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. The necessity of a speedy reconciliation between us and our mother country, must be obvious to every one who is not totally destitute of sense and feeling; so that there can be no dispute now, I presume, but about the means of accomplishing it. Before I give my opinion, however, upon this matter, I must beg the indulgence of the House, while I exhibit a short view of the rise and progress of our present disturbances in America.

" Ever since the first settlement of these colonies, Great Britain has claimed and exercised the right of jurisdiction over them, and her claim was founded in reason, and in the nature of civil government, for it is certain beyond all manner of doubt and controversy, that the supreme authority of every empire, mubt extend over the whole and every part of that empire, otherwise there must be imperium in imperio, two absolute and distinct powers in one and the same government, which is impossible ; and consequently the supreme authority of the British empire, which is vested in the king, lords, and commons, must extend over these colonies, which are a part of the British empire. This authority was never disputed by the colonies, till the tim.e of the stamp act, and then no farther than as to the right of imposing internal taxes ; for the right of regulating trade, and of imposing duties upon articles of commerce, was universally acknowledged as essential to the supremacy of the British parliament.