transactions of the present times; but that, on the contrary, they will ever be ready to submit to that constitutional authority which, by a free election, has been vested in Congress and Committees. This Congress is, at all times, ready and willing to attend to every request of their constituents, or any part of them. We are of opinion that the Continental Congress alone have that enlarged view of our political circumstances which will enable them to decide upon those measures which are necessary for the general welfare. We cannot presume, by any instructions, to make or declare any resolutions or declarations upon so general and momentous a concern; but are determined patiently to await and firmly to abide by whatever a majority of that august body shall think needful. We therefore cannot presume to instruct the Delegates of this Colony upon the momentous question to which your Address refers, until we are informed that it is brought before the Continental Congress, and the sense of this Colony be required through this Congress.

Nathaniel Woodhull * * * * * *

Ordered, This bill to be taken up the first thing to-morrow.

* * * * * * * * * *

Die Martis, 4 ho. P. M., June 4, 1776.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Brigadier-General Woodhull, President.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Mr. Scott, Colonel Stoutenburgh, Mr. Hallett, Colonel Broome, Mr. Bancker, Mr. Beekman, Mr. Sands.

FOR ALBANY.—Mr. Ten Broeck, Mr. Cuyler, Mr. Glenn.

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Little, Mr. Van Houten, Mr. Pye.

FOR KING’S.—Mr. Leffertse.

FOR CHARLOTTE.—Mr. Webster, Mr. Malcom.

FOR ULSTER.—Mr. Parks, Colonel Hasbrouck.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Morris, Major Lockwood, Captain Flemming, Colonel Graham.

FOR RICHMOND.—Mr. Cortelyou, Mr. Conner.

FOR SUFFOLK.—General Woodhull, Mr. Gelston, Mr. Strong.

FOR DUTCHESS.—Mr. Livingston, Mr. Paul Schenck, Mr. De Lavergne.

FOR QUEEN’S.—Mr. Samuel Townshend, Mr. James Townshend, Mr. Van Wyck.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore, Mr. Harper.

Christopher Duyckinck, and the others charged with violently entering the house of Samuel Louden, and destroying his Pamphlets, having attended this morning pursuant to order, were directed to attend this afternoon; when the parties again attending, but publick business of importance rendering it necessary to postpone the hearing of the parties on the subject,

Ordered, That the hearing of Mr. Louden’s complaint be postponed till next Tuesday morning.

Mr. Duyckinck and the others were called in and informed of this order by the President from the Chair. Mr. Louden not being present,

Ordered, That the Doorkeeper be directed to inform him thereof likewise.

Mr. Morris and Mr. Randall, from the Committee appointed this morning to examine Mrs. Hatch and others of holding a Correspondence with the Ships lying at or near Sandy-Hook, report, that they have examined Mrs. Hatch, as also Mrs. Hill, and, after a strict inquiry, are of opinion that the suspicions against those persons are not well-founded.

Die Mercurii, 9 ho. A. M., June 5, 1776.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Present, Brigadier-General Woodhull, President.

FOR NEW-YORK.—Colonel Broome, Mr. Sands, Mr. Jay, Mr. Scott.

FOR ALBANY.—Mr. Cuyler, Mr. Glenn, Mr. Ten Broeek.

FOR WESTCHESTER.—Mr. Morris, Major Lockwood, Colonel L. Graham, Captain Flemming.

FOR RICHMOND.—Mr. Conner, Mr. Cortelyou.

FOR ULSTER.—Colonel Hasbrouck, Major Parks.

FOR ORANGE.—Mr. Herring, Mr. Little, Mr. Pye.

FOR TRYON.—Mr. Moore, Mr. Harper.

FOR SUFFOLK.—Gen. Woodhull, Mr. Strong, Mr. Gelston.

FOR DUTCHESS.—Mr. Livingston, Mr. De Lavergne, Mr. Paul Schenck.

FOR QUEEN’S.—Mr. Samuel Townshend, Mr. James Townshend, Mr. Van Wyck.

FOR CHARLOTTE.—Mr. Webster, Colonel Malcom.

A Letter from Edmund Pendleton, President of the Convention of Virginia, dated May 22, 1776, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Virginia, May 22, 1776.

“I am honoured with the commands of the General Convention of this Colony to transmit you the enclosed Resolutions, which they have thought it indispensably necessary to enter into at this important crisis; requesting you will communicate their contents to the Convention of your country for their consideration.

“I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant,

“EDMUND PENDLETON, President.

“To the President of the Convention of New-York.”

Resolves of the said Convention, enclosed in the said Letter, were also read and filed, and are in the words following, to wit:

“In Convention, Wednesday, May 15, 1776.

“Present: One hundred and twelve Members.

“Forasmuch as all the endeavours of the United Colonies, by the most decent representations and Petitions to the King and Parliament of Great Britain, to restore peace and security to America under the British Government, and a reunion with that people upon just and liberal terms, instead of a redress of grievances, have produced from an imperious and vindictive Administration increased insult, oppression, and a vigorous attempt to effect our total destruction. By a late act all these Colonies are declared to be in rebellion and out of the protection of the British Crown; our properties subject to confiscation; our people, when captivated, compelled to join in the murder and plunder of their relations and countrymen; and all former rapine and oppression of Americans declared legal and just. Fleets and armies are raised, and the aid of foreign troops engaged to assist these destructive purposes. The King’s Representative in this Colony hath not only withheld all the powers of Government from operating for our safety, but, having retired on board an armed ship, is carrying on a piratical and savage war against us, tempting our slaves, by every artifice, to resort to him, and training and employing them against their masters.

“In this state of extreme danger we have no alternative left but an abject submission to the will of those overbearing tyrants, or a total separation from the Crown and Government of Great Britain, uniting and exerting the strength of all America for defence, and forming alliances with foreign Powers for commerce and aid in war. Wherefore, appealing to the Searcher of hearts for the sincerity of former declarations expressing our desire to preserve the connection with that nation, and that we are driven from that inclination by their wicked councils and the eternal laws of self-preservation:

“Resolved, unanimously, That the Delegates appointed to represent this Colony in General Congress be instructed to propose to that respectable body to declare the United Colonies free and independent States, absolved from all allegiance to, or dependance upon, the Crown and Parliament of Great Britain; and that they give the assent of this Colony for such declaration, and to whatever measures may be thought proper and necessary by the Congress, for forming foreign alliances, and a confederation of the Colonies, at such time and in such manner as to them shall seem best; provided that the power of forming Government for, and the regulation of the internal concerns of each Colony, be left to the respective Colonial Legislatures.

“Resolved, unanimously, That a Committee be appointed to prepare a Declaration of Rights and such a plan of Government as will be most likely to maintain peace and order in this Colony, and secure substantial and equal liberty to the people.

“EDMUND PENDLETON, Pres’t.”

Ordered, That Mr. Jay and Mr. Morris be a Committee to prepare a draft of an Answer to the foregoing Letter, and report the same.

A Letter from William Rogers, Commander of the Provincial armed Sloop Montgomery, dated at Little Egg-Harbour, May 22, 1776, was read and filed.