7. Short as was the session, however, its action was most important. On the day after the session began, letters were received from the Legislature of Virginia and other colonies, proposing that each province should appoint a Committee of Correspondence. The proposition was speedily agreed to by the House of Assembly, and a committee of nine appointed, with instructions 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 and maintain a correspondence and communication with all sister colonies, respecting these important considerations, and the result of such, their proceedings, from hour to hour, to lay before the House." 8. John Harvey, Richard Caswell, Samuel Johnston, Joseph Hewes, Edward Vail, Cornelius Harnett, John Ashe, William Hooper and Robert Howe constituted the committee, and certainly, in North Carolina at least, it may be said there was never an abler one. By this action the province took position with its sister colonies on the great question of the day. That the question was regarded as one of great importance and great gravity, if not of great difficulty, we need no other assurance than that afforded by the character of the men into whose hands it was committed. QUESTIONS. 1. On whom did the government next devolve? Who succeeded James Hasell? How is Governor Martin compared with some of his predecessors? 2. Where did Governor Martin first meet the Assembly? What law was passed? 3. What was the financial condition of the government at this period? What act was passed concerning taxes? 4. How were the people excited by the English Parliament? What was the trouble? 5. How did Governor Martin act concerning the Legislature? What declaration was made by him? 6. Where did the next Assembly meet, and what was done with it? 7. What letters were received during the session? What was done with the proposition? 8. Who composed the Committee of Correspondence? What is said of these men? CHAPTER XXIII. FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. A. D. 1774. 1774. By this time the propriety of holding a general or Continental Congress, composed of delegates or representatives duly chosen by the several colonies, had suggested itself to men of sagacity in every portion of the country. Wherever made, the suggestion at once found a lodgment in public favor, and by the time summer had come it was a generally accepted fact that such a congress would be held, and the time and place of its session pretty well agreed upon. During the month of June, 1774, each colony, through its Committee of Correspondence, was invited to send delegates to a Continental Congress, to be held in Philadelphia during the coming September.