New-Jersey Congress to President Hancock

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In Provincial Congress, New-Jersey, Brunswick February 6, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Induced by a report current in this Province that the honourable the Continental Congress have agreed to allow the use of East-India Teas, many persons have publickly sold that article, and the use of it is, therefore, in danger of becoming more general.

We did not hesitate to determine that common report, often deceitful and always uncertain, ought not to be sufficient to contravene a known and established regulation; but, on a resolve being proposed for the purpose of putting a stop to this growing evil, one of the members informed us that he heard several of the Continental Delegates publickly declare, it was agreed in Congress that no notice should be taken of the sale or use of East-India Teas in the Eastern Colonies.

Here, indeed, we hesitated; and, it being of great moment that every regulation of the honourable Representative body of the Continent should be preserved inviolate, we must request that you will speedily inform us whether any, or what agreement has been made by you respecting the sale and use of East-India Teas.

By order of Congress.

Your most humble servant,

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.