Report of the Committee

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Monday, June 12, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

The Committee appointed for preparing a Resolve for a Fast, brought in a Report; which, being read, was agreed to, as follows, viz:

As the great Governour of the world, by his supreme and universal providence, not only conducts the course of nature with unerring wisdom and rectitude, but frequently influences the minds of men to serve the wise and gracious purposes of his providential government; and it being, at all times, our indispensable duty devoutly to acknowledge his superintending providence, especially in times of impending danger and publick calamity, to reverence and adore his immutable justice as well as to implore his merciful interposition for our deliverance:

This Congress, therefore, considering the present critical, alarming, and calamitous slate of these Colonies, do earnestly recommend that Thursday, the twentieth day of July next, be observed, by the inhabitants of all the English Colonies on this Continent, as a day of publick humiliation, fasting, and prayer; that we may, with united hearts and voices, unfeignedly confess and deplore our many sins, and offer up our joint supplications to the all-wise, omnipotent, and merciful Disposer of all events; humbly beseeching him to forgive our iniquities, to remove our present calamities, to avert those desolating judgments with which we are threatened, and to bless our rightful Sovereign, King George the Third, and inspire him with wisdom to discern and pursue the true interest of all his subjects, that a speedy end may be put to the civil discord between Great Britain and the American Colonies, without farther effusion of blood; and that the British Nation may be influenced to regard the things that belong to her peace, before they are hid from her eyes; that these Colonies may be ever under the care and protection of a kind Providence, and be prospered in all their interests; that the divine blessing may descend and rest upon all our civil rulers, and upon the Representatives of the people, in their several Assemblies and Conventions, that they may be directed to wise and effectual measures for preserving the union, and securing the just rights and privileges of the Colonies; that virtue and true religion may revive and flourish throughout our land; and that America may soon behold a gracious interposition of Heaven, for the redress of her many grievances, the restoration of her invaded

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And it is recommended to Christians of all denominations, to assemble for publick worship, and to abstain from servile labour and recreation on said day.

Ordered, That a copy of the above be signed by the President, and attested by the Secretary, and published in the newspapers and in handbills.

On motion, Ordered, That the Letter to the Inhabitants of Canada be published in English.

The Order of the Day being read, after some debate, the Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the ways and means of raising Money. After some time, the President resumed the chair, Mr˙ Ward reported from the Committee, that they had proceeded in the business referred to them, but not having come to a conclusion, desired him to move for leave to sit again.

Resolved, That the Congress will to-morrow resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the ways and means of raising Money, and also the state of America.

Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o' clock.