is the language of Zanga. Know then 'twas I. I forged the letter-I disposed the picture-I hated-I despised-and I destroy. The greater part of his speech was a violent philippic against the Doctor. He was certainly eloquent and artful. Insomuch that notwithstanding the great decency and decorum that distinguish their lordships, he made them so far forget themselves and the character in which they officiated, as to cry out 'hear him, hear him.' There were present with the lord president other lords, among whom was the Archbishop of Canterbury. The decision was" that the petition should be dismissed as groundless, vexatious and scandalous, and calculated only for the seditious purpose of keeping up a spirit of clamour and discontent in the said province." In August Richard Penn arrived with a petition for the throne from the general congress of America, which that august body desired might be presented by him, and the agents for the several colonies. Mr. Bollan and myself were the only agents in town. Mr. Bollan, Dr. Franklin, and myself, were the only agents that would act. We presented the petition through Lord Dartmouth to the throne, and received an answer from that nobleman that his majesty had received it very graciously, and for its importance, would lay it before his two houses of parliament as soon as they should meet. The ministerial tone was now much softened, because the petition and address to the people were conceived in terms of such moderation and good sense, that they made a very favourable impression upon the public mind. I knew the king and his ministers too well to trust to their professions. I therefore thought it necessary to warn my countrymen against the delusion of these appearances. With this view I wrote to my brother R. H. Lee, who was a member of congress, the following letters,* which I knew he would communicate with effect. The alarming procedure of the British king and parlia The letters here spoken of, with a note containing the complimentary expres sions of Lord Chatham on the subject of the address of congress, will be found in No. I. Appendix, amongst the "Letters of A. Lee." ment obliged the Americans to meet in general congress at Philadelphia, to consult on proper measures for the general safety. The congress agreed upon a petition to the king, stating their grievances, avowing their loyalty, and supplicating redress. This petition was transmitted with the following letter to the colonial agents in London. "To Paul Wentworth, Esq., Dr. Benjamin Franklin, William Bollan, Esq., Dr. Arthur Lee, Thomas Life, Esq., Edmund Burke, Esq. and Charles Garth, Esq. PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 26th, 1774. We Gentlemen,-We give you the strongest proof of our reliance on your zeal and attachment to the happiness of America and the cause of liberty, when we commit the enclosed paper to your care. We desire you will deliver it into the hands of his majesty; and after it has been presented, we wish it may be made public through the press, together with the list of grievances. As we hope for great assistance from the spirit and virtue of the nation, it is our earnest desire that the most effectual course be taken as early as possible to furnish the trading cities and manufacturing towns throughout the united kingdom with our memorial to the people of Great Britain. doubt not but your good sense and discernment will lead you to avail yourselves of every assistance that may be devised from the advice and friendship of all great and good men, who may incline to aid the cause of liberty and mankind. The gratitude of America, expressed in the enclosed vote of thanks, we desire may be conveyed to the deserving objects of it in the manner you think may be most acceptable to them. It is proposed that another congress be held on the 10th of May next, at this place; but in the mean time we beg the favour of you gentlemen, to transmit to the speakers of the several assemblies the earliest information of the most authentic accounts you can collect, of all such conduct and designs of ministry or parliament as it may concern America to know. We are, &c. &c. HENRY MIDDLETON, Pres't." The remainder of this commencement of a history of the American revolution, by Mr. Lee, has been lost. The author adds here a letter from Thomas Cushing to him, who presided as speaker of the assembly of Massachusetts during the years 1769, 1770, 1771, and 1772. It was written after Mr. Cushing's return from the first congress at Philadelphia. He had corresponded with Mr. Lee while he acted as agent in London of the colony of Massachusetts. "BOSTON, Feb. - 1775. Dear Sir, I am obliged to you for your favour of the 6th Dec. last. I heartily rejoice to hear you are safely arrived in London; we are much obliged to you for travelling night and day from Rome, in order to do what service you can. at so important a crisis. The people in America are not at all dismayed at the king's speech; they wish for peace, and for an amicable and equitable settlement of this unhappy controversy; but if their hopes should be called off by the intemperate and violent conduct of the mother country, after the conciliatory offers that have been made by the continental congress, by which they have reduced the dispute to mere matter of speculation, and administration should determine to carry into execution the late acts of parliament by a military force, the people of America I am persuaded will make the last appeal. They are determined life and liberty shall go together. You need not be concerned; firmness and unanimity prevail through all the colonies, the association of the continental congress is sacredly adhered to, and I have just been informed that the merchants at New-York have obliged a vessel that arrived there from Scotland since the first of February, to return immediately without breaking bulk. Our people are prompt and forward in their military exercises. There never was since we have been a people such a military spirit prevailing as at present; but God forbid we should settle this dispute by arms. May the great Governor of the universe direct the councils of the nation, and lead them into such measures as may restore peace, harmony, and happiness to both countries. I had the pleasure of seeing your brother, Col. Lee, at the congress at Philadelphia, and spending many an agreeable hour with him; he is a steady friend to his country, and an able defender of her rights. Pray let me hear from you by every opportunity, and advise me constantly of the designs of administration relative to America. I am with great truth your sincere friend and humble THOMAS CUSHING. servant, Arthur Lee, Esq. P. S. The terms of accommodation between Great Britain and the colonies, which you and I have joined in judgment in, and have heretofore thought reasonable, happen to be approved by all the leading men in America, as you will perceive by the resolutions of the continental congress. T. C." APPENDIX III. "PARIS, June 7, 1779. To his excellency Mon. le Comté d'Aranda. Mr. Lee has the honour to present his respects to the Ambassador of Spain; and to beg him to transmit to his Court the annexed memorial. "PARIS, June 6, 1779. To his excellency Count Florida Blanca, Prime Minister of Spain. I have the honour of enclosing to your Excellency a memorial, which the opportunities I have had of knowing the temper and circumstances of Great Britain, make me presume to submit to your consideration. The earnest desire I have of rendering some service to Spain, and the common interest that must subsist in the success of the war, should it happen, are the motives, and I hope will be the apology, for what I offer. I have the honour, &c. ARTHUR LEE." "PARIS, June 6, 1779. Memorial to his excellency Count Florida Blanca. The English having taken possession of Savannah, in Georgia, are extending themselves in that state, so as to form a connexion with and establish an influence over the Indian nations that border on all that country. They design also to possess themselves of Port Royal, in South Carolina, and if possible, of Charleston. These acquisitions, if they are suffered, with their contiguous possessions, will give them such a command upon that coast, and in the Gulf, as well as such means of exciting the savages, and seconding their enterprises against the neighbouring territories of Spain, as may be difficult to resist, if they are not prevented. What renders it impracticable for the Americans to repel the enemy, is their superiority at sea, which at the same time that it sup |