260 AUTHENTIC HISTORY 



CHAPTER V. 

 THE STATE GOVERNMENT. 



On Monday July 15, 1776, the Convention for forming a Constitution 

 for the State of Pennsylvania met at Philadelphia, and elected Dr. Ben- 

 jamin Franklin, President, Colonel George Ross, Vice President, John 

 Morris, Secretary, and Jacob Garrigues, Assistant Secretary. The dele- 

 gates from Lancaster County were George Ross, Philip Marsteller, 

 Thomas Porter, Bartram Galbraith, Joseph Sheerer, John Hubley, Henry 

 Slaymaker and Alexander Lowry. By solemn resolution they directed 

 Divine Service to be performed before them by the Rev. William White, 

 afterwards first Bishop of Pennsylvania; and, offering to Almighty God 

 their praises and thanksgivings for the manifold mercies, and the pecu- 

 liar interposition of his special providence, in behalf of the injured and 

 oppressed United States, they prayed for his divine grace and assistance 

 in the important and arduous task committed to them. 



From the instant of its organization, the convention assumed the whole 

 political power of the State. Among its first acts, was the appointment 

 of delegates to Congress,^ and the preparation of their instructions. They 

 were enjoined constant and punctual attendance in Congress — to culti- 

 vate and strengthen the union of the States, until a just, equal, and per- 

 petual confederation should be effected — to use their utmost power and 

 influence for the establishment of a nav}^, which was necessary to every 

 trading nation, and least dangerous and expensive to the liberties of 

 mankind. They were forbidden to enter into any treaty with Great 

 Britain or other foreign power, but as free and independent States — and 

 were permitted, when Great Britain should acknowldge the United 

 States free and independent, to treat with her, in conjunction with the 

 other States, concerning peace, amity, and commerce, on just and equal 

 terms. 



The great labor of forming the Constitution was. not completed until 

 Saturday, the twenty-eighth day of September. On that day it was read 

 in Convention for the last time, signed by the President and every mem- 

 ber, and committed to the charge of the Council of Safety, with direc- 

 tions to deliver it to the general Assembly of the State, at their first 

 meeting, immediately after they should have chosen their speaker. 



In Committee of Safety. Philadelphia, 16th July, 1776. 



By order of the Board, an order was drawn on Jno. Nixon, Esq'r, and 



1 Go; don. 



