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Monday, September 4, 1775.
The Congress met according to adjournment.
His Honour the President laid before the Congress a Letter from Mr˙ Biggleston, the Governour' s Secretary, asking the favour of this Congress to give sanction and safe conduct to the removal of the most valuable effects of Governour Martin on board the Man-of-War, and his Coach and Horses to Mr˙ Farquard Campbell' s.
Resolved, That if Mr˙ Biggleston should think proper to remove on board the Man-of-War all the Governour' s effects, as well as his Excellency' s Coach and Horses, as every article thereof, this Congress is even ready to give them, as to all other private property, every safeguard and security in their power to prevent their receiving any molestation or injury, however ideal the fears of Mr˙ Biggleston in this instance may be of meeting any interruption in carrying such design into execution; but as Mr˙ Farquard Campbell, a member of this Congress, has expressed a sincere desire that the Coach and Horses should not be sent to his house in Cumberland, and is amazed that such a proposal should have been made without his approbation or privity, they conceive they can by no means suffer the Coach and Horses to be removed to Cumberland County. This House further take this opportunity to express their surprise at his Excellency the Governour having deserted the Palace, as he might have enjoyed all the conveniences of the same in a state of perfect security, without insult or injury to his person or property.
Resolved, That Farquard Campbell, Esquire, hath, in the opinion of this Congress, conducted himself as an honest member of society and a friend to the American cause; and that any confidential expressions that have been dropped by Governour Martin, or any of his friends, with respect to any reliance they may have upon the services of the said Farquard Campbell against the American cause, have been without any encouragement from the said Farquard Campbell, but have been made use of in order to bring his character into distrust, and lessen the esteem which for his faithful services he deserves from the inhabitants of this Province.
Resolved, That the Secretary give Certificates to such of the Protesters, as from a conviction of the evil of their past conduct, have or shall hereafter sign the Association or Test entered into by the Members of this Congress
Ordered, Mr˙ Hambright have leave to absent himself from the service of the Congress.
The Order of the Day being read, for taking into consideration a paper purporting to be a Confederation of the United Colonies:
Resolved, The Congress resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House.
The Congress resolved into a Committee of the Whole House accordingly, and unanimously chose the Reverend Mr˙ Pafillo Chairman; and after some time spent therein, came to a Resolution thereon.
On motion, Mr˙ President resumed the chair, and Mr˙ Chairman reported as follows, to wit:
That the Committee have taken into consideration the plan of a General Confederation between the United Colonies, and are of opinion that the same is not at present eligible. And it is also the opinion of the Committee, that the Delegates for this Province ought to be instructed not to consent to any plan of Confederation, which may be offered in an ensuing Congress, until the same shall be laid before and approved by the Provincial Congress.
That the present Association ought to be further relied on for bringing about a reconciliation with the Parent State;
and a further. Confederacy ought only to be adopted in case of the last necessity.
Then, on motion, Resolved, The Congress do approve of the above Resolution.
The Congress adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o' clock.
On the application of Mr. Biggleston
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during this session, setting forth that they are accepted as friends to American liberty.