put it into his hands. M: Willing observed, that he had shewn the paper to D: Franklin, who was well acquainted with the hand writing of M: Cooper, and that he verily believed the paper brought by the gentleman was written by Mr Cooper.

The paper being read is as follows:

That it is earnestly hoped by all the real friends of the Americans, that the terms expressed in the resolution of the 20th of February last, will be accepted by all the colonies, who have the least affection for their King and country, or a just sense of their own interest.

That these terms are honourable for Great Britain, and safe for the colonies.

That if the colonies are not blinded by faction, these terms will remove every grievance relative to taxation, and be the basis of a compact between the colonies, and the mother country.

That the people in America ought, on every consideration to be satisfyed with them.

That no further relaxation can be admitted.

The temper and spirit of the Nation are so much against concessions, that if it were the intention of administration, they could not carry the Question.

But administration have no such intention, as they are fully and firmly persuaded, that further concessions would be injurious to the colonies as well as to Great-Britain.

That there is not the least probability of a change of administration. That they are perfectly united in opinion and determined to pursue the most effectual measures, and to use the whole force of the Kingdom, if it be found necessary, to reduce the rebellious and refractory provinces and colonies.

There is so great a spirit in the nation against the Congress, that the people will bear the temporary distresses of a stoppage of the American trade.

They may depend on this to be true.

||Ordered, To lie on the table.||

[Agreeable to the order of the day,]' the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take under

1 1 In a writing other than Thomson's.

their farther consideration the state of America, and after some time spent therein the Prest resumed the chair and M: [Samuel] Ward reported from the Committee that they had proceeded further in the consideration of the business referred to them, but not having yet come to a conclusion desired him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, that the Congress will to Morrow again resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into their further consideration the State of America. Adjourned till to Morrow at 9 o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1775

The congress met according to adjournment and agreeable to the order of the day resolved itself into a committee of the whole to take into their further consideration the state of America. During the debate the delegates from Pennsylvania moved for leave to lay some papers before the Congress, which being granted After some time the President resumed the chair and the papers just received being read were referred to the consideration of the committee of the whole. Whereupon the committee sat again and after some time spent, the president resumed the chair, and M' [Samuel] Ward reported from the committee that they had proceeded farther in the business recommended to them, but not yet having finished, they have desired him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That the Congress will, to Morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the state of America.

A Letter from Col. Arnold, dated Crown Point, 23 May, 1775, was laid before the Congress, informing that he had certain intelligence, that "on the 19th there were then 400 regulars at St. John's, making all possible prep

arations to cross the lake, and expected to be joined by a number of Indians, with a design of retaking Crownpoint and Ticonderogo," and earnestly calling for a reinforcement and supplies. This letter being taken into consideration,'

Resolved, That the Governor of Connecticut be requested immediately to send a strong reinforcement to the garrisons of Crown Point and Ticonderogo, and that so many of the cannon and other stores be retained, as may be necessary for the immediate defence of those posts, until further orders from this Congress, and that the provincial Convention of New York be informed of this resolve, and desired to furnish those troops with provisions and other necessary stores, and to take effectual care that a sufficient number of Batteaus be immediately provided for the lakes.

Ordered, That the above resolve be immediately transmitted in a letter by the pres', to Gov' Trumbull, and the convention of New York.

Ordered, That the president in his letter acquaint Gov' Trumbull, that it is the desire of Congress, that he sh appoint a person, in whom he can confide, to command the forces at Crown Point and Ticonderogo.

||Adjourned till to Morrow at 9 o'clock.||

THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1775

The Congress met according to adjournment.

The committee appointed to consider ways and means to supply these colonies with ammunition and military stores, brought in their report, which was read, and referred to the committee of the whole.

Upon Motion, Resolved, That it be recommended to the Government of Connecticut, or the general of the forces This letter is not in the Papers of the Continental Congress.

1

of that colony, to appoint Commissaries to receive at Albany and forward the supplies of provisions, for the forces on lake Champlain, from the provincial Convention of New York, and that the sd Convention use their utmost endeavours in facilitating and aiding the transportation thereof, from thence to where the sd Commissaries may direct.

As this Congress has nothing more in view than the defence of these colonies,

Resolved, That no expedition or incursion ought to be undertaken or made, by any colony, or body of colonists, against or into Canada; and that this Resolve be immediately transmitted to the commander of the forces at Ticonderoga.

Ordered, That the above resolve be translated into the french Language and transmitted, with the letter, to the inhabitants of Canada-also,

Ordered, That the president transmit a copy of the above to New York, and the other colonies bordering on Canada; and that in his letter to Govr. Trumbull acquaint him that it is the desire of the Congress that he appoint a proper person in whom he can confide to command the forces at Crown Point and Ticonderoga.

The Congress then, agreeable to the order of the day, resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of America, and after some time spent therein, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Samuel] Ward reported from the Committee, that they had taken the matters referred to them, into consideration, but not having yet come to a conclusion, desired him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to Morrow, again. resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the state of America.

A petition from "the Committee representing the people in that part of Augusta county, in the colony of Virginia, on the west side of the Allegeny Mountain," being laid before the Congress and read, intimating fears of a rupture with the Indians on Accot of La Dunmore's imprudent conduct, and desiring "commissioners from the colony of Virginia, and province of Pensylvania, to attend a meeting of the Indians at Pitsburgh, on behalf of these colonies." Also a resolve of the s committee in these words, viz. "That the unsettled boundary between this colony and the province of Pensylvania is the ocea sion of many disputes."1

Ordered, That the above be referred to the delegates of the colonies of Virginia and Pensylvania.

Adjourned till to Morrow at 9 o'clock.

FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1775

The Congress met according to adjournment.

The president laid before the Congress a letter from the prov: Convention of Massachusetts, wch was read and is as follows:

IN PROV. CONGRESS, Watertown, May 16, 1775. Resolved, That Doct! Benjamin Church be ordered to go immediately to Philad and deliver to the president of the Honble American Congress there now sitting, the following application to be by him communicated to the members thereof: and the s Church is also directed to confer with the so Congress, respecting such other matters as may be necessary to the defence of this colony and particularly the state of the army therein.

May it please y1 Honours.

That system of colony administration, which in the most firm, dutiful and loyal manner has been in vain remonstrated against by the representative body of the united colonies, seems still, unless speedily and vigourously opposed by the collected wisdom and force of all America to threaten ruin and destruction to this continent.

The petition from Virginia is not in the Papers of the Continental Congress.