FLAG OF THE men Who were its controlling members to bring thirteen colonies. its labors promptly to a conclusion, and to have it superseded by a new congress, freshly elected by the people upon the great issue of American independence which was being shaped for ultimate decision at Philadelphia. in anticipation of the Declaration of Independence, the continental congress had, as early as the Kith of .May, adopted a preamble and resolution declaring it to be absolutely irreconcilable to reason and good conscience for the people of the colonies longer to take the oaths and affirmations necessary lor the support of any government under the crown of Great Britain, and recommending to the various colonial assemblies and conventions to take measures

for the adoption of " such government as shall, in the opinion of the representatives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular and America

in general. "

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

The significance of the preamble and resolution was fully appreYork, whose leaders ciated by the provincial congress of New promptly decided that the responsibility for dealing with the issue of a formal abrogation of the government of Great Britain and of the creation of a new form of government should be referred to an entirely new congress to be elected by the people without delay. Consequently on the 31st of May action was taken summoning the electors of the various counties to meet at an early date and choose delegates to a fourth provincial congress. Meantime steady progress was being made at Philadelphia toward the definite consideration of the subject of American independence, and some of the New York representatives in the continental congress couceived a strong desire for categorical instructions from home as to that vital question. On the 8th day of June four of these representatives-- William Floyd, Henry Wisner, Robert II.