him if he complains any more.-The boy intreats the father-addresses the great servants in a decent manner, that the pack might be lightened-he could not go any farther-humbly asks, if the old fathers, in any of their records, had described such a pack for the child-after all the tears and entreaties of the child, the pack is redoubled-the child stands a little, while staggering under the weight-ready to fall every moment. However he entreats the father once more, though so faint he could only lisp out his last humble supplication-waits a while no voice returns. The child concludes the father could not hearthose proud servants had intercepted his supplications, or stopped the ears of the father. He therefore gives one struggle and throws off the pack, and says he cannot take it up again-such a weight would crush him down and kill him and he can but die if he refuses.

Upon this, those servants are very wroth-and tell the father many false stories respecting the child-they bring a great cudgel to the father, asking him to take it in his hand and strike the child.

This may serve to illustrate the present condition of the king's American subjects or children.

Amidst these oppressions we now and then hear a mollifying and reviving voice from some of the king's wise counsellors, who are our friends and feel for our distresses, when they heard our complaints and our cries, they applied to the king, also told those wicked servants, that this child in America was not a cross boy, it had sufficient reason for crying, and if the cause of its complaint was neglected, it would soon assume the voice of a man, plead for justice like a man, and defend its rights and support the old covenant chain of the fathers.

BROTHERS, LISTEN!

Notwithstanding all our entreaties, we have but little hope the king will send us any more good talks, by reason of his evil counsellors; they have persuaded him to send an army of soldiers and many ships of war, to rob and destroy us. They have shut up many of our harbors, seized and taken into possession many of our vessels: the soldiers have struck the blow, killed some of our people, the blood now runs of the American children: They have also burned our houses and towns, and taken much of our goods.

Brothers! We are now necessitated to rise, and forced to fight, or give up our civil constitution, run away and leave our farms and houses behind us. This must not be. Since the king's wicked counsellors will not open their ears, and consider our just complaints, and the cause of our weeping, and hath given the blow, we are determined to drive away the king's soldiers, and to kill and destroy all those wicked men we find in arms against the peace of the twelve United Colonies upon this island. We think our cause is just; therefore hope God will be on our side. We do not take up the hatchet and struggle for honor and conquest; but to maintain our civil constitution and religious privileges, the very same for which our forefathers left their native land and came to this country.

BROTHERS AND FRIENDS!

We desire you will hear and receive what we have now told you, and that you will open a good ear and listen to what we are now going to say. This is a family quarrel between us and Old England. You Indians are not concerned in it. We don't wish you to take up the hatchet against the king's troops. We desire you to remain at home, and not join on either side, but keep the hatchet buried deep. In the name and behalf of all our people, we ask and desire you to love peace and maintain it, and to love and sympathise with us in our troubles; that the path may be kept open with all our people and yours, to pass and repass, without molestation.

Brothers! we live upon the same ground with you. common birth-place. We desire to sit down under the

The same island is our same tree of peace with

you: let us water its roots and cherish its growth, till the large leaves and flourishing branches shall extend to the setting sun, and reach the skies. BROTHERS, OBSERVE WELL!

What is it we have asked of you? Nothing but peace, notwithstanding our present disturbed situation-and if application should be made to you by any of the king's unwise and wicked ministers to join on their side, we only advise you to deliberate, with great caution, and in your wisdom look forward to the consequences of a compliance. For, if the king's troops take away our property, and destroy us who are of the same blood with themselves, what can you, who are Indians, expect from them afterwards?

Therefore, we say, brothers, take care-hold fast to your covenant chain. You now know our disposition towards you, the Six Nations of Indians, and your allies. Let this our good talk remain at Onondaga, your central council house. We depend upon you to send and acquaint your allies to the northward, the seven tribes on the river St. Lawrence, that you have this talk of ours at the great council fire of the Six Nations. And when they return, we invite your great men to come and converse farther with us at Albany, where we intend to re-kindle the council fire, which your and our ancestors sat round in great friendship.

BROTHERS!

Brothers and Friends!

We greet you all farewell. (The large belt of intelligence and declaration.)

We have said we wish you Indians may continue in peace with one another, and with us the white people. Let us both be cautious in our behaviour towards each other at this critical state of affairs. This island now trembles, the wind whistles from almost every quarter-let us fortify our minds and shut our ears against false rumors-let us be cautious what we receive for truth, unless spoken by wise and good men. If any thing disagreeable should ever fall out between us, the twelve United Colonies, and you, the Six Nations, to wound our peace, let us immediately seek measures for healing the breach. From the present situation of our affairs, we judge it wise and expedient to kindle up a small council fire at Albany, where we may hear each other's voice, and disclose our minds more fully to each other.

(A small belt.)

Ordered, That a similar talk be prepared for the other Indian nations, preserving the tenor of the above, and altering it so as to suit the Indians in the several departments.

The Congress then proceeded to the choice of commissioners for Indian affairs, and after some debate, agreed that the nomination of commissioners for the southern department be postponed till Tuesday next.

Mr. Franklin, Mr. Henry, and Mr. Wilson, were unanimously elected for the middle department.

The Congress then proceeded to elect the commissioners for the northern department, and the following gentlemen were chosen, viz: major-general Philip Schuyler, major Joseph Hawley, Mr. Turbot Francis, Mr. Oliver Wolcott, and Mr. Volkert P. Douw.

Adjourned till to-morrow at eight o'clock.

FRIDAY, July 14, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the militia, and after debate, the same was referred for farther consideration. Adjourned till to-morrow at eight o'clock.

SATURDAY, July 15, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

On motion made, the Congress came to the following resolution : Whereas, the government of Great-Britain hath prohibited the exportation of arms and ammunition to any of the plantations, and endeavored to prevent other nations from supplying us:

Resolved, That for the better furnishing these colonies with the necessary means of defending their rights, every vessel importing gun-powder, salt-petre, sulphur, provided they bring with the sulphur four times as much salt-petre, brass field-pieces, or good muskets fitted with bayonets, within nine months from the date of this resolution, shall be permitted to load and export the produce of these colonies, to the value of such powder and stores aforesaid, the non-exportation agreement notwithstanding; and it is recommended to the committees of the several provinces to inspect the military stores so imported, and to estimate a generous price for the same, according to their goodness, and permit the importer of such powder and other military stores aforesaid, to export the value thereof and no more, in produce of any kind.

Sundry intercepted letters were laid before the Congress and read.

The talk to the Stockbridge Indians was then taken up, and the same being debated, was agreed to.

On motion, Resolved, That the Congress will, on Thursday next, attend divine service in a body, both morning and afternoon.

Ordered, That Mr. Lynch, and Mr. Dickinson, wait on Mr. Duche, and Dr. Allison, and request Mr. Duche to preach before the Congress on Thursday next, in the morning, and Dr. Allison in the afternoon..

Adjourned till Monday at eight o'clock.

MONDAY, July, 17, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

A letter from general Schuyler, being laid before Congress, was read, and the same being taken into consideration,

Resolved, That a commissary of stores and provisions be appointed for the New-York department, during the present campaign.

Walter Livingston, esq. chosen to that office.

Resolved, That a deputy quarter-master-general be appointed for the said department.

Donald Campbell, esq. elected to that office.

Ordered, That Mr. D. Campbell, have the rank of colonel in the army. Resolved, That a deputy muster-master be appointed for the said department. Gunning Bedford, esq. elected to that office.

Resolved, That the convention of New-York be desired to recommend to general Schuyler, a proper person for a deputy adjutant-general or brigademajor, for the army in the New-York department.

Adjourned till to-morrow at eight o'clock.

TUESDAY, July 18, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

The Congress again resumed the consideration of the report of the committee for putting the militia into a proper state for the defence of America, and the same being debated by paragraphs, was agreed to as follows:

Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of all the United English Colonies in North-America, that all able bodied effective men, between sixteen and fifty years of age in each colony, immediately form themselves into regular companies of militia, to consist of one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, four serjeants, four corporals, one clerk, one drummer, one fifer, and about sixty-eight privates.

1

That the officers of each company be chosen by the respective companies. That each soldier be furnished with a good musket, that will carry an ounce ball, with a bayonet, steel ramrod, worm, priming wire and brush fitted thereto, a cutting sword or tomahawk, a cartridge-box, that will contain twenty-three rounds of cartridges, twelve flints and a knapsack.

That the companies be formed into regiments or battalions, officered with a colone, lieutenant-colonel, two majors, an adjutant, or quarter-master.

That all officers above the rank of a captain, be appointed by the respective provincial assemblies or conventions, or in their recess, by the committees of safety appointed by said assemblies or conventions.

That all officers be commissioned by the provincial assemblies or conventions, or in their recess by the committees of safety appointed by said assemblies or

conventions.

That all the militia take proper care to acquire military skill, and be well prepared for defence by being each man provided with one pound of good gunpowder, and four pounds of ball, fitted to his gun.

That one fourth part of the militia in every colony, be selected for minute men, of such persons as are willing to enter into this necessary service, formed into companies and battalions, and their officers chosen and commissioned as aforesaid, to be ready on the shortest notice, to march to any place where their assistance may be required, for the defence of their own or a neighboring colony; and as these minute men may eventually be called to action before the whole body of the militia are sufficiently trained, it is recommended that a more particular and diligent attention be paid to their instruction in military discipline.

That such of the minute men, as desire it, be relieved by new draughts as aforesaid, from the whole body of the militia, once in four months.

As there are some people, who, from religious principles, cannot bear arms in any case, this Congress intend no violence to their consciences, but earnestly recommend it to them, to contribute liberally in this time of universal calamity, to the relief of their distressed brethren in the several colonies, and to do all other services to their oppressed country, which they can consistently with their religious principles.

That it be recommended to the assemblies or conventions in the respective colonies to provide, as soon as possible, sufficient stores of ammunition for their colonies; also that they devise proper means for furnishing with arms, such efec tive men as are poor and unable to furnish themselves.

That it be recommended to each colony to appoint a committee of safety, to superintend and direct all matters necessary for the security and defence of their respective colonies, in the recess of their assemblies and conventions.

That each colony, at their own expense, make such provision by armed vessels or otherwise, as their respective assemblies, conventions, or committees of safety shall judge expedient and suitable to their circumstances and situations, for the protection of their harbours and navigation on their sea coasts, against all unlawful invasions, attacks, and depredations, from cutters and ships of war. That it be recommended to the makers of arms for the use of the militia, that they make good substantial muskets, with barrels three feet and a half in length, that will carry an ounce ball, and fitted with a good bayonet and steel ram-rod, and that the making such arms be encouraged in these United Colonies. Where in any colony a militia is already formed under regulations approved of by the convention of such colony, or by such assemblies as are annually elective, we refer to the discretion of such convention or assembly, either to adopt the foregoing regulations in the whole or in part, or to continue their former, as they, on consideration of all circumstances, shall think best. Adjourned till to-morrow at eight o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, July 19, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

The president laid before the Congress a letter from the general, with sundry papers enclosed, which were read and considered whereupon,

Ordered, That Mr. Wilson apply to the committee of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, and request them to make diligent enquiry what quantity of duck, Russia sheeting, tow-cloth, ozanaburgs and ticklenburgs can be procured in this city, and make return as soon as possible to this Congress.

Resolved, That Joseph Trumbull be commissary-general of stores and provisions for the army of the United Colonies.

Resolved, That the appointment of a quarter-master general, a commissary of musters, and a commissary of artillery, be left to general Washington.

That general Thomas be appointed first brigadier-general in the army of the United Colonies, in the room of general Pomeroy, who never acted under the commission sent to him, and that general Thomas's commission bear the same date that general Pomeroy's did.

That it be left to general Washington, if he thinks fit, to appoint three brigade-majors, and commission them accordingly.

That a committee of three be appointed to report the method of establishing an hospital.

The committee chosen are, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Paine, and Mr. Middleton.

That it be recommended to the colonies of New-Hampshire, MassachusettsBay, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, to complete the deficiencies in the regiments belonging to their respective colonies, retained by the general in the continental army before Boston.

That it be recommended to the colony of Rhode-Island, to complete and send forward to the camp before Boston, as soon as possible, the three hundred and sixty men, lately voted by their general assembly.

That it be recommended to the colony of Connecticut, to complete and send forward to the camp before Boston, as soon as possible, the fourteen hundred men lately voted by their general assembly.

On motion made, Resolved, That a committee be appointed to bring in an estimate of the expenses, incurred by the votes and resolves of this Congress. Mr. Deane, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Cushing chosen.

Agreed, That the Congress meet at this place to-morrow, and from this place go in a body to attend divine service.

Resolved, That the nomination of three of the commissioners for Indian affairs, in the southern department, be left to the council of safety, appointed by the colony of South-Carolina.

1

That Mr. John Walker, of Virginia, be appointed one of the commissioners for Indian affairs in the southern department.

Adjourned till to-morrow at half past nine o'clock.

THURSDAY, July 20, 1775, half after nine, A. M.

An express arriving with despatches from general Schuyler, the same were

read.

A letter was also received from the convention of Georgia, and read, setting forth, that that colony had acceded to the general association, and appointed delegates to attend this Congress.

Adjourned till one o'clock, P. M.

P. M. met according to adjournment.

The despatches from general Schuyler being taken into consideration,

Resolved, That general Schuyler be empowered to dispose of and employ all the troops in the New-York department, in such manner as he may think best for the protection and defence of these colonies, the tribes of Indians in friendship and amity with us, and most effectually to promote the general in