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order, and a dignified deportment, in opposition to all riotous proceedings. They next drew up an address to the governor, and appointed Dr. Joseph Warren and others, to present it to his excellency, in which they complain of the fortifications now erecting upon Boston neck, and the insults offered by the soldiers to the people, as they pass and repass. To which the governor returned the following reply "I have no intention to prevent the free egress and regress of any person to and from Boston. I shall suffer none under my command to injure the person and property of any of his majesty's subjects; but it is my duty to preserve the peace, and prevent surprize; and no use will be made of the cannon, unless the hostile proceedings of the people shall render it necessary."

At this time Mr. Quincey sailed for England, at the request of the patriots of Massachusetts, to co-operate with the patriots then in London, in explaining the true state of the public mind in the colonies, as well as to attempt to turn aside the horrors of war, by interesting the people of England to engage in promoting a change in the ministry, as the only probable method of effecting a change of

measures.

On the 8th, Congress proceeded to pass the following resolves :

"That if the late acts of Parliament shall be attempted to be carried into execution by force, in such case America ought to support the inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay in their opposition." "That if it be found absolutely necessary to remove the people of Boston into the country, all America ought to contribute towards recompensing them for the injury they may thereby sustain." "That every person who shall accept, or act, under any commission or authority derived from the act of Parliament, changing the form of government, and violating the charter, ought to be held in detestation."

CHAPTER V.

CAUSES THAT LED TO THE american revOLUTION, CONTINUED. FIRST CONGRESS AT PHILADELPHIA.

On the 5th of September, 1774, a delegation from all the colonies, excepting North-Carolina, assembled at Philadelphia, agreeable to their appointment, and chose unanimously, Peyton Randolph, Esq. a member from Virginia, for their president, and Charles Thomson, Esq. for their secretary, (a member from Pennsylvania.) Congress, by their first resolve, placed all the colonies upon an equality, by declaring, "That in determining all questions, each colony should have one vote."

The delegation from North-Carolina now appeared, and took their seats, which rendered the amount of the whole number, fifty-two, besides the president. Congress thus being organized, proceeded to pass the following resolutions.

The Suffolk resolves, of which the preceding extracts were only a part, were transmitted to Congress, where they were highly approved, and produced the following resolves.

"Resolved unanimously, That this assembly deeply feels the sufferings of their countrymen in the Massachusetts-bay, under the late operation of the unjust, cruel, and oppressive acts of the British parliament; that they most thoroughly approve the wisdom and fortitude with which opposition to those measures have been conducted; and they earnestly recommend to their brethren, a perseverance in the same firm, and temperate conduct, as expressed in the resolutions, determined upon at a meeting of the dele. gates for the county of Suffolk, on Tuesday of the 6th inst. to the 9th: trusting that the effects of the united efforts of North America, in their behalf, will carry such conviction

to the British nation, of the unwise, unjust, and ruinous policy of the present administration, as quickly to introduce better men, and wiser measures.

"Resolved unanimously, That contributions from all the colonies for supplying the necessities, and alleviating the distresses of our brethren in Boston, ought to be continued, in such manner and so long as their occasions may require."

On the 10th of October, Congress made a communication by letter, to Gen. Gage, expressing the deepest concern at the hostile manner of his proceedings, which if possible, out-did the oppressive acts of parliament, and cautioned him against driving the people, hitherto peaceably disposed, into measures of hostility, and thereby preventing the endeavours of Congress to restore a good understanding with the parent state, and thus involve us in the horrors of war.

They concluded this important letter, by recommending it to the general to quiet the minds of the people, by discontinuing the fortifications upon Boston neck, giving all possible security to private property, restraining all irregularities in the soldiery, and keeping open a free communication between the town and country.

To which Gen. Gage replied, "No troops have given less cause of complaint, and greater care was never taken to prevent it; and such care was never more necessary, from the insults and provocations daily given to both officers and soldiers.-The communication between the town and country, has been always free, and is so still." &c.The general thus concludes: "I ardently wish that the common enemies of both countries may see, to their disappointment, that these disputes between the mother country, and the colonies, have terminated, like the quarrels of lovers, and increased the affections of both."

Congress next proceeded to publish a declaration of rights, to which they declare" that the English colonies of America are entitled, by the immutable laws of nature, the principles of the English constitution, and their several charters, or compacts; that as their ancestors were entitled to all the rights, liberties, and immunities of free born Englishmen, at the time they emigrated to America; and that, they having never lost any of those rights, their descendants were now entitled to all those rights, as far as the nature of things could possibly admit," &c.

They next resolved "that the respective colonies are entitled to the common law of England; but more especially to the right of trial by jury, and that by peers of the vicinage. The right of petitioning the king in quiet and peaceable assemblies, for a redress of all grievances," &c. They next resolved to enter into a nou-importation, a non-consumption, and a non-exportation agreement; to prepare an address to the people of Great Britain ; a memorial to the inhabitants of British America, and a loyal address to the king.

Congress next proceeded to bind themselves, together with their constituents, in fourteen articles; the second of which expressly enforces a prohibition of the slave trade, after the 1st of December next, and a strict non-intercourse with all such as shall in any way infringe this second article, and that they will neither buy of, sell to, nor associate with any such person. By the third article, they wholly exclude the use of tea from that day; and after the first of March next, not only all teas, but all such goods as are included in their non-importation agreements. By the fourth article, they suspend the non-importation agreement to September 1775, then to be, and continue in force, if the acts objected to are not repealed. And by the fifth, they declare they will never more have any commercial intercourse with any British mer

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chants, who may ship goods in violation of, and with a view to the breaking the association. By the eighth, they recommend industry, economy, frugality, with a strict attention to agriculture, and manufactures; with sobriety of manners, and deportment. And by the fourteenth, they declare against all intercourse with any, and all those colonies, who will not accede to, or shall hereafter violate this association; and that this association be in force until all the obnoxious acts, or parts of acts, relating to these colonies, shall be repealed. Signed by all the members, October 24, 1774.

Although the proceedings above alluded to, were truly interesting, and valuable documents, and deserving of perpetual remembrance, yet the limits of this work will not permit me to insert them at large.

Congress next resolved that an address be prepared and forwarded to the inhabitants of Great Britain; and the following address was prepared and forwarded accordingly, by a committee specially appointed, consisting of Messrs. Lee, Livingston, and Jay.

"When a nation, led to greatness by the hand of liberty, and possessed of all the glory, that heroism, munificence, and humanity can bestow, descends to the ungrateful task of forging chains for her friends and children, and, instead of giving support to freedom, turns advocate for slavery, and oppression, there is reason to suspect she has either ceased to be virtuous, or been extremely negligent in the appointment of her rulers.

"In almost every age, in repeated conflicts, in long and bloody wars; as well civil as foreign, against many and powerful nations, against the open assaults of enemies, and the most dangerous treachery of friends, have the inhabitants of your island, your great and glorious ancestors, maintained their independence, and transmit

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