northwest, held a public meeting, at the mouth of the Hockhocking river, on the northwestern side of the River Ohio, and passed resolutions, from which the following is an extract:-"As the love of liberty, and attachments to the real interests and just rights of America, outweigh every other consideration, we resolve that we will exert every power within us for the defense of American liberty, and for the supporting of her just rights and privileges; not in any precipitate, riotous, and tumultuous manner, but when regularly called forth by the unanimous voice of our countrymen.”—Amer. Archives, 4th Series, Vol. I, p. 962.

IX.

Resolution of Inhabitants of Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania, in 1775.

At a general meeting of the inhabitants of the county of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, held at Hanna's Town, on the 16th of May, 1775, an Association was formed, by which, among other resolves, the inhabitants declared as follows: "We will coincide in any plan that may be formed for the defense of America in general, or Pennsylvania in particular.”—Amer. Archives, Vol. II, p. 616.

X.

Mecklenburgh, N. C., Declaration of Independence, in 1775.

On the 20th of May, 1775, at a large meeting of citizens of Mecklenburgh County, North Carolina, several resolutions were adopted, among which the most memorable

are

1st.-"Resolved, That we, the citizens of Mecklenburgh County, do hereby dissolve the political bands which have connected us to the Mother Country, and

hereby absolve ourselves from all allegiance to the British crown, and abjure all political connection, contract, or association with that nation, who have wantonly trampled on our rights and liberties, and inhumanly shed the innocent blood of American patriots at Lexington."

2d." Resolved, That we do hereby declare ourselves a free and independent people; are, and of right ought to be, a sovereign and self-governing Association, under the control of no other power than that of God, and the general government of the Congress; to the maintenance of which independence we solemnly pledge to each other our mutual co-operation, our lives, our fortunes, and our most sacred honor."-Amer. Archives, Vol. II, p. 857.— 4th Series.

XI.

George Washington.

On the 17th of June, 1775, George Washington was appointed, by Congress, "General and Commander-inChief of the Army of the United Colonies," and of all forces raised "for the defense of American liberty.". Journals of Congress.

XII.

Congress of 1775.

On the 24th of June, 1775, Congress "resolved that a committee of seven be appointed to devise ways and means to put the Militia of America in a proper state for the defense of America."-Journals of Congress.

XIII.

Congress of 1775.

On the 6th of July, 1775, the Congress of "the United Colonies of America" published a declaration, in which

* * *

they said: "Our cause is just. Our union is perfect. Our internal resources are great; and, if necessary, foreign assistance is undoubtedly attainable." "We exhibit to mankind the remarkable example of a people attacked by unprovoked enemies."-Journals of Congress.

XIV.

Address to the People of Ireland in 1775.

In an Address to the people of Ireland, which was prepared and adopted by the Continental Congress on the 28th of July, 1775, the following passage appears: "Blessed with an indissoluble Union, with a variety of internal resources, and with a firm reliance on the justice of the Supreme Disposer of all human events, we have no doubt of rising superior to all the machinations of evil and abandoned ministers. We already anticipate the golden period, when liberty, with all the gentle arts of peace and humanity, shall establish mild dominion in this western world, and erect eternal monuments to the memory of those virtuous patriots and martyrs who shall have fought, and bled, and suffered in her cause.". Journals of Congress.

XV.

Congress in 1775.

In Congress, December 4, 1775, it was "Resolved that, in the present situation of affairs, it will be very dangerous to the liberties and welfare of America, if any colony should separately petition the King or either house of Parliament."-Journals of Congress.

XVI.

Congress in 1775

On the 6th of December, 1775, Congress prepared and agreed to a Proclamation, in which the following passage appears: “We, therefore, in the name of the People of these United Colonies, and by authority, according to the purest maxims of representations derived from them, declare, that whatever punishment shall be inflicted upon any person in the power of our enemies, for favoring, aiding, or abetting the cause of American liberty, shall be retaliated in the same kind and in the same degree, upon those in our power, who have favored, aided, or abetted, or shall favor, aid, or abet, the system of ministerial oppression."-Journals of Congress.

XVII.

Congress in 1775.

In Congress, December 29, 1775, it was "Resolved, That the Colonies of Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina, be permitted to export produce from their respective colonies to any part of the world, except Great Britain, Ireland, the islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Alderney and Man, and the British West India Islands; and in turn to import so much salt from any part of the world, not prohibited by the Association, as the conventions or councils of safety of the two former colonies, and the provincial council of the other, shall judge necessary for the use of the inhabitants thereof, now suffering great distress by the scarcity of that necessary article, proper caution being taken to prevent any abuse of this indulgence, by exceeding in the quantities exported or imported, and that no provisions, slaves, or naval stores be exported, if other commodities may answer the purpose." -Journals of Congress.

XVIII.

Pennsylvania Journal in 1775.

The writer of an article published in the Pennsylvania Journal, of April 24, 1775, said: "Can this Continent be happy under the government of Great Britain, or not? Secondly, Can she be happy under a government of our own? *** The answer to the second questioncan America be happy under a government of her own, is short and simple, viz.: As happy as she pleases; she has a blank sheet to write upon. Put it not off too long."

XIX.

Sermon in 1775.

On the 23d of June, 1775, at the "request of the officers of the Third Battalion of the City of Philadelphia and district of Southwark," a sermon was preached in Christ Church, by William Smith, D.D., who said: "As we know that our civil and religious rights are linked together in one indissoluble bond, we neither have, nor seek to have, any interest separate from that of our country, nor can we advise a desertion of its cause. Religion and liberty must flourish or fall together in America. We pray that both may be perpetual."-Principles and Acts of the Revolution, p. 220.

XX.

Boston Gazette, 1775.

In 1775, the author of a "History of the Dispute with America, from its origin in 1754" (published in the Boston Gazette), said: "The grand aphorism of the policy of the Whigs has been to unite the people of America, and divide those of Great Britain. The reverse of this has