The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal. [volume], December 16, 1774, Image 1

About The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1772-1775

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Or Thomas’s Bolton Journal. .
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‘Do thou Great LIBERTY inspire our Souls—And make our Lives in th Y Pofleflion happy—Or, our Deaths gforious in thy juA Defence.
pf a B Voi.. IV.) FRIDAY, December 16, 1774. (Numb. 202. Jo
Ci SC W-V A/ i — : —— — An'
iyllfhat folloivs is the fubfance of the proceedings of
L/ t the Continental Congress, extraStedfrsm their mi
“■ nutes, excepting what has been already fubhlhtd
7 in this Paper. J t
&c.
//MONDAY, September sth, 1774.
N U M B E R of the Delegates cho
/1 fen and sppoinsed by the fevera!
A colonies and Provinces in North
/f izvb- America, to meet and hold a Con
\ t grefs at Philadelphia, assembled at
I t j ie (j ar p en tcrs-Hall.
1’ PRESENT,
Forty-four DELEGA T E S.
The Ccngrefs proceeded to the choice of a pre
lent,when the Hon. PEY TON RANDOLPH,
•q; *vas unanimouflv eleded.
Mr. CHARLES THOMPSON was una
•voufly chosen secretary.
4’he gentlemen from the fevera! colonies pro
14d their refpedive Credentials, which were
'•J"* //a approved,—as follows,
dF /A? F ce I At * mcet * n ? °f
L V SH,RB ’ ’ deputies appointed by
A^°* nS * n this province held at Exeter,
I’/- 7— ydf Rockingham, 21st July, 1774
1 z ! f ‘oof delegates, on behalf of this
/n the General Congress proposed.
>4 Anbers.
p ; . John wentworth, Esq; in
\r. the chair
L sat Major JObfN SULLIVAN, and
L /THANIEL FOLSOM, Efqrs. be
J. empowcred, as Delegates on the
uVuiis pruvMiceTtb attend and aiLd in the
Congrefs of Delegates from the other
allies, at such time and place as may be ap
c£ed to devise, consult and adopt measures, as
<i« have the most likely tendency to extricate the
®’ies from their present difficulties, to secure
md perpetuate their rights, liberties and privi
leges.and to restore that peace, harmony and mu
tual confidence, which once happily fubfilted be
tween the parent country and her colonics.
J. WENTWORTH, Chairman.
[The credentials of the other delegates being nearly
similar, -we think it needless to infer t them.]
TUESDAY, September 6, 1774, A. M«
TheCONGRESS met according to adjournment.
A Present. The fame mem ers as yesterday,
1 and moreover from thecolony of Virginia, Rich
rd Henry Lee, Esq.
The Congress resuming the consideration of
J whiles of condud to be oblerved in debating and
I jdetormining quqftions that come under coaiidtr
ation. ,
p\ Resolved. Th*t in determining quenions in
Jtiis Congress, each colony or province fhali have
•• vote.—The Congress not being poflefled of,
e l able to procure proper materials for
the importance of each colony.
That no perlon (hall speak more
twice on the fame point,without leave of the
Congress.
Refined., That no questions shall be deter
mined the dayon which it isagitated and debated,
if any one of the colonies desire the determination
to be postponed to another day.
Resolved, That the denr be kept (hut during the
tigie of business, and that the members coniider
under the ftrongeit obligations of
* /hour, to keep the proceedings secret, until rhe
S™, Aority {hall cired them to be made public.
fcur d Uw, That a committee be appointed to
" ar . 1 the rights of the colonies in general, the
1 fev&ihin fiances in which thole rights are violated
' or infringed, and the means molt proper to be
* parfued lor obtaining a reiteration of th; nv i
Ordered That the appointment of
mil tec, nnd the numbei cl which it
be deferred until to-morrow.
RtMvtd, That a committee be appor«p .
' examine and import the fevend statutes wtjeh M
r fed the trade and manufactures of the colonies.
* Same order as above respecting the
mentand number of this commi.tee. •
Rt/drotd, That the Reverend Mr. Dache oe<
desired to open the Congrcfe to-morrow morning
, with prayers, at the Carpenters-had, at nine
VOUr S 1 HOMAS JOHNSON, jun. Elq; one of the
Maryland, attended and took his
from the minute* of the dircSorsof the
■■Laiy < ompany oi Philadelphia, dated August
K diieded to the prclidcnt, was read as
S,
1“ Upon motion ordered,
“ That the Librarian furnilh the gentlemen
who are to meet in Congress, with the use of such
books as they may have occasion for, during their
fitting, taking a receipt forthem.
Signed by order of the direUort,
William Attmore, fee.”
Ordered, That the thanks of the Congress be
returned to the diretlors of the Library corppany
of Philadelphia, for their obliging order.
Adjourned til! nine o’clock to-morrow.
WEDNESDAY, September 7. 1774> A.M.
Agreeable to the resolve of yesterday, the meet
ing was opened with prayers by the Reverend
Mr. Duche. .
feted, That the thanks of the Congress be
given to Mr. Duche, by Mr. Cufhing and Mr.
Ward, for performing divine service, and for the
excellent prayer which he compofcd and deli
vered on me occasion.
The Congress taking i»to cofideration the ap
pointment of the committees, a vote was taken
on the number of which the fir ft committee Ihould
consist, and by a great majority, resolved that it
consist of two from each of as fol
lows
For New-Hamplhire,
and Col. Folsom.
MafTachufetts-Bayi Mr. Samuel Adams, and
Mr. John Adams.
Rhode-Ifland, Mr. Hopkins, and Mr.
Connecticut, Col. Dyer, and Mr.
New-York, Mr. James Duane, and Wipijiß
New-lerfey, Mr. Livingston, and Mr.t&hart.
Pennijßanid, Mr. Jufeph
Mr. Edward Biddle.
Delaware Government, Mr. Cxfar Rodney,
and Mn M’Kean.
Maryland, Mr. Thomas Johnfonj and Mr.
Goldlborough.
Virginia, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Pendleton.
South-Carolina, Mr. Lynch, and Mr. J.
Rutledge.
Agreed that the second committee conuft 0*
ol« cholen from each colony, as follows :
New-Hampihire, Mr. Sullivan.
Maffachufet s-Bay, Mr. Culhing.
Rhode-Ifland, Mr. Hopkins.
Connecticut; Mr. Deane.
New-York, Mr. Lowe.
New-Jersey, Mr. Kan fey.
Pennsylvania, Mr- Mffim.
Delaware Government, Mr. Read.
Maryland, Mr. Chafe.
Virginia, Mr. Henry. t
South Carolina, Mr. Gadsden.
Ordered, 'lUta Isaac Lefevre, and James
Lynch, be employed as door keepers and Meflen
gers to this Congress
Rejoined, That the president may adjourn the
Congress from day to day, when he finds there is
no business prepared to be laid before them, and
may, when he finds it necessary, call them to
gether before the time to which they may stand
adjourned. • . ,
Adjourned untill to-morrow morning, Nina o
The president, agreeable to the resolve of the
7th instant, adjourned the Congress from day to
day till
MONDAY, September i*. >774-
The CONGRESS met.
Matthew Tilgham, Esq; one pf the
Delegates from Maryland, appeared and iook
his feat.
No buftnefs being prepared for the Congress,
the preCdent adjourned it till Tuesday, and l:om
Tuesday till Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY, September i 4. 1774, A.M.
William Hooper and Joseph Hewis,
Efqts. two of the. deputies from North-Carolina,
attended the Crngrels, and produced their cre
dvntials, which being read and approved, they
the county '
ed at
he.ooh .in Congub » •
Esq; one of tbe Congrc (i.
h.°X
■to the committee appointed« na. a
I the aoknies. * *
I Ordered, That William Hooper, Esq; be one
of the committee appointed to report the statutes
which afied the trade, Sec. of the colonies.
The delegates from the province of Massachu
setts-Bay, agreeable to a request from the joint
committees of every town and diilrid in the
county of Middlesex, in the laid province, com
municated to the Congress the proceedings of
thole committees atConcord.on tne 30th and jtft
days of Auguftlaft, which were read.
Adjourned till to-morrow at 9 o’clock.
No business being prepared, the Congn fs was
adjourned from day to day, till Saturday nfbin
-1114;,. •< 9 o’clock.
SATURDAY, September 17, 1774, A.M.
The Congress met according to adjournment.
Richard Caswell, Efqjone of the deputies
from North-Carolina, appeared and took hu feat
in Congress.
[Here comes in the refolnes of the county of Suffolk,
in the prenince of the Mafacbufetts-Buy, nubich
hant been pubhjhed in mos of the Neves papers on
this continent.]
SATURDAY, Siptember 8, 1774.
The committee appointed to examine and re
port the faveral ftalutcs, which afted the trade
and manufactures of the colonies, brought in
their report, which was ordered to lie on the cable.
• Adjourned till Monday morning.
MONDAY, September 19, A. M.
nTfW Congress met according to adjournment.
/TpE report brought in on txm day being
That the fame be referred to the
committed appointed to state the rights of the co
lonies, Sec. to which committee the Honourable
Thomas Cufhing, Esq; Patrick Henry, and
Thomas Mifflin, Efq.s. were added.
Adjourned from day to day, till
THURSDAY, September 22, 1774.
The Congress met according to adjournment.
Upon motion,
Rejoined unanimoujly,
That the Congress, request the merchants
and others in’the fevml colonics, not to fend to
Great-Britain any ordcr| for and to dired
the execut on of all orders already font, to be de
layed or suspended, until the knfc of the Con
gress on the means to Ire taken, for the preforva
ion of the liberties ofAmerica is made public.
Ordered, That this refutation be made pub
lic by hand-bills, and by publilhmg it in the
news-papers.
Ths committee appointed toftate the rights,
&c. of the colonics having brought in a report
of rights, the fame was read, and the conftdcra
tipn of it referred till Saturday next.
Ordered, That a copy of this report be
made out for each colony.
SATURDAY, September 24, 1/74, A. M.
The Congress entered upon the conhderation
of the report referred to this day, and after fomc
debate, upon motion,
Reflved, That the Congress do confine them
selves at present, to the consideration of such
rigW as ha* been infringed by atfts of the Bri
tHh pgfcament.ljnce the year 1763, postponing
the of the general state of
to a future day.
Sic committee appointed to Hate
brought in a report of the
American rights,
motion, |
Rcj'olvt£ Thafthe conlideration of this re
port be referred tdpMonday, and that the Con
rrefs in the mean time deliberate on the means
noli proper to be used for a reiteration of our
rights;
After force debate on the fubjeft, the Con
rreft adjourned.
MONDAY, September t 6. M
' w -w in the colony of New-York,
.he eonf.jera.ion of,
rhecongre af - tCT hours fpenv
it was'referred dll to-morrow, to which
rime the Congress was adjourned.
TUE e DAY, September, z7 ? K74- a - •
“» he uud dfe
rican rights, /
- _ - . ~ W — - w— —.w —
I Rtfthed unantntwfy t That from and i
firll day of December next, there be uq
tation into British America from ‘ treatj
or Ireland, of any goods, wares or mt
dizc whatever, or freta any other place,/
such goods, wares or merchandizes, as Om
been exported from (ireat-Britain or ii
and that no such goods, wares or merchd.
imported after the said fir fl day of Dd
next, be uled or purchased.
Adjourned till to-morrdwj
Wednesday and Tnurfday being takei
the consideration and debates on tue md
the Congress met on Friday, 30th Scd
and upon the question, '
Rtjolvtdy That from and after the toth a , .
September, i77s,the exportation of all men u
dize and every commodity whatfoeverto (3 "
Britain, Ir land and the WdLlndies oua i
cease, unlrU the grievances of America art '
drefle I before that time. |
Ordtrtdy That Mr. Mr. Low, I
Mtfhin, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Joanfon, he a ci
mittee io bring in a plan fqr carrying into efl
the non imponati n, and ti
exportation relolved on.
SATURDAY, OcronEw t, 1774.
Simon Bokrum, 2fqj appeared in Cop Jtutv
as a deoufy from King’s county, in the a by the w
New-York, and produced the credential my or
election, which bring read and approved, .convulfi
his feat as a delegate for that colony. troy ar
TheCongrcfs refoming the contideraticrruptic
the means, &c. upan motion,
Rt/olvrd That 4 *n*ral
his Majesty be prepared, dutifully requedin* the
royal attention to the grievance* that alarm and
and dillrefs hi* Maicfty’* faithful fubject* in
North-America* and entreating his Majesty’s
gracious interpafition for the removal of such
grievances, thereby to rcllore between Great-
Britain and the colonics that harmony so necei
fary to the happinef- of the Britilli empire, and
so ardently ■ eiired by all America;
That Mr. Lee, Mn J. Adams, Mr.
Johnlbn, Mr. Henry, and Mr. Rutledge, be i
committee? to prepare an addiefs to hi* majelly.
MONDAY, October 3, *774-
The Congrcfs met according to adjournment,
and after some debate,
Rcjolvcd unanimoujly, That it be an inftrudion
to the committee who are appointed to draw up
an address to the King,—Whcrea* parliament
ary taxes on America have been laid, on pre
tence of“ defraying thcevpences of government,
and supporting the adminidration ofjuftke, and
defending, preceding, and securing the colo
nies.”—That they do allure his Majesty, that
the colonies have or will make ample proviliotl
for defraying all the neceiiaty expence* of fop
porting governmen;, and die due administration
of jufticc in the respective colonies; that the mi
litia, if put on a proper footing, would be am
ply fufficient for their defence in time of peace,
that they arc desirous of putting it on such a foot
ing immediately, and that in case of war, the
colonies are ready to grant fopplics for raifmg
any further force* that may be necessary;
The remainder of this day and the day follow
ing, was taken Up in ddibcracing and debating
on matters proper to be contained in the addrei*
to his Majedy.
WEDNESDAY, October j, 1774.
The Congress resumed the confidcratiou of
the fubjed iff debate yeilerday, and aftey some
time fpeift thereon,
Rfjolvtd, That the committee appointed to
prepare an address to his Maj city, be inllrudej
to allure his Majcfty, that in case the colonies
Ihail be reilored to the slate they were in at the
close of the late war, by abolilhmg the
W tte trial of period* beybnd Kafof
SXuted
i onv of the MaffacKufetu-Bay» »«d tor alwio„
the government and extending the luoiJof G®>
d £he jealouf.es which have bee 1 occaaoned by
such Ju Mi re-aluiowof e“‘ “
»ni commerce „
"“.-Mr* from noii«*
CMgrdi Mi ° B ““ “
We. .
THURSDAY, October 6'*, 1*74-
AU. V-W 5 ,r 1 so- a -c'rrni J” I
the means proper to be UU 10