nts of British America; and 3. To prepare a loyal address to his
Majesty, agreeable to resolutions already entered into." (Marshall's
American Colonial History. Appendix IX., pp. 481-485.)]

[Footnote 347: See the Earl of Chatham's remarks on page 423.]

[Footnote 348: Ramsay's Colonial History, Vol. I., p. 418.]

[Footnote 349: "The Committee which brought in this admirably well-drawn
and truly conciliatory address were Mr. Lee, Mr. John Adams, Mr.
Johnston, Mr. Henry, Mr. Rutledge, and Mr. Dickenson. The original
composition has been generally attributed to Mr. Dickenson." (Marshall's
American Colonial History, Chap. xiv., p. 419, in a note.)]

[Footnote 350: "Some time before the proceedings of Congress reached
England, it was justly apprehended that the non-importation agreement
would be one of the measures they would adopt. The Ministry,
apprehending that this event, by distressing the trading and
manufacturing towns, might influence votes against the Court in the
election of a new Parliament, which was, of course, to come on in the
succeeding year, suddenly dissolved the Parliament and immediately
ordered a new one to be chosen. It was their design to have the whole
business of elections over before the inconveniences of non-importation
could be felt. The nation was thus surprised into an election. Without
knowing that the late American acts had driven the colonies into a firm
combination to support and make common cause with the people of
Massachusetts, a new Parliament was returned, which met thirty-four days
after the proceedings of Congress were first published in Philadelphia,
and before they were known in Great Britain. This, for the most part,
consisted either of the former members, or of those who held similar
sentiments." (Ramsay's Colonial History, Vol. I., Chap. vi., p. 424.)]

[Footnote 351: Ramsay's Colonial History, Vol. I., Chap. vi., pp. 424,
425.]

[Footnote 352: _Ib._, p. 425.]

[Footnote 353: _Ib._, p. 425.]

CHAPTER XXI.

THE RE-ASSEMBLING OF PARLIAMENT--LETTERS FROM COLONIAL GOVERNORS,
REVENUE AND MILITARY OFFICERS, AGAINST THE COLONISTS OPPOSED TO THE
MINISTERIAL POLICY--THE MINISTRY, SUPPORTED BY PARLIAMENT, DETERMINE
UPON CONTINUING AND STRENGTHENING THE COERCIVE POLICY AGAINST THE
COLONIES.

On the re-assembling of Parliament in January, 1775, a number of papers
were produced from governors, and revenue and military officers in
America, which contained various statement