Volume II Part 47 (1/2)

Its proceedings reach England before the adjournment for the Christmas holidays in 1774, and produce an impression favourable to the Colonies. i. 420.

(Second Continental) meets in Philadelphia, September, 1775; number and character of its members. i. 442.

Its n.o.ble and affectionate pet.i.tion to the King; the King denies an audience to its agent, Mr. Penn, and answers the pet.i.tion by proclamation, declaring it ”rebellion,” and the pet.i.tioners ”rebels.” i. 443-445.

Its pet.i.tion to the House of Commons rejected, and its agent, Mr. Penn, not asked a question. i. 444.

A large majority (Oct. 1775) still opposed to independence, but unanimous in defence of British const.i.tutional rights. i. 448.

Divided on the question of _Independence_, which is first moved in Congress in May, 1776--deferred, after long debates, for three weeks, by a vote of seven to five Colonies. i. 483, 484.

Manipulation and agitation to prepare the members of Congress and the Colonies for separation from England. i. 482-485.

Proceeds with closed doors, and its members sworn to secrecy.

Votes by Colonies, and decides that each vote be reported unanimous, though carried by only a bare majority. i. 486.

After three days' debate, the six Colonies for and seven Colonies against independence; how a majority of one was obtained in favour of it. i. 486, 487.

Refuses to confer with British Commissioners with a view to reconciliation. ii. 2.

Feelings of the people of England and America different from those of the leaders of Congress. ii. 14.

Sycophancy of its leaders to France. ii. 13.

Its degeneracy in 1778, as stated by General Was.h.i.+ngton. ii. 29.

The depression of its credit. ii. 30.

It confiscates and orders the sale of the property of ”Tories.” ii. 30.

Appeals to France for men and money as their only hope. ii. 40.

Fallacy of the plea or pretext that it had not power to grant compensation to the Loyalists. ii. 61.

Meets at Philadelphia, 10th May, 1776. i. 479.

Contests--Chiefly between the Colonists, the French, and the Indians, from 1648 to 1654. i. 250.

Colonies--their divided councils and isolated resources. i. 257.

Their alarming state of affairs at the close of the year 1757. i. 255.

Cornwallis--His antecedents, ii. 38; his severe policy injurious to the British cause, ii. 40; his defence of Yorktown, ii. 44; his surrender to the French and American armies, ii. 45; conditions of capitulation, ii. 46.

Count De Gra.s.se--Sails from New York to the Chesapeake with a fleet of 28 s.h.i.+ps and 7,000 French troops. ii. 43.

Crown Point taken from the French by the English. i. 263.