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. Long Assemblys are supposed to be one of the greatest Causes of this Bad State, by their not finding Remedies to prevent or put a stop to this declining State, by their Suffering the People long to Labour under Grievances, without obtaining or Endeavouring to obtain relief against them, In some Counties even their very Representatives have become themselves their greatest Grievance For while they have Suffered and Abetted a Governour in Tyrannizing over all they have become Deputy Tyrants in their Counties. They have often got into their Hands the Sole Recommendation of all Judges, Justices, Officers of the Militia, and other Officers in their Counties, those so recommended by them they Supported in those Offices tho' often unworthy of them, The hopes of being supported encouraged those officers to Despise and Oppress the People And thus a Gradation of