But the circular letter was far from satisfying the American sons of liberty in general. The evident exception of the duty on tea, and the professed design of repealing upon commercial principles, excited their apprehensions, and confirmed them in the opinion, that the ground of present grievances was not to be abandoned, but to be reserved for a future opportunity of making fresh essays for the imposition of internal taxes. The merchants and traders, therefore, of _Boston_, soon after the knowledge of it, called a meeting, and unanimously voted, that the taking off the duties on the articles of glass, paper, and colours, would by no means relieve the trade from the difficulties it was under. They then confirmed their former agreement, to send for no goods contrary thereto, unless the revenue acts were repealed. Though the testimony of the Pennsylvania assembly against the resolves of parliament, and in favor of the Virginia resolves, the repeal of all the revenue acts, and a redress of all grievances, was wanting; yet the Philadelphia committee of merchants, whose character and influence in the present business weighed more than that of the assembly, failed not to express their minds fully to the committee in London, long after the circulatory letter was a matter of notoriety. They thus wrote [November 25.] “Though we are not favored with an answer to our letter of the eighth of April last, yet as the liberty of America is at stake, and the minds of the people here are much agitated, and as the continuation of the unhappy dispute between the parliament and the colonies must not only affect your and our interest, but the general interest and happiness of both countries, we think it our duty to apply to you again, and earnestly request you would use your best endeavors with those in the administration, to restore tranquility, and re-establish the colonies in the enjoyment of their ancient rights and privileges. We are very sensible that the prosperity of the colonies depends upon their union and connection with Great-Britain. In this sentiment all the Amecans concur, yet they cannot bring themselves to think, that for this reason they ought to be divested of liberty and property. Yet this must be the case, if the parliament can make laws to bind the colonies in all cases whatever—can levy taxes upon them without their consent, dispose of the revenues thus raised without their controul, multiply officers at pleasure, and assign them fees to be paid without, nay, contrary to and in direct violation of acts of assembly regularly passed by the colonies and approved by the crown—can enlarge the power of admiralty courts, divert the usual channels of justice, deprive the colonists of trials by a jury of their countrymen, in short, break down the barriers which their forefathers have erected against arbitrary power, and enforce their edicts by fleets and armies. To such a system of government the