Tuesday, November 28, 1775.

The House met.

The engrossed Bill entitled “A supplementary Act to the Act entitled ‘An Act for striking One Hundred Thousand Pounds, in Bills of Credit, and directing the mode for sinking the same,’” was read and compared; on the question,

Resolved, That the same do pass.

Ordered, That Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Combs do carry the said Bill to the Council, for concurrence.

The House was moved, that a Committee be appointed to prepare the draught of a Petition to His Majesty, humbly beseeching him to use his interposition to prevent the effusion of blood; and to express the great desire this House hath to a restoration of peace and harmony with the Parent State, on constitutional principles.

Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Mr. Kinsey, Mr. Paxson, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Lawrence, and Mr. Gibbon, be a Committee to prepare and bring in the draught of a Petition accordingly.

Mr. Winds had leave of absence for the remainder of the session, upon extraordinary occasions.

The House took into consideration the inquiry had yesterday, touching the Petitions presented to this House; and it appearing from the Petitioners of the City of Burlington, who were called in and heard, that they signed the same from reports that some men affected independency, and being alarmed at such sentiments, they were induced to present the Petition, hoping that the House would discourage such sentiments by their Resolutions; whereupon, the several Petitions being read the second time,

1. Resolved, That reports of Independency, in the apprehension of this House, are groundless.

2. Resolved, That it be recommended to the Delegates of the Colony to use their utmost endeavours for the obtaining a redress of American grievances, and for restoring the union between the Colonies and Great Britain, upon constitutional principles.

3. Resolved, That the said Delegates be directed not to give their assent to, but utterly to reject any propositions, if such should be made, that may separate this Colony from the Mother Country, or change the form of Government thereof.

The House also taking into consideration the conduct of Mr. Richard Smith, late of Philadelphia, merchant, upon the hearing had yesterday,

Ordered, That the Sergeant-at-Arms do bring the said Richard Smith before this House, at four o’clock this afternoon, to answer for the insult offered by him to the House during the said hearing.

Ordered, That Mr. Tucker, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Shepperd, Mr. Hewlings, and Mr. Gibbon, or any three of them, be a Committee to settle all publick Accounts that may come before the House this session.

The House adjourned till three, P. M.

The House met.

Mr. Richard Smith attending, pursuant to the order of the forenoon, and being examined as to the words spoken by him of the member, informed the House that he neither intended any offence or insult to the House or any member of it, and that he is sorry any member of this House should take it as an insult upon him; with which this House being satisfied, and being of opinion that it appears Mr. Smith really misapprehended the words of the member, and that the same member is not justly chargeable with such opinions, do discharge Mr. Smith from any further attendance on the House.

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

Wednesday, November 29, 1775.

The House met.

The engrossed Address to his Excellency was read and compared; on the question,

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do sign the same.

Ordered, That Mr. Tucker and Mr. Elmer do wait upon the Governour, and desire to know when his Excellency will be attended by the House with their Address.

The Bill for the support of Government was read the second time, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House, on the Bill for support of Government; and after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Fisher, Chairman of the Committee, reported, that the Committee had made some progress in the matters to them referred, and desired leave to sit again; to which the House agreed.

The House adjourned till three, P. M.

The House met.

A Message from the Council, by Mr. Stockton, acquainting the House that the Council have passed the Bill entitled “An Act to authorize the Board of Justices and Freeholders of the several Counties in the Colony of New-Jersey to defray the expense of taking Lists of the Inhabitants.”

The House again, according to order, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House, on the Bill for support of Government; 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 matters to them referred, and had come to several 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 follows, viz:

1. Resolved, That in and by the said Bill, when passed into a law, there be paid to his Excellency William Franklin, Esq., Governour of this Colony, at the rate of twelve hundred Pounds per annum, Proclamation Money, to commence the first day of October last.

And on the question, whether the House agrees to the said sum or not, it passed in the affirmative, as follows:

Who voted for one thousand Pounds.

2. To David Ogden, Esq., second Justice of the Supreme Court of this Colony, at the rate of one hundred and fifty Pounds per annum, money aforesaid.

And on the question, whether the House agrees thereto or not, it passed in the affirmative, as follows:

Who voted for one hundred Pounds.

3. To Richard Stockton, Esq., third Justice of the Supreme Court of this Colony, at the rate of one hundred and fifty Pounds per annum, money aforesaid.

And on the question, whether the House agrees thereto or not, it passed in the affirmative, as follows:

4. To Cortland Skinner, Esq., Attorney-General of this Colony, at the rate of forty Pounds per annum, money aforesaid.

And on the question, whether the House agrees thereto or not, it passed in the affirmative, as follows: