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exercise and enjoyment of all such of them as their local and other circumstances enable them to exercise and enjoy.
Fifthly, That the foundation of English liberty, and of all free Government, is a right in the people to participate in the Legislative Council; and as the English Colonists are not represented, and, from their local and other circumstances, cannot properly be represented in the British Parliament, they are entitled to a free and exclusive power of Legislation, in their several Provincial Legislatures, where their right of representation can alone be preserved, in all cases of Taxation and Internal Polity, subject only to the negative of their Sovereigns, in such manner as has been heretofore used and accustomed; but from the necessity of the case, and a regard to the mutual interest of both countries, we cheerfully consent to the operation of such Acts of the British Parliament as are, bona fide, restrained to the regulation of our external commerce, for the purpose of securing the commercial advantages of the whole Empire to the mother country, and the commercial benefits of its respective members, excluding every idea of Taxation, internal or external, for raising a Revenue on the subjects in America, without their consent.
Sixthly, That the respective Colonies are entitled to the Common Law of England, and more especially to the great and inestimable privilege of being tried by their peers of the vicinage, according to the course of that law.
Seventhly, That they are entitled to the benefit of such of the English Statutes as existed at the time of their Colonization, and which they have by experience respectively found to be applicable to their several local and other circumstances.
Eighthly, That his Majesty's Colonies are likewise entitled to all the immunities and privileges granted and confirmed to them by Royal Charters, or secured by their several codes of Provincial Laws.
Ninthly, That they have a right peaceably to assemble and consider of their Grievances, and petition the King; and that all Prosecutions, Prohibitory Proclamations, and Commitments for the same are illegal.
Tenthly, That the keeping a Standing Army in these Colonies in times of peace, without the consent of the Legislature of that Colony in which such Army is kept, is against law.
Eleventhly, And as it is indispensably necessary to good Government, and rendered essential by the English Constitution, that the constituent branches of the Legislature be independent of each other,
Resolved, That the exercise of Legislative power in any Colony, by a Council appointed, during pleasure, by the Crown, may prove dangerous and destructive to the freedom of American Legislation.
All and each of which the Commons of Georgia, in General Assembly met, do claim, demand, and insist on as their indubitable Rights and Liberties, which cannot be legally taken from them, altered, or abridged by any power whatsoever, without their consent.
And whereas there are many infringements and violations of the foregoing Rights, which, from an ardent desire that harmony and mutual intercourse of affection and interest may be restored, we pass over for the present, and proceed to state such Acts and measures as have been adopted since the close of the last war, which demonstrate a system formed to enslave America.
Resolved, That the following Acts of Parliament are infringements and violations of the rights of the Colonists, and that the repeal of them is essentially necessary in order to restore harmony between Great Britain and the American Colonies, viz: The several Acts of 4 George the Third, chapter 15 and chapter 34; 5 George the Third, chapter 25; 6 George the Third, chapter 52; 7 George the Third, chapter 41 and chapter 46; 8 George the Third, chapter 22, which impose Duties for the purposes of raising a Revenue in America; extend the powers of the Admiralty Court beyond their ancient limits; deprive the American subjects of Trial by Jury; authorize the Judges' certificate to indemnify the prosecutor from damages that he might otherwise be liable to; requiring oppressive security from a claimant of Ships and Goods seized before he shall be allowed to defend his property, and are subversive of American Rights.
Also 12 George the Third, chapter 24, entitled "An Act for the better securing his Majesty's Dock-Yards, Magazines, Ships, Ammunition, and Stores," which declares a new offence in America, and deprives the American subjects of a constitutional Trial by Jury of the vicinage, by authorizing the trial of any person charged with committing any offence, described in the said Act, out of the Realm, to be indicted and tried for the same in any Shire or County within the Realm.
Also the three Acts, passed in the last session of Parliament, for the stopping the Port and blocking up the Harbour of Boston; for altering the Charter and Government of Massachusetts Bay; and that which is entitled "An Act for the better administration of Justice," &c.
Also the Act, passed in the same session, for establishing the Roman Catholick Religion in the Province of, Quebec; abolishing the equitable system of English Laws, and erecting a tyranny there, to the great danger, from so total a dissimilarity of Religion, Law, and Government, to the neighbouring British Colonies, by the assistance of whose blood and treasure the said country was conquered from France.
Also the Act, passed in the same session, for the better providing suitable Quarters for Officers and Soldiers in his Majesty's service in North America.
Also, that the keeping a Standing Army in several of these Colonies in time of peace, without the consent of the Legislature of that Colony in which such Army is kept, is against law.
Resolved, That this House do present their most grateful acknowledgments to those truly noble, honourable, and patriotick advocates of civil and religious liberty, who have so generously and powerfully, though unsuccessfully, espoused and defended the cause of America, both in and out of Parliament,
Resolved, That the thanks of this House be given to the Members of the late Continental Congress for their wise and able exertions in the cause of American Liberty.
Resolved, That * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * be Deputies to represent this Province in the intended American Continental Congress, proposed to be held at the City of Philadelphia, on the 10th of May next, or any other place or time as may hereafter be agreed on by the said Congress,
Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do transmit a copy of the above Resolves to the Honourable Peyton Randolph, Esq., President of the said Congress.*
Association entered into by forty-five of the Deputies assembled in Provincial Congress, at SAVANNAH, in GEORGIA, on the 18th of JANUARY, 1775, and by them subscribed on the 23d, when they chose NOBLE WIMBERLY JONES, ARCHIBALD BULLOCK, and JOHN HOUSTON, Esquires, Delegates to represent that Colony in the Continental Congress, to be held in MAY next.
Whereas a Non-Importation, Non-Consumption, and Non-Exportation Agreement, faithfully adhered to, will probably prove the most speedy, effectual, and peaceable measure to obtain redress of American Grievances: We do, therefore, for ourselves and our constituents, firmly agree and associate, under the sacred ties of virtue, honour, and love of our country, as follows:
First. That we will not receive into this Province any Goods, Wares, or Merchandises that shall be shipped from Great Britain or Ireland, after the 15th day of March next; or from any other place any such Goods, Wares, or Merchandises as shall be shipped from those Kingdoms after that time, except such as come under the rules and directions of the ninth Article herein mentioned; and except such Goods, Wares, or Merchandises as are absolutely necessary for carrying on the Indian trade, subject, nevertheless, to the control of the Continental Congress, intended to be held at Philadelphia, on the 10th day of May next. Nor will we from this day import or purchase any Tea from any part of the world, nor import any Molasses, Syrups, Paneles, Coffee, or Pimento, from the British Plantations, or from Dominica, nor Wines from Madeira or the Western Islands, nor foreign Indigo.
Second. That we will neither import or purchase any Slaves imported from Africa, or elsewhere, after the 15th day of March next.
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