state of the said Islands, and that are likely to arise from their future improvement, in a great measure depend on a free and reciprocal intercourse between them and the several Provinces of North America, from whence they are furnished with provisions and other supplies absolutely necessary for their support and the maintenance of their plantations; that the scarcity and high price in Great Britain and other, parts of Europe, of those articles of indispensable necessity, which they now derive from the middle Colonies of America, and the inadequate population in some parts of that Continent, with the distance, danger, and uncertainty of the navigation from others, forbid your Petitioners to hope for a supply in any degree proportionate to their wants; that if the first part of the said Agreement and Association for a Non-Importation, hath taken place and shall be continued, the same will be highly detrimental to the Sugar Colonies; and that if the second part of the said Agreement and Association for a Non-Exportation, shall be carried into execution, which the Petitioners do firmly believe will happen, unless the harmony that subsisted a few years ago between this Kingdom and the Provinces of America, to the infinite advantage of both, be restored, the Islands which are supplied with most of their subsistence from thence, will be reduced to the utmost distress, and the trade between all the Islands and this Kingdom will of course be obstructed, to the diminution of the publick Revenue, to the extreme injury of a great number of the Planters, and to the great prejudice of the Merchants, not only by the said obstruction, but also by the delay of payment of the principal and interest of an immense debt due from the former to the latter;" and therefore praying "That their Lordships will be pleased to take into their most serious consideration that great political system of the Colonies heretofore so very beneficial to the mother country and her Dependencies, and adopt such measures as to their Lordships, in their great wisdom, shall seem meet, to prevent the evils with which the Petitioners are threatened, and to preserve the intercourse between the West India Islands and the Northern Colonies, to the general harmony and lasting benefit of the whole British Empire; and that they may be heard by themselves, their Agents or Counsel, in support of their Petition."

It is ordered that the said Petition do lie on the table.

Ordered, That the proper Officer do lay before this House an Account of the Value of Exports and Imports to and from North America and England, from Christmas, 1739, to Christmas. 1773; distinguishing each Colony and year, and British Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, from Foreign; also,

An Account of the Value of Exports and Imports to and from North America and Scotland, from Christmas, 1739, to Christmas 1773; distinguishing each Colony and year, and British Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, from Foreign; also,

An Account of the Value of Exports and Imports to and from the West Indies and England, from Christmas, 1739, to Christmas, 1773; distinguishing each Island and year, and British Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, from Foreign; also,

An Account of the Value of Exports and Imports to and from the West Indies and Scotland, from Christmas, 1739, to Christmas, 1773; distinguishing each Island and year, and British Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, from Foreign; and also,

An Account of the Value of Exports and Imports to and from Africa and England, from Christmas, 1739, to Christmas, 1773; distinguishing each year, and British Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, from Foreign.

WEDNESDAY, February 8, 1775.

The Lord Chamberlain reported, that the Lords with White Staves, had, according to order, waited on his Majesty, humbly to know at what time his Majesty would please to appoint to be attended with the Address of both Houses; and that his Majesty had appointed to-morrow, at three o'clock, at his Palace of St. James.

The Messengers sent to the House of Commons to desire a Conference this day with that House, on the subject-matter of the Conference of yesterday, acquainted the House that the Commons do agree to a Conference with their Lordships, as desired.

The House being informed that Managers for the Commons were ready for the Conference in the Painted Chamber,

The names of the Managers for the Lords were called over;

And the House was adjourned during pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference;

Which being ended, the House was resumed,

And the Lord President reported, that the Managers for the Lords had met the Managers for the Commons at the Conference, and had acquainted them as directed.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Browning and Mr. Leeds:

To acquaint them that his Majesty had appointed tomorrow, at three o'clock, at his Palace of Saint James, to be attended with the Address of both Houses; and that the Lords intend to be there at that time.

FRIDAY, February 10, 1775.

The Lord Chancellor reported, that both Houses of Parliament did, yesterday, present to his Majesty their humble Address, to which his Majesty was pleased to return the following most gracious Answer:

My Lords and Gentlemen:

I thank you for this very dutiful and loyal Address, and for the affectionate and solemn assurances you give me of your support in maintaining the just rights of my crown, and of the two Houses of Parliament; and you may depend on my taking the most speedy and effectual measures for enforcing due obedience to the laws and the authority of the supreme Legislature.

Whenever any of my Colonies shall make a proper and dutiful application, I shall be ready to concur with you in affording them every just and reasonable indulgence; and it is my ardent wish that this disposition may have a happy effect on the temper and conduct of my subjects in America.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

MONDAY, February 13, 1775.

The Order of the Day being read, for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to consider further of the Supply granted to his Majesty,

The House resolved itself into the said Committee.

Mr. Buller moved that an additional number of two thousand men be allowed for Sea Service for the year 1775.

He stated the respective services our Ships were on, and said that the proposed augmentation was necessary to enforce the measures of Government in America.

Lord North remarked, that the subject had been so amply discussed on Friday, by being so much blended with the means of restraining the Fishery of Massachusetts Bay, that he should have the less to offer upon this occasion; that the rebellious disposition and motions of that and other Colonies made it necessary to have such a guard upon the Coasts of North America, that the augmentation was highly necessary; and as the people of New England could not be restrained from the Fishery without some Sloops stationed for that purpose, the circumstance made it doubly requisite to provide accordingly. He gave no precise explanation, but only general assurances that this would be the last application of the kind. He said he could not possibly pretend to foretel every event that might happen, and consequently could not bind himself by any specifick promise or engagement.

Governour Johnstone observed, that this was a most extraordinary mode of procedure, and that he was at a loss to determine whether it proceeded from ignorance or design. He was certain, however, that it gave full scope to gaming in the Alley, for stocks had been falling gradually, till they had now come down five per cent. It furnished a happy opportunity to those in the secret to enrich themselves at the publick expense. He did not mean to bring home this