On the 24th June, 1776, Messrs. Bayard, Rush and Smith were appointed a committee to draft an address to the associators of the province, on the subject of embodying 4,500 men. On the 25th of June they made report, which, by special order, was read a second time and agreed to unanimously, as follows: The address of the deputies of the committees of Pennsylvania, assembled in provincial conference, at Philadelphia, June 25th, 1776. TO THE ASSOCIATORS OF PENNSYLVANIA. GENTLEMEN, The only design of our meeting together was to put an end to our own power in the province, by fixing upon a plan for calling a convention, to form a government under the authority of the people. But the sudden and unexpected separation of the late assembly, has compelled us to undertake the execution of a resolve of Congress, for calling forth 4,500 of the militia of the province, to join the militia of the neighboring colonies, to form a camp for our immediate protection. We presume only to recommend the plan we have formed to you, trusting that in a case of so much consequence, your love of virtue and zeal for liberty will supply the want of authority delegated to us expressly for that purpose. We need not remind you that you are now furnished with new motives to animate and support your courage. You are not about to contend against the power of Great Britain, in order to displace one set of villains to make room for another. Your arms will not be enervated in the day of battle with the reflection, that you are to risk your lives or shed your blood for a British tyrant; or that your posterity will have your work to do over again. You are about to contend for permanent freedom, to be supported by a government which will be derived from yourselves, and which will have for its object, not the emolument of one man or class of men only, but the safety, liberty and happiness of every individual in the community. We call upon you, therefore, by the respect and obedience which are due to the authority of the United Colonies, to concur in this important measure. The present campaign will probably decide the fate of America. It is now in your power to immortalize your names, by mingling your achievements with the events of the year 1776-a year which we hope will be famed in the annals of history to the end of time, for establishing upon a lasting foundation the liberties of one quarter of the globe. Remember the honor of our colony is at stake. Should you desert the common cause at the present juncture, the glory you have acquired by your former exertions of strength and virtue, will be tarnished; and our friends and brethren, who are now acquiring laurels in the most remote parts of America, will reproach us and blush to own themselves natives or inhabitants of Pennsylvania. But there are other motives before you. Your houses, your fields, the legacies of your ancestors, or the dear-bought fruits of your own industry, and your liberty, now urge you to the field. These cannot plead with you in vain, or we might point out to you further your wives, your children, your aged fathers and mothers, who now look up to you for aid, and hope for salvation in this day of calamity, only from the instrumentality of your swords. Remember the name of Pennsylvania. Think of your ancestors and of your posterity. Signed by an unanimous order of the conference, June 25, 1776. THOMAS M'KEAN, President. Chapter II. CONVENTION OF 1776. Minutes of the proceedings of the convention of the state of Pennsylvania, held at Philadelphia the 15th day of July, 1776, and continued by adjournments to the 28th September following. At a meeting of the convention for the state of Pennsylvania, held in the city of Philadelphia, on the 15th day of July, in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six. MONDAY, July 15th, 1776. P. M. The respective judges of the election of the city of Philadelphia and the several counties, made the returns as follow, viz. Dr. Benjamin Franklin was unanimously chosen President. Mr. Jacob Garrigues was chosen assistant clerk to the Secretary. Mr. Morris not being in this city at present, Col. Matlack is requested to perform the duty of Secretary till Mr. Morris may return. The qualification and profession of faith recommended by the conference of committees, held at Philadelphia on the 25th of June last, were read, taken and subscribed by all the members now present, viz. Benjamin Franklin, Henry Hill, Robert Loller, Edward Bartholomew, William Vanhorn, Thomas Strawbridge, Bartram Galbreath, William Duffield, James Brown, Neigal Gray, 醫醫 Jacob Stroud, William Sheed is appointed doorkeeper. Henry Rhoads, James Crawford. On motion, Resolved, That application be made to Gen. Roberdeau, requesting him to issue an order for permitting John Morris and Jacob Garrigues to return to this city, they being appointed to the offices of secretary and assistant clerk to this convention. The convention then proceeded to the consideration of legislative business. WEDNESDAY, July 17, 1776. Upon motion, Resolved, That the Rev. Mr. William White, be requested to perform divine service to-morrow morning before this convention, that we may jointly offer up our prayers to Almighty God, to afford us his divine grace and assistance in the important and arduous task committed to us, and to offer up our praises and thanksgivings for the manifold mercies and the peculiar interposition of his special providence, in behalf of these injured, oppressed and insulted United States. Col. Matlack and Mr. Clymer are appointed to wait on the Rev. Mr. White, and furnish him with a copy of the foregoing resolve. Mr. Matthias Brown, John Flemming, Philip Marsteller and Rebert Whitehill appeared in the house for the first time, took the oaths, and inade and signed the profession of faith required. The convention then resumed the consideration of legislative and executive business, THURSDAY, July 18th, 1776. Mr. Morris, the Secretary, now attending, it was ordered, upon motion, that he should take the following affirmation, viz. I, John Morris, do declare, that I do not hold myself bound to bear allegiance to George the third, king of Great Britain, and that I will steadily and firmly at all times promote the most effectual means, according to the best of my skill and knowledge, to oppose the tyrannical proceedings of the king and parliament of Great Britain, against the American colonies, and support a government in this state on the authority of the people only; and that as secretary of this convention, I will be faithful and make fair and just minutes of all their proceed ings, according to the best of my abilities, and keep all such secrets as shall be directed to be kept by the convention. Which he did accordingly. Ordered, also, That the clerk, when he shall come, shall make a declaration to the like import. The Rev. Mr. White attending, agreeably to the request of yesterday, and having performed divine service, and being withdrawn, it was Ordered, on motion, That Mr. Matlack and Mr. Clymer wait upon that gentleman, with the thanks of the convention for his services. Upon motion, and after debate, Resolved, That a committee be appointed to make an essay for a declaration of rights for this state. Resolved also, That the said committee consist of eleven persons, viz. Mr. Biddle, Col. Bull, the Rev. Mr. Vanhorn, Mr. Jacobs, Col. Ross, Col. James Smith, Mr. Hoge, Mr. Morgan, Col. Stroud, Col. Thomas Smith and Mr. Martin. Mr. Abraham Van Middleswarts, Mr. Robert Martin, Mr. John Weitzel and Mr. John Jacobs appeared in the house for the first time, took the oath or affirmation, and made and signed the profession of faith required. The convention resumed the consideration of legislative and execu tive business. FRIDAY, July 19, 1776. Col. James Potter, one of the members from Northumberland, and Mr. William Rankin, one of the members for York county, appeared in the house for the first time, took the oaths and made and subscribed the profession of faith required. The convention resumed the consideration of legislative and executive business. SATURDAY, July 20, 1776. The convention resumed the consideration of legislative and executive business. MONDAY, July 22, 1776. The following members from Westmoreland, viz. James Barr, Edward Cook, John Moore, John Carmichael, John M'Clellan, Christopher Lavingair and James Smith, now appeared in the house, took the oaths, and made and subscribed the profession of faith; as did also Hugh Alexander, of Cumberland, and Valentine Eckart, of Berks. On motion, Ordered, That Mr. John Moore be added to the declara→ tion of rights committee, and that the said committee have leave of absence. The convention then resumed the consideration of legislative and executive business. TUESDAY, July 23, 1776. Mr. Benjamin Bartholomew and Mr. James Perry appeared in the house for the first time, took the oaths, and made and subscribed the profession of faith. |