It was the first, or among the first, to disregard the peculiar selfishness of the popular leaders in Boston, by whom the grievances of that particular Town had been thrust into an undue prominence, for the relief of which, especially, they insisted, the entire efforts of the entire Continent must be directed and it was the first to propose and to insist on the convention of a Congress of Deputies from all the Colonies, in which all the grievances which were su:)- tained by each and every of those Colonies could be duly considered, and concerted action be secured from the entire Continent, for the relief of all who were aggrieved.^ How much, in that well-considered

J The ( oniuiittee of Correspoiidc-nce of Pliilaiielphia, after it had received and publicly read the opinions of tliose who liad been nominated as members of the similar Committee, in New York, not yet organized, had, to some extent, done so, at an earlier date ; but the rejily of the Committee in New York aii ompanied that of the Committee in Philadelphia, Paul Eevere having taken both, at the same time, on liis return to Boston.

2 We are not insensible of the fact that the origin of tlie Congress of the Continent, which was assembled at I'hiladeliihia, in 17T4, has been variously stated, by many of those who have precedeil us : and we are equally sensible of the other fact, that imlividiuils, in different Colonies, without any connection with each other, had suggested, tlieufetirall!/, that Buch a Congress would be useful for vaiiiius Uinittil and, generally, local purposes, previously to that more general and practical proposition which was made by the Committee of Curre.spoiidence in New York, on the occasion under con.'iideration.