states how many and what states have already ratified the same; and desiring that such states will, with all convenient despatch, authorize their delegates to ratify the confederation in the Congress of the United States.

The members chosen-Mr. Lee, Mr. Dana, and Mr. G. Morris.

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1778.

The committee appointed to prepare a circular letter to the states in this union who have not hitherto authorized their delegates to ratify the confederation, brought in a draft, which being read and amended, was agreed to as follows:

SIR,

Congress, intent upon the present and future security of these United States, has never ceased to consider a confederacy as the great principle of union, which can alone establish the liberty of America, and exclude for ever the hopes of its enemies. Influenced by considerations so powerful, and duly weighing the difficulties which oppose the expectation of any plan being formed that can exactly meet the wishes and obtain the approbation of so many states, differing essentially in various points, Congress have, after mature deliberation, agreed to adopt without amendments the confederation transmitted to the several states for their approbation. The states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Virgi

nia, North Carolina and South Carolina, have ratified the same, and it remains only with your state, with those of to conclude the glorious compact, which, by uniting the wealth, strength, and councils of the whole, may bid defiance to external violence and internal dissensions, whilst it secures the publick credit, both at home and abroad.

Congress is willing to hope, that the patriotism and good sense of your state will be influenced by motives so important; and they request, sir, that you will be pleased to lay this letter before the legislature of

in order that, if they judge it proper,

their delegates may be instructed to ratify the confederation with all convenient despatch; trusting to future deliberations to make such alterations and amendments, as experience may show to be expedient and just.

I have the honour to be, &c.

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1778.

Pursuant to the powers in them vested, the delegates of North Carolina signed the ratification of the confederation, in behalf of that state.

FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1778.

Pursuant to the powers in them vested, the delegates of Georgia signed the ratification of the confederation.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1778.

NEW JERSEY.

Mr. Witherspoon, a delegate from the state of New Jersey, attended and laid before Congress powers to the delegates of that state to ratify the confederation, which were read as follows:

By His Excellency William Livingston, Esquire, Governour, Captain General and Commander in Chief, in and over the State [L.S.] of New Jersey and Territories thereunto belonging, Chancellor and Ordinary in the same.

To all to whom these presents shall come-Greeting.

KNOW YE, That among the records in the secretary's office in the state of New Jersey, there is a certain instrument of writing, purporting to be an act of the council and general assembly of the said state, which said act is contained in the words and tenor here following, to wit:

"An act to authorize and empower the delegates of "the state of New Jersey in Congress to subscribe "and ratify the articles of confederation and perpe"tual union between the several states.

"Whereas articles of confederation and perpetual "union between the states of New Hampshire, Massa"chusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Planta"tions, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl"vania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Caroli"na, South Carolina and Georgia, signed in the Con

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gress of the said states by the honourable Henry "Laurens, esquire, their President, have been laid "before the legislature of this state, to be ratified by "the same, if approved: And whereas notwithstand"ing the terms of the said articles of confederation "and perpetual union are considered as in divers respects unequal and disadvantageous to this state, "and the objections to several of the said articles "lately stated and sent to the general Congress afore"said, on the part of this state, are still viewed as

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just and reasonable, and sundry of them as of the "most essential moment to the welfare and happiness "of the good people thereof; yet, under the full con"viction of the present necessity of acceding to the "confederacy proposed, and that every separate and "detached state interest ought to be postponed to "the general good of the union; and moreover, in "firm reliance that the candour and justice of the "several states will, in due time, remove as far as 86 possible the inequality which now subsists:

"SECT. 1. Be it enacted by the council and general "assembly of this state, and it is hereby enacted by "the authority of the same, That the honourable John "Witherspoon, Abraham Clark, Nathaniel Scudder "and Elias Boudinot, esquires, delegates representing "this state in the Congress of the United States, or "any one or more of them, be and they are hereby "authorized, empowered and directed, on behalf of "this state, to subscribe and ratify the said articles of "confederation and perpetual union between the states "aforesaid.

"SECT. 2. And be it further enacted by the autho"rity aforesaid, That the said articles of confedera"tion and perpetual union, so as aforesaid subscribed "and ratified, shall thenceforth become conclusive as "to this state, and obligatory thereon.

"Council Chamber, November 19, 1778.

"This bill having been three times read in Council, "Resolved, That the same do pass.

"By order of the House.

"W. LIVINGSTON, President.

"House of Assembly, November 20, 1778.

"This bill having been three times read in the House

"of Assembly,

"Resolved, That the same do pass.

"By order of the House.

"CALEB CAMP, Speaker pro tem."

All which, by the tenor of these presents, I have caused to be exemplified.

In testimony whereof the great seal of the said state of New Jersey is hereunto affixed, at Trenton, the 20th day of November, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, and in the third year of the independence of the United States of America.

WILLIAM LIVINGSTON.

By His Excellency's command.

BOWES REED, Secretary.