Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, manifest such a determined and implacable resolution to effect the utter destruction of these Colonies, that all hopes of a reconciliation on reasonable terms are extinguished. Nevertheless, it is our ardent desire that a civil war, with all its attending miseries, could be ended by a secure and honourable peace.

“We therefore hereby authorize you to concur with the other Delegates in Congress in forming such further compacts between the United Colonies, concluding such treaties with foreign Kingdoms and States, and in adopting such other measures as, upon a view of all circumstances, shall be judged necessary for promoting the liberty, safety, and interests of America, reserving to the people of this Colony the sole and exclusive right of regulating the internal Government and police of the same.

“The happiness of these Colonies has, during the whole course of this fatal controversy, been our first wish; their reconciliation with Great Britain our next. Ardently have we prayed for the accomplishment of both. But if we must renounce the one or the other, we humbly trust in the mercies of the supreme Governour of the Universe, that we shall not stand condemned before his Throne, if our choice is determined by that overruling law of self-preservation, which his Divine wisdom has thought fit to implant in the hearts of his creatures.

“Signed by order of the House:

“JOHN MORTON, Speaker. ”

The Report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the conduct of the Committee of Safety, &c, being again read, was approved of, and is as follows, viz:

“Your Committee beg leave to report, that they have examined into the conduct of the Committee of Safety respecting the whole of their proceedings, and particularly the supplies of powder and ammunition sent on board the galleys before and at the time of their engagements with the Roebuck and Liverpool men-of-war; and, having heard their allegations and proofs, are of opinion that it appears, from incontestable evidence, that before the first engagement the galleys were supplied with thirty-three rounds of powder each, at the proportion of one-third weight of powder to the ball; that during the said first engagement, they received, in cartridges and two kegs of loose powder, the quantity of eight rounds more beyond their first stock, and there was then ready to be delivered, and as supposed delivered to them immediately after the first engagement while the Roebuck lay aground, the quantity of eleven rounds each, besides three hundred weight sent from Wilmington and what remained unexpended in the engagement; that on the day of the second engagement, each galley had sixty-seven rounds of powder, including the supplies sent them in addition to what remained on hand after the first day’s engagement. Your Committee are further of opinion that, during both the engagements, the galleys were sufficiently supplied with all other kinds of necessary ammunition; that their not having taken the Roebuck was not owing to any deficiency in the above articles; and that the conduct of the Committee of Safety on that occasion evidenced the greatest zeal and attention to the publick service.

A Protest of the Board of Officers of the five Battalions of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, was presented to the House, and read, and is as follows, viz:

“To the Honourable the House of Representatives of the Freemen of the Province of PENNSYLVANIA, in General Assembly met :

“The Protest of the Board of Officers of the five Battalions of the City and Liberties of PHILADELPHIA, respectfully showeth:

“That this Board address you by the title heretofore used to the honourable House of Assembly, in order to avoid the least appearance of disrespect to the honourable members now sitting; that this Board has received information that the honourable Congress of the United Colonies has recommended to this Colony to appoint two Brigadiers-General to command the Associators of this Province; and we, apprehending that this House may be induced to take upon them to nominate and appoint the said Brigadiers-General without having the authority of the Associators for that purpose, and further apprehending that any nomination made by this honourable House will not give satisfaction to the Associators of the Province, and consequently that they will not act under them, —for these and other weighty and important considerations, this Board do hereby prorest against this honourable House making, or attempting to make, the said appointments.

“Signed by order:

“DANIEL ROBERDEAU, President. ”

Ordered to lie on the table.

Resolved, by the Members of Assembly now met, That they are earnestly desirous of carrying into execution the Resolutions of Congress of the 1st instant; but that, as they despair, after repeated disappointments, of procuring a quorum of the House, they find themselves unable at this time to proceed on the said Resolutions.*

Ordered, That the Delegates of this Colony lay the foregoing Resolution before the honourable Congress.

The Report of the Committee respecting the making of Salt, was taken into consideration, and referred to the Committee of Safety.

The Sergeant-at-Arms not having brought in his Account of expenses in going for the absent Members,

Ordered, That Michael Hillegas, Esq., examine and pay the said Account out of the eighty-five thousand Pounds emitted by the Resolves of Assembly, when exhibited to him for that purpose.

A Protest of the Committee of Privates of the Military Association belonging to the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, was presented to the House, and read, and is as follows, viz:

“To the Honourable the Representatives of the Freemen of the Province of PENNSYLVANIA, in General Assembly met :

“The Protest of the Committee of Privates of the Military Association belonging to the City and Liberties of PHILADELPHIA, respectfully showeth :

“That this Committee, understanding that the honourable Congress has recommended to this Colony to appoint two Brigadiers-General to command the Associators of this Province, do protest against any appointment of said Brigadiers-General to be made by this House:

“Because there is no regular Militia law which obliges the constituents of this House to become Associators, or to send persons in their room, if they decline associating; therefore the Association is not properly Provincial, and, of consequence, this House is not properly constituted to be competent to the business; nor can the appointment come before them as Provincial representation.

“Because many of the Associators have been excluded by this very House from voting for the members now composing it, though this House was applied to on their behalf; and therefore they are not represented in this House.

“Because the Counties which have the greatest number of Associators have not a proportional representation, and therefore cannot be considered as having an equal voice in the nomination.

“Because the Association has been voluntary, and this House choosing, by their resolutions respecting it, that it should remain so, therefore cannot interfere, nor in anywise, consistent with decency, attempt to impose officers upon us not of our choice.

“Because many Members of this House are the Representatives of persons in religious profession, like themselves, totally averse to military defence, and therefore cannot be called the Representatives of Associators; nor do we wish to interfere so much with their religious sentiments as to

*There were thirty-six Members present when this Resolution passed the House.

Table of Contents List of Archives Top of Page

Previous   Next