Page:Debates in the Several State Conventions, v4.djvu/357

Rh Two hundred and thirty-six members appointed to the Convention.

Fourteen absent.

Two hundred and twenty-two attended, of which there were,



South Carolina is literally one of the Nine primitive Muses of American Liberty. "Before the thirteen were—she is." We must never forget that the parent of the revolution, the very Ovum Reipubliæ, was the Congress which convened in New York, in 1765. But nine colonies were represented, as four were overpowered by the royal party. But South Carolina beat down the strong opposition of the crown, and was the only one, south of the Potomac, that sent a delegation. This was the achievement of General Gadsden. In this primeval council, our members were far from being insignificant. Three committees only were appointed, and of two the sons of Carolina were chairmen. Mr. Lynch (father of the patriot who signed the Declaration of Independence) was chairman of the one to prepare an address to the House of Commons, and John Rutledge (who was then but twenty-six years of age) of that for the house of lords. This Convention of sages was the parent plant of our present confederacy of republics. Thus was South Carolina among the aboriginal founders of the Union.

Massachusetts, 3—James Otis, Oliver Partridge, Timothy Ruggles.

Rhode Island, 2—Metcalf Bowler, Henry Ward.

Connecticut, 3—Eliphalet Dyer, David Rowland, William S. Johnston.

New York, 5—Robert R. Livingston, John Cruger, Philip Livingston, William Bayard, Leonard Lispenard.

New Jersey, 3—Robert Ogden, Hendrick Fisher, Joseph Borden.

Pennsylvania, 3—John Dickinson, John Morton, George Bryan.

Delaware, 3—Jacob Kolloch, Thomas M'Kean, CsBsar Rodney.

Maryland, 3—William Murdock, Edward Tilghman, Thomas Ringgold.

South Carolina, 3—Thomas Lynch, Christopher Gadsden, John Rutledge.

Nine colonies, and twenty-eight delegates.

Met in New York, on Monday, 7th of October, 1765. After having examined and admitted the certificates of appointment of the above members, the said committees proceeded to choose a chairman by ballot; and Timothy Ruggles, Esq., of Massachusetts, on sorting and counting the votes, appeared to have a majority, and thereupon was placed in the chair.

Resolved, nem. con., That John Cotton be clerk to this Congress, during the continuance thereof.

Resolved, That the committee of each colony shall have one voice only in determining any questions that shall arise in the Congress.

