Letters from Massachusetts Bay, Rhode-Island, and Virginia

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July 22, 1774. — The House met pursuant to adjournment; and the Order of yesterday being read, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, upon the subject of the several Letters and Resolves received from the Colonies of Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Virginia, and, after some time spent therein, Mr˙ Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr˙ Rhoads reported from the Committee, that they had considered the business before them, and having come to a Resolve thereon, he was ordered to report the same whenever the House shall be pleased to receive it.

Ordered, That the Resolve of the Committee be received immediately.

Mr˙ Rhoads then (according to order) reported the said Resolve, which he first read in his place, and then delivered at the Clerk' s table, where the same was again read, by order, and follows in these words, viz:

Pennsylvania Assembly. Resolution, that there is an absolute necessity for a General Congress, to consult together on the state of the Colonies, unanimously adopted,

"The Committee of the whole House taking into their most serious consideration the unfortunate differences which have long subsisted between Great Britain and the American Colonies, and been greatly increased by the operation and effects of divers late Acts of the British Parliament:

Resolved, n˙ c˙ d˙, That there is an absolute necessity that a Congress of Deputies from the several Colonies be held as soon as conveniently may be, to consult together upon the present unhappy state of the Colonies, and to form and adopt a plan for the purposes of obtaining redress of American grievances, ascertaining American rights, upon the most solid constitutional principles, and for establishing that union and harmony between Great Britain and the Colonies, which is indispensably necessary for the welfare and happiness of both."

The House resumed the consideration of the Resolve from the Committee of the whole House; and after some debate thereon, adopting and confirming the same.

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Resolved, n˙ c˙ d˙, That the Honourable Joseph Galloway, Speaker, Samuel Rhoads, Thomas Mifflin, Charles Humphreys, John Morton, George Ross, and Edward Biddle, Esquires, be and they are hereby appointed a Committee on the part of this Province, for the purposes aforesaid, and that they, or any four of them, do meet such Committees or Delegates from the other Colonies, as have been or may be appointed, either by their respective Houses of Representatives, or by Convention, or by the Provincial or Colony Committees, at such time and place as shall be generally agreed on by such Committees; and that the Speaker of this House be directed, in a letter to the Speakers of the Houses of Representatives of the other Colonies, to inform them of these Resolves.

Upon motion,

Ordered, That Mr˙ Hillegas, Mr˙ Miles, Mr˙ Brown, Mr˙ John Jacobs, Mr˙ Webb, Mr˙ Ross, Mr˙ Pope, and Mr˙ Allen, be a Committee to prepare and bring in draughts of Instructions for the Deputies to the ensuing Congress; a Circular Letter to the Speakers of the several Colony Assemblies, and an Answer to the Governour' s Message on Indian Affairs.