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a duty we owe the people, to assert, that their con- We take this opportunity, sir, the first that has duct has not been owing to base arts, practised been given us, to express the warm attachment upon them by wicked and designing men; and have we have to our sister colonies in general, and the it much to lament, that your excellency should add heart-felt compassion we entertain for the deplor your sanction to such groundless imputations, as able state of the town of Boston in particular, and it has a manifest tendency to weaken the influence also to declare the fixed and determined resoluwhich the united petition of his majesty's Ameri-tion of this colony, to unite with the other colocan subjects might otherwise have, upon their so-nies in every effort to retain those just rights and vereign, for a redress of those grievances of which they so justly complain.

We should feel inexpressible concern at the information given us by your cxcellency, of your be

liberties which, as subjects to a British king, we possess, and which it is our absolute and indispensible duty, to hand down to posterity, unimpaired. JOHN HARVEY, Speaker.

ing authorized to say, that the appointment of de-In provincial congress, North Carolina, September 8,

legates, to attend the congress at Philadelphia, now in agitation, will be highly offensive to the

1775.

Mr. Hooper laid before the house an address to

king, had we not recently been informed, from the the inhabitants of the British empire; and the same being read was unanimously received, and is as

follows viz.

best authority, that his majesty has been pleased to receive, very graciously, the united petition of his American subjects, addressed to him by the Friends, and fellow-citizens-"The fate of the concontinental delegates, lately convened at Philadel- test which at present subsists between these Ame phia. We have not, therefore, the least reason to rican colonies and the British ministers who now suppose, that a similar application to the throne, sit at the helm of public affairs, will be one of the will give offence to his majesty, or prevent his re-most important epochs which can mark the annals ceiving a petition for the redress of grievances, of the British history. which his American subjects have a right to present, either separately or unitedly.

"Foreign nations with anxious expectation wait the result, and see with amazement the blind

descendants of those ancestors who have shed rivers of blood, and expended millions of treasure, in fiving upon a lasting foundation the liberties of the British constitution, saw with envy the once

exterminate the patterns of those virtues which shone with a lustre which bids fair to rival and eclipse their own.

We shall always receive, with pleasure, the in- infatuated policy which the present administration formation of any marks of loyalty to the king, pursues to subjugate these colonies, and reduce given to your excellency, by the inhabitants of them from being loyal and useful oubjects, to an this colony; but we are greatly concerned, lest the absolute dependance and abject slavery; as if the manner in which you have thought proper to convey this information, should excite a belief, that a great number of the people of this province are disaffected to their sovereign, to prevent which, it is incumbent upon us, in this manner, solemnly happy state of this western region, and strove to to testify to the world, that his majesty has no subjects more faithful than the inhabitants of North Carolina, or more ready, at the expence of their lives and fortunes, to protect and support his per. "To enjoy the fruits of our own honest industry, son, crown, and dignity. If, however, by the sig- to call that our own which we earn with the labor nal proofs your excellency speaks of, you mean of our hands, and the sweat of our brows, to rethose addresses lately published in the North Cagulate that internal policy by which we, and not rolina Gazette, and said to be presented to you, they, are to be affected; these are the mighty the assembly can receive no pleasure from your boons we ask. And traitors, rebels, and every congratulations thereupon, but what results from harsh appellation that malice can dictate, or the the consideration that so few have been found in violence of language express, are the returns which so populous a province, weak enough to be seduced from their duty, and prevailed upon by the base arts of wicked and designing men, to adopt principles so contrary to the sense of all America, and so destructive of those rights and privileges, it was their duty to maintain.

we receive to the most humble petitions and earnest supplications. We have been told that independence is our object; that we seek to shake off all connection with the parent state. Cruel suggestion! do not all our professions, all our actions, uniformly contradict this?

"We again declare, and we invoke that Almighty [who thereby intended that the rectitude of our Being who searches the recesses of the human designs might be brought into distrust, and sedition, hearts and knows our most secret intentions, that anarchy, and confusion, spread through this loyal ît is our most earnest wish and prayer to be restor-province.

ed, with the other United Colonies, to the state in

the Almighty God give success, to the means we make use of, so far as they are aimed to produce

which we and they were placed before the year the world, to ourselves, and posterity; and may "We have discharged a duty which we owe to 1763, disposed to glance over any regulations which Britain had made previous to this, and which seem to be injurious and oppressive to these colonies, hoping that at some future day she will benignly just, lawful, and good purposes, and the salvation interpose, and remove from us every cause of comand happiness of the whole British empire." plaint.

"Whenever we have departed from the forms of the constitution, our own safety and self-preservation have dictated the expedient; and it in any instances we have assumed powers which the laws invest in the sovereign or his representatives, it has been only in defence of our persons, properties, and those rights which God and the constitution have made unalienably ours. As soon as the cause of our fears and apprehensions are removed, with joy will we return these powers to their regular channels; and such institutions formed from mere necessity, shall end with that necessity which created them.

SOUTH CAROLINA.

IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.

Charleston, June 21, 1775. Ordered-That the hon. William Henry Drayton, the hon. Barnard Elliot, colonel Charles Pinckney, col. James Parsons, col. Isaac Motte, col. Stephen Bull, col. William Moultrie, major Owen Roberts, captain Thomas Savage, captain John Huger, Miles Brewton, Thomas Ferguson, and Gabriel Capers, esquires, be a deputation to present his excellency the governor, the address of this congress. To his excellency the right honorable lord William Campbell, governor and commander in chief over the province aforesaid,

congress.

"These expressions flow from an affection, border-The humble address and declaration of the provincial ing upon devotion, to the succession of the house of Hanover, as by law established, from subjects May it please your excellency-We, his majesty's who view it as a monument that does honor to hu- loyal subjects, the representatives of the people man nature; a monument capable of teaching kings of this colony, in congress assembled, beg leave to how glorious it is to reign over a free people.-disclose to your excellency, the true cause of our These are the heartfelt effusions of men ever ready present proceedings; not only that upon your arrito spend their blood and treasure, when constitu- val among us, you may receive no unfavorable imtionally called upon, in support of that succession pression of our conduct, but that we may stand of his majesty King George the third, his crown justified to the world. and dignity, and who fervently wish to transmit his reign to future ages as the era of common happiness to his people. Could these our sentiments reach the throne, surely our sovereign would forbid the horrors of war and desolation to intrude into

this once peaceful and happy land, and would stop that deluge of human blood which now threatens to overflow this colony; blood too precious to be shed but in a common cause, against the common enemy of Great Britain and her sons.

"This declaration we hold forth as a testimony of loyalty to our sovereign, and affection to our parent state, and as a sincere earnest of our present and future intentions.

dress of grievances, and the usual means of deWhen the ordinary modes of application for refence against arbitrary impositions have failed, mankind generally have had recourse to those that nental congress-and hence the present represenare extraordinary. Hence, the origin of the contitation of the people in this colony.

It is unnecessary to enumerate the grievances of America; they have been so often represented, that your excellency cannot be a stranger to them.Let it, therefore, suffice to say, that the hands of his majesty's ministers, having long lain heavy, now press with intolerable weight. We declare, that no love of innovation-no desire of altering "We hope, thereby, to remove those impressions the constitution of government-no lust of inde. which have been made by the representation of weak pendence has had the least influence upon our counand wicked men to the prejudice of this colony, cils: but, alarmed and roused by a long succession

of arbitrary proceedings, by wicked administra-, and of mankind: to testify our just resentment to tions-impressed with the greatest apprehension of so base and cruel a conduct in the inhabitants of instigated insurrections--and deeply affected by Poole, it is hereby resolved, That this colony will the commencement of hostilities by the British not use or employ any shipping belonging to that troops against this continent,-solely for the pre port, or owned by any inhabitant there, or carry on servation and deferce of our lives, liberties, and any transactions, or hold any communication with properties, we have been impelled to associate and that people. to take up arms.

PETER TIMOTHY, Secretary.

In provincial congress, Charleston, Thursday, June 22. "Resolved, that all absentees, holding estates in this colony, except the sick, those above 60, and those under 21 years of age, ought, forthwith, to return to this colony.

"Resolved, that no persons, holding estates in this colony, ought to withdraw from its service, without giving good and sufficient reasons for so joing to this congress, or, during its recess, to the general committee.

We sincerely deplore those slanderous informations and wicked councils, by which his majesty has been led into measures, which, if persisted in, must inevitably have involved America in all the calamities of a civil war, and rend the British em. pire. We only desire the secure enjoyment of our invaluable rights, and we wish for nothing more ardently, than a speedy reconciliation with our mother country, upon constitutional principles. Conscious of the justice of our cause, and the integrity of our views, we readily profess our loyal attachment to our sovereign, his crown, and dignity; and, trusting the event to Providence, we pre fer death to slavery. These things, we have thought Association, unanimously agreed to in the provincial it our duty to declare, that your excellency, and through you, our august sovereign-our fellow subjects-and the whole world-may clearly under. stand, that our taking up arms, is the result of dire necessity, and in compliance with the first law of increase of arbitrary impositions, from a wicked

nature.

PETER TIMOTHY, Secretary.

congress of South Carolina.

The actual commencement of hostilities against this continent, by the British troops, in the bloody scene on the 19th of April last, near Boston; the

and despotic ministry, and the dread of instigated We entreat and trust, that your excellency will to drive an oppressed people to the use of arms:insurrections in the colonies, are causes sufficient make such a representation of the state of this co- We, therefore, the subscribers, inhabitants of South lony, and of our true motives, as to assure his majesty, that in the midst of all our complicated dis-sacred of all obligations, the duty of good citizens Carolina, holding ourselves bound, by that most tresses, be has no subjects in bis wide dominions, towards an injured country, and thoroughly conwho more sincerely desire to testify their loyalty vinced, that, under our present distressed circumand affection, or who would be more willing to devote their lives and fortunes to his real service. in resisting force by force, DO UNITE ourselves unstances, we shall be justified before God and man, By order of the provincial congress, at Charles ton, June 20, 1775.

HENRY LAURENS, President.

der every tie of religion and honor, and associate as a band in her defence, against every foe; hereby solemnly engaging that whenever our continental and provincial councils shall decree it necessary, we will go forth, and be ready to sacrifice our lives In provincial congress, Charleston, Wednesday, June and fortunes, to secure her freedom and safety.—

FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA GAZETTE.

21, 1775.

This obligation to continue in full force until a re“Whereas, the inhabitants of Poole, a seaport in concilation shall take place between Great Britain the English Channel, lost to all sense of honor, and America, upon constitutional principles; an bumanity and gratitude, have, by their late peti- event which we most ardently desire. And we will tion to parliament, manifested themselves not only hold all those persons inimical to the liberties of inimical to America, but desirous to add to the the colonies, who shall refuse to subscribe to this heavy oppressions under which the unfortunate association.

and virtuous inhabitants of the four New England] Subscribed by every member present, and certigovernments labor, in consequence of their lauda-fied by

ble conduct in defence of the liberties of Americal June, 1775.

HENRY LAURENS, President.

JOURNAL OF THE STAMP-ACT CONGRESS;

HELD AT NEW-YORK, 1765.

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Pennsylvania

-John Dickinson

John Morton

Delaware-
Maryland-

George Bryan.
--Thomas M'Kean
Cæsar Rodney.
-Williamo Murdock

Edward Tilghman
Thomas Ringgold.

South Carolina-Thomas Lynch

We have several times promised to treat our rea-
ders with a correct copy of this venerable manu-
script, detailing the first movements of the friends
of freedom in the new world. It is an official copy,
under the signature of JOHN COTTON, esq. clerk
to that illustrious body; and, we have reason to
believe, the only one extant. It was handed to
the editor by his much respected friend, Cesar
New Hampshire,
A. Rodney, esq. of Delaware, who found it among Virginia,
the papers of his late revered uncle, the estima-Vorth Carolina
ble and patriotic Casar Rodney, one of the dele- and Georgia,
gates, and for many years the great prop and stay
of Whiggism in the lower parts of his native state.
On a loose piece of paper, in the manuscript book,
is a list of the members, with which we have
preceeded the journal itself, in the hand writing
of Mr. C. R. We are thus particular to shew the
entire authenticity of the document: which, we
are informed, many of our sages have sought for
in vain.

Christopher Gadsden John Rutledge. Were not represented in this con. gress. But their assemblies wrote that they would agree to whatJever was done by the congress."

THE JOURNAL.

Boston, June, 1765. SIR-The house of representatives of this pro. vince, in the present session of general court, have unanimously agreed to propose a meeting, as soon as may be, of committees from the houses of repre sentatives or burgesses, of the several British colo. nies on this continent, to consult together on the present circumstancee of the colonies, and the diffi culties to which they are and must be redued by the operation of the acts of parliment, for levying duties and taxes on the colonies; and to consider of a general and united, dutiful, loyal and humble representation of their condition to his majesty and to the parliment, and to implore relief.

bers to attend that service, with such as the other houses of representatives or burgesses, in the several colonies, may think fit to appoint to meet them; and the committee of the house of representatives of this province, are directed to repair to the said New-York, on the first Tuesday in October next,

In this journal the reader will not find any thing to astonish or surprize him; but there is much The house of representatives of this province to admire. In every line he will discover a spirit have also voted, to propose that such meeting be of decision and firmness totally irreconcilable at the city of New-York, in the province of Newwith a state of servitude, and highly worthy of York, on the first Tuesday in October next, and imitation at the present day. The difficulties have appointed the committee of three of their memthe people encountered in forming this congress, unknown to the laws and opposed by the royalists invested with power, are honorable to their cause and its agents. With an eye steadily fixed on freedom, they cast behind them the cold max-accordingly; if, therefore, your honorable house should agree to this proposal, it would be acceptaims of prudence, and nobly resolved to systemable, that as early notice of it as possible might be tise an opposition to the growing tyranny of the transmitted to the speaker of the house of represen"mother country." They did so, and therein tatives of this province. generated a spirit of union, that finally brought about the independence of these states, and led to the establishment of our present happy con

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SAMUEL WHITE, Speaker.

In consequence of the foregoing circular letter, the following gentlemen met at New-York, in the province of New-York, on Monday, the 7th of October, 1765, viz:

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Who produced their appointment as follows viz: To James Otis, Oliver Partridge, and Timothy Rug gles, esquires.

Gentlemen,-The house of representatives of this province, have appointed you a committee to meet at New-York on the first Tuesday in October next, such committees as the other houses of representatives or burgesses in the several colonies on this continent,may think fit to appoint, to consult togeth. er on the present circumstances of the colonies, on the difficulties to which they are, and must be

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 assem bly of this colony.

reduced 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 colonies, 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 endeavor to unite with them in sentiment, and agree upon such representations, as may tend to preserve Given under my hand and the seal of the said coour rights and privileges. And it is the opinion of lony, this sixteenth day of September, 1765, and in this house, that no address or representation shall the fifth year of his majesty's reign. be esteemed the act of this house, unless it is agreed to and signed by the major. part of their commit

tee.

SAMUEL WARD. HENRY WARD, Secretary.

By his honor's command.

ELIPHALET DYER,

If it should be said, that we are in any manner re presented in parliament, you must by no means con- From the colony DAVID ROWLAND,

cede 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.

of Connecticut,

WM. SAML. JOHNSON,

Esqrs.

Who produced the following appointment, viz:
At a general assembly of the governor and company
of the colony of Connecticut, holden at Hartford,
by special order of his honor, the governor of said
colony, on the nineteenth day of September, An-
no Dom. 1765.

It is the expectation of the house, that a most loyal and dutiful address to his majesty and the par- be attended by commissioners from the several goWhereas, it has been proposed that a congress liament, will be prepared by the congress, praying vernments on this continent, to confer upon a gene as well for the removal of the grievances the coloral, united, humble, loyal and dutiful representa nies labor under at present, as for preventing others tion to his majesty and the parliament, of the prefor the future: which petitions, if drawn up, as far sent circumstances of the colonies and the difficul as you shall be able to judge, agreable to the mind ties to which they are and must be reduced by the of the house, you are empowered to sign and forward; and you are to lay a copy of the same before operation of the acts of parliament for laying duties this house, and make report of your proceedings and taxes on the colonies, and to implore relief, upon your return.*

It is the hearty prayer of this house, that the congress may be endued with that wisdom which is from above, and that their councils and determinations may be attended with the divine blessing. SAMUEL WHITE Speaker.

1

From the colony of Rhode-METCALF BOWLER,
Island and Providence
and
Plantations,
HENRY WARD, Esqs.
Who produced the following appointment, viz:
By the honorable SAMUEL WARD, governor, cap-
tain-general and commander in chief of and over
the English colony of Rhode-Island and Provi-
dence Plantations in New-England in America.
To Metcalf Bowler and Henry Ward, esquires,
GRERTING:

Resolved by this assembly, That Eliphalet Dyer," David Rowland, and William Samuel Johnson, esqs. or any two of them, be, and are hereby appointed commissioners, on behalf of this colony, to repair the matters above referred to; and his honor is to New York to attend the proposed congress, in hereby desired to commissionate them accordingly.

A true copy, examined by

GEORGE WYLLYS, Secretary. At a general assembly of the governor and compa ny of the colony of Connecticut, holden at Hartford, by special order of his honor the governor of said colony, on the 19th day of September, An no 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 Oc. tober next:

Whereas, the general assembly of this province have nominated and appointed you, the same Metcalf Bowler and Henry Ward, to be commissioners of New-York, at said time, or at the time which, ac Gentlemen,-You are to repair to the said city in 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 ap governments 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 commissions with how great authority the right of instrucsion is assumed.-ED. 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 colonies, 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 assembly at the sessions in October next, of all such

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