views of the first Congress rested. But when the last met, the objects of their deliberations were infinitely more extensive and important. Nothing less than the rights of the supreme authority of a great Empire over its members, and the essential rights of a very respectable part of those members, were the questions there agitated. The first plan was calculated to afford a remedy for the mischiefs then under consideration. The second, to remove the unhappy cause of the dispute between Great Britain and the Colonies, by restoring America to her right of participating in the supreme authority, and reducing that authority to a constitutional exercise of its power over the Colonies. Such being the obvious difference in the causes from which the plans originated, it was impossible, if they were in any ways calculated to answer the different ends in view, that they should not be greatly different both in their names and substance.

I shall offer but one argument more in vindication of the Delegate who proposed the last plan, from the ungenerous calumny so undeservedly thrown upon him, which will fully demonstrate that he could entertain no design of taking from Doctor Franklin, or the Congress of 1754, the merit of the first. He carried with him to the Congress the plan of 1754, with the reasons under every article, which induced the then Commissioners to adopt them in the Doctor’s own writing. He shewed it to several of the members as the plan proposed by the Doctor and agreed to by the Commissioners. He delivered it to one of the Delegates without the least injunction or reserve. From that Delegate it passed into the hands of several others, until the gentleman to whom it was first delivered could not, for some time, discover in whose hands to find it. This was done to enable the members to compare the two plans, to digest the better the one then proposed, and if any addition could be made to it, that it might be done when it should be taken into consideration agreeable to the rule of the Congress. Having little vanity in his composition, any applause which might arise from the merit of the plan never entered into his imagination. His mind was too earnestly engaged in endeavouring to lend his assistance towards preserving the rights of America, and establishing a happy union of the two Countries. These were his motives, his only motives; and he is still of opinion, had the Delegates in Congress formed a constitutional system of union upon the same, or nearly alike principles, that great and beneficial effects would have flowed from it to America. It would have been acting the wise and prudent part of taking the best ground of defence first. It would have been asking, what we have a right to demand, an union with our brethren and fellow-subjects in Britain, on principles of liberty and government. It would have attached to us innumerable friends in, England and all the British Dominions, whom, by a contrary conduct, we have lost. It would have united us firmly and inseparably among ourselves, upon rational and supportable grounds, while the measures adopted have only tended to divide and weaken the Colonies. And should the Administration have refused (contrary to what we had then, and more especially now, reason to expect) so reasonable and just a proposition as that of granting to the Americans the common constitutional rights of British subjects, in all probability it would have left them supported by very few, if any, of the people, on whom they must rely for aids, to enable them to carry any scheme into execution.

C. E.

Philadelphia, April 26, 1775.

Yesterday, at three o’clock in the afternoon, pursuant to publick notice, there was a meeting of near eight thousand of the inhabitants of this City, to consider of the measures to be pursued in the present critical situation of the affairs of America.

The business was opened with several eloquent and patriotick speeches, and the company unanimously agreed to associate, for the purpose of defending with ARMS, their property, liberty, and lives, against all attempts to deprive them of them.

PHILADELPHIA ASSOCIATION.

Whereas, it appears from authentick accounts received from England, that it is the design of the present Ministry to enforce the late cruel and unjust Acts of Parliament complained of in the most legal and dutiful manner by the Congress: And whereas, an additional number of Troops, with a Fleet, have been ordered for America, to assist the Troops now in Boston in the execution of the said Acts: We, the subscribers, agree that we will associate for the purpose of learning the Military Exercise, and for defending our property and lives against all attempts to deprive us of them.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM READING, PENNSYLVANIA, DATED APRIL 26, 1775.

We have raised in this Town two Companies of Foot, under proper Officers; and such is the spirit of the people of this free County, that in three weeks time there is not a Township in it that will not have a Company raised and disciplined, ready to assert at the risk of their lives the freedom of America.

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE.

Wednesday, April 26, 1775.

The Committee having taken into consideration the commotions occasioned by the sanguinary measures pursued by the British Ministry; and that the powers with which this Committee is invested, respect only the Association, are unanimously of opinion that a new Committee be elected by the Freeholders and Freemen of this City and County, for the present unhappy exigency of affairs, as well as to observe the conduct of all persons touching the Association; that the said Committee consist of one hundred persons; that thirty-three be a quorum, and that they dissolve within a fortnight next after the end of the next sessions of the Continental Congress. And that the sense of the Freeholders and Freemen of this City and County upon this subject may be better procured and ascertained, the Committee are further unanimously of opinion, that the polls be taken on Friday morning next, at nine o’clock, at the usual places of election in each Ward, under the inspection of the two Vestrymen of each Ward, and two of this Committee, or any two of the four; and that at the said elections the votes of the Freemen and Freeholders be taken on the following questions, viz: Whether such new Committee shall be constituted? And if yea, of whom it shall consist? And this Committee is further unanimously of opinion, that at the present alarming juncture, it is highly advisable that a Provincial Congress be immediately summoned; and that it be recommended to the Freeholders and Freemen of this City and County, to choose at the same time that they vote for the new Committee aforesaid, twenty Deputies to represent them at the said Congress; and that a Letter be forthwith prepared and despatched to all the Counties, requesting them to unite with us in forming a Provincial Congress, and to appoint their Deputies without delay, to meet at New-York, on Monday, the 22d of May next. By order of the Committee:

ISAAC LOW, Chairman.

JOHN COLLINS TO THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE PROVINCIAL ARMY AT CAMBRIDGE.

Newport, April 26, 1775.

It is with pleasure that I communicate to you, by express, the following important intelligence, by a vessel just arrived here from New-York.

We are informed that the news of the engagement between the Regulars and Provincials got to New-York on Sunday last, between the fore and afternoon service; that the people of the City immediately arose, disarmed the Soldiers, and possessed themselves of the Forts and Magazines, in which they found about fifteen hundred Arms; that they unloaded two Transports bound to Boston, Captain Montague not daring to give them any assistance; that a third Transport had sailed while they were seizing the two others, and that the people had fitted out a vessel, in order to take and bring her back; that they had forbid all the Pilots from bringing up any of the King’s Ships; that Captain Montague was not able to procure a Pilot in the whole City; and that the inhabitants were preparing to put themselves in the best posture of defence.

The gentleman who brings this intelligence left Elizabethtown yesterday morning, and tells us, that on Monday