American cause in Canada. It was the opinion of the 1776 generals, that it would be impoffible to keep the Indians in a state of neutrality; that they would undoubtedly take an active part, either for or against the Americans; and that it would be beft immediately to engage them on their fide, and to use their utmost endeavours, to prevent their minds being poisoned by ministerial emiffaries. When the committee brought in their report, it May was refolved among other things, "That it is highly 25. expedient to engage the Indians in the fervice of the united colonies."

Upon the first intelligence received at Philadelphia of the troops to be employed against the Americans, a citizen of eminence wrote to his correfpondent, "We now know who the commiffioners are, and their numbers, viz. Meffrs. the Heffians, Brunswickers, Waldeckers, English, Scotch and Irifh. This gives the coup de grace to the British and American connection. It has already wrought wonders in this city: converfions have been more rapid than ever under Mr. Whitefield. The Pennsylvania farmer (Dickinson) told me yesterday in the field-that his fentiments were changed-he had been defirous of keeping the door open as long as poffible, and was now convinced, that nothing was to be expected from our enemies but flavery."

The detaching of the ten strongest regiments to Canada, made the moft ftrenuous exertions neceffary for getting New York into a proper state of defence. Congrefs therefore authorized gen. Washington to direct the building of as many fire rafts, row gallies, armed boats and floating batteries, as might be judged requifite for the immediate defence of that port and of Hudfon's

3.

5.

1776. river. They afterward refolved, that 13,800 militia be June employed to reinforce the army; and that a flying camp be immediately established in the middle colonies, to confift of 10,000 men. They did not overlook Canada; but on the fame day agreed, that the genera! fhould be empowered to employ in that province a number of Indians, not exceeding two thoufand: and, two days after, ordered that the ftanding committee for Indian affairs do devife ways and means for carrying the fame into effect. Within four and twenty hours after, they com plimented the earl of Effingham, for the fingularly noble part he had acted, by naming one of their frigates, now building, the Effingham. The names of the reft are, the Congress, Randolph, Hancock, Washington, Trumbull, Raleigh, Montgomery, Warren, Boston, Virginia, Providence and Delaware.

Certain refolutions refpecting independency were moved and feconded, on the 7th of June, and the confideration of them referred till the next day. Richard Henry Lee efq; one of the Virginia delegates, had given notice to congress, that on that day he should move for a declaration of independence: he accordingly made the motion. Various occurrences had contributed to ripen the colonies for the measure; feveral of which have been occafionally mentioned: others remain to be noticed. The North Carolinians were at one time violent against a feparation from Great Britain; a delegate in their convention mentioning independence, the cry was-treafon

treafon; and he was called to order: but they have been wearied out by the proceedings of the British miniftry, and the methods pursued and countenanced by gov. Martin: fo that all regard and fondness for the

king and nation of Great Britain has fubfided, and in- 1776. dependence has become the word most in use among them. They ask, "Is it poffible that any colony, after what has paffed, can wish for reconciliation ?" The conftant publications, which have appeared and been read with attention, have greatly promoted the spirit of independency: but no one so much as the pamphlet under the fignature of Common Senfe, written by Mr. Thomas Paine, an Englishman. The ftile, manner, and language of the author is fingular and captivating. He undertakes to prove the neceffity, the advantages, and practicability of independence. That no lurking affection for the fovereign may impede it, kings are placed in a light, that tends not only to destroy all attachment to them, but to make them diftafteful: their very office is attempted to be rendered odious; from whence the tranfition to the royal perfon is easy. Nothing could have been better timed than this performance. In unifon with the fentiments and feelings of the people, it has produced most astonishing effects; and been received with vaft applaufe; read by almoft every American; and recommended as a work replete with truth, and against which none but the partial and prejudiced can form any objections. It has fatisfied multitudes, that it is their true intereft immediately to cut the Gordian knot by which the American colonies have been bound to Great Britain, and to open their commerce, as an independent people, to all the nations of the world. It has been greatly inftrumental in producing a fimilarity of fentiment through the continent, upon the fubject under the confideration of congrefs. On the 10th, the bufiness was poftponed to the 1ft of July; but that no time might

3.

5.

1776, river. They afterward refolved, that 13,800 militia be June employed to reinforce the army; and that a flying camp be immediately established in the middle colonies, to consist of 10,000 men. They did not overlook Canada; but on the fame day agreed, that the genera! fhould be empowered to employ in that province a number of Indians, not exceeding two thoufand: and, two days after, ordered that the standing committee for Indian affairs do devife ways and means for carrying the fame into effect. Within four and twenty hours after, they com plimented the earl of Effingham, for the fingularly noble part he had acted, by naming one of their frigates, now building, the Effingham. The names of the reft are, the Congrefs, Randolph, Hancock, Washington, Trumbull, Raleigh, Montgomery, Warren, Bofton, Virginia, Providence and Delaware.

Certain refolutions refpecting independency were moved and feconded, on the 7th of June, and the confideration of them referred till the next day. Richard Henry Lee efq; one of the Virginia delegates, had given notice to congrefs, that on that day he fhould move for a declaration of independence: he accordingly made the motion. Various occurrences had contributed to ripen the colonies for the meafure; feveral of which have been occafionally mentioned: others remain to be noticed. The North Carolinians were at one time violent against a feparation from Great Britain; a delegate in their convention mentioning independence,, the cry was-treafon -treafon; and he was called to order: but they have been wearied out by the proceedings of the British miniftry, and the methods purfued and countenanced by gov. Martin: fo that all regard and fondness for the

king and nation of Great Britain has fubfided, and in- 1776. dependence has become the word moft in use among them. They afk, "Is it poffible that any colony, after what has paffed, can wifh for reconciliation ?" The conftant publications, which have appeared and been read with attention, have greatly promoted the fpirit of independency: but no one fo much as the pamphlet under the fignature of Common Senfe, written by Mr. Thomas Paine, an Englishman. The ftile, manner, and language of the author is fingular and captivating. He undertakes to prove the neceffity, the advantages, and practicability of independence. That no lurking affection for the fovereign may impede it, kings are placed in a light, that tends not only to destroy all attachment to them, but to make them diftafteful: their very office is attempted to be rendered odious; from whence the tranfition to the royal perfon is easy. Nothing could have been better timed than this performance. In unifon with the fentiments and feelings of the people, it has produced moft aftonishing effects; and been received with vaft applaufe; read by almoft every American; and recommended as a work replete with truth, and against which none but the partial and prejudiced can form any objections. It has fatisfied multitudes, that it is their true intereft immediately to cut the Gordian knot by which the American colonies have been bound to Great Britain, and to open their commerce, as an independent people, to all the nations of the world. It has been greatly inftrumental in producing a fimilarity of fentiment through the continent, upon the fubject under the confideration of congrefs. On the 10th, the bufinefs was poftponed to the 1ft of July; but that no time might

10.