the exercise of those powers of government, without which a people can be neither rich, happy, nor secure. The whole Continent saw the blow pending, which if not warded off must inevitably have subverted the freedom and happiness of each Colony. The principles of self-defence, roused in the breasts of freemen by the dread of impending slavery, caused to be collected the wisdom of America in a Congress, composed of men who, through time, must, in every land of freedom, be revered among the most faithful asserters of the essential rights of human nature.

This Colony was then reduced to great difficulties, being denied the exercise of civil Government according to our Charter, or the fundamental principles of the English Constitution, and a formidable Navy and Army (not only inimical to our safety, but flattered with the prospect of enjoying the fruit of our industry) were stationed for that purpose in our Metropolis. The prospect of deciding the question between our Mother Country and us by the sword, gave us the greatest pain and anxiety; but we have made all the preparation for our necessary defence that our confused state would admit of; and as the question equally affected our sister Colonies and us, we have declined, though urged thereto by the most pressing necessity, to assume the reins, of civil Government without their advice and consent; but have hitherto borne the many difficulties and distressing embarrassments necessarily resulting from a want thereof.

We are now compelled to raise an Army, which, with the assistance of the other Colonies, we hope, under the smiles of Heaven, will be able to defend us and all America from the further butcheries and devastations of our implacable enemies. But as the sword should, in all free States, be subservient to the civil powers; and as it is the duty of the Magistrates to support it for the people’s necessary defence, we tremble at having an Army (although consisting of our own countrymen) established here, without a civil power to provide for and control them.

We are happy in having an opportunity of laying our distressed state before the representative body of the Continent, and humbly hope you will favour us with your most explicit advice respecting the taking up and exercising the powers of civil Government, which we think absolutely necessary for the salvation of our Country; and we shall readily submit to such a general plan as you may direct for the Colonies, or make it our great study to establish such a form of Government here, as shall not only most promote our own advantages, but the union and interest of all America.

As the Army now collecting from different Colonies is for the general defence of the rights of America, we would beg leave to suggest to your consideration the propriety of your taking the regulation and general direction of it, that the operations of it may more effectually answer the purposes designed.

JOS. WARREN, President pro tem.

Attest:

SAMUEL FREEMAN, Secretary pro tem.

To the Hon. the Continental Congress, Philadelphia,

COMMITTEE OF BROWNFIELD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Brownfield, May 16, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: There are five or six families of Indians hunting at Androscoggin, about twenty-five miles north of my house. Several of the women and youngsters were at my house last week; one of them expressed much concern about the times; said their men could not hunt, eat, nor sleep; keep calling together every night; courting, courting, courting, every night, all night. O, strange Englishmen kill one another. I think the world is coming to an end. Mrs. Brown asked which side they would fight. Answered, why should we fight for t’other country; for we never see t’other country; our hunting is in this country. One of them said her brother was a Colonel; she wished she could see him; she would tell him not to fight for t’other country, but to fight for this country. One of the party is gone to Canada. They wanted powder, but got none. Some of them were painted; and as it was the first time they came in paint, it surprised some of our women. I thought it best you should know of their concern and uneasiness, and that one was gone to Canada The bearer, Mr. Holt, is used to the woods; has been a hunting this spring where they are; if necessary will go to them.

At this day it appears to me to be necessary for every man to be supplied with arms, &c. We have in this Town ten guns, shot, twenty pounds of powder, and half a hundred of lead. James Holt, James Haywood, and myself, are a Committee in behalf of this Town, and was to provide every thing necessary. I have been to Portsmouth to purchase, but could not; my business called me immediately home. Now Mr. Holt sets out, to apply to you for relief. If he can be supplied, we will stand accountable, and stand ready to serve our Country. The bearer has served long in the last war; was at Nova-Scotia in 1755; was in the siege at Fort Bosajure; has given repeated evidence he can stand fire, and is now ready to serve his Country, if required. I am, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

HENRY YOUNG BROWN.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE.

At a meeting of the Committee for Cumberland County, held on Wednesday, the 17th of May, 1775:

Mr. Chairman opened the business of the day by laying before the Committee informations lately received by express from the Northward, respecting the Government of New-York, amongst which is a Resolution of the Mary land Provincial Convention, for immediately suspending all Exportations from that Province to Quebeck, Nova Scotia, Georgia, and Newfoundland, or any part of the Fishing Coasts, or Fishing Islands, and to the Town of Boston, until the Continental Congress shall give farther directions thereon: Whereupon the Committee, after the maturest deliberation, came to the following Resolutions:

Resolved unanimously, That this Committee doth heartily approve of the said Resolution of the Maryland Provincial Convention, as well concerted upon the view of the present conjuncture of affairs, and doth recommend it as a proper rule of conduct to all men.

Resolved, That the present alarming situation of American, affairs, especially in the Province of New-York, renders it absolutely necessary that a Colony Convention he immediately called; and this Committee do recommend it to Robert Carter Nicholas, Esquire, in the most earnest terms, to call a Colony Convention as speedily as possible, provided the General Assembly now called to meet on the first Thursday in June, shall be prorogued to a farther day.

The following Address to the inhabitants of the lower parts of Virginia, was proposed, and unanimously agreed to:

Friends and Countrymen:,

We, the Committee for the County of Cumberland, taking into our serious consideration the unremitting efforts of despotick Administration to effect the total subversion of American liberty, aided by the wicked and venal tools of corruption, who are endeavouring, by the basest misrepresentations and falsehoods, to effect an unnatural division between the Mother Country and her Colonies, covering their wicked design under the specious pretence of duty and attachment to our gracious Sovereign, and the sacred laws, of the British Empire; and also to the unhappy situation to which you will be reduced in case of a hostile invasion of this Colony, do, for ourselves and our constituents, (should such a distressing circumstance take place,) most cordially invite you to remove so many of your wives and children into this County as the inhabitants thereof can conveniently entertain, where they will meet with the best protection and accommodations we are able to afford.

GEORGE CARRINGTON, Chairman.

CECIL COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE.

At a meeting of the Committee of Cecil County at, Elk Ferry, on the 17th day of May, 1775:

In consequence of an information being made, that Charles Gordon, Attorney-at-Law i n Cecil County, had treated with great disrespect, and maliciously aspersed the Continental Congress, the Provincial Convention, and the Committee of this County; and had, at divers times, and by sundry ways and means, vilified their proceedings; a Summons thereupon issued from the Committee, commanding his appearance to answer to the above charge; to which