Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 1 AUGUST 1774 - AUGUST 1775
Silas Deane's Diary
[October 3, 1774]
Monday Congress opened.
3d Octo. The president in the Chair. Ten oClock--both Motions read. Col. Lee makes a Motion for Amendment. See the Motion Seconded by Col. Lee.(1)
Opposed by Mr. Rutledge as being out of the Line of Our Business, and in degree, a Declaration of Warr, which if intended, no other Measure ought to be taken Up, but that We should he says speak out at Once. Col. Lee opposes him & defends his Motion-that it is the- Duty of the Congress to put the Americans on defending themselves.
Mr. Roger Sherman, for it, confusedly enough though miss'd the Question & sat down. Col. Harison against it, that it will tend, only to irritate, whereas Our Business is to reconcile--that we are unable to defend Ourselves. Mr. Henry for it. Says that a preparation for Warr is Necessary to obtain peace--That America is not Now in a State of peace--That all the Bulwarks, of Our Safety, of Our Constitn. are thrown down, That We are Now in a State of Nature--That We ought to ask Ourselves the Question should the planns of Nonim [portatio] n & Nonexp [oratio] n fail of success--in that Case Arms are Necessary, & if then, it is Necessary Now. Arms are a Resource to which We shall be forced, a Resource afforded Us by God & Nature, & why in the Name of both are We to hesitate providing them Now whilst in Our power.
Mr. Rutledge again moving to postpone this and to take it up here after that it is out of Order and is a New Motion.
Mr. Henry corrects him.
Mr. Rutledge again.
Col. Lee in the same Way.
Mr. Duane in support of his first Motion that he is not for Warr, nor are his people.
Mr. Rutledge again to Order.
Mr. Pendleton declares it to be in Order but that it is exceptionable and proposes it to be amended.
Mr. Rutledge junr. against it.
Col Dyar for it at large.
Mr. Low against it.
Col. Bland against it.
Mr. Henry again lengthy & zealous for it.
Mr. Hooper against it as a most impolitic measure at this Time & if pursued will defeat its design. North Carolina has a Militia Law. South Carolina also has such a Law. Virginia has had one for a Cen- tury, but N. Carolinas is a Temporary one pass'd at the express desire of the Governor. General Gage is now beseiged, & is dependant on our Lenity. That N. Carolina is able to defend itself.
Mr. Duane again.
Mr. Lynch for it and Lengthy says We have already adopted much the same thing--That all Europe can not subdue it, &c but proposes a different Bill which Col. Lee agrees to.
Mr. Jay says he would be for it were it as innocent as it is wise.
Col. Bland against it. The Motion was again altered & amended and the Question being put was carried Unanimously.(2) Mr. Lynch moved respecting the Regulations of Trade or Acts of Charles the Second should be considered as obligatory.
After long debating put off the Question untill Tomorrow & adjd.
Supp'd at Evening at Mr. Mifflins.(3)
MS (CtHi).
1 See Richard Henry Lee's Proposed Resolution, October 3, 1774, which was intended to strengthen James Duane's motion of October 1.
2 JCC, 1 :54.
3 For Tuesday, October 4, 1774, Deane briefly noted in his diary: "am ill, kept my chamber. No Resolution pass'd in Congress,"
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