The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-05-28 00:00:00, page 2

In CONGRESS, North-Carolina, April 12, 1776.
TH E feled Committee to take into consideration the
usurpations and violences attempted and committed
by the King and Parliament of Britain against America, and
the farther measures to be taken for fruftrating the fame,
and for the better defence of this province, reported as fol
lows, to wit,
It appears to your Committee that, pursuant to the plan
concerted by the British Ministry for subjugating America
the King and Parliament of Great-Britain have usurped a
power over the persons and properties of the people unlimited
and uncontrouled. And disregarding their humble petitions
for peace, liberty and fafety, have made divers legislative
ads denouncing war,, famine, and every Species of calamity
against the continent in general.
That British fleets and armies have been, and Still are,
gaily employed in destroying the people, and committing the
@oft, horrid, devastations on the country.
That Governors in different colonies have declared protec
tion to slaves who Should embrue their hands in the blood of
their matters.'
That the Ships belonging to America are declared prizes of
war, and many of them have been violently Seized and con
fiscated.
In consequence of all which multitudes of the people have
been destroyed, or from easy circumstances reduced to the
most lamentable distress.
And whereas the moderation hitherto manifested by the
United Colonies, and their sincere desire to be reconciled to
the Mother Country on constitutional principles, have pro
cured no mitigation of the aforefaid wrongs and usurpations,
and no hopes remain of obtaining redress, by those means
alone, which have been hitherto tried, your Committee are
of opinion that the House Should enter into the following
resolve :
Resolved, That the Delegates for this colony in the Conti
nental Congress be empowered to concur with the Delegates
of the other colonies in declaring independancy, and form
ing foreign alliances, reserving to this colony the sole and
exclusive right of forming a constitution and laws for this
colony, and of appointing Delegates frem time to time (un
der the direction of a general representation thereof) to meet
the Delegates of the other colonies for such purposes as Brail
be hereafter pointed out.
The Congress taking the fame into confidcration, unani
rpoufly concurred therewith.
(Copy) By order,
JAMES GREEN, jun. Secretary.
WILLIAMSBU R G, May y.
In CONVENTION.
Frefent one hundred and twelve Members.
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 1776.
FORASMUCH as all the endeavours of the United Colo
nies, by the moll decent representations and petitions to
the King and Parliament of Great-Britain, to restore peace
and security to America under the British government, and a
reunion with that people upon just and liberal terms, instead
of a redress of grievances, have produced, from an imperious
and vindictive Administration, increased insult, oppression,.
and a vigorous attempt to effect our total destruction. By a
late act, all these colonies are declared to be in rebellion,
and out of the protection of the British Crown, our proper
ties subjected to, confiscation, our people, when captivated,
compelled to join in the murder and plunder of their relations
and countrymen, and all former rapine and.oppreflion of
Americans declared legal and just. Fleets and armies are
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raised, and the aid of foreign troops engaged to assist these
destructive purposes. The King's representative in this co
lony hath not only withheld a?l the powers of government
from operating for our fafety, but, having retired on board
an armed Ship, is carrying on a piratical and savage war
against us, tempting our slaves, by every artifice, to resort,
to him, and training and employing them against their ma
sters. In this state of extreme danger, we have no alterna
tive left but an abject submission to the will of those over
bearing tyrants, or a total separation from the Crown and
government of Great-Britain, uniting and exerting the
Strength of all America for defence, and forming alliances
with foreign powers for commerce and aid jn war.
Wherefore, appealing to the SEARCHER. OF HEARTS
for the sincerity of former declarations, expressing our desire
to preserve the connexion with that nation, and that we are
driven from that inclination by their wicked councils, and the
eternal laws of felf-prefervation.
Resolved unanimously, That the Delegates appointed to
represent this colony in General Congress he instructed to
propose to that refpedable body TO DECLARE THE
UNITED COLONIES FREE AND INDEPENDANT
STATES, absolved from all allegiance to, or dependance
upon, the Crown or, Parliament of Great-Britain ; and that
they give the. assent of this colony to such declaration, and
to whatever measures may be thought proper and necessary by
the Congress for forming foreign alliances, and a CONFE
DERATION QF THE COLONIES, at such time, and in
the manner, as' to them Shall seem belt. Provided, that the
power of forming government for, and the regulations of the
internal concerns of each colony, be left to the respective
Colonial Legislatures.
Resolved unanimpufly, That a Committee be appointed to
prepare A DECLARATION OF RIGHTS, and such a
plan of government as will be mod likely to maintain peace
and order in this colony, and Secure Substantial and equal
liberty to the people.,
EDMUND PENDLETON, President. .
John Tazewell, Clerk of the Convention.
In consequence of the above resolution, universally regarded
as the only door width will lead, to fafety and prosperity,
some gentlemen made a h^ndfome collection for the purpose
of treating the Soldiery, who next day were paraded in Wal
ler's grove, before Brigadier General Lewis, attended by the
gentlemen of the Committee of Safety, the members of tho
General Convention, the inha itants of this city, &c. Tae
resolution being :ead aloud to the army, t^e following toads
were given, each, of them accompanied by a discharge of the
artillery and fmal'l arms, and the acclamations of all present:
1, The American Independant States.
2. The Grand Congress of the United States, and their re
fyeftive legislatures.
3, General Washington,, and viapry to the American arms.
The UNION FLAG of the American States waved upon
the Capitol during the whole of this ceremony, which being
ended, the foidiers partook of the refreshment prepared for
them by the affection of their countrymen, and the evening
concluded with illuminations, and other demonstrations of joy,
every one Seeming pleased that the domination of Great-
Britain was now at an end, so wickedly and tyrannically ex,
ercifed for these twelve or thirteen years past, notwithstanding
our repeated prayers and remonstrances for redress.
It was determined salt Friday, in Convention, that thirteen
hundred minute-men militia shall imm.diately march to the
affufance of North-Carolina, who are to compose. two bat
talfons, and to be under the orders of the commanding officer