practicable. It is observeable that rights were, at this period, asserted, which, in the commencement

of

for the purpose of securing the commercial advantages of the whole empire to the mother country, and the commercial benefit of its respective members: excluding every idea of taxation internal or external, for raising a revenue on the subjects in America without their consent.

Resolved, N. C. D. 5th, That the respective colonies are entitled to the common law of England, and more especially, to the great and inestimable one of being tried by their peers of the vicinage according to the course of that law.

Resolved, 6th, That they are entitled to the benefit of such of the English statues as existed at the time of their colonization; and which they have, by experience, respectively found to be applicable to their several local and other circumstances.

Resolved, N. C. D. 7th, That these his Majesty's colonies are likewise entitled to all the immunities, and privileges granted and confirmed to them by royal charters, or secured by their several codes of provincial laws.

Resolved, N. C. D. 8th, That they have a right peaceably to assemble, consider of their grievances, and petition the king; and that all prosecutions, prohibitory proclamations, and commitments for the same, are illegal.

Resolved, N. C. D. 9th, That the keeping a standing army in these colonies, in time of peace, without the consent of the legislature of that colony, in which such army is kept, is against law.

Resolved, N. C. D. 10th, It is indispensably necessary to good government, and rendered essential by the English constitution, that the constituent branches of the legislature be independent of

of the contest, were not generally maintained; and that, even now, the exclusive right of legislation in the

each other; that, therefore, the exercise of legislative power in several colonies, by a council appointed, during pleasure, by the crown, is unconstitutional, dangerous, and destructive to the freedom of American legislation,

All and each of which the aforesaid deputies in behalf of them, selves, and their constituents, do claim, demand, and insist on, as their indubitable rights and liberties; which cannot be legally taken from them, altered, or abridged, by any power whatever, without their own consent, by their representatives in their several provincial legislatures,

In the course of our enquiry, we find many infringements and violations of the foregoing rights, which, from an ardent desire that harmony and mutual intercourse of affection and interest may be restored, we pass over for the present, and proceed to state such acts and measures as have been adopted since the last war, which demonstrate a system formed to enslave America.

Resolved, N. C. D. That the following acts of parliament are infringements and violations of the rights of the colonists; and that the repeal of them is essentially necessary, in order to restore harmony between Great Britain and the American colonies; viz.

The several acts of 4 Geo. III. ch. 15 and ch. 34; 5 Geo. III. ch. 25; 6 Geo. III. ch. 52; 7 Geo. III. ch. 41 and ch. 46; 8 Geo. III, ch. 22; which impose duties for the purpose of raising a revenue in America, extend the power of the admiralty courts beyond their ancient limits, deprive the American subject of trial by jury, authorize the judge's certificate to indemnify the prosecutor from damages that he might otherwise be liable to, requiring oppressive security from an impose claimant of ships and goods seized before he shall be allowed to defend his property, and are subversive of American rights.

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the colonial legislatures, with the exception of acts of the British parliament, bond fide, made to regulate and

Also, 12 Geo. III. ch. 24, entitled, An act for the better securing his Majesty's dock-yards, magazines, ships, ammunition, and stores,' which declares a new offence in America, and deprives the American subject of a constitutional trial by jury of the vicinage, by authorizing the trial of any person charged with the committing of any offence described in the said act, out of the realm, to be indicted and tried for the same in any shire or county of the realm,

Also, the three acts passed in the last session of parliament, for stopping the port and blocking up the harbour of Boston, for altering the charter and government of Massachussetts Bay; and that which is entitled, An act for the better administration of justice,' &c.

Also, the act passed in the same session for establishing the Roman Catholic religion in the province of Quebec, abolishing the equitable system of English laws, and erecting a tyranny there, to the great danger (from so total a dissimilarity of religion, law, and government of the neighbouring British colonies, by the assistance of whose blood and treasure the said country was conquered from France.

Also, the act passed in the same session, for the better providing suitable quarters for officers and soldiers in his Majesty's service in North America.

Also, that the keeping of a standing army in several of the colo nies in time of peace, without the consent of the legislature of that colony in which such army is kept, is against law.

To these grievous acts and measures Americans cannot submit ; but in hopes their fellow-subjects in Great Britain will, on a revision

of

and restrain external commerce, which from neces sity were consented to, was not unanimously averred, The addresses prepared, the various papers drawn up, and the measures recommended by this Congress, form their best eulogium, and attest how judiciously a selection of character had been made by the people, for the all interesting concerns entrusted to their care. Affection to the mother country, an exalted admiration of her national character, unwillingness to separate from her, a knowledge of the hazards and difficulties of the struggle to be engaged in, mingled with an enthusiastic love of liberty and of country; with a conviction that all which can make life valuable was at stake; characterize their proceedings.

"When," say they, in their address to the people of Great Britain, "a nation led to greatness by the hand of liberty, and possessed of all the glory that heroism, munificence, and humanity can bestow, descends to the ungrateful task of forging chains for her friends and children; and, instead of

of them, restore us to that state, in which both countries found happiness and prosperity, we have for the present only resolved 10 pursue the following peaceable measures: 1st, To enter into a non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation, agree ment, or association: 2dly, To prepare an address to the people of Great Britain, and a memorial to the inhabitants of British America: And, 3dly, To prepare a loyal address to his Majesty, agree ably to resolutions already entered into,”

giving support to freedom, turns advocate for slas very and oppression, there is reason to suspect, she has either ceased to be virtuous, or been extremely negligent in the appointment of her rulers.

"In almost every age, in repeated conflicts, in long and bloody wars, as well civil as foreign, against many and powerful nations, against the open assaults of enemies, and the more dangerous treachery of friends; have the inhabitants of your island, your great and glorious ancestors, maintained their independence, and transmitted the rights of men, and the blessings of liberty to you, their posterity.

"Be not surprised, therefore, that we, who are descended from the same common ancestors, that we, whose forefathers participated in all the rights, the liberties, and the constitution you so justly boast of, and who have carefully conveyed the same fair inheritance to us, guaranteed by the plighted faith of government, and the most solemn compact with British sovereigns, should refuse to surrender them to men, who found their claims on no principles of reason, and who prosecute them with a design, that, by having our lives and property in their power, they may with the greater facility enslave you."

After stating the serious condition of American affairs, and that not only the oppressions, but the misrepresentations of their country, had induced this address; after stating that they claim to be as

free