Chapter 21

(1775, CONTINUED.)

PARLIAMENT PROCEEDS TO PASS AN ACT TO PUNISH THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES FOR SYMPATHISING WITH MASSACHUSETTS, BY RESTRICTING THEIR TRADE TO ENGLAND AND DEPRIVING THEM OF THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERIES. 433-441

Parliament passes a second Act to punish in the same way all the Colonies, for the same reason as those of the New England Colonies, except New York, Delaware, North Carolina; these Provinces decline the exception 433

Much expected from the General Assembly of New York, which had not endorsed the first Continental Congress; the Assembly meets and adopts a petition and remonstrances on the grievances of all the Colonies, including Massachusetts; this address, adopted as late as May, 1775, a Loyal United Empire Document; extracts from this admirable and statesmanlike address 434

Mr. Burke, in a conciliatory speech, proposes to present this memorial to the House of Commons 437

Lord North opposes it 438

Mr. Fox defends it, and moves against its rejection 438

Governor Johnstone justifies the reception of it by example 439

Lord North's amendment to reject the petition adopted by a majority of 186 to 67 439

The memorial, after debate, rejected by the House of Lords 440

Reflections of the royal historian on the effect upon the public mind in England from the rejection of the New York Assembly's appeal by both Houses of Parliament (in a note) 440

The Colonists still persist in hopes of reconciliation and the maintenance of their constitutional rights, without entertaining a thought of independence 441