upon the Lands undoubtedly belonging to the British Crown - (witness the late Settlements, of the ffrench at Crown Point, and Niagara, and thei late attemps to get a ffooting in the Cinekes Country). That a fatal blow will be given to this British Interest both in Europe and America, if this Country should ever fall into the hands of the ffrench, these and many other weighty considerations, makes the welfare & prosperity of this Colony, of the last Consequence to the Crown of Great Brittain, it is generally Acknowledged, that not one Plantation in America has greater Advantages than this with respect to the fertility of its

246 TRIENNIAL ELECTIONS IN

Soil, healthfullness of its air and Commodiousness of its Scitu

ation for an Inland and foreign Trade and N avigation. Yet under these many Natural advantages, it is asad truth universally attested, That it has been for many years visibly Declining in its Husbandry, Navigation, Trade, Ship Building and other Manufactures, Advantagious to Great Brittain. It has been deserted by great numbers of its Sea men and other Inhabitants, who have been obliged to Seek their Bread in the neighbouring Colonies, while the Lands in the Country and the Houses in the City, have been seen to sink to near half their fformer Value, and its Navigation Almost wholy fallen into the hands of Strangers, and at the same time, universal Discontent ready to break out into publick Tumult and Disorder, and Extream poverty, have overspread the Country and threatened its utter ruin.