in misery and destruction. I have shown, that by a peaceful and loyal conduct, we may now procure for ourselves, and perhaps for our sister Colonies, a more perfect system of Government than that which we have hitherto enjoyed, which was indeed better calculated for our infant state, than for the present period of our maturity—a, period that requires, (however paradoxical it may seem,) at the same time more liberty and a stricter Government.

I have, therefore, Mr. Speaker, nothing more to add, than that, if contrary to my hopes and my most ardent wishes; if, contrary to the honour and dignity of this House; if, contrary to the dictates of humanity, and to the duty which we owe to our constituents and our country, you adopt the unjust and destructive measures of the Congress, and by that means involve our country in a civil war, the most dreadful calamity that can Befall a people, I hereby declare my honest indignation to that measure, and now call Heaven and this House to witness, that I am guiltless of the blood of my fellow-subjects that will be shed upon the occasion—I am guiltless of the ruin of my country.

Die Veneris, 10 ho., A. M., the 24th February, 1775.

Resolved, That his Honour's Speech, and the several matters referred to the Committee thereupon, be taken into further consideration on Wednesday next.

Die Martis, 4 ho., P. M., the 28th February, 1775.

A Petition of Herman Zedwitz, and thirty-one other persons, was presented to the House, and read, setting forth that they are, by education and profession, Protestants, but of foreign birth, and are very desirous of becoming his Majesty's liege subjects within this Colony, and therefore humbly pray they may have leave to bring in a Bill for their Naturalization.

Ordered, That leave be given accordingly.

Die Mercury, 10 ho., A. M., the 1st March, 1775.

The Order of the Day being read, the House resolved itself into a Committee 6f the Whole House upon the Report of the Committee appointed to prepare a state of the grievances of this Colony; and after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Colonel Seaman reported that he was directed by the Committee to report to the House that they had made some progress therein, and to move for leave to sit again; which Report he read in his place, and afterwards delivered it in at the table, where the same was again read: and thereupon it was

Resolved, That this House will again to-morrow resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to proceed to the further consideration of the said Report.

Resolved, That his Honour's Speech, and the several matters referred to the Committee thereupon, be taken into further consideration on Tuesday next.

Die Jovis, 10 ho., A. M., the 2d March, 1775.

The House, according to order, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House, upon the Report of the Committee appointed to state the grievances of this Colony; after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Colonel Seaman reported that he was directed by the Committee to report to the House that they had made some further progress therein, and to move for leave to sit again; which Report he read in his place, and afterwards delivered it in at the table, where the same was read; and thereupon it was

Resolved, That this House will again to-morrow resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to proceed to the further consideration thereof.

Die Veneris, 10 ho., A. M., the 3d March, 1775.

The Order of the Day being read, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House upon the Report of the Committee appointed to prepare a state of the grievances of this Colony; which Report is in the words following, viz:

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee that the Act of 6th George the Third, chapter 12, entitled "An Act for the better securing the dependency of his Majesty's Dominions in America upon the Crown and Parliament of Great Britain; declaring the right of Parliament to bind the Colonies in all cases whatsoever," is a grievance.

A motion was then made by Colonel Schuyler in the words following, viz:

Mr. Chairman: I move that the Act of 4th George the Third, chapter 15, so far as it imposes Duties for the purpose of raising a Revenue in America; extends the Admiralty Courts beyond their ancient limits; deprives his Majesty's American subjects of Trial by Jury; authorizes the Judge's Certificates to indemnify the prosecutor from damages which he might otherwise be liable to; and holds up an injurious discrimination between the subjects in Great Britain and those in Americans, is a grievance.

Mr. De Lancey then moved that the previous question be first put, whether the question upon that part of Colonel Schuyler's motion which is comprehended in the following words, that is to say, "So far as it imposes Duties for the purpose of raising a Revenue in America," be now put? And debates arising thereon, and the said previous question being accordingly put, it was carried in the affirmative, in manner following, viz:

The question being then put on Colonel Schuyler's motion, it was carried in the affirmative; and thereupon it was

2d. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee that the aforesaid Act of 4th George the Third, chapter 15, so far as it imposes Duties for the purpose of raising a Revenue in America; extends the Admiralty Courts beyond their ancient limits; deprives his Majesty's American subjects of Trial by Jury; authorizes the Judge's Certificates to indemnify the prosecutor from damages that he might otherwise be liable to; and holds up an injurious discrimination between the subjects in Great Britain and those in America, is a grievance.

Mr. De Lancey then made a motion, in the words following, viz:

Mr. Chairman: I move that the opinion of this Committee be taken, whether his Majesty and the Parliament of Great Britain have a right to regulate the Trade of the Colonies, and to lay Duties on articles that are imported directly into the Colonies, from any foreign country or plantation which may interfere with the Products or Manufactures of Great Britain, or any other part of his Majesty's Dominions.

Mr. Clinton then moved that the previous question be first put, whether the question upon Mr. De Lancey's motion be now put? And debates arising thereon, and the said previous question being accordingly put, it was carried in the affirmative, in manner following, viz:

The question being then accordingly put on Mr. De Lancey's motion, it was carried in the affirmative; and thereupon, it was

3d. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that his Majesty, and the Parliament of Great Britain, have a right to regulate the Trade of the Colonies, and to lay Duties on articles that are imported directly into this Colony from any foreign country or plantation, which may interfere with the Products or Manufactures of. Great Britain, or any other parts of his Majesty's Dominions.

Colonel Schuyler then made a motion in the following words, viz:

Mr. Chairman: I move the following, in addition to the preceding Resolution, to wit: "Excluding every idea of Taxation, internal or external, for the purpose of raising a Revenue on the subjects in America, without their consent."

Mr. Billopp then moved that the previous question be first put, whether the question upon the said motion be now put? And debates arising thereon, and the said previous question being accordingly put, it was carried in the negative, in manner following, viz: