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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,1

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

1 This letter is not in the Papers of the Continental Congress.

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 sa 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 im prudent 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 y' 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.

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 devastations 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 w 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
President P. T.

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.

"This resolution was printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, 5 June, 1775.

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