after some time spent in the consideration thereof, the Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Pearson reported, from the Committee, that they had made some further progress in the business referred to them, but not being prepared to report thereon, they requested leave to sit again to-morrow morning.

Ordered, That the Committee do sit again accordingly.

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

Friday, November 3, 1775.

The House met pursuant to their adjournment, and resumed the consideration of the Petition from the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, respecting the Arms that were ordered to be provided by the late Assembly for this City and County, and, after some debate,

Ordered, That Mr. Hillegas, Mr. Potts, Mr. Miles, Mr. Parker, Mr. Rodman, Mr. Bartholomew, Mr. Jacobs, Mr. Grubb, Mr. Swoope, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Chreist, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Dougherty, be a Committee to inquire what progress has been made by the Commissioners and Assessors of the several Counties in procuring Arms for the publick use, and report thereon to the House.

A Petition from Thomas Ryerson, lately appointed an Ensign in the Battalion now raising in this Province, for leave to resign his Commission, and another Petition from John Bankson, of this City, praying to be appointed to the vacancy, having been presented to the House and considered,

Resolved, That the said John Bankson be, and he is hereby appointed an Ensign in the said Battalion, and recommended to the Continental Congress to be commissioned accordingly.

Pursuant to the Resolution of yesterday, the House took into consideration the appointment of Representatives for this Province in the Continental Congress, and, after some time spent therein, referred the same to further consideration to-morrow.

The Order of last night, for the Committee of the Whole House to sit again this morning, being called for and read, was postponed to the afternoon.

The House adjourned to three o’clock, P. M.

The Order of the Day being read, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to consider the present state of the Province; and after some time spent therein, the Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Pearson reported, from the Committee, that they had proceeded further in the business before them, but not being yet prepared to report thereon, they requested leave to sit again to-morrow.

Ordered, That the Committee sit again accordingly.

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

Saturday, November 4, 1775.

The House met pursuant to adjournment; and, taking into consideration the appointment of Delegates for this Province in Congress,

Resolved, That the Hon. John Morton, Speaker, John Dickinson, Robert Morris, Benjamin Franklin, Charles Humphreys, Edward Biddle, Thomas Wilting, Andrew Allen, and James Wilson, Esquires, be, and they are hereby appointed Delegates for this Province in the Continental Congress.

Mr. Speaker laid before the House a Letter of the 1st instant, from Christopher Witman, Esq., Chairman of the Berks County Committee, on a matter of publick concern, which was read by order, and referred to the Committee of Safety.

A Resolve from the honourable Continental Congress, by two of their members, was laid before the House, and is as follows, viz:

“In Congress, November 4, 1775.

“The Congress considering that the most perfect union, between all the Colonies, is essentially necessary for the preservation of the just rights of North-America, and being apprehensive that there is great danger of hostilities being commenced at or near Wyoming, between the inhabitants of Pennsylvania and those of Connecticut,

“Resolved, That the Assemblies of the said Colonies be requested to take the most speedy and effectual steps to prevent such hostilities.

“Ordered, That Thomas McKean and Silas Deane, Esquires, wait upon the honourable House of Assembly of Pennsylvania, with a copy of the above Resolution.

“By order of Congress:

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.”

Ordered, That Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Humphreys make inquiry upon what information the above Resolve is founded, and report the same to the House on Monday next.

An Account of Mr. Ross’s attendance in Congress, amounting to thirty-four Pounds, being presented at the table, an Order was drawn on Mr. Hillegas for payment of the same.

The Order of last night, for the Committee of the Whole House to sit again this morning, was read, and postponed to Tuesday next.

The House adjourned to Monday next, at four o’clock, P. M.

Monday, November 6, 1775.

Mr. Speaker, with twenty-four Members, met pursuant to adjournment; and a quorum not appearing, they adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow morning.

Tuesday, November 7, 1775.

A quorum met pursuant to adjournment.

The Order of Friday last, for the Committee of the Whole House to sit again this morning, being called for and read, was postponed till the afternoon.

The House adjourned to three o’clock, P. M.

An Address or Declaration, signed by divers persons in behalf of the Societies of Menonists and German Baptists in this Province, was presented to the House, and follows in these words, viz:

“In the first place, we acknowledge us indebted to the most high God, who created heaven and earth, the only good being, to thank him for all his great goodness and manifold mercies and love, through our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who is come to save the souls of men, having all power in heaven and on earth.

“Further, we find ourselves indebted to be thankful to our late worthy Assembly, for their giving so good an advice, in these troublesome times, to all ranks of people in Pennsylvania, particularly in allowing those who, by the doctrine of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, are persuaded in their consciences to love their enemies, and not to resist evil, to enjoy the liberty of their consciences; for which, as also for all the good things we enjoyed under their care, we heartily thank that body of Assembly, and all high and low in office who have advised to such a peaceful measure, hoping and confiding that they, and all others intrusted with power in this hitherto blessed Province, may be moved by the same spirit of grace which animated the first founder of this Province, our late worthy proprietor, William Penn, to giant liberty of conscience to all its inhabitants, that they may, in the great and memorable day of judgment, be put on the right hand of that just Judge, who judgeth without respect of person, and hear of him these blessed words: ‘Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you, &c. What ye have done unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done unto me.’ Among which number (i.e. the least of Christ’s brethren) we, by his grace, hope to be ranked; and every lenity and favour shown to such tender consciences, although weak followers of this our blessed Saviour, will not be forgotten by him in that great day.

“The advice of those who do not find freedom of conscience to take up arms, that they ought to be helpful to those who are in need and distressed circumstances, we receive with cheerfulness towards all men, of what station they may be, it being our principle to feed the hungry, and give the thirsty drink. We have dedicated ourselves to serve all men, in every thing that can be helpful to the preservation of men’s lives, but we find no freedom in giving or doing, or assisting in any thing by which men’s