Page:Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States (1st ed, 1833, vol I).djvu/227

 CH. I.] British America from Great Britain or Ireland of any goods, &c. or from any other place, of any such goods, as shall hare been exported from Great Britain or Ireland;" that "after the 10th of September, 1775, the exportation of all merchandise, &c. to Great Britain, Ireland, and the West Indies ought to cease, unless the grievances of America arc redressed before that time." They adopted a declaration of rights, not differing in substance from that of the congress of 1765, and affirming, that the respective colonies are entitled to the common law of England and the benefit of such English statutes, as existed at the time of their colonization, and which they have by experience respectively found to be applicable to their local and other circumstances. They also, in behalf of themselves and their constituents, adopted and signed certain articles of association, containing an agreement of non-importation, non-exportation, and non-consumption in order to carry into effect the preceding resolves; and also an agreement to discontinue the slave-trade. They also adopted addresses to the people of England, to the neighbouring British colonies, and to the king, explaining their grievances, and requesting aid and redress.

§ 203. In May, 1775, a second congress of delegates met from all the states. These delegates were chosen, as the preceding had been, partly by the popular branch of the state legislatures, when in session; but principally by conventions of the people in the various states. In a few instances the choice by the legislative body was confirmed by that of a convention,