who have not taken up arms against this Colony, shall be required to take the following Oath, on pain of imprisonment, viz:

“I do solemnly and sincerely swear on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, that during the present unhappy contest between Great Britain and America, I will not, under any pretence whatever, oppose, or take up arms to oppose, the measures of the Continental or Provincial Congress, or any Troops raised by, or acting under, the authority of either; nor will I directly, or indirectly, either personally or by letter, counsel, advise, or give intelligence to any of his Majesty’s Governours, Generals, Officers, Soldiers, or others, employed by land or sea, to carry into execution and enforce obedience to the several acts of the British Legislature, deemed oppressive to these Colonies. I will not, by example, opinion, advice, or persuasion, endeavour to prejudice the people, or any of them, in favour of Parliamentary measures, or against those recommended by the General and Provincial Congresses, until it shall please God to restore peace and good understanding to the contending powers.”

Resolved, That either of the Publick Treasurers draw on the Continental Treasury for two hundred and twenty-five Dollars, in favour of Samuel Johnston, Thomas Jones, and Thomas Person, Esqs., for their expenses to Virginia on the publick service, and be allowed in their accounts with the publick.

It appearing to this Council, that Lott Strange, master, and John Strange, owner, of the Sloop Kingfisher, have been guilty of importing certain British European Goods, contrary to the Continental Association,

Resolved, That the said Lott Strange and John Strange enter into Bond in the sum of five hundred Pounds, to the Committee of Perquimans County, for their future good behaviour, and that they depart the Port with their said Vessel in ballast, within one month from this day; and when the said Lott Strange and John Strange shall have given such Bond, then the said Committee is hereby directed to deliver up the said Sloop Kingfisher, with her tackle, apparel, and furniture, and other property belonging to the said Lott and John Strange.

Resolved, That Colonel Richard Caswell send, under a sufficient guard, Brigadier-General Donald McDonald, taken at the battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge, to the Town of Halifax, and there to have him committed a close prisoner in the Jail of the said Town, until further orders.

Farquard Campbell was brought before this Council by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Rhodes, under a warrant from Colonel Moore; and no sufficient proof appearing against the said Farquard Campbell,

Resolved, That he be allowed to depart at this time, and appear at the Provincial Congress the 2d day of April next,

The said Farquard Campbell then personally promised and undertook to appear at the time and place aforesaid, to answer such matters and things as he should be then and there charged with.

Resolved, That Captain Robert Rowan be empowered to summon and enforce the attendance of such persons at the next Provincial Congress, to be held at Halifax, on the 2d day of April next, as he shall think to be material witnesses against Farquard Campbell, of Cumberland County, respecting a charge against the said Farquard Campbell, of some conduct inimical to the cause of America and this Province, in the late insurrection of the Highlanders and Regulators.

CORNELIUS HARNETT, President.

By order:

JAMES GREEN, Jun., Clerk.

Williamsburgh, Virginia, March 5, 1776.

The Tories and tools of Administration are constantly crying out that the Congress is aiming at independence, and pretend now that they would wish to see America put into the situation it was in the year 1763. I say pretend, now, because now they find it impossible to bring America to the abject state of slavery they were willing to reduce her, and have no hopes of succeeding in their scheme of despotism, unless they can take advantage of our love of the British Constitution, and attachment to Great Britain, by alarming us with the thoughts of a separation, by raising a distrust in the Congress, and fears of an unsettled and imperfect republick, or, at the same time, by lulling us into a state of security, and flattering us with an expectation of an accomodation. That the Ministry (whatever Lord North may be supposed to mean by something he said to that effect) do not wish to see us restored to the situation we were in 1763, must be evident from their not embracing the offers of the Congress to accept of those terms; for if they desired it—if they preferred peace to war, and were willing to put a stop to the effusion of the blood of their fellow-subjects, they would have eagerly embraced the petition of the Congress, and made it the basis of an honourable negotiation, which must speedily have brought about a happy and lasting reconciliation. But the King, who had early imbibed principles of despotism, and who has found means to make himself absolute, even in England, by means of a venal Parliament and a servile army of sycophants, and who has lately tasted the sweets (it was but a taste) of an absolute monarch, in his Kingdom of Quebeck, was determined not to admit it as a basis of a negotiation, scorning to treat with Rebels; and declaring, from his throne, that we meant but to deceive and “lull him into a security, by professions of attachment and loyalty, whilst we were preparing for war.” And from the King’s speech, the world would suppose that we had so far got the start of him, in our preparations, that he was obliged to call in foreign troops to his assistance. His Majesty, does, it is true, most graciously say, “It may not be amiss to empower certain persons to pardon such offenders as shall repent and turn from their evil ways.” But he says nothing like what his tools here have said; nor can there be the least foundation for the report, which was lately so industriously propagated, viz: That several of the obnoxious acts were repealed, and that Commissioners were on their way to Philadelphia, to treat with the Congress. Whoever will read the vote of the House of Commons, on Lord North’s motion, of November 28th, and the resolve of the Irish House of Commons, on Friday, the 21st of November, and will also consider the great preparations England is making for a war, the arrival of men-of-war with transports here, and knows that Lord Dunmore is actually intrenching at Tucker’s Mills, that he is daily recruiting his army of slaves, that there has lately been a dangerous commotion in North-Carolina, and that the English commander at Detroit has instigated some Indians to make an attack on our frontiers, who have actually scalped several people—I say, whoever knows and considers these things, must see that the story of Commissioners, repeal, and accommodation, was intended but to lull us into security, or to insult and mock us. It is therefore high time to look to ourselves; and if we cannot enjoy the privileges of Englishmen, when connected with them, let us instantly break off those fetters of affection which have hitherto bound us to them; and if England calls in foreign assistance, let us follow the wisdom of her example, and do so likewise.

TALBOT COUNTY COMMITTEE TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

In Committee, Talbot County, March 5, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: In answer to a letter from you, requesting our sentiments of a place the most proper for the Independent Company, appointed by the Convention, to be stationed in this County, we beg leave to propose Oxford, which, in our opinion, is the most convenient for that purpose.

We are, with much respect, gentlemen, your most obedient servants.

By order of the Committee:

NICHOLAS THOMAS, Chairman.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

GEORGE PLATER TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Sotterly, March 5, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: In obedience to the order of the Congress, transmitted by you, I have collected what gold I could in St. Mary’s County, and now send it by Colonel Fitzhugh, amounting to two hundred and twenty-four pounds one shilling and three pence, as noted below. You will be pleased

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