214 AUTHENTIC HISTORY 



have also experienced the pleasures of gratitude and love, as well as 

 advantages from that connexion. The impressions are not yet erased. 

 We consider her circumstances with tender concern. We have not been 

 wanting, when constitutionally called upon, to assist her to the utmost 

 of our abilities ; insomuch that she has judged it reasonable to make us 

 recompenses for our overstrained exertions : And we now think we ought 

 to contribute more than we do, to the alleviation of her burthens. 



Whatever may be said of these proposals on either side of the Atlantic, 

 this is not a time, either for timidity or rashness. We perfectly know, 

 that the great cause now agitated, is to be conducted to a happy conclu- 

 sion, only by that well tempered composition of Counsels, which firm- 

 ness, prudence, loyalty to our Sovereign, respect to our parent State, 

 and affection to our native country, united must form. 



By such a compact, Great Britain will secure every benefit that the 

 Parliamentary wisdom of ages has thought proper to attach to her. 

 From her alone we shall continue to receive manufactures. To her alone 

 we shall continue to carry the vast inultitude of enumerated articles of 

 commerce, the exportation of which her policy has thought fit to confine 

 to herself. With such parts of the ivorld only, as she has appointed us to 

 deal, we shall continue to deal ; and such commodities only, as she has 

 permitted us to bring from them, we shall continue to bring. The 

 executive and controling powers of the Crown will retain their present full 

 force and operation. We shall contentedly labour for her as affectionate 

 friends, in time of tranquility; and cheerfully spend for her, as dutiful 

 children, our treasure and our blood, in time of war. She will receive a 

 certain income from us, without the trouble or expense of collecting it — 

 without being constantly disturbed by complaints of grievances, which 

 she cannot justify and will not redress. In case of war, or any emer- 

 gency of distress to her, we shall also be ready and willing to contribute 

 all aids within our power : And we solemnly declare, that on such occa- 

 sions, if we or our posterity shall refuse, neglect, or decline thus to con- 

 tribute, it will be a mean and manifest violation of a plain duty, and a 

 weak and wicked desertion of the true interests of this province, which 

 ever have been and must be bound up in the prosperity of our Mother 

 Country. Our union, founded on mutual compacts and mutual benefits, 

 will be indissoluble, at least more firm than an union perpetually dis- 

 turbed by disputed rights, and retorted injuries. 



Secondly. If all the terms above-mentioned cannot be obtained, it is 

 our opinion, that the measures adopted by the Congress for our relief 

 should never be relinquished or intermitted, until those relating to the 

 troops— internal legislation— imposition of taxes or duties hereafter,— 

 the 35th of Henry the 8th, Chapter the 2d.— the extension of Admiralty 

 Courts— the port of Boston and the province of Massachusetts- Bay are 



