252 TRIENNIAL ELECTIONS IN

tunity to become almost our Sole Carriers, and should we Decrease in our Shipping as for some years past, they will soon be entirely so--

Fourthly,--If his Majestie will be graciously pleased to give his Assent to this Act its hoped and believed, that by means of it no great Grievance will remain long unredressed, That reasonable Laws will from time to time be made to secure the Liberties and Properties of the People. This will its hoped, soon invite Back our people that have deserted us--This will induce our neighbors to believe they can be as safe in their Liberties and properties and that they can live as happily under his Majesties immediate Government as under any of their Charter Governments, And when they are so Convinced Its not Doubted but that the Natural Advaritages which this has Beyond those Colonies will soon invite many of them to settle here and Encourage other Foreign Protestants to follow their example, By which our Indian Trade and the Settlement of this Colony may soon be greatly extended; Its probable the want of bringing this Colony into those Circumstances that has obstructed its being settled quite to and along the Banks of St Lawrence & its Lakes, and which has given the Opportunity to the French to make Sundry Settlements there which this Colony might have done, so that this Colony has but one single Settlement upon the Lakes-of St Lawrence, to witt, Oswego & no Settlement within one hundred & fifty milés thereof to support it. seraf