re luced by the operation of the late acts of parlia ment. By this choice, the house has reposed in you a trust of singular importance, and have just reason to expect you will give your utmost attention to it. In case you should receive advice that the houses of representatives or burgesses of the other colo nies, or any of them, agree to such committees, to join you in this interesting affair, you are directed to repair to New-York at the time appointed, and en leavor to unite with them in sentiment, and agree upon such representations, as may tend to preserve our rights and privileges. And it is the opinion of this house, that no address or representation shall be esteemed the act of this house, unless it is agreed to and signed by the major part of their commit tee. If it should be said, that we are in any manner re presented in parliament, you must by no means concede to it; it is an opinion which this house cannot see the least reason to adopt. Further, the house think that such a representa tion of the colonies as British subjects are to enjoy, would be attended with the greatest difficulty, if it is not absolutely impracticable, and therefore, you are not to urge or consent to any proposal for any representation, if such be made in the congress. for levying duties and taxes upon the colonies; and to consider of a general and united, dutiful, loyal and humble representation to his majesty and the parliament, and to implore relief. And you are also hereby empowered to conclude and agree with the other commissioners, upon such measures as you shall think necessary and proper for obtaining redress of the grievances of the colonies, agreeably to the instructions given you by the general assembly of this colony. Given under my hand and the seal of the said colony, this sixteenth day of September, 1765, and in the fifth year of his majesty's reign. SAMUEL WARD. Who produced the following appointment, viz: It is the expectation of the house, that a most Whereas, it has been proposed that a congress loyal and dutiful address to his majesty and the par- be attended by commissioners from the several geliament, will be prepared by the congress, praying as well for the removal of the grievances the colo-vernments on this continent, to confer upon a genenies labor under at present, as for preventing others tion to his majesty and the parliament, of the preral, united, humble, loyal and dutiful representafor the future: which petitions, if drawn up, as far as you shall be able to judge, agreable to the mind of the house, you are empowered to sign and forward; and you are to lay a copy of the same before this house, and make report of your proceedings upon your return.* sent circumstances of the colonies and the difficulties to which they are and must be reduced by the operation of the acts of parliament for laying duties and taxes on the colonies, and to implore relief. Resolved by this assembly, That Eliphalet Dyer, David Rowland, and William Samuel Johnson, esqrs. It is the hearty prayer of this house, that the congress may be endued with that wisdom which is or any two of them, be, and are hereby appointed from above, and that their councils and determi-commissioners, on behalf of this colony, to repair nations may be attended with the divine blessing. the matters above referred to; and his honor is to New York to attend the proposed congress, in SAMUEL WHITE Speaker. hereby desired to commissionate them accord. ingly. From the colony of Rhode-METCALF BOWLER, A true copy, examined by GEORGE WYLLYS, Secretary. At a general assembly of the governor and company of the colony of Connecticut, holden at liartford, by special order of his honor the governor of said colony, on the 19th day of September, Anno Dom. 1765. Instructions to the commissioners of this colony, appointed to meet commissioners from the other colonies at New-York, on the first Teusday of October next: Whereas, the general assembly of this province have nommated and appointed you, the same MetGentlemen,-You are to repair to the said city ca f Bowler and Henry Ward, to be commissioners of New-York, at said time, or at the time which, acin behalf of this colony to meet such commissioners cording to the intelligence you may receive of the as are or shall be appointed by the other British convening of the other commissioners, it may apgovernments in North America, to meet at New-pear to you seasonable and best, to consult togethYork the first Teusday of October next, I do, therefore, hereby authorize and empower, and commissionate you, the said Metcalf Bowler and Henry Ward, forthwith to repair to New-York, and there, in behalf of this colony, to meet and join with the other commissioners in consulting together on the present circumstances of the colonies, and the difficulties to which they are and must be reduced by the operation of the act of parliament The reader may remark in all these commis sions with how great authority the right of instruction is assumed.-En. REG. er with them on the present circumstances of the colonies, and the difficulties to which they are and must be reduced, by the operation of the acts of parliament for levying duties and taxes on the colo nies, and to consider of and prepare a general and united, dutiful, loyal and humble representation of their condition to his majesty and the parliament, and to implore relief, &c. In your proceedings you are to take care that you form no such junction with the other commissioners as will subject you to the major vote of the commissioners present. You are to inform the governer and general as sembly at the sessions in October next, of all such proceedings, as appear to you needful and conveni ent to be communicated for considera ion: and to ob erve all such further instructions as you may receive; and you are to report your doings with the doings of the commissioners a' such meeting, to the general assembly of this colony, for acceptance and approbation. A true copy, examined by GEORGE WYLLYS, Secretary. from the general sense of the people, and such of the representatives as they have had an opportunity of speaking to, that when the assembly does meet, (which will be probably very soon) the congress will be approved, and a regular committee for the purpose appointed; in the mean time they think themselves in some measure authorised to meet THOMAS FITCH, esquire, governor and command-the congress, by the following vote, viz: er in chief of his majesty's colony of Con. (L. S.) necticut in New-England, in America, To Eliphalet Dyer. David Rowland, and William Samuel Johnson, esquires, GREETING: Extract from the votes and proceedings of the general assembly of the colony of New-York. DIE SABATI, 9h. A M the 4th April, 171. Mr. Speaker represented to this house, that his Whereas, the general assembly of the said situation in the country rendered it vastly inconvecolony of Connecticut, at their session holden at nient to him alone to correspond with the agent of Hartford on the nineteenth day of this instant, Sep-this colony, at the court of Great Britain, and more tember, nominated and appointed you, or any two especially so, during the recess of the house. of you, to be commissioners on behalf of this colo. Ordered. That the members of the city of Newny, to repair to New-York to attend a congress pro-York, or the major part of them, be a committee of posed to be held there by commissioners from the correspondence to correspond with the agent of several governments on this continent, to confer this colony at the court of Great Britain during the upon a general and united, loyal, humble and duti ful representation to his majesty and the parliament, of the present circumstances of the colonies, and the difficulties to which they are and must be reduced by the operation of the acts of parliament, for levying duties and taxes on the colonies, and to implore relief, &c. and have desired me to commission you accordingly. recess of the house, concerning the public affairs of this colony; and that they lay before the house copies of all such letters as they may write to him, and also all such letters and advices at they may receive from him respecting the same. that the committee conceived it expedient that one or more merabers should be added to the said committee to correspond with the said agent about the affairs of this colony. Ordered, That Robert R. Livingston, esq. be added to, and be made one of the said committee of correspondence. DIE JOVIS, 9h, A. M. 9th December, 1762. Alderman Livingston, from the committee appointed to correspond with the agent of this colony I do therefore, reposing a special trust and confi-at the court of Great Britain, acquainted the house, dence in your loyalty, ability and good conduct, hereby constitute, authorize and commission the sai! Eliphalet Dyer, David Rowland and William Samuel Johnson, esquires, or any two of you, for and on behalf of this colony, to repair to the said city of New-York on the first day of October next, or at the time which, according to the intelligence you may receive of the convening of the other com. missioners, may appear to you seasonable and best, to confer and consult with them or such of them as shall be present upon and convening, the matters and things before mentioned, for the purposes afore. said; wherein you are to observe such instructions as you have received, or shall further receive from the general assembly of the said colony of Connecticut, agreeable to the important trust reposed in you. Given under my hand, and the puble seal of said colony of Connecticut, within the same, the twen ty-first day of September, in the fifth year of the reign of our sovereign lord George the third, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, &c. Anno Domini, one thousand seven hun dred and sixty-five. By his honor's command, Dr Jovis, 9h, A. M. the 18th October. 1764. Ordered, That the said committee appointed to correspond with the said agent, be also a committee during the recess of the house, to write to and correspond with the several assemblies or committees of assemblies on this continent, on the subject matter of the act, commonly called the stamp act, of the act restraining paper bills of credit in the colonies, from being a legal tender, and of the several to the trade of the nothern colonies; and also on the other acts of parliament lately passed, with relation subject of the impending dangers, which threaten the colonies of being taxed by laws to be passed in Great Britain. the records of the proceedings of the general as. Extract from, compared and examined with sembly of the colony of New-York. By THOMAS FITCH. Appeared, and informed the congress that since ABRAHAM LOTT, clerk. JOSEPH BORDEN, Sa Who produced the following appointment, viz: At a meeting of a large number of the representatives of the colony of New-Jersey, at the house of Robert Sproul, October 3d, 1765: At the desire of the speaker of the house of rethe above letter from the speaker of the house of presentatives as aforesaid, and at the earnest request representatives of Msssachusetts Bay, the general of many of our constituents, to consider of some method for humbly, loyally and dutifully joining in assembly of New-York have not had an opportuni- a petition to his majesty, that he would be graci ty of meeting, but that they confidently expect, lously pleased to recommend to the parliament of Robert Ogden, esq. Hendrick Fisher, esq. and Joseph Borden, esq. were directed to attend at the congress now met at New-York, and join the mea sures there to be concluded, for the purposes afore. said, and to make report of their proceedings therein, at the next meeting of the general assembly. Great Britain to redress our grievances by repealing Cæsar Rodney and Thomas M.Kean, esqrs. apseveral of the late acts of parliament affecting the peared from the government of the counties of New northern colonies, particularly that called the stamp Castle, Kent and Sussex, upon Delaware, and inact. formed this congress, that the representatives of the said government could not meet in general as sembly after the above letter was wrote, and before the first day of this instant: that the said assembly consists only of eighteen members, fifteen of whom have appointed the other three to attend here, &c. by three several instruments of writing, which are in the words following, to wit: Signed by order, JOHN LAWRENCE. From the province of SJOHN DICKINSON, Pennsylvania, Esqrs. Resolved, That Mr. Speaker, Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Bryan and Mr. Morton be, and they are, hereby, nominated and appointed to that service. A true extract from the journals, Extract from the journals of the house of represen To all whom these presents may come: JOHN MORTON, GEORGE BRYAN, Who produced the following appointment in general essembly, September 11th, 1765, A. M. KNOW YR, That we, the subscribers, five of The house resumed the consideration of their re- ment of the counties of New-Castle, Kent and Susthe representatives of the freemen of the govern solution of yesterday, to appoint a committee of three or more of their members, to attend the ge-pressive taxes imposed upon the good people of sex, upon Delaware, sensible of the weighty and opneral congress of committees from the several as this government by divers late acts of parliament, semblies on this continent, to be held at New-York and of the great infringement of the liberties and on the first of October next, and, after some time just established rights of all his majesty's colonies spent therein, on this continent, occasioned by the late measures in England; and being of opinion that the method proposed by the honorable house of assembly of the province of Massachusetts bay is the most likely to obtain a redress of these grievances; and, taking into CHARLES MOORE, consideration the misfortune we, at present, labar Clerk of the assembly.under, in not having it in our power to convene, as a house, and, in a regular manner, to appoint a committee: yet, zealous for the happiness of our constituents, think it our duty, in this way, to serve them as much as in us lies, (assured of the hearty approbation of any future house of assembly of this government); and, therefore, do hereby nominate and appoint Jacob Kollock, Thomas M'Kean and Cæsar Rodney, esqrs. three of the representatives of the same government, a committee, to repair to the city of New-York on the first day in October next, and there to join with the committees sent by the other provinces, in one united and loyal petition to his majesty, and remonstrance to the honorable house of commons of Great Britain, against the aforesaid acts of parliament, therein dutifully, yet most firmly, asserting the colonies' right of exclusion from parliamentary taxation; and praying that they may not, in any instance, be stripped of the ancient and most valuable privilege of a trial by their peers, and most humbly imploring relief. tatives for the province of Pennsylvania. Wednesday, September 11th, 1765, A. M.-The committee appointed to prepare instructions for the deputies nominated by this house to attend the proposed congress at New-York on the first of next month, reported an essay for that purpose, which they presented to the chair; and the same being read and agreed to by the house, follows in these words, viz: Instructions to the committee appointed to meet the committees of the other British continental colonies, at New-York: It is desired by the house that you shall, with the committees that have been appointed by the several British colonies on this continent to meet at NewYork, consult together on the present circumstances of the colonies, and the difficulties they are and must be reduced to, by the late acts of parliament for the levying duties and taxes upon these colonies; and join with the said committees in loyal and duti. ful addresses to the king and to the two houses of parliament, humbly representing the condition of these colonies, and imploring relief, by a repeal of the said acts; and you are strictly required to take care that such addresses in which you join, are drawn up in the most decent and respectful terms; so also avoid every expression that can give the least of fence to his majesty or to either house of parlia ment. You are also directed to make report of your pro- September 26th, 1765. In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our Kent county, to wit: THOMAS COOK, WILLIAM ARMSTRONG, WE, whose names are here underwritten, memthe counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex, upon bers of the general assembly of the government of Delaware, for the said county of Kent, though seasible of the impropriety of assuming the functions Clerk of the assembly. of assemblymen during the recess of our house, yet, zealous to concur in any measure which may be productive of advantage to this government and the other British colonies on the continent of America in general, have appointed, and, as much as in us lies, do appoint, Jacob Kollock, esq. Cæsar Rodney, esq. and Thomas M'Kean, esq. members of said assembly, to be a committee to meet with the other committees already appointed, or to be appointed, restraints lately laid on their trade and commerce, by the several and respective assemblies of said and especially from the taxes imposed by an act of other colonies, at the city of New-York, on the first the last session of parliament granting and applyTuesday in October next, in conjunction with the ing certain stamp duties and other duties in the Bri other committees, to consider of the present dis tish colonies and plantations in America, whereby tressful circumstances of the said colonies, occa-they are deprived, in some instances, of that invalusioned, in some measure, (as we apprehend), by se-able privilege of Englishmen and British subjectsveral late acts of parliament, and to join with them trials by juries, that you take care that such reprein an humble address to his most gracious majesty, sentation shall humbly and decently, but expressly, and the parliame t of Great Britain, for the redress contain and assertion of the rights of the colonies of our grievances, or in any other expedient that to be exempt from all and every taxations and imshall be agreed on, by the said committees, which positions upon their persons and properties to which may tend to promote the utility and welfare of the they do not consent in a legislative way, either by British deminions in America. themselves or by their representatives, by them freely chosen and appointed. JOHN VINING, Signed by order of the house, ROBERT LLOYD, Speaker. VINCENT LOCKERMAN. From the province of THOMAS Lynch, South-Carolina, CHRIST' GADSDEN, Who produced the following appointment: Esqrs. WE, whose names are here underwritten, members of the general assembly of the government of Thursday, 25th July, 1765.-The house, (accordthe counties of New-Castle, Kent and Sussex, uponing to order), took into consideration the letter from Delaware, for the said county of Sussex, though sen- the speaker of the house representatives of thesible of the impropriety of assuming the functions of Massacusetts-bay, laid before them on Friday last of assemblymen during the recess of our house, yet, and, debate arising thereon, and some time spent zealous to concur in any measure which may be therein, Ordered, That the said letter be referred to productive of advantage to this government and the a committee of the following gentlemen, viz: capt. other colonies on the continent of America in gene- Gadsden, Mr. Wright, Mr. Gard, Mr Wragg, ri, have appointed, and, as much as in us lies, do Mr. Parsons, Mr. Pinckney, colonel Lawrence, Mr. appoint Jacob Kollock, esq. Cæsar Rodney, esq and Rutledge, Mr. Manigault and Mr. Drayton. Thomas M'Kean, esq. members of the said assem Friday, 26th July, 1765.-Captain Gadsden rebly, to be a committee to meet with the other comported, from the committee appointed to consider mittees already appointed, or to be appointed, by of the letter sent from the speaker of the house of the several and respective assemblies of the said representatives of the province of Massachusettsother colonies, at the city of New-York, on the first Tuesday in October next, in conjunction with the said other committees, to consider of the present distressful circumstances of the said colonies, occa sioned, in some measure, (as we apprehend), by se. That they are of opinion the measure therein pro. veral late acts of parliament; and to join with them posed is prudent and necessary, and therefore rein an humble address to his most gracious majesty commend to the house to send a committee to meet and the parliament of Great Britain for redress of the committees from the bouses of representatives our grievances; or on any other expedient, that shall or burgesses of the several British colonies on the be agreed on by the said committees, which may continent, at New-York, on the first Tuesday in Octend to promote the utility and welfare of the Bri-tober next. tish dominions in America. THOMAS RINGGOLD, 'S Instructions from the honorable the lower house of assembly of the province of Maryland: To William Murdock, Edward Tilghman and Thos. Ringgold, esqrs. a committee appointed to join the several committees from the several colonies in America, at New York: bay to the speaker of this house, and to report their opinion thereupon of the expediency and utility of the measures therein propose I, and the best means of effecting the relief therein mentioned: That the said committee he ordered to consult there, with those other committees, on the present circumstances of the colonies, and the difficulties which they are and must be reduced to, by the operation of the acts of parliament for levying duties and taxes on the colonies; and to consider of a general and united, loyal and humble representation of heir condition to his majesty an the parliment, and to implore relief; that the result of their consultation shall, at their return, be immediately laid before the house, to be confirmed or not, as the house shall think proper. And the said report being delivered in at the clerk's table and read a second time, the question was severally put, that the house do agree to the first, second and third paragraphs of this report? It was resolved in the affirmative. Gentlemen-You are to repair immediately to Friday 2d August, 1765-Motion being made, rethe city of New-York, in the province of New-York, solved, that this house will provide a sum sufficient and there join with the committees from the houses to defray the charges and expences of a committee of representatives of the other colonies, in a gene of three gentlemen on account of their going to, ral and united, loyal and humble representation to convening at, and returning from the meeting of his majesty and the British parliament, of the cir- the several committees proposed to assemble at cumstances and condition of the British colonies and New-York on the 1st Teusday in October next, to plantations, and to pray relief from the burthens and consult there with those other committees on the present circumstances of the colonies, and the dif-nists, with the several inconveniences and hardficulties which they are and must be reduced to by ships to which they are and must be subjected by the operation of the acts of parliament for levying duties and taxes on the colonies, and to consider of the operation of several late acts of parliament, para general, united, dutiful, loyal and humble repre- ticularly the act called the stamp sct; and after sentation of their condition to his majesty and the some time spent therein, the same was postponed parliament, and to implore relief. for further consideration, Ordered, That the public treasurer do advance out of any monies in his hands, to the said committee, a sum not exceeding six hundred pounds sterling, for the purpose aforesaid. Resolved, That this house will reimburse the treasurer the said sum. Ordered, That the following gentlemen be ap pointed a committee for the purpose aforesaid, viz: Mr. Thomas Lynch, Mr. Christopher Gadsden and Mr. John Rutledge. Then the congress adjourned until to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock. Wednesday, Oct. 9th, 1765, A. M.-Then the congress met according to adjournment. The con gress resumed the consideration of the rights and privileges of the British American colonists, &c. the same was referred after sundry debates, for further consideration. Then the congress adjourned until to-morrow Thursday, 8th August, 1765.-Ordered, That the said speaker inform Thomas Lynen, Christopher Gadsden and John Rutledge, esquires, that they are appointed a committee to meet the committees of the several other colonies on the continent, on the morning, 11 o'clock. first Tuesday in October next, at New-York; and Thursday, Oct. 10th, 1765, A. M.-Then the con that he do acquaint them it is the desire of the gress met according to adjournment, and resumed, house, that they repair to New-York on the said &c. as yesterday-and then adjourned to 10 o'clock, first Tuesday in October next, for the purpose men tioned in the report of the committee, as agreed to-morrow morning. Ordered, That three copies of the proceedings of this house relative to the said matter, be made out and signed by the speaker, and that he deliver one of the said copies to each of the said gentlemen. RAW: LOWNDES, Speaker. Then the said committees proceeded to choose a chairman by ballot; and TIMOTHY RCGGLES, esq. on sorting and counting the votes, appeared to have a majority-and thereupon was placed in the chair. Resolved, nem. con. That Mr. John Cotton be clerk to this congress during the continuance thereof. Then the congress took into consideration the several appointments of the committees from NewYork, New Jersey, and the government of the lower counties on Delaware-and Resolved, nem. con. That the same are sufficient to qualify the gentlemen therein named, to sit in this congress. Resolved also, That the committee of each colony, shall have one voice only, in determining any questions that shall arise in the congress. Then the congress adjourned until to morrow morning, 9 o'clock. Tuesday, Oct.8th, 1765, A. M.—The congress met according to adjournment. Upon motion, voted, that the provinces bet is adjourned to. Voted, that Mr. justice Livingston, Mr. McKean and Mr. Rutledge be a committee to inspect the proceed. ings and minutes, and correct the same. Then the congress took into consideration the rights and privileges of the British American colo There appears to be some error here.-[ED. Rxo. Friday, Oct. 11th, 1765, A. M.-The congress met according to adjournment, and resumed, &. as yesterday-and then adjourned to 10 o'clock, tomorrow morning. Saturday, Oct. 12th, 1765, A. M.-The congress met according to adjournment, and resumed, &c. as yesterday-and then adjourned to Monday morning next, 10 o'clock. Monday, Oct. 14th, 1765, .A. M.-The congress met according to adjournment, and resumed, &c. as on Saturday last-and then adjourned to to-mor row morning, 9 o'clock. Tuesday, Oct. 15th, 1765, A. M-The congress met according to adjournment, and resumed, &c. as yesterday—and then adjourned to to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock. Wednesday, Oct. 16th, 1765, A. M-The con gress met according to adjournment, and resumed, &c. as yesterday-and then adjourned to to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock. Thursday, Oct. 17th, 1765, A. M.—The congress met according to adjournment, and resumed, &c as yesterday and then adjourned to to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock. Friday, Oct. 18th, 1765, A. M.—The congress met according to adjournment, and resumed, &c. as yesterday-and then adjourned to to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock. Saturday, Oct. 19th, 1765, A. M.-The congress met according to adjournment, and resumed, &c. as yesterday; and upon mature deliberation, agreed to the following declarations of the rights and grievances of the colonists in America, which where ordered to be inserted: |