therefore a representation of our own; yet, this doth not destroy or take away all authority of the mother country, but only abridges its power in such instances wherein, from the nature of the thing, it cannot be a complete judge. Hence, it follows naturally, that it would be improper for Parliament to tax our estates, because they cannot know what sums we are able to pay, nor in what mode it would be proper to raise it; and therefore this should be left to our own Representatives. So, on the other hand, our jurisdictions are limited, and we cannot regulate trade or extend our authority to any matter out of our Colonies. Indeed, if we could, we should, from our situations, the different geniuses of the people of these Colonies, and many other things, never be able to pass laws that would be uniform, (which they ought to be,) but our different interests would lead us to different regulations, inconsistent with the central good; our laws would clash, and be often repugnant to those of the mother country. Hence, it follows, that the restraining and regulating trade by prohibitions, by duties, &c., must rest with the mother country, where only a universal and superintendent power can be lodged.

This then being a true state of our situation, instead of denying all authority in Parliament, let us contend warmly that our estates should be taxed only by our Representatives in General Assembly; let us acknowledge that, as parts of one great Empire, we are ready to support and maintain it, by contributing our portion to the national expense; but that our own Representatives are the only judges of the mode of laying and raising the taxes for this purpose. That, on the other hand, Parliament, from the nature and necessity of the thing, must and ought to have the right of regulating and restraining trade, and laying such duties, (let it be for revenue or what it will) on articles of luxury and foreign growth and manufactures. With these sentiments, let us guard against the madness of some men, who are inflaming our minds and hurrying us into an open rupture with our mother country. Let us, instead of denying the authority in the mother country, instruct our Representatives in General Assembly, and those who shall meet in the intended general Congress, to use every means in their power to conciliate this dangerous controversy; to procure an exemption of our effects from Parliamentary taxation, and leave Parliament to a full exercise of their power as to laying duties and restraints on trade.

Should we thus distinguish between internal and external taxation, and speedily make the proposal, so just and reasonable a request we have the greatest reason to believe will not be denied. On the contrary, we may safely presume, that his Majesty and his Ministers, as well as Parliament, will hearken to the justice of our request, and readily accept of our proposals.

On the other hand think, my countrymen, of the danger attending an obstinate perseverance, in so generally denying the authority of Parliament; that, with the confusion it has and will introduce, we may, in the heat and hurry of our spirits, inflamed by men who, perhaps, are without consequence, but in times of tumult and disorder, be involved in the horrours of a civil war, and to the ruin of our liberty, be compelled to submit by force.

BUCKINGHAM COUNTY (VIRGINIA) RESOLUTIONS.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the. County of Buckingham, at the Court House, the 28th of July, 1774, they took under their consideration the truly alarming state of the several British Colonies from sundry Acts of Parliament, which if carried into execution must reduce the whole to an abject state of slavery, at which time they came to the following Resolutions:

Resolved, That we will, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, defend his Majesty's right and title to the Crown of Great. Britain and his American Dominions, against all and every person whatsoever, and that we do acknowledge and profess all due obedience to him.

Resolved, That we will not pay any tax that is or may be laid on any commodity whatsoever, which shall be laid by the Parliament of Great Britain for the purpose of raising a revenue in America; our own Legislature, with the consent of his Majesty, being only legally vested with a power of laying taxes on the inhabitants of this Colony.

Resolved, That the Act of Parliament for blocking up the harbour of Boston; also one other Act for carrying persons to Great Britain or elsewhere to be tried for offences; as also the Act for depriving oar sister Colony of Massachusetts Bay of their Charter, are unjust, arbitrary, and unconstitutional; and that we consider an attack on the liberties of one of our sister Colonies as an attack on the whole of British America.

Resolved, That manufactories ought to be encouraged in this and every other Colony, and that after a short time all importations from Great Britain ought to be prohibited unless the several Acts of Parliament depriving our sister Colony of Massachusetts Bay of their liberties be repealed; as also all such other Acts of the British Parliament as arc or may be intended for laying any tax on articles imported into this or any of the Colonies for the purpose of raising a revenue in America, be likewise repealed.

Resolved, That the Representatives for this county be directed to meet the Representatives of the other counties in this Colony, in Williamsburg, the first day of August next, to consult and advise on the best and most effectual means for preserving American liberty, and that they use their best endeavours that proper persons be appointed on the part of this Colony to meet such persons as may be appointed by the other Colonies, to consult and advise on proper measures for the good of the whole, with all and every of which our desire is, a strict union may be established, as the only sure and effectual means of defeating the evil intentions of a corrupt majority in the House of Commons.

Resolved, That these Resolutions be sent to the publick Printer, and that she be requested to publish the same.

JOHN NICHOLAS, Moderator.

PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL.

At a Council held at Philadelphia, on Thursday, 28th of July, 1774,

Present: The Honourable John Penn, Esquire, Governour, Benjamin Chew, James Tilghman, Andrew Allen, Esquires.

The Secretary having, by the direction of the Governour, prepared a draft of a Proclamation, offering a reward, pursuant to the request of the Assembly, for apprehending the persons Bald to have murdered Joseph Weepey, a Delaware Indian, laid the same before the Board, which was approved and ordered to be published, and printed copies thereof sent to Westmoreland. The Proclamation follows in these words, viz:

By the Honouraole JOHN PENN, Esquire, Governour and Commander-in-chief of the Province of PENNSYLVANIA, and Counties of NEW-CASTLE, KENT, and SUSSEX, on DELAWARE:

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas. I have received information that, some time in May last, a certain friendly Indian man, called Joseph Weepey, was barbarously murdered in the County of Westmoreland: And whereas there is great reason to believe that John Hinkson and James Cooper, of the same county, were concerned in the perpetration of the said murder. And whereas, it is at all times, but more especially in the present situation of our affairs with the Western Indian Nations, of the utmost consequence to the peace of the Province, that the perpetrators of such atrocious offences, not only against the authority of Government, but in direct violation of the treaties with those Indians, should be brought to condign and exemplary punishment, I have, therefore, thought fit, with the advice of the Council, to issue this Proclamation: And do hereby strictly charge and command all judges, justices, sheriffs, constables, and other officers, as well as all other his Majesty's liege subjects within, this Province, to make diligent search and inquiry after the said John Hinkson and James Cooper, and to use all lawful means for apprehending and securing them, that they may be proceeded against according to law. And I do hereby promise and engage, that the publick reward of one hundred pounds shall be paid to any person or persons who shall apprehend the said John Hintem and James Cooper, and deliver them into the custody of the