Representatives had been lost, was proclaimed
but two or three Days before the Time
which had been appointed for their Mut-
ing, gave the People not the least Reason
to expect that their Assembly would have been
permitted to sit, till it was too late to ap-
point Delegates to attend the Continental Con-
gress at Philadelphia, a Measure which they
p. 3. 2d column
joined the rest of America in thinking essential
to its Interest
The House, Sir, neither know nor believe that
any base Arts have been practised upon the Peo-
ple, in order to lead them from their Deity;
but we know with Certainty that the Steps
they have taken proceeded from a full Con-
viction that the Parliament of Great-Britain had,
by a Variety of oppressive and unconstitutional
Proceedings, made those Steps absolutely necessary.
We think it therefore a Duty we owe the Peo-
ple to assert, that their Conduct has not been
owing to base Arts, practised upon them by
wicked and designing Men; and have it much
to lament that your Excellency should add
you Sanction to such groundless Imputations
as it has a manifest Tendency to weaken
the Influence which the united petition of
Representatives has been lost, was proclaimed
which had been appointed for their Meet-
-point Delegates to attend the Continental Con.
gress at / Philadelphia, a Measure which they
to its Interest.
any base Arts have been practiced upon the Peo.
ple, in order to lead them from their Duty;
they have taken proceeded from a full Con.
viction that the Parliment of Great-Britain had,
Proceedings, made these Steps absolutely necessary.
We think it therefore a Duty we owe the Peo.
owing to base Arts, practiced upon them by
your Sanction to such groundless Imputations,