in the course of your deliberations, that it is scarcely possible to give you particular instructions respecting it.

We therefore, in general, direct that you, or any four of you, meet in Congress the Delegates of the several Colonies now assembled in this City, and any such Delegates as may meet in Congress next year; that you consult together on the present critical and alarming state of publick affairs; that you exert your utmost endeavours to agree upon and recommend such measures as you shall judge to afford the best prospect of obtaining redress of American grievances, and restoring that union and harmony between Great Britain and the Colonies, so essential to the welfare and happiness of both Countries.

Though the oppressive measures of the British Parliament and Administration have compelled us to resist their violence by force of arms, yet we strictly enjoin you, that you, in behalf of this Colony, dissent from and utterly reject any propositions, should such be made, that may cause or lead to a separation from our Mother Country, or a change of the form of this Government.

You are directed to make report of your proceedings to this House.*

Signed by order of the House:

JOHN MORTON, Speaker

November 9, 1775.

The House adjourned to three o’clock, to-morrow afternoon.

Friday, November 10, 1775.

The House met pursuant to adjournment.

Mr. Speaker laid before the House a Resolve from the honourable Continental Congress, which was read by order, and is as follows, viz:

“Resolved, That it be recommended to the Assemblies, Conventions, and Committees of Safety of the thirteen United Colonies, to appoint certain persons within each of the said Colonies, whose business it shall be to employ and set to work as many persons as they may think proper, both to work up such earth as is now fit for making Saltpetre, and to collect together, and place in beds or walls, under sheds, all such earth and composition of materials as are suitable to produce Saltpetre, after being duly exposed to the air, in order to increase the produce of it; and that the Delegates of the respective Colonies be directed to send this Resolve, together with the Resolve of last Session respecting Saltpetre making, to their respective Colonies, and cause them to be printed and made publick there.

“Extract from the Minutes:

“CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.”

The Committee appointed to prepare and bring in a Bill for the relief of certain Insolvent Debtors, who have petitioned for the discharge of their persons from imprisonment, reported they had essayed a draught for that purpose, which they presented at the table; and the same being read the first time, was ordered to lie on the table for a second reading.

The Committee appointed to inquire into the progress made in the manufacturing of Saltpetre in this Province presented at the table a report thereon, in writing, which was read by order, and is as follows, viz:

Your Committee have viewed the buildings erected by order of the Committee of Inspection, on a lot of ground in Market-Street, and also sundry conveniences and utensils placed there for the purpose of making Saltpetre, and are sorry to find that it has not yet been attended with the desired success; but the gentlemen who superintended this work are of opinion the manufacture may be carried on there to good effect, if supported with the necessary funds, as they have now employed a person that certainly understands the business, and the quantity of Saltpetre to be made will depend on and be proportioned to the sum employed.

Your Committee also report, that Baltis Moudy has made, in a few weeks, a considerable quantity of Saltpetre, at Yorktown, part whereof has been delivered to the Committee of Safety, and is very good in quality; the remainder is soon expected down. The said Moody, being the person now employed at the above works, gives assurances of producing the said article very fast, as he finds plenty of impregnated materials in this City.

Your Committee are also informed of other persons in the Province, who understand making Saltpetre, and are willing to engage therein, on meeting with suitable encouragement.

It seems, therefore, absolutely necessary that such encouragement should be given, and the greatest pains taken to establish so useful a manufacture in this Province.

Your Committee do therefore recommend to the consideration of the House—

First. Whether it would not be proper to take the works already erected in this City under their direction, for the publick benefit.

Secondly. Whether it might not be of great use to offer, by vote, a good price for all Saltpetre made in this Province within twelve months from this time.

Thirdly. Whether it would not be a great encouragement to individuals to attempt making Saltpetre, if premiums were ordered by the House to be paid to those who shall produce the greatest quantity during the next twelve months.

Fourthly. Whether it may not be of publick utility to direct proper persons to be instructed by the said Moody in the art of making Saltpetre.

Fifthly. Whether the said Moody should not be rewarded for giving such instruction; and, also whether he is not already entitled to encouragement from the publick, as the first person who has produced a considerable quantity of Saltpetre in the Province.

November 10, 1775.

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

Saturday, November 11, 1775.

The House met pursuant to adjournment.

An account of Bedding, Furniture, &c., in the Barracks of this City, taken by order of the Committee of Safety, being laid before the House, and a great deficiency appearing in most of the articles,

Ordered, That the Barrackmaster do forthwith provide, under the direction of the Committee of Safety, a further number of Beds, Blankets, and other necessary Furniture

* I have lately seen, in the publick papers, an instruction from the House of Representatives in Pennsylvania, to their Delegates in Congress, which to me appeared very odd, and even inconsistent. They very properly observe, at first, that the mode of executing their trust may be so diversified, in the course of their deliberations, that it is scarcely possible to give particular instructions respecting it, and yet in a few minutes they so see into futurity as to venture to give one instruction very peremptorily respecting a separation from our Mother Country. ’Tis not easy to understand what they may precisely mean by such a separation. Without asserting any thing, I would take the liberty to ask a few questions. There can surely be no hurt in querying a little. I would therefore ask, are they certain that Great Britain cannot, or will not, in the course of the year, treat us in such a manner as to forfeit all right to our dependance upon them? Are they sure that, if Great Britain does so, it will still be best, at all adventures, to put our necks into their yoke ? Are they sure that Britain will not call in foreign aid, so as to oblige us also to do the same? Are they sure that if Britain should thus oblige us to call in foreign aid, we should not be as much under obligation to our new allies as to Britain? Are they sure that, if we submit to British Government, they will not, as heretofore, try to fill all places of trust and profit with their creatures, so as by degrees entirely to bring us under? Are they sure that such a resolution, in the Province of Pennsylvania, will not encourage Britain, and make them rise in their demand upon us, since they may expect, from such an instruction, that we should submit to any thing rather than a separation from them? Are they sure that if all the other Colonies should agree in a form of Government, it would be best for their Delegates to reject it and stand out? Was there any need of mentioning the change of the Government in their own Province? Could there be any the least ground for a suspicion of that, let our separation from our Mother Country be as it would? Is this instruction agreeable to the wisdom and prudence that has generally appeared in the Assembly of that Province? Are they sure that it is best America should not be independent as to Government, and that several nations, suppose Britain, Holland, France, and Spain, should have equal advantage of our trade, and they should all be bound to maintain our independency in other respects? Suppose that Britain should have all the advantage of our trade, is not that all that can really be beneficial to them? May there not be a proper treaty for Britain’s having the advantage of our trade, without being any other way under their Government? Have we not already tasted too much of their legislative power ever to let them have the advantage in their hands again? Is not the advantage of our trade, regulated by a proper treaty, all that Britain has a right to expect or desire, and all that we have a right to grant?

LYCURGUS.

NEW-JERSEY, December 4, 1775.