We, therefore, the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in GENERAL CONGRESS Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political Connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that as FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES, they have full power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which INDEPENDENT STATES may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honour.

Ordered, That the Declaration be authenticated and printed.

That the Committee appointed to prepare the Declaration superintend and correct the press.

Resolved, That copies of the Declaration be sent to the several Assemblies, Conventions, and Committees or Councils of Safety, and to the several Commanding Officers of the Continental Troops; that it be proclaimed in each of the United States, and at the head of the Army.

Ordered, That Mr. Morris and Mr. Hewes determine the hire of Mr. Walker’s Vessel, which was employed by Commodore Hopkins in the service of the Continent.

A Letter from General Washington, dated New-York, July 3d, was laid before Congress, and read:

Resolved, That the Delegates of New-York, New-Jersey, and Pennsylvania, be a Committee to confer with the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania, and the Committee of Inspection and Observation for the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, and the Field-Officers of the Battalions of the said City and Liberties, on the best means of defending the Colonies of New-Jersey and Pennsylvania; and that they be empowered to send expresses where necessary.

That the Secret Committee be instructed to order the Flints belonging to the Continent, and now at Rhode-Island, to be sent to the General at New-York.

Resolved, That Mr. Wisner be empowered to send a man, at the publick expense, to Orange County, for a sample of Flint-Stone.

The Congress proceeded to the appointment of two Com-missioners for Indian Affairs in the Middle Department; and, the ballots being taken, Jasper Yates and John Montgomery, Esquires, were elected.

Ordered, That Dr. Franklin and Mr. Wilson inform the above-named gentlemen of their appointment, and desire them to attend the treaty with the Indians at Pittsburgh, on the day appointed; and, also, to appoint some persons to procure goods necessary for the Indians.

Resolved, That to-morrow be assigned for filling up the vacancies in the Committee for Indian Affairs.

Resolved, That the President be empowered to employ another Private Secretary.

Resolved, That the Board of War be empowered to employ such a number of persons as they shall find necessary, to manufacture Flints for the Continent; and, for this purpose, to apply to the respective Assemblies, Conventions, and Councils or Committees of Safety of the United American States, or Committees of Inspection of the Counties and Towns thereunto belonging, for the names and places of abode of persons skilled in the manufactory aforesaid, and of the places, in their respective States, where the best Flint-Stones are to be obtained, with samples of the same.

Resolved, That an Order for 3 Dollars and 54–90ths, be drawn on the Treasurers, in favour of the Express who brought the Despatches from Trenton.

Resolved, That Dr. Franklin, Mr. J. Adams, and Mr. Jefferson, be a Committee to prepare a device for a Seal for the United States of America.

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to sell twenty-five pounds of Powder to John Garrison, of North-Carolina.

Adjourned to nine o’clock, to-morrow.

END OF THE SIXTH AND LAST VOLUME OF THE FOURTH SERIES.

WASHINGTON, May 20, 1845.