perpetual union, &c. came to the following resolutions

therein :

Resolved, That this state think it necessary for the peace and safety of the states to be included in the union; that a moderate extent of limits should be assigned for such of those states as claim to the Mississippi or South Sea; and that the United States in Congress assembled, should and ought to have the power of fixing their western limits.

Resolved also, That this state consider themselves justly entitled to a right, in common with the members of the union, to that extensive tract of country which lies to the westward of the frontiers of the United States, the property of which was not vested in, or granted to, individuals at the commencement of the present war: That the same hath been, or may be, gained from the king of Great Britain, or the native Indians, by the blood and treasure of all, and ought therefore to be a common estate, to be granted out on terms beneficial to the United States.

Resolved also, That the courts of law established within this state are competent for the purpose of determining all controversies concerning the private right of soil claimed within the same; and they now, and at all times hereafter, ought to have cognizance of all such controversies: That the indeterminate provision proposed in the ninth article of the confederation for deciding upon controversies that may arise about some of those private rights of soil tends to take away such cognizance, and is contrary to the declaration of rights of this state; and therefore ought to receive an alteration.

The council, then, taking into consideration the strong and earnest recommendations of Congress forthwith to accede to the present plan of confederacy, and the probable disadvantages that may attend the further delaying a ratification thereof

Resolved, That notwithstanding the terms of the articles of confederation aforesaid are considered as in divers respects unequal and disadvantageous to this state, and the objections in the report of the committee of this house, and the resolves made thereon, are viewed as just and reasonable, and of great moment to the welfare and happiness of the good people thereof; yet, under the full conviction of the present necessity of acceding to the confederacy proposed, and in firm reliance that the candour and justice of the several states will in due time remove as far as possible the objectionable parts thereof, the delegates appointed to represent this state in Congress, or any one or more of them, be authorized, empowered and directed, on behalf of this state, to subscribe and ratify the said articles of confederation and perpetual union between the several states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia; and that the said articles, when so subscribed and ratified, shall be obligatory on this state. Extract from the Minutes.

BENJAMIN VINING, Clerk of the Council. Sent for concurrence.

In House of Assembly, Thursday, Jan. 28, 1779.

The foregoing resolutions being read three times, and considered, are concurred in.

NICHOLAS VAN DYKE, Speaker.

I do hereby certify that the above and foregoing to be a true extract from the minutes of the council. BENJAMIN VINING, Clerk of the Council,

THURSDAY, MAY 20, 1779.

The delegates of Virginia laid before Congress certain powers and instructions to them given by the general assembly of their state, which were read and are as follows:

In General Assembly, Saturday, Dec. 19, 1778. Resolved, nemine contradicente, That our delegates in Congress be instructed to propose to Congress, that they recommend to each of the states named as parties in the articles of confederation heretofore laid before and ratified by this assembly, that they authorize their delegates in Congress to ratify the said articles, together with the delegates of so many other of the said states as shall be willing, so that the same shall be for ever binding on the states so ratifying, notwithstanding that a part of those named shall decline to ratify the same; allowing, nevertheless, to the said states so declining, either a given or indefinite time,

as to Congress shall seem best, for acceding to the said confederation, and making themselves thereby members of the Union.

Resolved, nemine contradicente, That our said delegates now in office, or hereafter to be appointed, be authorized and required, and are hereby authorized and required, to ratify the said articles of confederation on the part of this commonwealth, with so many of the other states named in them as parties, as shall on their part ratify the same.

Test.

A. CARY, S. S.

B. HARRISON, S. S.

In pursuance of the above powers and instructions, the said delegates moved in the words following:

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"Whereas it is of the greatest importance to the safety, honour, and interest of the United States "named as parties in the confederation, that they au"thorize their delegates in Congress to ratify the same, "on or before the day of next, in con"junction with the delegates of so many other of the "said states as shall be willing; to the end that the "same may be thenceforward for ever binding on the "states so ratifying, notwithstanding that a part of "those named shall decline to ratify the same."

The delegates of Virginia then delivered in a paper signed by them in the words following:

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"In consequence of the foregoing instructions and powers to us given, we do hereby declare, that we "are ready and willing to ratify the confederation "with any one or more states named therein, so that

"the same shall be for ever binding upon the state of

The delegates of Maryland informed Congress, that they have received instructions respecting the articles of confederation which they are directed to lay before Congress, and have entered on their journals. instructions being read, are as follows:

The

Instructions of the General Assembly of Maryland, to George Plater, William Paca, William Carmichael, John Henry, James Forbes, and Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Esquires.

GENTLEMEN,

Having conferred upon you a trust of the highest nature, it is evident we place great confidence in your integrity, abilities and zeal to promote the general welfare of the United States, and the particular interest of this state, where the latter is not incompatible with the former; but to add greater weight to your proceedings in Congress, and take away all suspicion that the opinions you there deliver and the votes you give may be the