For a long time past, this colony has, by a corrupt administration in Great Britain and here, been deprived of the exercise of those powers of Government, without which a people can be neither rich, happy or secure. The whole continent saw the blow pending, which if not warded off, must inevitably have subverted the freedom and happiness of each colony; the principles of self defence, roused in the breasts of freemen by the dread of impending slavery, caused to be collected the wisdom of America, in a Congress composed of men, who through time must in every land of freedom be revered among the most faithful assertors of the essential rights of human nature. This colony was then reduced to great difficulties, being denied the exercise of civil government according to our charter, or the fundamental principles of the English constitution and a formidable navy and army (not only inimical to our safety, but flattered with the prospect of enjoying the fruit of our industry) were stationed for that purpose in our Metropolis. The prospect of deciding the question between our Mother country and us, by the sword, gave us the greatest pain and anxiety; but we have made all the preparation for our necessary defence that our confused state would admit of; and as the question equally affected our sister colonies and us, we have declined though urged thereto by the most pressing necessity to assume the reins of civil government, without their advice and consent; but have hitherto borne the many difficulties and distressing embarrassments necessarily resulting from a want thereof. We are now compelled to raise an Army, which with the assistance of the other colonies, we hope under the smiles of heaven, will be able to defend us and all America from the further butcheries and devasta- ^ tions of our implacable enemies.-But as the sword should in all free states be subservient to the civil powers and as it is the duty of the Magistrates to support it for the peoples necessary defence, we tremble at having an army (although consisting of our countrymen) established here without a civil power to provide for and controul them. We are happy in having an opportunity of laying our distressed state before the representative body of the continent, and humbly hope you will favour us with your most explicit advice respecting the taking up and exercising the powers of civil government, wch we think absolutely necessary for the Salvation of our country and we shall readily submit to such a general plan as you may direct for the colonies, or make it our great study to establish such a form of government here, as shall not only most promote our advantage but the union and interest of all America. As the Army now collecting from different colonies is for the general defence of the right of America, we we beg leave to suggest to y consideration the propriety of y' taking the regulation and general direction of it, that the operations may more effectually answer the purposes designed. Ordered to lye on the table. Signed, Jos: WARREN The above letter referring to Doct. Church, on motion, agreed that he be introduced. After he withdrew, an express arriving from Massachusetts bay, the president laid before the Congress Letters from the conventions of Massachusetts bay, and New Hampshire, also a letter from Gov! Trumbull, all which were read.1 Upon motion, Resolved, That no bill of Exchange, draught, or order of any officer in the army or navy, their agents or contractors, be received, or negotiated, or any money supplied to them by any person in America; That no provisions or necessaries of any kind be furnished or supplied to, or for the use of, the British army or navy, in the colony of Massachusetts bay; and That no vessel employed in transporting British troops to America, or from one part of North America to another, or warlike stores or provisions for said troops, be freighted or furnished with provisions or any Necessaries, until further orders from this Congress.2 Ordered, That the above resolves be immediately published. Resolved, that this Congress will to Morrow 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. 1 None of these communications can be identified in the Papers of the Continental Congress. 2 This resolution was printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, 5 June, 1775. SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1775 The Congress met according to adjournment. A Letter from the prov. Convention of New York, together with sundry Letters and papers enclosed, ||from Albany,|| were laid before the Congress and read. Ordered, To lie on the table. Upon motion Resolved, That a committee of five persons be chosen to take into consideration the letter from the Convention of Massachusetts bay, dated the 16 of May, and report to this Congress what in their opinion is the proper Advice to be given to that Convention. The following persons were chosen by ballot, to compose that committee, viz. M: J[ohn] Rutledge, M [Thomas] Johnson, M [John] Jay, M' [James] Wilson, and M [Richard Henry] Lee. Upon motion Resolved, That a committee be appointed for the purpose of borrowing the sum of six thousand pounds for the use of America; for the repayment of which with interest, the Congress will make full and ample provision, and that the sd com[mittee] apply the s sum of money to the purchase of gunpowder for the use of the Continental Army. That the Delegates for Pensylvania compose sa Committee, with power as well to borrow the money as to apply it to the purpose intended. Upon motion Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to draught a petition to the King. That a committee ||of threell be appointed to report an address to the people of Great Britain. Also a committee ||of four be appointed|| to report an address to the people of Ireland. Also a committee ||of three be appointed to draught a letter to the inhabitants of Jamaica. That the three last committees consist each of three. That a Committee [of five] be appointed to bring in an estimate of the money necessary to be raised. That this committee consist of 5 persons. That the committee to report a petition to the King be M: [John] Dickinson, M: [Thomas] Johnson, M: J[ohn] Rutledge, M: [John] Jay, and M: [Benjamin] Franklin. That the Committee to report an Address to the inhabitants of Great Britain be M: [Richard Henry] Lee, M R[obert] R. Livingston and M [Edmund] Pendleton. That M [James] Duane, M: Will. Livingston and M S[amuel] Adams and M J[ohn] Adams be y com[mittee] to report an Address to the people of Ireland. That M [William] Hooper, M: [James] Wilson and [Thomas] Lynch be a committee to draught a Letter to the inhabitants of Jamaica. That M [George] Washington, M [Philip] Schuyler, M: [Silas] Deane, M: [Thomas] Cushing, and M: [Joseph] Hewes be a committee to bring in an estimate of the money necessary to be raised. Resolved, That this Congress will on Monday resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into their farther consideration the State of America. Adjourned till Monday at 9 o'clock.' "The Congress, tho' not numerous, are yet a very unwieldy Body, in their very nature, as no motion or resolution can be started or proposed but what must be subject to much canvassing before it will pass with the unanimous approbation of Thirteen Colonies, whose situation and circumstances are various. And Unanimity is the basis on which we mean to rise; and I thank God, it hitherto prevails to a most surprising degree. Besides, our business has run away with us, as I may say, for though the Northern Expedition met with a warm approbation, yet the resolutions necessary to be formed respecting those posts put by the forming a general plan of operation, which, had it been previously laid, every such manœuvre would, of course, have been provided for at once." Silas Deane to his wife, 3 June, 1775. Writing to Lord Dartmouth, 7 June, 1775, Lieutenant Governor Colden, of New York, said: "In this gloomy Prospect of Affairs the Friends of Government have received a glimpse of Hope upon hearing that Mr. Duane, a Delegate from New York, has moved in the Continental Congress to introduce a Plan of Accommodation which produced a warm debate, but was carried in favour of the motion." Collections of the New York Historical Society, 1877, p. 421. MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1775 The president and A number of the members met according to adjournm' But several of the colonies not being represented the president adjourned the Congress till to Morrow at 9 o'Clock. TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1775 The Congress met according to adjournment but the several committees not being ready to report adjourned till to Morrow at 9 o'Clock. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1775 The Congress met according to adjournment. The Committee appointed to make an estimate of the money necessary to be raised, brought in a report, that they had prepared which was read and ordered to lie on the table referred to the committee of the whole. On motion, Resolved, That Thursday the 20th of July next, be observed throughout the twelve United Colonies, as a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer: and that Mr. [William] Hooper, Mr. J[ohn] Adams, and Mr. [Robert Treat] Paine, be a committee to bring in a resolve for that purpose. The committee appointed to prepare advice in answer to the letter from the convention of Massachusetts bay, dated 16th of May &c. brought in their report, which was read, and ordered to lie on the table ||for consideration.|| The Congress agreeable to the order of the day, resolved themselves into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of America; after some time spent therein, the president resumed the chair; and M: [Samuel] Ward reported, from the committee that they had proceeded in the business referred to them, but not having 6521-VOL 2—05——6 |