When the differences with the mother country began, New York being the most English in sentiment of all the colonies, was naturally selected for the place of meeting of a Congress, the declared purpose of which was a loyal demand for redress of grievances. The "Stamp Act Congress" met on the 7th o October, 17(55. There were present delegates from nine colonies. John Cruger, one of the oldest and best known, a leading merchant, who for ten years had held the office of mayor of the city; Philip Livingston, also a merchant of great wealth, later signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Robert R.

BRITISH STAMP.

Livingston, known as Judge Livingston, the soul of the opposition to the ministry, worthily represented New York. After a brief session of several days the Congress adjourned on the 25th of October, after adopting an address to the King, a memorial and petition to the Lords, and a petition to the House of Commons.

While the delegates were thus engaged in their endeavor to reach a pacific solution of the differences with the Home Government, the mass of the people were not idle. The years which immediately followed the French War were years of great distress in the colonies. The war period was one of abnormal and unnatural excitement in all kinds of trade, which, ceasing all at once with the peace, was followed by the usual depression. In their distress and discontent, the people, as much from necessity as from choice, began to look about them and to study how they could supply themselves from their own resources, independent of Great Britain. This was the beginning of home manufactures. In this the colonies were encouraged by the arrival of skilled artisans Irom England.