matter of rescinding was under consideration, the house received an answer from _Virginia_, and one from _New-Jersey_, which, though not so very high as the other, was far from being unfavorable. They had also intelligence that they might expect the like from other assemblies: these circumstances probably increased the majority against rescinding. Had it not been for the mandate to rescind, the sessions might have terminated prosperously and peaceably; for Mr. _Otis_, though he had distinguished himself by carrying the objections to the authority of parliament to the greatest length, had retracted all his former opinions, in a set speech at the opening of it. He said, he had fully informed himself of the relation between Great-Britain and her colonies; and was convinced that the power of parliament over her colonies was absolute, with this qualification, that they ought not to tax them until they allowed them to send representatives; and that if the colonies had representatives, the power of parliament would be as perfect in America as in England. He then argued for an American representation. This surprised the assembly, and induced a member on the side of government to charge the opposition with the intention of making an American representation necessary, by denying the authority of parliament over them because not represented. The answers of the other party were thought to strengthen the suspicion. Upon which Mr. Timothy Ruggles pointedly said, that as they were determined to have representatives, he begged leave to recommend to them a merchant who would undertake to carry their representatives to England for half what they would sell for when they arrived there. But the best argument to have silenced any of the opposition, who might interestedly hanker after an American representation, would have been to have repeated the resolve of the house on the 29th of October, 1765—“A representation in parliament of the inhabitants of the province, such as the subjects in Britain actually enjoy, is impracticable for the subjects in America.” The day before lord _Hillsborough_ wrote to Mr. _Bernard_ upon the business of rescinding, a circular letter was written to the governors of the respective provinces, to accompany a copy of that of the _Massachusetts_, in which his lordship said, “It is his majesty’s pleasure, that you should immediately, on the receipt hereof, exert your utmost influence to defeat this flagitious attempt to disturb the public peace, by prevailing upon the assembly of your province to take no notice of it, which will be treating it with the contempt it deserves.” He then added a closing paragraph meant to influence the assemblies into a compliance. The circular letter was in some instances received in time, but produced a very different effect from what was intended. The _New-York_ assembly had felt the weight of the parliament’s high displeasure, and been bereaved of legislative power till they should