all the efforts of our enemies against us. I shall only add, that I am commanded by Congress to direct you to carry the enclosed resolves into execution as speedily as possible.

I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient, and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Major-General Lee, Virginia.

MR. GERRY TO MR. WARREN.

Philadelphia, May 20, 1776.

I enclose you a Virginia paper, just come in, by which you will see the spirit of another County in that Colony, exhibited in their instructions for Independency.

In this Colony (Pennsylvania) the spirit of the people is great, if a judgment is to be formed by appearances. They are well convinced of the injury their Assembly has done to the Continent, by their instructions to their Delegates. It was these instructions which induced the Middle Colonies, and some of the Southern, to backward every measure which had the appearance of Independency. To them is owing the delay of Congress in agitating questions of the greatest importance, which long ere now must have terminated in a separation from Great Britain. To them is owing the disadvantages we now experience, for want of a full supply of every necessary for carrying on the war. Alliances might have been formed, and a diversion been given to the enemy’s arms in Europe or the West-Indies, had these instructions never appeared. But they had their effect; and while we endeavour to recover the Continent from the ill consequences of such feeble politicks, we ought to show the cause of such miserable policy. It appears to me that the eyes of every unbeliever are now open; that all are sensible of the perfidy of Great Britain, and are convinced there is no medium between unqualified submission and actual Independency. The Colonies are determined on the latter. A final declaration is approaching with great rapidity. May the all-wise Disposer of events so direct our affairs that they may terminate in the salvation of these afflicted Colonies.

Amidst all our difficulties, you would be highly diverted to see the situation of our “moderate gentlemen.” They have been more apprehensive of evils than any others, as we have frequently observed, and they have now the mortification to find that their measures for avoiding have but served to increase them. I sometimes think that Providence permitted them to clog the affairs of the Colonies, that they may become in some degree desperate, and thus introduce into the circle of determined men those timid beings, whose constitution never admits of their defending freedom on the noblest principles, and are afterwards obliged to meet danger by the same motives that induced them to shun it. They are coming over to us; but I am sorry their counter-influence so long prevented us from adopting the only means by which we could supply ourselves with the necessaries for defence.

Philadelphia, May 20, 1776.

At a meeting at the State-House, of a very large number of the inhabitants of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, upon due notification, Major John Bayard, as Chairman of the Committee of Inspection and Observation of the City and Liberties, informed the people that the meeting was called at the request of a considerable number of respectable citizens; whereupon, Colonel Daniel Roberdeau was appointed to and seated in the chair. And it was moved that the resolve of Congress, of the 15th instant, be read; whereupon it was read in the following words:

“In Congress, May 15, 1776.

“Whereas his Britannick Majesty, in conjunction with the Lords and Commons of Great Britain, has, by a late act of Parliament, excluded the inhabitants of these United Colonies from the protection of his Crown: And whereas no answer whatever to the humble Petitions of the Colonies for redress of grievances and reconciliation with Great Britain, has been or is likely to be given, but the whole force of that kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be exerted for the destruction of the good people of these Colonies: And whereas it appears absolutely irreconcilable to reason and good conscience for the people of these Colonies now to take the oaths and affirmations necessary for the support of any Government under the Crown of Great Britain; and it is necessary that the exercise of any kind of authority under the said Crown should be totally suppressed, and all the powers of Government exerted under the authority of the people of the Colonies, for the preservation of internal peace, virtue, and good order, as well as for the defence of their lives, liberties, and properties, against the hostile invasions and cruel depredations of their enemies:

“Therefore Resolved, That it be recommended to the respective Assemblies and Conventions of the United Colonies, where no Government sufficient to the exigencies of their affairs has been hitherto established, to adopt such Government as shall, in the opinion of the Representatives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular, and America in general.

“By order of Congress:

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.”

The people, in testimony of their warmest approbation, gave three cheers.

Moved, That the Instructions given by the House of Assembly to their Delegates in Congress be read.

And the same were read accordingly, as follow:

“November 9, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: The trust reposed in you is of such a nature, and the modes of executing it may be so diversified in the course of your deliberations, that it is scarcely possible to give you particular instructions respecting it. We there fore, 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 at 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.”

Colonel Thomas McKean informed that the Committee of the City and Liberties, apprehending the dangerous tendency of the said Instructions, had presented a memorial to the honourable House of Assembly, praying that they might be rescinded; and that the House, taking the said memorial into their consideration, did, as the last act of that body in their late sessions, determine not to alter the said Instructions.

Upon motion, Resolved unanimously, That it is the opinion of this meeting that the said Instructions have a dangerous tendency to withdraw this Province from that happy union with the other Colonies, which we consider both as our glory and protection.

On motion, Resolved unanimously, That the present House of Assembly was not elected for the purpose of forming a new Government.

On motion, Resolved, (with one dissenting voice only,) That the present House of Assembly, not having the authority of the people for that purpose, cannot proceed thereon without assuming arbitrary power.

Resolved unanimously, That a Protest be immediately entered by the people of this City and Liberties, against the powers of the said House to carry the said resolve of Congress into execution.

A Protest being produced and read, the same was unanimously approved.

It being moved, and the question thereupon put, Whether the present Government is competent to the exigencies of

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