Page:American History Told by Contemporaries, v2.djvu/440

412 on the most firm and solid foundations, so it can not, but appeal visible that the least coldness or unthankfulness, the least murmuring or dissatisfaction on any ground whatever, of former heat, or too much prevailing prejudice, may fatally endanger that Union, and give the most severe and affecting blow to the future interests of both Countries.

You will think it scarce possible, I imagine, that the paternal care of His Majty for his Colonies, or the lenity or indulgence of the Parliament should go further than I have already mentioned : yet, so full of true magnanimity are the sentiments of both, and so free from the smallest colour of passion or prejudice, that they seem disposed not only to forgive, but to forget those most unjustifiable marks of an undutiful disposition too frequent in the late transactions of the Colonies, and which, for the honor of those Colonies, it were to be wished, had been more discountenanced & discouraged by those, who had knowledge to conduct themselves otherwise.

A Revision of the late American Trade Laws is going to be the immediate object of Parliament ; nor will the late transactions there, however provoking, prevent, I dare say, the full operation of that, kind and indulgent disposition prevailing both in His Maj ty and his Parl nt to give to the Trade and interests of America every relief which the true State of their circumstances demands or admits. — Nothing will tend more effectually to every conciliating purpose, & there is nothing therefore I have it in command more earnestly to require of you, than that you should exert yourself in recommending it strongly to the Assembly, that full and ample compensation be made to those, who, from the Madness of the people, have suffered for their deference to Acts of the British Legislature ; and you will be particularly attentive, that such persons be effectually secured from any further insults ; and that as far as in you lies, you will take care, by your example & influence, that they may be treated with that respect to their persons, and that justice in regard to all their pretensions, which their merit and their sufferings undoubtedly claim. The Resolutions of the house of Commons, which, by His Majty's Commands I transmit to you, to be laid before the Assembly, will shew you the sense of that house on those points ; and I am persuaded it will, as it certainly ought, be, the glory of that Assembly to adopt and imitate those sentiments of the British Parliament, founded on the clearest principles of humanity and justice. . ..