that we neither intend to usurp the rights of others, nor suffer any vested in us by the Constitution, to be wrested out of our hands by any person or persons whatsoever.

We sincerely lament the unhappy differences which at present subsist between Great Britain and her Colonies. We shall heartily rejoice to see the time when they shall Subside, on principles consistent with the rights and interests of both, which we ardently hope is not far off; and though we cannot perceive how the separate Petition of one Colony is more likely to succeed than the united Petitions of all; yet, in order to show our desire to promote so good a purpose by every proper means, we shall make use of the mode pointed out by your Excellency, in hopes it will meet with that attention which you are pleased to assure us will be paid to the Representatives of the people.

We have already resolved to support his Majesty's Government; and we beg leave to assure your Excellency, that though we are warmly attached to that liberty which, as subjects of our august Monarch, we apprehend ourselves to be justly entitled to, and firmly resolved to preserve it by every constitutional means in our power; yet we shall, with pleasure, lay hold of every proper occasion to manifest that loyalty to his person, and regard to the Constitution, which, as subjects and freemen, can be reasonably expected from us.

By order of the House,

CORTLAND SKINNER, Speaker.

House of Assembly, February 1, 1775.

To which his Excellency was pleased to make the following Answer:

GENTLEMEN: Were I to give such an answer to your Address as the peculiar nature of it seems to require, I should be necessarily led into the explanation and discussion of several matters and transactions, which, from the regard I bear to you and the people of this Colony, I would far rather have buried in perpetual oblivion. It is, besides, in vain now to argue on the subject, as you have, with a most uncommon and unnecessary precipitation, given your entire approbation to that destructive mode of proceeding which I so earnestly warned you against.

Whether, after such a resolution, the Petition you mention can be reasonably expected to produce any good effect; and whether you or I have best consulted the true interests of the people on this important occasion, I shall leave others to determine.

You may be assured, however, that the advice which I gave you was totally uninfluenced by any sinister motive whatever. It came from an heart sincerely devoted to my native country, whose welfare and happiness depend, as I conceive, upon a plan of conduct very different from what has been hitherto adopted.

Saturday, February 4, 1775.

The Bill for support of Government was read the second time; whereupon, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the said Bill for support of Government; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr. Crane, Chairman of the Committee, reported that the Committee had made some progress in the matters to them referred, and desired leave to sit again; to which the House agreed.

Monday, February 6, 1775.

The House again, according to order, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the Bill for the support of Government; and after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr. Crane, Chairman of the Committee, reported that the Committee had gone through the matters to them referred, and had come to several Resolutions, which he was ready to report whenever the House would please to receive the same;

Ordered, That the said Report be made immediately.

Whereupon Mr. Crane reported the Resolutions of the Committee, as follow, viz:

1. Resolved, That in and by the said Bill when passed into a law there be paid to his Excellency William Franklin, Esq., Governour of this Colony, at the rate of twelve hundred Pounds per annum, Proclamation Money, to commence the first day of October last.

And, on the question, whether the House agreed to the said sum or not?

It passed in the affirmative, as follows:

2. To David Ogden, Esquire, second Justice of the Supreme Court of this Colony, at the rate of one hundred and fifty Pounds per annum, money aforesaid.

And on the question, whether the House agrees thereto or not?

It passed in the affirmative, as follows:

3. To Richard Stockton, Esquire, third Justice of the Supreme Court of this Colony, at the rate of one hundred and fifty Pounds per annum, money aforesaid.

And on the question, whether the House agrees thereto or not?

It passed in the affirmative, as follows:

4. To Cortland, Skinner, Esq., Attorney General of this Colony, at the rate of forty Pounds per annum, money aforesaid.

And on the question, whether the House agrees thereto or not?

It passed in the affirmative, as follows:

5. To Samuel Smith, and John Smith, Esquires, Treasurers of this Colony, each at the rate of forty Pounds per annum, money aforesaid.

To which the House agreed.

6. To the Clerk of Council for the time being, at the rate of thirty Pounds per annum, money aforesaid.

To which the House agreed.

7. To the Agent of this Colony for the time being, at the rate of one hundred Pounds per annum, money aforesaid.

To which the House agreed.

8. To the Clerk of the Circuits for the time being, residing in this Colony, the sum of twenty Pounds per annum, money aforesaid.

To which the House agreed.

9. To the Doorkeeper of the Council of this Colony, at the rate of ten Pounds per annum, money aforesaid.

To which the House agreed.

10. To his Excellency William Franklin, Esquire, at the rate of sixty Pounds per annum, money aforesaid, for house rent, provided he makes Perth Amboy, or Burlington the place of his residence.

To which the House agreed.

11. To the Justice or Justices of the Supreme Court of this Colony for attending the Circuit Courts, and Courts of Oyer and Terminer in the manner prescribed by the said Act, the sum of ten Pounds for each time.

To which the House agreed.

12. To each of the Council for the time being, for the time they may attend at any sitting of the General Assembly within the time, eight Shillings per day.

On the question, whether the sum be eight Shillings or