American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

Malden, Massachusetts, Instructions to Congress (May 27, 1776) were given in response to the May 9th request by the Massachusetts House of Representatives for each town to give instructions to their representative on the matter of independence from Great Britain: <For these reasons, as well as many others which might be produced, we are confirmed in the opinion that the present age would be deficient in their duty to God, their posterity, and themselves, if they do not establish an American republic. This is the only form of government which we wish to see established; for we can never be...

Continental Congress (March 16, 1776) as recorded in the Journals of Congress, passed without dissent a resolution presented by General William Livingston declaring May 17, 1776, as a National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer: <The Congress....desirous...to have people of all ranks and degrees duly impressed with a solemn sense of God's superintending providence, and of their duty, devoutly to rely...on his aid and direction... We do earnestly recommend Friday, the 17th day of May be observed by the colonies as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer; that we may, with united hearts, confess and bewail our manifold sins...

Virginia House of Burgesses (May 15, 1776) Resolution: <Wherefore, appealing to the Searcher of Hearts for the sincerity of former declarations expressing our desire to preserve the connection with that nation, and that we are driven from that inclination by their wicked councils, and the eternal law of self-preservation: Resolved, unanimously, That the Delegates appointed to represent this Colony in General Congress be instructed to propose to that respectable body to declare the United Colonies free and independent States, absolved from all allegiance to, or dependence upon, the Crown or Parliament of Great Britain.> 1776VA001 -- American Quotations by William...

South Carolina Constitution (March 26, 1776): <Whereas the British Parliament, claiming of late years a right to bind the North American colonies by law in all cases whatsoever, have enacted statutes for raising a revenue in those colonies and disposing of such revenue as they thought proper, without the consent and against the will of the colonists. And whereas it appearing to them that (they not being represented in Parliament) such claim was altogether unconstitutional, and, if admitted, would at once reduce them from the rank of freemen to a state of the most abject slavery; the said colonies, therefore,...

New Hampshire Constitution (January 5, 1776): <That at any session of the...Assembly neither branch shall adjourn from any longer time than from Saturday till the next Monday without consent of the other.> 1776NH001 -- American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement. Endnotes: 1776NH001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). New Hampshire Constitution, January 5, 1776.