He continued at Pittsburg and the vicinity until the winter, and was in constant correspondence with the congress on the subject of Indian affairs.

He was also employed in public service, out of congress, in the endeavour to persuade the several assemblies of the New England states to procure a supply of arms. And after he resumed his seat in the beginning of the year 1776, he was engaged as a member of the committees to contract for the purchase of muskets and bayonets, and to consider the ways and means of encouraging the manufacture of saltpetre and gunpowder; also on the standing committee for Indian affairs, and several of a temporary and less important character.

It is well known that great reserve was practised at this period, respecting the design of establishing a government independent of Great Britain; and the public addresses and resolutions, however bitter against the ministry, generally contained a salvo of respect towards the king.

Early in the winter of 1775-6, a member moved a resolution, signifying that inasmuch as some persons erroneously or maliciously ascribed to congress the design of declaring independence: therefore it was proper to make a public disavowal of any such unjustifiable intentions. This was an awkward subject for the congress to manage: they were not yet prepared to declare the colonies independent, and yet a large proportion, if not nearly all, and certainly Mr. Lewis Morris among the number, were most decidedly op

Great Britain and the colonies, by conciliatory measures, will be successful."

Soon after these first hints of war, Mr. Morris was placed on a committee, of which Washington was the chairman, to consider on ways and means to supply the colonies with ammunition and military stores, The labours of this committee were as embarrassing as any that could be imagined: the condition of the colonies as to the possession of the implements of war was nearly that of absolute destitution; and the choice was difficult between the expediency of keeping the degree of their poverty, in that respect, a secret, and the urgent necessity of an appeal to the patriotism of the country at large for the means of a supply.

The battle of Bunker's Hill, which occurred in the ensuing month, left no argument for half-way measures unrefuted; and the appointment of Washington to the command of the army at the same time, was a decisive indication of the course which the congress had determined to adopt.

Mr. Morris continued during the residue of this session faithfully performing his duties on the floor and in committee; but before the commencement of the next, he went to the western country for the purpose of assisting in the difficult operation of detaching the Indians from the interests of the British government, and inducing them to join their force to that of the colonists.

He continued at Pittsburg and the vicinity until the winter, and was in constant correspondence with the congress on the subject of Indian affairs.

He was also employed in public service, out of congress, in the endeavour to persuade the several assemblies of the New England states to procure a supply of arms. And after he resumed his seat in the beginning of the year 1776, he was engaged as a member of the committees to contract for the purchase of muskets and bayonets, and to consider the ways and means of encouraging the manufacture of saltpetre and gunpowder; also on the standing committee for Indian affairs, and several of a temporary and less important character.

It is well known that great reserve was practised at this period, respecting the design of establishing a government independent of Great Britain; and the public addresses and resolutions, however bitter against the ministry, generally contained a salvo of respect towards the king.

Early in the winter of 1775-6, a member moved a resolution, signifying that inasmuch as some persons erroneously or maliciously ascribed to congress the design of declaring independence: therefore it was proper to make a public disavowal of any such unjustifiable intentions. This was an awkward subject for the congress to manage: they were not yet prepared to declare the colonies independent, and yet a large proportion, if not nearly all, and certainly Mr. Lewis Morris among the number, were most decidedly op

posed to any pledge or assurance that such a measure would not be adopted. The proposal was got rid of without taking any vote upon it; and in order prepare the minds of the people without shock or surprise, for the important event already anticipated by most of those whose situation enabled them to look forward, a manifesto was prepared, in the composition of which, we have the authority of a cotemporary for saying, Mr. Morris took an active part. This paper is drawn up with considerable art; and while it was well calculated to excite the spirit of the whigs, could not be taken as offensive by the tories. It was in the following words:

"Whereas it has been represented to this congress, that divers honest and well meaning, but uninformed people in these colonies have, by the art and address of ministerial agents, been deceived and drawn into erroneous opinions respecting the American cause, and the probable issue of the present contest;

Resolved, That it be recommended to the different committees, and other friends to American liberty, in the said colonies, to treat all such persons with kindness and attention; to consider them as the inhabitants of a country determined to be free, and to view their errors as proceeding rather from want of information than want of virtue or public spirit; to explain to them the origin, nature and extent of the present controversy; to acquaint them with the fate of the numerous petitions presented to his majesty, as well by assemblies as congresses, for re

conciliation and redress of grievances; and that the last from this congress, humbly requesting the single favour of being heard, like all the others, has proved unsuccessful; to unfold to them the various arts of administration to ensnare and enslave us, and the manner in which we have been cruelly driven to defend, by arms, those very rights, liberties and estates, which we and our forefathers had so long enjoyed unmolested in the reigns of his present majesty's predecessors. And it is hereby recommended to all conventions and assemblies in these colonies liberally to distribute among the people the proceedings of this and the former congress, the late speeches of the great patriots in both houses of parliament relative to American grievances, and such other pamphlets and papers as tend to elucidate the merits of the American cause, the congress being fully persuaded that the more our right to the enjoyment of our ancient liberties and privileges is examined, the more just and necessary our present opposition to ministerial tyranny will appear.

"And with respect to all such unworthy Americans as, regardless of their duty to their Creator, their country and their posterity, have taken part with our oppressors, and, influenced by the hope or possession of ignominious rewards, strive to recommend themselves to the bounty of administration, by misrepresenting and traducing the conduct and principles of the friends of American liberty, and opposing every measure formed for its preservation and security,

VOL. IX.-S