," and the petitioners
"rebels." i. 443-445.

Its petition to the House of Commons rejected, and its agent, Mr. Penn,
not asked a question. i. 444.

A large majority (Oct. 1775) still opposed to independence, but unanimous
in defence of British constitutional rights. i. 448.

Divided on the question of _Independence_, which is first moved in
Congress in May, 1776--deferred, after long debates, for three weeks, by
a vote of seven to five Colonies. i. 483, 484.

Manipulation and agitation to prepare the members of Congress and the
Colonies for separation from England. i. 482-485.

Proceeds with closed doors, and its members sworn to secrecy.

Votes by Colonies, and decides that each vote be reported unanimous,
though carried by only a bare majority. i. 486.

After three days' debate, the six Colonies for and seven Colonies against
independence; how a majority of one was obtained in favour of
it. i. 486, 487.

Refuses to confer with British Commissioners with a view to
reconciliation. ii. 2.

Feelings of the people of England and America different from those of
the leaders of Congress. ii. 14.

Sycophancy of its leaders to France. ii. 13.

Its degeneracy in 1778, as stated by General Washington. ii. 29.

The depression of its credit. ii. 30.

It confiscates and orders the sale of the property of "Tories." ii. 30.

Appeals to France for men and money as their only hope. ii. 40.

Fallacy of the plea or pretext that it had not power to grant compensation
to the Loyalists. ii. 61.

Meets at Philadelphia, 10th May, 1776. i. 479.

Contests--Chiefly between the Colonists, the French, and the Indians,
from 1648 to 1654. i. 250.

Colonies--their divided councils and isolated resources. i. 257.

Their alarming state of affairs at the close of the year 1757. i. 255.

Cornwallis--His antecedents, ii. 38; his severe policy injurious to the
British cause, ii. 40;
his defence of Yorktown, ii. 44;
his surrender to the French and American armies, ii. 45;
conditions of capitulation, ii. 46.

Count De Grasse--Sails from New York to the Chesapeake with a fleet of
28 ships and 7,000 French troops. ii. 43.

Crown Point taken from the French by the English. i. 263.

Debts--Incurred by the New England Colonies in the Indian wars; how
Massachusetts was relieved by England, and made prosperous. i. 240.

Declaration of American Independence--How the