London, 1 March, 1775
[Extract]
The inclosed paper will give you a true Idea of Lord North's motion, that is, what he meant by it. Last night we were heard and produced evidence at the Bar of the House of Commons against the Fish Bill as 'tis called, of which you have a copy. Our evidence has embarassed the Minister, but still I think the Bill will pass which will embarrass him still more in this Country. Ld North's resolution2 was reported to the House from the Committee last Monday, and passed after long debates. Its fallacy is now well understood here, and instead of serving his purpose, has made him weaker, as I always expected it wou'd. The War preparations are still carrying on against America. The troops are designed to embark from Ireland in all this month but they will hardly get to Boston or New York before the Middle or the latter end of May. You must take care of yourselves. By all means preserve union among the Colonies and you will be safe. The Packet which arrived yesterday has destroyed in great measure the ministers' hopes of seducing New York, for tho' the Assembly would not confirm the proceedings of the Congress, the Committee unanimously resolved to adhere to the association. You must exert yourself for me this year as we shall have nothing to do the next.
1. Ford, ed., Lee, I, 137, 138.
2. This was what was known as Lord North's conciliatory measure. It read: "that when the General Council and Assembly, or General Court of any of his Majesty's provinces, or colonies in America, shall propose to make provision, according to the condition, circumstance, or situation of such province or colony, for contributing their proportion to the common defence (such proportion to be raised under the authority of the General Court, or General Assembly of such province or colony, and disposable by Parliament) and shall engage to make provision also, for the support of the civil government, and the administration of justice in such province or colony, it will be proper, if such proposal shall be approved by his Majesty, and the two Houses of Parliament, and for so long as such provision shall be made accordingly, to forbear in respect of such province or colony, to lay any duty, tax, or assessment, or to impose any further duty, tax or assessment, except only such duties as it may be expedient to continue to levy or impose, for the regulation of commerce; the net produce or the duties last mentioned to be carried to the account of such province or colony respectively." The motion was sent to the Colonial Governors in a circular letter from Lord Dartmouth, March 3, 1775.
