George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 6, 10th edition.

[365] Long and earnest deliberations ensued. On the one

Chap. XLIV.} 1770. June.

side, Hillsborough pressed impetuously for the execution of his plans, as the only means of arresting the progress of America towards Independence; while Lord North, with better judgment, was willing to wait, being persuaded that the associations for nonmportation would fall asunder of themselves.

Canada, Carolina and Georgia, and even Maryland

July.

and Virginia had increased their importations; and New England and Pennsylvania had imported nearly one half as much as usual; New-York alone had been perfectly true to its engagement; and its imports had fallen off more than five parts in six. It was impatient of a system of voluntary renunciation, which was so unequally kept; and the belief was common, that if the others had adhered to it as strictly, all the grievances would have been redressed.¹

Merchants of New-York, therefore, consulted those of Philadelphia on agreeing to a general importation of all articles except of tea; the Philadelphians favored the proposition, till a letter arrived from Franklin, urging them to persevere on their original plan.² Sears and MacDougall in New-York strenuously resisted concession; but men went from ward to ward to take the opinions of the people; and it was found that eleven hundred and eighty against three hundred were disposed to confine the restriction to tea alone.³ ‘If any merchant should presume to break through the non-importation agreement, except in concert ’