'8. That the persons who have accepted seats at the Council Board, by virtue of a mandamus from the King, in conformity to the late Act of the British Parliament, entitled an Act for the regulating the Government of the Massachusetts Bay, have acted in direct violation of the duty they owe to their country, and have thereby given great and just offence to this people; therefore resolved, That this county do recommend it to all persons who have so highly offended by accepting said departments, and have not already resigned their seats at the Council Board, to make public resignations of their places at said Board, on or before the 20th day of this instant September; and that all persons refusing so to do, shall, from and after said day, be considered by this county as obstinate and incorrigible enemies to this country.

9. That the fortifications begun, and now carrying on, upon Boston Neck, are justly alarming to this country, and give us reason to apprehend some hostile intention against that town, more especially, as the Commander-in-Chief has, in a very extraordinary manner, removed the powder from the magazine at Charlestown, and has also forbidden the keeper of the magazine at Boston to deliver out to the owners the powder which they had lodged in said magazine.

10. That the late Act of Parliament, for establishing the Roman Catholic religion and the French laws in that extensive country now called Quebec, is dangerous, in an extreme degree, to the Protestant religion, and to the civil rights and liberties of all America; and therefore, as men, and Protestant Christians, we are indispensably obliged to take all proper measures for our security.

11. That whereas, our enemies have flattered themselves that they shall make an easy prey of this numerous, brave, and hardy people, from an apprehension that they are unacquainted with military discipline; we, therefore, for the honor, defence and security of this county and Province, advise, as it has been recommended to take away all commissions from the officers of the militia, that those who now hold commissions, or such other persons be elected in each town, as officers in the militia, as shall be judged of sufficient capacity for that purpose, and who have evidenced themselves the inflexible friends to the rights of the people; and that the inhabitants of those towns and districts who are qualified, do use their utmost diligence to acquaint themselves with the art of war as soon as possible, and do for that purpose appear under arms at least once a week.

12. That during the present hostile appearance on the part of Great Britain, notwithstanding the many insults and oppressions which we must sensibly resent, yet, nevertheless, from our affection. to his Majesty, which we have at all times evidenced, we are determined to act merely upon the defensive, so long as such conduct

may be vindicated by reason, and the principles of self-preservation, but no longer.

13. That as we understand it has been in contemplation to apprehend sundry persons of this county, who have rendered themselves conspicuous in contending for the violated rights and liberties of their countrymen; we do recommend, should such an audacious measure be put in practice, to seize and keep in safe custody, every servant of the present tyrannical and unconstitutional government throughout the county and province, until the persons so apprehended be liberated from the hands of our adversaries, and restored safe and uninjured to their respective friends and families.

14. That until our rights are fully restored to us, we will to the utmost of our power, and we recommend the same to the other counties, withhold all commercial intercourse with Great Britain, Ireland, and the West Indies, and abstain from the consumption of British merchandize and manufactures, and especially of East India teas and piece goods, with such additions, alterations, and exceptions only as the General Congress of the Colonies may agree to.

15. That under our present circumstances, it is incumbent on us to encourage arts and manufactures amongst us, by all means in our power, and that be and

are hereby appointed a committee to consider of the best ways and means to promote and establish the same, and to report to this convention as soon as may be.

16. That the exigencies of our public affairs, demand that a Provincial Congress be called to consult such measures as may be adopted, and vigorosly executed by the whole people; and we do recommend it to the several towns in this county, to choose members for such a Provincial Congress, to be holden at Concord, on the second Tuesday of October next ensuing.

17. That this county, confiding in the wisdom and integrity of the Continental Congress, now sitting at Philadelphia, pay all due respect and submission to such measures as may be recommended by them to the Colonies, for the restoration and establishment of their just rights, civil and religious, and for renewing that harmony and union between Great Britain and the Colonies, so earnestly wished for by all good men.

18. That whereas the universal uneasiness which prevails among all orders of men, arising from the wicked and oppressive measures of the present administration, may influence some unthinking persons to commit outrage upon private property; we would heartily recommend to all persons of this community, not to engage in any routs, riots, or licentious attacks upon the properties of any person whatsoever, as being subversive of all order and government; but by a steady, manly, uniform, and persevering opposition, to convince our enemies that in a contest so important, in a cause so solemn, our conduct shall be such as to merit the approbation of

the wise, and the admiration of the brave and free of every age and of every country.

19. That should our enemies, by any sudden manœuvres, render it necessary to ask the aid and assistance of our brethren in the country, some one of the committee of correspondence, or a select man of such town, or the town adjoining, where such hostilities shall commence, or shall be expected to commence, shall despatch couriers with written messages to the selectmen, or committees of correspondence, of the several towns in the vicinity, with a written account of such matter, who shall despatch others to committees more remote, until proper and sufficient assistance be obtained, and that the expense of said couriers be defrayed by the county, until it shall be otherwise ordered by the Provincial Congress.

September 17, p. m. The Congress taking the foregoing into consideration,

'Resolved unanimously, That this assembly deeply feel the suffering of their countrymen in the Massachusetts Bay, under the operation of the late august, cruel and oppressive Acts of the British Parliament; that they most thoroughly approve the wisdom and fortitude, with which opposition to these wicked ministerial measures has hitherto been conducted, and they earnestly recommend to their brethren, a perseverance in the same firm and temperate conduct as expressed in the resolutions determined upon at a meeting of the delegates for the county of Suffolk, on Tuesday the 6th instant, trusting that the effect of the united efforts of North America in their behalf, will carry such confidence to the British nation, of the unwise, unjust, and ruinous policy of the present administration, as quickly to introduce better men and wiser measures.

Resolved unanimously, That contributions from all the Colonies for supplying the necessities, and alleviating the distresses of our brethren at Boston, ought to be continued, in such manner, and so long as their occasions may require.

Ordered, That these resolutions, together with the resolutions of the county of Suffolk, be published in the newspapers.

On the 18th, Mr. Adams wrote to Mrs. A.: 'The proceedings of the Congress are all a profound secret as yet, except two votes which were passed yesterday and ordered to be printed. You will see them from every quarter. These votes were passed in full Congress with perfect unanimity. The esteem, the affection, the admiration for the people of Boston and the Massachusetts, which were expressed yesterday, and the fixed determination that they should be supported, were enough to melt a heart of stone. I saw the tears gush into the eyes of the old, grave, pacific Quakers of Pennsylvania.

'My dear, do intreat every friend I have to write me. Every line that comes from our friends is greedily inquired after, and our letters have done us vast service. Middlesex and Suffolk have acquired unbounded honor here. There is no idea of submission here in any body's head.

'If Camden, Chatham, Richmond, and St. Asaph, had travelled through the country, they could not have been entertained with greater demonstrations of respect than Cushing, Paine, and the brace of Adamses have been.

'I confess, the kindness, the affection, the applause which have been given to me, and especially to our Province, have many a time filled my bosom and streamed from my eyes. My best respects to Colonel Warren and his lady when you write to them.' Vol. i. pp. 25 to 28.

'IN CONGRESS.-September 26. John Herring, Esq., a deputy from Orange County, in the Colony of New York, appeared this morning, and took his seat as a delegate from that County.

Tuesday, 27. Congress met according to adjournment, and 'Resolved unanimously, That from and after the first day of December next, there be no importation into British America from Great Britain or Ireland, of any goods, wares, or merchandize whatever, or from any other place, of any such goods, wares or merchandizes, as shall have been exported from Great Britain or Ireland, and that no such goods, wares, or merchandizes, imported after the said first day of December next, be used or purchased.'

Friday, 30. Resolved, That from and after the 10th day of September, 1775, the exportation of all merchandize and every commodity whatsoever, to Great Britain, Ireland, and the West Indies, ought to cease, unless the grievances of America are redressed before that time.'

Ordered, That Mr. Cushing, Mr. Low, Mr. Mifflin, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Johnson, be a committee to bring in a plan for carrying into effect, the non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation resolved on.'

'Saturday, October 1.

Simon Beerum, Esq., appeared and took his seat in Congress, as a deputy from King's County, in the Colony of New York.'

Thursday, October 6. An express from Boston arrived with a letter from the committee of correspondence, dated 29th September, which was laid before the Congress.'

That the commitee of correspondence inform the Congress that the intrenchments upon the Neck are nearly completed that cannon are mounted at the entrance of the town- that it is currently reported, that fortifications are to be erected on Copse Hill, Beacon Light, Fort Hill, &c. that a number of cannon the property of a private gentleman, were a few days ago seized and taken from his wharf by order of the General (Gage)- that from all they can hear from Britain, administration is resolved to do all in their power to force them to a submission—that when the town is enclosed, it is apprehended the inhabitants will be held as hostages for the submission of the country, they apply therefore to the Congress for advice how to act-that if the Congress advise to quit the town, they obey-if it is judged that by maintaining their ground they can better serve the public cause, they will not shrink from hardship and danger

• Afterwards called an 'Association.'

finally, that as the late Acts of Parliament have made it impossible that there should be a due administration of justice, and all law therefore must be suspended-that as the Govenor has by proclamation prevented the meeting of the general Court, they therefore request the advice of the Congress.

Ordered, That this letter be taken into consideration to-morrow morning.'

'Friday, October 7. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare a letter to his excellency General Gage, representing that the town of Boston, and Province of Massachusetts Bay, are considered by all America, as suffering in the common cause, for their noble and spirited opposition to the oppressive Acts of Parliament, calculated to deprive us of our most sacred rights and privileges.

Mr. Lynch, Mr. S. Adams, and Mr. Pendleton, are appointed a committee to draught a letter agreeable to the foregoing resolution.' 'Saturday, October 8. The Congress resumed the consideration of the letter from Boston, and upon motion,

'Resolved, That this Congress approve the opposition of the inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay, to the execution of the late Acts of Parliament, and if the same shall be attempted to be carried into execution by force, in such case, all America ought to support them in their opposition.'

'Monday, October 10. The Congress resuming the consideration of the letter from Boston,

'Resolved unanimously, That it is the opinion of this body, that the removal of the people of Boston into the country, would be, not only extremely difficult in the execution, but so important in its consequences, as to require the utmost deliberation before it is adopted; but in case the provincial meeting of that Colony should judge it absolutely necessary, it is the opinion of the Congress, that all America ought to contribute towards recompensing them for the injury they may thereby sustain; and it will be recommended accordingly.

'Resolved, That the Congress recommend to the inhabitants of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay to submit to suspension of the administration of Justice, where it cannot be procured in a legal and peaceable manner, under the rules of their present Charter, and the laws of the Colony founded thereon.

'Resolved unanimously, That every person and persons whomsoever, who shall take, accept, or act under any commission or authority, in anywise derived from the Act passed in the last session of Parliament, changing the form of government and violating the Charter of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, ought to be held in detestation and abhorrence by all good men, and considered as the wicked tools of that despotism, which is preparing to destroy those rights, which God, nature, and compact have given to America!'