The committee of merchants in London paid a due attention to the memorial sent them by the merchants and traders of Philadelphia, and took pains to obtain relief from the grievances therein complained of, though without effect. The department to which they applied, afforded little hopes of redress in a way that might put an end to the differences that had arisen between Great-Britain and her American colonies. The act imposing duties on glass, paper, &c. was acknowledged to be inexpedient; but it was added, “Such has been the unjustifiable conduct of some in America, that the present juncture is not a proper season for a repeal.” Administration was firmly resolved to oppose it with their utmost strength, while it should be insisted on by threats on the part of the colonists, for in that light they consider the steps which had been taken by them to obtain redress It was said, “If a proper disposition appears in the colonies, and their merchants, in a succeeding session, shall think proper to petition parliament on the principle of expediency only, there is every reason to believe that no part of administration will object to the repeal.” But the minister did not declare what was the proper disposition he expected. No sooner were the Philadelphians apprised, by the receipt of this information, that no hope remained of a repeal in that session, than they unanimously entered into the very agreement, which some months before, when proposed to them, they had declined; and it was their opinion, that as the agreement had been formed on mature deliberation, the people of the province would firmly adhere to it. Of this they gave notice to the committee of merchants in London, by letter of April 8, 1769. In that letter, remarking upon the information they had received, they wrote—“It would become persons in power to consider, whether even the unjustifiable behavior of those who think themselves aggrieved, will justify a perseverance in a matter confessed to be wrong. Certain it is, that the wisdom of government is better manifested, its honor and authority better maintained and supported, by correcting the errors it may have committed, than by persisting in them, and thereby risking the loss of the subjects affections. We are apprehensive that persons in power are greatly abused, and that the people of America have been grossly misrepresented, otherwise the steps which they have taken to obtain redress, could never be looked upon as threats. Threats they never intended; but as all the American colonies were equally affected, it was thought that their joint petitions would have more weight; and for this end the several assemblies communicated their sentiments to each other. This step, to the inexpressible surprise of all America, is represented as “a flagitious attempt, a measure of a most dangerous and factious tendency, &c. The dissolution of assemblies that followed, and the measures pursued to enforce the acts in America, awakened the fears, and