of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 189

in the Bottom of a Barrel of Bread, which being placed in a
careless manner, as if for the Ships use, it escaped the search,
one of the Letters was directed to Willing & Morris, without
any Signature, it contained a printed copy of my Lord
North's conciliatory act by which all American vessels found
on the Coast of Great Britain or Ireland are to be seized &
confiscated on the first day of January—all American Vessels
sailing into or out off the Ports of America after the first of
March are to be seized & confiscated, all foreign Vessels
trading to America after the first of June to be seized—all
Communication between Great Britain or Ireland or the British
West Indies with America to be cut off, all Captures made by
British Ships of War or by the officers of the Kings troops in
America adjudged by this Act to be lawful Prize, and as such
Courts of Admiralty to proceed in their Condemnation all
orders, for the Regulation of Courts of Admiralty in America,
heretofore made by the King in Council or which may here-
after be made, are confirmed—the Boston Port Bill, the Fishery
Bill, and the restraining Act are repealed by this Bill, the
Colonies being in the like Circumstances & Situation—the
last Clause of this more than diabolical Act enables the King
to appoint Commissioners to grant Pardons & receive the
Submissions of any Province, County, Town, or District. I
shall make no Comments on this Act, it is only a further step
in that System of Tyranny, hitherto pursued by that ————
who under the influence of a Scotch Junto now disgraces the
British Throne, what Measures Congress may pursue in Con-
sequence of this Act, I know not with me every Idea of Recon-
ciliation is precluded by the conduct of G. Britain, & the only
alternitave, absolute Slavery or Independency, the latter I have
often reprobated both in public & private, but am now almost
convinced the Measure is right & can be justified by necessity,
the Gen^t who inclosed the Bill to W. & M. writes that 26000
Troops are to be employed in America that a suff^t Body of
Men are to defend Boston, while diff^t Bodies are to attack
New York, Virginia & South Carolina, that Lord Cornwallis
is destined for the last Place with 5000 Men & was to sail in
January.

the Gen^t adds the Minority gains Ground, that some of the
Bedford Party had desserted Adm^rn, that the Scotch Faction
headed by D^r G. Elliot ostensibly & by Lord Bute & Mans-
field privately, directed & influenced the Councils & Measures
of the Court.

I make no doubt you have heard M^r Chase is ordered to
Canada, he sets off in a few days. M^r Rogers has Leave of
Absence, should he leave Congress, Maryl^d will be without
Representation. I mention this, to shew the Necessity of your