Friday, May 26, 1775.

The Continental Congress having resolved unanimously, “That all exportations to Quebeck, Nova-Scotia, the Island of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Georgia, (except the Parish of St. John’s ) and to East and West Florida, immediately cease; and that no Provisions of any kind, or other necessaries, be furnished to the British Fisheries on the American coasts, until it be otherwise determined by the Congress:”

Resolved unanimously, That this Congress do earnestly recommend to the good people of this Province, that they do most religiously adhere to the said Resolution; and that the Secretary do publish this Resolve in one or more of the publick Newspapers.

The Committee appointed for opening a correspondence with the Provincial Congress of New-York, reported a draught of a Letter for that purpose; which was read, approved, and ordered to be entered, and a copy to be made out and signed by the President; which Letter was in the words following, viz:

GENTLEMEN: We, the Deputies appointed by the inhabitants of New-Jersey to meet in Provincial Congress, are now convened here, for the purpose of pursuing such measures as may be thought most expedient in the present unhappy situation to which the Colonies are reduced, and which the peculiar exigencies of the times may require. As nothing can tend more to ensure success to the steps which may, at this critical juncture, be adopted by the several Provinces, than a uniform plan of conduct, we conceived it necessary to look up to the Continental Congress for their advice and direction, which we have accordingly applied for, and hope soon to receive. We also think it of consequence that a correspondence should be established with you and our other sister Colonies, and a free communication, be had, from time to time, of such measures as may be judged most conducive to the interest of the common cause; and we request to be favoured with such intelligence as may occur to you worthy of attention, and of which our situation may probably deprive us.

Monday, May 29, 1775.

Pierpoint Edwards, Esquire, one of a Committee from the Assembly of Connecticut to this Congress, attended with certain propositions and instructions, which were received and read, and ordered to be referred for further consideration.

Messrs. Danie1 Hendrickson and Nicholas Van Brunt, from the Township of Shrewsbury, in the County of Monmouth, produced a certificate that the said Township had chosen a Committee of Observation pursuant to the directions of the Continental Congress, and that they had elected these gentlemen as Deputies to represent the said Township in this Congress. The said certificate was allowed and filed.

Tuesday, May 30, 1775.

William P. Smith and Elias Boudinot, Esquires, the Committee sent by this Congress with a Message to the Continental. Congress, returned with a written Answer, importing that the Congress were not as yet prepared to give any advice on the state of this Province, and promising the same as soon as they should be prepared.

Jonathan D. Sergeant, Esquire, having resigned his office, of Secretary to this Congress, William Paterson, Esquire, was chosen Secretary, and Mr. Frederick Frelinghuysen Deputy Secretary.

The Congress received a Letter from the Provincial Congress of New-York, in answer to theirs of the 26th instant, importing their readiness to establish a correspondence with us, and a free communication of such measures as may from time to time be judged conducive to promote the common cause.

Wednesday, May 31, 1775.

The Petition of Robert Murray and John Murray, setting forth their sincere contrition for violating the Continental Association, and their determined resolution for the future strictly to observe the same, &c., was read, and ordered a second reading.

The Petition of Robert and John Murray was read a second time; and, being now considered, it was unanimously resolved, that the petitioners, having made the best satisfaction in their power for their former breach of the General Continental Agreement, and expressed their resolution strictly to adhere to the same in future, ought to be restored to the favourable regard of their Country; and the said Robert and John Murray are accordingly restored to all the civil and commercial privileges which they heretofore enjoyed in this Province.

Afternoon.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the form of an Association, which was reported in the morning; and, after certain amendments, approved the same, and ordered it to be entered, which is in the words following:

“We, the subscribers, freeholders and inhabitants of the Township of .  .  .  .  .  , in the County of  .  .  .  .  .  , and Province of New-Jersey, having long viewed with concern the avowed design of the Ministry of Great Britain to raise a revenue in America; being deeply affected with the cruel hostilities already commenced in the Massachusetts-Bay for carrying that arbitrary design into execution; convinced that the preservation of the rights and privileges of America depends, under God, on the firm union of its inhabitants, do, with hearts abhorring slavery, and ardently wishing for a reconciliation with our Parent State, on constitutional principles, solemnly associate and resolve, under the sacred ties of virtue, honour, and love to our Country, that we will personally, and as far as our influence extends, endeavour to support and carry into execution whatever measures may be recommended by the Continental and our Provincial Congresses, for defending our Constitution, and preserving the same inviolate.

“We do also further associate and agree, as far as shall be consistent with the measures adopted for the preservation of American freedom, to support the Magistrates and other civil officers in the execution of their duty, agreeable to the laws of this Colony; and to observe the directions of our Committee, acting according to the Resolutions of the aforesaid Continental and Provincial Congresses; firmly determined, by all means in our power, to guard against those disorders and confusions to which the peculiar circumstances of the times may expose us.”

Resolved, That copies of the above Association be immediately sent to the Committees of Observation or Correspondence in the several Counties in this Province, which have not already associated in a similar manner, in order that the same may be signed by the several inhabitants, accompanied with the following Letter, to be signed by the President:

GENTLEMEN: Anxiously desirous to promote, as far as possible, an union among the inhabitants of this Colony, we have thought proper to recommend to them the enclosed Association, which we desire may be immediately signed by the good people of your Township; that at a time when our most valuable privileges are invaded, we may, in a uniform manner, make our defence, and prevent the evils to which our unhappy situation exposes us.

Thursday, June 1, 1775.

The Committee appointed to prepare the draught of an answer to Pierpoint Edwards, Esquire, reported the same, which was read, approved, and ordered to be entered, and a copy thereof to be delivered, signed by the President; which is in the words following:

	In Provincial Congress, New-Jersey, June;1, 1775.	}

Pierpoint Edwards, Esquire, from the Colgny of Connecticut, having laid before this Congress sundry papers, containing, among other things, the appointment of a Committee by the House of Representatives of said Colony, for the purpose of procuring intelligence of the true state of this Province, giving information of the state of the said Colony of Connecticut, and for cultivating harmony and good correspondence with this Province; and this Congress having read and considered the same, take this method of expressing their highest satisfaction, with the spirited conduct and proceedings of the said Colony of Connecticut, and do hereby request the said Mr. Edwards to assure the Honourable House of Representatives of that Colony, that