" While we think you justly entitled to the Thanks "of your sister Colonies, for asking their Advice on " a Case of such extensive Consequences, we lament " our Inability to relieve your Anxiety, by a decisive "Opinion. The Cnuse is general, and concerns a " whole Continent, who are equally interested with " you and us ; and we foresee that no Remedy can " be of avail, unless it proceeds from the joint Act "and Approbation of all. From a virtuous and "spirited L^nion, much maybe expected; while the " feeble Efforts of a Few will only be attended with " Mischief and Disappointments to themselves, and "Triumph to the Adversaries of our Liberty.

" Upon these Reasons, we conclude that a Congress " of Deputies from the Colonies, in general, is of the " utmost Moment ; that it ought to be assembled, " without Delay ; and some unanimous Resolution " formed, in this fatal Emergency, not only respect- " ing your deplorable Circumstances, but for the "Security of our common Rights. Such being our " Sentiments, it must be premature to pronounce any 1.3

" Judgment on the Expedient which you have sug- "gested. We beg, however, that you will do us the " Justice to believe that we shall continue to Act " with a firm and becoming Regard to American " Freedom, and to co-operate with our sister Colonies, " in every Measure which shall be thought salutary " and conducive to the public Good.