TEXT OF DOCUMENTS 403 



tion on the following terms. That the Parliament shall 

 repeal all the offensive Acts. Hostilities on our side to cease 

 immediately on the agreement of the Congress to this proposi- 

 tion & their own forces to be disbanded. Commissioners to 

 be chosen by the several assemblys, to meet other commis- 

 sioners, all authorized by the King to take into consideration 

 and adjust all matters in dispute, and frame any new regula- 

 tions that may tend to the benefit of both countrys, to be 

 ratified by act of Parliament. 



[Written with various emendations in Fothergill's hand. 

 Endorsed in another hand, " Letter from Dr. Fothergill to Ld. D." 

 Lettsom prints most of this paper.] 



XI. [D. BARCLAY TO LORD HYDE] 



[? Oct. or Nov. 1775-1 



Agreable to My Noble Friend's request, I have consider'd 

 the subject of our Conversation the other day relative to an 

 Acconiodation with America, but on reviewing what fell from 

 me, I see no Reason to alter my Sentiments, nor is it in my 

 power to give any Council that appears so emcatious as the 

 adopting of liberal Sentiments towards Extinguishing a 



ruinous civil War, and I am persuaded if Ad n really 



mean to effect it (however humiliating it may [seem, deleted] 

 prove), they must condescend to undo all that wch through 

 Misinformation, or Misconduct has been brought on America ; 

 & therefore unless Commissioners have ample Powers to 

 guarantee such Concessions, I cannot see what Expectation 

 there can be of Success in the Negociation ; for when we 

 consider that the Americans think Ad n have been in- 

 fluenced by [a fierce System of despotism, deleted} cruel & 

 oppressive Systems of Government, we must suppose they 

 will be cautious of treating with those who they think have 

 shown such a Disposition, & consequently the Characters of 

 those who may be employed in this delicate business will be 

 material, & I expect this will the more operate, from the 

 unsuccessful Negociation of last year, which, One in the 

 Congress will most probably not be unmindful of. It must 

 be remember'd, that its probable on the Arrival of Commis- 

 sioners in America every Power will be invested solely in the 

 People, & consequently the Difficulty will be greater to return 

 to old Grounds. I mean by saying " on the Arrival of Com- 

 missioners," that as the most moderate built much on their 

 last, Petition, an Account of its cold Reception here, will, I 



