the recruit of the cruize or acting offencively in America, as its remarkably evident they did when the forces of America without any assistance from Home took the Strong Fortifications of Cape Breton, and therefore they are as really necessary as the European Supplies.
The other view of the Fishery is its being a source of Riches, nay, an inexhaustable source, exceeding the Mines of Mexico and Peru, to lay any restraint upon it in this view, is diminishing the National Treasures, stinting the growth of the Colonies and the greatest disadvantage to the Manufacturers of G. B. Restraints that are laid upon it are of that nature that your Memorialist apprehends they will not be fully removed, but by an Act of Parliament to explain that of William 3rd. and give free Liberty to all the British subjects to Improve the Fishery to the utmost, which greatly strengthens our Naval Power.
Your Memorialist's Constituents, have such an Opinion of the Justice and Wisdom of the present Administration that they doubt not it will appear reasonable to them and that as soon as these grievances are made known they will be redressed. . . .
To put any difficulties on the American Trade, will inevitably diminish our exports to that Country, from their inability to pay the Merchants for the Manufactures imported by them, which inability will be the same whether the people in America resolve to take goods or not.
The Governor and Judges being independent of the people which must render the course of Justice precarious, will be a further discouragement to Trade, and will raise fresh in the minds of the Americans the evils that attended such a measure when their forefathers left their native Country.
When the Merchants dare no longer venture their substance on such uncertainties, the Americans will be under the necessity of using their own Manufactures, tho' contrary to their present taste and inclination, to prevent them pursuing this only resource and remedy, must be the most manifest Injustice and as absurd as to make a Law to oblige them to go naked.
[Seventy-Six Society], Papers relating to Public Events in Massachusetts preceding the American Revolution (Philadelphia, 1856), 44-47 passim.
