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Show [26] the whole force of the kingdom, if it be found necellary, to reduce the rebellious and refractory provinces and coe lonics. " THERE is fo great a fpirit in the nation againfi the Conerefs, that the people will bear the temporary difireffes of ailloppage of the American trade. " THEY may depend on this to be true." [27] therefore, it was probable that the efforts of the enemy would be turned that way, and that violent counfels might produce a ferious defection. The conduct of the Congrefs may then be confidered as wife and firm, for immediately after, they " RESOLVED unanimoufly, That his majefty's molt faithful fubjec'ts in thefe colonies are reduced to a danger- THE conduct of the Congrcfs at this time wore very much the appearance of pulillanimity, for after the Lexington battle, while it was expected that the troops from lingland would arrive at New-York, the city and county of New-York, applied through their delegates for advice how to conduct themfelves,---upon which it was " RESOLVED, That it be recommended, for the prefent, to the inhabitants of New-York, that if the troops which are expected {hould arrive, the faid colony act on the defenfrve, {0 long as may be confident with their fafety and feeurity : that the troops be permitted to remain in the ous and critical fituation, by the attempts of the Britifh miniltry to carry into execution, by force of arms, feveral unconttitutional and oppreflive acts of the Britifh parliament for laying taxes in America; to enforce the collection of thofe taxes, and for altering and changing the conflitution and internal police of fome of thefe colonies, in violation of the natural and civil rights of the colonii'ts. " HOSTILITIES being aétuallyeornmenced in the Mail}:- chufetts-Bay, by the Britilh troops under the command of general Gage, and the lives ofa number of the inhabitants of that colony dellroyed, the town of Bolton having not only been long occupied as a garrifoned town in an ene- barracks, to long as they behave peaceably and quietly; but that they be not fufrered to erect fortifications, or take feverity and cruelty not to be jufiified even towards declared any Reps for cutting off the communication between the enemies ; large re-inforcements too being ordered and foon town and country; and that if they commit hof'tilities, expected, for the declared purpofe'of compelling thefe co- or invade private property, the inhabitants fhould defend themfelves and their property, and repel force by force: that the warlike {lores be removed from the town 2 that lonies to fubmit to the operation of the faid acts; that places of retreat, in cafe of neccflity, be provided for the women and children of New-York, and that a fufticient number of men be embodied, and kept in conftant readinefs for protecting the inhabitants from infuit and injury." BUT it mull be remembered, that affairs were then in a very critical fituation. Hudfon's river, which hath been confidered as the key of America, was in the power of the enemy, if they chofe to take it. The people of that colony were much divided in fentiment, the minifl'ry had many partizans among them, excited by the hope of ho- nours and rewards ; many from a fear of impending danger; all were apprehenlive of the eonfequences of a war which reafon and former experience ferved to {hew mull rage in the bowels of that country. On the whole, therefore, my's country, but the inhabitants thereof treated with a therefore, for the exprefs purpofe of fecuring and defending thefe colonies, and preferving them in fafety againft all attempts to carry the faid aéts into execution by force of arms, thefe colonies be immediately put into a {late of defence. " BUT, as we mofl ardently with for a refloration of the harmony formerly fubfifling between our mother country and thefe colonies, the interruption of which mull, at all events, he exceedingly injurious to both countries, that with a fincere defign of contributing by all the means in our power, not incompatible with a juf't regard for the un~ doubted rights and true interefls of thefe colonies, to the promotion of this molt defireable reconciliation, an humble and dutiful petition be prefented to his majelly. " RESOLVED, That mcafures be entered into for opening a negociation, in order to accommodate the unhappy dilpales D '2, |