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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Resolutions by the Continental Congress concerning delegates to the Congress
United States. Continental Congress
August 17, 1785
Volume 17, Page 506

RESOLUTIONS OF CONGRESS ON THE REPRESENTATION OF THE STATES.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

By the United States in Congress, Assembled,
August 17th, 1785.

On the report of a Committee to whom was referred a motion of Mr. Pinckney.

Whereas, many States in the Union continue to be unrepresented in Congress are to be represented by only two Members, notwithstanding the many urgent representations of Congress for remedying these defects, particularly those of 1st November 1783, and the 19th April 1784; and, Whereas, from the want of a compleat representation, the great interest of the Union have frequently been and continue to be neglected or delayed, and the Confederation itself, or the administration thereof by Congress may be considered as the cause of evils which solely result from an incompleat representation; and whereas, it is incumbent on Congress to prevent opinions so derogatory to their honor and so dangerous to the public welfare.

Resolved, that the Secretary of Congress shall once in every month, transmit to the Legislature of the respective States, a List of the States represented, and of those unrepresented in Congress, and of the numbers from each State, that effectual measures may from time to time be taken from such States, as may be unrepresented, or represented by only two Members to remedy these defects.

Ordered that a Copy of this Resolve and of those to which the first Paragraph of the preamble refers, be transmitted to the Legislatures of the respective States.

CHAS. THOMSON, Secy.