[Philadelphia] Tuesday, September 3, 1776
General Sullivan having reduced to writing the verbal message from Lord Howe, the same was laid before Congress, and read as follows:
The following is the purport of the message from Lord Howe to Congress, by General Sullivan:
That, though he could not at present Treat with Congress as such, yet he was very Desirous of having a Conference with some of The members, whom he would Consider for the present only as private Gentlemen, and meet them himself as such, at such place as they should appoint:
That he, in Conjunction with General Howe, had full powers to Compromise the Dispute between Great Britain andAmerica, upon Terms adinvantageous to both; the obtaining of which Delayed him nea"Two months England, and prevented his arrival at this place before the Declaration of Independency took place:
That he wished a Compact might be Settled at this time, when no Decisive Blow was struck, and neither party could say, that they were Compelled to enter into such agreement:
That, in Case Congress were Disposed to Treat, many things, which they had not as yet asked, might and ought to be granted Them; and That if, upon the Conference, They found any probable Ground of an Accommodation, The authority of Congress must be afterwards Acknowledged, otherwise The Compact would not be Compleat.