The Paper purporting to be a Confederacy of the United Colonies to be considered on Firday next

v3:190

Monday, August 28, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

Resolved, That on Friday next the Congress resolve itself into a Committee to take under consideration the Paper laid before the Congress purporting to be a Confederacy of the United Colonies.

The Committee appointed to receive Intelligence and Petitions, &c˙, reported that they had taken into consideration the several matters laid before them, which they begged leave to lay before the Congress.

Ordered the same be read. Read the same, and is as follows, viz:

The Petition of Frances Dunn, (wife of John Dunn,) and Dorothy Boote, (wife of Benjamin Boote,) being referred to this Committee, and the allegations therein contained examined into, it appears to us, that from the notorious inimical conduct of the said John Dunn and Benjamin Boote, mentioned in the said Petition, to the cause of America, the apprehending and sending the said Dunn and Boote to South-Carolina, was necessary and justifiable in these times of general danger; and as to the future disposal of the said Dunn and Boote, we submit to the consideration of this honourable Congress.

The Petition of a number of Inhabitants of the Town of Salisbury, respecting the election of the said Town, being also referred to this Committee, it is our opinion, that the several matters contained in the said Petition, as objections to the election of a Member for the said Town, to sit in Provincial Congress, are groundless, and that the said election is good and valid.

The information of Thomas Wade, Thomas Polk and John Walker relative to the hostile intentions of Governour Martin, Indians and others, being laid before this Committee, in writing, it is our opinion, that the matter therein contained is of so serious and important a nature, that we beg leave to submit it to the consideration of this honourable Congress.

RICHARD COGDELL, Chairman.

Resolved, That the same lie on the table for consideration.

James Cotton, Samuel Williams, and Jacob Williams, of Anson County, who stood charged with acting in opposition to the liberty of America, and of endeavouring, by persuasion and otherwise, to induce others to act against the Resolutions of the Continental and Provincial Congress, were brought to the bar of this Congress by a party of the Hillsborough Independent Company, and after being severally examined,

Resolved, That the said James Cotton, Samuel Williams and Jacob Williams be discharged and set at liberty, and that Certificates issue from this Congress to entitle them to the protection of all persons espousing the cause of American liberty, they having made a solemn recantation of their former principles.

The Congress adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o' clock.