the Petition, and frequently urged the necessity of their Lordships being informed in respect to the contents of it, previous to their deciding the present motion. He was, however, disregarded, and it was carried in favour of Lord Dartmouth's motion, 104 for it, against it 29. The Petition being by this majority in effect nullified, (the prayer of it being to beg the Lords would hear them at their bar by counsel, before they would agree with the Commons,) his Lordship moved for the Petition's lying on the table, as a memorial of their proceedings; and at the same time urged, in very manly and spirited terms, the unconstitutional proceedings of that House, in hurrying on so important a measure, and so warmly supported by so respectable a body as the Merchants trading to America, in such a sudden and surreptitious manner. Mr. Barclay likewise ob served, that Lord Rockingham was warmly seconded by his Grace the Duke of Richmond, and Lord Camden; but that, notwithstanding such able solicitors, during the time of the reading of the Petition, most of the noble Lords were in clusters up and down the House, talking on indifferent matters.

Mr. Wceldridge supported this account given by Mr. Barclay, and observed on the fate of their Petition with great manliness, temper, and good sense.

These facts being stated to the general meeting, Mr. Sharpe moved "that the Thanks of the meeting be given to such of the Right Honourable and Honourable Members in both Houses, who supported their Petition." On this a trifling debate ensued, about its being in order, when at length it was agreed to, with the following amendment: "as well as to the Right Honourable the Earl of Chatham, for his polite message to the Committee."

Mr. Wooldridge then proposed that a Petition may be presented to the King; on which a long debate took place, rather about the mode of doing it than a positive objection to it.

Mr. Lee, in this debate, distinguished himself very much, by showing that though the Address was agreed on by both Lords and Commons, it was no Act of Parliament, but the advice of Parliament, which his Majesty's subjects at large had a right to give as well as they, and which may be done both as an act of duty and decency.

About nine o'clock, after the question had undergone a very able and spirited discussion, it was put and carried unanimously. It was then agreed that the Committee should prepare a draught of the same by Wednesday next, to be then referred to a general meeting, after which they adjourned to that day.

THE MERCHANTS, TRADERS, AND MANUFACTURERS, OF BIRMINGHAM, CONCERNED IN THE TRADE TO AMERICA, TO MR. EDMUND BURKE.

Birmingham, February 8, 1775.

SIR: The Merchants and Manufacturers who have had a principal share of the American Trade from this Town and neighbourhood, beg your acceptance through our hands of their warmest acknowledgments for your liberal support of our Petition to the Honourable House of Com mons, wherein are stated the evils we already feel, and the greater we have yet to apprehend, from a continued stag nation of so important a branch of our Commerce as that with North America.

At the same time we also unite in expressing our particular thanks for the motion you was pleased to make for an inquiry into the manner of both the late Petitions from the Town of Birmingham having been obtained, an inquiry which could scarcely have failed to give some useful intelligence, and to have fully justified our application to Parliament at so critical a juncture.

We cannot wonder, sir, that defamation should have made its appearance on such an occasion as this, which is the notorious evidence of a weak cause, and whose mischiefs, we are persuaded, will be as transient as its efforts have been intemperate.

We only take the liberty, therefore, of adding our sincere wishes, that you may long fill your distinguished place in the British Senate; and that your persevering endeavours to preserve the rights of the subject, to maintain the prosperity of our Commerce, and to secure the tranquillity of this extensive Empire, may meet with a success adequate to the patriotick zeal with which they are animated. Being, with the greatest regard, sir, your much obliged and most obedient servants,

To Edmund Burke, Esquire.

WESTMORELAND COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE.

At a Meeting held for Westmoreland County, February 8, 1775,

Ordered, That every itinerant or casual Vender of Goods, who shall be found selling Goods in this County, be obliged to produce proof to the Committee, that the said Goods were imported into North America before the first day of February, 1775, according to the directions of the Continental Congress.

JAMES DAVENPORT, Clerk.

DOCTOR JOHN CONNOLLY TO COLONEL GEORGE WASH INGTON.

Winchester, Virginia, February 9, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I was this far determined to proceed to Williamburg, to lay before his Excellency some matters which concerned the interest of this Government, and the frontiers in particular; but finding that my immediate return to Pittsburgh was indispensably necessary, I have despatched my servant express to my Lord, by whom I now write you.

As his Lordship, in the late Treaty with the Indians, acquainted them that he would, by a preparative message, let them know at what time it would suit him to meet the Chiefs in the Spring at Pittsburgh, to settle every minute matter; and the distracted affairs of Government will now (I fear) put it out of his power to attend personally, I have requested that his Excellency would let me know how I should deport myself towards the Indians, and in what manner I am to act with the prisoners, Mingoes, now in my custody, as they begin to think their Nation rather more severely dealt with than the Shawanes; and without some proper measures are pursued, these troublesome people may again disturb our settlements. If I have proper order show to proceed, every thing may be extremely well adjusted, and I think much to the honour of Government.

I have desired my man to leave this letter in the office at Fredericksburg, to be conveyed to you as expeditiously as possible, and I hope I shall be favoured with an answer and your opinion by return express.

I have transmitted a copy of the Treaty to his Excellency, and should have sent you one also, only as I have desired the Journal of the expedition to be printed, including the whole, I deemed it unnecessary.

I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant,

JNO. CONNOLLY.

BRENTWOOD (NEW-HAMPSHIRE) COMMITTEE.

At a Meeting of the Committee of Correspondence in Brentwood, February 9, 1775,

Voted Doctor THOMAS PEABODY, Chairman,

Voted Mr. WILLIAM KEOUS, Clerk.

Voted, To abide by the advice of the Continental Congress, and to use our endeavours that others shall comply with the same.

Voted, That the thanks of this Committee be given to the Grand American Congress, and in particular to the truly patriotick Members of this Province.

Voted, That if any Pedlars, Hawkers, or Petty-Chap men, shall offer for sale any sort of Merchandise whatsoever, that we will use the utmost of our endeavours that they be dealt with according to law; and if any person or persons shall trade with, or otherwise encourage such Pedlars, by entertaining them, such person or persons shall be deemed and treated as enemies to this country.

Voted, If any Merchant, Trader, or other person within our limits, shall take advantage of the present distressed circumstances of America, and by an avaricious thirst after