"Filled with sentiments of duty to your Majesty, and of affection to our parent State, deeply impressed by our education, and strongly confirmed by our reason, and anxious to evince the sincerity of these dispositions, we present this petition only to obtain redress of grievances, and relief from fear and jealousies, occasioned by the system of Statutes and regulations adopted since the close of the late war, for raising a revenue in America, extending the powers of Courts of Admiralty and Vice-Admiralty, trying persons in Great Britain for offences alleged to be committed in America, affecting the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and altering the government and extending the limits of Quebec; by the abolition of which system, the harmony between Great Britain and these Colonies, so necessary to the happiness of both, and so ardently desired by the latter, and the usual intercourses, will be immediately restored. In the magnanimity and justice of your Majesty and Parliament, we confide for a redress of our other grievances, trusting, that, when the causes of our apprehensions are removed, our future conduct will prove us not unworthy of the regard we have been accustomed, in our happier days, to enjoy. For, appealing to that Being who searches thoroughly the hearts of his creatures, we solemnly profess that our councils have been influenced by no other motive than a dread of impending destruction.

"Permit us, then, most gracious Sovereign, in the name of all your faithful people in America, with the utmost humility, to implore you, for the honor of Almighty God, whose pure religion our enemies are undermining; for your glory, which can be advanced only by rendering your subjects happy, and keeping them united; for the interests of your family, depending on an adherence to the principles that enthroned it; for the safety and welfare of your kingdoms and dominions, threatened with almost unavoidable dangers and distresses, that your Majesty, as the loving father of your whole people, connected by the same bonds of law, loyalty, faith, and blood, though dwelling in various countries, will not suffer the transcendant relation formed by these ties to be farther violated in uncertain expectation of effects, that, if attained, never can compensate for the calamities through which they must be gained.

"We, therefore, most earnestly beseech your Majesty, that your royal authority and interposition may be used for our relief, and that a gracious answer may be given to this petition.

"That your Majesty may enjoy every felicity through a long and glorious reign over loyal and happy subjects, and that your descendants may inherit your prosperity and dominions till time shall be no more, is, and always will be, our sincere and fervent prayer."

The Congress directed that this petition be sent to the agents of the several Colonies, to be by them transmitted to the king, and appointed Mr. Lee and Mr. Jay to perform this duty. The Congress adjourned Oct. 26, to meet again on the 10th of May. Congress assembled again May 10, according to adjournment, and continued their sessions regularly, from day to day.

June 15 they appointed George Washington, Esq., General and Commander-in-chief of the American forces. The next day, upon the President informing Col. Washington that Congress had unanimously chosen him, he made the following modest, patriotic, and disinterested reply, worthy of being written in letters of gold, and worn upon the foreheads of every President, General, and Member of Congress from that period to the present.

"MR. PRESIDENT, — Though I am truly sensible of the high honor done me in this appointment, yet I feel great distress, from a consciousness that my abilities and military experience may not be equal to the extensive and important trust. However, as the Congress desire it, I will enter upon the momentous duty, and exert every power I possess in their service, and for support of the glorious cause. I beg they will accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished testimony of their appro

bation.

"But lest some unlucky event should happen, unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in the room, that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with.

"As to pay, sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress, that as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment, at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an exact account of my expenses. These, I doubt not, they will discharge; and that is all I desire."

CHAPTER XI.

ACTS OF CONGRESS AND OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Washington commissioned - Bloodshed - The Colonies declared Independent of Great Britain - Incidents in Independence Hall-Doings of the Assembly of Pennsylvania - Gov. Penn's Advice-The Assembly's Reply - Second Provincial Convention - Their Acts-Committee of Public Safety - The Quakers-Pennsylvania raises Troops - Whigs and Tories disagree on changing the Government -The Whigs prevail-They call a Convention - A Constitution formed for Pennsylvania.

URSUING the Acts of Congress as we left them in the last chapter, they appointed a committee to draught a commission and instructions for Gen. Washington. The day on which the general received his commission was the same on which was fought the famous battle of Bunker Hill. July 6 Congress declared the causes and necessity of their taking up arms; and the document being lengthy, and referring to all the Colonies, we omit it in our "History of Pennsylvania."

The first blood having been shed in Massachusetts, April 19, 1775, and the battle of Bunker Hill having been fought June 17th of the same year, and every thing indicating that the rights of the Colonies would never be granted by Great Britain but by the arbitrament of the sword, Congress framed and passed the immortal DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, July 4, 1776. The incidents accompanying the signing of this declaration in Independence Hall are calculated to inspire an irrepressible spirit in the bosom of every American; and the results have thrilled with intense joy millions of people now inhabiting the vast territory extending from Canada to the Gulf, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Of the former, from the many that might be given, our limits will admit of but two. First, the speech of the venerable John Witherspoon,

12

177

a lineal descendant of John Knox, and inheriting a double portion of the spirit of the old reformer. Rising slowly, his face pale, hands tremulous, and voice faltering as he commenced, he said,

"There is a tide in the affairs of men, a nick of time: we perceive it now before us. That noble instrument upon your table, which insures immortality to its author, should be subscribed this very morning by every member in the room. He who will not respond to its call is unworthy the name of freeman. Although these hairs must descend into the tomb, I would rather, infinitely rather, they should descend thither by the hand of the public executioner than desert, at this crisis, the sacred cause of my country."

This patriotic speech, worthy of a Leonidas or a Cincinnatus, had barely ceased, when John Hancock, President of the Congress, seized his pen, wrote his name in bold character, and, rising from his chair, said, "There! John Bull can read my name without spectacles, and may now double his reward for my head. That is my defiance!"

Having followed the transactions of the Continental Congress down to the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, it is now proper to show how their doings were received by the people and Assembly of Pennsylvania. Perhaps we cannot do this better than by transcribing, at least in part, what one of her former historians has said.

"The Assembly of Pennsylvania was the first Provincial legislature to which report of the congressional proceedings was made. By this body, composed of a large proportion of Friends, they were unanimously approved, and recommended to the inviolable observance of the people; and Messrs. Biddle, Dickinson, Mifflin, Galloway, Humphries, Morton, and Ross, were appointed delegates to the next Congress, Mr. Rhoades being omitted, his office of mayor of the city engrossing all his attention. Upon the return of Dr. Franklin from London (14th of May, 1775), he was immediately added to the congressional delegation, together with Messrs. James Wilson and Thomas Willing. Mr. Galloway, having repeatedly requested to be excused from serving as a deputy, was then permitted to with