SOUTH CAROLINA ASSEMBLY.

The Commons House of Assembly met agreeably to the Lieutenant Governour's prorogation, on Tuesday, the 2d day of August, 1774, at eight o'clock in the morning; and Messrs. Heyward and Cattell were ordered to "wait on the Lieutenant Governour, and acquaint his Honour that the House had met." The said gentlemen being returned, Mr. Heyward reported to the House, that Mr. Cattell and himself had waited on the Lieutenant Governour with the Message they had in charge; and that his Honour was pleased to say he would be in the Council Chamber immediately, when he would send a Message to this House.

Colonel Powell, Chairman of the late general meeting, acquainted the House, "That, during the recess of this House, namely, on the 6th, 7th, and 8th days of July last, at a general meeting of the inhabitants of this Colony, they having under consideration the Acts of Parliament lately passed with regard to the port of Boston and Colony of Massachusetts Bay, as well as other American grievances; had nominated and appointed the Honourable Henry Middleton, John Rutledge, Thomas Lynch, Christopher Gadsden, and Edward Rutledge, Esquires, Deputies on the part and behalf of this Colony, to meet the Deputies of the other Colonies of North America in general Congress, the first Monday in September next, at Philadelphia, or at any other time or place that may be generally agreed on; there to consider the Acts lately passed, and Bills depending in Parliament, with regard to the port of Boston and Colony of Massachusetts Bay; which Acts and Bills, in the precedent and consequences, affect the whole Continent of America; also, the grievances under which America labours, by reason of the several Acts of Parliament that impose taxes or duties for raising a revenue, and lay unnecessary restraints and burthens on trade; and of the Statutes, Parliamentary Acts, and Royal Instructions, which make an invidious distinction between his Majesty's subjects in Great Britain and America; with full power and authority to concert, agree to, and effectually prosecute, such legal measures as, in the opinion of the said Deputies, and of the Deputies so to be assembled, shall be most likely to obtain a repeal of the said Acts, and a redress of those grievances."

And thereupon moved, that this House do resolve to recognize, ratify, and confirm the said appointment of the Deputies, for the purposes aforesaid; and, that this House do also resolve to provide a sum, not exceeding one thousand five hundred pounds sterling, to defray the expense which the said Deputies will be at on the said service.

Resolved, nemine contradicente, That this House do recognise, ratify, and confirm, the appointment of the said Deputies, for the purposes mentioned in the said motion.

Resolved, nemine contradicente, That this House will make provision, to pay to any person or persons who will advance to the said Henry Middleton, John Rutledge, Thomas Lynch, Christopher Gadsden, and Edward Rutledge, Esquires, the sum of one thousand five hundred pounds sterling, (for the purposes aforesaid,) together with full interest from the day the said one thousand five hundred pounds sterling shall be advanced, until it be repaid to the person or persons advancing the same.

The House also sent the following Message to the Lieutenant Governour, by Mr. Bee and Captain Scott:

"May it please your Honour:

"This House, considering the precarious situation of this Colony in regard to Indian affairs, and the necessity there may be for the inhabitants of the back parts to arm themselves for their protection and defence against that cruel people, in case of a rupture with them; and being informed that many of the poor settlers are unprovided with arms and ammunition, do desire your Honour will be pleased to order a proper quantity of arms and ammunition to be distributed to such persons as may be thought to stand most in need of such assistance; such arms and ammunition to be purchased by the Commissary General; and that this House will make provision to pay the expense of the same.

"By order of the House,

RAWLINS LOWNDES, Speaker."

At half past eight o'clock a Message was received from Lieutenant Governour William Bull, by the Master in Chancery, notifying that the Lieutenant Governour was in the Council Chamber, where he required the immediate attendance of the House.

And accordingly, Mr. Speaker, with the House, went to attend the Lieutenant Governour in the Council Chamber, where his Honour was pleased to prorogue the General Assembly to Tuesday, the 6th day of September next.

Charlestown, South Carolina, August 3, 1774.

The General Assembly of this Province having been prorogued, to Tuesday last, the 2d instant, the Members of the Honourable the Commons House assembled on account of the excessive heat of the weather at this season so early as eight o'clock in the morning, when they recognised and agreed to the several resolutions unanimously entered into by the inhabitants of this Colony, at the general meeting held at the Exchange, in this town, on the 6th, 7th, and 8th days of July last, and voted the sum of £1500 sterling, for defraying the expenses of the five Delegates chosen at the said general meeting, on the part and behalf of this Colony, to join the Delegates of the other Colonies on this Continent in general Congress. The House had also prepared a message to his Honour the Lieutenant Governour, desiring in case of any alarm on the frontiers, from the Indians, that he would order the inhabitants there to be supplied with arms and ammunition, and that the House would defray the expense thereof; but before the said message could be engrossed, (at half past eight) the Lieutenant Governour was pleased to command their attendance in the Council Chamber, and addressing himself to the Council (which then consisted of only the Honourable Mr. Erving, who had been sworn in and taken his seat the Thursday preceding) and to the Speaker and Commons House, prorogued the General Assembly to Tuesday, the 6th day of September next.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR BULL TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED CHARLESTOWN, AUGUST 3, 1774.

It having been expected that I should prorogue the General Assembly yesterday, at the usual time, about ten or eleven o'clock; the Assembly privately and punctually met at eight o'clock in the morning, and made an House, which was very uncommon. They had not been assembled five minutes before 1 was apprized of it. I immediately went to the Council Chamber, in order to prorouge them, and waited a few minutes for one or two of the Council to be present. As soon as I sent for the Assembly they attended, and I prorogued them to the 6th of September. But their business having been ready prepared, in which they were all previously agreed, it required only a few minutes to pass through the forms of the House. They came to two resolutions, one approving and confirming the election of the five persons, chosen on the 6th of last month, to assist at the Congress of the several Provinces, and the other, that they would provide for the expense of their voyage. I returned to my own house again in less than twenty minutes past eight. Your Lordship will see by this instance with what perseverance, secrecy and unanimity, they form and conduct their designs; how obedient the body is to the heads, and how faithful in their secrets.

EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO LIEUTENANT GOV. COLDEN.

Whitehall, August 3, 1774.

SIR: I send you enclosed an Order of his Majesty in Council, on the 6th of last month, disallowing an Act passed in New-York, in February 1773, which you will not fail to make publick in the manner usual upon such occasions; and that you may know the reasons which induce the disallowance of the said Act, I enclose for your private information, a copy of the Representation of the Board of Trade thereupon. I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

DARTMOUTH.

Lieutenant Governour Colden.