At a general meeting of the Freeholders of the County Aforesaid at the Town of Martinborough—

John Hardee Esqr. in the Chair,

Resolved that as the Constitutional Assembly of this province are prevented from Exercising their Right of providing for the Security of the Liberties of the people, that Right, again Reverts to the people, as the foundation from whence all power and Legislation flow.

Resolved, that John Simpson and Edward Salter Esqr do attend at the Town of Newberne on the (25th) Inst in General Convention of this province and their to Exert their Utmost Abilities preventing the Growing Sisteem of Ministeral Despotisim which now threatens the Destruction of American Libertie and that you Our Deputies may be acquainted with the Sentiments of the people of this County, it is their Opinions, that you proceed to chuse proper persons, to Represent this province in a general Congress of America to meet at such time and place as may be hereafter Agreed on, that them Delegates be Instructed to a Decleration of ^american^ Rights Setting forth that British America and all its Inhabitants thereof shall be and Remain in due Subjection to the Crown of England, and to the Elusterous family of the Throan, submitting by Their own Volentary act, and Injoying all their free Chartred Rights and Libertyes as British free Subjects That it is the first law of Legislation and of the British Constitution that no man be Taxed but by his Own Consent, Expressed by himself or by his Legall Representatives—On motion the said meeting was then Dissolved.