thereof under very burdensome restrictions, but above all the act for granting, and applying certain stamp duties, &c. in America, have filled them with the deepest concern and surprize; and they humbly conceive the execution of them will be attended with consequences very injurious to the commercial interest of Great Britain, and her colonies, and must terminate in the eventual ruin of the latter.

Your petitioners therefore most ardently implore the attention of the honorable house, to the united and dutiful representation of their circumstances, and to their earnest supplications for relief, from those regulations which have already involved this continent in anxiety, confusion and distress.

We most sincerely recognize our allegiance to the crown, and acknowledge all due subordination to the parliament of Great Britain, and shall always retain the most grateful sense of their assistance and protection. It is from and under the English constitution, we derive all our civil and religious rights and liberties we glory in being subjects of the best of kings, and having been born under the most perfect form of government; but it is with most ineffable and humiliating sorrow, that we find ourselves, of late, deprived of the right of granting our own property for his majesty's service, to which our lives and fortunes are entirely devoted, and to which, on his royal requisitions, we have ever been ready to contribute to the utmost of our abilities.

We have also the misfortune to find, that all the penalties and forfeitures mentioned in the stamp-act, and in divers late acts of trade extending to the plantations, are, at the election of the informer, recoverable in any court of admiralty in America. This, as the newly erected court of admiralty has a general jurisdiction over all British America, renders his majesty's subjects in these colonies, liable to be carried, at an immense expence, from one end of the continent to the other.

It gives us also great pain to see a manifest distinction made therein, between the subjects of our mother country, and those in the colonies, in that the like penalties and forfeitures recoverable there only in his majesty's court of record, are made cognizable here by a court of admiralty: by these means we seem to be, in effect, unhappily deprived of two privileges essential to freedom, and which all Englishmen have ever considered as their best birthrights, that of being free from all taxes but such as they have consented to in person, or by their representatives, and of trial by their peers.

Your petitioners further shew, that the remote situation, and other circumstances of the colonies, render it impracticable that they should be represented, but in their respective subordinate legislatures; and they humbly conceive, that the parliament, adhering strictly to the principles of the constitution, have never hitherto taxed any but those who were actually therein represented; for this reason, we humbly apprehend, they never have taxed Ireland, or any other of the subjects without the realm.

But were it ever so clear, that the colonies might in law be reasonably deemed to be represented in the honourable house of commons, yet we conceive, that very good reasons, from inconvenience, from the principles of true policy, and from the spirit of the British constitution, may be adduced to shew, that it would be for the real interest of Great Britain, as well as her colonies, that the late regulations should be rescinded, and the several acts of parliament imposing duties and taxes on the colonies, and extending the jurisdiction of the courts of admiralty here beyond their ancient limits, should be repealed.

We shall not attempt a minute detail of all the reasons which the wisdom of the honourable house may suggest on this occasion, but would humbly submit the following particulars to their consideration:

That money is already become very scarce in these colonies, and is still decreasing by the necessary exportation of specie from the continent, for the discharge of our debts to British merchants.

That an immensely heavy debt is yet due from the colonies for British manu

factures, and that they are still heavily burdened with taxes to discharge the arrearages due for aids granted by them in the late war.

That the balance of trade will ever be much against the colonies, and in favour of Great Britain, whilst we consume her manufactures, the demand for which must ever increase in proportion to the number of inhabitants settled here, with the means of purchasing them. We therefore humbly conceive it to be the interest of Great Britain, to increase, rather than diminish, those means, as the profits of all the trade of the colonies ultimately centre there to pay for her manufactures, as we are not allowed to purchase elsewhere; and by the consumption of which, at the advanced prices the British taxes oblige the makers and venders to set on them, we eventually contribute very largely to the revenue of the crown.

That from the nature of American business, the multiplicity of suits and papers used in matters of small value, in a country where freeholds are so minutely divided, and property so frequently transferred, a stamp duty must ever be very burdensome and unequal.

That it is extremely improbable that the honourable house of commons should, at all times, be thoroughly acquainted with our condition, and all facts requisite to a just and equal taxation of the colonies.

It is also humbly submitted, whether there be not a material distinction in reason and sound policy, at least, between the necessary exercise of parliamentary jurisdiction in general acts, for the amendment of the common law, and the regulation of trade and commerce through the whole empire, and the exercise of that jurisdiction, by imposing taxes on the colonies.

That the several subordinate provincial legislatures have been moulded into forms, as nearly resembling that of their mother country, as by his majesty's royal predecessors was thought convenient; and their legislatures seem to have been wisely and graciously established, that the subjects in the colonies might, under the due administration thereof, enjoy the happy fruits of the British government, which in their present circumstances they cannot be so fully and clearly availed of, any other way under these forms of government we and our ancestors have been born or settled, and have had our lives, liberties and properties protected. The people here, as every where else, retain a great fondness for their old customs and usages, and we trust that his majesty's service, and the interest of the nation, so far from being obstructed, have been vastly promoted by the provincial legislatures.

:

That we esteem our connexions with, and dependence on Great Britain, as one of our greatest blessings, and apprehend the latter will appear to be sufficiently secure, when it is considered, that the inhabitants in the colonies have the most unbounded affection for his majesty's person, family and government, as well as for the mother country, and that their subordination to the parliament, is universally acknowledged.

We, therefore, most humbly entreat, that the honourable house would be pleased, to hear our counsel in support of this petition, and take our distressed and deplorable case into their serious consideration, and that the acts and clauses of acts, so grievously restraining our trade and commerce, imposing duties and taxes on our property, and extending the jurisdiction of the court of admiralty beyond its ancient limits, may be repealed; or that the honourable house would otherwise relieve your petitioners, as in your great wisdom and goodness shall seem meet.

And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray."

"As the first of November, the time when the stamp-act was to commence its operation, approached, every art was used to prevent it, and to render the act odious and contemptible among the people. Ten boxes of stamped paper, sent for the use of Connecticut, were seized by the populace at New-York, and burned. The masters of ships who brought over the stamped papers, unless defended by some

man of war, were obliged either to depart with their execrated cargoes, or to deliver them into the hands of the enraged people, to save themselves from insult and violence. When the ship which brought the stamped papers to Philadelphia, made her appearance round Gloucester Point, all the vessels in the harbour hung their colours in mourning, half-mast high. The bells of the town were rung muffled until the evening, and every countenance wore the appearance of deep mourning.

At Boston, and other places, the first of November was ushered in by the shutting up of shops and stores, and by a funeral tolling of the bells. The effigies of the planners and abettors of the stamp-act were carried in procession through the public streets in public contempt, and were then torn in pieces and committed to the flames.

The general abhorrence of the stamp-act was demonstrated in similar, and in a great variety of ways, in different towns and cities. The proceedings were generally conducted with great decorum. They had not their origin in the lowest of the people, but were planned by men of character and general influence. Knowing how much more the great body of the people are led by their senses, than their reason, they excited and countenanced these public exhibitions with a view of making the stamp-act, and all its contrivers and supporters, as contemptible and odious as possible."

At a meeting of the lawyers, at the Supreme Court, held at Perth Amboy, on the 20th of September, 1765, like true born sons of liberty, and lovers of their country, the Chief Justice having proposed the following queries, agreed, and came into the undermentioned resolves, which will always redound to their honour :

First-Whether, if the stamps should arrive, and be placed at the city of Burlington, by, or after, the first of November, they would, as practitioners, agree to purchase them, or any of them, for the necessary proceedings in the Jaw?

Resolved, By the whole body, nem, con. they would not; but rather suffer their private interest, to give way to the public good, protesting, at the same time, against all indecent or riotous behaviour, which they will discountenance by every means in their power, to preserve order, and by an absolute refusal to make use of the stamps, and other quiet methods, endeavour to obtain a repeal of the law.

Second-Whether it was their opinion, that, should the act take place, the duties could possibly be paid in gold and silver?

Answered, by the whole body,-It could not be paid in gold and silver, even for one year.

Third. Their opinion was desired, whether, as the act required, the governor and chief justice to superintend the distributor, he should be obliged to take charge of the distribution of the stamps by order and appointment of the governor, if he should think proper to fix upon him for that office?

Answered and advised, not to take it upon him, the governor not being impowered by the act to appoint, or if he was, it was left at the chief justice's option, and that it would be incompatible with his office as chief justice.

We hear the Speaker of the New-Jersey Assembly has written to all the members to meet at Princeton, to appoint some of their body to go to the congress at New-York.*

*Maryland Gazette, Oct. 10, 1765.

"In the mean time the principal merchants in the colonies, with great numbers of the people, entered into solemn engagements to import no more goods from Great Britain until the stamp-act should be repealed."

We here insert the agreement of the New-England and Philadelphia Merchants.

Resolutions entered into by the merchants of New-York, trading to Great Britain, October 31, 1765.

I. That in all orders they send to Great Britain, for goods of any nature, kind, or quality whatsoever, they will direct their correspondents not to ship them, unless the stamp-act be repealed. It is, nevertheless, agreed, that all such merchants as are owners of, and have vessels already gone, or now cleared out for Great Britain, shall be at liberty to bring back in them, on their own account, crates and casks of earthen ware, grindstones, pipes, and such other bulky articles as owners usually fill up their vessels with

II. It is further unanimously agreed, that all orders already sent home, shall be countermanded by the very first conveyance, and the goods thereby ordered not to be sent, unless upon the condition mentioned in the foregoing resolution.

III. It is further unanimously agreed, that no merchant will vend any goods sent on commission from Great Britain, that shall be shipped from thence after the first day of January next, unless upon the condition mentioned in the first resolution.

IV. It is further unanimously agreed, that the foregoing resolutions shall be binding, until the same shall be abrogated at a general meeting, to be held for that purpose.

Agreements and resolutions entered into, by the merchants and traders of Philadelphia, Nov. 7, 1765.

The merchants and traders of the city of Philadelphia, taking into their consideration the melancholy state of the North American commerce in general, and the distressed situation of the province of Pennsylvania in particfar, do unanimously agree,

That the many difficulties they now labour under as a trading people, are owing to the restrictions, prohibitions, and ill-advised regulations, made in the several acts of the parliament of Great Britain, lately passed, to regulate the colonies; which have limited the exportation of some part of our country produce, increased the cost and expense of many articles of our importation, and cut off from us all means of supplying ourselves with specie enough even to pay the duties imposed on us, much less to serve as a medium of our trade.

That this province is heavily in debt to Great Britain for the manufactures, and other importations, from thence, which the produce of our lands has been found unequal to pay for, when a free exportation of it to the best markets was allowed of, and such trades open as supplied us with cash, and other articles of immediate remittance to Great Britain.

That the late unconstitutional law, the stamp-act, if carried into execution in this province, will further tend to prevent our making those remittances to Great Britain, for payment of old debts, or purchase of more goods, which the faith subsisting between the individuals trading with each other requires; and therefore in justice to ourselves, to the traders of Great Britain, who usually give us credit, and to the consumers of British manufactures in this province, the subscribers hereto, have voluntarily and unanimously come into the following resolutions and agreements, in hopes that their example will stimulate the good people of this province to be frugal in their use and consumption of all manufactures, excepting those of America, and lawful goods coming directly

from Ireland, manufactured there, whilst the necessities of our country are such as to require it; and in hopes that their brethren, the merchants and manufacturers of Great Britain, will find their own interest so intimately connected with ours, that they will be spurred on to befriend us from that motive, if no other should take place.

I. It is unanimously resolved and agreed, that in all orders, any of the subscribers to this paper may send to Great Britain for goods, they shall and will direct their correspondents not to ship them until the stamp-act is repealed.

II. That all those among the subscribers, that have already sent orders to Great Britain for goods, shall and will immedietely countermand the same, until the stamp-act is repealed: except such merchants as are owners of vessels already gone, or now cleared out for Great Britain, who are at liberty to bring back in them, on their own account, coals, casks of earthen ware, grindstones, pipes, iron pots, empty bottles, and such other bulky articles as owners usually fill up their vessels with; but no dry goods of any kind; except such kinds of dye-stuffs and utensils necessary for carrying on manufactures, [as] may be ordered by any person.

III. That none of the subscribers hereto shall or will vend any goods or merchandizes whatever, that shall be shipped them on commission from Great Britain, after the first of January next, unless the stamp-act be repealed.

IV. That these resolves and agreements shall be binding on all and each of us the subscribers, who do hereby, each and every person for himself, upon his word of honour agree, that he will strictly and firmly adhere to and abide by every article, from this time until the first of May next, when a meeting of the subscribers shall be called, to consider whether a further continuance of this obligation be then necessary.

V. It is agreed, that if goods of any kind do arrive from Great Britain, at such time, and under such circumstances, as to render any signer of these agreements suspected of having broken his promise, the committee now appointed shall enquire into the premises, and if such suspected person refuses, or cannot give them satisfaction, the subscribers hereto will unanimously take all prudent measures to discountenance and prevent the sale of such goods, until they are released from this agreement by mutual and general consent.

Agreement of the retailers of the city of Philadelphia, Nov. 14, 1765. We, the retailers of the city of Philadelphia, do hereby voluntarily and unaninously promise and oblige all and each of us, upon our word of honour, not to buy any goods, wares, or merchandizes, of any vendue-master, or other person or persons whatsoever, that shall be shipped from Great Britain, after the first day of January next, unless that unconstitutional law, the stamp-act, shall be repealed.

"As far as might be to remedy this inconvenience the colonists encouraged their own domestic manufactures. Large quantities of coarse and common cloths were soon brought to market, and though dearer, and of an inferior quality to those imported from Great Britain, yet they were cheerfully purchased, in preference to similar articles of her manufacture. To encourage and render domestic manufactures fashionable, men of chief character and influence were the first to appear in them, on the most public occasions. To increase the breed of sheep and the quantity of wool, resolutions were formed against the killing and eating of lambs. Foreign elegancies were generally laid aside by both sexes. The fair daughters of America imbibed the same spirit with her sons, and were not less exemplary in various instances of self-denial. They cheerfully