Proceedings of the Continental Congress, 1775 July 24.

Papers from General Congress. July 1775.

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In Congress Wednesday May 17, 1775

Resolved unanimously That all ex portations to Quebec, Nova Scotia, the island of St. Johns, Newfoundland, Georgia except the parish of St Johns, and to East and West Florida immediatly safe and that no provisions of any kind or other necessities be furnished to the British Fisheries on the American coasts until it be otherwise determined by the Congress--

Friday May 26. 1775

Resolved unanimously 1. That his Majesty's most faithful Subjects in these colonies are reduced to a dangerous and critical situation by the attempts of the British Ministry to carry into execution by force of arms several unconstitutional and oppressive acts of the British Parliament for levying taxes in America, to enforce the collection of those taxes and for altering and changing [[ ........................]] rights of the colonists.

2. Hostilities being actually commenced in the Massa uchetts Bay by the British troops under the command of General Gage and the lives of a number of the inhabitants of that colony destroyed the town of Boston having not only been long occupied as a garrison town in an enemy country, but the inhabitants thereof treated with a severity and cruelty not to be justified even towards declared enemies; large [ ......] too being ordered and from expected for the declared [...] [...] of compelling these colonies to submit to the operation of this acts. Resolved therefore that for the purpose if securing and defending these colonies and preforming them in safety against

against all attempts to carry these acts into execution by force of Arms, these colonies be immediately put into a State of Defence.

Saturday May 27. 1775 Resolved That where any person hath been or shall be adjudged by a committee to have violated the continental association and such offender shall satisfy the convention of the colony where the offence was or shall be committed on the committee of the Parish of St. John's in the colony of Georgia if the offence be committed there, of his contrition for his offence and sincere resolution to conform to the association for the future, the convention or committee of the Parish of St Johns aforesaid may settle the terms upon which he may be restored to the favour and forgiven so of the Public and thatthe terms be published.

Monday May 29. 1775 Resolved That no provisions or necessaries of any kind be exported to the island of Nantucket except from the colony of Massachusetts, {........................................} Illegible providing the island, upon their application to partol the James with as much provision as shall be necessary for its internal use and no more.

The Congress deeming it of great importance to North America that the British Fishery should not be furnished with provisions from this continent then Nantucket earnestly recom -mend a vigilant execution of their resolve to all committees.

Friday June 2, 1775 Resolved That no Bill of Exchange draught or order of any officer in the Army or Navy their agents or contractors be received or negociated or any money supplied to them by any

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Persons in America

That no provisions or necessaries of any kind be furnished or supplied to or for the use of the British Army or Navy in the colony of Masssachussets Bay and that no Vessell employed in transporting British troops to American or from one part of America to another or warlike store, or provisions for said troops be freighted or furnished with provisions or any necessaries, until further orders from this Congress

Friday June 9, 1775

Resolved That no obedience being due to the act of parliment for altering the charter of the colony of Massachussets bay nor to a Gov; Lieutenant Gov; who will not observe the directions of but endeavour to subvert that charter, the Gov; and Lieutenant Gov of that colony are to be considered or absent and these officers vacant and or there is no council there and the inconveniences from the sussprension of the powers of government are intolerable officially at a time when Gov: Gage hath actually levied war and in carrying on hostilities against his Majesty's peaceable and loyal subjects of that colony; that in order to conform as near as may be to the Spirit and of the Charter it be recommended to the provincial Congress to write letters to the inhabitants of the several places, which are entitled to representation in Assembly, requesting when chosen should elect Councellors, which assembly and council should exercise the powers of Government until a Governor of his Majesty's appointment will consent to govern the colony according to its charter----