Legislatures respectively; therefore, that the moneys raised as duties upon the regulations of Trade, ought to be paid into the respective Colony Treasuries, and be subject to the disposal of their Deputies.

That in those Colonies whose Representatives in General Assembly are now chosen for a greater term than three years, such Assemblies for the future ought in their duration not to exceed that term.

That the Colonists are ready and willing to support the civil Government within the respective Colonies, and on proper requisitions, to assist in the general defence of the Empire, in as ample a manner as their respective abilities will admit of.

That if objections be made, that a resort to a variety of Colony Legislatures for general aids is inconvenient, and that large unappropriated grants to the Crown from America would endanger the liberty of the Empire: then the Colonies are ready and willing to assent to a Continental Congress, deputed from the several Colonies, to meet with a President appointed by the Crown, for the purpose of raising and apportioning their general aids, upon application made by the Crown, according to the advice of the British Parliament, to be judged of by the said Congress.

And as the free enjoyment of the rights of conscience is of all others the most valuable branch of human liberty, and the indulgence and establishment of Popery all along the interiour confines of the old Protestant Colonies tends not only to obstruct their growth, but to weaken their security, that neither the Parliament of Great Britain, nor any other earthly legislature or tribunal, ought or can of right interfere or interpose in any wise howsoever in the religious and ecclesiastical concerns of the Colonies.

That the Colonies, respectively, are entitled to a free and exclusive power of legislation within themselves, respectively, in all cases of internal polity whatsoever, subject only to the negative of their Sovereign, in such manner as has been heretofore accustomed.

Resolved, That no one article of the aforegoing Report be considered preliminary to another, so as to preclude an accommodation without such article; and that no part of the said Report be deemed binding or obligatory upon the Representatives of this Colony in Continental Congress.

Ordered, That the consideration of the state of Queen’s County be deferred till to-morrow morning.

The Congress adjourned till to-morrow morning.

Die Mercurii, 9 ho. A. M., June 28, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Treat. Present:

For the City and County of New-York.—Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alexander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Abraham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, Richard Yates, Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kissam, John Van Cortlandt, and Jacobus Van Zandt.

For the City and County of Albany.—Abraham Yates, Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensselaer and Henry Glenn.

For Dutchess County.—Zephaniah Platt, Richard Montgomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Melancton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett.

For Ulster County.—Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clinton, and John Nicholson.

For Orange County.—John Coe, Benjamin Tusteen, and Michael Jackson.

For Suffolk County.—Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss Hobart, Thomas Wickham, and Selah Strong.

For Westchester County.—Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Graham, Joseph Drake, David Dayton, John Thomas, Jun., Robert Graham, and William Paulding.

For King’s County.—Henry Williams and Theodorus Polhemus.

For Richmond County.—John Journey, Aaron Cortelyou, and Richard Conner.

For Queen’s County.—Jonathan Lawrence, Samuel Townshend, Joseph Robinson, Nathaniel Tom, Thomas Hicks, and Richard Thorne.

For Charlotte County.—(None.)

For Tryon County.—Christopher P. Yates and John Marlett.

For Cumberland County.—Paul Spooner and William Williams.

The Order for taking into consideration the state of Queen’s County, being read, the Congress took into consideration the state of Queen’s County; and it appearing that a great number of inhabitants of the said County are not disposed to a representation at this Board, and have dissented therefrom,

Resolved, That inasmuch as the people of this Colony have appointed us to watch over their preservation and defence, and delegated unto us the power necessary for that purpose, such dissent ought not to be of any avail, considered as an objection to the exercise of those powers, but that the said County, as well as every other part of this Colony, must necessarily be bound by the determination of this Congress; and therefore, inasmuch as the Members chosen for the said County were elected by a considerable part of the inhabitants of the same, and the dissent of others is not to the persons chosen, but to the choice of any persons,

Ordered, That the Members do take and hold their seats at this Board, notwithstanding such dissent.

Ordered, That the Members of Queen’s County, who have not attended this Congress, be served with a copy of the above Resolution and Order.

Mr. Beekman reported, that in pursuance of the Order of this House of Monday last, he had shown the ground therein mentioned to the proper officer of the Connecticut Troops, appointed for that purpose; that the ground is approved of; that fifteen hundred of the said Troops are arrived, and that he has procured covering for them in barns and other out-houses near the ground.

A Letter from Peter T. Curtenius, was read and filed.

Ordered, That the affidavit of Angus McDonald be published in the Newspapers.

The Order of the Day being read, for taking into consideration Mr. Morris’s motion of last Friday, to restrain the killing of Sheep,

Ordered, That the same be postponed till to-morrow morning; and,

Resolved, That the Congress will then reconsider the Resolution made on Friday last, to restrain the killing of Lamb.

Mr. Morris has leave of absence for two days.

Mr. Roosevelt reported, that Mr. Walton and himself, byorder of this Congress, had called on the gentlemen in this City, mentioned in the Report of the Committee of Arrangement for Officers in the Troops to be raised; that several of them had consented to accept of the Service; that Messrs. Helme and Stockholm had declined the service; that several others had desired some time to consider of the proposal; and that some of the gentlemen named for Lieutenants were very anxious that their particular situations as to the Captains they were to serve under might be changed.

And the Congress being informed that John Quackenboss is a proper person, and very anxious to be in the service,

Ordered, That the name of John Quackenboss be inserted in the room and stead of Andrew Stockholm; and,

Ordered, That Colonel Lispenard, with Messrs. Roosevelt and Walton, be a Committee to consider the present arrangement of the Lieutenants, and to make such arrangements or alterations in the stations of the Lieutenants, as they may think will give the most satisfaction to the officers; and that they report to this Congress what they shall have done in the premises.

The Congress then resumed the consideration of the Committee’s Report for estimating the articles necessary to complete three thousand effective men; and after some time spent therein,

Ordered, That Peter T. Curtenius, as Commissary of this Congress, be desired to purchase on the publick credit the following quantities of coarse broadcloths, viz: coarse