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Judgment of wiser Men, I would earnestly recommend it to the Colonies in general, to continue in their pres ent State till some decisive Intelligence is received from the Parliament.-The Period is just at Hand, and a few Weeks will determine us.-Call not upon the Courts of Justice, in the mean Time, to open; lest a worse Thing than a triffling Loss to Individuals, befall us.-Lest the publick Peace, which ought to be specially sacred at this Time, be broke in upon. -Let us not contradict our publick Petitions for Relief, by attempting it with our own Hands, before it is denied by our Mother Country.-We can but do it then; and then we shall be justified in the Opinion of the whole World.Oh Liberty! Oh my Country! Vive, Vale, Si quid novisti rectius istis, candidus imperti; si non, his utere Mecum.

Feb. 10, 1766..

Determination of New Jersey Lawyers to resume their practice regardless of the Stamp Act.-Action of the Sons of Liberty.

[From the New York Gazette; or The Weekly Post-Boy, No. 1207, Thursday, February 20, 1766.]

We have the following advice from Woodbridge, in New Jersey, That the gentlemen of the law in that province, had a general meeting at New Brunswick, on the thirteenth of this instant, to hold a consultation whether to proceed in the practice of the law as usual, without stamps; and the SONS OF LIBERTY hearing of said meeting, several hundreds of them from Woodbridge and Piscataway, assembled on the spot, in consequence of a letter to that purpose from the SONS OF LIBERTY in the Western Division, and expected to have met with a much greater number from the western

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parts of the province, but were disappointed, being
only met by their deputies, who joined with them,
and delivered to the said gentlemen of the law, the
following request.

To the gentlemen of the law, in the province of New-
Jersey, now assembled at New Brunswick.
GENTLEMEN-WE the SONS OF LIBERTY, considering
the many inconveniences our country is labouring
under, and the present stoppage of legal business, beg
leave to take this opportunity to inform you that it is
our united request that you immediately proceed to
business as usual, without stamps, and use your influ-
ence to open the courts of justice as soon as possible,
which we doubt not you are able to effect: Such is
our confidence in you, gentlemen, that we cannot
think you will be backward to comply with so reason.
able a request of your countrymen.

Feb. 13th, 1766

SONS OF LIBERTY

Upon which, after deliberation, they returned the following answer.

It is agreed and determined, by a majority of the lawyers now met at New-Brunswick, to preserve that happy state of peace and tranquility, which has by the blessing of God, hitherto been maintained in this province of New-Jersey, to desist from their practice, till the first Day of April next, and if they receive no accounts from the parliament, before the said first day of April, they will in such case, begin their practice as usual, or sooner if earlier accounts are received from the parliament.

This thirteenth day February, A. D. 1766,

Also two of the gentlemen appointed to speak in the name of the whole, in a solemn manner, told the SONS OF LIBERTY, that if the stamp-act was not suspended or repealed, that they would join the SONS OF Liberty,

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with their lives and fortunes, in opposition to it: For which they gave them their thanks, and returned home satisfied; with strong hopes that so noble a resolution will be strictly imitated by every gentlemen of the profession, on the continent.

Letter from Col. William Skinner to James Parker, acquainting him of the great probability that the Stamp Act will be repealed, and of the action of Parliament in relation thereto.

[From Skinner Papers among Manuscripts of W. A. Whitehead, Vol. I, No. 83.]

Dear Sir

* *

LONDON 8th Feby 1766

(Extract.)

* I have the pleasure to acquaint you that there is the greatest probability of the Stamp Act being repealed, for the reason there was a motion made in the House of Commons yesterday by Mr. Greenvill whether the Act should be put in Execution or not; Great debate of course arose from that question. They at last came to a division and it was carried in favour of the present Ministry 225 to 113 that it should not. This every body imagines to be a prelude to a repeal, which has given great Satisfaction not only to every American in this part of the world, but to every thinking man that is a well wisher to his Country. It is impossible to describe the tumult and disorder here, owing to a total Stagnation of those Manufactures America took off of our hands, which Kept thousands of people from Starving, who have now not a morsel of bread to eat, and are as rife for Rebellion as Some others are thought to be.

* * *

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Circular letter from Mr. Secretary Conway to the

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Governors in North America, informing them that a Bill is brought in and has made some progress in Parliament for the Repeal of the Stamp Act.

[From P. R. O. America and West Indies, Vol. 251 (269).]

ST. JAMES'S, 1st March 1766.

I am very sorry not to be able, as yet, to give you any Instruction for the Rule of Your Conduct in the perplexed Situation of Things in the Colonies; But The Parliament, to whose Wisdom His Majesty has been pleased to refer those affairs, not having come to any ultimate Decision thereon, I may not presume to give You any positive Direction: At the same Time, It is, I think, my Duty to inform You, That a Bill is brought in, and has made some Progress in the House of Commons, for the Repeal of the Stamp Act; and that other Proceedings, relative to the mutual Rights of Great Britain, and Her Colonies, are also in Consideration before Parliament. As soon as ever any Thing is ultimately determined by The Legislature, You may depend upon the Speediest Information from Me, and will not fail to receive therewith His Majesty's further Instructions. In the mean Time, the King relies on Your Discretion to take the properest Measures, that the Circumstances of the Times may require, for the Good of the Colony committed to Your I am &ca

care.

H. S. CONWAY.

Circular letter from Secretary Conway to the several Governors of North America, transmitting copies of two Acts of Parliament-one for securing the dependency of the Colonies on the Mother Country, the other for the Repeal of the Stamp Act.

Sir,

[From P. R. O., America and West Indies, Vol. 251 (269).]

ST JAMES'S, 31st March 1766.

Herewith I have the pleasure of transmitting to you Copies of two Acts of parliament just passed: the first for securing the Dependency of the Colonies on the Mother Country; the second, for the Repeal of the Act of last Session, granting certain Stamp Duties in America; And I expect shortly to send You a third, for the Indemnity of such persons, as have received the penalties imposed by the Act just repeal'd, as such a Bill is now depending, & has made a considerable progress in the House of Commons.

The Moderation, the Forbearance, the unexampled Lenity & Tenderness of parliament towards the Colonies, which we so signally display'd in those Acts, cannot but dispose the province, committed to Your Care, to that Return of chearful Obedience to the Laws, & legislative Authority of G. Britain, & to those Sentiments of respectful Gratitude to the Mother Country; which are the natural, &, I trust, will be the certain Effects of so much Grace and Condescension, so remarkably manifested on the part of His Majesty & of the parliament; And the future happiness & prospertiy of the Colonies will very much depend on the Testimonies, they shall now give of these Dispositions.

For, as a dutiful & affectionate return to such peculiar proofs of Indulgence & Affection, may, now at

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