404 APPENDIX A 



think, have left them without Hope, & united the People 

 beyond that, wch by the latest Accounts we have received. 



The minds of the Americans are so inflamed, that if more is 

 insisted on, than what their Resentments can now bear, the 

 Colonies [may, deleted] will probably be lost. As to Revenue, 

 I am firmly of the opinion that America will continue the War 



rather than grant it. And if Ad n should imagine that 



the Colonies will desert the Province of the Massachusets Bay 

 respecting the Alteration of their Government, I am firmly 

 persuaded that they will be deceived, as America must be 

 first conquered [before she will desert that Province, deleted]. 

 But if these two cardinal points are once determined to be 

 given up on the side of Adn., I see nothing that should prevent 

 an unreserved generous Conduct towards America, & a Grant 

 of even more than they ask for, because, on an Accomodation, 

 it will appear, that such a Conduct must ultimately prove 

 advantageous to both Countries. 



If the plan of Adn. shd. prove to be the sending of a Great 

 Force in the Spring to America, & with it (under the Appear- 

 ance of the Olive Branch) Commissioners who are deeply 

 versed in the Arts of Negociation to learn their Grievances 

 wch all the World knows, or to endeavor to patch up a 

 Peace on the most narrow Terms on wch it can be effected, 

 I think the Consequence will be either Disappointment to the 

 Nation, Disgrace or more effusion of Blood. 



[Rough draft in Barclay's hand, with many emendations. 

 Endorsed by him : " Copy to Ld. Hyde, I think 3lh. 12/mo. 1775." 

 This letter seems to have followed a conversation with Hyde on 

 Fothergill's proposals, and answers his enquiries. It will be 

 noticed, in this and following letters, how Barclay's naturally 

 cool temper is stirred by the wrongs done to the colonists.] 



XII. [D. BARCLAY TO LORD HYDE] 



BIRMINGHAM 5th: Deer. 1775. 



MY NOBLE FRIEND : Altho I have not the Vanity to 

 believe that anything wch I can offer will influence Adm. in 

 respect to America, I know not how to avoid comunicating 

 such Information, as I have received from the other side the 

 Atlantick, or such Circumstances as from my Knowledge of 

 the people can in the smallest Degree tend to heal the Breach 

 between both Countrys. I trust it is needless for me to 

 remind my Noble Friend that I have but too prophetically 

 warned Administration of every Thing that has happen'd 



