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. Tomkyns, from the Commissioners of the Customs, presented to the House, pursuant to their orders,

An Account of the quantities of Sugar imported into England from the British Colonies and Plantations, from Christmas, 1762, to Christmas, 1773, which is as far as the same can be made up; distinguishing each Colony and each year; and also,

An Account of the quantities of Refined Sugar, and of Muscovado Sugar, exported from England, from Christmas, 1762, to Christmas, 1773, which is as far as the same can be made up; distinguishing each year, and the quantities exported to North America, West Indies, and foreign parts; and also,

An Account of the value and amount of the Imports from the British Sugar Colonies, into England, from Christmas, 1762, to Christmas, 1773, which is as far as the same can be made up; distinguishing each Colony and each year; and also,

A particular Account of the Expense of collecting and managing the Revenue of Customs in England, for three years, ending Christmas, 1773; distinguishing each year.

FRIDAY, February 17, 1775.

Mr. Bruere, from the Commissioners of Excise, presented to the House, pursuant to their orders,

An Account of the amount of the Excise paid on Rum imported from the West Indies, for the last three years, distinguishing each year; and also,

An Account of the amount of the Excise paid on Coffee imported from the West Indies, for the three last years, distinguishing each year.

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty that he will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid before this House an Act passed by the Assembly of Virginia, in the year 1684, entituled "An Act for the better preservation of the Peace of Virginia, and preventing Unlawful and Treasonable Associations."

Ordered, That the said Address be presented to his Majesty by such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council.

The Lord North presented to the House, according to order, a Bill to restrain the Trade and Commerce of the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay and New-Hampshire, and Colonies of Connecticut and Rhode-Island, and Providence Plantation, in North America, to Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Islands in the West Indies; and to prohibit such Provinces and Colonies from carrying on any Fishery on the banks of Newfoundland, or other places therein to be mentioned, under certain conditions, and for a time to be limited; and the same was received, and read the first time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a second time.

Ordered, That the said Bill be read a second time upon Thursday morning next.

Ordered, That the said Bill be printed.

The other Orders of the Day being read,

Resolved, That this House will, upon Monday morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to consider further of the several Papers which were presented to the House by the Lord North, upon the 19th and 31st days of January last, and the 1st and 15th days of this instant, February, by his Majesty's command.

MONDAY, February 20, 1775.

Mr. Comptroller of the Household reported to the House on the Address of Friday last, that his Majesty would be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid before this House an Act passed by the Assembly of Virginia, in the year 1684, entituled "An Act for the better preservation of the Peace of Virginia, and preventing Unlawful and Treasonable Associations," had been presented to his Majesty; and that his Majesty had commanded him to acquaint this House that he will give directions accordingly.

Ordered, That there be laid before this House an Account of Imports to the British Sugar Colonies from North America, for three years last past; distinguishing each year.

Mr. Tompkyns presented to the House, pursuant to their orders,

An Account of all Corn, Flour, and Bread, imported from North America, into that part of Great Britain called England, from the 5th of January, 1767, to 5th January, 1774, which is as far as the same can be made up; distinguishing each kind of Grain, and the quantity imported in each year; and also,

An Account of the value of the Exports and Imports to and from the West Indies and England, from Christmas, 1739, to Christmas, 1762; distinguishing each year; and the value of British Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, from Foreign Goods, Wares, and Merchandise; and also,

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

WEDNESDAY, February 22, 1775.

Mr. Rowe, from the Commissioners of the Customs, in Scotland, presented to the House, pursuant to their orders,

An Account of the quantities of Sugar imported into Scotland from the British Colonies and Plantations, from Christmas, 1762, to Christmas, 1773, being as far as the same can be made up; distinguishing each Colony and each year; and also,

An Account of the quantities of Muscovado Sugar and Refined Sugar exported from Scotland, from Christmas, 1762, to Christmas, 1773, being as far as the same can be made up; distinguishing each year, and the quantities exported to North America; and also,

An Account of the amount and value of the Imports from the British Sugar Colonies, into Scotland, from Christmas, 1762, to Christmas, 1773, being as far as the same can be made up; distinguishing each Colony and each year.

A Petition of the Merchants of Whitehaven, in the County of Cumberland, was presented to the House, and read, setting forth—

That the Petitioners and their predecessors, have, for many years past, carried on an extensive trade with America, during which time the Manufactures of this Kingdom have been sent out from the said Port to a very considerable amount; and in return, the Petitioners have imported the produce of that Continent in such articles as have not only been beneficial to them, but have also greatly increased the Revenue of this Kingdom; and in the prosecution of which trade a great number of able seamen have been brought up and employed; and that the Petitioners, with the deepest concern, observe the present unhappy disputes subsisting between this Kingdom and North America, which are now brought to such a crisis, that, unless some speedy remedy be adopted, will effectually put an end to all future intercourse, and thereby not only prevent the Petitioners from such benefits as they formerly enjoyed, but also be injurious to the commercial interest of this Kingdom in general; and therefore praying the House will take into consideration the cause of these unhappy disputes, and endeavour to establish such a permanent system as may promote the perfect tranquillity of this Kingdom and her Colonies.

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 it is referred to consider of the several Papers which were presented to the House by the Lord North, upon the 19th and 31st days of January last, and the 1st and 15th days of this instant, February, 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.