"Persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties of America depends, under God, on the firm union of its inhabitants, in a vigorous prosecution of the measures necessary for its safety, and convinced of the necessity of preventing the anarchy and confusion which attend the dissolution of the powers of government: We, the freemen and freeholders and inhabitants of Cow Neck, Great Neck, &c., in Queens County, who lately belonged to the company of Capt. Stephen Thorne, being greatly alarmed at the avowed design of the Ministry to raise a revenue in America, and shocked by the bloody scene now acting in the Massachusetts Bay, do, in the most solemn manner, resolve never to become slaves; and do associate under all the ties of religion, honor and love of our country, to adopt and endeavor to carry into execution whatever measure may be recommended by the Continental Congress, or resolved on by our Provincial Convention, for the purpose of preserving our constitution and opposing the execution of the several arbitrary and oppressive acts of the British Parliament, until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America, on constitutional principles, (which we most ardently desire*) can be obtained; and that we will in all things follow the advice of our general committee respecting the purposes aforesaid, the preservation of peace and good order, and the safety of individual and private property.
Dated at Cow Neck, Jan., 1776."

{This paper has thirty names, and is the only one relating to our county I can find. The others have been, doubtless, lot or destroyed.}---Ed.

*"A few keen-sighted men had other views, and were prepared from the beginning to go all lengths. Their number was small and their sentiments kept concealed." --Sparks

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(26)"Congress consider the state of Queens County"

June 4th, Congress order that the state of Queens county be taken into consideration to- morrow.
June 22d, Resolved, That Thomas Hicks, Joseph French, and Daniel Rapalje, Esq., elected deputies, and who have not yet attended, be requested to take their seats on Tuesday next, or assign their reasons for neglect.
June 26, letter received from Joseph French. He declines to attend, because he was convinced a majority of the freeholders of Jamaica was opposed to sending members to Congress.
Thomas Hicks, of Little Neck, elected for Hempstead, declined taking his seat, because he was informed by several leading men that the people of Hempstead seemed much inclined to remain peaceable and quiet.

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(27) Congress order Members From Queens to take their seats.

Ordered That the members from Queens county do, on Tuesday next, report to this Congress their opinion on the conduct of their constituents with regard to the controversy now subsisting between Great Britain and the American Colonies, and what steps have been taken by any of the inhabitants to defeat the measures necessary to be adopted by the Continental, or this Congress, for the preservation of our rights and privileges.

June 38*.(*mistake?) It appearing that a great number of the inhabitants of Queens county are not disposed to a representation at this Board, and have dissented therefrom:
Resolved That, inasmuch as the people of this Colony have appointed us to watch over their preservation, and delegated to us powers necessary for that purpose, such dissent ought not to be of any avail, but that the said county must necessarily be bound by the determination of this Congress; and therefore, inasmcuh as the members for said county were elected by a considerable part of its inhabitants, and the dissent of others is not to the persons chosen, but the choice of any persons:
Ordered That the member for Queens county do take and hold their sets at this Board, notwithstanding such dissent, and that the members of Queens who have not attended, be served with a copy of the above resolution and order.

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(28) Congress appoint a day of fasting and prayer

July 8. Whereas the Continental Congress have recommended to the inhabitants of the colonies to keep the 20th of July, instant, as a day of Fasting and Prayer, this Congress does strictly enjoin all persons in this colony religiously to observe the same; and we, being taught by that holy religion declared by the merciful Jesus and sealed by his blood, that we ought to acknowledge the hand of God in all public calamities, and being thoroughly convince that the Great Disposer of events regardeth the hearts of his creatures, do most earnestly recommend it to all men to conform themselves to the pure dictates of Christianity, and by deep repentance and the sincere amendment of their lives, to implore of our Heavenly Father that favor and protection which he alone can give.

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John Sands	Seaman Weeks	Henry Hagner
Aspinwall Cornwell	John Stocker	Henry Woolley
Henry Allen, Jr.	John Burtis	Wm. Hulett
Benj. Sands	Adam Mott, Sr.	Luke Cumings
Simon Sands	Augustine Betts	Hewlett Townsend
John Farmer	Andrew H. Onderdonk	Tho’s Townsend
Tho’s Williams, Jr.	Wm Hutchings, weaver	Richard Townsend, Jr.
Capt. Jacob Mott	Timothy Townsend	Joseph Smith
Jackson Mott	James Cornwell	Jacob Marvin
Jores Rapalje	W. Barns	Epenetus Platt