tion to the true interests of the people over whom you preside, at a time when the disputes between Great Britain and the American Colonies are drawing towards an alarming crisis; and we agree with you, "that in all cases wisdom dictates the use of such means as are most likely to attain the end proposed."

We have with deep concern beheld a system of Colony administration pursued since the year 1763, destructive to the rights and liberties of his Majesty's most faithful subjects in America, and have heretofore adopted such measures as we thought were most likely to restore that affection and harmony between the parent state and the Colonies, which it is the true interest of both countries to cultivate and maintain, and which we most sincerely wish to see restored.

We must inform your Honour, that a most humble, dutiful, and affectionate Petition from the Delegates of all the Colonies from Nova Scotia to Georgia, is now at the foot of the Throne, and we trust in the paternal affection and justice of our most gracious Sovereign, that he will interpose for the relief of his greatly distressed and ever faithful subjects in America.

We assure your Honour that this House will always pursue such measures as shall appear to them necessary, for securing the liberties of America, and establishing, peace, confidence, and harmony between Great Britain and her Colonies.

Signed by order of the House,

EDWARD BIDDLE, Speaker.

March 9, 1775.

Ordered, That Mr. Morton and Mr. Wayne wait on the Governour, and deliver the foregoing Answer to his Message.

Friday, March 10, 1775.

The House resumed the consideration of the Representation and Petition from the American Philosophical Society, and after some debate, referred the same to further consideration.

Monday, March 13, 1775.

Mr. Speaker laid before the House a Letter of the 24th of December last, from William Bollan, Benjamin Franklin, and Arthur Lee, Esquires, Agents in London, for the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, informing the House that the Petition from the American Continental Congress to the Crown, had been presented by Lord Dartmouth, was very graciously received, and that his Majesty had been pleased to say it was of so great importance, that he should, as soon as they met, lay it before his two Houses of Parliament.

Tuesday, March 14, 1775.

A Letter from the Speaker was laid before the Members who met this morning, acquainting them he was so much indisposed that he could not leave his chamber, and desiring they would choose another Speaker, to prevent any delay of business.

Ordered, That Mr. Hillegas and Mr. Ross wait on the Speaker in the morning, and report whether the state of his health will allow him to attend the service of the House at any time to-morrow.

It was then moved that the Clerk do, by direction of the Members, adjourn them to ten o'clock to-morrow morning; and they were adjourned accordingly.

Wednesday, March 15, 1775.

A quorum met pursuant to the adjournment of yesterday, and the gentlemen appointed to wait on the Speaker, reported that he is still too much indisposed to leave his chamber; that he returns his acknowledgments to the Members for their kind attention to him, but requests they will make choice of another to supply his place, as it is at present uncertain when he may be able to attend the business of the House.

The Members then proceeded to choose another Speaker, when John Morton, Esquire, was unanimously chosen for that service, and accordingly placed in the Chair.

Ordered, That Mr. Pearson and Mr. Humphreys wait on the Governour, and acquaint him that the late Speaker being, through indisposition, prevented from attending the House, the Members have chosen Mr. Morton in his stead, and request to know when his Honour will be pleased to receive the House, that they may present their Speaker for his approbation.

The Members return, and report they had delivered their message according to order, and that the Governour was pleased to say he would be at the Council Chamber in half an hour, to receive the House with their Speaker.

Then Mr. Speaker with the whole House waited on the Governour, and being returned from the Council Chamber, the Speaker resumed the Chair, and reported that the House had waited on his Honour and presented their Speaker, (of whom he had been pleased to approve;) that he (the Speaker) had then mentioned that, as his predecessor had lately claimed in behalf of the present Assembly their usual privileges, it was unnecessary for him to renew such claim, except in respect to his own unwilling mistakes as Speaker, which he hoped might be excused by the Governour, and not imputed to the House.

Saturday, March 18, 1775.

The House adjourned to Monday, the first of May next, at four o'clock, P. M.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COLONY OF NEW-YORK.

Die Martis, 10 ho., A. M., the 10th January, 1775.

His Excellency William Tryon, Esquire, Captain-General and Governour-in-Chief of this Colony, on the 19th day of March last, prorogued the General Assembly thereof, till the 17th day of May following; and on the 7th day of April last, his said Excellency departed from this Colony for England; in consequence whereof, the Government devolved upon the Honourable Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, his Majesty's Lieutenant-Governour, who, by Proclamation in Council, on the 16th day of May last, prorogued the said General Assembly till the 16th day of June following; and by several Proclamations since published, further prorogued them to this day, to meet and proceed upon business. In consequence of which, nine Members appearing in the Assembly Chamber, in the City Hall, in the City of New-York, they directed Mr. Speaker to take the Chair, and desired Mr. Nicoll and Colonel Wood-hull, to wait on his Honour the Lieutenant-Governour, and acquaint him that there are not a sufficient number of Members met to proceed upon business, and that they intend to adjourn till ten o'clock to-morrow morning.

And then Mr. Speaker adjourned the House till ten o'clock to-morrow morning.

Die Mercuri, 10 ho., A. M., the 11th January, 1775.

Fifteen Members appearing in the Assembly Chamber, Mr. Speaker took the Chair, and adjourned the House till ten o'clock to-morrow morning.

Die Jovis, 10 ho., A. M., the 12th January, 1775.

Pursuant to adjournment of yesterday, fifteen Members appearing in the Assembly Chamber, Mr. Speaker took the Chair, and adjourned the House till ten o'clock to-morrow morning.

Die Veneris, 10 ho., A. M., the 13th January 1775.

Seventeen Members appearing in the Assembly Chamber, Mr. Speaker took the Chair.

Ordered, That Mr. Gale and Colonel Ten Broeck wait on his Honour the Lieutenant-Governour, and acquaint him that a sufficient number of Members are met to proceed upon business, and that they wait his directions.

Colonel Ten Broeck reported, that Mr. Gale and himself had waited on his Honour the Lieutenant-Governour, and delivered their message; and that his Honour had been pleased to say, he would come up to the Council Chamber, in the City Hall, immediately, and would then send a Message to the House.