garrisons of Crown Point and Ticonderoga; and that so many of the Cannon and other Stores be retained as may be necessary for the immediate defence of those posts, until further order from this Congress; and that the Provincial Convention of New-York be informed of this Resolve, and desired to furnish those Troops with Provisions and other necessary stores, and to take effectual care that a sufficient number of Batteaus be immediately provided for the lakes.

Ordered, That the above Resolve be immediately transmitted in a Letter by the President, to Governour Trumbull and the Convention at New-York.

Ordered, That the President in his Letter acquaint Governour Trumbull, that it is the desire of Congress that he should appoint a person in whom he can confide to command the Forces at Crown Point and Ticonderoga.

Adjourned till to morrow, at nine o’clock.

Thursday, June 1, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

The Committee appointed to consider Ways and Means to supply these Colonies with Ammunition and Military Stores, brought in their Report; which was read, and referred to the Committee of the Whole.

Upon motion, Resolved, That it be recommended to the Government of Connecticut, or the General of the Forces of that Colony, to appoint Commissaries to receive at Albany and forward the supplies of Provisions for the Forces on Lake Champlain from the Provincial Convention of New-York; and that the said Convention use their utmost endeavours in facilitating and aiding the transportation thereof from thence to where the said Commissaries may direct.

As this Congress has nothing more in view than the defence of these Colonies,

Resolved, That no expedition or incursion ought to be undertaken or made by any Colony, or body of Colonists, against or into Canada; and that this Resolve be immediately transmitted to the Commander of the Forces at Ticonderoga.

Ordered, That the above Resolve be translated into the French language, and transmitted, with the Letter, to the inhabitants of Canada; also,

Ordered, That the President transmit a copy of the above to New-York, and the other Colonies bordering on Canada.

A Petition from the Committee representing the people in that part of Augusta County, in the Colony of Virginia, on the west side of the Alleghany Mountain, was laid before the Congress, and read, intimating “fears of a rupture with the Indians, on account of Lord Dunmore’s conduct,” and desiring “Commissioners from the Colony of Virginia and Province of Pennsylvania, to attend a meeting of the Indians at Pittsburgh, on behalf of these Colonies;” also, a Resolve of the said Committee, in these words, namely: “That the unsettled Boundary between this Colony and the Province of Pennsylvania, is the occasion of many disputes.”

Ordered, That the above be referred to the Delegates of the Colonies of Virginia and Pennsylvania.

The Congress then, agreeable to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 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 taken the matters referred to them into consideration, but not having yet 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.

Friday, June 2, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

The President laid before the Congress a Letter from the Provincial Convention of Massachusetts; which was read, and is as follows:

“In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 16, 1775.

“Resolved, That Doctor Benjamin Church be ordered to go immediately to Philadelphia, and deliver to the President of the honourable American Congress there now sitting, the following application, to be by him communicated to the Members thereof; and the said Church is also directed to confer with the said Congress respecting such other matters as may be necessary to the defence of this Colony, and particularly the state of the Army therein."

“MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOURS: That system of Colony administration, which, in the most firm, dutiful, and loyal manner, has been in vain remonstrated against by the Representative body of the United Colonies, seems still, unless speedily and vigorously opposed by the collected wisdom and force of all America, to threaten ruin and destruction to this Continent.

“For a long time past this Colony has, by a corrupt Administration in Great Britain and here, been deprived of the exercise of those powers of Government, without which a people can be neither rich, happy, or secure. The whole Continent saw the blow pending, which, if not warded off, must inevitably have subverted the freedom and happiness of each Colony. The principles of self-defence, roused in the breasts of freemen by the dread of impending slavery, caused to be collected the wisdom of America in a Congress, composed of men who, through time, must, in every land of freedom, be revered among the most faithful asserters of the essential rights of human nature.

“This Colony was then reduced to great difficulties, being denied the exercise of civil Government, according to our Charter, or the fundamental principles of the English Constitution, and a formidable Navy and Army (not only inimical to our safety, but flattered with the prospect of enjoying the fruit of our industry) were stationed for that purpose in our metropolis. The prospect of deciding the question between our Mother Country and us, by the sword, gave us the greatest pain and anxiety; but we have made all the preparation for our necessary defence, that our confused state would admit of; and as the question equally affected our sister Colonies and us, we have declined, though urged thereto by the most pressing necessity, to assume the reins of civil Government, without their advice and consent, but have hitherto borne the many difficulties and distressing embarrassments necessarily resulting from a want thereof.

“We are now compelled to raise an army, which, with the assistance of the other Colonies, we hope, under the smiles of Heaven, will be able to defend us and all America from the further butcheries, and devastations of our implacable enemies. But as the sword should, in all free states, be subservient to the civil powers; and as it is the duty of the Magistrates to support it for the people’s necessary defence, we tremble at having an army (although consisting of our countrymen) established here, without a civil power to provide for and control them.

“We are happy in having an opportunity of laying our distressed state before the representative body of the Continent; and humbly hope you will favour us with your most explicit advice respecting the taking up and exercising the powers of civil Government, “which we think absolutely necessary for the salvation of our Country; and we shall readily submit to such a general plan as you may direct for the Colonies, or make it our great study to establish such a form of Government here, as shall not only most promote our advantage, but the union and interest of all America.

“As the Army now collecting from different Colonies is for the general defence of the rights of America, we would beg leave to suggest to your consideration the propriety of your taking the regulation and general direction of it, that the operations may more effectually answer the purposes designed.

JOS. WARREN, President p. t.”

The above Letter referring to Doctor Church, on motion, Ordered, To lie on the table.

Agreed, That he be introduced.

After he withdrew, an express arriving from Massachusetts-Bay, the President laid before the Congress Letters from the Conventions of that Colony and New-Hampshire; also, from Governour Trumbull; all which were read.