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tain, prevents us from going further at this time; most earnestly hoping, that the unconstitutional principle of taxing the colonies without their consent will not be persisted in, thereby to compel us against our will, to avoid all commercial intercourse with Britain. Wish- ing them and our people free and happy, we are their affectionate friends, the late representatives of Vir- ginia.

« The 27th day of May, 1774."

To give effect to the recommendation of a congress on the part of this colony, delegates were shortly after elected by the several counties, to meet at Williamsburg, on the first of August following, to consider further of the state of public affairs, and, more particularly, to ap- point deputies to the general congi-ess, which was to be convened at Philadelphia, on the 5th of September following. The clear, firm and animated instructions given by the people of the several counties to their delegates, evince the thorough knowledge of the great parhamentary question which now peiTaded the coun- try, and the determined spirit of the colonists to resist the claim of British taxation.*

��* The following- are the instructions from the county of Hanover : To John Syme and Patrick Henry, junior, esquires. Gentlemen,

You have our thanks for your patriotic, faithful, and spirited conduct, in the part you acted in the late assembly, as our burgesses; and as we are greatly alai'med at the proceedings of the British parliament respecting the town of Boston, and the province of Massachusetts Bay; and as we under- stand a meeting of delegates from all the counties in this colony is appoint- ed to be in Williamsburg on the first day of next month, to deliberate on our public affairs, we do hereby appoint you, gentlemen, our delegates ; and we do request you, then and there, to meet, consult, and advise, touch- ing such matters as are most likely to effect our deliverance from the evils with which our countiy is threatened.

The importance of those things which will offer themselves for your

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