378 HISTORY OF 



colonies, from South Carolina to New Hampshire, seem 

 animated with one spirit in the common cause, and con- 

 sider this as the proper crisis for having our differences 

 with the mother country brought to some certain issue, 

 and our hberty iixt upon a permanent foundation. This 

 desirable end can only be accomplished by a free com- 

 munion of sentiments, and a sincere fervent regard to the 

 interests of our common country. We beg to be favored 

 with an answer to this, and whether the committee for 

 your county can attend at Philadelphia, at the time pro- 

 posed. Signed by order of the committee. 



Thomas Willig, Chairman. 

 To the committee for Lancaster county. 



Pursuant to the pubhcation of the resolves of the com- 

 mittee before mentioned; A general meeiing of the 

 freemen and inhabitants of this county, (of Lancaster,) 

 was held on Saturday, the 9th of July, 1774. 



George Ross, Esq., being chosen chairman. This 

 assembly taking into serious consideration the several late 

 acts of the British Parliament, relative to America ; came 

 unanimously to the following declarations and resolves^ 

 viz : 



1. We do sincerely profess and declare, that his most 

 gracious majesty King George the third, is our rightful 

 and lawful sovereign ; and that we will support and 

 defend him to the utmost pf our power with our lives 

 and fortunes against his enemies. 



2. We do further declare that no power is constitu- 

 tionally lodged in the hands of any body of men, to give 

 and grant our money, save only our representatives in 

 Assembly, who have at all times cheerfully granted aid 

 to his majesty whenever he has made requisition from 

 them. 



3. That the acts of the British Parliament for divest 



