we can longer sustain the great struggle we are mak- ing, in this situation/^ Having then directed their attention to certain specific subjects which required attention, he concluded his short, but impressive address, by exhorting the members to calmness, unanimity, and diligence.
On the fifteenth of May, Mr. Gary reported from the committee of the whole house on the state of the co- lony, the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:
" Forasmuch as all the endeavours of the United Colo- nies, by the most decent representations and petitions to the king and parhament of Great Britain, to restore peace and security to America under the British govern- ment, and a re-union with that people upon just and liberal terms, instead of a redress of grievances, have produced, from an imperious and vindictive administra- tion, increased insult, oppression, and a vigorous attempt to effect our total destruction. By a late act, all these colonies are declared to be in rebelHon, and out of the protection of the British crown; our properties sub- jected to confiscation; our people, when captivated, compelled to join in the murder and plunder of their relations and countrymen; and all former rapine and oppression of Americans declared legal and just. Fleets and armies are raised, and the aid of foreign troops engaged to assist these destructive purposes. The king^s representative in this colony hath not only withheld all the powers of government, from operating for our safety, but, having retired on board an armed ship, is carrying on a piratical and savage war against us, tempting our slaves, by every artifice, to resort to him, and training and employing them against their
Tib
�� �
