When the question of appointing delegates to the second congress, came up, he made a speech, which was much admired by his friends for its eloquence, clearness and precision. Schuyler and George Clinton were his principal antagonists in the debate. As this speech affords a good specimen of the views of loyalists and of the state of the controversy at that period, I insert it entire, and nearly verbatim, as it was delivered ; as a matter of curious history, and as the effort of an able man, the reader will be interested in its perusal. , - ■

Mr. Speaker, The subject now under consideration is the most important, I believe, that has ever come before this house ; nothing less than the welfare, I had almost said the existence, of this colony, and perhaps of all America, depends upon the result of our present deliberations. Deeply impressed with this idea, I rise with great anxiety of mind to deliver my sentiments on this oc-

» Burke's Hist, of the landed gentry of England, vol. iii. 393.

2M HISTORY OF THE

casion. Whether they are such as this house will think proper to approve, 1 cannot tell ; but sure I am, they are such as are dictated by an honest heart, an heart biased by no selfish or sinister motives, and warped by no attaciiment to sect, persons or party. There is not, I am persuaded, an individual in this assembly, who does not wish well to America in general, and who is not solicitous for the preservation of this province in particular. For my own part, I feel more real concern than I can well express, at the gloomy prospect of our affairs, and I would sacrifice more, much more, than most men would be willing to believe, if I could by that means rescue my country from the ruin and destruction that is now ready to overwhelm her.