On this day 250 years ago in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress dispatched a delegation to meet with General Montgomery’s Army in Canada with authorizations for supplies and instructions for dealing with the people of Canada:

The Congress desire you to exert your utmost endeavors to induce the Canadians to accede to a union with these colonies, and that they form from their several parishes, a provincial Convention, and send Delegates to this Congress. And as, in the present unsettled state of that country, a regular election can hardly be expected, the Congress will acquiesce in the choice of such parishes and districts, as are induced ∥willing∥ to join us.

You may, and are hereby empowered to assure them, that we shall hold their rights as dear as our own, and on their union with us, exert our utmost endeavors to obtain for them, and their posterity, the blessings of a free government, and that security to their persons and property, which is derived from the British Constitution.

And you may, and are hereby empowered further to declare, that we hold sacred the rights of conscience, and shall never molest them in the free enjoyment of their religion.

Separately, the Congress

Resolved, That all letters to and from the delegates of the United Colonies, during the sessions of Congress, pass, and be carried free of postage, the members having engaged upon their honor not to frank or enclose any letters but their own.

Members of Congress continue to exercise this “franking privilege” today.

Sources: https://americanfounding.org/entries/second-continental-congress-november-8-1775/; https://legalclarity.org/what-is-the-franking-privilege/