APPENDIX. NO. 1. The first step taken by the American Colonies toward establishing their nationality, was by the appointment of delegates to meet in convention and take into consideration their actual situation; and the differences subsisting between them and Great Britain. This convention met in Carpenter's Hall, in the city of Philadelphia, on the 5th of September, 1774. On that occasion delegates attended from New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, from the city and county of New York, and other counties in the province of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Castle, Kent and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland, Vir. ginia, and South Carolina. Peyton Randolph was unanimously chosen president of the congress, and Charles Thomson was unanimously chosen secretary. On the 14th of September, delegates from North Carolina appeared and took their seats, in the congress. This congress continued in session until the 26th of October, when, having first passed a resolution (Oct. 22) recommending delegates to meet again at Philadelphia on the 10th of May, 1775, it was dissolved. On the 22d of October, Peyton Randolph being unable to attend, on account of indisposition, Henry Middleton was chosen to supply his place as president of the congress. On the 10th of May, 1775, according to the recommendation of the preceding congress, the delegates from the same several colonies, with the exception of Rhode Island, assembled at the State House in Philadelphia, when Peyton Randolph was, a second time, unanimously elected president, and Charles Thomson was unanimously chosen secretary, of said second congress. On the 24th of May, Peyton Randolph being under the necessity of returning home, the chair became vacant; and John Hancock was unanimously elected president, in his place. On the 14th of June it was resolved to raise several companies of riflemen, by enlistment, for one year, to serve in the American states as to secure freedom to every citizen or inhabitant thereof. This provision of the constitution, together with section four of article four, gives to the general government full power to supervise state legislation upon the subject of the political franchise of its citizens or inhabitants, whenever, in their judgment, it becomes necessary to carry into effect these guarantees. If a republican form of government, or freedom from slavery or involuntary servitude cannot be secured in any state without giving to the people the elective franchise, it cannot be doubted that congress has full power to do so. APPENDIX. NO. 1. The first step taken by the American Colonies toward establishing their nationality, was by the appointment of delegates to meet in convention and take into consideration their actual situation; and the differences subsisting between them and Great Britain. This convention met in Carpenter's Hall, in the city of Philadelphia, on the 5th of September, 1774. On that occasion delegates attended from New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, from the city and county of New York, and other counties in the province of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Castle, Kent and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland, Vir. ginia, and South Carolina. Peyton Randolph was unanimously chosen president of the congress, and Charles Thomson was unanimously chosen secretary. On the 14th of September, delegates from North Carolina appeared and took their seats, in the congress. This congress continued in session until the 26th of October, when, having first passed a resolution (Oct. 22) recommending delegates to meet again at Philadelphia on the 10th of May, 1775, it was dissolved. On the 22d of October, Peyton Randolph being unable to attend, on account of indisposition, Henry Middleton was chosen to supply his place as president of the congress. On the 10th of May, 1775, according to the recommendation of the preceding congress, the delegates from the same several colonies, with the exception of Rhode Island, assembled at the State House in Philadelphia, when Peyton Randolph was, a second time, unanimously elected president, and Charles Thomson was unanimously chosen secretary, of said second congress. On the 24th of May, Peyton Randolph being under the necessity of returning home, the chair became vacant; and John Hancock was unanimously elected president, in his place. On the 14th of June it was resolved to raise several companies of riflemen, by enlistment, for one year, to serve in the American Continental Army; it established the pay of the officers and privates, and appointed a committee to prepare rules and regulations for the government of the army. On the 15th of June, it was resolved that a general should be appointed to command all the continental forces, raised or to be raised, for the defense of American liberty; and George Washington was unanimously elected and commissioned as such general. NO. 2. COMMISSION OF GEORGE WASHINGTON AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY OF THE UNITED COLONIES. "In Congress. The delegates of the United Colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Castle, Kent and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, To George Washington, Esquire: We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, conduct and fidelity, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be general and commander-in-chief of the army of the United Colonies, and of all the forces raised, or to be raised by them, and of all others who shall voluntarily offer their service, and join the said army for the defense of the American liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof; and you are hereby vested with full power and authority to act as you shall think for the good and welfare of the service. And we do hereby strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command to be obedient to your orders, and diligent in the exercise of their several duties. And we do also enjoin and require you to be careful in executing the great trust reposed in you, by causing strict discipline and order to be observed in the army, and that the soldiers are duly exercised, and provided with all convenient necessaries. And you are to regulate your conduct, in every respect, by the rules and discipline of war (as here with given you), and punctually to observe and follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the said United Colonies, or a committee of Congress, for that purpose appointed. This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress. By order of the Congress. John Hancock, Presi dent. Dated Philadelphia, June 19, 1775. Attested, Charles Thomson, Secretary.” On the 1st of August, Congress adjourned to the 5th of September, 1775. Congress again convened agreeably to their adjournment, but did not form a quorum for business until the 13th inst., when delegates from Georgia appeared, produced their credentials and took their seats in Congress. On the 25th of November, Congress passed resolutions directing seizures and capture, under commissions obtained from them, together with condemnation of British vessels employed in a hostile manner against the colonies, and pointed out the mode of trial and condemnation, and the apportionment of prizes. On the 28th of November, Congress adopted rules for the regulation of the Navy of the United Colonies. On the 2d of December an exchange of prisoners was declared proper. Thus Congress continued step by step organizing a force to repel the assaults of the British government upon the liberties of the colonies, until, on the 4th of July, 1776, they adopted and promulgated to the world the Declaration of Independence.* NO. 3. In Congress, July 4, 1776. THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. WHEN, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. that all men are We hold these truths to be self evident created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new govern *See the writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1, p. 10, as to the proceedings of Congress from June 7, 1776, to July 4. See 1 Elliott's Debates, by Lippincott & Co., p. 56. 51 |