manner in which they serve their friends, I desire still to be counted among the number of their enemies.

An amendment was proposed to be made to the question, by leaving out from the word "whom" to the end of the question, and inserting the words "the Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and others, of the City of London, concerned in the commerce of North America, is referred," Instead thereof,

And the question being put, that the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question;

The House divided—Yeas 65, Noes 192.

So it passed in the Negative.

And the question being put, that the words "the Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and others, of the City of London, concerned in the commerce of North America, is referred," be inserted instead thereof;

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Then the main question so amended being put,

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the consideration of the Committee of the Whole House, to whom the Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and others, of the City of London, concerned in the commerce of North America, is referred.

Mr. Cruger presented a Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and Manufacturers, and others, of the City of Bristol, whose names are thereunto subscribed, which was also read; setting forth—

That the trade to America not only from this Port; but the whole Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, is of the utmost, importance; and that the said City is highly interested in its welfare, as from thence very large quantities of every species of Manufacture are exported, whereby employment is given to a great number of Ships, Seamen, and others, on which Manufactures several thousand persons depend for their daily support, whose cause, from motives of humanity, exclusive of every advantage to themselves, it becomes their duty to submit to that tribunal from whence alone redress can be expected; and that the trade of the West India Islands, in all its extensive branches, essentially depends upon the Continent of America, as many articles absolutely necessary for the existence of their inhabitants, are only to be had from thence; and any stop to the commerce and well-being of North America, must mutually affect the whole system, being mediately or immediately connected with each other; and that the Petitioners already feel the unhappy effects of the stagnation of trade at present subsisting in consequence of certain Acts made by the Legislature of Great Britain, from which cause all orders for Goods are countermanded, and the Merchants in danger of being deprived of their, returns for those already sent; and that from the circumstances before, recited, many thousands of industrious poor are, and will be deprived of subsistence, and Merchants even of the largest property will be reduced to difficulties in their fortunes and credit, heretofore unknown to them; and that, in the present crisis, so very alarming to the interest of the trading part of these Kingdoms, and in its consequences to the landed interest, ever dependent on each other, they have every reason to fear a total loss of their trade, and every evil that will attend an event so much to be deprecated; and, therefore, praying the House to take the premises speedily into their serious consideration, and to adopt such measures as will not only relieve them from the difficulties which press them on the present exigency, but be a security against a return of those frequent interruptions to their trade they have for many years experienced, which have made destructive breaches in the commercial interests, and disturbed the concord of this great Empire, so that the whole may be fixed on the same solid basis which formerly united the mother country and her Colonies.

Mr. Cruger moved that, the said Petition be referred to the consideration of the Committee of the Whole House, to whom it is referred to consider of the several Papers which were presented to the House by the Lord North, upon Thursday last, by his Majesty's command.

An amendment was proposed to be made to the question, by leaving out from the word "whom" to the end of the question, and inserting the words "the Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and others, of the City of London,

concerned in the commerce of North America, is referred," instead thereof,

And the question being put, that the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question,

It passed in the Negative,

And the question being put, that the words "the Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and others, of the City of London, concerned in the commerce of North America, is referred," be inserted instead thereof,

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Then the main question so amended being put,

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the consideration of the Committee of the Whole House, to whom the Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and others, of the City of London, concerned in the commerce of North America, is referred.

TUESDAY, January 24, 1775.

A Petition of the Merchants and Traders of the City of Glasgow, was presented to the House, and read, setting forth—

That the Petitioners are deeply interested in the trade to North America, by exporting annually great quantities of British Manufactures and other Goods, and receiving in return the produce of the Colonies; and have at this time, in effects belonging to them in America, and in debts due to them by the Colonies, to the amount of one million and upwards; and that the trade between Great Britain and the Colonies, has for a long time been carried on to the great advantage of every part of the British Empire; and that it has been a great nursery for Seamen; has given employment to many thousand Manufacturers in Britain, and greatly increased his Majesty's Revenue; and that the Petitioners have observed, with much concern, that certain late Acts of Parliament have created fears and jealousies, and raised much dissatisfaction in the minds of his Majesty's American subjects, who have been induced to enter into resolves to interrupt the commerce between Gnat Britain and the Colonies; and that the Petitioners apprehend, if this interruption to trade is long continued, many thousands of British Manufacturers will be reduced to poverty and distress by want of employment; the Petitioners will suffer great loss, and his Majesty's Revenue be diminished; but they trust, with full confidence, in the wisdom and justice of the House, to bring about a happy reconciliation between Great Britain and the Colonies; and, therefore, praying the House to take into their serious consideration this great commercial business, and to give such relief as shall seem best.

A motion was made, and the question being proposed, that the said Petition be referred to the consideration of the Committee of the Whole House, to whom the Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and others, of the City of London, concerned in the commerce of North America, is referred;

An amendment was proposed to be made to the question, by leaving out from the word "whom" to the end of the question, and inserting, "it is referred to consider of the several Papers which were presented to the House by the Lord North, upon Thursday last, by his Majesty's command," instead thereof,

And the question being put, that the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question;

The House divided—Yeas 68, Noes 26.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.

Then the main question being put,

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the consideration of the Committee of the Whole House, to whom the Petition of the Merchants, Traders, pd others, of the City of London, concerned in the commerce of North America, is referred.

Ordered, That there be laid before this House, an Account of the Value of all Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, exported from that part of Great Britain called England, to the British Colonies in North America, from Christmas, 1772, to Christmas, 1774, or as far as the same can be made up; distinguishing each Colony und each year.

Ordered, That there be laid before, this House Account of the Value of all Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, exported, from that part of Great Britain called Scotland,