or labour under the suspicion of being unconcerned for the rights and freedom of America.

Extracts of some letters which are inserted in Parliamentary proceedings, widely differ from what must appear to every unprejudiced person the real state of this Province. We are not acquainted with an individual in Georgia that looks upon the claims of Parliament as just; and all men speak with abhorrence of the measures made use of to, enforce them. Our fellow-subjects who formerly entered a dissent, which we find was transmitted to the Minister in terms that bespeak the great pleasure it gave the transmitter, now generally say, they never differed with America as to the reality of grievances, but only in the mode of obtaining redress.

Though candour may allow these mutilated extracts, laid before Parliament, were probably rather designed by the Minister to screen himself, and justify his own measures, than to give a just and true account of what information he might have received, yet we cannot help observing the general purport of these letters seem to have a much greater regard to the designs of the Minister, than to give an impartial account of the real state of things. Other Provinces, no doubt, if they find themselves mentioned in any part of them, will view them in what light they may think fit; but as to any prejudicial informations they may contain against many persons in this Province, while it is not to be expected they will give up their feelings as private men, your Excellency may be assured we shall always pay due respect to His Majesty’s representative, and shall with great pleasure acknowledge every service your Excellency may hereafter render to Great Britain and America, whose interest we know, and whose connection we wish to be forever inseparable.

Your Excellency may be assured these are objects which we have greatly at heart, and shall ever do what in us lies towards a reconciliation with our Parent State: on constitutional principles, as well as endeavour to preserve the peace and good order of this Province.

Resolved, That the foregoing Address be signed by the President, and be presented to his Excellency the Governour; and that Stephen Drayton, Edward Telfair, William Le conte, John Walton, George Houstoun, and Philip Box, be a Committee to present the same.

Wednesday July 12, 1775.

The Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration ways and means to raise and sink Ten Thousand. Pounds sterling; and, after some time spent therein, the President resumed the Chair.

Resolved, That the Congress being a full representation of the whole Province, the members of the same, their constituents and all others resident or holding property within the same, are bound to contribute, by an equal and general tax, towards the sinking the Ten Thousand Pounds sterling.

Resolved, That the Congress while sitting, and the Council of Safety in its recess, have power to issue Certificates from time to time, as occasion shall require, to the amount of Ten Thousand Pounds sterling, and that all such Certificates shall be signed by the Treasurers, and at least three of the Members of the Council of Safety.

Resolved, That any person who shall not receive any such Certificate in payment will be guilty of a breach of the publick faith, and ought to be considered as enemy to the Province, and treated accordingly.

Resolved, That the said Certificate be sunk in three years after a reconciliation shall take place between Great Britain and the colonies.

Thursday, July 13, 1775.

Resolved, That this Congress do approve of, and adopt the Association entered into at Savannah, on the fifth day of June last past, viz:

Association unanimously entered into by the Provincial Congress, at SAVANNAH, in GEOIIGIA, on THURSDAY, the thirteenth of JULY, 1775.

GEORGIA.

Being persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties of America depend, under God, on the firm union of the inhabitants in its vigorous prosecution of the measures necessary for its safety; and convinced of the necessity of preventing the anarchy and confusion which attend the dissolution of the powers of Government, we, the freemen, freeholders, and inhabitants of the Province of Georgia, being greatly alarmed at the avowed design of the Ministry to raise a revenue in America, and shocked by the bloody scene now acting in the Massachusetts-Bay, do, in the most solemn manner, resolve never to become slaves; and do associate, under ail the ties of religion, honour, and love to our Country, to adopt, and endeavour to carry into execution, whatever may be recommended by the Continental Congress, or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention, appointed for the purpose of preserving our Constitution, and opposing the execution of the several arbitrary and oppressive Acts of the British Parliament, until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America, on constitutional principles, which we most ardently desire, can be obtained; and that we will in all things follow the advice of our General Committee, appointed respecting the purposes aforesaid, the preservation of peace and good order, and the safety of individuals and private property.

“Resolved, That John Smith, Basil Cowper, George Houstoun, Joseph Clay, William Young, Philip Box. Seth John Cuthbert, William O’Bryan, George Walton, William Le Conte, William Gibbons, Samuel Elbert, Edward Telfair, and Oliver Bowen, be a Committee to present the Association to all the inhabitants of the Town and District of Savannah, to be signed; in doing which, expedition is particularly recommended, and an account of all who decline signing shall be returned to the General Committee.

Friday, July 14, 1775.

A motion was made and seconded, that a Committee be appointed, to report their opinion who shall be qualified to vote for Delegates to sit in future Congresses, and the most equal method of representation; and the same being agreed to, a Committee was appointed accordingly.

Committee: Stephen Drayton, John Glen, and Joseph Clay, Esquires.

Resolved, That in every case where a summons shall be applied for, the Magistrate to whom such application shall be made, do in the first place, and before the issuing of such summons, give notice thereof, either by personal information, message, or letter, to the party defendant, and also use his best endeavour to compromise and settle the matter, and, unless the defendant has discovered circumstances of fraud or delay, and is ready and willing to give security for the debt, and shall actually offer to do so, payable in a reasonable time, no such summons ought to be issued. And in case a warrant in a civil case shall be applied for, the same ought not to be granted, unless there appears to the satisfaction of the Magistrate, that there are good and sufficient grounds, besides the plaintiff’s oath, to apprehend the defendant means to abscond; but the same method ought to be observed as is recommended respecting summonses,

Mr. Drayton, from the Committee appointed to report their opinion who shall be qualified to vote for Delegates to sit in future Congresses, &c., reported, as the opinion of that Committee, that every man contributing towards the general tax shall be qualified to vote for Delegates to sit in future Congresses, and that the following proportion will be the most equal representation, viz: Town and District of Savannah shall have seventeen members; District of Little Ogeehee, three; Vernonburg, two; Acton, two; Sea Islands, three; Goshen and Abercorn, two; Parish of St. Matthew, seven; St. George, nine; St. Paul, nine; St. Philip, seven; St. Join, twelve; St. Andrew, nine; St. David, three; St. Patrick, two; St. Thomas, two: St. Mary, two; St. James, two; Ceded Lands, three: and that the President and thirty four members do constitute a Congress to proceed upon business.

Resolved, That the foregoing Report be approved of, and that Delegates be elected by the persons, and in the proportion therein mentioned.

Resolved, That the following form of Delegation be recommended to the inhabitants of the several Parishes and District throughout the Provinces, to prevent clashing and