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the Court House, in this Town, and proceeded, by ballot, to the ejection of a Committee, as recommended by the Congress, when the following gentlemen were duly chosen: Edward Biddle, Christopher Schults, Doctor Jonathan Potts, William Reefer, Balsar Gear, Michael Bright, John Patton, Mark Bird, John Jones, John Old, Sebastian Levan, George Nagel, Christopher Witman, Jacob Shoemaker, and James Lewis.
ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Monday, December 5, 1774.
Mr. Speaker, with fifteen Members, met, pursuant to adjournment; and, a quorum not appearing, they adjourned from day to day.
Thursday, December 8, 1774.—A quorum met.
Ordered, That Mr. Parker and Mr. Pearson wait on the Governour, and acquaint him that a House being met, pursuant to their adjournment, they are ready to receive any business he may be pleased to lay before them.
The Members appointed to wait on the Governour with the Message of the House, reported they had delivered the same, according to order, and that his Honour was pleased to say he had no business at present to lay before them, but if any should occur during their sitting, he would communicate it by a Message.
The Members deputed, in behalf of this Province, to attend the General Congress, held at the City of Philadelphia, in September and October last, presented to the Chair a printed Journal of the Resolutions and Proceedings of the said Congress, together with a Report, in writing, which latter was read by order, and follows in these words, viz:
"We, the Committee appointed on the part of this Province, by the late and present House of Representatives, to attend the Congress of Deputies from the several Colonies, beg leave to report the performance of that service, as contained in a Journal of the Congress, herewith delivered, which we humbly submit to the consideration of the House.
| "EDWARD BIDDLE, | CHARLES HUMPHREYS, |
| JOHN DICKINSON, | JOHN MORTON. |
| THOMAS MIFFLIN, |
"Philadelphia, December 8, 1774."
Ordered, That the reading and consideration of the Journal of the Proceedings of the General Congress be referred till to-morrow.
Friday, December 9, 1774.—The House proceeded in the consideration of the Resolutions of the Congress, and, after some debate, ordered that the further consideration thereof be referred till to-morrow morning.
Saturday, December 10, 1774.—The House, agreeable to the order of yesterday, taking into consideration the Report of the Committee appointed to attend the General Congress, and the Papers therein referred to,
Resolved, unanimously,* That this House approve the Proceedings and Resolves of the Congress, and do most seriously recommend to the good people of this Province, a strict attention to, and an inviolable observation of the several matters and things contained in the Journal of the Congress.
Upon motion,
Ordered, That the foregoing Resolution be immediately made publick.
Tuesday, December 15, 1774.—Upon motion,
Resolved, N. C. D., That the Honourable Edward Biddle, Speaker, John Dickinson, Thomas Mifflin, Joseph Galloway, Charles Humphreys, John Morton, and George Ross, Esquires, be, and they are hereby appointed Deputies, on the part of this Province, to attend the General Continental Congress, proposed to be held at the City of Philadelphia, on the tenth day of May next; and that they, or any four of them, do meet the said Congress accordingly, unless the present grievances of the American Colonies shall, before that time, be redressed.
Samuel Rhoads, Esquire, one of the Deputies for this Province at the late Congress, being now Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, is omitted in the above appointment, it appearing to the House that he could not attend the service.
Ordered, That Mr. Charles Thomson, Mr. Brown, Mr. Chapman, Mr. Pearson, Mr. John Jacobs, Mr. Wayne, Mr. Ewing, Mr. Allen, and Mr. Edmonds, be a Committee to prepare and bring in draughts of Instructions for the Deputies to the ensuing Congress; and of a Circular Letter to the Speakers of the several Colony Assemblies, informing them of the proceedings of this House, on the Report of their Delegates at the late Congress.
The House then taking into consideration the service of the Delegates for this Province, at their late Congress,
Resolved, That the said Delegates be allowed each twenty shillings per diem, for their attendance on that duty.
Post-Meridian.—The Committee appointed to prepare and bring in draughts of Instructions for the Deputies to the ensuing Congress, and of a Circular Letter to the Speakers of the several Colony Assemblies, reported Essays for those purposes, which were read, by order, and referred to further consideration.
Tuesday, December 20, 1774.—The Governour, by Mr. Secretary, sent down a written Message to the House, which was read, by order, and is as follows, viz:
"GENTLEMEN: I am informed by the Barrack Master that the apartments of the Barracks, in the Northern Liberties, and the necessary furniture and utensils are extremely out of order, and in great need of repair. I must therefore recommend this matter as worthy of your immediate consideration.
JOHN PENN.
"December 20, 1774."
Thursday, December 22, 1774.—The 'House resumed the consideration of their Instructions to the Deputies appointed to attend, on the part of this Province, at the next General Congress, and having spent some time therein, referred the same to further consideration.
The House resumed the consideration of the Governour's Message, and after some debate,
Ordered, That Mr. Mifflin, Mr. Chapman, Mr. Pearson, Mr. Morton, and Mr. Ross, be a Committee to prepare and bring in a draught of an Answer to the said Message.
Friday, December 23, 1774.—The Committee appointed to bring in an Answer to the Governour's Message, reported a draught for that purpose, which was read, agreed to by the House, and ordered to be transcribed.
The Answer of the House to the Governour's Message being transcribed, according to order, was signed by the Speaker, and is as follows, viz:
"May it please your Honour:
"The House have considered your Message of the 20th instant, and beg leave to inform you that they do not think it expedient at this time to repair the Barracks in the Northern Liberties, or to provide furniture or utensils for the same.
"Signed by order of the House,
"EDWARD BIDDLE, Speaker.
"December 23, 1774."
Saturday, December 24, 1774.—The House proceeded to consider the draught of Instructions to the Deputies of this Province, appointed to attend the next General Congress, and having spent some time therein,
Resolved, That the said Instructions be referred to the consideration of the House at their next meeting.
Ordered, That Mr. Wayne and Mr. William Thompson wait on the Governour and acquaint him that the House will be glad to know his result on the Bills before him, as they incline to adjourn this afternoon, to Monday, the 20th of February next, if his Honour has no objection thereto.
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