DOCUMENTARY HISTORY, &c.

CORRESPONDENCE, MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS, PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEES, &c.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Proceedings of the House of Representatives of the Colony of NEW-HAMPSHIRE, who convened at EXETER, as Delegates from the several Towns, Parishes, and places in said Colony, on the 21st day of DECEMBER, A. D. 1775, and continued a Congress until the 5th day of JANUARY, A. D. 1776, and then (by leave of the honourable the Continental Congress) resolved themselves into a House of Representatives or Assembly for the Colony of NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

“In Congress, Friday, November 3, 1775.

“The Congress taking into consideration the Report of the Committee on the New-Hampshire Instructions:

“Resolved, That it be recommended to the Provincial Convention of New-Hampshire to call a full and free Representation of the People; and that the Representatives, if they think it necessary, establish such a form of Government as, in their judgment, will best produce the happiness of the People, and most effectually secure peace and good order in the Province during the continuance of the present dispute between Great Britain and the Colonies.

“Extract from the Minutes:

“CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.

“By order of Congress:

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.

“A true copy. Attest:

“NOAH EMERY, Deputy Secretary.”

In Congress, at Exeter, January 5, 1776.

Voted, That this Congress take up Civil Government for this Colony, in manner and form following, viz:

We, the Members of the Congress of New-Hampshire, chosen and appointed by the free suffrages of the People of said Colony, and authorized and empowered by them to meet together and use such means and pursue such measures as we should judge best for the publick good; and in particular, to establish some form of Government, provided that measure should be recommended by the Continental Congress; and, a recommendation to that purpose having been transmitted to us from the said Congress, have taken into our serious consideration the unhappy circumstances into which this Colony is involved, by means of many and grievous and oppressive Acts of the British Government, depriving us of our natural and constitutional rights and privileges; to enforce obedience to which Acts, a powerful Fleet and Army have been sent into this country by the Ministry of Great Britain, who have exercised a cruel and wanton abuse of their power, in destroying the lives and property of the Colonists in many places with fire and sword; taking the ships and lading from many of the honest and industrious inhabitants of this Colony employed in commerce agreeable to the laws and customs a long time used here.

The sudden and abrupt departure of his Excellency John Wentworth, Esq., our Governour, and several of the Council, leaving as destitute of legislation; and no Executive Courts being open to punish criminal offenders, whereby the lives and property of the honest people of this Colony are liable to the machinations and evil designs of wicked men: Therefore, for the preservation of peace and good order, and for the securities of the lives and property of the inhabitants of this Colony, we consider ourselves reduced to the necessity of establishing a form of Government, to continue during the present unhappy and unnatural contest with Great Britain; protesting and declaring that we never sought to throw off our dependance upon Great Britain, but felt ourselves happy under her protection, while we could enjoy our constitutional rights and privileges; and that we shall rejoice if such a reconciliation between us and our Parent State can be effected as shall be approved by the Continental Congress, in whose prudence and wisdom we confide.

Accordingly, pursuant to the trust reposed in us, we do resolve that this Congress assume the name, power, and authority of a House of Representatives, or Assembly, for the Colony of New-Hampshire; and that said House then proceed to choose twelve persons, being reputable freeholders and inhabitants within this Colony, in the following manner, viz: Five in the County of Rockingham, two in the County of Strafford, two in the County of Hillsborough, two in the County of Cheshire, and one in the County of Grafton, to be a distinct and separate branch of the Legislature, by the name of a Council for this Colony; to continue as such until the third Wednesday in December next; and seven of whom to be a quorum to do business.

That such Council appoint their President; and, in his absence, that the senior Counsellor preside.

That a Secretary be appointed by both branches, who may be a Counsellor, or otherwise, as they shall choose.

That no Act or Resolve shall be valid and put into execution, unless agreed to and passed by both branches of the Legislature.

That all publick officers for the said Colony, and each County, for the current year, be appointed by the Council and Assembly, except the several Clerks of the Executive Courts, who shall be appointed by the Justices of the respective Courts.

That all Bills, Resolves, or Notes, for raising, levying, or collecting Money, originate in the House of Representatives.

That, at any session of the Council and Assembly, neither branch shall adjourn for any longer time than from Saturday till the next Monday without consent of the other.

And be it further Resolved, That if the present unhappy dispute with Great Britain should continue longer than this present year, and the Continental Congress give no instruction or direction to the contrary, the Council be chosen by the people, of each respective County, in such manner as the Council and House of Representatives shall order.

That General and Field-Officers of the Militia, on any vacancy, be appointed by the two Houses; and all inferior officers be chosen by the respective Companies.

That all Officers of the Army be appointed by the two Houses, except they should direct otherwise in the case of any emergency.

That all Civil Officers for the Colony, and for each County, be appointed, and the time of their continuance in office be determined, by the two Houses; except Clerks of Courts, and County Treasurers, and Recorders of Deeds.

That a Treasurer and Recorder of Deeds for each County be annually chosen by the people of each County, respectively: the votes for such officers to be returned to the respective Courts of General Sessions of the Peace in the County, there to be ascertained as the Council and Assembly shall hereafter direct.

That Precepts, in the name of the Council and Assembly,