It is proper, however, that notice should be taken, in this connection, of the fact that, during the entire j)eriod preceding the publication of that call for a Provincial Congress, there had been a wholesome fear, among all classes, unless the most radical and reckless, that such a body, called and organized without warrant in law and liable to become controlled by those who would be inclined to resort to the most violent measures, notwithstanding the pretensions and professions of thqse who promoted the call for such a body, would soOn become more oppressive than the Colonial Government, administered agreeably to law, by the legally constituted officers, had ever been or could thenceforth become. They referred, especially, in support of their fears, to the Colony of South Carolina, where such a Congress had superseded the Colonial Legislature ; and they called attention to the

- Judge Jones, who was on tlie Bencli of the Supreme Court of the Colony, said that a meeting of His JIajesty's Council was held at Lieutenant-governor C'olden's house, on the afternoon of that Sunday which has been made niemorahle, in historj" ; and that the Judges of the Supreme Court of the Colony, the Attorney-general of the Colony, the Mayor and Kecorder of the City, and the Field-oflicers of the City Militia, were present, on invitation. " The Governor desired their advice in the " then critical situation of affaii-s. Several things were mentioned, pro- " posed, agitated, and talked of, but to little purpose. .\ Judge of the "Supreme Court,'' ['ritomas Joni% who wrote thii statement,] "then "present, boldly proposed that the Militia should be called out, the " Riot .\ct read, and if the mob did not tliereupon disperse, to apprehend " and imprison the ringleaders, and by such coercive means to secure ' ' the peace of tlie City.