That the Distance from the Seat of Government which is one Ground of Complaint would not long continue were the whole Power of the State to be confined to such Parts of it as are now settled but must certainly depend under our free and equal Constitution upon the Part which those Counties may take and the weight which they may easily acquire in the Legislature. That as to the Complaints on the Score of Quit Rents your Committee are of opinion that the Resolution which is already before the House
'upon that subject will be productive of those Effects which they seem to desire. That the furnishing the said Inhabitants with
940 CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE
arms is in the opinion of .your Committee utterly impracticable of which their said agent may be informed. That the odium which they have incurred from their attachment to this State is an Evil which cannot otherwise be remedied than by a Change in the opinions of the Inhabitants of the said Counties an Event which in the opinion of your Committee will take Place as soon as they shall be convinced of their true Interests. Upon the Remainder of the said Representation your Committee submit the following Resolutions.
1st Whereas it hath been represented to this Convention that divers of the Inhabitants of the County of Cumberland who are desirous of continuing the Subjects of this State are from divers Reasons incapable of exerting themselves in the general Defence particularly from the.want of proper officers therefore Resolved that it be recommended to such Inhabitants to associate as follows to wit. " We the Subscribers Subjects of the State of "' New York do associate together for the Defence of the united "States against the King of Great Britain as follows First we "will chuse our officers by vote of the Majority in each respective "Company or Regiment.