Whereas notwithstanding the humble and dutiful petition of the last Congress to the King, and other wise pacific measures taken for obtaining a happy reconciliation between Great Britain and the Colonies; the ministry, lost to every sentiment of justice, liberty and humanity, continue to send troops and ships of war into America, which destroy our trade, plunder and burn our towns, and murder the good people of these colonies,ー

It is therefore voted and resolved, that this Colony most ardently wish to see the former friendship, harmony and intercourse, between Great Britain and these Colonies restored, and a happy and lasting connection established between both countries, upon terms of just and equal liberty; and win concur with the other colonies in all proper measures for obtaining those desirable blessings; and as every principle divine and human require us to obey that great and fundamental law of nature, selft preservation, until peace shall be restored upon constitutional principles; this colony will most-heartily exert the whole power of government, in conjunction with the other colonies, for carrying on this just and necessary war, and bringing the same to a happy issue. And amongst other measures for obtaining this most desiralble purpose, this Assembly is persuaded, that the building and equipping an American fleet, as soon as possible, would greatly and essentially conduce to the preservation of the lives, liberty and property of the good people of these Colonies and therefore instruct their delegates to use their whole influence at the ensuing congress for building at the Continental expenses a fleet of sufficient force, for the protection of these colonies, and for employing them in such manner and places as will most effectually annoy our enemies, and contribute to the common defence of these colonies, and they are also instructed to use all their influence for carrying on the war in the most vigorous manner, until peace, liberty and safety, are restored and secured to these Colonies upon an equitable and permanent basis.

It is voted and resolved, that the monthly wages of Abraham Whipple, captain of the colony sloop, be raised from £ 7.10s. to £ 9, from the time he entered on board said sloop

It is voted and resolved, that Col Samuel Aborn, Col John Low, Richard Smith, Esq; Mr. Benjamin Bosworth, Sylvester Gardner Esq; and Mr. Benjamin Gardner, be, and they are hereby, appointed a committee, to cause all the cattle and sheep, that are fit to be killed, to be forthwith removed and carried off all the islands in this colony, Rhode Island excepted; and Block Island, for which provision hath already been made.

And the said Committee are also empowered to order the two armed vessels belonging to the colony, to assist in removing said cattle and sheep.