438

Mr. Fox defends it, and moves against its rejection 438

Governor Johnstone justifies the reception of it by example 439

Lord North's amendment to reject the petition adopted by a
majority of 186 to 67 439

The memorial, after debate, rejected by the House of Lords 440

Reflections of the royal historian on the effect upon the
public mind in England from the rejection of the New York
Assembly's appeal by both Houses of Parliament (in a note) 440

The Colonists still persist in hopes of reconciliation and
the maintenance of their constitutional rights, without
entertaining a thought of independence 441

CHAPTER XXIII.

(1775, CONTINUED.)

THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS IN AMERICA. 442-458

The second Continental Congress meets at Philadelphia,
in the month of September 442

Number and character of its members 442

Their credentials and instructions to seek remedies for
grievances, but not separation from the Mother Country;
mode of proceeding 443

Noble and affectionate petition to the King 443

This petition read in the House of Commons the 7th of
December, 1775, but rejected 444

Penn, the agent of the Congress, not asked a question
when he presented the petition, and was refused an
interview by the King (in a note) 444

The King's answer a proclamation declaring the petition
"rebellion" and the petitioners "rebels" 445

The effect of this proclamation upon the Continental
Congress, and of the accompanying announcement, that the
army and navy were to be greatly increased, and seventeen
thousand mercenary soldiers from Hanover and Hesse were
to be engaged to bring the Colonists to absolute submission 446

Refusal of English Generals and soldiers to fight against
the Colonists (in a note) 446

Bombardment and burning of Falmouth (now Portland) by
Captain Mowat, of the British navy (two accounts of
it, in a note) 446

The lar