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since the passing of the Boston Port Bill, but I desire it may 

 be understood that I do not impute this to any Cause but that 

 of a Knowledge of the People & Information that may be 

 depended on. It may be likewise needless for me to repeat 

 that Reconciliation has invariably been the object of my 

 Desire, & that my most zealous Endeavors have been exerted 

 to accelerate the desireable Work, in wch my able medical 

 Friend hath [anxiously, deleted] constantly cooperated ; & 

 probably it would have been happy for both Countries, if 

 this Great Work had been effected last year. But as the 

 then Advocates for Conciliation could not prevail, perhaps 

 the unhappy Consequences which have ensued, may now give 

 their Information more credit hereafter, on wch Ground, & 

 on wch. alone, I take the liberty to inform my honorable 

 Friend that, from Intelligence founded on the greatest Cer- 

 tainty, I have reason to believe that if Reconciliation does not 

 immediately take place, the Colonies as surely as they exist 

 will be lost to Gt. Bn. for ever, & to use the very Words of my 

 Author : " Another Campaign in America cuts the two 

 Countries asunder never to meet again. May Almighty God 

 incline those in power to firmly believe this most indubitable 

 Truth. If you think that my Name will give any Credit to 

 the Intelligence you may freely use it. And he adds, I beg 

 you Sir in the Name of both our Countries to have the Intelli- 

 gence comunicated to you applied to the best purpose that 

 your prudence shall approve." 



As I wish to stand acquitted to my Friend in America & to 

 both Countries, I desire the favor that this Letter may be 

 shewn to Lord North, & to any other noble personage in 

 Administration that my Much Valued Friend may think 

 proper. 



I am with every sentiment of Deference & Respect 



D B 



I expect to stay here until the nth. Inst. & to be into 

 Hertfordshire the latter end of next Week. 



[Rough draft in Barclay's hand : many emendations.] 

 XIII. [LORD HYDE TO D. BARCLAY] 



i^th. Dec: 1775. 



I can no longer suffer, my worthy friend's last letter to 

 remain without an answer, tho' 1 have rec'd nothing cate- 

 gorical upon it. What your correspondent foretells, & you 



