spective constituents, that they shall abide by the determinations of the united states in congress assembled, on all questions which by the said confederation are submitted to them; and that the articles thereof shall be inviolably observed by the states we refpectively represent; and that the union shall be perpetual. IN WITNESS whereof, we have hereunto set our hands in congress.

DONE at Philadelphia, in the state of Pennsylvania, the oth day of July, in the year of our Lord, 1778, and in the third year of the independence of America.

The aforesaid articles of confederation were finally ratified on the first day of March 1781; the state of Maryland having, by their members in congress, on that day acceded thereto, and compleated the same.

In CONGRESS, at EXETER, Jan. 5, 1776.

WE, the members of the congrefs of the colony of New

Hampshire, chosen and appointed by the free fu frages of the people of faid colony, and authorised and impowered by them to meet together, and use such means, and pursue such measures, as we shall judge best for the public good; and in particular to establish some form of government, provided that measure should be recommended by the Continental Congrefs; and a recommendation to that purpose having been transmitted to us from the said Congress; have taken into our ferious consideration the unhappy circumstances into which this colony is involved, by means of many grievous and oppreffive acts of the British Parliament, depriving us of our native and conftitutional rights and privileges; to enforce obedience to which acts, a powerful fleet and army have been sent into this country, by the ministry of Great Britain, who have exercised a wanton and cruel abuse of their power, in destroying the lives and properties of the colonists, in many places, with fire and sword, taking the ships and lading from many of the honest and industrious inhabitants of this colony, employed in commerce, agreeable to the laws and customs a long time used here:

/

The

:

1

The sudden and abrupt departure of his excellency John Wentworth, esq. our late governor, and several of the council, leaving us destitute of legislation; and no executive courts being open to punish criminal offenders, whereby the lives and properties of the honeft people of this colony are liable to the machinations and evil designs of wicked men:

Therefore, for the preservation of peace and good order, and for the security of the lives and properties of the inhabitants of this colony, we conceive ourselves reduced to the neceffity of establishing a Form of Government, to continue during the present unhappy and unnatural contest with Great-Britain; protesting and declaring, that we never fought to throw off our dependence upon Great-Britain, but felt ourselves happy under her protection, while we could enjoy our constitutional rights and privileges and that we shall rejoice, if such a reconciliation between us and our parent state can be effected as shall be approved by the Continental Congress, in whose prudence and wisdom we confide.

Accordingly, pursuant to the trust reposed in us, we do Resolve, that this congress affume the name, power, and authority of a House of Representatives or Assembly, for the colony of NewHampshire: and that faid house then proceed to choose twelve persons, being reputable freeholders, and inhabitants within this colony, in the following manner, viz. five in the county of Rockingham, two in the county of Strafford, two in the county of Hillsborough, two in the county of Cheshire, and one in the county of Grafton, to be a diftinct and separate branch of the legislature, by the name of a council for this colony, to continue as such until the third Wednesday in December next; any seven of whom to be a quorum to do business.

That fuch council appoint their President; and in his absence, that the fenior councillor prefide.

That a Secretary be appointed by both branches, who may be councillor, or otherwise, as they shall choose.

That no act or refolve be valid, and put into execution, unless agreed to and paffed by both branches of the legislature.

That all public officers for the said colony, and each county, for the current year, be appointed by the council and affembly, except the several clerks of the executive courts, who shall be appointed by the Justices of the respective courts.

That all bills, refolves, or votes for raifing, levying and collecting money, originate in the house of representatives.

That at any feffions of the council and affembly, neith, branch shall adjourn for any longer time than from Saturday till the next Monday, without consent of the other.

And it is further Resolved, That if the present unhappy dispute with Great-Britain should continue longer than this present year, and the Continental Congress give no instructions or

3

directions

!

directions to the contrary, the council be chosen by the people of each respective county, in such manner as the council and house of representatives shall order.

That general and field officers of the militia, on any vacancy, be appointed by the two houses, and all inferior officers be chofen by the respective companies.

That all officers of the army be appointed by the two houses, except they should direct otherwise in cafe of any emergency.

That all civil officers for the colony and for each county be appointed, and the time of their continuance in office be determined, by the two houses, except clerks, and county treasurers, and recorders of deeds.

That a treasurer, and a recorder of deeds, for each county be annually chosen, by the people of each county respectively; the votes for fuch officers to be returned to the respective courts of general feffions of the peace, in the county, there to be ascertained, as the council and affembly shall hereafter direct.

That precepts, in the name of the council and assembly, figned by the prefident of the council, and speaker of the house of representatives, shall issue annually, at or before the first day of November, for the choice of a council, and house of representatives, to be returned by the third Wednesday in December then next enfuing, in such manner as the council and affembly shall hereafter prescribe.

In the HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES, September 19, 1776.

Voted and Resolved,

THAT as any new towns or settlements in this state, shall increase in their number of inhabitants from year to year, or from time to time, precepts shall issue for their fending delegates to council and affembly, so as to be fully represented, according to their numbers, proportionable with other parts of the state.

Sent up for Concurrence,

P. WHITE, Speaker.

In COUNCIL, Eodem Die.

Read and Concurred.

E. THOMPSON, Secretary.

Copy examined, per E. THOMPSON, Secretary.

D

-MASSA