The members of this congress, sincerely devot- with Great Britain, mutually affectionate and aded, with the warmest sentiments of affection and vantageous.

duty to his majesty's person and government; in- 13th. That it is the right of the British subjects violably attached to the present happy establish- in these colonies, to petition the king or either house ment of the protestant succession, and with minds of parliament.

deeply impressed by a sense of the present and Lastly, That it is the indispensable duty of these impending misfortunes of the British colonies on colonies to the best of sovereigns, to the mother this continent; having considered as maturely as country, and to themselves, to endeavor, by a loyal time would permit, the circumstances of the said and dutiful address to his majesty, and humble apcolonies, esteem it our indispensable duty to make plication to both houses of parliament, to procure the following declarations, of our humble opinion, the repeal of the act for granting and applying respecting the most essential rights and liberties certain stamp duties, of all clauses of any other acts of the colonists, and of the grievances under which (of parliament, whereby the jurisdiction of the adthey labor, by reason of several late acts of parlia-miralty is extended as aforesaid, and of the other ment. late acts for the restriction of the American com

Upon motion, voted, that Robert R. Livingston,

1st. That his majesty's subjects in these colonies, merce. owe the same allegiance to the crown of Great Britain, that is owing from his subjects born within the realm, and all due subordination to that august bo-William Samuel Johnson and William Murdock, dy, the parliament of Great Britain.

2d. That his majesty's liege subjects in these colonies are entitled to all the inherent rights and privileges of his natural born subjects within the king dom of Great Britain.

Esqrs. be a committee to prepare an address to his majesty, and lay the same before the congress on Monday next.

Voted also, that John Rutledge, Edward Tilgh3d. That it is inseparably essential to the freedom of a people,and the undoubted rights of Englishmen, man and Philip Livingston, Esqrs. be a committee that no taxes should be imposed on them, but with to prepare a memorial and petition to the lords in their own consent, given personally, or by their re- parliament, and lay the same before the congress on presentatives.

4th. That the people of these colonies are not, and from their local circumstances, cannot be, represented in the house of commons in Great Britain.

Monday next.

Voted also, that Thomas Lynch, James Otis and Thomas McKean, Esqrs. be a committee to prepare

5th. That the only representatives of the people a petition to the house of commons of Great Britain, of these colonies, are persons chosen therein, by and lay the same before the congress on Monday

themselves; and that no taxes ever have been, or
Can be constitutionally imposed on them, but by next.
their respective legislatures.

6th. That all supplies to the crown, being free gifts of the people, it is unreasonable and inconsistent with the principles and spirit of the British constitution, for the people of Great Britain to grant to his majesty the property of the colonists.

7th. That trial by jury is the inherent and invaluable right of every British subject in these colo

nies.

8th. That the late act of parliament, entitled, An act for granting and applying certain stamp duties, and other duties in the British colonies and plantations in America, &c. by imposing taxes on the inhabitants of these, colonies, and thesaid act, and several other acts, by extending the jurisdiction of the courts of admiralty beyond its ancient limits, have a manifest tendency to subvert the rights and liberties of the colonists.

9th. That the duties imposed by several late acts of parliament, from the peculiar circumstances of these colonies, will be extremely burthensome and grevious, and from the scarcity of specie, the payment of them absolutely impracticable.

Then the congress adjourned to Monday next, at 12 o'clock.

Monday, Oct. 21st, 1765, A. M.—The committee appointed to prepare and bring in an address to his majesty, did report, that they have essayed a draught for that purpose, which they laid on the table, and humbly submitted to the correction of the congress. The said address was read, and, after sundry amendments, the same was approved of by the congress, and ordered to be engrossed.

10th. That as the profits of the trade of these colonies ultimately centre in Great Britain, to pay for the manufactures which they are obliged to take from thence, they eventually contribute very large- a ly to all supplies granted there to the crown.

The committee, appointed to prepare and bring in a memorial and petition to the lords in parliament did report that they had essayed a draught for that purpose, which they laid on the table, and humbly submitted to the correction of the congress.

The said address was read, and after sundry amendments, the same was approved of by the congress, and ordered to be engrossed.

The committee appointed to prepare and bring in petition to the house of commons of Great Britain, did report that they had essayed a draugt for that

11th. That the restrictions imposed by several fate acts of parliament, on the trade of these colonies, purpose, which they laid on the table, and humbly will render them unable to purchase the manufac- submitted to the correction of the congress. The said address was read, and after sundry

tures of Great Britain.

12th. That the increase, prosperity and happiness

of these colonies, depend on the full and free enjoy- amendments, the same was approved of by the conment of their rights and liberties, and an intercourse,gress and ordered to be engrossed.

Then the congress adjourned to to-morrow morn-jas are required for the support of your government ing, at 9 o'clock.

Tuesday, Oct 224, 1765, A. M-The congress met according to adjournment. The address to his majesty being engrossed, was read and compared, and is as follows, viz:

To the king's most excellent majesty, The petition of the freeholders and other inhabi. tants of the Massachusets Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, New Jersey, Pennsyl. vania, the government of the counties of New. Castle, Kent and Sussex upon Delaware, and province of Maryland, Most humbly sheweth,

over them, and, other public exigencies, and trials by their peers. By the one they are secured from unreasonable impositions, and by the other from the arbitrary decisions of the executive power. The continuation of these liberties, to the inhabitants of America, we ardently implore, as absolutely neces sary to unite the several parts of your wide extended dominions, in that harmony so essential to the preservation and happiness of the whole. Protected in these liberties, the emoluments Great Britain receives from us, however great at present, are inconsiderable, compared with those she has the fairest prospect of acquiring. By this protection, she will forever secure to herself the advantages of conveying to all Europe, the merchandize which America furnishes, and for supplying, through the same chanThat the inhabitants of these colonies, a boundless source of wealth and naval strength. Yet nel, whatsoever is wanted from thence. Here opens unanimously devoted with the warmest sentiments these immense advantages, by the abridgement of of duty and affection to your sacred person and got: ose invaluable rights and liberties, by which our vernment, and inviolably attached to the present growth has been nourished, are in danger of being happy establishment of the protestant succession in forever lost, and our subordinate legislatures in efyour illustrious house, and deeply sensible of your fect rendered useless by the late acts of parliament royal attention to their prosperity and happiness, imposing duties and taxes on these colonies, and exhumbly beg leave to approach the throne, by repretending the jurisdiction of the courts of admirality senting to your majesty, that these colonies were here, beyond its ancient limits; statutes, by which originally planted by subjects of the British crown; your majesty's commons in Britain undertake absowho, animated with the spirit of liberty, encourag lutely to dispose of the property of their fellow subed by your majesty's royal predecessors, and confid- jects in America without their cousent, and for the ing in the public faith for the enjoyment of all the rights and liberties essential to freedom, emigrated mination of a single judge, in a court unrestrained enforcing whereof, they are subjected to the deterfrom their native country to this continent, and, by by the wise rules of the common law, the birthright their successful perseverance, in the midst of innu of Englishmen, and the safeguard of their persons merable dangers and difficulties, together with a and properties. profusion of their blood and treasure, have happily added these vast and extensive dominions to the empire of Great Britain.

by our peers, of which we implore your majesty' The invaluable rights of taxing ourselves and trial protection, are not, we most humbly conceive, ur constitutional, but confirmed by the Great Charter of English liberties. On the first of these rights th honorable house of commons found their practice of originating money; a right enjoyed by the kingdom of Ireland, by the clergy of England, until relinquished by themselves; a right, in fine, which all other your majesty's English subjects, both within and without the realm, have hitherto enjoyed

That, for the enjoyment of these rights and liberties, several governments were early formed in the said colonies, with full power of legislation, agreeably to the principles of the English constitution; that, under those governments, these liberties, thus vested in their ancestors, and transmitted to their posterity, have been exercised and enjoyed, and by the inestimable blessings thereof, under the favor of Almighty God, the inhospitable desarts of Amer- With hearts,therefore, impressed with the most ca have been converted into flourishing countries; indelible characters of gratitude to your majesty, science, humanity and the knowledge of divine and to the memory of the kings of your illustrious truths diffused through remote regions of ignor house, whose reigns have been signally distinguish ance, infidelity, barbarism; the number of Britished by their auspicious influence on the prosperity subjects wonderfully increased, and the wealth of the British dominions, and convinced by the most and power of Great Britain proportionably augmen-affecting proofs of your majesty's paternal love to ted all your people, however distant, and your unceasing That, by means of these settlements and the un- and benevolent desires to promote their happiness, paralleled success of your majesty's arms, a founda- we most humbly beseech your majesty that you will tion is now laid for rendering the British empire the be graciously pleased to take into your royal considmost extensive and powerful of any recorded in his-eration the distresses of your faithful subjects on tory; our connection with this empire we esteem his continent, and to lay the same before your maour greatest happiness and security, and humbly jesty's parliament, and to afford them such relief, as conceive it may now be so established by your royal in your royal wisdom their unhappy circumstances wisdom, as to endure to the latest period of time; shall be judged to require. this, with the most humble submission to your majesty, we apprehend will be most effectually accomplished by fixing the pillars thereof on liberty and justice, and securing the inherent rights and liberties of your subjects here, upon the principles of the engrossed, was read and compared, and is as fulEnglish constitution. To this constitution, these lows, viz: two principles are essential; the right of your faithful subjects freely to grant to your majesty such aids

+ South Carolina, we presume, is omitted in the copy.-[ED.

And your petioners will pray, &c.

The memorial to the lords in parliament being

To the right honorable the lords spiritual and tempo ral of Great Britain, in parliament assembled, The memorial of the freeholders and other inhabi tants of the Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations, New-Jersey, Pennsylva-future grievances, thereby promoting the united innia, the government of the counties of New-terest of Great Britain and America, as to your Castle, Kent and Sussex upon Delaware, and pro- lordships, in your great wisdom, shall seem most vince of Maryland, in America, conducive and effectual to that important end.

Most humbly sheweth,

That his majesty's liege subjects

And your memorialists will pray, &c.
Then the congress adjourned to to-morrow morn.

in his American colonies, though they acknow-ing, 9 o'clock.
ledge a due subordination to that august body, the
British parliament, are entitled, in the opinion of
your memorialists, to all the inherit rights and lib-met according to adjournment.
erties of the natives of Great Britain, and have,
ever since the settlement of the said colonies, ex
ercised those rights and liberties, as far as their
local circumstances would permit.

Wednesday, Oct. 23d, 1765, A. M.-The congress

That your memorialists humbly conceive that one of the most essential rights of these colonists, which they have ever till lately uninterruptedly en joyed, to be trial by jury.

The petition to the house of commons being engrossed, was read and compared, and is as follows, viz:

To the honorable the knights, citizens and burgesses
of Great Britain, in parliament assembled,
The petition of his majesty's dutiful, loyal subjects,
the freeholders and other inhabitants of the colo-
nies of the Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island
and Providence Plantations, New-Jersey, Penn-
sylvania, the government of the counties of New.
Castle, Kent and Sussex upon Delaware, and pro-
vince of Maryland, in America,

That your memorialists also humbly conceive another of these essential rights, to be the exemp tion from all taxes, but such as are imposed on the people by the several legislatures in these colo. nies, which rights they have also, till of late enjoyed. But your memorialists humbly beg leave to represent to your lordships, that the act for grant-Most humbly sheweth, ing certain stamp duties in the British colonies in That the several late acts of parAmerica, &c. fills his majesty's American subjects liament, imposing divers duties and taxes on the cowith the deepest concern, as it tends to deprive lonies, and laying the trade and commerce under them of the two fundamental and invaluable rights very burthensome restrictions, but, above all, the and liberties above-mentioned; and that several other act for granting and applying certain stamp duties late acts of parliament, which extend the jurisdic-in America, have filled them with the deepest contion and power of courts of admiralty in the plan- cern and surprize, and they humbly conceive the extations beyond their limits in Great Britain, there-ecution of them will be attended with consequen by make an unnecessary, unhappy distinction, as to ces very injurious to the commercial interest of the modes of trial between us and our fellow sub- Great Britain and her colonies, and must terminate jects there, by whom we never have been excelled in the eventual ruin of the latter. Your petitionin duty and loyalty to our sovereign. ers, therefore, most ardently implore the attention That, from the natural connection between Great of the honorable house to the united and dutiful, Britain and America, the perpetual continuance of representation of their circumstances, and to their which your memorialists most ardently desire, they earnest supplications for relief from their regula conceive that nothing can conduce more to the in- tions, that have already involved this continent in terest of both, than the colonists free enjoyment anxiety, confusion and distress. We most sincere. of their rights and liberties, and an affectionate in-ly recognize our allegiance to the crown, and actercourse between Great Britain and them. But knowledge all due subordination to the parliament your memorialists (not waving their claim to these of Great Britain, and shall always retain the most rights, of which, with the most becoming venera grateful sense of their assistance and approbation; it tion and deference to the wisdom and justice of your is from and under the English constitution we delordships, they apprehend, they cannot reasonably rive all our civil and religious rights and liberties; be deprived) humbly represent, that from the pe- we glory in being subjects of the best of kings, culiar circumstances of these colonies, the duties having been born under the most perfect form of imposed by the aforesaid act, and several other government. But it is with the most ineffable and late acts of parliament, are extremely grievous and humiliating sorrow that we find ourselves of late, burthensome; and the payment of the several duties deprived of the right of granting our own properwill very soon, for want of specie, become absolute-ty for his majesty's service, to which our lives and ly impracticable; and that the restrictions on trade by the said acts, will not only distress the colonies, but must be extremely detrimental to the trade and true interest of Great Britain.

fortunes are entirely devoted, and to which, on his royal requisitions, we have been ready to contribute to the utmost of our abilities.

We have also the misfortune to find, that all the Your memorialists, therefore, impressed with a penalties and forfeitures mentioned in the stamp just sense of the unfortunate circumstances of the act, and divers late acts of trade extending to the colonies, the impending destructive consequences plantations, are, at the election of the informers, which must necessarily ensue from the execution recoverable in any court of admiralty in America. of these acts, and animated with the warmest sen This, as the newly erected court of admiralty has timents of filial affection for their mother country, a general jurisdiction over all British America, renmost earnestly and humbly entreat your lordships ders his majesty's subjects in these colonies, liable will be pleased to hear their council in support of to be carried at an immense expense from one end this memorial, and take the premises into your of the continent to the other. It always gives us most serious consideration, and that your lordships great pain to see a manifest distinction made therewill also be thereupon pleased to pursue, such in between the subjec's of our mother country and measures for restoring the just rights and liberties the colonies, in that the like penalties and forfei. of the colonies, and preserving them forever invio tures renoverable there only in his majesty's courts late, for redressing their present, and preventing of record, are made cognizable here by a court of ad

miralty. By this means we seem to be, in effect, un-law, and the regulations of trade and commerce, happily deprived of two privileges essential to free- through the whole empire, and the exercise of dom, and which all Englishmen have ever considered that jurisdiction by imposing taxes on the coloas their best birth rights; that of being free from all nies. taxes but such as they have consented to in person,

peers.

way.

That the several subordinate provincial legislaor by their representatives, and of trial by their tures have been moulded into forms as nearly resembling that of the mother country, as by his Your petitioners further shew, that the remote majesty's royal predecessors was thought convenisituation and other circumstances of the colonies, ent; and these legislatures seem to have been wiserender it impracticable that they should be repre- ly and graciously established, that the subjects in sented but in their respective subordinate legisla- the colonies might, under the due administration tures, and they humbly conceive that the parliament thereof, enjoy the happy fruits of the British governadhering strictly to the principle of the constitution, ment, which in their present circumstances they have never hitherto taxed any but those who were cannot be so fully and clearly availed of any other therein actually represented: for this reason, we humbly apprehend, they never have taxed Ireland, nor any other of the subjects without the realm.Under these forms of government we and our anBut were it ever so clear, that the colonies might in cestors have been born or settled, and have bad law be reasonably represented in the honorable our lives, liberties and properties protected; the house of commons, yet we conceive that very good people here as every where else, retain a great reasons from inconvenience, from the principles of fondness of their old customs and usages, and we true policy, and from the spirit of the British con- trust that his majesty's servce, and the interest of stitution, may be adduced to shew, that it would be the nation, so far from being obstructed, have for the real interest of Great Britain, as well as her been vastly promoted by the provincial legisla colonies, that the late regulations should be rescind-tures." ed, and the several acts of parliament imposing du ties and taxes on the colonies, and extending the jurisdiction of the conrts of admiralty here beyond their ancient limits, should be repealed.

That we esteem our connection with and depen. dence on Great Britain, as one of our greatest blessings; and apprehend the latter will be sufficiently secure, when it is considered that the inhabitants We shall not attempt a minute detail of all the in the colonies have the most unbounded affection reasons which the wisdom of the honorable house for his majesty's person, family and government, as may suggest, on this occasion, but would humbly well as for the mother country, and that their subsubmit the followig particulars to their considera-ordination to the parliament is universally acknowledged.

tion.

That money is already very scarce in these colo- We, therefore, most humbly intreat that the honnies, and is still decreasing by the necessary expor-orable house would be pleased to hear our council tation of specie from the continent for the discharg-in support of this petition, and take our distressed ing of our debts to British merchants, that an im- and deplorable case into their serious consideration, mensely heavy debt is yet due from the colonies for and that the acts and clauses of acts so greviously British manufactures, and that they are still heav-restraining our trade and commerce, imposing du ily burthened with taxes to discharge the arrear- ties and taxes on our property, and extending the ages due for aids granted by them in the late war; jurisdiction of the court of admiralty beyond its that the balance of trade will ever be much against ancient limits, may be repealed; or that the honorthe colonies, and in favor of Great Britain, whilst able house would otherwise relieve your petitionwe consume her manufactures; the demand of which ers as in your great wisdom and goodness shall seem must ever increase in proportion to the number of inhabitants settled here, with the means of purchasing them. We therefore humbly conceive it to be the interest of Great Britrin to increase rather than diminish those means, as the profit of all the trade of the colonies ultimately centre there to pay for her manufactures, as we are not allowed to pur chase elswhere, and by the consumption of which,at the advanced prices the British taxes oblige the makers and venders to set on them, we eventually contribute very largely to the revenues of the

crown.

That, from the nature of American buisness, the multiplicity of suits and papers used in matters of small value, in a country where freeholds are so mi nutely divided, and property so frequently transferred, a stamp duty must be ever very burthensome and unequal.

mete.

And your petitioners shall ever pray &c. Then the congress adjourned until to-morrow morning, 10 o'clock.

Thursday, Oct. 24th, 1765, A. M.-The congress met according to adjournment.

The congress took into consideration the manner in which their several petitions should be preferred and solicited in Great Britain, and thereupon came to the following determination, ziz:

It is recommended by the congress to the several colonies to appoint special agents for soliciting relief from their present grievances, and to unite their utmost interest and endeavors for that purpose. Voted unanimously, that the clerk of this con

That it is extremely improbable that the honorable house of commons should at all times be tho roughly acquainted with our condition, and all facts requisite to a just and equal taxation of the colo-gress sign the minutes of their proceedings, and deliver a copy for the use of each colony and province.

nies.

It is also humbly submitted whether there be not a material distinction, in reason and sound policy at least, between the necessary exercise of parliamen. tary jurisdiction in general acts, and the common

By order of the congress,

JOHN COTTON, clerk.

1

A copy of the proceedings of the province of New- patch of the ordinary buisness of the province; and Hampshire, as transmitted to the congress.

Province of S In the house of representatives, New Hampshire, 2 June 29th, 1765. Mr. Speaker laid before the house a letter from the honorable speaker of the honorable representatives of the province of the Massachusetts Bay, to the speaker of this assembly, proposing a meeting of committees from the several assemblies of the British colonies on the continent, at New-York, to consider of a general, united, dutiful, loyal and humble representation of our committees, and for imploring his majesty and the parliament for relief; which being read,

I doubt not the representatives of this province will then, in their legislative capacity, take under consideration the grievance so justly complained of, and transmit their sense of the same to Great Britain, in such way as may'seem best calculated to obtain redress, and so as to convince the sister colonies of their inviolable attachment to the common cause.

I am, sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

ALEX. WYLLY.

To Samuel White, esqr. speaker of the
house of representatives of Massachu-
setts Bay, in New-England.

The two foregoing letters, are true copies from

Attest,

Resolved, That, notwithstanding we are sensible that such a representation ought to be made, and approve of the proposed method for obtaining the original. thereof, yet the present situation of our governmental affairs, will not permit us to appoint a committee to attend such meeting; but shall be ready to join in any address, to his majesty and the parliament we may be honored with the knowledge of, probable to answer the proposed end. A. CLARKSON, clerk.

JOHN COTTON, clerk.

NEW JERSEY.

The following instructions, from the legislature of this state to its delegates in congress, 1777, will A copy of a letter received from Georgia, during be perused with pleasure by all who cherish the

the sitting of the congress:

principles and revere the worthies of the revolu tion. We have copied them, by permission of the secretary of state, from the journals of the joint [Trenton True American.

in joint meeting,

To the hon. John Witherspoon, Abraham Clark,
Jonathan Elmer, Nathaniel Scudder and Elias
Boudinot, esquires, and each and every of you:

Savannah, in Georgia, September 6th, 1765. SIR-Your letter dated in June last, acquainting me that the house of representatives of your province, had unanimously agreed to propose a meet-meeting. ing at the city of New-York, of committees from the houses of representatives of the several British co- The council and assembly of the state of New-Jersey, lonies on this continent, on the first Tuesday in October next, to consult together on the present circumstances of the colonies, and the difficulties to which they are and must be reduced by the opperation of the acts of parliament, for laying duties and taxes on the colonies, and to consider of an humble representation of their condition to his majesty and the parliament, and to implore relief, came to hand at an unlucky season, it being in the recess of the general assembly of this province. Nevertheless, immediately upon the receipt of your letter, I dispatched expresses to the several representatives of this province, acquainting them with the purport thereof, and requesting them to meet at this place without delay.

And according they met here on Monday last, to the number of sixteen, being a large majority of the representatives of this province; the whole consist ing of twenty-five persons, but his excellency our governor, being applied to, did not think it expedi⚫ent to call them together on the occasion; which is the reason of not sending a committee as proposed by your house, for you may be assured, no representatives on this continent can more sincerely concur in the measures proposed, than do the representatives of the province now met together; neither can any people, as individuals more warmly espouse the common cause of the colonies, than do the people of this province.

We have called you to the important and interesting service of representing this state in the congress of the United States of North America. A higher proof cannot be given of the confidence we repose in your abilities and integrity; and we rest assured your best endeavors will, at all times, be exerted to promote the freedom, independence, and happiness of the whole union, particularly to that part to which you stand in more immediate

relation.

Numerous and diversified as the objects of your attention will be, we attempt not to point out either the line or the extent of your mission. Keep in constant view the cause of your delegation, and let all your conduct be directed to the general good and the prosperity of your country. We cannot, however, omit the following particulars, suggested by the present posture of affairs, and to which we require you carefully to attend.

The gentlemen now present, request it as a favor, you'll be pleased to send me a copy of such representation as may be agreed upon by the several committees at New-York, and acquaint me how, and 1. We hope you will habitually bear in mind that in what manner the same is to be laid before the king and parliament; whether by any person partic- the success of the great cause in which the United ularly authorized for that purpose, or by the colony States are engaged, depends upon the favor and agents? The general assembly of this province

stands prorogued to the 22d day of October next, blessing of Almighty God, and, therefore, you will which is the time it generally meets for the dis-neglect nothing which is competent to the assem