and in its nature so delicate and important, that instead of having the honour of his Majesty's requisitions laid before their representatives here, as has been invariably the usage, the parliament should now tax them without their consent?

The enemies of the colonists, for such they unfortunately have, may have represented them to his Majesty's ministers, and the parliament as factious, undutiful, disloyal: they, my Lord, are equally the enemies of Britain: such is your extensive knowledge of mankind, and the sentiments and disposition of the colonies in general, that this House would freely venture to rest the characters of their constituents in your Lordship's judgment: surely it is no ill disposition in the loyal subjects of a patriot King, with a decency and firmness adapted to their character, to assert their freedom.

The colonies, as this House humbly conceive, cannot be represented in the British parliament: their local circumstances, at the distance of a thousand. leagues beyond the seas, forbids, and will for ever render it impracticable: this, they apprehend, was the reason that his Majesty's royal predecessors saw fit to erect subordinate legislative bodies in America. as perfectly free as the nature of things would admit, that their remote subjects might enjoy that inestimable right, a representation. Such a legislative is constituted by the royal charter of this province. In this charter, the King, for himself, his heirs, and successors,

successors, grants to the inhabitants all the lands and territories therein described, in free and common soccage; as ample estate as the subjects can hold under the crown ; together with all the rights, liberties, privileges and immunities of his natural subjects born within the realm; of which the most essential is a power invested in the General Assembly to levy proportionable and reasonable taxes on the estates and persons of the inhabitants, for the service of his Majesty, and the necessary defence and support of hist government of the province, and the protection and preservation of the inhabitants. But though they were originally and always, since their settlement, have been considered as subjects remote, they have ever cherished a warm affection for the mother state, and a regard for the interest and happiness of their fellow subjects in Britain. If then the colonies are charged with the most distant thought of an independency, your Lordship may be assured, that, with respect to the people of this province, and, it is presumed, of all the colonies, the charge is unjust.

Nothing could have prevailed upon the House to have given your Lordship this trouble, but the necessity of a powerful advocate, when their liberty. is in danger such they have more than once found you to be; and as they humbly hope they have never forfeited your patronage, they entreat that your great interest in national council may still be em

ployed in their behalf, that they may be restored to the standing of free subjects.

That your Lordship may enjoy a firm state of health, and long be continued a great blessing to the nation and her colonies, is the ardent wish of this House.

Signed by the SPEAKER.

COPY OF LORD HILLSBOROUGH'S LETTER TO THE

AMERICAN GOVERNORS.

Whitehall, May 18, 1769.

MY LORD (OR SIR),

INCLOSED I send you the gracious speech made by the King to his parliament at the close of the session on Tuesday last.

What his Majesty is pleased to say in relation to the measures which have been pursued in North America will not escape your notice, as the satisfaction his Majesty expresses in the approbation his parliament has given to them, and the assurances of their firin support in the prosecution of them, together with his royal opinion of the great advantages that will probably accrue from the concurrence of every branch of the legislature in the resolution of maintaining a due execution of the laws, cannot fail to produce the most salutary effects.

From hence it will be understood, that the whole legislature concur in the opinion adopted by his Majesty's

jesty's servants, that no measure ought to be taken which can any way derogate from the legislative authority of Great Britain over the colonies; but I can take upon me to assure you, notwithstanding insinuations to the contrary, from men with factious and seditious views, that his Majesty's present administration have at no time, entertained a design to propose to parliament any further taxes upon America for the purpose of raising a revenue; and that it is at present their intention to propose, in the next session of parliament, to take off the duties upon glass, paper, and colours, upon consideration of such duties having been laid contrary to the true principles of commerce.

These, my Lord, (or Sir) have always been, and still are, the sentiments of his Majesty's present servants, and the principles by which their conduct, in respect to America, has been governed; and his Majesty relies upon your prudence and fidelity for such an explanation of his measures, as may tend to remove the prejudices which have been excited by the misrepresentations of those who are enemies to the peace and prosperity of Great Britain and her colonics, and to re-establish that mutual confidence and affection upon which the glory and safety of the British empire depend.

I am, &c.

(Signed) HILLSBOROUGH.

Lord

Y.

Lord CHATHAM's anxiety on the affairs of America, is manifested in the following letters:

SIR,

Hayes, Saturday evening, July 9, 1774.

I AM honoured with a very obliging packet by your servant, containing such marks of your kind and flattering attention to me, and my son, as command more thanks and acknowledgments than this short note, wrote in haste, can possibly convey, Such as they are, which I present in abundance, I beg you will accept, for the sincerity with which they are offered. Nothing can be so interesting in the present critical moment, as authentic informatlon relating to America. I therefore esteem it a particular favour, to receive such communications from you in any way most convenient to yourself.

I am,

With great regard and consideration,
Sir, your most obedient,

And most humble servant,

To Mr. Sheriff Sayre,

CHATHAM.

Stratford-Place, Oxford-Road.

DEAR SIR,

Hayes, August 15, 1774.

INCLOSED I return to you the letter from your correspondent at New-York, for the perusal of which I beg you will accept a thousand thanks. VOL. III.

T

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