FEDERATE DELEGATION. 57

the army of the United Colonies in Canada,
while they are there."

Daring the continuance of the commissioners
upon this duty, which it is believed was per-
formed entirely by Mr. Chase and Mr. Carroll,
other very extensive powers and duties were
from time to time entrusted to them, as the
immediate representatives of congress in the
northern department. On the llth June, 1776,
according to the journals of congress, " Mr.
Chase and Mr. Carroll, of Carrollton, two of the
commissioners, being arrived from Canada, at-
tended and gave an account of their proceed-
ings and the state of the army in that country."

It was on the 7th June, four days previous to
the return of those commissioners, that "cer-
tain resolutions respecting independency, were
moved and seconded," in congress, and con-
tinued to occupy much of the attention of that
body, until its final passage, on the 4th July
ensuing.

On the 10th June, the resolution agreed to in
committee of the whole congress, being read,

"Resolved, That the consideration of the first
resolution be postponed to Monday, the first
day of July next; and, in the mean while, that
no time be lost, in case the congress agree
thereto, that a committee be appointed to pre-
pare a declaration to the effect of the said first
resolution, which is in these words: "That these
United Colonies are, and of right ought to be,
free and independent states; that they are ab-