of the form of this government, our restrictions did not arise from any diffidence of your ability, prudence or integrity, but from an earnest desire to serve the good people of Pennsylvania with fidelity, in times so full of alarming dangers and perplexing difficulties.

"The situation of public affairs is since so greatly altered, that we now think ourselves justifiable in removing the restrictions laid upon you by those instructions.

"The contempt with which the last petition of the honourable congress has been treated:-The late act of Parliament, declaring the just resistance of the colonists, against violences actually offered, to be rebellion, excluding them from the protection of the crown, and even compelling some of them to bear arms against their countrymen :-The treaties of the king of Great Britain, with other princes, for engaging foreign mercenaries to aid the forces of that kingdom, in their hostile enterprises, against America; and his answer to the petition of the lord mayor, aldermen and commons of the city of London, manifest such a determined and implacable resolution to effect the utter destruction of these colonies, that all hopes of a reconciliation, on reasonable terms, are extinguished. Nevertheless, it is our ardent desire; that a civil war, with all its attending miseries, could be ended by a secure and honourable peace.

"We therefore hereby authorize you to concur with the other delegates in Congress, in forming such further compacts between the united colonies, conclud

ing such treaties with foreign kingdoms and states, and in adopting such other measures as, upon a view of all circumstances, shall be judged necessary for promoting the liberty, safety and interests of America; reserving to the people of this colony the sole and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police of the same.

"The happiness of these colonies has, during the whole course of this fatal controversy, been our first wish. Their reconciliation with Great Britain our next. Ardently have we prayed for the accomplishment of both. But, if we must renounce the one or other, we humbly trust in the mercies of the Supreme Governor of the Universe, that we shall not stand condemned before his throne, if our choice is determined by that over-ruling law of self-preservation, which his divine wisdom has thought fit to implant in the hearts of his creatures."

These views of the assembly were in perfect accordance with the wishes of the people; but owing to the strong reluctance which existed among many of the members, of thus making a breach which could never be repaired, they were not adopted with the unanimity which so great a measure required. Indeed it had become evident, that an essential change ought to be made in the nature of the government, and the whole energies of the province should be exerted, in giving weight to the great object at which congress were aiming. The regular assembly was, therefore, allowed gradually to cease by the absence

VOL. IX.-M

of its members, and a temporary body, called a conference, consisting of committees chosen by each county, met at Philadelphia, and assumed by degrees a large portion of the legislative powers. On the twenty-fourth of June, they took up the subject which had engaged the attention of the assembly-the dissolution of allegiance to Great Britain, and coinciding in the views which we have seen that body adopt, passed a resolution unanimously, as the deputies of the people of Pennsylvania, in which they expressed their willingness to concur in a vote of Congress, declaring the united colonies free and independent states, and asserted that this measure did not originate in ambition or in an impatience of lawful authority, but that they were driven to it in obedience to the first principles of nature, by the oppressions and cruelties of the king and parliament, as the only measure left to preserve and establish their liberties, and transmit them inviolate to posterity.

Emboldened by this approbation and that of most of the colonies, Congress proceeded zealously towards the great end. But in their body, there were yet many who looked with fearful anticipation on the consequences. Among these were several of the delegates from Pennsylvania, and neither the instructions of the assembly nor the resolutions of the conference, had yet changed their sentiments. When we mention among these the name of that great and good man John Dickinson, we give sufficient proof that the cause of these sentiments was no unmanly fear. It

was a reluctance to jeopardize the future prospects of the country, by involving them ir, a war with a powerful nation; it was, they asserted, changing the wholesome system of resistance to arbitrary acts, into the pursuit of ends which the happiness of the people did not require. It was relinquishing the safe ground on which the colonies had planted themselves, and rushing into a war which in its course must bring with it slaughter and inexpressible distress, and in its end might fix a severe despotism on the ruins of liberties that had been rashly hazarded.

Fortunately there was energy enough in Congress to resist these plausible but delusive opinions, and when the ultimate question was proposed, an approving vote by all the colonies, gave to the measure of resistance that unanimity which secured its eventual success. Of the delegates from Pennsylvania, however, five still retained their sentiments in opposition to the majority. The approbation of the state was only obtained by the casting vote of Mr. Morton. Under these circumstances a new choice of representatives became necessary, and on the twentieth of July the convention of the state proceeded to elect them. Mr. Morton, Dr. Franklin, Mr. Morris, and Mr. Wilson were re-elected, and in lieu of the other five gentlemen were substituted Mr. Taylor, Mr. Ross, Mr. Clymer, Dr. Rush and Mr. Smith. On the same day Mr. Taylor took his seat in Congress.

On the second of August following Mr. Taylor signed the Declaration of Independence. It was not

until that time, that any delegate actually affixed his signature to the instrument; for although it was passed and proclaimed on the fourth of July preceding, the copy engrossed on parchment, was not prepared until nearly a month after. These circumstances have once or twice given rise to errors, but they have been fully explained in a letter from Mr. M'Kean, one of the delegates from Delaware, which is inserted in his life. The acts of Mr. Taylor while a member of Congress, are involved in the same obscurity which surrounds every other part of his life, public and private. The journals of Congress do not often mention him, nor have we any means of forming an opinion of the peculiar turn of talent which he displayed, or line of services which he rendered. He was engaged for some time in a negociation, on behalf of the United States, with several of the Indian tribes on the borders of the Susquehanna, and appears to have formed a treaty with them at Easton, where he had now taken up his residence.

In March, 1777, he retired from Congress and never after engaged in public service. Settled at Easton, in the neighbourhood of his estates, he devoted the declining years of his life to increase their value, and somewhat to recover from the losses he had sustained by long estrangement from his domestic affairs. In these peaceful pursuits four years slipped quietly away. On the twenty-third of February, 1781, he died, being at the time, sixty-five years of age. He has no legitimate living descendants. He