Whereas, the speaker hath communicated to this House a letter from the truly respectable House of Burgesses, in his Majesty's ancient colony of Virginia, enclosing a copy of the resolves entered into by them on the 12th of March last, and requesting that a committee of this House may be appointed to communicate, from time to time, with a corresponding committee, then appointed by the said House of Burgesses in Virginia:

And, whereas this House is fully sensible of the necessity and importance of a union of the several colonies in America, at a time when it clearly appears that the rights and liberties of all are systematically invaded; in order that the joint wisdom of the whole may be employed in consulting their common safety

Resolved, that this House have a very grateful sense of the obligations they are under to the House of Burgesses, in Virginia, for the vigilance, firmness and wisdom, which they have discovered, at all times, in support of the rights and liberties of the American colonies; and do heartily concur with their said judicious and spirited resolves.

Resolved, that a standing committee of correspondence and enquiry be appointed, to consist of fifteen members, any eight of whom to be a quorum; whose business it shall be to obtain the most early and authentic intelligence of all such Acts and resolutions of the British Parliament, or proceedings of administration as may relate to, or affect the British colonies in America, and to keep up and maintain a correspondence and communication with our sister colonies, respecting these important considerations: and the result of such their proceedings, from time to time, to lay before the House.

Resolved, that it be an instruction to the said committee, that they do, without delay, inform themselves particularly of the principles and authority, on which was constituted a court of enquiry, held in Rhode Island, said to be vested with powers to transport persons, accused of offences committed in America, to places beyond the seas, to be tried.

Resolved, that the said committee be further instructed to prepare and report to this House, a draft of a very respectful answer to the letter, received from the speaker of the honourable House of Burgesses in Virginia, and another, to a letter received from the speaker of the honourable House of Representatives, of the colony of Rhode Island; also, a circular letter to the several other houses of assembly on this continent, enclosing the aforesaid resolves, and requesting them to lay the same before their respective assemblies, in confidence, that they will readily and cheerfully comply with the wise and salutary resolves of the House of Burgesses, in Virginia.

[The committee of correspondence, chosen in pursuance of the resolves aforesaid, were Mr. Cushing (the speaker), Mr. Adams, Hon. John Hancock, Mr. William Phillips, Captain William Heath, Hon. Joseph Hawley, James Warren, Esq., R. Derby, Jun., Esq., Mr. Elbridge Gerry, J. Bowers, Esq., Jedediah Foster, Esq., Daniel Leonard, Esq., Captain T. Gardner, Capt. Jonathan Greenleaf, and J. Prescott, Esq.]