Colonel Richard Caswell proposed for President Samuel Johnston, Esq., who was unanimously chosen President; and Mr. Andrew Knox was appointed Secretary; and Mr. James Glasgow an Assistant; Francis Lynaugh and Evan Swann Doorkeepers, during the continuance of he Congress.

Resolved, That Colonel Francis Nash wait on the Rev. George Micklejohn, and request him to attend and perform divine service. Pursuant to which he attended, and opened the Congress by reading prayers in the Church at Hillsborough.

The Congress having been informed that John Coulson, of Anton County, charged with dangerous practices against he liberties of America, was now in custody in this Town:

Resolved, That Messrs. Samuel Spencer, John Patten, John Johnston, Walter Gibson, Robert Ellis, Richard Cogdell, Solomon Sheppard, James White, Thomas Benbury, David Smith, Thomas Gray, Simon Bright, Henry Irwin, Memucan Hunt, Alexander Martin, John Jordan, Lawrence Baker, Nicholas Long, Benjamin Williams, William Williams, John McKnitt Alexander, William Hooper, Allen Jones, Richard Kennon, Henry Rhodes, John Williams, Miles Harvey, Robert Salter, William Sharp, Robert Lanier, William Kennon, John Rand, Joseph Hewes, William Brown, William Tisdale, Cornelius Harnett, Maurice Moore, Willie Jones, Francis Nash, Hugh Montgomery, and Jethro Summer, be a Committee to inquire into the conduct of the said John Coulson, and make report to this Congress to-morrow morning.

Resolved, That Mr. Hooper, Mr. Howe, Mr. Burke, Mr. Willie Jones, Mr. Maurice Moore, Mr. Allen Jones, and Mr. Penn, be a Committee to prepare a Test to be signed by the Members of this Congress.

Whereas, it is manifest that endeavours have been used by enemies to the liberties of America to persuade several of the inhabitants of this Province, who were engaged in the late insurrection, that they remained still liable to be punished, unless pardoned by His Majesty; and that pardons can only be obtained on condition that they shall, when required, take Arms, and act offensively against such persons as shall be devoted to destruction for having taken an active share in defence of American liberty: And whereas it is well known that no punishment can now lawfully be inflicted on any persons concerned in the said Insurrection, whether mentioned in the act of Outlawry on that occasion or not:

Resolved therefore, That the late Insurgents, and every of them, ought to be protected from every attempt to punish them by any means whatever, and that this Congress will to their utmost protect them from any injury to their persons or property which may be attempted on the pretence of punishing the said late insurrection, or any thing in consequence thereof.

Resolved, That Mr. Maurice Moore, Mr. Caswell, Mr. Thomas Person, Mr. William Kennon, Mr. Knox, Mr. Locke, the Rev. Mr. Patillo, Mr. Burke, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Benjamin Harvey, Mr. Thomas Jones, Mr. Penn, and Mr. George Moore, be a Committee to confer with such of the inhabitants of this Province who entertain any religious or political scruples with respect to associating in the common cause of America, to remove any ill impressions that have been made upon them by the artful devices of the enemies of America, and to induce them, by argument and persuasion, heartily to unite with us for the protection of the constitutional rights and privileges thereof.

Resolved, That the Rev. Mr. Henry Patillo be desired to read prayers to the Congress every morning, and the Rev. Mr. Charles Edward Taylor every evening, during his stay here.

The Congress adjourned till to-morrow morning, ten o’clock.

Tuesday, August 22,1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

The several Proceedings of the Continental Congress, viz:

A Declaration by the Representatives of the United Colonies of North America, in General Congress at Philadelphia in July last, setting forth the causes and necessity of taking up Arms:

The Twelve United Colonies of North America, by their Representatives in Congress, to the People of Ireland:

The opinion of the Congress on the Resolution of the House of Commons of Great Britain of the 20th February, 1775:

The Address of the Congress to the Lord Mayor of London:

A Resolve of the Congress relative to the collecting of Saltpetre, and the several methods of making Saltpetre, recommended to the inhabitants of the United Colonies by their Representatives in Congress, and sundry Resolves of the Congress: were laid before this Congress, and ordered to be read; and were read accordingly.

Mr. Harnet from the Committee appointed to inquire into the conduct of John Coulson, reported their proceedings thereon; which were concurred with by the Congress. At the same time the said John Coulson gave into Congress the following declaration, to wit:

“I, John Coulson, do from the fullest conviction solemnly and sincerely declare, that I have been pursuing measures destructive of the liberties of America in general, and highly injurious to the peace of this Colony; and truly conscious of the heinousness of my guilt, do now publickly confess the same, and do solemnly and sincerely promise that I will for the future support and defend, to the utmost of rny power, the constitutional rights and liberties of America; and in order to make atonement for my past guilt, that I will make use of every effort in my power to reclaim those persons whom I have seduced from their duty, and also to induce all other persons over whom I have influence, to aid, support and defend the just rights of America. In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand, this 22d day of August, 1775.

JOHN COULSON.”

Resolved, That the said John Coulson be discharged from his attendance on this Congress.

Whereas, there are several offenders against the Continental Association now confined at Wilmington, it is

Resolved, That an express be immediately sent from this Town to Wilmington, requiring the Committee of Wilmington to deliver all such delinquents as may be in custody, to a guard directed to receive the same, and, safely to convey such delinquents from County to County in the most expeditious manner, that they may be brought before this Congress, in order that their demerits may be strictly inquired into, with such papers as were found in their custody.

Resolved, That the thanks of this Congress be given by Mr. Spencer to the gentlemen volunteers of Anson County, who brought John Coulson in custody to this Congress.

The Congress adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o’clock.

Wednesday, August 23, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

The Association entered into by the General Congress at Philadelphia, on the 20th day of October, 1774, and signed by the Members thereof, was read:

Resolved, That this Congress do highly approve of the said Association, and do for themselves firmly agree and promise to adhere thereto, and do recommend it to their constituents that they likewise adhere firmly thereto.

The Committee directed to prepare and bring in a Test for the Members of the Congress to sign, reported that