Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1853-10-06
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"Wednesday, May IS. r776.

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"wednesday, May IS. i716
N Ferasmaea as all he endeayors Of the UNITED
COLONIES, BY he mos, decent Representations
shd petitions 70 The king and parliament OF Great
Dritain, 10 restore peace and security to America
under The British government, and Reunion with
thai people apon just and liberal terms. instead Of
= redress or grievances, have produced, from m
In serious and vindiciive administra lion, in
creased insult, oppression, and vigorous attempt
70 eject our Total destruction BY late act, all
shese Colonies are declared 10 Be in rebellion, and
gu, Of the protection OF the British Crown our
properties subject to con6scaiion; our people,
when captffaled. compelled to Join Ia the murder
and plundef ofiheir relatives and eountrymen, and
all former rapine and oppression 81 Ameriears de-
eiartd legal and just Fleets and armies are
raised. and the aid OF foreign troops engaged 10
assist desc Destructive purposes. The kings rep
resepiaiive in this colony hath not cnly withheld
al The powers Of governpsni from operating for
our safety but, having re,itedca board an armed
ihip Is carrying on Pirsiical and sazage war a
Eainst ", tempting our slaves, BY every ar.ihee,
10 resort to him, and training and employing them
against their masters. In this state Of extreme
danger, We have nealteInatiVe len bat an abiect
submission 10 the wilof those cvefbearing yrants,
or q total separation from the crown and govern
ment Of Great Britain, uniting and exefiing The
strength sof all America for defence, and forming
alliances with foreign powers f5t commerce and
aid in war: Wherefore, appealing TO the Starehrr
,ef hearts for the sincerity OF former declarations
expressing our desire TO preserve the eonnexion
wilAshai nation, and that We are driven from that
inclination by their wicked councils, and the eter-
nal laws Of selEpreservaion
Reselrsd, snas, That the delegates appointed 70
represent this colony 10 General Congress be IN
structsd 10 propose 10 that respectable boy 70 de-
clare Ale Uailsd Colonies free and independent
States sbsolyed from allegiance q, or dependence
upon the crown or parliament Of Greai Britain
and that they give the assent OF this colony such
declaration, and 10 whatsoever measures may
be thonght proper and necessary by Congress i0r
forming foreign alliances, and ACoNFEDERA+
TON OF THE COLONIES, ai such time, an.
IN the manner asto then shall seem best. PfOvi-
ded. that the powero Of forming govern nenls dor,
and tbss regulations Of the internal concerns q
each cplony be leftIo the respective legis-
laiures.
Rssogrel nnar., Tha, COMMITTEE BE appointed
10 prepare q DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
and such plan OF Government as will be most
likely to mainiain peace and erder in this colony
[and secure substantial and equal liberty 10 Tie
people. EDMUND PENDLEToN
10 consequence Of the above resolution, ubigei-
sally regarded as the only door which wiaieaa
10 safety and prosperity, some gentlemen male a
HANDSOME collection for the purpose Of treating The
soldiery, who next day were paraded in Walters
grove, before Brigadier General LEwls, attended
by the gen,lsmen Of The commtieeof safety, The
membess oflhe general convention, ihe=inhabianis
Of this ici,y, &c &c. The resol u,ion being read
aloud 10 the army, the following toasis were given
each Of them accompanied By discharge Of ariii-
lerx and small arms, and The aeeliustions 81 ail
present., i
u The American Independent States
- ets-Gt niled states and
4 The UNION FLAG Of the American States
waved upon the capitol during the whole OF thi.
ceremony, which being ended, he soldiers partook
Of the refreshmen, prepared for Ihem-ky The aftc-
zion OF their cennirymen, and ihe evening concu-
ded with Tluminalions, and other demonstrations
ofioy every one seeming pleased that the doni-
nation Of Grea, Britain was now at an end so
xickedly and dramatically exerc ised for these
twelve Or ihiTteenyears past, notwithstanding our
repeated prayers and remonstrances for redress.