[Footnote 357: Parliamentary Register, Vol. I., pp. 467-473.]

[Footnote 358: Dr. Andrews' History of the War with America, Spain, and
Holland, Vol. I., pp. 275, 276.

"The Ministerial objections were that it was incompatible with the
dignity of the House to suffer any paper to be presented that questioned
its supreme authority. Particular notice was taken at the same time that
the title of Petition did not accompany this paper; it was called a
Representation and Remonstrance, which was not the usual nor the proper
manner of application to Parliament. This singularity alone was
sufficient to put a negative on its presentation.

"To this it was replied, that the times were so dangerous and critical
that words and forms were no longer deserving of attention. The question
was whether they thought the colony of New York was worthy of a hearing?
No colony had behaved with so much temperateness and discretion.
Notwithstanding the tempestuousness of the times, and the general wreck
of British authority, it had yet preserved a steady obedience to
Government. While every other colony was bidding defiance to Britain,
this alone submissively applied to her for redress of grievances. Was it
consistent with policy, after losing the good-will of all the other
colonies, to drive this, through a needless and punctilious severity,
into their confederacy against this country? Could we expect, after such
a treatment, that this colony could withstand the arguments that would
be drawn from our superciliousness to induce it to relinquish a conduct
which was so ill requited?"--_Ib._, p. 274.]

CHAPTER XXIII.

1775 CONTINUED--THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS IN AMERICA.

Six months after the General Assembly of New York adopted its Memorial,
and four months after its rejection by both Houses of Parliament, the
second Continental Congress met, in the month of September, at
Philadelphia.

This Assembly consisted of fifty-five members, chosen by twelve
colonies. The little colony of Georgia did not elect delegates, but
promised to concur with the sister colonies in the effort to maintain
their rights to the British Constitution. Many of the members of this
Assembly were men of fortune and learning, and represented not only the
general sentiments of the colonies, but their wealth and
respectability.[359] "The object, as stated in the credentials of the
delegates, and especially in those of the two most powerful colonies of
Massachus