All which it contained, concerning Independence, was a formal acknowledgment of the receipt of the letter and of the Resolutions, "which were immediately communicated to tlie Con- "gress of this Colony, and will be considered by them with all the de- " liberation due to the importance of the subject." Nothing more than that was said or done, on tlie subject of Independence, in connection with the Resolutions from A irginia, nor in connection with anything else, relative to that subject, until the Congress was crowded into a consideration of it, by an entirely different agency, several days afterwards.

Yet this is "history," as Bancroft understands the meaning of that term .

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 1774-1783.

of Virginia had been thus quieted, \_June 10, 1776,] the Provincial Congress wiis further vexed, on the growing subject of Independence, by the receipt of the following brief note from those of the Delegates of the Colony who were, then, in Philadelphia :

"Philadelphia, June 8, 1776.

"Dear Sir :

"Your Delegates, here, expect that the question of " Independence will, very shortly, be agitated in " Congress. Some of us consider ourselves as bound "by our instructions not to vote on that question; "and all of us wish to have your sentiments thereon.

"The matter will admit of no delay; we have, "therefore, sent an express who will wait your " orders.

" We are. Sir, with the greatest respect,

"Your most obt. hum. servts. " William Floyd, " Hexry Wisxer, "RoBT. R. Livingston, "Frans. Lewis. "To Nathaniel Woodhull, Esq., Prest. "of THE Hon. THE Convention OF New- York."'