Monday, July 18. The committee appointed to bring in instructions, reported, that they had made a draught, which they laid upon the table.

Moved, That they be read-which was done.

Tuesday, July 19. Upon a motion made and seconded,, agreed that the draught of instructions brought in by the committee, and which were read, be re-committed to the same committee.

Wednesday, July 20. The committee having brought in a draught of instructions, the same were debated, amended and agreed to.

Thursday, July 21. The instructions were signed by the chairman.--The committee in a body, waited on the assembly then sitting, and presented the same.

Ir having been moved, that the essay of the instructions first proposed to be given to the honour

* The committees of the counties having been invited, by the committee for the city and county of Philadelphia, to meet them at Philadelphia on the 15th of July; this committee thought it their duty, to make some preparation in the business, that was to be laid before the provincial committee by them. On the 4th of July they appointed a committee for this purpose; and this measure enabled those appointed by the provincial committee to bring in a draught so soon.

able assembly of Pennsylvania, by the provincial committee assembled at Philadelphia, the 18th in. stant, might be abridged, leaving out the argumentative part, so as to be more proper for instructions, the same was agreed to; but resolved at the same time, that the whole work ought to be published, as highly deserving the perusal and serious consideration of every friend of liberty within these colonies.

Agreed unanimously, That the thanks of this committee be given from the chair to JOHN DICK

on,

Mr. Dickinson being absent this day, on account of the funeral of a relati

the next day the chairman, in a very obliging manner, delivered to him from the chair the thanks of the committee; to which he replied:

"Mr. CHAIRMAN,

"I heartily thank this respectable assembly for the honour they have conferred upon me, but want words to express the sense I feel of their kindness. The mere accidents of meeting with particular books, and conversing with particular men, led me into the train of sentiments, which the committee are pleased to think just; and others, with the like opportunities of information, would much better have deserved to receive the thanks, they now generously give. I consider the approbation of this company as an evidence, that they entertain a favourable opinion of my good intentions, and as an incouragement for all to apply themselves, in these unhappy times, to the service of the public, since even small endeavours to promote that service, can find a very valuable reward. I will try, during the remainder of my life, to remember my duty to our common country, and, if it be possible, to render myself worthy of the honour for which I now stand so deeply indebted.

"I thank you, sir, for the polite and affectionate manner, in which you have communicated the sense of the committee to me."

INSON, esquire, for the great assistance they have derived from the laudable application of his eminent abilities, to the service of his country in the above performance.

Extract from the minutes,

CHARLES THOMSON, clerk of the committee.

PREFA C E.

WHEN the committee for preparing a draught of instructions was appointed, it was considered, whether it would not be proper, to form some kind of a sketch, however imperfect it might be, of all the grievances, of the colonies, and of course of their constitutional rights.,

SUCH an attempt, tho' very rude, might be improved by better hands; and it seemed absolutely necessary, no longer to confine ourselves to occasional complaints and partial remedies, but, if possible, to attain some degree of certainty concerning our lives, liberties and properties.

It was perceived, that if the instructions should be formed on this plan, they would com

prehend many and very important positions, which it would be proper to introduce, by previously assigning the reasons, on which they were founded. Otherwise, the positions might not appear to the committee to be just. From this consideration it became necessary, to render the instructions long and argumentative; and whoever candidly reflects on the importance of the occasion, will think such a method very justifiable.

THE draught of instructions being brought into the provincial committee and read, and no objection being made to any of the principles asserted in them, it was not thought necessary, that the argumentative part should continue any longer in them. The committee, that brought in the draught, therefore moved, that this part of the instructions might be separated from the rest. Whereupon the draught was re-committed, for this purpose, to the committee, that brought it in. This was done.