security, in the penalty of £1,000, for the faithful observance of his parole.

Ordered, That Mr. Sergeant, Mr. Hugg, and Mr. Elmer, be a Committee to draft an Ordinance for punishing Traitors and Counterfeiters of the Continental and Provincial currencies.

Adjourned till to-morrow morning, eight o’clock.

Wednesday, July 17, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

A Petition from sundry Ladies at Perth-Amboy, setting forth that they apprehend fatal and melancholy consequences to themselves and families, and to the inhabitants in general, if they should be deprived of the assistance of Doctor Lawrence’s skill in his profession, as his attendance is hourly necessary to several patients now much indisposed, who will be left helpless if he be removed, as no other practitioner resides in that place, praying that he may be permitted to remain in Amboy; was read, and ordered a second reading.

Adjourned to two o’clock, afternoon.

Met according to adjournment.

The Committee appointed to draft an Ordinance for punishing Traitors and Counterfeiters, made report; which was read, and ordered a second reading.

The Petition of George Woodward, setting forth the distressed situation of the wife and children of Anthony Woodward, who has been hunted by bands of armed men, and driven, contrary to his intention, to the King’s troops for shelter and protection, praying that he may return to his rank and station in the community; was read, and ordered a second reading.

A Letter from the Committee of Newark, requesting that this Congress would procure, or order to be built, four Gondolas or Row-Galleys, mounted with cannon, to ply between the mouths of Passaick and Hackinsack Rivers and Perth-Amboy; also informing Congress that four persons were confined in the Jail of Essex, at the desire of the Secret Committee of New-York, enclosing their examinations, and some affidavits concerning them, and requesting that this Congress would take some order therein; was read. Whereupon,

Ordered, That the said Examinations and Affidavits be referred to the Secret Committee appointed by this Congress.

The Petition from sundry Ladies at Perth-Amboy was read the second time, and ordered that a copy of the following Letter, addressed to Mrs. Franklin, one of the subscribers, be signed by the President, and sent:

MADAM: I am ordered by Congress to acquaint you, and through you the other ladies of Amboy, that their Petition, in favour of Dr. John Lawrence, has been received and considered.

Could any application have procured a greater indulgence to Dr. Lawrence, you may be assured yours could not have failed of success. But, unhappily, Madam, we are placed in such a situation, that motives of commiseration to individuals must give place to the safety of the publick.

As Dr. Lawrence, therefore, has fallen under the suspicion of our Generals, we are under the necessity of abiding by the steps which are taken; and are, &c.

Ordered, That Thomas Okeson be committed to the common Jail of Hunterdon, the keeper whereof is hereby commanded to receive the said Okeson into his custody, and to keep him in close confinement until the further order of this Congress, or the future Legislature of this State.

Congress resumed the consideration of the Charges exhibited against Samuel Henry, and came to the following determination:

Ordered, That Samuel Henry be committed to the common Jail of Hunterdon, the keeper whereof is hereby commanded to receive the said Samuel Henry into his custody, and to keep him in close confinement until the further order of this Congress or future Legislature of this State.

Letter from the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., enclosing Resolves of the Continental Congress, requiring an addition of two thousand of the Militia of this State to the Flying-Camp; read, and referred to Mr. Mehelm, Mr. Ellis, and Mr. Paterson.

Whereas the honourable Continental Congress have declared the United Colonies free and independent States, we, the Deputies of New-Jersey, in Provincial Congress assembled, do resolve and declare, that we will support the freedom and independence of the said States with our lives and fortunes, and with the whole force of New-Jersey.

Adjourned till eight o’clock, to-morrow morning.

Thursday, July 18, 1776.

Met according to adjournment.

Resolved, That this House from henceforth, instead of the style and title of the Provincial Congress of New-Jersey, do adopt and assume the style and title of the Convention of the State of New-Jersey.

Ordered, That Colonel Isaac Smith be directed to employ some officer of the Militia to apprehend Samuel Henry, and deliver him, together with the order of this Convention for his commitment, to the keeper of the common Jail at Trenton.

The Report of the Committee for drafting an Ordinance for punishing Traitors, &c.; read a second time, and ordered a third reading.

The Committee to whom were referred the Resolves of the Continental Congress, &c, made Report; which was read, and ordered a second reading.

The Report of the Committee for drafting an Ordinance for punishing Traitors, &c.; read a third time.

Ordered, That the same be engrossed, and do pass.*

The Report of the Committee to whom were referred the Resolves of the Continental Congress, &c.; read a second time, and ordered a third reading.

Adjourned to three o’clock, afternoon.

Met according to adjournment.

On the question, whether William Ellis, Esq., or Elijah Hand, Esq., be Major of the Battalion of Militia to be raised

*An Ordinance for punishing Treason and Counterfeiting.—Passed JULY 18, 1776.

Whereas it is necessary, in these times of danger, that crimes should receive their due punishment; and the safety of the people more especially requires that all persons who shall be found so wicked as to desire the destruction of good government, or to aid and assist the avowed enemies of the State, be punished with death:

Therefore be it resolved and ordained by this Convention, and it is resolved and ordained by the authority of the same, That all persons abiding within this State of New-Jersey, and deriving protection from the laws thereof, do owe allegiance to the Government of this State as of late established on the authority of the people, and are to be deemed as members of this State; and that all persons passing through, visiting, or making a temporary stay in this State, being entitled to the protection of the law during such passage, visitation, or temporary stay, during the same time owe allegiance to this Government.

And be it further resolved and ordained, That all and every person or persons, members of, or owing allegiance to this Government, as before described, who, from and after the date hereof, shall levy war against this State within the same, or be adherent to the King of Great Britain, or others the enemies of this State within the same, or to the enemies of the United States of North America, giving to him or them aid or comfort, shall be adjudged guilty of high treason, and suffer the pains and penalties thereof, in like manner as by the ancient laws of this State he or they should have suffered in cases of high-treason.

And be it further resolved and ordained, That all and every persion or persons, who, from and after the date hereof, shall be found guilty of reviling the Government of this State as by this Convention established, or of other seditious speeches or practices, shall be punished in like manner as by the former laws of this State such person or persons might or ought to have been punished for such seditious speeches and practices against the Government then in being.

And be it further resolved and ordained, That all and every person or persons, who, from and after the date hereof, shall be found guilty of counterfeiting or altering the Continental Bills of Credit, the Bills of Credit issued by the late Provincial Congress of this State, or the Assemblies, Conventions, or Congresses, of any of the United States of North America, or uttering the same knowing them to be counterfeit or altered, shall be adjudged felons, and be punished with death, in like manner as persons found guilty of counterfeiting or knowingly altering the former Bills of Credit of this State might or should have been.

Provided always, That no person or persons shall suffer death or other pains or penalties for any the offences aforesaid, until he or they shall have been first found guilty of the same offence or offences whereof he or they shall be charged and accused in a due course of law, and by the verdict of a jury.

Provided also, That nothing in this Ordinance contained shall be construed to divest any Committee of the power they now possess of examining and committing any offenders, so that they do not proceed to the infliction of punishments for any the offences in this Ordinance contained, but leave the same to be determined in due course of law in manner aforesaid.