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of America are now pursuing, and that we may yet see the publick tranquillity re-established, on the ground of the terms held out by His Majesty and the Parliament.” It is likewise proper that you should know “that the Commanders of His Majesty’s Squadrons in America have orders to proceed, as in the case of a Town in actual rebellion, against such of the seaport Towns and places, being accessible to the King’s Ships, as shall offer any violence to the King’s Officers, or in which any Troops shall be raised or military works erected, other than by His Majesty’s authority, or any attempts made to seize or plunder any publick magazine of Arms or Ammunition.” Although the King’s Officers in this Province have not as yet, except in one or two instances, met with any insults or improper treatment from any of the inhabitants, yet such has been the general infatuation and disorder of the times, that had I followed the judgment and advice of some of my best friends, I should ere this have sought (as other of the King’s Governours have done) an asylum on board of one of His Majesty’s Ships; but as I am conscious that I have the true interest and welfare of the people at heart, (though I am so unhappy as to differ widely in opinion with their Representatives, respecting the best means of serving them in the present crisis,) I shall continue my confidence in that affection and regard which I have on so many occasions experienced from all ranks, during my residence in this Colony. I have indeed the stronger inducement to run this risk, and to use my influence with the other Crown Officers to do the same, because our retreat would necessarily be attributed to either the effect or well grounded apprehension of violence, and of course subject the Colony to be more immediately considered as in actual rebellion, and be productive of mischiefs which it is my earnest inclination and determination to prevent, as far as may be in my power. Let me therefore, gentlemen, entreat you to exert your influence likewise with the people, that they may not, by any action of theirs, give cause for the bringing such calamities on the Province. No advantage can possibly result from the seizing, confinement, or ill treatment of officers, adequate to the certain damage such acts of violence must occasion the Province to suffer. However, gentlemen, if you should be of a different opinion, and will not or cannot answer for our safety, all I ask is, that you will tell me so in such plain, open language as cannot be misunderstood; for as sentiments of independency are, by some men of present consequence, openly avowed, and essays are already appearing in the publick papers to ridicule the people’s fears of that horrid measure, and remove their aversion to Republican Government, it is high time that every man should know what he has to expect. If, as I hope, you have an abhorrence of such design, you will do your Country an essential service by declaring it in so full and explicit terms as may discourage the attempt. You may always rely on finding me ready to co-operate with you in every proper expedient for promoting peace, order, and good Government; and I shall deem it a particular happiness to have an opportunity of being instrumental in saving this Province from the present impending danger. WILLIAM FRANKLIN. Council Chamber, November 16, 1775. Ordered, That his Excellency’s Speech be read a second time. The House adjourned till ten o’clock, to-morrow morning. Friday, November 17, 1775. The House met. Mr. Crane had leave of absence on special occasion. Mr. Speaker laid before the House a Letter to him from Richard Penn and Arthur Lee, Esqs.; which was read, and the same 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 His Majesty. We thought it our duty to press his Lordship to obtain an answer, but we were 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 and obedient servants, “RICHARD PENN, “To the Honourable the Speaker of the Assembly of New-Jersey.” Mr. Kinsey and Mr. De Hart, two of the Delegates appointed by this House to attend the Continental Congress, applied to the House for leave to resign their said appointments, alleging that they are so particularly circumstanced as to render their attendance exceedingly inconvenient to their private affairs. Resolved, That the House will take this matter into consideration. The House adjourned till three, P. M. The House met. Several Members of this House being absent, whereby the publick business has been greatly retarded, Ordered, That the Sergeant-at-Arms do give notice forthwith to Benjamin Holme, Robert F. Price, John Combs, John Wetherill, Azariah Dunham, and William Winds, Esqs., to attend their service here immediately. Mr. Mehelm had leave to be absent on Monday next, upon special business. The House adjourned till nine o’clock, to-morrow morning. Saturday, November 18, 1775. The House met, and adjourned till Monday morning, ten o’clock. Monday, November 20, 1775. The House met, and adjourned till three, P. M. The House met. Mr. Combs and Mr. Winds appeared, and assigned to the House satisfactory reasons for their non-appearance. A Petition was presented to the House, from fifty-two Inhabitants of the Township of Chesterfield, in the County of Burlington, setting forth their abhorrence of personal Slavery, and praying the Legislature to take the matter into their most serious consideration, and pass an Act to set free all the Slaves now in the Colony; which Petition was read, and ordered a second reading. His Excellency’s Speech was read the second time, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House. The House adjourned till nine o’clock, to-morrow morning. Tuesday, November 21, 1775. The House met. A Petition was presented to the House, from divers Inhabitants of the County of Burlington, praying, for reasons therein set forth, that young men living with their parents may be taxed; the same was read, and ordered a second reading. The House, according to order, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on his Excellency’s Speech; and after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Fisher, Chairman of the Committee, reported that the Committee had gone through the Speech, and had come to sundry Resolutions, which he was ready to report whenever the House will please to receive the same. Ordered, That the Report be made immediately; whereupon, Mr. Fisher reported the Resolutions of the Committee, as follow, viz: 1. Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his Excellency, in answer to his Speech: To which the House agreed. 2. Resolved, That the Government of this Colony be honourably supported from the 1st day of October, 1775, to the 1st day of October, 1776: To which the House agreed. Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Kinsey, and Mr. Gibbon, be a Committee to prepare and
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