ong the negroes, he was declared an
enemy to America in general, and to that colony in particular, and all
persons were forbidden from holding any communication with him. These
declarations he answered with a proclamation of uncommon length, which
the Provincial Congress resolved to be a false, scandalous, scurrilous
and seditious libel, and ordered it to be burned by the hands of the
common hangman.

"As the Governor expected, by means of the back settlers, as well as of
the Scotch inhabitants and Highland emigrants, who were numerous in the
province, to be able to raise a considerable force, he took pains to
fortify and arm his palace at Newburn, that it might answer the double
purpose of a garrison and a magazine. Before this could be effected, the
moving of some cannon excited such a commotion among the people that he
found it necessary to abandon the palace and retire on board a
sloop-of-war in Cape Fear river. The people upon this occasion
discovered powder, shot, ball, and various military stores and
implements which had been buried in the palace garden and yard. This
served to inflame them exceedingly, every man considering it as if it
had been a plot against himself in particular.

"The Provincial Congress published an address to the inhabitants of the
British empire, of the same nature with those we have formerly seen to
the people of Great Britain and Ireland, containing the same professions
of loyalty and affection, and declaring the same earnest desire of a
reconciliation." (English Annual Register, Vol. XIX., pp. 31-33.)]

[Footnote 384: General Conway said: "The noble lord who has the
direction of the affairs of this country tells you that the Americans
aim at Independence. I defy the noble lord, or any other member of this
House, to adduce one solid proof of this charge. He says: 'The era of
1763 is the time they wish to recur to, because such a concession on our
part would be, in effect, giving up their dependence on this country.' I
would ask the noble lord, Did the people of America set up this claim
previous to the year 1763? No; they were then peaceful and dutiful
subjects. They are still dutiful and obedient. (Here was a murmur of
disapprobation.) I repeat my words; I think them so inclined; I am sure
they would be so, if they were permitted: The acts they have committed
arise from no want of either. They have been forced into them. Taxes
have been attempted to be levied on them; their Charters h