give satisfaction to the inhabitants of this Province, our actions meet the most ample reward that any member of it can experience. One motive in this important measure, viz: a sacred regard for the rights and privileges of British America, and an earnest wish to bring about a reconciliation with our Parent State, upon terms constitutional and honourable to both, have hitherto actuated us. Our earnest wishes are, that this Province may virtuously adhere to the Resolves of the Continental Congress, as the means which will most probably bring about the end which all the friends to America most earnestly desire.

At the same time accept, Sir, our warmest acknowledgment for the polite manner in which you have thought fit to convey the sentiments of this truly respectable body.

On motion, Resolved, That the Instructions of the inhabitants of Perquimans County to their Delegates appointed to meet at this Convention, entered into on the 11th day of March last, be read; which were read accordingly. One of which said Instructions being, “That the thanks of the inhabitants of that County be given to William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and Richard Caswell, Esquires, for their faithful and judicious discharge of the trust reposed in them at the late Continental Congress.”

Pursuant to which, Colonel John Harvey, one of the Delegates for the said County, in the name of the Inhabitants thereof, gave their thanks to the gentlemen aforesaid.

To which the Delegates returned the following Answer:

Permit us, Sir, to express our sincere gratitude for this testimony of the approbation given, through you, by the inhabitants of the County of Perquimans, of the conduct of us the Delegates of this Province in the Continental Congress at Philadelphia. Actuated with a zeal for the preservation of the constitutional liberties of America, and an earnest desire to bring about a reconciliation with the Mother Country, upon terms that may restore us to the fullest enjoyment of our just rights and privileges, and secure them to us in future from the encroachments of weak or wicked men, we signed our assent to the proceedings of Congress; and we could meet nothing more convincing of the propriety of our conduct in the measure, than that it obtains the approbation of the County of Perquimans.

To you, Sir, we beg leave to offer our tribute of thanks for the polite manner in which you have thought fit to convey the sense of that respectable body.

On motion, Resolved, That William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and Richard Caswell, Esquires, be and they are hereby appointed Delegates to attend the General Congress to be held at Philadelphia, on the 10th day of May next, or at any other time and place that shall be appointed for that purpose. And they are hereby invested with such powers as may make any acts done by them, or any of them, or consent given, in behalf of this Province, obligatory in honour upon every inhabitant thereof.

The Convention adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o’clock.

Thursday, April 6, 1775.

The Convention met, according to adjournment.

Mr. William Robson, one of the Delegates for Pitt County, appeared, and took his seat in Convention. On motion, Resolved, That each and every County in this Province raise, as speedily as possible, the sum of Twenty Pounds, Proclamation Money, to be collected by the respective Delegates of each County, in manner as shall appear to them most convenient, and pay the same into the hands of Richard Caswell, Esquire; to be by him equally divided among the Delegates appointed to attend the General Congress at Philadelphia, as a recompense for their trouble and expense in attending the said Congress.

Mr. Thomas Macknight, a Delegate for the County of Currituck, having been called upon to sign (with the other Members of this Convention) the Association approved of by the Continental Congress held at Philadelphia, thereupon refused, and withdrew himself:

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Convention, that from the disingenuous and equivocal behaviour of the said Thomas Macknight, it is manifest his intentions are inimical to the cause of American Liberty; and we do hold him up as a proper object of contempt to this Continent, and recommend that every person break off all connection, and have no future commercial intercourse or dealing with him.

Resolved, That the above Resolve be published in the Gazettes of this and the neighbouring Colonies.

The Convention adjourned till to-morrow morning nine o’ clock.

Friday, April 7th, 1775.

The Convention met according to adjournment.

Resolved, That the Moderator of this Convention, and in case of his death, Mr. Samuel Johnston, be empowered on any future occasion, that may in his opinion require it, to direct Delegates to be chosen for the respective Counties and Towns in this Province, to meet in Convention in the Town of Hillsborough, at such time as he shall think proper to appoint; and in case that the Members of a majority of the Counties and Towns do not appear at the day appointed, that he be empowered to adjourn the Convention de die in diem, until a sufficient number shall appear.

Resolved, That the Clerk furnish Mr. James Davis with a copy of the Proceedings of this Convention, and that Mr. Davis print the same.

Resolved, That this Convention do most heartily approve of the conduct and Proceedings of the late Continental Congress, and will endeavour to carry into execution the measures by them recommended; and that the most earnest wishes and desires of this Convention are, to see harmony restored between Great Britain and her Colonies on honourable and constitutional principles, which alone can give the same a lasting foundation. That we will exert our utmost endeavours towards completing this important purpose, and are of opinion that the late commercial, regulations are the most eligible means for attaining this desirable end.

And whereas the freedom, happiness, and prosperity of every State greatly depends on providing within itself articles necessary for subsistence, clothing, and defence of its inhabitants:

Resolved, That from common prudence and regard for this Colony, we will encourage Arts, Manufactures, Agriculture, and every kind of economy, and use our influence for the same purpose with our constituents and all connected with us; and we recommend to the Committees of the several Counties to propose Premiums to the inhabitants whose industry may be a proper subject for their bounty, in such manner as to them shall seem meet.

Resolved, That His Majesty’s subjects have an undoubted right at any time to meet and petition the Throne for a redress of grievances, and that such right includes a further right of appointing Delegates for such purpose, and therefore that the Governour’s Proclamation issued to forbid this meeting, and his Proclamation afterwards commanding this meeting to disperse, are illegal, and an infringement of our just rights, and therefore ought to be disregarded as wanton and arbitrary exertions of power.

Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be given to the Honourable John Harvey, Esquire, Moderator, for his judicious and faithful exercise of that office, and the services he has thereby rendered to his Country.

Resolved, That the Honourable John Harvey, Esquire, Moderator of this Convention, sign the Minutes for and in behalf of the same. Attested by

JOHN HARVEY, Moderator.

ANDREW KNOX, Clerk.

VINDICATION OF THOMAS MACKNIGHT AND OTHERS.

At a Convention of Delegates for the respective Counties and Towns within this Province, held at Newbern the 6th day of April, 1775:

Mr. Thomas Macknight, a Delegate for the County of Currituck, having been called upon to sign (with the other Members of this Convention) the Association approved of by the Continental Congress, thereupon refused, and withdrew himself:

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Convention, that from the disingenuous and equivocal behaviour of the said Thomas Macknight, it is manifest his, intentions are inimical to the cause of American Liberty; and we do