society, as we have this day been by the honours with which they have marked our former endeavours.

While our hearts overflow with gratitude to this respectable assembly, we cannot omit to offer our best acknowledgments to you, honoured Sir, for the polite manner in which you have been pleased to convey to us the sense of this House; and to congratulate them that their councils are conducted under the auspices of a character so justly esteemed, and which adds dignity to the seat in which it presides.

Resolved, That William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and Richard Caswell, Esquires, be, and are hereby appointed Delegates in behalf of this Province, for the term of one year, to attend the General Congress, to be held at Philadelphia, on the fifth day of September instant, or at any other time and place that shall be appointed for that purpose. And they are hereby invested with such powers as may make any acts done by them, or any of them, or consent given in behalf of this Province (not inconsistent with such instructions as may be given by this Congress) obligatory upon every inhabitant thereof; and that each of them be paid five hundred Pounds, Proclamation Money, on performing the services aforesaid, to be paid by either of the Treasurers out of any moneys in their hands; and this Congress engage to indemnify such Treasurer or Treasurers for money they may advance on that account.

Ordered, That Messrs. Devotion Davis, Michael Rogers and Joseph Spruill have leave of absence during this session.

The Order of the Day, for considering the Report of the Committee relative to the state of the Publick Funds, being read, was ordered to lie over till Monday next.

The Congress adjourned till Monday morning, eight o’clock.

Monday, September 4, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

His Honour the President laid before the Congress a Letter from Mr. Biggleston, the Governour’s Secretary, asking the favour of this Congress to give sanction and safe conduct to the removal of the most valuable effects of Governour Martin on board the Man-of-War, and his Coach and Horses to Mr. Farquard Campbell’s.

Resolved, That if Mr. Biggleston should think proper to remove on board the Man-of-War all the Governour’s effects, as well as his Excellency’s Coach and Horses, as every article thereof, this Congress is even ready to give them, as to all other private property, every safeguard and security in their power to prevent their receiving any molestation or injury, however ideal the fears of Mr. Biggleston in this instance may be of meeting any interruption in carrying such design into execution; but as Mr. Farquard Campbell, a member of this Congress, has expressed a sincere desire that the Coach and Horses should not be sent to his house in Cumberland, and is amazed that such a proposal should have been made without his approbation or privity, they conceive they can by no means suffer the Coach and Horses to be removed to Cumberland County. This House further take this opportunity to express their surprise at his Excellency the Governour having deserted the Palace, as he might have enjoyed all the conveniences of the same in a state of perfect security, without insult or injury to his person or property.

Resolved, That Farquard Campbell, Esquire, hath, in the opinion of this Congress, conducted himself as an honest member of society and a friend to the American cause; and that any confidential expressions that have been dropped by Governour Martin, or any of his friends, with respect to any reliance they may have upon the services of the said Farquard Campbell against the American cause, have been without any encouragement from the said Farquard Campbell, but have been made use of in order to bring his character into distrust, and lessen the esteem which for his faithful services he deserves from the inhabitants of this Province.

Resolved, That the Secretary give Certificates to such of the Protesters, as from a conviction of the evil of their past conduct, have or shall hereafter sign the Association or Test entered into by the Members of this Congress during this session, setting forth that they are accepted as friends to American liberty.

Ordered, Mr. Hambright have leave to absent himself from the service of the Congress.

The Order of the Day being read, for taking into consideration a paper purporting to be a Confederation of the United Colonies:

Resolved, The Congress resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House.

The Congress resolved into a Committee of the Whole House accordingly, and unanimously chose the Reverend Mr. Patillo Chairman; and after some time spent therein, came to a Resolution thereon.

On motion, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Chairman reported as follows, to wit:

That the Committee have taken into consideration the plan of a General Confederation between the United Colonies, and are of opinion that the same is not at present eligible. And it is also the opinion of the Committee, that the Delegates for this Province ought to be instructed not to consent to any plan of Confederation, which may be offered in an ensuing Congress, until the same shall be laid before and approved by the Provincial Congress.

That the present Association ought to be further relied on for bringing about a reconciliation with the Parent State; and a further. Confederacy ought only to be adopted in case of the last necessity.

Then, on motion, Resolved, The Congress do approve of the above Resolution.

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

Tuesday, September 5, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

On motion, Ordered, That the Reverend Mr. Patillo, Mr. Baker, Mr. Thomas Harvey, Mr. Miles Harvey, Mr. Geddy, Mr. William Bryan, Mr. Jethro Sumner, and Mr. Matthias Brickle, have leave to absent themselves from the service of the Congress.

On motion, Ordered, That Mr. Willie Jones, Mr. Nash and Mr. John Ashe be a Committee of this Congress to make an arrangement of Minute-Men for the safety of the Province, and report their proceedings to this Congress.

On motion, Ordered, That Mr. Skinner, Mr. Starkey, Mr. Locke, Mr. Caswell, Mr. Thomas Person, Mr. Burke, and Mr. Coor, be a Committee of Ways and Means, and that they make report of their proceedings.

Mr. Caswell, from the Committee of Ways and Means, reported as follows, viz:

That it is the opinion of your Committee, that the expenses of the thousand men to be raised and paid at the expense of the Continent, ought to be defrayed out of the fund provided for that purpose by the Continental Congress; and that the Provincial Congress, or such officers as they shall empower, do draw for one hundred thousand Dollars immediately, and for other sums as there may be occasion afterwards.

That it is the opinion of your Committee, sixty thousand Pounds be emitted in paper Bills of Credit, to be applied towards defraying the expense of the Militia and Minute-Men, for purchasing Arms and Ammunition, and paying bounties for the encouragement of Manufactures, expresses and other contingences; this sum to be sunk by a tax of two Shillings every year on each taxable person in this Province, to commence for the year 1777, and continue for seven years after its commencement.

RICHARD CASWELL, Chairman.

Ordered, The said Report lie for further consideration.

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

Wednesday, September 6, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

Resolved, That Mr. Penn, Mr. Harnett, Mr. Webb, Mr. Blount, Mr. Locke, and Mr. Coor, be a Committee to recommend proper persons for Commissaries for the several Troops.