Montgomery, John Holmes, John Covenhoven, Daniel Hendrickson, Nicholas Van Brunt.

HUNTERDON.—Samuel Tucker, John Mehelm, John Hart, John Stout, Jasper Smith, Thomas Lowry, Charles Stewart, Daniel Hunt, Ralph Hart, Jacob Jennings, Richard Stevens, John Stephens, Junior, Thomas Stout, Thomas Jones, John Basset.

BURLINGTON.—Joseph Borden, Isaac Pearson, Colin Campbell, Joseph Read, John Pope.

GLOUCESTER.—John Cooper, Elijah Clark, John Sparks.

CUMBERLAND.—Samuel Fithian, Jonathan Elmer, Thomas Ewing.

SALEM.—Andrew Sinnickson, Robert Johnson, Samuel Dick, Jacob Scoggin, James James.

CAPE-MAY.—Jesse Hand.

Tuesday, May 23, 1775.

The Provincial Congress having been appointed to convene this day at Trenton, a large number of the Deputies accordingly assembled; and the day was spent in examining and comparing the Certificates of election of the several Members present.

Wednesday, May 24, 1775.

The Congress proceeded to the choice of a President, when Hendrick Fisher, Esquire, was duly elected; Jonathan D. Sergeant, Esquire, was chosen Secretary, and William Paterson, Esquire, and Mr. Frederick Frelinghuysen, his Assistants.

Inasmuch as the business on which this Congress are now assembled, and is likely to engage their deliberations, appears to be of the highest moment, and may, in the event, affect the lives and properties, the religion and liberties of their constituents, and of their remotest posterity, it unquestionably becomes the representative body of a Christian community to look up to that all-powerful Being, by whose providence all human events are guided, humbly imploring his divine favour, in presiding over and directing their present councils towards the re-establishment of order and harmony between Great Britain and her distressed Colonies; and that he would be graciously pleased to succeed the measures that may be devised as most conducive to these desirable ends: It is, therefore,

Ordered, That the President do wait upon the Ministers of the Gospel in this Town, and, in behalf of this Congress, request their alternate attendance and service every morning at eight o’clock, during the session, in order that the business of the day may be opened with prayer for the above purposes.

The President opened to the Congress the important occasion of their meeting; recommended the utmost deliberation in determining on the measures to be pursued in defending those inestimable rights and privileges to which, by our happy Constitution, the inhabitants of this Province are justly entitled; and that due care might be taken to support the established civil authority (so far as might consist with the preservation of their fundamental liberties) for the maintenance of good order and the undisturbed administration of justice.

The Congress then took into consideration the present unhappy contest between Great Britain and these Colonies, which they determined to be of such a nature, and had arrived to such a crisis, that this Convention had become absolutely necessary, in order to provide such ways and means for the security of the Province, as the exigencies of the times require; and, at the same time, declared that they had assembled with the profoundest veneration for the person and family of His sacred Majesty George the Third, firmly professing all due allegiance to his rightful authority and Government.

Whereas a majority of the several legislative Representatives of this Colony, in General Assembly convened at Perth-Amboy, in January last, was instructed and authorized by their constituents to elect and appoint Deputies to represent this Province in the Continental Congress now sitting in the City of Philadelphia : And whereas the said General Assembly accordingly did elect and appoint Stephen Crane, James Kinsey, William Livingston, John De Hart, and Richard Smith, Esquires, for that purpose: And whereas some of the Counties of this Colony omitted so to instruct and authorize their said legislative Representatives, who, notwithstanding, cordially joined in the said election and appointment: This Congress do, therefore, heartily approve of the said Stephen Crane, James Kinsey, William Livingston, John De Hart, and Richard Smith, as Representatives of this Province in the said Continental Congress; and do also sincerely thank the House of Assembly for the laudable regard they have shown for the rights and liberties of the good people of this Province, in timely adopting the Continental Association, and resolving in favour of the Resolutions and Proceedings of the late Continental Congress.

And it is unanimously agreed and Resolved, That it will be most eligible for the inhabitants of each respective County in this Colony, whenever a Continental Congress shall be again necessary, to appoint and empower Deputies to meet in Provincial Congress, for the purpose of electing Delegates to represent this Province in such Continental Congress.

Ordered, That all Votes be taken from the Counties respectively, so that the Vote of each County be taken as one.

The Congress having considered the application of about two hundred of the inhabitants of the Township of Shrewsbury, in the County of Monmouth, calling themselves Associators of the said Township, do unanimously advise that the persons appointed by the said present Associators as their Committee, do immediately advertise a meeting of the inhabitants of the said Township of Shrewsbury, in order to choose a Committee of Observation for the said Township, and adopt the Association recommended by the Continental Congress; and after such choice and adoption, to elect Deputies, one or more, to represent them in this Congress. And that the persons who shall be so elected, by a majority of the inhabitants attending the said meeting of the Township, be received as members of this Congress. And in case of the refusal or neglect of the Township so to do, then this Congress do advise the said Committee of the present Associators to send a Deputy or Deputies for themselves to this Congress; and do direct the said Committee to make and certify their report to this Congress of what shall have been done in this behalf.

Thursday, May 25, 1775.

Samuel Tucker, Esquire, was elected Vice-President, by a plurality of votes.

The Congress resumed the consideration of a written Message to the Continental Congress, which, after certain amendments, was approved and ordered to be entered, and a copy to be made and signed by the President; which Message is in the words following, viz:

GENTLEMEN: In the present very alarming crisis, we have been appointed by the several Counties of this Province as their Deputies, to meet in Provincial Congress.

We are accordingly now convened in this place, with dispositions the most heartily to concur, to the utmost of our abilities, in the common cause of America. Yet we think it not advisable to enter into any measures of consequence, until some general plan may be agreed upon and recommended by you.

In this first instance of such Assembly in the Colony, without any precedent among ourselves to direct us, and, at the same time, anxiously concerned to make our Provincial measures consistent with that plan which may be devised and recommended by the Continental Congress, we have judged it necessary to address ourselves to you, for such advice and assistance as you, in your wisdom, may think proper to favour us with. For this purpose we have deputed two of our members, William P. Smith and Elias Boudinot, Esquires, the bearers hereof, whom we recommend to the Congress, requesting you will furnish us, by them, with such directions concerning the line of conduct in which we ought to act, as will prevent any measures we may adopt from marring or obstructing the general views of the Congress, or disappointing your expectations.

Signed by order:

HENDRICR FISHER, President.

To the Members of the Continental Congress.