Militia and Minute Men Earnestly Requested

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Ordered, That the Report of the Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve holding up to the people the imminent danger they were in, &c˙, be now read; which was done accordingly, and accepted, and ordered to be printed in all the Newspapers, and is as followeth, viz:

Whereas, it appears to this Congress, from the present disposition of the British Ministry and Parliament, that there is real cause to fear that the most reasonable and just applications of this Continent to Great Britain, for "Peace, Liberty, and Safety," will not meet with a favourable reception; but, on the contrary, from the large reinforcements of Troops expected in this Colony; the tenor of intelligence from Great Britain, and general appearances, we have reason to apprehend that the sudden destruction of this Colony in particular is intended, merely for refusing, with the other American Colonies, tamely to submit to the most ignominious slavery;

Therefore, Resolved, That the great law of self-preservation calls upon the inhabitants of this Colony immediately to prepare against every attempt that may be made to attack them by surprise; and it is, upon serious deliberation, most earnestly recommended to the Militia in general, as well as the detached part of it in Minute-men, that they spare neither time, pains, nor expense, at so critical a juncture, in perfecting themselves forthwith in military discipline, and that skilful instructors be provided for those Companies which may not already be provided therewith. And it is recommended to the Towns and Districts in this Colony, that they encourage such persons as are skilled in the manufacturing of Fire-Arms and Bayonets, diligently to apply themselves thereto, for supplying such of the inhabitants as may still be deficient.

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And for the encouragement of American Manufactures of Fire-Arms and Bayonets, it is further Resolved, That this Congress will give the preference to, and purchase from them, so many effective Arms and Bayonets as can be delivered in a reasonable time, upon notice given to this Congress at its next session.