into execution the Association agreed on by the Continental Congress, and that any five have power to act.

Resolved, That the following gentlemen, or any three of them, be a Committee of Correspondence for this County, viz: Alexander Somervell, John Weems, Jun., Richard Parran, William Lyles, Benjamin Mackall, the Fourth, and Edward Reynolds.

And farther Resolved, That the former Committee for this County have power again to attend at the Provincial Convention to be held at the City of Annapolis, the 2lst instant; and that the said former Committee have power to vote for Delegates to attend the Congress to be held at the City of Philadelphia, the 10th day of May next.

PROCEEDINGS OF YORK COUNTY CONGRESS.

We his Majesty's loyal subjects the Delegates of the several Towns of the County of York, deputed to meet in County Congress, held at Wells, the 16th day of November, 1774, truly professing ourselves liege subjects of his Majesty King George the Third, and sincere friends to all our fellow-subjects in Britain and the Colonies; for the necessary defence of our liberties and privileges, come into the following Resolutions:

1. Resolved, That his Majesty's subjects in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, as well as in the other English American Colonies, have full right and authority to tax themselves, and grant their own Moneys by their several General Assemblies for all such purposes, and in such manner, as they shall see fit; and that no other State, Prince, or Parliament whatever, hath, or under the present Constitution of said Colonies can have, right or authority to grant the Money of said subjects, or Tax them in any other manner whatever; and therefore, that the several Acts of the British Parliament, made for the express purpose and design not only of raising a Revenue to his Majesty, by Duties to be laid on Goods landed in said Colonies, but establishing a precedent for further illegal taxation of the people therein, are unconstitutional, unjust, and oppressive, and never ought to have force in the Colonies; and all subsequent Acts made to enforce the same, more especially that for blocking the Port of Boston, are hostile, cruel, and arbitrary.

2. Resolved, That all Civil Officers within this County duly appointed by virtue of, and pursuant to the Charter of William and Mary, ought to use and exercise the several powers and authorities to their respective offices belonging, agreeable to the Laws of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in the same way and manner in every respect, intent, and purpose, as though the said Acts had never been passed; and that all persons ought to aid, assist, and countenance them therein, and particularly that the venires for Jurors for the several Courts of Justice in this County, ought to be issued as heretofore has been used and accustomed, agreeable to the Laws of the Province aforesaid; and that due obedience ought to be had thereto; and that a spirit of peace, friendship, and harmony, may subsist and be cultivated among the inhabitants of said County, the said Congress do recommend to them, that they produce no suit against each other, unless on some urgent necessity.

3. Resolved, That this Congress recommend to every individual in this County, in their several stations, to use their utmost endeavours to promote peace and good order. It is also recommended to the several Towns forthwith to meet and choose a Committee, whose business it shall be to see that the Association of the Continental Congress entered into in behalf of their constituents, be strictly observed and kept; and if any person or persons shall violate the same, said Committee are advised to post their names in the several publick houses of entertainment in the County; and also publish a state of facts in the several publick newspapers to the end all persons may withdraw from him, her or them, all commercial intercourse and connection whatsoever; and that no riots, disorders, or tumults may take place in said County, which in their nature and tendency are as well subversive of all Civil Government, as destructive to the very end and design of the present struggle for Liberty, and the present plan proposed and recommended by the Continental Congress for our deliverance, the said Congress do recommend to the inhabitants thereof, that they do not with violence damage or injure the person or property of any one, that shall either break through said Association, or do any other matter or thing against the liberties of the country, but shall immediately give information to the Committee of the Town where the offence is committed, that such persons may be treated as aforesaid.

4. Whereas the late Sir William Pepperell, Baronet, deceased, (well known, honoured, and respected in Great Britain and America, for his eminent service in his lifetime) did honestly acquire a large and extensive real estate in this County, and gave the highest evidence, not only of his being a sincere friend to the rights of men in general, but having a paternal love to this County in particular; and whereas the said Sir William by his last will and testament, made his grand-son, the present William Pepperell, Esquire, residuary legatee and possessor of the greatest part of said estate; and the said William Pepperell, Esquire, hath with purpose to carry into force and execution Acts of the British Parliament, made with apparent design to enslave the free and loyal people of this Continent, did accept, and now holds a seat at the pretended Board of Counsellors in this Province, as well in direct repeal of the Charter thereof, as against the solemn compact of Kings and the inherent rights of the People. It is therefore resolved, that the said William Pepperell, Esqr., hath thereby justly forfeited the confidence and friendship of all true friends to American liberty, and with other pretended Counsellors now holding their seats in like manner, ought to be detested by all good men; and it is hereby recommended to the good people of this County, that as soon as the present leases made to any of them by said Pepperell, are expired, they immediately withdraw all connection, commerce, and dealings from him—and that they take no further lease or conveyance of his Farms, Mills, or appurtenances thereto belonging, (where the said Pepperell is sole receiver and appropriator of the rents and profits thereof) until he shall resign his said seat, pretendedly acquired by mandamus; and if any person shall remain or become tenant on such estate to said Pepperell, after the expiration of their present lease, we recommend to the good people of this County, not only to withdraw all connection and commercial intercourse with them, but to treat them in manner provided by the third Resolve of this Congress.

5. And that the Association aforesaid be not violated, it is recommended that the law of this Province respecting hawkers, pedlers, and petty-chapmen be duly put in execution; and if any taverner, or innholder, shall knowingly entertain them, or permit and suffer any vendue or sale of goods in their respective houses, by any such person, said taverner or innholder be taken due notice of by the Selectmen, and that it be advised that the Selectmen do not approve or recommend any such taverner or innholder as a suitable person to renew his or her license; and it is also recommended to the people of this County not to trade with pedlers, hawkers, or petty-chapmen.

6. To ease the minds of the good people of this County, this Congress do assure them, that on inquiry, we do not find that any Civil Officer or other person therein, has made any attempt to put the Acts of Parliament aforesaid into execution, and trust that none will attempt it.

7. Whereas there have been several sums of Money raised for the General Assembly of this Province, and committed to the Constables to collect and pay the same to Harrison Gray, Esquire, Treasurer of this Province; and it evidently appearing by the late conduct of said Treasurer, that he is not of a sound mind, whereby there is danger of his paying the money belonging to the Province, to other purposes than that for which it was raised: therefore this Congress recommend to the inhabitants of each Town in this County to secure the Moneys that is or may be collected by said Constables in such manner as that they may command the same until the said Harrison Gray, Esquire, hath his reason restored to him; or some other Treasurer be constitutionally chosen.

8. Whereas the Delegates of the several Towns in the Province, while met at Cambridge to consult such measures as might tend to put their constituents in a posture of defence against the attack of military violence that might