At a time when we are very ill Calculated to defend the one, or the other, howsoever matters may be misrepresented with regard to our Strength or their Weakness for whilst they Exist in their present State they are able to make

974 MANUSCRIPTS OF

US Severely 1o feci their power without tiie possibility of the:- Sustaining a proportionate Loss even from a Vigorous Exertion of our Abilities, So that My Lord disagreable as was the Alternative on whieh the issue of the proceedings hrst Appeared to depend, I found that a trilling Circumstance when compared with the prospect of either drawing his Majesty contrary to the principles of humanity to be an Actor in their Quarrells, or to see at least a Temporary end put to the Ind" Trade, and the Total ruin of those Settlements which Industry & peace have added to the Colonies, this I thought myself bound to prevent as -well from humanity as duty and I hope the measures I pursued for that purpose will be honored with his Majestys Approbation, as In so doing I carefully avoided discovering what would have been the resolutions of the Crown, &, so Conducted it asto make the Issue of the Congress flow^ from their own resolutions, on a farther & more mature consideration of the business proposed.

The Number of the Ind^. who attended upon this occasion being , the great scarcity owing to the destruction of the

farmers crops this year, and the particular obligations, I was under to the steadyness & good behavior of so many Leading Men amongst them which I was under the necessity of rewarding over & beside the present, but particularly the distress they were in for cloathff, from the total want of Ind". Goods, have encreased the Expence of this Congress much beyond my Inclinations, but as it was unavoidable, I trust all things considered, It will be found cheap, salutary & advantagious to his Majestys Interest, without a due regard to which I should not have incurred it.