rulers, and ruin upon us all. At the same time misconstruction, conceive that we ought to inform we cheerfully acknowledge that the genuine spirit you in due time, that it has alarmed many zealous of liberty which animates the other part of that friends to the general cause which the United resolve, did not permit us to interpret it in any Colonies are defending with their lives and fortunes other sense than that which is the most obvious, and likewise the most favorable to the natural rights of man. We could not, we never can be. lieve you intended that the future delegates, or yourselves, should be vested with the power of framing a new constitution for this colony; and that its inhabitants at large should not exercise the right which God has given them, in common with all men, to judge whether it be consistent with their interest to accept or reject a constitution framed for that state of which they are mem. bers. This is the birthright of every man to whatever state he may belong. There he is, or ought to be by inadmissible right, a collegislator with all the other members of that community.

As the general opinion of your uprightness dePends, in a great measure, on your explanation of that matter; and it being self-evident that the political happiness or misery of the people under your government, must be deeply affected by the measures which they may adopt in consequence of such explanation, we trust that you will receive this respectful address with indulgence, and that all our brethren in this, and the other colonies in the union, will do us the justice to beileve, that it was dictated by the purest sentiments of unconfined patriotism.

The resolve which contains the obnoxious clause already mentioned, is, together with the introduction to it, in the following words, to wit:

"And whereas doubts have arisen, whether this congress are invested with sufficient power and authority to deliberate and determine on so important a subject as the necessity of erecting and constituting a new form of government and internal

police, to the exclusion of all foreign jurisdiction,

dominion and control whatever. And whereas it

appertains of right, solely to the people of this colony to determine the said doubts. Therefore,

Conscious of our own want of abilities, we are, alas! but too sensible that every individual is not qualified for assisting in the framing of a constitution: but, that share of common sense which the Almighty has bountifully distributed amongst mankind in general, is sufficient to quicken every one's feeling, and enable him to judge rightly what degree of safety, and what advantages he is likely to enjoy, or be deprived of, under any constitution proposed to him. For this reason, should a preposterous confidence in the abilities and integrity "Resolved, That it be recommended to the of our future delegates, delude us into measures electors in the several counties in this colony, by which might imply a renunciation of our inaliena-election in the manner and form prescribed for ble right to ratify our laws, we believe that your the election of the present congress, either to wisdom, your patriotism, your own interest, nay, authorise, (in addition to the powers vested in your ambition itself, would urge you to exert all this congress) their present deputies, or others the powers of persuasion you possess, and try every in the stead of their present deputies, or either method which, in your opinion, could deter us from of them, to take into consideration the necessity perpetrating that impious and frantic act of self. and propriety of instituting such new government destruction; for, as it would precipitate us into a as in and by the said resolution of the continental state of absolute slavery, the lawful power which, congress is described and recommended: And if till now, you have received from your constitu- the majority of the counties, by their deputies in ents, to be exercised over a free people, would be provincial congress, shall be of opinion that such annihilated by that unnatural act. It might probanew government ought to be instituted and estabbly accelerate our political death; but it must im-ished; then to institute and establish such a go

mediately cause your own.

. The continued silence of the bodies which are,

vernment as they shall deem best calculated to secure the rights, liberties, and happiness, of the

by election, vested with an authority subordinate good people of this colony, and to continue in force

until a future peace with Great Britain shall render the same unnecessary."

to that of your house, would strike us with amazement, should we suppose that, in their presence, your resolve ever was interpreted in a sense that We cannot forbear expressing our astonishment was not favorable to the free exercise of our at the existence of the doubts alluded to in the ininalienable rights. But we, who daily converse troduction just quoted. But when in compassion with numbers who have been deceived by such to those weak minds which gave them birth, you

condescended to declare, that 'It appertains solely claim our insanity, and for that reason, be void to the people of this colony to determine the said of themselves; we beg leave, as a part of your _doubts;' you have in the spirit of the recom- constituents, to tender you that tribute of esteem mendations of the general congress, demonstrated and respect, to which you are justly entitled, for to your constituents, that you will on alt occasions your zeal in so nobly asserting the rights which warn them to destroy in its embryo, every scheme the people at large have to legislation; and in prothat you may discover to have the least tendency moting their free exercise of those rights. towards promoting the selfish views of any foreign or domestic oligarchy. Your enemies never can persuade people of reflection, that you fully in. structed the most ignorant among us by such a positive declaration of our rights, for the purpose of surreptitiously obtaining our renunciation of them. Human nature, depraved as it is, has not yet, and we hope never will be guilty of so much hypocrisy and treachery.

You have most religiously followed the lines drawn by the general congress of the United

Colonies. Their laws, issued in the stile of rethe committees, and finally the people at large, commendations, leave inviolate, in the conventions, the right of rejection or ratification. But though it be decreed by that august body, that the punishments of death shall, in some cases e inflicted, the people have not rejected any of their laws, We observe on the contrary, that your resolve nor even remonstrated against them. The reason is perfectly consistent with the liberal principle of such general submission, is, that the whole of on which it is introduced; for after having set forth their proceedings is calculated to promote the what relates to the election of deputies, you recom. greatest good to be expected from the circummend to the electors, 'If the majority of the coun.stances which occasion their resolves, and scarcely ties shall be of opinion that such new government ought to be instituted, then to institute and establish such a government.'

Posterity will behold that resolve as the test of their rectitude. It will prove that you have fully restored to us the exercise of our right, finally to determine on the laws by which this colony is to be governed; a right of which, by the injustice of the British government, we have till now been deprived. But a forced and most unnatural miscon struction, which is artfully put upon your resolve, has deceived many, who really believe that we will not be allowed to approve or reject the new constitution; they are terrified at the consequences, although a sincere zeal for the general cause inspire them to suppress their remonstrances, lest the common enemy should avail himself of that circum. stance, to undermine your authority.

admit the delays attending more solemn forms. The conduct of their constituents in this instance, clearly shews, what an unbounded confidence vir'uous rulers may place in the sound judgment, integrity, and moderation of a free people.

Whatever the interested supporters of oligarchy may assert to the contrary, there is not, perhaps, one man, nor any set of men upon earth, who, without the special inspiration of the Almighty, could frame a constitution, which in all its parts, would be truly unexceptionable, by the majority of the people for whom it might be intended. And should God bless any man, or any set men, with such eminent gifts, that man, or those men, having no separate interest to support, in opposition to the general good, would fairly submit the work to the collective judgment of all the individuals who might be interested in its operation. These it is probable, would after due examination, unanimously concur in establishing that constitution. It would become their own joint work, as soon as the majority of them should have freely accepted it; and by its having received their free assent, the only characteristic of the true lawfulness and legality that can be given to human institutions, it would be truly binding on the people. Any other conAs to us, who do not entertain the least doubt currence in the acts of legislation is illusory and of the purity of your intentions; who well know, tyrannical; it proceeds from the selfish principles that your wisdom could not suffer you to aim at of corrupt oligarchy: and should a system of laws obtaining powers, of which we cannot lawfully appear, or even be good in every other respect, divest ourselves; which, if repeatedly declared by which is scarcely admissible, yet it would be imus, to have been freely granted, would only pro- perfect. It could be lawfully binding on none but

Impressed with a just fear of the consequences which result from that error, we conceive it would be criminal in us to continue silent any longer; and therefore we beseech you to remove by a full and timely explanation, the groundless jealousies which arise from a misconception of your patriotic resolve.

the legislotors themselves, and must continue in destroy our usefulness as a body of voluntary that state of imperfection which disgrace the best associators, who are warmly attached to the cause laws, now and then made in governments establish of liberty; but that it would likewise expose every ed on oligarchic principles, and deprives them of one of us to deserved derision. At the same time, true legality. As such is the case with Great Bri- we assure your honorable house, that on all occatain herself, it is evident that her parliament are sions we will continue to testify our zeal in sup. so far from having a lawful claim to our obedience, porting the measures adopted by congresses and that they have it not to that of their own con- committees, in the prosecution of their grand obstituents; that all our former laws have but a rela-ject, the restoration of human rights in the United tive legality, and that not one of them is lawfully Colonies. And if at any future time, the silence binding upon us, though even now for the sake of of the bodies in power give us reason to conceive common conveniency, the operation of most of them that our representations may be useful, we then be and ought to be tolerated, until a new system will endeavor to discharge our duty with propriety, of government shall have been freely ratified by and rely on public indulgence for any imperfection the collegislave power of the people, the sole which cannot affect our uprightness. lawful legislature of this colony. It would be an act of despotism to put it in force by any other means, which God avert! The people it is true might be awed, or openly forced to obey, but they would abhor the tyranny and execrate its authors. In convention of the representatives of the state of They would justly think that they were no longer bound to submit than despotism could be maintain. ed by the same violent or artful means which would have produced its existence.

Signed by order of the committee,

MALCOLM M'EUEN, chairman' MECHANICS-HALL, June 14, 1776.

New-York, August 10, 1776.

Resolved, That if any of the militia officers in the service of this state shall, during the present invasion, resign his commission after having received orders to proceed upon duty from this conBut the free ratification of the people will not vention or his superior officer, without the perbe sufficient to render the establishment lawful, mission of this state, or shall not repair with all unless they exercise in its fulness an uncontroled possible dispatch to such place or places, as he power to alter the constitution in the same man or they may be ordered to by the convention of ner that it shall have been received. This power this state, or by his superior officer, shall, upon necessarily involves that of every district, occa-proof before a general court martial, be rendered sionally to renew their deputies to committees and incapable of holding any military employment uncongresses when the majority of such district shall der this state, and his name held up as a deserter think fit; and therefore, without the intervention of his country's cause. of the executive, or any other power, foreign to the body of the respective clectors, that right is so essential to our safety, that we firmly believe you will recommend to all your constituents imme. diately to exercise it, and never suffer its being wrested from them; otherwise the sensibility of our delegates could not allow them to say that they hold their offices from the voluntary choice of a free people.

ROBERT BENSON, Sec.

IN VIRGINIA CONVENTION.

Saturday, March 25, 1775.-Resolved, as the opinion of this convention, that on account of the unhappy disputes between Great Britain and the colonies, and the unsettled state of this country, the lawyers, suitors, and witnesses, ought not to attend the prosecution or defence of civil suits at the next general court: and it is recommended to the We likewise conceive that this measure will several courts of justice, not to proceed to the more effectually and more speedily than any other, hearing or determination of suits on their dockets, remove disaffected persons from all our councils, except attachments; nor to give judgment, but in and give our public proceedings a much greater the case of sheriffs, or other collectors of money weight than they have hitherto obtained amongst our neighbors.

or tobacco received by them, in other cases where such judgment shall be voluntarily confessed, or upon such amicable proceedings as may become We never did as a body, nor never will, assume necessary for the settlement, division, or distribuany authority whatsoever in the public transactions tion of estates: and, during the suspension of the of the present times. Common sense teaches us, administration of justice, it is earnestly recomthat the absurdity of the claim would not only mended to the people, to observe a peaceable and

orderly behavior; to all creditors to be as indul-¡and raise a quantity of flax, hemp, and cotton, suf gent to their debtors as may be; and to all debtors, ficient not only for the use of his or her own family, to pay as far as they are able; and where differences but also to spare to others on moderate terms. may arise, which cannot be adjusted between the parties, that they refer the decision thereof to judicious neighbors, and abide by their determination.

Monday, March 27, 1775.-The committee appointed to prepare a plan for the encouragement of arts and manufactures, reported the following resolutions, which being severally read, were unanimously agreed to:

Resolved unanimously-As salt is a daily and indispensible necessary of life, and the making of it amongst ourselves, must be deemed a valuable acquisition, it is therefore recommended, that the utmost endeavors be used to establish salt works, and that proper encouragement be given to Mr. James Tait, who hath made proposals, and offered a scheme to the public, for so desirable a purpose.

Resolved unanimously-That saltpetre and sulphur, being articles of great and necessary use, the making, collecting, and refining them to the utmost extent, be recommended, the convention

Whereas, it hath been judged necessary, for the preservation of the just rights and liberties of America, firmly to associate against importation; and, as the freedom, happiness, and prosperity of being of opinion, that it may be done to great ada state greatly depend on providing within itself,

vantage.

a supply of articles necessary for subsistence, cloth. Resolved unanimously-That the making of guning, and defence; and whereas, it is judged essen-powder be recommended.

Resolved unanimously-That the manufacturing of iron into nails and wire, and other necessary articles, be recommended.

Resolved unanimously-That the making of steel ought to be largely encouraged, as there will be a great demand for this article.

tial, at this critical juncture, to form a proper plan for employing the different inhabitants of this colony, providing for the poor, and restraining vagrants and other disorderly persons, who are nuisances to every society, a regard for our country, as well as common prudence, call upon us to encourage agriculture, manufactures, economy, and the utmost industry; therefore, this convention doth Resolved unanimously-That the making of difresolve as follows: ferent kinds of paper ought to be encouraged; and Resolved unanimously-That it be earnestly re-as the success of this branch depends on a supply commended to the different magistrates, vestries, of old linen and woollen rags, the inhabitants of and churchwardens, throughout this colony, that this colony are desired, in their respective families, they pay a proper attention and strict regard to to preserve these articles. the several acts of assembly, made for the restraint of vagrants, and the better employing and main. taining the poor.

Resolved unanimously-That from and after the first day of May next, no person or persons whatever, ought to use, in his or their families, unless in case of necessity, and on no account, sell to butchers, or kill for market, any sheep under four years old; and where there is a necessity for using any mutton, in his, her, or their families, it is re commended to kill such only as are least profitable to be kept.

Resolved unanimously--That, whereas, wool combs, cotton and wool cards, hemp and flax hec. els, have been for some time made to advantage, in some of the neighboring colonies, and are necessa. ry for carrying on linen and woollen manufactures, the establishing such manufactures be recom. mended.

Resolved unanimously-That the erecting fulling mills, and mills for breaking, swingling, and softening hemp and flax, and also that the making grindstones be recommended.

Resolved unanimously-That the brewing malt Resolved unanimously—That the setting up and promoting woollen, cotton, and linen manufactures, liquors in this colony, would tend to render the ought to be encouraged in as many different consumption of foreign liquors less necessary, it branches as possible, especially coating, flannel, is therefore recommended, that proper attention be blankets, rugs, or coverlids, hosiery, and coarse given to the cultivation of hops and barley. cloths, both broad and narrow.

Resolved unanimously-That it be recommended Resolved unanimously-That all persons, baving to all the inhabitants of this colony, that they use proper lands for the purpose, ought to cultivate as the convention engageth to do, our own manu

factures, and those of other colonies, in preference God, do solemnly swear, that I will, to the utmost to all others. of my power, support, maintain, and defend the Resolved unanimously-That for the more speed-government of Virginia, in the present just and ily and effectually carrying these resolutions into necessary war, against all powers whatever, who execution, it be earnestly recommended, that soci-do, or may levy or carry on any hostility of war eties be formed in different parts of this colony; and, it is the opinion of this convention, that proper premiums ought to be offered in the several counties and corporations, to such persons as shall

excel in the several branches of manufactories; and it is recommended to the several committees of the different counties and corporations, to promote and encourage the same, to the utmost of their power.

against the same, and that I will not in any manner aid, or assist, comfort, countenance, correspond with or abet any person whatever, whom I know, or have cause to suspect, have designs to further, aid, or assist the tyrannical and cruel war, which the British parliament have levied against America, and that I will, from time to time, declare and make known all traitorous conspiracies and attempts against the peace and safety of Virginia, which shall come to my knowledge: So help me God."

WILLIAMSBURG, Oct. 1775.

To colonel Andrew Lewis, and Mr. John Boyer.

August 16, 1775.-An address from the Baptists in this colony was presented to the convention, and read; setting forth, that however distinguished from the body of their countrymen, by appellatives Gentlemen-For your past service you have and sentiments of a religious nature, they never- our thanks, and we presume it is all the reward theless consider themselves as members of the you desire. And as we have again committed to same community in respect to matters of a civil you the greatest trust we can confer (that of apnature, and embarked in the same common cause; pearing for us in the great council of the colony) that, alarmed at the oppression which hangs over we think it expedient you hear our sentiments at America, they had considered what part it would this important juncture. And first, we require be proper to take in the unhappy contest, and had you to represent us with hearts replete with the determined that in some cases it was lawful to go most grateful and loyal veneration for the race of to war, and that they ought to make a military Brunswick, for they have been truly our fathers; resistance against Great Britain in her unjust and at the same time the most dutiful affection invasion, tyrannical oppressions, and repeated for our sovereign, of whose honest heart we canhostilities; that their brethren were left at discre- not entertain any diffidence; but sorry we are to tion to inlist, without incurring the censure of add, that in his councils we can no longer confide; their religious community; and, under these cir- a set of miscreants, unworthy to administer the cumstances, many of them had enlisted as soldiers, laws of Britain's empire, have been permitted and many more were ready to do so, who had an earnest desire their ministers should preach to them during the campaign; that they had therefore appointed four of their brethren to make application to this convention for the liberty of preaching to the troops at convenient times, with out molestation or abuse, and praying the same may be granted them.

Resolved, That it be an instruction to the com

impiously to sway. How unjustly, cruelly, and tyrannically, they have invaded our rights, we need not now put you in mind. We only say, and we assert it with pride, that the subjects of Britain are one; and when the honest man of Boston who has broke no law, has his property wrested from him, the hunter on the Alegany must take the alarm, and, as a freeman of America, he will fly to his representatives, and thus instruct them:Gentlemen, my gun, my tomahawk, my life I desire you to render to the honor of my king and country; but my liberty to range these woods on the same terms my father has done, is not mine to give

manding officers of the regiments or troops to be raised, that they permit dissenting clergymen to celebrate Divine worship, and to preach to the soldiers, or exhort, from time to time, as the various operations of the military service may permit, up; it was not purchased by me, and purchased it for the ease of such serupulous consciences as may not choose to attend Divine service as celebrated by the chaplain.

was; it is entailed on my son, and the tenure is sacred. Watch over it, gentlemen, for to him it must descend unviolated, if my arm can defend it; but if not, if wicked power is permitted to prevail Test in Virginia, 1776, published by order of the against me, the original purchase was blood, and convention-"I, A. B. in the presence of Almighty mine shall seal the surrender.