the next day, and the committee rose and reported the following resolutions, drawn by Edmund Pendleton, which were unanimously agreed to by the Convention, 112 members being present:
"Forasmuch as all the endeavors of the United
Colonies, by the most decent representations and petitions
to the King and Parliament of Great Britain, to restore
peace and security to America under the British
government, and a reunion with that people upon just and
liberal terms, instead of a redress of grievances, have
produced, from an imperious and vindictive adminstration
increased insult, oppression, and a vigorous attempt
to effect our total destruction. By a late act all these
Colonies are declared to be in rebellion, and out of the
protection of the British Crown; our people, when captivated,
compelled to join in the murder and plunder of
their relations and countrymen; and all former rapine
and oppression of Americans declared legal and just.
Fleets and armies are raised and the aid of foreign
troops engaged to assist these destructive purposes. The
King's representative in this Colony hath not only withheld
all the powers of government from operating for our
safety, but, having retired on board an armed ship, is
carrying on a piratical and savage war against us, tempting
our slaves by every artifice to resort to him, and
training and employing them against their masters. In
this state of extreme danger we have no alternative left
but an abject submission to the will of those overbearing
tyrants, or a total separation from the Crown and
