labour to circulate their pestilent compositions through the land, under the show of friendship and a regard to the publick good; who, with the most unexampled effrontery against the sense of every man of the least information and impartiality, will persist in retailing the rotten, exploded, and ten thousand times confuted doctrines of a passive acquiescence in the measures of Government, however distempered and tyrannical.

6. Resolved, That we will preserve on this trying occasion a resolute spirit, directed by loyalty to our King, prudence, temper, and dispassion, testifying that, as our cause is clearly just, we mean to support it by just exertions, and not by misrule and outrage.

Signed by order and on behalf of the meeting, by

JOHN DENNIS Clerk.

THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOURS OF THE SEVERAL COLONIES.

[Circular.]

Whitehall, January 4, 1775.

SIR: Certain persons styling themselves Delegates of several of his Majesty's Colonies in America, having presumed, without his Majesty's authority or consent, to assemble together at Philadelphia, in the months of September and October; and having thought fit, among other unwarrantable proceedings, to resolve that it will be necessary that another Congress should be held at the same place, on the tenth of May next, unless redress for certain pretended grievances be obtained before that time, and to recommend that all the Colonies in North America should choose Deputies to attend such Congress, I am commanded by the King to signify to you his Majesty's pleasure, that you do use your utmost endeavours to prevent any such appointment of Deputies within the Province under your government, and that you do exhort all persons to desist from such an unjustifiable proceeding, which cannot but be highly displeasing to the King. I am, sir, your most humble servant,

DARTMOUTH.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMEN IN NEW-YORK, DATED JANUARY 4, 1775.

The reasons why I hope the unhappy differences between Great Britain and the Colonies will soon subside, are these following, viz: that the deliberations of that celebrated body of gentlemen who constituted the General Congress, are held in the highest esteem by every sensible man in this Metropolis; and our great patriot, Lord Chatham, has declared that he wants words to express the great satisfaction he received in reading them, and that he does not think there are fifty-two men besides in the universe, that could have done what those gentlemen did, and that they must have been divinely inspired in their glorious work.

The Petition of the Congress to the King was received graciously, but referred to the deliberations of Parliament, which meet the 19th instant. The Ministry keep their intentions close, but it is said are inclined to relax a little and to accommodate matters.

The Merchants and Traders to North America met this day, and unanimously chose a Committee of twenty-three persons to frame a petition to the House of Commons, which avoiding political discussions, is to be confined to a representation of commercial grievances. The people here are a good deal divided in opinion on this important question many of them do not understand it, and others, pretending the necessity of a sovereign power being lodged somewhere in every state, indulge themselves in declaiming with all the virulence of party against America, which wants not however, able supporters. The Press teems with publications on both sides, though the advocates for American Liberty have, in my opinion, greatly and manifestly the advantage. The manufacturing Counties begin already to discover symptoms of distress.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON, TO A GENTLEMAN IN VIRGINIA, DATED JANUARY 4, 1775.

I now apprize you that the Merchants and Manufacturers in Glasgow and its neighbourhood are drove to the greatest distress, from the amazing quantity of Goods already manufactured for the Virginia and other American markets, which now lay a dead weight on hand, as they dare not export them.

In Manchester, it is said, they are fully employed by persons who intend shipping them to Ireland, and thence smuggle them into the Continent. I give you this intelligence, that you may apprize all America of this cursed machination; for as sure as it is known to this tyrannical Administration, that British Goods are any how admitted, they will never repeal the cursed Acts; whereas, an inflexible adherence to the Resolutions of the Congress, will eventually work their wo and our relief.

A very large body of Merchants had a meeting this day to consider what is best to be done on the present alarming crisis. That Ministerial puppet, Anthony Bacon, advised them against petitioning till after the Parliament met, and strove all he could to divide the meeting, but he was opposed and silenced. The result is, that a Committee is appointed to draw up a petition, setting forth the inevitable destruction of the petitioners, and of this Nation in general, if some measures are not speedily adopted to regain the Commerce of the Colonies, which is in a great degree lost, and will soon be totally so to this Kingdom.

I am just now credibly informed, that above fifty of the principal West India Planters in this City, had a meeting this day, to prepare a state of their impending ruin, to be laid before all Planters, Money-lenders, and Merchants, interested in the welfare of the Islands, which state is afterwards to be formed into a remonstrance to his Majesty. They now plainly see that the Resolutions of the Congress will be maintained in every particular, and therefore they mean to acquaint his Majesty that the West India trade will soon be lost to Britain, and every Planter, Moneylender, and Merchant, concerned in the Islands, will meet inevitable bankruptcy, unless the Acts complained of are repealed.

I tell you that if America supports her patriotism on the ground established by the Congress, she will soon remove this world-wasting Ministry, and forever establish liberty in its full perfection throughout North America.

King's Arms Tavern, Cornhill, January 4, 1775.

At a Meeting of the Merchants and others, concerned in the American Commerce, held here this day,

THOMAS LANE, Esquire, was called to the Chair.

It was unanimously Resolved, that it is the opinion of this meeting, that the alarming state of the Trade to North America makes it expedient to petition Parliament for redress.

It was also Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to prepare a Petition to the House of Commons, and lay the same before a general meeting, to be held at this place this day se'nnight.

It was also Resolved, That the Committee consist of the following gentlemen:

For New ENGLAND.—Mr. Lane, Mr. Champion, and Mr. Bromfield.

For NEW-YORK.—Mr. Pigou, Mr. Blackburn, and Mr. Sergeant.

For PENNSYLVANIA.—Mr. Barclay, Mr. Mildred, and Mr. Neate.

For MARYLAND.—Mr. Hanbury, Mr. Molleson, and Mr. Campbell.

For VIRGINIA.—Mr. Norton, Mr. Gist, and Mr. Athawe.

For NORTH CAROLINA.—Mr. Bridgen, Mr. Clark, and Mr. Wooldridge.

For SOUTH CAROLINA.—Mr. Greenwood, Mr. Nutt, and Mr. Rolleston.

To the above gentlemen were added Mr. Lee and Mr. Baker.

It was also Resolved, That the Committee be desired to entitle the Petition—"A Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and others, concerned in the North American Commerce."

It was also Resolved, That the Minutes of this meeting be inserted in the publick morning and evening Papers, signed by the Chairman.

It was also Resolved, That this meeting be adjourned to Wednesday next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, at this house, then to receive the Report of the Committee.

THOMAS LANE, Chairman