lives are destroyed or hurt. We beg the patience of all those who believe we err in this point.

“We are always ready, according to Christ’s command to Peter, to pay the tribute, that we may offend no man; and so we are willing to pay taxes, and to render unto Cæsar those things that are Cæsar’s, and to God those things that are God’s, although we think ourselves very weak to give God his due honour, he being a spirit and life, and we only dust and ashes.

“We are also willing to be subject to the higher powers, and to give in the manner Paul directs us: ‘For he beareth the sword not in vain, for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.’

“This testimony we lay down before our worthy Assembly, and all other persons in Government, letting them know that we are thankful as abovementioned, and that we are not at liberty, in conscience, to take up arms to conquer our enemies, but rather to pray to God, who has power in heaven and earth, for us and them.

“We also crave the patience of all the inhabitants of this Country. What they think to see clearer in the doctrine of the blessed Jesus Christ, we will leave to them and God, finding ourselves very poor; for faith is to proceed out of the word of God, which is life and spirit, and a power of God, and our consciences is to be instructed by the same, therefore we beg for patience.

“Our small gift, which we have given, we gave to those who have power over us, that we may not offend them, as Christ taught us by the tribute penny.

“We heartily pray that God would govern all hearts of our rulers, be they high or low, to meditate those good things which will pertain to our and their happiness.”

Ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. Dickinson reported, that in pursuance of the Order of Saturday last, Mr. Humphreys and himself had made inquiry upon what ground the Congress were apprehensive that hostilities will be commenced at or near Wyoming, between the inhabitants of Pennsylvania and those of Connecticut, and expect to be enabled to report an answer to the House to-morrow, as that matter is then to come under consideration in Congress.

Upon motion, Ordered, That Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Gray, Mr. Brown, Mr. Jacobs, Mr. Slough, Mr. Swoope, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Dougherty, be a Committee to prepare and report to the House a draught of Instructions for the Delegates appointed to serve in Congress on the part of this Province.

The Order of the forenoon being read, the House again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to consider the 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 concluded their deliberations on the matters referred to them, and having come to some resolutions thereon, he was directed to report the same whenever the House shall be pleased to receive them.

Ordered, That the Resolutions of the Committee be received immediately.

Mr. Pearson then, according to order, reported the said Resolutions, which he first read in his place, and afterwards delivered at the table; where the same being again read by order, and in part considered by the House, they adjourned to ten o’clock, to-morrow morning.

Wednesday, November 8, 1775.

The House met pursuant to adjournment.

The Committee of Grievances, to whom the Petition of George Jacob Houseman was referred for inquiry, reported, that they had attended at the Jail of this City, and heard the petitioner, with such of his creditors as appeared, and are of opinion that he is a proper object of the relief he solicits.

Upon consideration of the foregoing Report,

Ordered, That Mr. Hillegas, Mr. Rodman, Mr. Jacobs, and Mr. Montgomery, be a Committee to prepare and bring in a Bill for the relief of the said petitioner and others recommended to the notice of this House by the late Assembly.

The House resumed the consideration of the Resolves of the Committee of the Whole House; which being severally read and approved, were adopted by the House, and follow in these words, viz:

1. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that all reasonable charges hitherto incurred by the Associators for the defence of this Province, in procuring Drums and Colours, and paying Adjutants, Fuglemen, Drummers, and Fifers, ought to be allowed and repaid them.

2. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that the Military Association, entered into for the defence of this Province, ought to be continued, encouraged, and supported.

3. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that it be recommended to all male white persons within this Province, between the ages of sixteen and fifty years, who have not already associated, and are not conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms, to join the said Association immediately.

4. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that certain Rules and Regulations, for the government of the said Associators, are necessary.

5. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that all male white persons, between the ages aforesaid, capable of bearing arms, who shall not associate for the defence of this Province, ought to contribute an equivalent to the time spent by the Associators in acquiring the military discipline—Ministers of the Gospel, of all denominations, and servants purchased bona fide, and for valuable consideration, only excepted.

6. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that it be recommended to the Committee of Safety to give orders for erecting a Magazine or Magazines in different places, as soon as the season will allow, for the greater security of the Ammunition belonging to the Province.

7. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that the sum of Eighty Thousand Pounds be immediately struck in Bills of Credit, for answering the present exigencies of the Province.

Upon motion, Ordered, That Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Parker, Mr. Morris, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Rodman, Mr. Bartholomew, Mr. Pearson, Mr. Slough, Mr. Swoope, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Dougherty, be a Committee to prepare a set of Rules and Regulations for the better government of the Military Association in this Province; and that the said Committee do also essay a draught of Resolutions, directing the manner of levying Taxes on Non-Associators, determining their mode of appeal, and how the said Taxes shall be collected and applied.

An Address from the Committee of the County of York was presented to the House and read.

Ordered to lie on the table.

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

Thursday, November 9, 1775.

The House met pursuant to adjournment.

Mr. Speaker laid before the House a Letter received last night, by a vessel from London, which was read by order, and is as follows, viz:

“London, September 2, 1775.

“HONOURABLE SIR: On the 21st of last month, we sent to the Secretary of State for America a copy of the petition from the General Congress; and yesterday, the first moment that was permitted us, we presented to him the original, which his Lordship promised to deliver to the King.

“We thought it our duty to press his Lordship to obtain an answer; but we are told that, as His Majesty did not receive it on the throne, no answer would be given.

“We have the honour of being, honourable Sir, your most faithful servants,

The Committee appointed to prepare and bring in a draught of Instructions for the Delegates of this Province in Congress, reported an essay for that purpose; which, being read and considered, was agreed to by the House, and is as follows, viz:

GENTLEMEN: The trust reposed in you is of such a nature, and the modes of executing it may be so diversified