from the Committee, that they had proceeded in the business, but not having completed it, desired him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Congress will again resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into further consideration the state of America.

Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o’clock.

Wednesday, May 24, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment, but the Hon. Peyton Randolph, President, being under a necessity of returning home, and having set out this morning early, the chair was vacant; wherefore,

On motion, the Hon. John Hancock was unanimously chosen President.

The President having assumed the chair, the Congress, agreeable to the Order of the Day, again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into their further consideration the state of America; and after some time spent therein, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported from the Committee, that they had proceeded in the business, but not having come to a conclusion, desired him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into their farther consideration the state of America.

Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o’clock.

Thursday, May 25, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment, and, agreeable to the Order of the Day, again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into their farther consideration the state of America; and after some time spent therein, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported from the Committee, that they had come to certain Resolutions respecting New-York, which he was desired to report; but for the rest of the business referred to them, the Committee desired him to move for leave to sit again. The Resolutions being severally read, and agreed to, are as follow, viz:

1. Resolved, That a Post be immediately taken and fortified at or near King’s-Bridge, in the Colony of New-York, and that the ground be chosen with a particular view to prevent the communication between the City of New-York and the country from being interrupted by land.

2. Resolved, That a Post be also taken in the Highlands on each side of Hudson’s River, and Batteries erected in such manner as will most effectually prevent any Vessels passing that may be sent to harass the inhabitants on the borders of said River; and that experienced persons be immediately sent to examine said River, in order to discover where it will, be most advisable and proper to obstruct the navigation.

3. Resolved, That the Militia of New-York be armed and trained, and in constant readiness to act at a moment’s warning; and that a number of Men be immediately embodied, and kept in that City, and so disposed of as to give protection to the inhabitants, in case any insult should be offered by the Troops that may land there, and to prevent any attempts that may be made to gain possession of the City, and interrupt its intercourse with the country.

4. That it be left to the Provincial Congress of New-York to determine the number of men sufficient to occupy the several Posts above-mentioned, and also that already recommended to be taken at or near Lake George, as well as to guard the City, provided the whole do not exceed the number of three thousand men, to be commanded by such officers as shall be thereunto appointed by said Provincial Congress, and to be governed by such rules and regulations as shall be established by said Congress, until farther order is taken by this Congress; provided also, that if the said Provincial Congress should be of opinion that the number proposed will not be sufficient for the several services above recommended, that the said Congress report their sentiments upon this subject to this Congress, as soon as may be.

5. That it be recommended to the said Provincial Congress that in raising those Forces, they allow no Bounties or Clothing, and that their Pay shall not exceed the establishment of the New-England Colonies.

6. That it be further recommended to the Provincial Congress aforesaid, that the Troops be enlisted to serve until the last day of December next, unless this Congress shall direct that they be sooner disbanded.

A motion being made for an addition to the foregoing Resolutions, after some debate, the same was referred till to-morrow, to which time the Congress adjourned.

Friday, May 26, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment. A Delegate from New-Jersey laid before them a Minute from the Journals of the Assembly of that Province, together with a Resolution of the Commons of Great Britain; which were read, and are as follow, viz:

“NEW-JERSEY House of Assembly, MAY 20, 1775.

“His Excellency having laid before the House a copy of the Resolution of the honourable House of Commons of Great Britain, of the twentieth of February, 1775, containing a Plan formed for the accommodation of the unhappy differences between our Parent State and the Colonies; which plan, under the present circumstances, this House could not comply with and adopt, and yet this House being desirous of making use of all proper means to effect a reconciliation, do recommend it to their Delegates to lay the same plan before the Continental Congress, for their consideration.

“A true copy from the Journals:

“RICHARD SMITH, Clerk of Assembly.”

Copy of a Resolution of the House of Commons, FEBRUARY 20, 1775.

“Resolved, That when the Governour, Council, and Assembly, or General Court, of any of His Majesty’s Provinces or Colonies in America, shall propose to make provision, according to the condition, circumstances, and situations of such Province or Colony, for contributing their proportion for the common defence, (such proportion to be raised under the authority of the General Court, or General Assembly of such Province or Colony, and disposable by Parliament,) and shall engage to make provision also for the support of the Civil Government, and the administration of justice in such Province or Colony, it will be proper, if such proposal shall be approved by His Majesty and the two Houses of Parliament, and for so long as such provision shall be made accordingly, to forbear, in respect of such Province or Colony, to levy any duty, tax, or assessment, or to impose any further duty, tax, or assessment, except only such duties as it may be expedient to continue to levy, or to impose, for the regulation of Commerce, the nett produce of the duties last mentioned to be carried to the account of such Province or Colony, respectively.”

Ordered, That the above be referred to the Committee for taking into consideration the state of America.

The Congress resuming the consideration of the addition proposed yesterday, resolved that the following addition be made:

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Congress aforesaid, to persevere the more vigorously in preparing for their defence, as it is very uncertain whether the earnest endeavours of the Congress to accommodate the unhappy differences between Great Britain and the Colonies by conciliatory measures; will be successful.

Ordered, That the above Resolves, respecting New-York, be transmitted by the President in a Letter to the Provincial Congress of New-York, and that it be particularly recommended to said Congress by the President, not to publish the foregoing Resolves, but to keep them as secret as the nature of the case requires.

Upon motion, Agreed, That Mr. Jay, Mr. S. Adams, and Mr. Deane, be a Committee to prepare and bring in a Letter to the People of Canada.

The Congress then resolved themselves into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the state of America. After some time spent therein, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported from the Committee, that they had come to some Resolution respecting the state of America, which he was desired to report, but not having finished the business referred to them, they desired him to move for leave to sit again.