g
to the enemy. The _Southern_ Colonies presented in Thomas Johnson, the
grasp of a statesman; in Samuel Chase, activity and boldness; in the
Rutledges, wealth and accomplishment; in Christopher Gadsden, the
genuine American; and in the Virginia delegation--an illustrious
group--in Richard Bland, wisdom; in Edmund Pendleton, practical talent;
in Peyton Randolph, experience in legislation; in Richard Henry Lee,
statesmanship in union with high culture; in Patrick Henry, genius and
eloquence; in Washington, justice and patriotism. 'If,' said Patrick
Henry, 'you speak of solid information and sound judgment, Washington
unquestionably is the greatest man of them all.' Those others who might
be named were chosen on account of their fitness for the duties which
the cause required. Many had independent fortunes. They constituted a
noble representation of the ability, culture, political intelligence,
and wisdom of twelve of the colonies." (Frothingham's Rise of the
Republic of the Twelve States, pp. 360, 361.)]

[Footnote 360: _Ib._, pp. 363, 364.

After preliminary proceedings, Congress decided to appoint a Committee
to state the rights of the colonies, the instances in which those rights
had been violated, and the most proper means to obtain their
restoration; and another Committee to examine and report upon the
statutes affecting the trade and manufactures of the colonies. On the
same day, Samuel Adams, in answer to the objection to opening the
session with prayer, grounded on the diversity of religious sentiment
among the members, said he could hear prayer from any man of piety and
virtue, who was a friend of the country, and moved that Mr. Duche, an
Episcopalian, might be desired to read prayers for the Congress the
following morning. The motion prevailed. "The Congress sat with closed
doors. Nothing transpired of their proceedings except their organization
and the rule of voting (each province having an equal vote). The members
bound themselves to keep their doings secret until a majority should
direct their publication."--_Ib._, pp. 364, 365.]

[Footnote 361: The battles of Lexington and Bunker's Hill had occurred
some months before the adoption of this petition.]

[Footnote 362: Holmes' Annals, Vol. II., p. 232.

Richard Penn, late Governor of Pennsylvania, was chosen by Congress to
go to Great Britain, with directions to deliver their petition to the
King himself, and to endeavour, by his personal influence, to pr