regiment, to be styled _The Rangers_. The second part involves the
subject more particularly committed to me, and proposes the means of
raising and supporting them. As the first will be useless unless the
second is adopted, I will submit it without present reading, and
proceed at once with the second and more important proposition, which,
after a long and patient consideration of every argument for and
against the measure, I have concluded to recommend to the council, as
the best and most effectual means of securing the desired end. And
that proposition, for the sake of convenience, as regards the action
of the council on the principle involved, I have thrown into the form
of the following resolution:--

"Resolved, That by specific decree of this council, and under
regulations hereafter to be made, the estates, both real and personal,
of all those who have been, or hereafter may be, identified as tories,
aiders and abettors of the enemy, within this state, be confiscated
for the military defence thereof; and that so much of said estates as
may be needed for the payment of the bounties and wages of the
regiment now proposed to be raised, be forthwith seized, and within
ten days sold at the post, for that purpose, by the officers appointed
by this council to execute its orders and decrees in that behalf."

The speaker, without offering any further remark in explanation or
defence of the measure he had reported, resumed his seat, and calmly
awaited the expression of the council. But they were taken by such
complete surprise by a proposition at that time so entirely new in the
colonies, so bold and so startling in its character, that, for many
minutes, not a word or whisper was heard through the hushed assembly,
whose bowed heads and working countenances showed how deeply their
minds were engaged in trying to grapple with the momentous subject,