fpective conftituents, that they fhall abide by the determinations of the united states in congrefs affembled, on all queftions which by the faid confederation are fubmitted to them; and that the articles thereof fhall be inviolably obferved by the ftates we refpectively reprefent; and that the union fhall be perpetual. IN WITNESS whereof, we have hereunto fet our hands in congress.

DONE at Philadelphia, in the fate of Pennfylvania, the oth day of July, in the year of our Lord, 1778, and in the third year of the independence of America.

The aforefaid articles of confederation were finally ratified on the first day of March 1781; the ftate of Maryland having, by their members in congrefs, on that day acceded thereto, and compleated the fame.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE,

MASSACHUSETTS-BAY,

RHODE ISLAND, &..

CONNECTICUT,

NEW-YORK,

NEW JERSEY,

Jofiah Bartlett,
John Wentworth, jun.

John Hancock,
Samuel Adams,
Elbridge Gerry,
Francis Dana,
James Lovell,
Samuel Holten.

William Ellery,
Henry Merchan',
John Collins.

Roger Sherman,

Samuel Huntington,
Oliver Walkott,
Titus Hofmer,
Andrew Adams.

A COL

In CONGRESS, at EXETER, Jan. 5, 1776.

WE

7E, the members of the congrefs of the colony of NewHampshire, chofen and appointed by the free fu Trages of the people of faid colony, and authorised and impowered by them to meet together, and ufe fuch means, and purfue fuch measures, as we fhall judge beft for the public good; and in particular to establish fome form of government, provided that measure fhould be recommended by the Continental Congrefs; and a recommendation to that purpose having been tranfmitted to us from the faid Congrefs; have taken into our ferious confideration the unhappy circumftances into which this colony is involved, by means of many grievous and oppreffive acts of the British Parliament, depriving us of our native and conftitutional rights and privileges; to enforce obedience to which acts, a powerful fleet and army have been fent into this country, by the miniftry of Great Britain, who have exercifed a wanton and cruel abuse of their power, in destroying the lives and properties of the colonists, in many places, with fire and fword, taking the ships and lading from many of the honeft and induftrious inhabitants. of this colony, employed in commerce, agreeable to the laws and cuftoms a long time used here:

The

The fudden and abrupt departure of his excellency John Wentworth, efq. our late governor, and feveral of the council, leaving us deftitute of legiflation; and no executive courts being open to punish criminal offenders, whereby the lives and properties of the honeft people of this colony are liable to the machinations and evil designs of wicked men:

Therefore, for the prefervation of peace and good order, and for the security of the lives and properties of the inhabitants of this colony, we conceive ourselves reduced to the neceffity of establishing a Form of Government, to continue during the prefent unhappy and unnatural conteft with Great-Britain; protesting and declaring, that we never fought to throw off our dependence upon Great-Britain, but felt ourselves happy under her protection, while we could enjoy our conftitutional rights and privilegesand that we shall rejoice, if fuch a reconciliation between us and our parent state can be effected as fhall be approved by the Continental Congrefs, in whofe prudence and wifdom we confide.

Accordingly, purfuant to the truft repofed in us, we do Refolve, that this congrefs affume the name, power, and authority of a House of Reprefentatives or Affembly, for the colony of NewHampshire and that faid house then proceed to choose twelve perfons, being reputable freeholders, and inhabitants within this colony, in the following manner, viz. five in the county of Rock-ingham, two in the county of Strafford, two in the county of Hillsborough, two in the county of Chefhire, and one in the county of Grafton, to be a diftinct and feparate branch of the legislature, by the name of a council for this colony, to continue as fuch until the third Wednesday in December next; any feven of whom to be a quorum to do bufinefs.

That fuch council appoint their President; and in his absence, that the fenior councillor prefide.

That a Secretary be appointed by both branches, who may councillor, or otherwife, as they fhall choose.

be

That no act or refolve be valid, and put into execution, unless agreed to and paffed by both branches of the legiflature.

That all public officers for the faid colony, and each county, for the current year, be appointed by the council and affembly, except the feveral clerks of the executive courts, who shall be appointed by the Juftices of the refpective courts.

That all bills, refolves, or votes for raifing, levying and collecting money, originate in the houfe of reprefentatives.

That at any feffions of the council and affembly, neith branch fhall adjourn for any longer time than from Saturday till the next Monday, without confent of the other.

And it is further Refolved, That if the present unhappy dispute with Great-Britain fhould continue longer than this prefent year, and the Continental Congrefs give no inftructions or

3

directions

directions to the contrary, the council be chofen by the people of each respective county, in fuch manner as the council and house of reprefentatives fhall order.

That general and field officers of the militia, on any vacancy, be appointed by the two houfes, and all inferior officers be chofen by the refpective companies..

That all officers of the army be appointed by the two houses, except they should direct otherwise in cafe of any emergency.

That all civil officers for the colony and for each county be appointed, and the time of their continuance in office be determined, by the two houses, except clerks, and county treasurers, and recorders of deeds.

That a treasurer, and a recorder of deeds, for each county be annually chofen, by the people of each county respectively; the votes for fuch officers to be returned to the refpective courts of general feffions of the peace, in the county, there to be ascertained, as the council and affembly fhall hereafter direct.

That precepts, in the name of the council and affembly, figned by the prefident of the council, and speaker of the house of reprefentatives, fhall iffue annually, at or before the first day of November, for the choice of a council, and house of reprefentatives, to be returned by the third Wednesday in December then next enfuing, in fuch manner as the council and affembly shall hereafter prescribe.

In the HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES, September 19, 1776.

Voted and Refolved,

THAT as any new towns or fettlements in this state, fhall increase in their number of inhabitants from year to year, or from time to time, precepts fhall iffue for their fending delegates to council and affembly, fo as to be fully reprefented, according to their numbers, proportionable with other parts of the ftate.

Sent up for Concurrence,

P. WHITE, Speaker.

In COUNCIL, Eodem Die.

Read and Concurred.

E. THOMPSON, Secretary.

Copy examined, per E. THOMPSON, Secretary.

D

MASSA