The resolve censured the votes, resolutions and proceedings of the house of representatives of _Massachusetts_ of January and February; as also the declarations, resolutions and proceedings in the town of _Boston_. They pronounced the election of deputies to sit in convention, and the meeting of such convention, daring insults offered to his majesty’s authority, and audacious usurpations of the powers of government. The lords then ordered an humble address to be presented to his majesty, in which they expressed their satisfaction in the measure his majesty had pursued; gave him the strongest assurances, that they would effuctually support him in such further ones as might be found necessary to maintain the civil magistrates, in a due execution of the laws, within the Massachusetts Bay; and beseeched him to direct the governor to take the most effectual methods for procuring the fullest information, touching all treasons committed within that government since the 30th of December, 1767, and to transmit the same, with the names of the persons most active in the commission of such offences; in order that his majesty might issue a special commission for hearing and determining the said offences, within the realm, pursuant to the statute of the 35th year of _Henry_ VIII. The resolutions and address were sent down to the house of commons for their concurrence. Colonel _Barre_ opposed them; and directing himself to the ministry, said, “Away with these partial resentful trifles, calculated to irritate, not to quell or appease, inadequate to their purpose, unworthy of us! Why will you endeavor to deceive yourselves and us? You know that it is not this place only that disputes your right, but every part. They tell you, that you have no right from one end of the continent to the other. My sentiments of this matter you well know. Consider well what you are doing. Act openly and honestly. Tell them you will tax them, and that they must submit. Do not adopt this little, insidious, futile plan. They will despise you for it.” However on the ninth of February, they were agreed to and returned with some amendments; and the address was ordered to be presented to both houses. The _Massachusetts_, with becoming firmness, constantly asserted their rights, which drew down upon them ministerial vengeance. They had no general assembly when the resolves and address reached America, the last having been dissolved for refusing to comply with the mandate to rescind, and the time appointed by charter for calling another not being arrived. But the _Virginia_ house of burgesses entered upon the subject. They met on the eighth of May, and on the sixteenth took into serious consideration the state of the colony, being alarmed at the distress in which all America was likely to be involved. They came to several necessary resolutions, copies of which they gave their speaker, with particular directions to transmit them without delay to the speakers of