It will make this Colony of more Service to Great Britain, by a larger Consumption of its Commodities, by raising of Hemp and making of Iron, and other Naval Stores. It will raise a spirit of Industry among the People, and Extend our Trade, restore our Seamen and Navigation, and remove that Discontent, which has always Increased in proportion to the Age ' of Past Assemblies. It will raise the Honour of His Majestys immediate Government, as it will greatly advanée the happiness of His people, that live under it, and will make the Neighboring Colonies to set a less value upon their Charters. It is a Privilege Enjoyed by the Provinces of New Hampshire and South Carolina Barbadoes Antigua and the Leward Islands under His Majestyes Immediate Government to have an Annual Election of Assemblies, and North Carolina Enjoys a Biennial Assembly, and it may be hoped that his Majesty will not deny to his Loyal Subjects in New York, what not only their pies and prosper-

THE PROVINCE OF NEW YORK 249

ity, but also the peace and Honour of His Goverment, the Interests of His Crown, and the Trade of Great Britain, and the Safety of the Neighbouring Colonies seems to render absolutely necessary.

Memoranpum of Some of the Reasons that may be oftered for obtaining his Majesties Royall Assent to the Act for frequent Election of Representatives.

First, For that its the Universal Opinion of the Inhabitants of this Colony that the Long Continuance of Assemblys has been one of the greatest Causes of the present Declining State of this Colony, which is such that while our Neighbours of Pensilvania on the one hand and of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusets Bay and New Hampshire on the other Hand Do yearly greatly Encrease in numbers of People and the value of their Lands rise and their Trade flourishes, Yet this Colony which has much greater Natural advantages than any of them has for several years past decreased in numbers of People, Rents in the City of New York have generally fallen near one half, and the Lands of this Colony about one third part of the value which they have heretofore been at, Our seamen and Ship Carpenters have almost wholly deserted us, and our Navigation -is almost got into the Hands of Strangers to this Colony.