204 AUTHENTIC HISTORY 



respected through all America, but will have such a weight as the proudest 

 Minister in England may have reason to respect. But if it is known to 

 be a divided vote, or adopted hastily on some angry day, it will only be 

 injurious to our own cause. 



What I have in charge to request of you is this — that if, on any point, 

 we should have a difference of sentiments, every person may be allowed 

 to speak his mind freely, and to conclude what he has to oSer, without 

 any such outward marks of approbation or disapprobation, as clapjnng 

 or hissing; and that if a division should be necessary (which it is hoped 

 may not be the case this day) such division may be made in the manner 

 desired by the chairmen, with all possible order and decorum. 

 The following is a copy of the Circular Letter sent by the Committee for 



this city and county,^ to the different counties in this province. 



Philadelphia, June 28, 1774. 



Gentlemen : The Committee of Correspondence for this city and county, 

 beg leave to enclose you printed copies of the resolves, passed at a very 

 large and respectable meeting of the Freeholders and Freemen in the 

 State House Square, on Saturday the 18th inst. By the 4th of those 

 resolves, you will observe that it was left for the Committee "To deter- 

 mine on the most proper mode of collecting the sense of this province in 

 the present critical situation of our affairs, and appointing Deputies to 

 attend the proposed Congress]'' In pursuance of this trust, we have, upon 

 the maturest deliberation, determined upon the mode contained in the 

 two following propositions, which we hope may meet with the approba- 

 tion and concurrence of your respectable county, viz : 



"1. That the Speaker of the Honourable House of Eepresentatives be 

 desired to write to the several members of Assembly in this province, 

 requesting them to meet in this city as soon as possible, but not later 

 than the 1st of August next, to take into their consideration our very 

 alarming situation. 



" 2. That letters be written to proper persons in each county, recom- 

 mending it to them to get Committees appointed for their respective 

 counties, and that the said Committees, or such number of them as may 

 be thought proper, may meet in Philadelphia at the time the Eepresen- 

 tatives are convened, in order to consult and advise on the most expedi- 

 ent mode of appointing Deputies for the general Congress, and to give 

 their weight to such as may be appointed." 



The Speaker of the Assembly, in a very obliging and ready manner, 

 had agreed to comply with the request in the former of these proposi- 

 tions ; but we are now informed that, on account of the Indian disturb- 

 ances, the Governor has found it necessary to call the Assembly to meet 

 in their legislative capacity on Monday, July 18, being about the same 



1 i. e. Philadelphia. 



