to the rights of the people; and that the inhabitants of those towns and districts, who are qualified, do use their utmost diligence to acquaint themselves with the art of war as soon as possible, and do, for that purpose, appear under arms at least once every week. 12. That during the present hostile appearances on the part of Great- Britain, notwithstanding the many insults and oppressions which we most sensibly resent, yet, nevertheless, from our afi'ection to his majesty, which we have at all times evidenced, we are determined to act merely upon the defensive, so long as such conduct may be vindi- cated by reason and the principles of self-preservation, but no longer. 13. That, as we understand it has been in contemplation to appre- hend sundry persons of this county, who have rendered themselves conspicuous in contending for the violated rights and liberties of their countrymen; we do recommend, should such an audacious measure be put in practice, to seize and keep in safe custody, every servant of the present tyrannical and unconstitutional government throughout the county and province, until the persons so apprehended be liberated from the hands of our adversaries, and restored safe and uninjured to their respective friends and families. 14. That until our rights are fully restored to us, we will, to the utmost of our power, and we recommend the same to the other coun- ties, to withhold all commercial intercourse with Great-Britiiin, Ireland, and the West-Indies, and abstain from the consumption of British merchandise and manufactures, and especially of East-India teas and piece goods, with such additions, alterations, and exceptions only, as the General Congress of the colonies may agree to. ■■36 Journals of Congress 15. That under our present circumstances, it is incumbent on us to encourage arts and manufactures amongst us, b}' all means in our power, and that' be and are hereby appointed a committee, to consider of the best ways and means to promote and establish the same, and to report to this convention as soon as may be. 16. That the exigencies of our public affairs, demand that a provin- cial Congi-ess be called to consult such measures as may be adopted, and vigorously executed by the whole people; and we do recommend it to the several towns in this county, to chuso members for such a provincial Congress, to be holden at Concord, on the second Tuesday of October, next ensuing. 17. That this county, confiding in the wisdom and integrity of the continental Congress, now sitting at Philadelphia, pay all due respect and submission to such measures as may be recommended by them to the colonies, for the restoration and establishment of our just rights, civil and religious, and for renewing that harmony and union between Great-Britain and the colonies, so earnestly wished for by all good men. 18. That whereas the universal uneasiness which prevails among all orders of men, arising from the wicked and oppressive measures of the present administration, may influence some unthinliing persons to commit outrage upon private property; we would heartily recommend to all persons of this community, not to engage in any routs, riots, or licentious attacks upon the properties of any person whatsoever, as being subversive of all order and government; but, by a steady, manly, uniform, and persevering opposition, to convince our enemies, that in a contest so important, in a cause so solemn, our conduct shall be such as to merit the approbation of the wise, and the admiration of the brave and free of every age and of every country. 19. That should our enemies, b^^ any sudden manceuvres, render it necessary to ask the aid and assistance of our brethren in the country, some one of the committee of correspondence, or a select man of such town, or the town adjoining, where such hostilities shall commence, or shall be expected to commence, shall despatch couriers with written messages to the select men, or committees of correspondence, of the several towns in the vicinity, with a written account of such matter, ' The names of those appointed on this committee were Joseph Palmer, of Brain- tree; Ebenezer Dorr, of Roxbury; James Boies and Edward Preston, of Milton, and Nathaniel Guild, of Walpole. September, 1774 37 who shall despatch others to committees more remote, until proper and sufficient assistance be obtained, and that the expense of said couriers be defrayed by the county, until it shall be otherwise ordered by the provincial Congress.' At a meeting of delegates from the several towns and districts in the county of Suffolk, held at Milton, on Friday, the 9th day of Septem- ber, 1774— Voted, That Dr. .loseph Warren, of Boston, &c.^ be a committee to wait on his excellency the governor, to inform him, that this county are alarmed at the fortifications making on Boston Neck, and to remon- strate against the same, and the repeated insults offered by the soldiery, to persons passing and repassing into that town, and to confer with him upon those subjects. Attest, William Thompson, Clerk. '"''To Ids excellency Thxyinas Gage, Esq. captain-general, and commander ^Vi chief of his majesty's province of Massachusetts- Bay. "May it please your excellency, "The county of Suffolk, being greatly, and, in their opinion, justly alarmed at the formidable appearances of hostility, now threatening his majesty's good subjects of this county, and more particular^ of the town of Boston, the loyal and faithful capital of this province, beg leave to address your excellency, and represent, that the apprehen- sions of the people are more particularly encreased by the dangerous design, now carrying into execution, of repairing and manning the forti- fications at the south entrance of the town of Boston, which, when com- pleted, may, at any time, be improved to aggravate the miseries of that already impoverished and distressed city, by intercepting the wonted and necessary intercourse between the town and country, and compel the wretched inhabitants to the most ignominious state of humiliation ' Thus far was issued in Boston as a broadside, a copy of which is to be found in the Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. The language differs somewhat in the two versions. ^The names of this committee were printed in the newspaper accounts, and were as follows: Dr Benjamin Church, Boston; Deacon Joseph Palmer, Germantown; Capt. Lemuel Robinson, Dorchester; Capt. William Heath, Roxbury; Col. Ebenezer Thayer, Braintree; William Holden, Esq. Dorchester; Col. William Taylor, Milton; Capt. John Homans, Dorchester; Isaac Gardiner, Esq., Brooklyn; Mr. Richard Woodward, Dedham; Capt. BenjaminWhite, Brooklyn; Dr. Samuel Gardiner, Milton; Nathaniel Summer, Esq., Dedham; Capt Thomas Aspinwall, Brooklyn. 38 Journals of Congress and vassalage, by depriving them of the necessary supplies of provision, for which they are chietiy dependant on that communication. We have been informed, that your excellency, in consequence of the application of the select men of Boston, has, indeed, disavowed any intention to injure the town in your present manceuvres, and expressed j'our pur- pose to be for the security of the troops and his majesty's subjects in the town, we are therefore at a loss to guess, may it please your excellency, from whence your want of confidence in the loyal and orderly people of this vicinity could originate; a measure, so formi- dable, carried into execution from a pre-conceived though causeless jealousy of the insecurity of his majesty's troops and subjects in the town, deeply wounds the loyalty, and is an additional injury to the faithful subjects of this county, and affords them a strong motive for this application. We therefore intreat 3'our excellency to desist from your design, assuring your excellency, that the people of this county, are by no means disposed to injure his majesty's troops; they think themselves aggrieved and oppressed by the late acts of parliament, and are resolved, by Divine assistance, never to submit to them, but have no inclination to commence a war with his majesty's troops, and beg leave to observe to your excellency, that the fei'ment now excited in the minds of the people, is occasioned by some late transactions, by seizing the powder in the arsenal at Charlestown; by withholding the powder lodged in the magazine of the town of Boston, from the legal proprietors; insulting, beating, and abusing passengers to and from the town by the soldierj% in which they have been encouraged bj' some of their officers; putting the people in fear, and menacing them in their nightly patrole into the neighbouring towns, and more particularly by the fortifying the sole avenue by land to the town of Boston. "In duty therefore to his majesty and to your excellency, and for the restoration of order and security to this county, we the delegates from the several towns in this county, being commissioned for this purpose, beg your excellency's attention to this our humble and faith- ful address, assuring you, that nothing less than an immediate removal of the ordnance, and restoring the entrance into the town to its former state, and an effectual stop of all insults and abuses in future, can place the inhabitants of this county in that state of peace and tran- quillity, in which every free subject ought to be." His excellency was waited on to know if he would receive the com- mittee with the above wintten address, but desiring he might have a copy of it in a private way, that so when he received it from the September^ 1774 39 committee, he might have an answer prepared for tliem, he was accordingly furnished with a copy. His excellency then declared, that he would receive the conunittee on Monday, at 12 o'clock. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER i8, 1774. The Congi-ess, taking the foregoing into consideration, Resolved Ktian, That this assembly deeply feels the suf- fering of their countrymen in the Massachusetts -Bay, under the operation of the late unjust, cruel, and oppres- sive acts of the British Parliament — that they most thoroughly approve the wisdom and fortitude, with which opposition to these wicked ministerial measures has hitherto been conducted, and they earnestly recommend to their brethren, a perseverance in the same firm and temperate conduct as expressed in the resolutions deter- mined upon, at a llatel meeting of the delegates for the county of Suffolk, on Tuesday, the 6th instant, trusting that the effect [s] of the united efforts of North America in their behalf, will carry such conviction to the British nation, of the unwise, unjust, and ruinous policy of the present administration, as quickly to introduce better men and wiser measures.^ 'Eluding the prohibition of town meetings, a meeting was convened first at Ded- ham and then at Milton, before which was laid a set of resolutions prepared by Joseph Warren. They were adopted on September 9, and became known as the "Suffolk Resolves." They were sent express to Congress by Paul Revere, who reached Philadelphia on Friday, September 16, and delivered them to the Massa- chusetts delegates. On tlie day after, they were laid before Congress, and were acted upon the same day. "This was one of the happiest days of my life," noted John Adams in his Diary. "In Congress we had generous, noble sentiments, and manly eloquence. This day convinced me that America will support the Massa- chusetts or perish with her." And to his wife he wrote: "These votes were passed in full Congress with perfect unanimity. The esteem, the affection, the admiration for the people of Boston and the Massachusetts, which were expressed yesterday, and the fixed determination that they should be supported, were enough to melt a heart of stone. I saw the tears gush into the eyes of the old, grave, pacific Quakers of Pennsylvania." Samuel Adams wrote that the resolves were "read with great applause," and that the Congress was unanimous in its resolutions. Quincy, Life nf Quincy, 155. Silas Deane noted that the two resolutions of Congress were passed 40 Journals of Congress Resolved tman, That contributions from all the colonies for supplying the necessities, and alleviating the distresses of our brethren at Boston, ought to be continued, in such manner, and so long as their occasions may require/ Ordered, That a copy of the above resolutions be trans- mitted to Boston by the president. Ordered, That these resolutions, together with the resolutions of the County of Suffolk, be published in the newspapers. The committee appointed to examine & report the several statutes, which affect the trade and manufactures of without one dissenting voice, though all the members were present." Ford, Corres- pondence of Samuel Blachley Webb, I, 39. Jones believed that this endorsement by- Congress put an end to the usefulness of the Tories or Loyalists in the Congress. To indorse the Suffolk resolves was but a step in the policy of the Massachusetts delegation. On the 24th of September the two Adams talked with Dickinson — "a true Bostonian" was Samuel Adams' comment. "The Congress have, in their resolve of the 17th instant, given their sanction to the resolutions of the county of Suffolk, one of which is to act merely upon the defensive so long as such conduct may be justified by reason and the principles of self-preservation, — but no longer. They have great dependence upon your tried patience and fortitude. They suppose you mean to defend your civil Constitution. They strongly recommend persever- ance and a firm and temperate conduct, and give you a full pledge of their united efforts in your behalf. They have not yet come to final resolutions. It becomes them to be deliberate. I have been assured, in private conversation with indi- viduals, that if you should be driven to the necessity of acting in self-defence of your lives or liberties, you would be justified by their constituents, and openly supported by all the means in their power " Samuel Adams to Joseph Warren, September 25, 1774. On the following day John Adams wrote of the numberless prejudices to be removed. "We have been obliged to act with great delicacy and caution. We have been obliged to keep ourselves out of sight, and to feel the pulses of and sound the depths; to insinuate our sentiments, designs, and desires, by means of other per- sons; sometimes of one Province, and sometimes of another" To Judge Tudor, Sep- tember 26, 1774. A good illustration of this labor is given in the meeting with Ship- pen, Richard Henry Lee and Washington, on the evening of the 28th. Washington to Robert Mackenzie, October 9, 1774. As a result of these deliberations, the reso- lutions of the 30th here prmted must have been framed and submitted; but as events proved, too early to be adopted. And this, too, in the face of a belief of Adams that all Congress "profess to consider our Province as suffering in the com- mon cause, and indeed they seem to feel for us, as if for themselves" To his wife, September 29, 1774. ' A ms. copy of these resolutions, in the writing of Eichard Henry Lee, is among the Lee Papers. It does not, however, follow that he was the framer. September^ 1774 41 the colonies, brought in their report, which was ordered to He on the table. Adjourned till Monday morning. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1774. A. M. The Congress met according to adjournment. The report brought in on Saturday being read, as follows : Here insert this report : Ordered., That the same be referred to the committee appointed to state the rights of the Colonies, &c. to which committee, the honble Thomas Cushing, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Mifflin, Esquires were added. Adjourned from day to day, till Thursday.^ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22d, 1774. The Congress met according to adjournment. Upon motion, Resolved unanimously, That the Congress request the Merchants and others in the several colonies, not to send to Great Britain, any orders for goods, and to du'ect the execution of all orders already sent, to be delayed or sus- pended, until the sense of the Congress, on the means to be taken for the preservation of the liberties of America, is made public. Ordered, That this resolution be made public by hand- bills,^ and by publishing it in the newspapers. i"21st. Desired a Congress to be held." Ward. The great Committee was ready to report. ''A broadside was issued by W and T. Bradford, and is reproduced on opposite page, from a copy in the Simitiere collection in the Ridgway Branch of the Library Company of Philadelphia. 42 Journals of Congress The committee appointed to state the rights of the col- onies &c. having brought in a report of the Rights, the same was read, and the consideration of it referred till Saturday next. Ordered., That a copy of this report be made out for each colony. SATURDAY, SEPT^ 24, 1774, A. M. The Congress entered upon the consideration of the report referred to this day, and after some debate, upon motion. Resolved., That the congress do confine themselves, at present, to the consideration of such rights only as have been infringed by acts of the British parliament since the year 1763, postponing the further consideration of the general state of American rights to a future day. Hereupon, the Committee appointed to state the rights &c. brought in a report of the infringements and viola- tions of American rights, which being read — upon motion,^ Resolved, That the consideration of the report be refer- red till Monday and that the Congress in the meanwhile deliberate on the means most proper to be pursued for a restoration of our rights. After some debate on the subject, the Congress adjourned. MONDAY, SEPTR 26, 1774 A. M. The Congress met according to adjournment. John Herring,"'^ Esq' a deputy from Orange county, in the colony of New -York, appeared this morning, and took his seat as a delegate for that colony. 'Prepared by John Sullivan. See p. 63, post ' John Haring. - 5* CO T^ S >!4 § 12. C -^ ^' ^ t '"' r-r r-i '^ o' RESOLUTION NOT TO IMPORT -'^■ ^ 42 '^^e coin77^'** therip-l*- '' ^ &c. h, .rt of ti ^nme was read iou of it i Haturilay next. Ordered, "' ort be m:' each colony A. M. TH01M1 OT TOU HOITUJ adjourneii The Congres '' Herrh, See p. 88, poit. 'iuhii HatuiiK-. .a. c r» "Tj ft) O rt X 3 (T) cr Q- J2 o rt X -* - O Pi 3 rt> 3 O o (Tl P H » _ n-l GO -. O ^ o p Gi- ro n> D- .O H > -vp 73 <5> r ^ O C ■-# *» cr -^ rt O 3- O n) 2 "^ !::3 o o •XS (V* £i. 2 rTcrQ -> _, 1 «5 < "-» < crvc ^ — ^ o =5 o 2- c g j^ a- r f^ ' n> __. CO O Cl. P- 3 O rt) o n -^ p o 3- fO "1 o 3- P> rt 3 -1 ft) 3 '^ o Co ^ ^ CO fD O cr n "^1 ffi > September, 1774 43 The Congress resumed the consideration of the means, &e. and after several hours spent thereon, it was referred till to-morrow, to which time the Congress was adjourned/ TUESDAY, SEPTR 27, 1774, A M The Congress met according to adjournment, and resi;m- ing the consideration of the means most proper to be used for a restoration of American rights. Resolved unanimousUj, That from and after the first day of December next, there be no importation into British America from Great Britain or Ireland, of any goods, wares or merchandizes whatsoever, or from any other place, of any such goods, wares or merchandizes, as shall have been exported from Great -Britadn or Ireland; and that no such goods, wares or merchandizes imported after the said first day of December next, be used or purchased," Adjourned till to-morrow. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1774. Wednesday. [Here insert Mr. Galloway's motion and Plan.^] galloway's plan. With this plan appear to have been submitted two sets of introductory resolutions; but I am doubtful whether both sets were laid before Congress. Early in December, Galloway visited Governor Franklin and Lieutenant-Governor Golden, and gave to each a copy of his Plan of I'nion. Franklin's copy was transmitted to Dartmouth with introductory resolutions looking to a recommendation of the plan to the Colonial Assemblies. Golden transmitted with his copy, "two sets" of resolves, — unfortu- nately not printed with his letter. In Galloway's pamphlet A Candid Examination 1 1 1 2gth The Congress met, agreed upon non-importation, and adjourned. ' ' Samuel Ward. "It was Richard Henry Lee who made a motion "for a non-importation." The debate is sketched in John Adams, II, 382. 'These words are in Thomson's writing, but were struck out. The entry is in a different ink from that of the main record. 44 Journals of Congress is printed an introduction looljing to a dii-ect appeal to tiie King and Parliament, with- out any previous consideration of the plan by the Colonial Assemblies. In his examination, in 1779, by a Committee of the House of Commons, Galloway read this second introductory resolve, "in my own handwriting, which identically was deliv- ered by me in Congress. It is indorsed in the hand of Charles Thomson, the then and present secretary to Congress." In his Hhturical and Political Reflections on tlie Rise and Progress of the American Rebellion, Galloway gives the speech he delivered on the motion involving his plan. Introductory to his motion which led to this plan, the author of it made, in sub- stance, the following speech, which is taken from his short notes: "He told Congress that he came with instructions to propose some mode, by which the harmony between Great-Britain and the Colonies might be restored on constitutional principles: that this appeared to be the genuine sense of all the instructions brought into Congress by the Delegates of the several Colonies. He had long waited with great patience under an expectation of hearing some proposition which should tend to that salutary and important purpose; but, to his great mortification and distress, a month had been spent in fruitless debates on equivocal and indecisive propositions, which tended to inflame rather than reconcile — to produce war instead of peace between the two counti-ies. In this disagreeable situation of things he thought it his incumbent duty to speak plainly, and to give his sentiments without the least reserve. There are two propositions before the Congress for restoring the wished-for harmony: one, that Parliament should be requested to place the Colonies in the state they were in in the year 176.3; the other, that a non-exportation and non-importation agreement should be adopted. I will consider these propositions, and venture to reject them both; the first, as indecisive, tending to mislead both countries, and to lay a foundation for further discontent and quarrel; the other, as illegal, and ruinous to America. The first projiosition is indecisive, because it points out no ground of complaint — asks for a restoration of no right, settles no principle, and proposes no jjlan for accommodating the dispute. There is no statute which has been passed to tax or bind the Colonies since the year 1763, which was not founded on precedents and statutes of a similar nature before that period; and therefore the proposition, while it expressly denies the right of Parliament, confesses it by the strongest implication. In short, it is nugatory, and without meaning; and however it may serve, when rejected by Parliament, as it certainly will be, to form a charge of injustice upon, and to deceive and inflame the minds of the people hereafter, it cannot possibly answer any other purpose. The second proposition is undutiful and illegal: it is an insult on the supreme authority of the State; it cannot fail to draw on the Colonies the united resentment of the Mother Country. If we will not trade with Great Britain, she will not suffer us to trade at all. Our ports will be blocked up by British men of war, and troops will be sent to reduce us to reason and obedience. A total and sudden stagnation of commerce is what no coimtry can bear: it must bring ruin on the Colonies: the produce of labour must perish on their hands, and not only the progress of industry be stopped, but industry and labour will cease, and the country itself be thrown into anarchy and tumult. I must therefore reject both the propositions; the first as inde- cisive, and the other as inadmissible upon any principle of prudence or policy. September, 1774 45 If we sincerely mean to accommodate the difference between tlie two countries, and to establish their imion on more firm and constitutional principles, we must take into consideration a number of facts which led the Parliament to pass the acts com- plained of, since the year 1763, and the real state of the Colonies. A clear and per- fect knowledge of these matters only can lead us to the ground of substantial redress and permanent harmony. I will therefore call your recollection to the dangerous situation of the Colonies from the intrigues of France, and the incursions of the Canadians and their Indian allies, at the commencement of the last war. None of us can be ignorant of the ju.st sense they then entertained of that danger, and of their incapacity to defend themselves against it, nor of the supplications made to the Parent State for its assistance, nor of the cheerfulness with which Great-Britain sent over her fleets and armies for their protection, of the millions she expended in that protection, and of the happy consequences which attended it. In this state of the Colonies, it was not unreasonable to expect that Parliament would have levied a tax on them proportionate to their wealth, and the sums raised in Great Britain. Her ancient right, so often exercised, and never controverted, enabled her, and the occasion invited her, to do it. And yet, not knowing their wealth, a generous tenderness arising from the fear of doing them injustice, induced Parliament to forbear to levy aids upon them— It left the Colonies to do justice to themselves and to the nation. And moreover, in order to allure them to a discharge of their duty, it offered to reimburse those Colonies wliich should generously grant the aids that were necessary to their own safety. But what was the conduct of the Colonies on this occasion, in which their own existence was immediately concerned? However painful it may be for me to repeat, or you to hear, I must remind you of it. You all know there were Colonies which at some times granted liberal aids, and at others nothing; other Colonies gave nothing during the war; none gave equitably in proportion to their wealth, and all that did give were actuated by partial and self- interested motives, and gave only in proportion to the approach or remoteness of the danger. These delinquencies were occasioned by the want of the exercise of some supreme power to ascertain, witli equity, their proportions of aids, and to over-rule the particular passions, prejudices, and interests, of the several Colonies. To remedy these mischiefs, Parliament was naturally led to exercise the power which had been, by its predecessors, so often exercised over the Colonies, and to pass the Stamp Act. Against this act, the Colonies petitioned ParUament, and denied its authority. Instead of proposing some remedy, by which that authority should be rendered more equitable and more constitutional over the Colonies, the petitions rested in a declaration that the Colonies could not be represented in that body. This justly alarmed the British Senate. It was thought and called by the ablest men and Britain, a clear and exphcit declaration of the American Independ- ence, and compelle<:l the Parliament to pass the Declaratory Act, in order to save its ancient and incontrovertible right of supremacy over all the parts of the empire. By this injudicious step the cause of our complaints became fixed, and instead of obtaining a constitutional reformation of the authority of Parliament over the Colo- nies, it brought on an explicit declaration of a right in ParUament to exercise abso- lute and unparticipated power over them. Nothing now can be wanting to convince us, that the Assemblies have pursued measures which have produced no relief, and answered no purpose but a bad one. I therefore hope that the collected wisdom of Congress will perceive and avoid former mistakes; that they will candidly andthor- 46 Journals of Congress oiighly examine the real merits of our dispute with tiie Mother Country, and take such ground aa shall firmly unite us under one system of 2:)olity, and make us one people. In order to establish those principles, upon which alone American relief ought, in reason and policy, to be founded, I will take a Ijrief view of the argimients on both sides of the great question between the two comitries — a question in its magnitude and importance exceeded by none that haa been ever agitated in the councils of any nation. The advocates for the supremacy of Parliament over the Colonies con- tend, that there must be one supreme legislative head in every civil society, whose authority must extend to the regulation and final decision of every matter suscepti- ble of human direction; and that every member of the society, whether political, official, or individual, must be subordinate to its supreme will, signified in its laws: that this sujiremacy and subordination are essential in the constitution of all States, whatever may be their forms; that no society ever did or could exist, without it; and that these truths are solidly established in the practice of all governments, and con- firmed by the concurrent authority of all writers on the subject of civil society. These advocates also assert, what we cannot deny — That the discovery of the Col- onies was made under a commission granted by the supreme authority of the British State, that they have been settled under that authority, and therefore are truly the property of that State. Parliamentary jurisdiction has been constantly exercised over them from their first settlement; its executive authority haa ever run through all their inferior political systems: the Colonists have ever sworn allegiance to the Brit- ish State, and have been considered, both by the State and by themselves, as subjects of the British Government. Protection and allegiance are reciprocal duties; the one cannot exist without the other. The Colonies cannot claim the protection of Britain upon any principle of reason or law, while they deny its supreme authority. Upon this ground the authority of Parliament stands too firm to be shaken by any argu- ments whatever; and therefore to deny that authority, and at the same time to declare their incaiiacity to be represented, amomits to a full and explicit declaration of independence. In regard to the political state of the Colonies, you must know that they are so many inferior societies, disunited and unconnected in polity. That while they deny the authority of Parliament, they are, in respect to each other, in a perfect state of nature, destitute of any supreme direction or decision whatever, and incompetent to the grant of national aids, or any other general measure whatever, even to the set- tlement of differences among themselves. This they have repeatedly acknowledged, and particularly by their delegates in Congress in the beginning of the last war; and the aids granted by them since that period, for their own protection, are a proof of the truth of that acknowledgment. You also knew that the seeds of discord are plentifully sowed in the constitution of the Colonies; that they are already grown to maturity, and have more than once broke out into open hostilities. They are at this moment only suppressed by the authority of the Parent State; and should that authority be weakened or annulled, many subjects of unsettled disputes, and which in that case, can only be settled by an appeal to the sword, must involve us in all the horrors of civil war. You will now consider whether you wish to be destitute of the protection of Great Britain, or to see a renewal of the claims of France upon America; or to remain in our present disunited state, the weak exposed to the force of the strong. I am sure no honest man can entertain wishes so ruinous to his country. September, 1771 47 Having thus briefly stated the arguments in favour of parhamentary authority, and considered the state of the Colonies, I am free to confess that the exercise of that autliority is not perfectly constitutional in respect to the Colonies. We know that the whole landed interest of Britain is represented in that body, while neither the land nor the people of America hold the least participation in the legislative authority of the State. Kepresentation, or a particiiiation in the supreme councils of the State, is the great principle upon which the freedom of the British Government is established and secured. I also acknowledge, that that territory whose people have no enjoyment of this pri\'ilege, are subject to an authority unrestrained and absolute; and if the liberty of the subject were not essentially concerned in it, I should rejei't a distinction so odious between members of the same state, so long as it shall be continued. I wish to see it exploded, and the right to participate in the supreme councils of the State extended, in some form, not only to America, but to all the British dominions; otherwise I fear that profound and excellent fabrick of civil polity will, ere long, crumble to pieces. The case of the Colonies Ls not a new one. It was formerly the very situation of Wales, Durham and Chester. Ah to the tax, it is neither unjust or oppressive, it being rather a relief than a bur- then; but it is want of constitutional principle in the authority that passed it, which is the ground for complaint. This, and this only, is the source of American griev- ances. Here, and here only, is the defect; and if this defect were removed, a founda- tion would be laid for the relief of every American complaint; the obnoxious statutes would of course be repealed, and others would be made, with the assent of the Colonies, to answer the same and better purposes; the mischiefs arising from the disunion of the Colonies would be removed; their freedom would be established, and their subordination fixed on solid constitutional principles. Desirous as I am to promote the freedom of the Colonies, and to prevent the mis- chiefs which will attend a military contest with Great-Britain, I miL^t in treat you to desert the measures which have been so injudiciously and ineffectually pursued by antecedent Assemblies. Let us thoroughly investigate the subject matter in dispute, and endeavour to find from that investigation the means of perfect and permanent redress. In whatever we do, let us be particular and explicit, and not wander in general allegations. These will lead us to no point, nor can produce any relief; they are besides dishonourable and insidious. I would therefore acknowledge the neces- sity of the supreme authority of Parliament over the Colonies, because it is a proposi- tion which we cannot deny without manifest contradiction, while we confess that we are subjects of the British Government; and if we do not approve of a representation in Parliament, let us ask for a participation in the freedom and power of the English constitution in some other mode of incorporation: for I am convinced, by long atten- tion to the subject, that let us deliberate, and try what other expedients we may, we shall find none that can give to the Colonies substantial freedom, but some such Incorporation. I therefore beseech you, by the respect you are bound to pay to the instructions of your constituents, by the regard you have for the honour and safety of your countrj', and as you wish to avoid a war with Great-Britain, which must terminate, at all events in the ruin of America, not to rely on a denial of the author- ity of Parliament, a refusal to be represented, and on a non-importation agreement; because whatever protestations, in that case, may be made to the contrary, it will prove to the world that we intend to throw off our allegiance to the State, and to involve the two countries Ln all the horrors of a civil war. 48' Journals of Congress With a view to promote the measure I have so earnestly recommended, I have pre- pared the draught of a plan for uniting America more intimately, in constitutional policy, with Great Britain. It contains the great outlines or principles only, and will require many additions in case those should be approved. I am certain when dispassionately considered, it will be found to be the most perfect union in power and liberty with the Parent State, next to a representation in Parliament, and I trust it will be approved of by both countries. In forming it, I have been particularly attentive to the rights of both; and I am confident that no American, who wishes to continue a subject of the British State, which is what we all uniformly profess, can offer any reasonably objection against it. I shall not enter into a further explanation of its principles, but shall reserve my sentiments until the second reading, with which I hope it will be favoured." The introductory motion being seconded, the Plan was presented and read. Warm and long debates innnediately ensued on the question. Whether it should be entered in the proceedmgs of Congress, or be referred to further consideration. All the men of property, and most of the ablest speakers, supported the motion, while the republican party strenuously opposed it. The question was at length carried by a majority of one Colony. From Galloway, Historical and Political Reflections on the Rise and Progress of the American Rebellion, (1780), 70. Governor Franklin'' s version. Resolved, That there is a manifest Defect in the Constitution of the British Empire iu respect to the Government of the Colonies upon those principles of Liberty which form an essential Part of that Con- stitution; and that such Defect has arisen from the circumstance of Colonization which was not included in the System of the British Government at the Time of its Institution, nor has been provided for since. Resolved, That the Colonists hold in Abhorance the Idea of being considered Independent Communities on the British Government, and most ardently desire the Establishment of a Political Union not only among themselves but with the Mother State upon those principles of Safety and Freedom which are Essential in the Constitution of all free Governments and particularly that of the British Legislature, and Therefore, Resolved, As the Colonies from their local & other circumstances cannot be represented in the British Parliament, the Congress do most Earnestly recommend (as a Measure of the Greatest Importance in reconciling the Difference between G. Britain and her Colonies, September, 1774 49 and restoring them to a permanent Union & Harmony) to the consid- eration of tiie several Continental American Assemblies the following Plan of Government to be by them humbly proposed to his Majesty and his two Houses of Parliament under which the whole Empire may be drawn together on every Emergency, the Intei'est of both Countries advanced, and the Rights and Liberties of America secured: [28 September, 177-t.] Resolution submitted by Joseph Galloway: Resolved, That the Congress will apply to his Majesty for a redress of grievances under which his faithful subjects in America labour; and assure him, that the Colonies hold in abhorrence the idea of being considered independent communities on the British government, and most ardently desire the establishment of a Political Union, not only among themselves, but with the Mother State, upon those principles of safety and freedom which arc essential in the constitution of all free governments, and particularly that of the British Legislature; and as the Colonies from their local circumstances, cannot be repi'esented in the Parliament of Great-Britain, they will humbW propose to his Majesty and his two Houses of Parliament, the following plan, under which the strength of the whole Empire may be drawn together on any emergency, the interest of both countries advanced, and the rights and liberties of America secured. A Plan of a proposed Union between Great Britain and the Colonics. That a British and American legislature, for regulating the admin- istration of the general affairs of America, be proposed and established in America, including all the said colonies; within, and under which government, each colony shall retain its present constitution, and powers of regulating and governing its own internal police, in all cases what[.sv)]ever. That the said government be administered by a President General, to be appointed by the King, and a grand Council, to be chosen by the Representatives of the people of the several colonies, in their respective assemblies, once in every three years. 30127— VOL 1—04 1 50 Journals of Congress That the several assemblies shall choose members for the grand council in the following proportions, viz. New Hampshire. Massachusetts-Bay. Rhode Island. Connecticut. New- York. New-Jersej'. Pennsylvania. Delaware Counties. Maryland. Virginia. North Carolina. South-Carolina. Georgia. Who shall meet at the city of for the first time, being called by the President-General, as soon as conveniently may be after his appointment. That there shall be a new election of members for the Grand Council every three j'ears; and on the death, removal or resignation of any member, hi.s place shall be supplied by a new choice, at the next sitting of Assembly of the Colony he represented. That the Grand Council shall meet once in every year, if they shall think it necessary, and oftener, if occasions shall require, at such time and place as they shall adjourn to, at the last preceding meeting, or as they shall be called to meet at, by the President-General, on any emergency. That the grand Council shall have power to choose their Speaker, and shall hold and exercise all the like i-ights, liberties and piivileges, as are held and exercised by and in the House of Commons of Great- Britain. That the President-General shall hold his office during the pleasure of the King, and his assent shall be requisite to all acts of the Grand Council, and it shall be his oflSce and duty to cause them to be carried into execution. That the President-General, by and with the advice and consent of the Grand-Council, hold and exercise all the legislative rights, powers, and authorities, necessary for regulating and administering all the general police and affairs of the colonies, in which Great-Britain and the colo- nies, or any of them, the colonies in general, or more than one colony, are in any manner concerned, as well civil and criminal as commercial. That the said President-General and the Grand Council, be an inferior and distinct branch of the British legislature, united and incorporated with it, for the aforesaid general purposes; and that any of the said general regulations may originate and be formed and digested, either September, 1774 51 in the Parliament of Great Britain, cir in tlie said Grand Council, and bein^ prepared, transmitted to the other for their approbation or dis- sent; and that the assent of both shall be requisite to the validity of all such general acts or statutes. That in time of war, all bills for granting aid to the crown, prepared by the Grand Council, and approved by the President General, shall be valid and passed into a law, without the assent of the British Parliament.' Weduesday aud Thursday- being taken up in the con- sideration and debates on the means, &c., the Congress met on FRIDAY, SEPT" 30 and upon the question, Resolved, That from and after the 10th day of Sept', 1775, the exportation of all merchandize and every com- modity whatsoever to Great Britain, Ireland and the '(.Talloway has given a history of this Phiit. in his Candid Examination ofthf Mutual Claims of Great-Britain and the Cfihmiea; vnlh a Plan uf Accominodation on Constitutional Principles. New York; 1775. The resolution was seconded by James Duane. The debates are sketched in John Adams Wurk-.i, II, 387. The plan was entered on the minutes of the Congress, with an order referring it to future consideration ; " yet t hey not only refused to resume the Consideration of it, but directed both the Plan and Order to be erased from their Minutes, so that no vestige of it might appear there." William Franklin to Earl of Dartmouth, 6 December, 1774. Samuel Ward says the Plan was "not committed, but ordered to lie on the table." See note to the proceedings for 22 October, 1774, post. Adolphus says the vote to expunge was passed when the favorers of the plan were absent. Some letters and a pamphlet by Galloway on the Congress are to be found in the Neu' Jersey Archices, First Series, x, 475-494. Wal. Galloway sent a copy of his Plan to Benjamin Franklin, who showed it to Lords Chatham and Camden. He also sent a copy to Dartmouth. Franklin wrote in reply a very pregnant letter in which he said: "Lord Gower, I believe, alluded to it when in the House he censured the Congress severely as first resolving to receive a plan for uniting the colonies to the mother country, and afterwards rejecting it, and ordering their first resolution to be erased out of their minutes." Dartmouth wrote to Golden, 7 January, 1775, "The Idea of Union upon some general constitutional plan, is certainly very just, & I have no doubt of its being yet attainable through some channell of mutual consideration and discussion." '^"29th. The Congress met, considered a non-importation of all dutiable goods, and a non-exportation to Great Britain." Samuel It'ocrf. According to John Adams's notes it was MifBin who "proposes stoppage of flaxseed and lumber to the West Indies, aud non-importation of dutied articles." 52 Journals of Congress West Indies, ought to cease, imless the grievances of America are redressed before that time/ ' While most of the colonies came readily into a non-importation agreement, a proposition t<3 stop all exports encountered great opposition. This proposition couhl hardly have come from a southern colony, though John and Edward Rutledge did call for all "ways and means" for obtaining a rech-ess of grievances, and a non- exportation was needed to give support to a non-importation. The interests of the colonies were different. The Eastern and middle )irovinces were interested in the West Indian trade, while the exports fif the Southern found their markets almost wholly in Europe. Yet Chase, coming from a tobacco colony asserted that a non- exportation was of vastly more importance than a non-importation, as it would affect merchants as well as manufacturers, trade as well as revenue. He merely echoed the prevailing opinion that a total stoppage of all trade with Great Britain and the West Indies would produce a national bankruptcy in a very short time. Virginia pleaded for a postponement of a non-exportation, one so distant that it could not operate before the fall of 1776, besides pleading a want of powers to enter into any agreement affecting exports. Without Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina could not act, while South Carolina refused to accede to any measure which should pro- hibit the exportation of rice or indigo. Virginia withdrew its opposition, and South Carolina gained the exception of rice from the non-exportation. Among the John Adams MSS. is a draft of some resolutions endorsed September 30, embodying an immediate cessation of exports to Great Britain and her colonies. As it was probably these resolutions that led to the debate, they are here printed. *' Resolved, That the Province of the Massachusetts Bay and the town of Boston are now suffering and struggling in the common cause of American freedom, and, there- fore, that it is the indispensable duty of all the Colonies to support them by every necessary means, and to the last extremity. "Whereas hostilities have been already commenced against the Province of Massa- chusetts Bay, and through them against all the Colonies, and whereas this Congress have already advised the people of that Province by no means to submit to the late act of Parliament for altering their government, — " Resolved, That in case hostilities should be further pursued against that Province, and submission be attempted to be compelled by force of arms, as soon as intelligence of this shall be communicated to the several Colonies, they ought immediatel}' to cease all exportations of goods, wares, and merchandise, to Great Britain, Ireland, and the West Indies. "Resolveil, That in case any person or persons should be arrested, in the Massa- chusetts Bay or any other Colony, by General Gage or any other person, in order to be sent to Great Britain to be there tried for any crime whatsoever, committed in America, under pretence of authority of the statute of Henry VIII, or that of the present reign, this ought to be considered as a declaration of war and a commence- ment of hostilities against all the Colonies, and reprisals ought to be made in all the Colonies and held as hostages for the security of the person or persons so arrested; and all exportations of merchandise to Great Britain, Ireland, and the West Indies, ought immediately to cease." It will be noticed that a part of these resolutions seem to have been used in the instructions to the committee, October 7th, and the resolution of October 8th. V '^st Indies, 01 America are red' ■ \\'ii,i»> most of •'"• ■ u to stop I'Linuy nave coth. call for all "• exportat! colonip." We-' Congress il I i IIIIH. nnn-imports! ;ion. Tl. of ■ I their 1 ..^l ny asseri. .-.li- 'i.asit Wf ^1^^. ,::,;■:■' a with (• the nia not ail' of 1 cea fiijKia j^.>t^:>in /i Jic u I i 1 i>iuM i u.-- Bay or ai to Great . under pi lor ! les. i-'ominitti m to ba\ e'^'\'A^'^'./^ ^^^ . i /v i 1 O N, Mc. ..(.r Ljur.i.ci o. 'vsre, THE ASSOCIATION OF .r^^i.MS, l\Ci:-tn «~.:i FIRST PMli^iTED EDITION -L'i'.f n- 5, with CCS are op- ur moft feri- llatc of the whole conci- ... i^rdcnt unhappy fuuacion of valioncd by a ruinous fyflsm ot iiuirianon adopted by th- i^ ''-^' '^■>- A 74 A Letter bein-. I, was read. several SATURDA R 15. »774. The r— '>• ■ Assoc L-i tion, &r .y Mo not tho .^ non - ject, adjourue ' «7. »774. I^X^ I lO l^OITAlOOeSA 3HT 'V 'le seat as on< vania. The Co- ■'- of .^s der ot irow.* '"15th. »17th. "Met. nflO." Wi»r#i. f . u^l: h;s L the the . . d tiU ="4«i* T H E Association., mc ■4 1 T-p., liis Majcfty'i moft loyal lubjcfts, the VV I^t.-legates of the fcvcral Colonies of 'New-Mampfliire, Mafl'-ichuicti's Bay, Rhode- inand, Connefticiit, New-York, , New-Jcrlcy, Pennlyivania, the Three Lower Couniics of Newcaflle, Ki-nr, and Suflcx, on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South- Carolina, deputed to reprelcnt them in a conti- nental Congrefs, held in the city of Philadel- phia, on the fifth day of September, 1774, avowing our allegiance to his Majclly, our ?f- fefticn and regard for our fellow-lubjefts in Great-Britain and elfewhere, afFefted with the deepeft anxiety, and molt alarming apprehcn- fions at thofe grievances and diftreffes, with which his Majcfty's American fubjcfts are op- prclFcd, and hiving taken under our moft feri- ous deliberation, the ftatc ot the whole conti- nent., find, that the prefent unhappy fuuation of our affairs, is occafioned by a ruinous lyftemof colony adminill ration adopted by the Britifh M;- A ' niftry October, 1774 75 TUESDAY, OCTOBER i8, 1774. The Congress resumed the consideration of the plan of association, &c. and after sundry amendments, the same was agreed to, and ordered to be transcribed, that it may be signed by the several members. The Committee appointed to prepare an address to the people of Great -Britain, brought in a draught, which was read, and ordered to lie on the table, for the perusal of the members, & to be taken into consideration to- Morrow. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1774. The Congress met and resumed the consideration of the address to the people of Great -Britain, and the same being read and debated by paragraphs, and sundry amendments being made, the same was re -committed, in order that the amendments may be taken in. The committee appointed to prepare a memorial to the Inhabitants of these colonies, reported a draught, which was read, & ordered to lie on the table. Ordered, That this memorial be taken into considera- tion to-morrow. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1774. The Congress met. The association being copied, was read and signed at the table, and is as follows: — Here insert the Association. We, his majesty's most loyal subjects, the delegates of the several colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Con- necticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the three lower 76 Journals of Congress counties of New-Castle, Kent and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina, deputed to represent them in a continental Congress, held in the city of Philadelphia, on the 5th day of September, 177-Ir, avowing our allegiance to his majesty, our affection and regard for our fellow-subjects in Great- Britain and elsewhere, affected with the deepest anxiety, and most alarming apprehensions, at those grievances and distresses, with which his Majest3'\s American subjects are oppressed; and having taken under our most serious deliberation, the state of the whole continent, find, that the pi'esent unhappy situation of our affairs is occasioned by a ruinous system of colony administration, adopted liy the British ministry about the year 17G3, evidently calculated for inslaving these colonies, and, with them, the British empire. In prosecution of which system, various acts of parliament have been passed, for rais- ing a revenue in America, for depriving the American subjects, in many instances, of the constitutional trial by jui-y, exposing their lives to danger, by directing a new and illegal trial lieyond the seas, for crimes alleged to have been committed in America: and in prose- cution of the same system, several late, ci'uel, and oppressive acts have been passed, respecting the town of Boston and the Massachusetts- Baj', and also an act for extending the province of Quebec, so as to border on the western frontiers of these colonies, establishing an arbi- trary government therein, and discouraging the settlement of British subjects in that wide extended country; thus, by the influence of civil principles and ancient prejudices, to dispose the inhabitants to act with hostility against the free Protestant colonies, whenever a wicked min- istrj' shall chuse so to direct them. \. To obtain redress of these grievances, which threaten destruction N to the lives, liberty, and property of his majest3^'s subjects, in North America, we are of opinion, that a non-importation, non- consumption, and non-exportation agreement, faithfully adhered to, will prove the most speedy, effectual, and peaceable measure: and, therefore, we do, for ourselves, and the inhabitants of the several col- onies, whom we represent, firmly agi'ee and associate, under the sacred ties of virtue, honour and love of our country, as follows: 1. That from and after the first day of December next, we will not import, into British America, from Great-Britain or Ireland, any goods, wares, or merchandise whatsoever, or from any other place, any such goods, wares, or merchandise, as shall have been exported from Great-Britain or Ireland; nor will we, after that day, import October, 1774 11 any East-India tea from any part of the world; nor any molasses, syrups, paneles,' coffee, or pimento, from the British plantations or from Dominica; nor wines from Madeira, or the Western Islands; nor foreign indigo. 2. We will neither import nor purchase, any slave imported after the first day of December next;" after which time, we will wholly discontinue the slave trade, and will neither be concerned in it our- selves, nor will we hire our vessels, nor sell our commodities or manu- factures to those who are concerned in it. 3. As a non-consumption agreement, strictly adhered to, will be an effectual security for the observation of the non-importation, we, as above, solemnly agree and associate, that, from this day, we will not purchase or use any tea, imported on account of the East-India com- pany, or any on which a duty hath been or shall ])e paid; and from and after the first day of March next, we will not purchase or use any East-India tea whatever; nor will we, nor shall any person for or under us, purchase or use any of those goods, wares, or merchandise, we have agreed not to import, which we shall know, or have cause to suspect, were imported after the first day of December, except such as come under the rviles and directions of the tenth article hereafter mentioned. i. The earnest desire we have, not to injure our fellow-subjects in Great-Britain, Ireland, or the West-Indies, induces us to suspend a non-exportation, until the tenth day of September, 1775; at which time, if the said acts and parts of acts of the British parliament herein after mentioned are not repealed, we will not, directly or indi- rectly, export any merchandise or commodity whatsoever to Great- Britain, Ireland, or the West-Indies, except rice to Europe.' 5. Such as are merchants, and use the British and Irish trade, will give orders, as soon as possible, to their factors, agents and coi-re- spondents, in Great-Britain and Ii-elaud, not to ship any goods to them, on any pretence whatsoever, as they cannot be received in America; and if any merchant, residing in Great-Britain or Ireland, shall dircctl_y or indirectly ship any goods, wares or merchandise, for America, in order to break the said non-importation agreement, or in any manner contravene the same, on such unworthy conduct being well attested, it ought to be made public; and, on the same being so ' Brown iinpurifled sugar. ■■' In the pamphlet eilitioii this sentence reads: " That we will neither import, nor purchase any slave imported, after the first day of December next." "See Journals of Congress, 1 August, 1775, post. 78 Journals of Congress done, we will not, from thenceforth, have any commercial connexion with such merchant. 6. That such as are owners of vessels will give positive orders to their captains, or masters, not to receive on board their vessels any goods prohibited hj the said non-importation agreement, on pain of immediate dismission from their service. 7. We will use our utmost endeavours to improve the breed of sheep, and increase their number to the greatest extent; and to that end, we will kill them as seldom ' as may be, especially those of the most profitable kind; nor will we export any to the West- Indies or elsewhere; and those of us, who are or may become overstocked with, or can conveniently spare any sheep, will dispose of them to our neighbours, especially to the poorer sort, on moderate terms. s. We will, in our several stations, encourage frugality, economy, and industry, and promote agriculture, arts and the manufactures of this counti-y, especially that of wool; and will discountenance and dis- courage every species of extravagance and dissipation, especially all horse-racing, and all kinds of gaming, cock-lighting, exhibitions of shews, plays, and other expensive diversions and entertainments; and on the death of any relation or friend, none of us, or any of our fami- lies, will go into any further mourning-dress, than a black crape or ribbon on the arm or hat, for gentlemen, and a black ribbon and neck- lace for ladies, and we will discontinue the giving of gloves and scarves at funerals. 9. Such as are venders of goods or merchandise will not take advan- tage of the scarcity of goods, that maj' be occasioned by this associa- tion, but will sell the same at the rates we have been respectively accustomed to do, for twelve months last past. — And if any vender of goods or merchandise shall sell any such goods on higher terms, or shall, in any manner, or by any device whatsoever violate or depart from this agreement, no person ought, nor will any of us deal with any such person, or his or her factor or agent, at any time thereafter, for any commodity whatever. 10. In case any merchant, trader, or other person,' shall import any goods or merchandise, after the first day of December, and before the first day of Februarj^ next, the same ought forthwith, at the elec- tion of the owner, to be either re-shipped or delivered up to the com- mittee of the county or town, wherein they shall be imported, to be ' The pamphlet says xparhigh/. ' Persons is used in the pamphlet. October, 1774 79 stored at the risque of the unporter, until the non-importation agree- ment shall cease, or be sold under the direction of the committee aforesaid; and in the last-mentioned case, the owner or owners of such goods shall be reimbursed out of the sales, the first cost and charges, the profit, if an}', to be applied towards relieving and employing such poor inhabitants of the town of Boston, as are immediate sufferers by the Boston port-bill; and a particular account of all goods so returned, stored, or sold, to be inserted in the public papers; and if any goods or merchandises shall be imported after the said first day of Februarj', the same ought forthwith to be sent back again, without breaking any of the packages thereof. 11. That a committee be chosen in every countj', citj', and town, by those who are qualified to vote for representatives in the legisla- ture, whose business it shall be attentivelj' to observe the conduct of all persons touching this association; and when it shall l)e made to appear, to the satisfaction of a majority of any such committee, that any person within the limits of their appointment has violated this association, that such majority do forthwith cause the truth of the case to be published in the gazette; to the end, that all such foes to the rights of British-America maj' be publicly known, and universally contemned as the enemies of American liberty; and thenceforth we respectivel,y will break oft' all dealings with him or her. 12. That the committee of cori'espondence, in the respective colo- nies, do frequently inspect the entries of their custom-houses, and inform each otlier, from time to time, of the true state thereof, and of every other material circumstance that may occur relative to this association. 13. That all manufactures of this country be sold at reasonable prices, so that no undue advantage be taken of a future scarcity of goods. 14. And we do further agree and resolve, that we will have no trade, commerce, dealings or intercourse whatsoever, with any colony or province, in North-America, which shall not accede to, or which shall hereafter violate this association, but will hold them as unworthy of the rights of freemen, and as inimical to the liberties of their country. And we do solemnly bind ourselves and our constituents, under the ties aforesaid, to adhere to this association, until such parts of the several acts of parliament passed since the close of the last war, as impose or continue duties on tea, wine, molasses, sj^rups, paneles, cof- fee, sugar, pimento, indigo, foreign paper, glass, and painters' col- ours, imported into America, and extend the powers of the admiralty 80 Journals of Congress courts beyond their ancient limits, deprive the American subject of trial by jury, authorize the judge's certificate to indemnify the prose- cutor from damages, that ho might otlierwise be liable to from a trial by his peers, require oppressive security from a claimant of ships or goods seized, before he shall be allowed to defend his property, are repealed. — And until that part of the act of the 12 G. 3. ch. 24, enti- tled "An act for the better securing his majesty's dock-yards, maga- zines, ships, ammunition, and stores," b}^ which any persons charged with committing any of the offences therein described, in America, may be tried in any shire or county within the realm, is repealed — and until the four acts, passed the last session of parliament, viz. that for stopping the port and blocking up the harbour of Boston — that for altering the charter and government of the Massachusetts -Bay — and that which is entitled "An act for the better administration of justice, &c." — and that "for extending the limits of Quebec, &c." are repealed. And we recommend it to the provincial conventions, and to the committees in the respective colonies, to establish such further regulations as they may think proper, for carrying into execution this association. The foregoing association being determined upon hj the Congress, was ordered to be subscribed by the several members thereof; and thereupon, we have hereunto set our respective names accordingly. In Congress, Philadelphia, October 20, 177 If.. Signed, Peyton Randolph, President. New Hamp- shire Massachu- setts Bav (Jn? Sullivan Nath:"' Folsom Thomas Cushing 8am! Adams John Adams Rob' Treat Paine Rhode Island g^^; ^a^d'"' (Elipht Dyer Connecticut | Roger Sherman [Silas Deane Isaac Low John Alsop John Jay ■VT -v , Jaf Duane New York ^pj^.j_ Livingston W"' Floyd Henry Wisner S: Boerum New Jersey Pennsylvania The Lower Counties New Castle Maryland J. Kinsey Wil: Livingston Step" Crane Rich* Smith John De Hart Jos. Galloway John Dickinson Cha Humphreys Thomas Mifflin E. Biddle John Morton Geo: Ross CaBsar Rodney Tho. M: Kean Geo: Read Mat Tilghman Th? Johnson Junf W;' Paca Samuel Chase ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF GREAT BRITAIN FIRST ISSUE 80 ' '■•ngress yoad tLi > the Av ., jury, aut'n ... ..te to inc from damae ^nvise be lia lud.— Ai! (ii-il "An /.iiic-s, shi[ with coni' 3J403S 3HT OT a^HClG. 3U221 XeflR '(1 iinnii 'i\ ill.' r", > 1 1 i/reSS, . and iiame.s acuordiugly. r" 1 I ^'■. I, TO THE PEOPLE OF GREAT-BRITAIN, FROM THE DELEGATES, Appointed by the fevcral English Co- lonies of New-Hampshire, Massa- ciiosett's-Bav, Rhode-Island and Pro viDENCE Plant ATioNs, Con- \Ec- ficuT, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, The Lower Coun- ties on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina, to confider of their Grievances in General Con- gress, at Philadelphia, Septem- ber 5th, 1774. Friends, and Fellow SubjcBs, WH E N a Nation, led to greatnefs by the hand cf Liberty, and poffcflcd of all liir glory that heroilm, munificence, and hu- manity can beftow, dcfcends to the ungrateful talk ot forging chains for her Friends and Chil- riren, and inlTead of giving fupport to Free- dom, turns advocate for Slavery and Opprcl- fion, there is reafon to fufpeft flie has either ceafed to be virtuous, or been extremely negli- geivc in th^ appointment of her rulers. A Ik 4 October, 1774 81 Virginia North Caro- lina Richard Henry Lee G° Washinti'ton P. Ilonrv .r Richard Bland Benj* Harrison Edm!' Pendleton AVill Hooper Joseph Hewes R? Caswell South Caro- lina. Henry Middlcton Tho Lynch Christ Gadsden J Rutledge Edward Rutledge' Ordered, that this association be committed to the press, and that one hundred & twenty copies he struck off. The Congress then resumed the consideration of the Address to the Inhabitants of these colonies, & after de- bate thereon, adjourned till to-morrow. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1774. The address to the people of Great -Britain being brought in, and the amendments directed being made, the same was approved, and is as follows: Here insert the address to the people of Great-Britain.^ 'In Force's Archives, First Series, vol. I. is reproduced in facsimile the last page of the original association, with the signatures. Only the last and formal paragraph "The foregoing association &c." and the names of the Colonies are in the writing of Charles Thomson. In the printed editions of the Journals the date of the associa- tion differs. In the first issue of the Association, printed probably on October 21, the date is correctly given ; but in the first edition of the Journals October 24th is assigned, and this error has been followed in the subsequent editions. Copies of the original were printed, and a few were signed by the members of the Congress. One such copy is in the Lenox Library, New York, and bears the name of the owner, Richard Smith, and the probable date on which the signatures were obtained "October 22'' 1774." A note in Smith's writing at the end reads: — "mem" Patrick Henrj' Jun' & Edmund Pendleton Esq7 signed the Original Associ- ation but were absent at the signing of this — Mess" Philip Livingston, John Haring, John D'Hart, Samuel Ehoads, Geo. Ross and Rob: Goldsborough did not sign the original, being then absent — Cassar Rodney Esq' was absent at the Time of signing the Original, but his name was written by his Order." A second copy of the Associ- ation, signed, is in the Pennsylvania Historical Society. ^ Drafted by John Jay. 30127— VOL 1—04 6 82 Journals of Congress To the people of Great- Britain, fnrtn the delegates appointed hy the several English colonies of Neui-Uampshire, Massachusetts- Bay, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New -York, Neio- Jersey, Pennsylvania, the lower counties on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North- Carolina, and South -Carolina, to consider of their grievances in general Congress, at Philadelph ia, September 5th, 1771}.. Friends and fellow subjects, WHEN a Nation, led to greatness by the hand of Liberty, and pos- sessed of all the glory that heroism, muniticence, and humanit}' can bestow, descends to the ungrateful task of forging chains for her Friends and Children, and instead of giving support to Freedom, turns advocate for Slavery and Oppression, there is reason to suspect she has either ceased to be virtuous, or been extremely negligent in the appointment of her rulers. In almost every age, in repeated conflicts, in long and bloody wars, as well civil as foreign, against many and powerful nations, against the open assaults of enemies, and the more dangerous treachery of friends, have the inhabitants of your island, your great and glorious ancestors, maintained their independence and transmitted the rights of men, and the blessings of liberty to you their posterity. Be not surpi-ized therefore, that we, who are descended from the same common ancestors; that we, whose forefathei's participated in all the rights, the liberties, and the constitution, you so justly boast [of], and who have carefully convej'ed the .same fair inheritance to us, guarantied by the plighted faith of government and the most solemn compacts with British Sovereigns, should refuse to surrender them to men, who found their claims on no principles of reason, and who prosecute them with a design, that by having our lives and property in their power, they may with the greater facility enslave you. The cause of America is now the object of universal attention: it has at length become very serious. This unhappy country has not only been oppressed, but abused and misrepresented; and the duty we owe to ourselves and posterity, to j'our interest, and the general welfare of the British empire, leads us to address you on this very important subject. Know then. That we consider ourselves, and do insist, that we are and ought to be, as free as our fellow-subjects in Britain, and that no power on earth has a right to take our property from us without our consent. October, 1774 83 That we claim all the benefits secured to the subiect by the English constitution, and particularly that inestimable one of trial by jurjr. That we hold it essential to English Liberty, that no man be con- demned unheard, or punished for supposed oflfences, without having an opportunity of making his defence. That we think the Legislature of Great-Britain is not authorized by the constitution ' to establish a religion, fraught with sauguinarj^ and impious tenets, or, to erect an arbitrarj' form of government, in any quarter of the globe. These rights, we, as well as you, deem sacred. And yet saci-ed as they are, they have, with many others, been repeat- edly and flagrantly violated. Are not the Proprietors of the soil of Great-Britain Lords of their own property? can it be taken from them without their consent? will they yield it to the arbitrar}' disposal of any man, or number of men whatever? — You know they will not. Why then are the Proprietors of the soil of America less Lords of their property than you are of yours, or why should they submit it to the disposal of your Parliament, or any other Parliament, or Council in the woi'ld, not of their election ? Can the intervention of the sea that divides us, cause disparity in rights, or can any reason be given, why English subjects, who live three thousand miles from the royal palace, should enjoj' less libert}- than those who are three hundred miles distant from it? Reason looks with indignation on such distinctions, and freemen can never perceive their propriety. And yet, however chimerical and unjust such discriminations are, the Parliament assert, that they have a right to bind us in all cases without exception, whether we consent or not; that they may take and use our property when and in what manner they please; that we are pensioners on their bounty for all that we possess, and can hold it no longer than they vouchsafe to per- mit. Such declarations we consider as heresies in English politics, and which can no more operate to deprive us of our property, than the interdicts of the Pope can divest Kings of sceptres which the laws of the land and the voice of the people have placed in their hands. At the conclusion of the late war — a war rendered glorious by the abilities and integrity of a Minister, to whose efforts the British empire owes its safety and its fame: At the conclusion of this war, which was succeeded by an inglorious peace, formed under the auspices ^ In the 1774 edition of the Journal, this word is printed condition. 84 Journals of Congress of a Minister of principles, and of a faniil}- unfriendly to the pro- testant cause, and inimical to liberty. — We say at this period, and under the influence of that man, a plan for enslaving your fellow sub- jects in America was concerted, and has ever since been pertinaciously carrying into execution. Prior to this sra you were content with drawing from us the wealth produced by our commerce. You restrained our trade in every way that could conduce to your emolument. You exercised unbounded sovereignty over the sea. You named the ports and nations to which alone our merchandise should be carried, and with whom alone we should trade; and though some of these restrictions were grievous, we nevertheless did not complain; we looked up to yon as to our parent state, to which we were bound by the strongest ties: And were happy in being instrumental to your prosperity and your grandeur. We call upon you yourselves, to witness our loyalty and attachment to the common interest of the whole empire: Did we not, in the last war, add all the strength of this vast continent to the force which repelled our common enemy? Did we not leave our native shores, and meet disease and death, to promote the success of British arms in foreign climates? Did you not thank us for our zeal, and even reim- burse us large sums of money, which, you confessed, we had advanced beyond our proportion and far beyond our abilities? You did. To what causes, then, are we to attribute the sudden change of treat- ment, and that system of slavery which was prepared for us at the restoration of peace? Before we had recovered f i-om the distresses which ever attend war, an attempt was made to drain this country of all its money, by the oppressive Stamp-Act. Paint, Glass, and other coumiodities, which you would not permit us to purchase of other nations, were taxed; nay, although no wine is made in any country, subject to the British state, j^ou prohibited our procuring it of foreigners, without paying a tax, imposed by j^our parliament, on all we imported. These and many other impositions were laid upon us most unjustly and unconsti- tutionally, for the express purpose of raising a Revenue. — In order to silence complaint, it was, indeed, provided, that this revenue should be expended in America for its protection and defence. — These exac- tions, however, can receive no justification from a pretended necessity of protecting and defending us. They are lavishly squandered on court favourites and ministerial dependents, generally avowed enemies to America and employing themselves, by partial representations, to October, 1774 85 traduce and embroil the Colonies. For the necessary support of gov- ernment here, we ever were and ever shall be ready to provide. And whenever the exigencies of the state may require it, we shall, as we have heretofore done, chearfully contribute our full proportion of men and money. To enforce this unconstitutional and unjust scheme of taxation, every fence that the wisdom of our British ancestors had carefully erected against arbitrary power, has been violently thrown down in America, and the inestimable right of trial by jury taken away in cases that touch both life and property. — It was ordained, that whenever offences should be committed in the colonies against particular Acts imposing various duties and restrictions upon trade, the prosecutor might bring his action for the penalties in the Courts of Admiralty; by which means the subject lost the advantage of being tried by an honest uninfluenced jury of the vicinage, and was subjected to the sad necessity of being judged by a single man, a creature of the Crown, and according to the course of a law which exempts the prose- cutor from the trouble of proving his accusation, and obliges the defendant either to evince his innocence or to sufl'er. To give this new judicatory ^ the greater importance, and as, if with design to pro- tect false accusers, it is further provided, that the Judge's certificate of there having been probable causes of seizure and prosecution, shall protect the prosecutor from actions at common law for recovery of damages. By the course of our law, ofl'ences committed in such of the British dominions in which courts are established and justice duely and regu- larly administred, shall be there tried by a jury of the vicinage. There the oft'enders and the witnesses ai'e known, and the degree of credibility to be given to their testimony, can be ascertained. In all these Colonies, justice is regularly and impartially adminis- tered, and yet by the construction of some, and the direction of other Acts of Parliament, offenders are to be taken by force, together with all such persons as may be pointed out as witnesses, and carried to England, there to be tried in a distant land, b}- a jury of strangers, and subject to all the disadvantages that result from want of friends, want of witnesses, and want of money. When the design of raising a revenue from the duties imposed on the importation of tea into America had in great measure been rendered abortive by our ceasing to import that commodity, a scheme was con- certed by the Ministry with the East-India Company, and an Act passed ' In the original pamphlet this word if printed indicatory. 86 Journals of Congress enabling and encouraging them to transport and vend it in the colonies. Aware of the danger of giving success to this insidious manceuvre, and of permitting a precedent of taxation thus to be established among us, various methods were adopted to elude the stroke. The people of Boston, then ruled by a Governor, whom, as well as his predecessor Sir Francis Bernard, all America considers as her enemy, were exceed- ingly embarrassed. The ships which had arrived with the tea were by his management prevented from returning. — The duties would have been paid; the cargoes landed and exposed to sale; a Governor's influence would have procured and protected many purchasers. While the town was suspended by deliberations on this important subject, the tea was destroj^ed. Even supposing a trespass was thereby committed, and the Proprietoi's of the tea entitled to damages. — The Courts of Law were open, and Judges appointed by the Crown pre- sided in them. — The East India Company however did not think proper to commence any suits, nor did the}' even demand satisfaction, either from individuals or from the community in general. The Ministrj% it seems, ofEciously made the case their own, and the great Council of the nation descended to intermeddle with a dispute about private pi-opertj-. — Divers papers, letters, and other unauthenti- cated- ex parte evidence were laid before them; neither the persons who destroyed the Tea, or the people of Boston, were called upon to answer the complaint. The Ministr}', incensed by being disappointed in a favourite scheme, were determined to recur from the little arts of finesse, to open force and unmanly violence. The port of Boston was blocked up by a fleet, and an army placed in the town. Their trade was to be suspended, and thousands reduced to the necessity of gaining subsistance from charity, till they should submit to pass under the yoke, and consent to become slaves, by confessing the omnipotence of Parliament, and acquiescing in whatever disposition the}' might think proper to make of their lives and property. Let justice and humanity cease to be the boast of j'our nation! con- sult your history, examine your records of former transactions, nay turn to the annals of the \na,\\y arbitrary states and kingdoms that surround you, and shew us a single instance of men being condemned to suffer for imputed crimes, unheard, iinqucstioned, and without even the specious formality of a trial; and that too by laws made expres[s]ly for the purpose, and which had no existence at the time of the fact committed. If it be difficult to reconcile these proceedings to the genius and temper of j'our laws and constitution, the task will become October, 1774 87 more arduous when we call upon our ministerial enemies to justify, not onl}' condemning men untried and l)y hearsay, but involving the innocent in one common punishment with the guilty, and for the act of thirty or forty, to bring poverty, distress and calamity on thirty thousand soids, and those not your enemies, but your friends, breth- ren, and fellow subjects. It would be some consolation to us, if the catalogue of American oppressions ended here. It gives us pain to be reduced to the neces- sit}^ of reminding you, that under the confidence reposed in the faith of government, pledged in a royal charter from a British Sovereign, the fore-fathers of the present inhabitants of the Massachusetts-Bay left their former habitations, and established that great, flourishing, and loyal Colony. Without incurring or being charged with a for- feiture of their rights, without being heard, without licing tried, with- out law, and without justice, by an Act of Parliament, their charter is destroyed, their liberties violated, their constitution and form of government changed: And all this upon no better pretence, than because in one of their towns a trespass was committed on some mer- chandize, said to belong to one of the Companies, and because the Ministry were of opinion, that such high political regulations were necessary to compel due subordination and obedience to their mandates. Nor are these the only capital grievances under wliich we labor. We might tell of dissolute, weak and wicked Governors having been set over us; of Legislatures being suspended for asserting the rights of British subjects — of needy and ignorant dependents on great men, advanced to the seats of justice and to other places of trust and impor- tance; — of hard restrictions on commerce, and a great variety of lesser evils, the recollection of which is almost lost under the weight and pressure of greater and more poignant calamities. Now mark the progression of the ministerial plan for inslaving us. Well aware that such hardy attempts to take our property from us; to deprive us of that valuable right of trial by jury; to seize our per- sons, and carry us for trial to Great-Britain; to blockade our ports; to destroy our Charters, and change our forms of government, would occasion, and had already occasioned, great discontent in all the Colo- nies, which might produce opposition to these measures: An Act was passed to protect, indenmify, and screen from punishment such as might be guilty even of murder, in endeavouring to carry their oppres- sive edicts into execution; And by another Act the dominion of Can- ada is to be so extended, modelled, and governed, as that ])_y being- 88 Jotirnals of Congress disunited from us, detached from our interests, by civil as well as relioious prejudices, that by their numbers daily swelling with Cath- olic emigrants from Europe, and by their devotion to Administration, so friendly to their religion, they might become formidable to us, and on occasion, be fit instruments in the hands of power, to reduce the ancient free Protestant Colonies to the same state of slavery with themselves. This was evidently the object of the Act: — And in this view, being extremely dangerous to our liberty and quiet, we cannot forebear complaining of it, as hostile to British America. — Superadded to these considerations, we cannot help deploring the unhappy condition to which it has reduced the many English settlers, who, encouraged by the Royal Proclamation, jjromising the enjoj^ment of all their rights, have purchased estates in that country. — They are now the subjects of an arbitrary government, deprived of trial by jury, and when impris- oned cannot claim the benefit of the habeas corpus Act, that gi"eat bul- wark and palladium of English liberty: — Nor can we suppress our astonishment, that a British Parliament should ever consent to estab- lish in that country a religion that has deluged your island in blood, and dispersed impiety, bigotry, persecution, murder and rebellion through every part of the world. This being a true state of facts, let us beseech you to consider to what end they lead. Admit that the Ministry, by the powers of Britain, and the aid of our Roman Catholic neighbours, should be able to carry the point of taxation, and reduce us to a state of perfect humiliation and slavery. Such an enterprize would doubtless make some addition to your national debt, which already presses down your liberties, and fills you with Pensioners and Placemen. — We presume, also, that j'our com- merce will somewhat be diminished. However, suppose j'ou should prove victorious — in what condition will you then be? What advan- tages or what laurels will you reap from such a conquest? May not a Ministry with the same armies inslave you — It may be said, you will cease to pay them — but remember the taxes from America, the wealth, and we may add, the men, and particularly the Roman Catholics of this vast continent will then be in the power of your enemies — nor will you have any reason to expect, that after making slaves of us, many among us should refuse to assist in reduc- ing you to the same abject state. October, 1774 89 Do not treat this as chimerical — Know that in less than half a cen- tury, the quit-i'ents reserved to the Crown, from the numberless grants of this vast continent, will pour large streams of wealth into the royal coffers, and if to this be added the power of taxing America at pleas- ure, the Crown will be rendered independent on [of] you for supplies, and will possess more treasure than may be necessary to purchase the remains of Liberty in your Island. — In a word, take care that you do not fall into the pit that is preparing for us. We believe there is yet much virtue, much justice, and mucli pul)lic spirit in the English nation — To that justice we now appeal. You have been told that we are seditious, impatient of government and desirous of independency. Be assured that these are not facts, but calumnies. — Permit us to be as free as yourselves, and we shall ever esteem a union with you to be our greatest glory and our greatest happiness, we shall ever be ready to contribute ail in our power to the welfare of the Empire — we shall consider your enemies as our enemies, and your intei'est as our own. But if you are determined that your Ministers shall wantonlj^ sport ■with the rights of Mankind — If neither the voice of justice, the dic- tates of the law, the principles of the constitution, or the suggestions of humanity can restrain your hands from shedding human blood in such an impious cause, we must then tell you, that we will never submit to be hewers of wood or drawers of water for any ministry or nation in the world. Place us in the same situation that we were at the close of the last war, and our former harmony will be restored. But lest the same supineness and the same inattention to our com- mon interest, which you have for several years shewn, should con- tinue, we think it prudent to anticipate the consequences. By the destruction of the trade of Boston, the Ministry have endeav- oured to induce submission to their measures. — The like fate may befal us all, we will endeavour therefore to live without trade, and recur for subsistence to the fertility and bounty of our native soil, which will afford us all the necessaries and some of the conveniences of life. — We have suspended our importation from Great Britain and Ireland; and in less than a year's time, unless our grievances should be redressed, shall discontinue our exports to those kingdoms and the West-Indies. It is with the utmost regret however, that we find ourselves com- pelled by the overruling principles of self-preservation, to adopt 90 Journals of Congress measures detrimental in their consequences to numbers of our fellow subjects in Great Britain and Ireland. But we hope, that the magna- nimity and justice of the British Nation will furnish a Parliament of such wisdom, independance and public spirit, as may save the violated rights of the whole empire from the devices of wicked Ministers and evil Counsellors whether in or out of office, and thereby restore that harmony, friendship and fraternal affection between all the Inhabitants of his Majesty's kingdoms and territoi'ies, so ardently wished for by every true and honest American. The Congress then resumed the consideration of the memorial to the inhabitants of the British Colonies,^ and the same being gone through and debated by paragraphs [and amended] was approved, and is as follows: Here insert the Memorial &c. To the inhal)itants of the colonies of Nod- Hampshire, Massachus~etts- Say, Shode-Zdand and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New- York, New- Jersey , Pennsylvania, the cotmties of Neto- Castle, Kent and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North- Carolina and Soxith- Carolina: Friends and Fellow countrymen. We, the Delegates appointed by the good people of the above Colo- nies to meet at Philadelphia in September last, for the pmposes men- tioned by our respective Constituents, have in pursuance of the trust reposed in us, assembled, and taken into our most serious considera- tion the important matters recommended to the Congress. Our reso- lutions thereupon will be herewith communicated to j^ou. But as the situation of public affairs grows daily more and more alarming; and as it may be more satisfactory to you to be informed by us in a collective body, than in any other manner, of those sentiments that have been approved, upon a full and free discaission by the Representatives of so great a part of America, we esteem ourselves obliged to add this Address to these Resolutions. In every case of opposition bj' a people to their rulers, or of one state to another, duty to Almighty God, the creator of all, requires that a true and impartial judgment be formed of the measures leading to such opposition; and of the causes by which it has been provoked, ' Drafted by Richard Henry Lee. October, 1774 91 or cau in anj' degree be justified: That neither affection on the one hand, nor resentment on the other, being permitted to give a wrong bias to reason, it maj' be enabled to take a dispassionate view of all circumstances, and settle the public conduct on the solid foundations of wisdom and justice. From Councils thus tempered arise the surest hopes of the divine favour, the firmest encouragement to the parties engaged and the strongest recommendation of their cause to the rest of mankind. With minds deeplj' impressed by a sense of these truths, we have diligently, deliberately and calmlj' enquired into and considered those exertions, both of the legislative and executive power of Great-Britain, which have excited so much uneasiness in America, and have with equal fidelitj' and attention considered the conduct of the Colonies. Upon the whole, we find ourselves reduced to the disagreeable alter- native, of being silent and l)etraying the innocent, or of speaking out and censuring those we wish to revere. — In making our choice of these distressing difliculties, we prefer the course dictated by honesty, and a regard for the welfare of our country. Soon after the conclusion of the late war, there commencea a mem- orable change in the treatment of these Colonies. By a statute made in the fourtli year of the present reign, a time of profound peace, alledging, ''the expediency of new provisions and regulations for " extending the commerce between Great-Britain and his majesty's "dominions in America, and the necessity of raising a Reoenue in the " said dominions for defraying the expenses of defending, protecting "and securing the same," the Connnons of Great-Britain undertook to give and grant to his ^Majesty many rates and duties, to be paid in these Colonies. To enforce the obsei'vance of this Act, it prescribes a great number of severe penalties and forfeitures; and in two sections makes a I'cmarkable distinction between the subjects in Great-Britain and those in America. By the one, the penalties and forfeitures incurred there are to be recovered in any of the King's Courts of Record, at Westminster, or in the Court of Exchequer in Scotland; and by the other, the penalties and forfeitures incurred liere are to be recovered in any Court of Record, or in any Court of Admiralty, or Vice-Admir- alty, at the election of the informer w p'rosecuto^\ The Inhabitants of these Colonies confiding in the justice of Great- Britain, were scarcely allowed sufficient time to receive and consider this Act, before another, well known by the name of the Stamp Act, and passed in the fifth year of this reign, engrossed their whole atten- tion. By this statute the British Parliament exercised, in the most 92 Jotirnals of Congress explicit manner a power of taxing us, and extending the jurisdiction of the courts of Adiairalty and Vice- Admiralty in the Colonies, to matters arising within the body of a county, directed the numerous penalties and forfeitures, thereby inflicted, to be recovered in the said courts. In the same year a tax was imposed upon us, by an Act, establishing several new fees in the customs. In the next j'ear, the Stamp-Act was repealed; not because it was founded in an erroneous principle, but as the repealing Act recites, because "the continuance thereof would be "attended with many inconveniences, and might be productive of con- " sequences greatly detrimental to the commercial interest of Great- " Britain." In the same year, and by a subseqxient Act, it was declared, "that "his Majesty in Parliament, of right, had power to bind the people "of these Colonies, by Statutes, in all cases whatsoever." In the same year, another Act was passed, for imposing rates and duties payable in these Colonies. In this Statute the Commons avoid- ing the terms of giving and granting, "humbly besought his Majesty, that it might be enacted, «fcc." But from a declaration in the pream- ble, that the rates and duties were "in lieu of" several others granted by the Statute first Ijefore mentioned for raimng a revenue and from some other expressions it appears, that these duties were intended yo?' that purpose. In the next year, (17G7) an Act was made "to enable his Majesty "to put the customs, and otlier duties in America, under the manage- "ment of Commissioners, &c." and the King thereupon erected the present expensive Board of Commissioners, for the express purpose of carrying into execution the several Acts relating to the revenue and trade in America. After the repeal of the Stamp- Act, having again resigned ourselves to our antient unsuspicious affections for the parent state, and anxious to avoid any controversy with her, in hopes of a favourable alteration in sentiments and measures towards us, we did not press our objections against the above mentioned Statutes made subsequent to that repeal. Administration attributing to trifling causes, a conduct that really proceeded from generous motives, were encouraged in the same year (1707) to make a bolder expei'iment on the patience of America. By a Statute commonlj' called the Glass, Paper and Tea Act, made fifteen months after the repeal of the Stamp-Act, the Commons of Great-Britain resumed their former language, and again undertook to October, 1774 93 "f^we and grant rates and duties to be paid in these Colonies," for the express purpose of '''raisinff a ref^enue, to defray the charges of the '''' admi7i{tiirnti., i",,:' ,/^»,. the colot ft I t that bo ' band, > minds shall h> mit those who .n powers of fii." , ^„, against () 'duce th' asituatic i to renounce ovi 33a3Up lO eTVIATiaAHMl 3HT nT'^TTa.i , ior b}' oui At.. oj)po.sition, m , if it b. will be i. Your ov e are Mn Is Unlateed: L. E T T E R TO. T ii-'k / / *///y.-. I N H A B I T A N T S O F T if ■•: p • r: O V , I N C l^•1 >0 U E B EC • . J _ ^- -_£ ^ ;_ rj • Extract from the MUfiiUs ef the Conckess. jt P II- II. A D L L phi I A-':];: Printed by "JrVN-UJAM aad Thoma^ Bra.")i,si(9 • ; , '.. •' Ottderi 1774. ' ■' ' *■• «"^*■-„•ii^;;••j *rv a— -E t ' 'JS -2i„J October, 1774 101 weigh in the opposite balance, the endless miseries you and your descendants must endure from an established arbitrary power. You will not forget the honour of your country, that must from your behaviour take its title in the estimation of the world, to glory, or to shame; and you will, with the deepest attention, reflect, that if the peaceable mode of opposition recommended by us, be liroken and ren- dered ineffectual, as your cruel and haughty ministerial enemies, from a contemptuous opinion of your fii-mness, insolently predict will be the case, you must inevitably be reduced to chuse, either a more dan- gerous contest, or a final, ruinous, and infamous submission. Motives thus cogent, arising from the emergencj' of your unhappy condition, must excite your utmost diligence and zeal, to give all pos- sible strength and energy to the pacific measures calculated for your relief: But we think ourselves bound in duty to observe to you that the schemes agitated against these colonies have been so conducted, as to render it prudent, that you should extend your views to the most mournful events, and be in all respects prepared for every contin- genc}'. Above all things we earnestl}' intreat you, with devotion of spirit, penitence of heart, and amendment of life, to humble your- selves, and implore the favour of almighty God: and we fervently beseech his divine goodness, to take you into his gracious protection. Ordered, That the Addi'ess to the people of Great Britain and the memorial to the inhabitants of the British colonies be immediately committed to the press & that no more than one hundred and twenty copies of each be struck off without fitrther orders from the Congress. Resolved, That an Address be prepared to the people of Quebec/ and letters to the colonies of St. John's, Nova- Scotia, Georgia, East and West Florida, who have not deputies to represent them in this Congress. Ordered, That Mr. [Thomas] Cushing, Mr. [Richard Henry] Lee, and Mr. [John] Dickinson, be a committee to prepare the above address and letters. Ordered, That Mr. [Joseph] Galloway, Mr. [Thomas] McKean, Mr. J[ohn] Adams & Mr. [William] Hooper be a committee to revise the minutes of the Congress. 'On the evening of October 4, General Lee went to John Adams with an address from the Congress to the people of Canada. Adams' Writings, II, 392. 102 Journals of Congress The Address to the King being read, after debate, Ordered, That the same be re -committed, and that Mr. J[ohn] Dickinson, be added to the committee. Upon motion. Resolved, That the seizing, or attempting to seize, any person iu America, in order to transport such person beyond the sea, for trial of offences, committed within the body of a county in America, being against law, will jiistify, and ought to meet with resistance and reprisal.^ Adjourned till to-morrow. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1774. The hon*"!'' Peyton Randolph, Esq!" being unable to attend, on account of indisposition, the hon""'-*" Henry Mid- dleton, Esq!" was chosen to supply his place, as president. An address from Christopher Tully was read, and ordered to lie on the table. Ordered, That the Journal of the proceedings of the Congress, as now corrected, be sent to the, press, and printed under the direction of Mr. [Edward] Biddle, Mr. [John] Dickinson, and the secretary.'^ Resolved, as the Opinion of this Congress, that it will be necessary, that another Congress should be held on the tenth day of May next, unless the redress of grievances, which we have desired, be obtained before that time. And we recommend, that the same be held at the city of Philadelphia, and that all the Colonies, in North -America, chuse deputies, as soon as possible, to attend such Con- gress. The committee appointed to prepare a letter to the col- onies of St. John's, &c. reported a draught, which was '"21st. Met, dismissed tlie plan for a miion, &c., (Mr. Hopkins for tlie plan, I against it)." Ward. This probably refers to Galloway's Flan. * Adolphus says this resolution was introduced by Silas Deane. History of England, II, 129. October, 1774 103 read, and being amended, the same was approved, and is as follows : Philadelphia, October 22, 177 1^. "Gentlemen, "The present critical and truly alarming state of American affairs, having been considered in a general Congress of deputies, from the colonies of New-hampshire, Massachusetts-bay, Rhode-island, Connect- icut, New- York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the lower counties on Delaware, Marj-land, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina, with that attention and mature deliberation, which the important nature of the case demands, they have determined, for themselves and the the colonies they represent, on the measures contained in the enclosed papers; which measures they recommend to your colon}" to be adopted with all the earnestness, that a well directed zeal for American liberty can prompt. So rapidly violent and unjust has been the late conduct of the British Administration against the colonies, that either a base and slavish submission, under the loss of their ancient, just, and con- stitutional lilierty, must quickly take place, or an adequate Opposition be formed. "We pray God to take you under his protection, and to preserve the freedom and happiness of the whole British empire. We are as ["By order of the Congress, "Henry Middleton, President. ''''~\ MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1774. The committee appointed to prepare an address to the people of Quebec, [brought in a report,] which was read, & after debate re -committed. The committee, to whom the address to the King was re-committed, reported a draught, which was read, & Ordered, To be taken into consideration to -Morrow.' '"Gave directions for printing the proceedings." Wurd. "24th. In Congress, nibbling and quibbhng as usual. There is no greater mortifi- cation than to sit with half a dozen wits deliberating upon a petition, address or memorial. These great wits, these subtle critics, these refined geniuses, these learned lawyers, these wise statesmen, are so fond of showing their parts and powers, as to make their consultations very tedious. Young Ned Rutledge is a per- fect Bob-o-Lincoln, — a swallow, a sparrow, a peacock; excessively vain, excessively weak, and excessively variable and unsteady, jejune, inane, and puerile. Jlr. Dick- inson is very modest, delicate, and timid." John Adams' Diary. 104 Journals of Congress TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1774. The Congress resumed the consideration of the address to his Majesty, which being debated by paragraphs, was approved and ordered to be engrossed. Resolved, That the address to the King, be enclosed to the several colony agents, in order that the same may be by them presented to his Majesty ; and that the agents be requested to call in the aid of such Noblemen and Glen- tlemen as are esteemed firm friends to American liberty. Ordered, That Mr. [Richard Henry] Lee, and Mr. [John] Jay, be a committee to prepare a letter to the agents of the several colonies. Resolved, That this Congress, in their own names, and in behalf of all those whom they represent, do present their most grateful acknowledgments to those truly noble, honourable, and patriotic advocates of civil and religious liberty, who have so generously and powerfully, tho' unsuccessfully, espoused & defended the cause of Amer- ica, both in and out of parliament.^ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1774. The committee appointed to prepare a letter^ to the agents, rej)orted a draught which was read & being debated by paragraphs was approved, [& ordered to be engrossed] & is as follows : — Philadelphia, Octoher 26, 177/-I.. "Gentlemen, "We give you the strongest proof of our reliance on your zeal and attachment to the happiness of America, & the cause of liberty, when wc commit the enclosed papers to your care. '' "25th. Met, appointeir memorial to tiie people of great Britain. "We doubt not, but your good sense & discernment, will lead you to avail yourselves of eveiy assistance, that may be derived from the advice & friendship of all great & good men who may incline to aid the cause of liberty and mankind. "The gratitude of America, expressed in the enclosed vote of thanks, we desire may be conveyed to the deserving objects of it. in the man- ner you think will be most acceptable to them. "It is proposed, that another Congress be held on the tenth of May next, at this place, but in the mean time, we beg the favour of 3'ou, Gentlemen, to transmit to the speakers of the several Assemblies, the earliest information of the most authentic accounts a'ou can collect, of all such conduct & designs of ministry, or parliament, as it may con- cern America to know. "We are, with unfeigned esteem and regard. Gentlemen, &c. " By order and in behalf of the Congress, "Hknry Middleton, Presideiit.'''' To Paul Wentworth, Doctr Franklin, W™ Bollan, Arthur Lee. Tho? Life, Edmf" Burke, Charles Garth. The committee, to whom the address to the inhabitants of Quebec was recommitted, reported a draught, whicli was read, & being debated by paragraphs and amended, & approved. Ti> tlie Inliahitants of the I'nrvincc of Quebec. Friends and fell out -nuhjects. We, the Delegates of the Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachu- setts-Bay, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Comiecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of Newcastle Kent and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina and South-Carolina, deputed by the inhabitants of the said Colonies, to Journals of Congress represent them in a Genei"al Congress at Philadelphia, in the province of Pennsylvania, to consult together concerning the best methods to obtain redress of our afflicting grievances, having accordingly assem- bled, and taken into our most serious consideration the state of public affairs on this continent, have thought proper to address your prov- ince, as a member therein deeply interested. When the fortune of war, after a gallant and glorious resistance, had incorporated you with the body of English subjects, we rejoiced in the truly valuable addition, both on our own and your account; expect- ing, as courage and generosity are naturally united, our brave enemies would become our hearty friends, and that the Divine Being would bless to you the dispensations of his over-ruling providence, by secu- ring to you and your latest posterity the inestimable advantages of a free English constitution of government, which it is the privilege of all English sul)jects to enjoy. These hopes were confirmed bj' the King's proclamation, issued in the year 1763, plighting the public faith for your full enjoyment of those advantages. Little did we imagine that any succeeding Ministers would so auda- ciously and cruelly abuse the royal authority, as to with-hold from you the fruition of the irrevocable rights, to which you were thus justly entitled. But since wc have lived to see the unexpected time, when Ministers of this flagitious temper, have dared to violate the most sacred com- pacts and obligations, and as }'ou, educated under another form of government, have artfully l)een kept from discovering the unspeakable worth of t/iut form you are now undoubtedly' entitled to, we esteem it our dut}', for the weighty reasons herein after mentioned, to explain to you some of its most important branches. "In every human society," says the celebrated Mai'quis Jieecar/a, "there is an efot't, cojitinually tending to confer on one part the heighth of power and liappiness, and to reduce the other to the extreme of weakness and misery. The intent of good laws is to oppose this effort, and to diffuse their influence universally and cijiially." Rulers stimulated by this pernicious "effort," and subjects animated b}' the just "intent of opposing good laws against it," have occasioned that vast variety of events, that fill the histories of so many nations. All these histories demonstrate the truth of this simple position, that to live V)y the will of one man, or sett of men, is the production of misery to all men. October, 1774 107 On the solid foundation of thi.s principle. Englishmen reared up the fabrick of their constitution with such a strength, as for ages to defy time, tyranny, ti-eachery, internal and foreign wars: And, as an illus- trious author' of your nation, hereafter mentioned, observes, — "They gave the people of their Colonies, the form of their own government, and this government carrying prosperity along with it, they have grown gi-eat nations in the forests they were sent to inhabit." In this form, the first grand right, is that of the people having a share in their own government by their representatives chosen b}^ themselves, and, in consequence, of being ruled by laws, which they themselves approve, not by edicts of men over whom they have no controul. This is a bulwark surrounding and defending their property, which by their honest cares and labours they have acquired, so that no portions of it can legally be taken from tliem, but with their own full and free consent, when they in their judgment deem it just and neces- sary to give them for public service, and precisely direct the easiest, cheapest, and most equal methods, in which they shall be collected. The influence of this right extends still farther. If money is wanted by Rulers, who have in any manner oppressed the people, the)- may retain it, until their grievances are redressed; and thus peaceably pro- cure relief, without trusting to despised petitions, or disturbing the public tranquillity. The next great right is that of trial by jury. This provides, that neither life, liberty nor property, can be taken from the possessor, imtil twelve of his unexceptionable countrymen and peers of his vicin- age, who from that neighbourhood may reasonably be supposed to be acquainted with his character, and the characters of the witnesses, upon a fair trial, and full enquiry, face to face, in open Court, before as many of the people as chuse to attend, shall pass their sentence upon oath against him; a sentence that cannot injure him, without injuring their own reputation, and probably their interest also; as the question may turn on points, that, in some degree, concern the gen- eral welfare; and if it does not, their verdict may form a precedent, that, on a similar trial of their own, may militate against themselves. Another right relates merely to the liberty of the person. If a sub- ject is seized and imprisoned, tho' by order of Government, he ma}', by virtue of this right, immediately obtain a writ, termed a Habeas Corpus, from a Judge, whose sworn duty it is to grant it, and thereupon procure any illegal restraint to be quickly enquired into and redressed. 'Montesquieu. 108 Journals of Congress A fourth right, is that of holding lands by the tenure of easy rents, and not by rigorous and oppressive services, frequently forcing the possessoi's from their families and their business, to perform what ought to be done, in all well regulated states, by men hired for the purpose. The last right we shall mention, regards the freedom of the press. The importance of this consists, besides the advancement of truth, science, morality, and arts in general, in its diffusion of liberal senti- ments on the administration of Government, its ready communication of thoughts between subjects, and its consequential joromotion of union among them, whereby oppressive officers are shamed or intimidated, into more honourable and just modes of conducting affairs. These are the invaluable rights, that form a considerable part of our mild system of government; that, sending its equitable energy through all ranks and classes of men, defends the poor from the rich, the weak from the powerful, the industrious from the rapacious, the peaceable from the violent, the tenants from the lords, and all from their supe- riors. These are the rights, without whicli a people cannot be free and happy, and under the protecting and encouraging influence of which, these colonies have hitherto so amazingly flourished and increased. These are the rights, a profligate Ministr}' are now striving, by force of arms, to ravish from us, and which we are, with one mind, resolved never to resign but with our lives. These are the rights yo)i are entitled to and ought at this moment in perfection, to exercise. And what is offered to you by the late Act of Parliament in their place? Liberty of conscience in j-our religion? No. God gave it to you; and the temporal powers with which you have been and are connected, firmly stipulated for your enjoyment of it. If laws, divine and human, could secure it against the despotic caprices of wicked men, it was secured before. Are the French laws in etvil cases restored? It seems so. But observe the cautious kindness of the Ministers, who pretend to be your benefactors. The words of the statute are — that those "laws shall be the rule, until they shall be varied or altered by any ordinances of the Governor and Council." Is the "certainty and lenity of the criviinal law of England, and its benefits and advantages," commended in the said statute, and said to "have been sensibly felt by you," secured to you and your descend- ants? No. They too arc subjected to arbitrary '"'■ alterations'''' by the Governor and Council; and a power is expressly reserved of appoint- October, 1774 109 ing "such courts of criminal, ci.vil^ and ccclfis-iastical jurisdiction, as shall be thought proper." Such is the precarious tenure of mere will, by which j-ou hold your lives and religion. The Crown and its Ministers are impowered, as far as they could l)e by Parliament, to establish even the Inquisitivn itself among you. Have you an Assembly composed of worthy men, elected by yourselves, and in whom 3'ou can contide, to make laws for you, to watch over your welfare, and to direct in what quantity, and in what manner, j'our money shall be taken from you? No. The power of making laws for you is lodged in the governor and council, all of them depend- ent upon, and removeable at, the pleasure of a Minister. Besides, another late statute, made without your consent, has subjected you to the impositions of E.vcis<>, the horror of all free states; thus wresting your property from you by the most odious of taxes, and laying open to insolent tax-gatherers, houses, the scenes of domestic peace and comfort, and called the castles of P^nglish subjects in the books of their law. And in the very act for altering your government, and intended to flatter you, you are not authoi'ized to "assess, levy, or apply any rates and taxex, but for the inferior purposes of maMvy roarh, and erecting and repairing ^>?/7>i//« buildings, or for other local conveniences, within your I'espective towns and districts.'" Why this degrading dis- tinction? Ought not the property, honestly acquired by Canadians, to be held as sacred as that of Englishnien? Have not Canadians sense enough to attend to any other public affairs, than gathering stones from one place, and piling them up in another? Unhappy people! who are not onlj' injured, but insulted. Nay more! — With such a superlative contempt of your understanding and spirit, has an insolent Ministry presumed to think of you, our respectable fellow-subjects, according to the information we have received, as tirmlj^ to perswade themselves that your gratitude, for the injuries and insults they have recently offered to you, will engage you to take up arms, and render yourselves the ridicule and detestation of the world, by becoming tools, in their hands, to assist them in taking that freedom from us, which they have treacherously denied to y/"^'^' SIGNATURES TO THE PETITION TO THE KING i' i^c-a,^ 120 Jov, ngrens our parent state, deeply ini fi OUT reason, and ;i }!■ 've present this \ H from fears and ' uUjs tiud regulations ad.' ing a revenue in Ameri> alty and vice-admirnlt\ aliedged to be sachu^""— 1"^' of Qv Great-Brn )v acation and sincerity ,..; redress < io,d by the sy - of the late wai wers of courts * (^ Treat Britain fo. province ui . uc .^lending the ! (•m, the harmony bei oiness of both DUl^ 3HT OT H01T1T3S 3HT OT 6HHUTAHD1£ uctiou. in America, with the utmost Vlmighty God, whose ,.,.„,. .,1...,.,. ,,,!.;, ,1, leiatxjnformi- lion of effects, llm. through which thi > Wo therefore most ( g,., ..-,.- j^Q^ interpo- {T iiswer may 1 ur majesty may g«)i l.lu:^ icign over loyal as iriiLL >\>Lii LHj:^Ctii'.i- M/P aAt.r^ . '. i^iyf^tg-^t^yat^^T^'f^fi^Ar^y/' We/^if <--v-//^v?y //r, i/^^rrr^ ^£^ i.^^/^r* np Of^'-t^iUjJu^ ^Itujiy^/, ,:-'J. L t//lM. ^. /^7 ■^A^ October, 1774 121 ants may inherit j^our prosperity iind dominions 'til time shall be no more, is and alwaj^s will be our sincere and t'erv ent prayer. Henry Middleton Jn" Sullivan NathI Folsom Thomas Cushing Samuel Adams John Adams Kobf Treat Paine Step Hopkins Sam: Ward Elipht Dyer Roger Sherman Silas Deane Phil. Livingston John Alsop Isaac Low Jas. Duane John Jay W" Floyd Henr^^ Wisner S: Bu?rum Wil: Livingston John De Hart Step" Crane Rich'' Smith p] Diddle J: Galloway John Dickinson John Morton Thomas Mifflin George Ross Cha" Humphreys Ciesar Rodney Tho'M:Kean Geo: Read Mat. Tilgliman Th'! Johnson Jun'' W".' Paca Samuel Chase Richard Henry Lee Patrick Henry G" Washington Edmund Pendleton Richi Bland Benj" Harrison Will Hooper Joseph Hewes R'^ Caswell Tho Lynch Chris' Gadsden J. Rutledge P^dward Rutledge Agents to whom the Address to King is to be sent for New Hampshire, Paul Wentworth Esqr fWilliam BoUan Esq"", Massachusetts bay,|Doctr Benj: Franklin iDocf Arthur Lee. Rhode Island, none Connecticut, Thomas Life, Esqf New Jersey, Docf Benj. Franklin Pensylvania, ditto 122 Journals of Congress New York, Edmund Burke Delaware, Maryland 1 Virginia, N. Carolina} South Carolina, Charles Garth, Esqf Wednesday sent an Address to the King & under rover to Docfi Franklin directed to the above Agents. 27. Thursday. Sent pr M!' H. Middleton )i letters to Georgia, one directed to Glen the other to Lyman Hall & others. Also one to East Florida & one to West Florida. Same day sent p!" M!' S. Adams a Letter to Nova Scotia & one to S' Johns. " 6 Nov", sent the 2'' copy of Address to his Majesty by Capt" Falconer. The Address to the people of Quebec being translated by M!' Simi- teir,' 2000 copies were struck off, of which 300 were sent to Boston by Capt" Wier 16'!* Nov^ ,T% Charles Tlumtson to Franklin Philad* Oct: 26, 177 It SiK This day the Congress broke up, the papers are not all got ready, but will be sent to you hy the next opportunity. As a vessel sails to morrow morning early I am ordered to forward to you the petition to the King. Endorsed: "Capt. Morwick is particularly requested to take great care of these and deliver it as soon as possible, it being the Petition from the Congress" Nm. i, 1771t Sir I have the honour to forward to you, the address to the King and an address to the people of Great Britain & these colonies. I was in hopes by this opportunity to have sent you the Journal of the pro- ceedings of the congress which is in the press. I hope administration will see and be convinced that it is not a little faction, but the whole body of American freeholders from Nova Scotia to Georgia that now complain & apply for redress; and who, 1 am sure, will resist rather than submit. ' Pierre Eugene tlu Siinitiere. ^ With this entry the record of Charles Thomson ends; but what follows will carry on the Btory of the Petition until the meeting of the Congress of 1775. October, 1774 123 When I look back and consider the warm affection which the colo- nists had for Great Britain till the present reign, the untiiinted loyalty, unshaken fidelity & cheerful confidence that universallj'^ prevailed till that time, & then view the present heart hurnings, jealousies, trloom & despair, I am read}' to ask, with the poet "Are there not some chosen thunders in the stores of heaven armed with uncommon wrath to blast those men," who by their cursed schemes of policy are drag- ging friends & brothers into the horrors of civil war & involving their country in ruin. Even yet the wound may be healed & peace and love restored; But we are on the very edge of the precipice. I am &c Cha. Thomson FrunM'hi t(i W. >.{; R. MoUefmi. Craven Street, Dec. 21, 74 Gentlemen : 1 am much obliged by your friendly offer of accompanying me in presenting the Petition. It is committed to the Care of Sundry Gen- tlemen who meet this Day to consider the Mode of presenting it. What they will agree on is uncertain. If it were a Petition from llerxhants in America on the subject of Ci^tmnei'ce there might be more Propi'iety in its being accompanied to the Throne by the Ameri- can jNIei'chants here; but as it chiefly relates to the political Grievances of the Americans, perhaps it will be thought best not to give Mer- chants here the Trouble of accompanying it, as probably tiiey will form a Petition of their own, on the mischievous Interruption their Commerce is likely to sustain by a continuance of the present Measures. I am &c B. F.' To W. & R. MOLLESON. When the Petition first came over, an Accident had happen'd to the Paper that made it unfit to be presented, Therefore a Duplicate was waited for, being expected in some other ship. Before that arriv'd Lord Hillsborough was gone to Ireland 'See Frauklin'H irri(j»(/«, (Bigelow's Edition,) V, 489. 124 Journals of Congress On his Return B. F. waited on liim 5 several times, or rather endeav- oured to wait on him, but was always refus'd admittance, or his L'' deny'd. In the meantime hearing^ that his L" had declar'd the Minister who proposed the Repeal of that Act would deserve to be hang'd & also that his LV talk'd of resig-ning-, B. F. thought it best to wait a little longer.' ' Ms. of B. F. in Franklin Papers, Lil)rary of Congress. "The American petition came under cover to Dr Franklin, bnt consigned to five gentlemen, viz. the Doctor himself, Mr. Burke, Mr Garth, i\Ir Arthur Lee and Paul Wentworth, to be by them presented to the king attended by as many Americans and merchants as could be prevailed upon to take a part in the business, or to be delivered to your Lordship in order to be presented. The petitioners recommend the first mode, but imderstand Br Franklin adopts the latter. They were to meet today at Waghorn's coffee house, but Paul Wentworth (from whom I have these particulars) deilines acting, and says the petition is an assertion of all their claims in a very high tone and with very offensive expressions." Note endorsed "Mr Pownall," and dated 20 Becember, 1774, Dartmouth MSS. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTES 125 r 'PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL' HEADING, JULY 20, 1774 ' JAUflUOl AI>1AVJY2HH3^ " K^l .OS YJUL ,01/liaA3H isiissyri ^ 8 ^ CI < > : - * 2 f ^ ■'. "' 3 ;■ =■ 1 t '^ -^ -3 '^ tJ! hi o L*-> z to a vi <^ o r - = r-. -3 fc O : '~i c ^.'^1 r-^ f "^ 5 > ?n I ! -\ ,. -. . . C li?®:#LSfeif) ; = =-■<- 3 •?«■; : . 3-^ - r>c 5 3 r - ^ ~ _ o c ; ^^''^'l 3 " 5.0 ^^ f 3: ^ SI = -. _ ;^ ■-.!=■ s-,?3?.E = !?;:; Septen [Fijir.iueiphi. d hv U nh^i t !>r» ! 4 Hi"i>w»j'i' . "PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL" . ,., a. The l.y W. and T. HEADING, AUGUST 3. 1774 - . PP. 11. I • I'-- rcnn- \ssooiali' 'JAU^UOl Ar/!AVJYr'WH3S" BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTES^ September 22. Preliminary non-importation. 1. Pliiladelphiii. . In Congress, Thursday, kSeptember 22, 1774. / Resolved, / / [Philadelphia:] Printed by W. and T. Brad- ford. 4°. Broadside. Reproduced opposite page 43 of this volume, from the original in the Simitiere collection in the Library Company of Philadelphia. This resolution was pub- lished in the Pennsylvania Paclcet, September 26, 1774. October 20. Non-importation, &c. agreement. 2. The ' Association, tec. [Philadelphia: Printed by W. and T. Bradford. 1774.] 8<=. pp. 11. The New York Public Library has Richard Smith's copy with signatures of the members of the Congress. Another copy, with signatures, is in the Penn- sylvania Historical Society. Copies of the pamphlet without the signatures are in the Library of Congress and the Boston Athenseimi. Tlie first page is reproduced opposite page 75 of this volume. 3. The following Extract from the Votes and Pro- / ceedings of the American Continental Congress, we are induced to publish thus early purely to ' ease the Impatience of our Readers. / Association. &c. [New York:?] 8°. pp. 8 Copies are in the Library of Congress and in the New York Historical Society. It may have been "made up" in pages from some newspaper broadside. 4. The following Extracts from the Votes and Proceedings of the American Continental Congress, / we are induced to publish thus early purely to ease the Impatience of the Public. / Association, &c. Sold at the Printing Office in New Haven. F°. pp. 2. A copy is in the Emmet collection in the New York Public Library. 'The basis of these notes is Paul Leicester Ford's "Some materials for a biblio- graphy of the official publications of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789," first issued in the Bulletin of Boston Public Library, and reissued in separate form in 1888. 127 128 Journals of Congress 5. The following Extracts froui the Votes and Proceedings of the American / Continental Congress, we are induced to publish thus early purely to ease / the Impatience of our Readers. / Association, &c." Boston: Printed by Edes & Gill. F°. Broadside. ('opies are in the Ma.ssaolnisett,s Historii^al Siiciety anil the American Antiqua- rian Society. 6. [Same as No. 5, l)ut with the imprint of T & J. Pleet.] F" Broadside. Copies are in tlie Library of Congress, the Maasacliusetts Historical Society, and the American Antiquarian Society. It is i5robable that the Association was issued in eacli colonj- and as a l)road- side or a supplement to the local newspaper; so that this list will apply only to suth issues as have come to the notice of the editor. The Penmylrmda Packet oi October 31, 1774, contained the Association, together with the following resolutions: [1] October 8. Approving the opposition of the inhabitants of the Massachu- setts Bay to the execution of the late acts of Parliament. [2] October 10. On the removal of the inhabitants of Boston and recommend- ing sulimission. This newspaper version differs from that in the Journals ( page 59 ante) in that the second paragraph reads "and the laws founded thereon, until the effects of oar application for a repeal of the acts by vliich their charter rights are infringed is knoum." The words in italics were omitted in the Journals. [3] October 11. The letter to General (iage, and the resolution advising peace- able conduct toward Gage by the Bostonians. [4] October 21. A resolution justifying resistance to seizure. [.')] October 22. Resolution for holding another Congress in May, 1775. [6] October 25. Resolution of thanks to those in England who have espoused the cause of America. October 21. Address and Memorial. 7. To the / People of Great Britain, / from the / Delegates, / Appointed by the several English Co- / lonies . . . I I ... I to consider of / their Grievances in General Con- / gross, at Phila- delphia, Septem- / ber 5th, 1774. / . . . [Philadelphia: Printed by W. and T. Bradford. 1774.] .s° pp. 36. Contains the letter of Congress to the "People of Great Britain," and that to the "Inhabitants of the Colonies." The order to print is to be found on page 101 ante. Paul Leicester Ford says: "The text of the letter to the ' Inhabitants of the Colonies' was slightly altered in the subsequent issues, and copies of this first edition are sometimes found with MS. corrections of the changes made." The two papers were printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, November 7, 1774. Bibliographical Notes 129 8. Two ' Letters / from the / American Continental Congress, / lield / At Philadelphia, Sept. 5, 1774. / The one Addressed to the / People of Great Britain. ,' And the other to the / Inhabitants of the American Colonies. / Coventry': / Printed and Sold by J. W. Piercy, in Broad-gate. 177.5. ' (Price Two-pence.) 8;' pp. (4) 22. g. A Letter to the People of Great Britain from the Delegates of the American ('ongress in Philadelphia. [London] Andrews, Little Eastcheap. 8° pp. 16. The John Carter Brown Library has a title like this, without imprint, which is assigned to Pliiladelphia. This assignment, however, is doubtful. October 26. Letter to Quebec. 10. A Letter / to the / Inhabitants / of the / Province / of / Quebec. / Extract from the Minutes of the Conoress. / Philadel- phia: / Printed by William and Thomas Bradford, / October, 1774. 8" pp. (2), [37]-50. Copies are in the Pennsylvania Historical Society and in the John Carter Brown Library. The letter was printtol in the Pniiuylvania Packet, November 14, 1774. 11. To the / Inhabitants / of the Province of ' Quebec. ' From the / Continental Congress, at Philadelphia, September 5, 1774. / [Colophon.] [New York:] Printed l)v John Holt, in Dock Street. ri774.] \ ^° PP- 7- 12. (5-in Sd)rcibcii / an bic / CiinPDliiicr ,' bcr / ^|irrliiii^ / Quebec. / Vliioyiij aii6 bcin ^l^rotocpll bed (iomjrcffcS. / ^4.U)ilabclpl)ui, ,' Webnicft itnb \\\ babcn bcl) .'vjcinriri) miVnx, I 1774. 8" pp. (2), [63]-76. 13. Lettre adressee / aux Habitans / de la Province ' de / Quebec, / Ci-devant le Canada. / De la part du Congres General de I'Am- / cri(jue Septentrionale, tenu a Philadclphie. Imprime & public par Ordrc du Congres. / A Philadclphie, De Flmprimerie de Fleurv Mesplet. M. DCC. LXXIV. 8? pp. (2). 18. The translation wa.s made by Pierre Eugene du Simitiere. Copies are in the Library Company of Philadelphia and the John Carter Brown Library. 30127— VOL 1—04 9 130 Journals of Congress 14. A / Clear Idea / of the General and Uncorrupted / Bi'itish Constitution: / in an / Address to the Inhabitants / of the / Province of Quebec. / From the Forty-nine Delegates in the Continental / Congress at Philadelphia: / September 5, to October 10, 1774. / Extracted from the Votes and Proceedings. [London: Dilly and Almon, 1774.] 8': pp. 8. A copy is in the Massachusetts Historical Society. 15. Extract, fromtheJournal of the proceedings, of the ho- / norable the American Continental Congress, .../... Being that part / of their Address to the Inhabitants of the Province of / Quebec, which enumerates, the glorious rights of / Englishmen, . . . / [Philadel- phia: Printed by R. Bell, 1776.] 8? pp. 6. Usually found as a svipplement to " Plain Truth .... " byCandidus. Phila- delpia: 1776. October 26. Petition to the King. 16. To Peyton Randolph, Esq. [Philadelphia: W. and T. Bradford. 1774.] 8vo. pp. [133]-144. Issued as a supplement to No. 43, and containing the letter from (ieneral Gage to Randoljjh, and the Petition to the King. The letter from Gage was printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, November 28, 1774; but the Petition to the King did not appear until January 17, 1775, when it was issued as a "Postscript Extra to the Pennsylvania Packet, Jan. 17, 1774," and repeated in the issue of January 23, 1775. 17. The / Petition / of the / Continental Congress / to the / King. / And General Gage's Letter / to the Honorable / Peyton Randolph, Esq.; / In Answer to one wrote by the Congress. / Philadelphia: / Printed by William and Thomas Bradford, / at the London Coflfee- House. / MDCCLXXIV. 8". pp. (2), [133]-144. Same as No. 16, with a title-p£^e added. 18. The / Petition / of the / Grand American Continental / Con- gress, / to the King's / Most Excellent Majesty. / America. / Bos- ton, Printed and sold at the Printing-OfEco, near / the Mill-Bridge. 16° pp. 8. A copy is in the Massachusetts Historical Society. Bibliographical Notes 131 October 27. Extracts from the Votes. " We are informed that the Proceedmgs of the Honorable Congress are now in the press, and will in a few days be made public." Pennsijhxmia Packet, October 24, 1774. 19. Extracts From the / Votes and Proceeding.s / of the Ameri- can Continental Congress, / Held at Philadeipliia on the / 5th of September, 1774. Containing The Bill of Kights, a List of Griev- / ances, Occasional Resolves, the / Association, an Address to the People of Great-Britain, and a Memorial / to the Inhabitants of the British ' American Colonics. ' Published by order of the Congress. / Philadelphia: Printed by William and Thomas Bradford, / October 27, M, DCC, LXXIV. 8? pp. (4), 12, 11. 36. 20. Same title and imprint. 21. Same title and imprint. A copy is in the Library Compan)- of Philadelphia. 22. Same title and imprint. S'.' pp. 23, 36. S" pp. (1), 11, 50. S° pp. (4), 23, 50. A copy is in the Pennsylvania Historical Society. "The first collation (No. 19) is, I believe, the finst edition of this famous pamphlet, being 'made up,' apparently, from the remainders of Nos. 2 and 7, with the addition of the Bill of Rights and List of Grievances. The Letter to the Inhabitants of Quebec (No. 10), though printed after this was issued, and having a separate title, is intended to be a jiart of the Extracts." Paul Leicester Ford. 23. Extracts ; from the / Votes and Proceedings of the Ameri- can / Continental / Congress, ;' Held at Philadelphia, September 5, 1774, / Containing ' The Bill of Rights, a List of (xrievances. Occa- sional Resolves, the Association, an ; Address to the People of Great- Britain, / a Memorial to the Inhabitants of the / British American Colonies, and a Petition / to the King. / To which is added, / The Proceedings of the / Provincial Convention, Held at Philadelphia, January 23, 1775. / Published by order of the Provincial Conven- tion. / Philadelphia: ; Printed by William and Thomas Bradford, / at the London Cofl'ee-Hoase. / M, DCC, LXXV. 8" pp. 80. A <'Opy is in the Pennsylvania Historical Society. 24. Extracts / From the ' Votes and Proceedings ' Of the Ameri- can Continental / Congress, / Held at Philadelphia on the / 5th of 132 Journals of Congress September, 1774. , Containing The Bill of Rights, a List of Griev- i ances, Occasional Kesolves, the Asso- / ciation, an Address to the People of / Great-Britain, and a Memorial to / the Inhabitants of the British / American Colonies. / Published by Order of the Congress. / Philadelphia: Printed. / Boston: / Re-Printed by Edes and Gill, in Queen street, / and T. and J. Fleet, in Cornhill. / M. DCC. LXXIV. 8° pp. 49. A copy is in the Massachusetts Historical Society. 25. Same title and imprint. 8° pp. 56. A copy is in the Library of Congress. Tliis second issue contains the Suffolk Eesolutiona, the Letter to the Inhabitants of Quebec, and some minor Kesolu- tions, not included in the earlier issue. 26. Extracts / from the ' Votes and Proceedings / of the Ameri- can Continentiil / Congress, / Held at Philadelphia on the / 5th of September, 1774. / Containing / The Bill of Rights, a List of Grievan- / ces, Occasional Resolves, the Association, an / Address to the People of Great-Britain, / and a Memorial to the Inhabitants of the / British American Colonies. / Published by Order of the Congress. ' Phila- delphia, Printed: / Boston, Re-printed: And sold by John Boyle / in Marlborough-Street, and Mills and Hicks in / School -Street. 1774. S." pp. 43. 27. Same title and imprint. 8° pp. 52. A copy is in the Massachusetts Historical Society. It contains the Letter to the Inhabitants of Quebec. 28. Same title. Philadelphia. Printed: Boston, Re-printed: And sold by John Bojde, in Marlborough-Street, and Mills and Hicks in School-Street, and Cox and Berry in King-Street. 8P pp. 43. Title from Stevens's Nuggets, No. 10.31. 29. Extracts from the I Votes and Proceedings / of the / American Continental ' Congress, / held at / Philadelphia, / On the 5th of September, 1774. / Containing / The Bill of Rights, a List of Grievances, / Occasional Resolves, the Association, an Address ' to the People of Great-Britain, and a Memorial to / the Inhabitants of the British American Colonies. / Published by Order of the Congress. / Philadelphia: Printed. / Hartford: Re-printed by Eben. Watson, near / the Great-Bridge. 8." pp. 48. Includes the Letter to the Inhabitants of Quebec. Bibliographical Notes 133 30. Extracts / from the ' Votes and Proceedings ' of the ' Ameri- cau Continental / Congress. ; Held at Philadelphia, ; on the Fifth of September, 1774. / Containing, / The Bill of Rights, a List of Griev- ances, Occasional / Resolves, the Association, an Address to the Peo- ple / of Great- Britain, and a Memorial to the Inhabitants / of the British American Colonies. / Published by order of the Congress. / Philadelphia printed. / London: Reprinted for J. Almon, opposite / Burlington House, Piccadilly. / MDCCLXXIV. 8? pp. (4), 82. A copy ia in the Boston Athenaeum. 31. Same imprint, but with a slight variation in the lining of the title, thus, ''An Address to the 1 People of Great Britain and a Memo- rial to the / Inhabitants of the British American Colonies." 8" pp. (4), .--,9, (1). 32. Extracts ) from the Votes and Proceedings of the / Amei'i- can Continental / Congress. / Held at Philadelphia on the 5th of Sep- tember, 1774. / Containing ' The Bill of Rights, a List of Grievances, Occasional Resolves, / the Association, an Address to the People of Great-Britain, / a Memorial to the Inhabitants of the British Ameri- can / Colonies, and an Address to the Inhabitants of the Province of /Quebec. / Published bj^ Order of the Congress. / New-London: / Printed and sold by Timothv (ireen. 1774. 4P pp. 70. A copy is iu tlie Boston Athen;eum. 33. Extracts / From the Votes and Proceedings / of the Amer- ican Continental / Congress. / Held at Philadelphia, / On the 5th of September, 1774. / Containing, / The Bill of Rights, a List of Griev- ances, ; Occasional Resolves, the Association, an , Address to the People of Great-Britain, Memo- / rial to the Inhabitants of the Brit- ish American / Colonies, and an Address to the Inhabitants of / Que- bec. / Published by order of the Congress. / New-London: / Printed by Timothy Green, M, DCC, LXXIV. 4? pp. 70. 34. Extracts / from the / Votes and Proceedings ' of the / Ameri- can Continental Congress, / Held at Philadelphia, on the 5th of September, 1774. ,' Containing / The Bill of Rights, / A List of Grievances, , Occasional Resolves, / The Association, / An Address to the Peo- / pie of Great-Britain, / And a Memorial to the / Inhab- itants of the British American Colonies. / Published by Order of 134 Journals of Congress the Congress. / Philadelphia, Printed: / Newport, Rhode Island. / Reprinted and sold by S. Southwick, in Queen-Street, 177-1. S" pp. 69. 35. Extracts / from the / Votes and Proceedings / oftlic / Ameri- can / Continental Congress, / held ' At Philadelphia, 5th September, 1774. / Containing / The Bill of Rights, a List of Grievances, occa- sional / Resolves, the Association, an Address to the / People of Great-Britain, and a Memorial to the / Inhabitants of the British American Colonies. / Published by order of the Congress. / New- York. / Printed by H. Gaine, at the Bible and Crown in / Hanover- Square. ' M, DCC, LXXIV. 12° pp. 59. A copy is in the New York Historical Society. 36. Extracts / from the / Votes and Proceedings / Of the Ameri- can Continental / Congress. / Held at Philadelphia on tlie / 5th of September, 1771. ; Containing / The Bill of Rights, a List of Griev- ances, Occasional / Resolves, the Association, an Address to the Peo- ple of / Great-Britain, and a Memorial to the Inhabitants of the / British American Colonies. / Published by Order of the Congress. / Philadelphia: Printed. / New- York: Reprinted by John Holt, in Dock-Street. 1" pp. 25. A copy is in the New Yorli Historical Society. Some copies have seven additional pages, containing Holt's issue of the Letter to the Inhabitants of Quebec, No. 11. 37. / Containing / The Bill of Rights, a List of Grievan-'ces Ocasional [.svV] Resolves, the Associa- tion, and Address to the People of / Great-Britain, and a Memorial to the / Inhabitants of British American / Colonies. / The Second Edition, to which is added Min- utes of the Journal. / Published by Order of the Congress. ' Phil- adelphia: Printed. / New- York: Reprinted b}^ John Holt in Dock- Street [1775.] 8° pp. 96. A copy is in the New York Historical Society. Same as No. 44 lacking the preliminary four pages. 38. Extracts / from / The Votes and Proceedings of / the / Ameri- can / Continental Congress, / Held at Philadelphia, Sept. 5, 1771./ Containing, / The Bill of Rights, a List of Grievances, occasional Resolves, The Association, and Address to the People of Great Britain, / and a Memorial to the Inhabitants of the British American/ Biblioyraphical Notes 135 Colonies. / Published bj- order of the Congress. Together with / an Address to the Inhabitants of Quebec, / to which are added, / The Resolve of the County of Suffolk, in the Province of Mass-'achu- setts-Bay, on the 8th of September, 1774; / with / A Letter from the County Delegates to General Gage, con- / cerning the Fortifications upon Boston Neck, and Unanimous Resolves of the Grand Conti- nental Congress, approving of their Wisdom and Fortitude; and recommending a perseverance in their firm and / temperate Conduct. / New- York: Printed for James Ri\-ington, 1774. 8? pp. 36. A copy is in the New York Historical Society. 39. Extracts / from the / Votes and Proceedings / of the / Ameri- can Continental / Congress, ' Held at Philadelphia on the fifth day of September, ' M.DCC. LXXIV. Containing, / The Bill of Rights, a List of Grievances, ' Occasional Resolves, The Association, An Ad- / dress to the People of Great-Britain, and a / Memorial to the Inhabi- tants of the British , American Colonies. / Published by Order of the Congress. ' Philadelphia: Printed. / Norwich: Reprinted bv Robert- sons and / Trumbull, M. DCC. LXXIV. 8? pp. 41. A copy is in tlie Jlaryland Historical Society. 40. An edition issued at Providence, Rhode Island, by John Carter, in 1774. Title from Thomas and Haven. 41. Extracts from the , Votes and Proceedings ' Of the Ameri- can Continental Congress, / Held at Philadelphia ,' on the / 5th of Septemlier 1774. Williamsburg: / Printed by Alexander Purdie and John Dixon. M, DCC, LXXIV. 8? pp. 48, A copy is in the Library of Congress. 42. SliiS^i'igc / aii9 ben / Stimmiiiiijcii / imb / i bcm (ingli|"d)cn i'lbcrfcRt / ^|Jl)ilabclpI)ia, / Wcbnirft unb }u l)abcn bcl) ^cinrid) SJiiUcr. / 1774. 10" pp. 7G. A copy is in the Pennsylvania Historical Society. 136 Journals of Congress Journal. 43. Journal / of the / Proceedings / of the / Congress, / Held at Philadelphia, / September 5, 1774. Philadelphia: / Printed by William and Thomas Bradfoi-d, at the London Coti'ee-House. / M, DCC, LXXIV. 8° pp. (4), 144. Tlie flrst edition of the Journal. Coiiies are in the Boston Athenwum and Library Company of PhiUulelphia. Some copies ajjpear to have been issued l>efore i)p. 133-144 were printed. One sucli is in tlie John Carter Brown Library; but Mr. Winship informs me it is in a "modern pamphlet binding," and tlius may be an imperfect copy bound in recent times. The Pennsylvania Parkel for November 21, 1774, announced the publication on "this afternoon." 44. The ; Whole Proceedings / of the / American Continental / Congress, / Held at Philadelphia on the / 5th of September, 1774. / Containing / 1. P^xtracts from the Votes and Pro- / ceedings, made, and published b_y their / Order. / 2. Journal, or Minutes, and For- malities / of their Proceedings, List of Dele- / gates, with their Pow- ers, &c. / Re-printed from the Copies pul)lished by Order of ; the Congress. / Philadelphia: Printed. / New -York: Reprinted by John Holt, in / Water Street. 1775. 8V pp. (4), 96. A copy is in the New York Historical Society. 45. Journal / of the ' Proceedings / of the Congress, / Held at Philadeljihia, September 5th, 1774. Containing / the Bill of Rights; a List of Grievances; / Occasional Resolves; The A.ssociation; An / Address to the People of Great Britain; A / Memorial to the Inhabit- ants of the British ; American Colonies; and, An Address to / the Inhabitants of the Province of Quebec. / Published by Order of the Congress. / To which is added / (Being now first printed by Author- ity) / An Authentic Copy / of the / Petition to the King. ;' London: / Printed for J. Almon, opposite Burlington-House, in / Piccadillv / M.DCC.LXXV. 8? pp. (2), 66, (2). A copy is in the Library of Congress. In spite of the statement on the title-page, this volume contains none (the Petition to the King excepted ) of the papers there mentioned. "The late pamphlet, entitled 'Extracts from the Votes and Proceedings of the American Continental Congress,' contained only a Part of the Journal of that Congress. The whole Journal has since been published in America; but it was thought proper to reprint only such parts in this Pamphlet, as were omitted in the former, in order that those Gentlemen who have purchaseoses reso- lution on Boston, 58. Dnch^, Jacob, prayer of, 2(i, 27. Duchess County, N. Y., delegation, 19. Duckett, John, 22. Dyer, Eliphalet, a delegate from Connecli- cut. Elected, 18; attends, 13; on com- mittee on rights, 28. Falconer, Captain, 122. Farr, Thomas, 24. Field, Robert, 20. Fisher, Plendrick, 20. Florida, East and West, letter to, 102. Floyd, William, a delegate from New York. Elected, 19; attends, 14. Folsom, Nathaniel, a delegate from New Hampshire. Elected, 15; attends, 13; on committee on rights, 28. Ford, Jacob, 20. Franklin, Benjamin, to W. & R. Molleson, 123; on petition to the King, 123; men- tioned, 51/i, 105, 121. Franklin, William, 43, 51//. Gadsden, Christopher, a delegate from South Carolina. Elected, 24; attends, 14; on manner of voting, 25?/; on com- mittee on trade and manufactures, 29. Gage, Thomas, General. Boston com- mittee on, 56; Suffolk County letter to, 37; Congress letter to, 57, 58, 60; reply 114. Galloway, Joseph, a delegate from Penn- sylvania. Elected, 21; attends, 14; fav- ors State house for meeting, 13n; on committee on rights, 28; opinion on rights, 28n; plan of union, 43; speech on plan, 44; opposes resolve on Boston, 5Kn; to revise proceedings, 101; plan discussed, 102; quoted, 63n. Gardiner, Isaac, 37)/. Samuel, 37;/. Garth, Charles, 105, 121. Georgia, letter from some gentlemen of, 74; letter to inhabitants, 102. Glen, , 122. Goddard, William, 55. Goldsborough, Robert, a delegate from Maryland. Elected, 22; attends, 14; on ^ committee on rights, 28. Gower, Lord, bin. Great Britain, address to the people of, 62, 75, 82, 101. Guild, Nathaniel, 36n. Hall, Lyman, 122. Haring, John, a delegate from New York. Attends, 42. Harrison, Benjamin, a delegate from Vir- ginia. Elected, 23; attends, 14. Harvey, John, 30. Heath, William, 37?/. Henry, Patrick, a delegate from Virginia. Elected, 23; attends, 14; on manner of voting, 25//; on committee on trade and manufactures, 29; on committee on right*, 41; on address to the King, 53. Index 141 Hewes, Joseph, a delegate from North Caro- lina. Elected, 30; attends, 30; on ooin- mittee on rights, 31. HoMen, WiUiam, Sin. Homans, John, 37n. Hooper, WilHam, a delegate from North Carolina. Elected, 30; attends, 30; on committee on rights, 31; on committee on trade and manufactures, 31 ; to re%'ise proceedings, 101. Hopkins, Stephen, a delegate from Mode Island. Elected, 16; attends 13; on conmiittee on rights, 28; on committee on trade and manufactures, 29. Hughes, Hugh, 20«. Humphreys, Charles, a delegate from Peniuylmnia. Elected, 21; attends,14. Jay, John, a delegate from New York. Elected, 19; attends, 14; on prayer, 26n; on committee on rights, 28; on address to the people of Great Britain, 62; prepares draft of address,