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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1778.

In pursuance of the powers to them granted, the delegates of New Jersey signed the ratification of the articles of confederation and perpetual union.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1779.

DELAWARE.

Mr. M'Kean, a delegate for Delaware, laid before Congress the following instrument, empowering the delegates of that state, or any of them, to ratify and sign the articles of confederation.

His Excellency Cesar Rodney, Esquire, President, Captain General and Commander in Chief of the Delaware State, to all to whom these Presents shall come-Greeting.

KNOW YE, That among the records remaining in the rolls office in the Delaware state, there is a certain instrument of writing, purporting to be an act of the general assembly of the said state, which said act is contained in the words and tenor here following, to wit:

Anno Millesimo Septengentesimo Septuagesimo nono. "An act to authorize and empower the delegates of the "Delaware state to subscribe and ratify the articles "of confederation and perpetual union between the "several states.

"Whereas articles of confederation and perpetual "union between the states of New Hampshire, Massa"chusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Planta❝tions, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl“vanía, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Caroli

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na, South Carolina, and Georgia, signed in the "general Congress of the said states, by the honoura"ble Henry Laurens, esquire, their then President, "have been laid before the legislature of this state, "to be ratified by the same, if approved: And "whereas notwithstanding the terms of the articles of "confederation and perpetual union are considered as "in divers respects unequal and disadvantageous to "this state; and the objections stated on the part of "this state are viewed as just and reasonable, and "of great moment to the welfare and happiness of the "good people thereof; yet, under the full conviction "of the present necessity of acceding to the present "confederacy proposed, and that the interest of partiটে cular states ought to be postponed to the general "good of the union; and moreover, in firm reliance "that the candour and justice of the several states. "will in due time remove as far as possible the ob "jectionable parts thereof:

"Be it enacted by the general assembly of Dela"ware, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of "the same, That the honourable John Dickinson, "Nicholas Van Dyke, and Thomas M'Kean, esquires, "delegates appointed to represent this state in Congress, or any one or more of them, be, and they "hereby are authorized, empowered and directed, on

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"behalf of this state, to subscribe and ratify the said "articles of confederation and perpetual union be"tween the several states aforesaid.

"And be it further enacted by the authority afore"said, That the said articles of confederation and "perpetual union, so as aforesaid subscribed and ratifi"ed, shall thenceforth become obligatory on this state. "Signed by order of the House of Assembly.

"NICHOLAS VAN DYKE, Speaker.

"Signed by order of the Council.

"THOMAS COLLINS, Speaker.

"Passed at Dover, February 1, 1779."

All which, by the tenor of these presents, I have caused to be exemplified.

In testimony whereof, the great seal of the Delaware state is hereunto affixed, at Dover, the sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, and in the third year of the Independence of the United States of America.

CESAR RODNEY.

By His Excellency's command.

JAMES BOOTH, Secretary.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1779.

In pursuance of the powers vested in him, Mr. M'Kean, a delegate of the state of Delaware, signed and ratified the articles of confederation in behalf of that state.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1779.

The delegate of Delaware laid before Congress sundry resolutions passed by the council of that state, January 23, 1779, respecting the articles of confederation and perpetual union, and concurred in by the house of assembly, January 28, 1779, previous to their passing a law to empower their delegates to sign and ratify the said articles of confederation and perpetual

union.

On which it was moved, that the same be filed: To which it was moved, as an amendment, to add, "Pro"vided, that it shall never be considered as admitting "any claim by the same set up or intended to be set up.” On this amendment the yeas and nays being requir ed by Mr. Ellery

New Hampshire, Mr. Whipple,

Ay. Ar.
Ay. S

Mr. Frost,

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So it passed in the affirmative.

On the question,

Resolved, That the paper laid before Congress by the delegate from Delaware and read, be filed; provided, that it shall never be considered as admitting any claim by the same set up or intended to be set up.

The paper is as follows, viz.

In the Council, Saturday, January 23, 1779. P. M. The council having resumed the consideration of the committee's report on the articles of confederation and

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