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‘ [224] rights and interests are intrusted.’ The defence of
Chap. XX.} 1775. Feb.
the ministry rested chiefly on Wedderburn. Gibbon had prepared himself to speak, but neither he nor Lord George Germain could find room for a single word.

Lord North again shrunk from measures against which his nature revolted; and Franklin, whose mediation was once more solicited, received a paper containing the results of ministerial conferences on ‘the hints’ which he had written. ‘We desire nothing but what is necessary to our security and well-being,’ said Franklin to the friendly agents who came to him. In reply they declared with authority, that the repeal of the tea-act and the Boston port-act would be conceded; the Quebec act might be amended by reducing the province to its ancient limits; but the Massachusetts acts must be continued, both ‘as real amendments’ of the constitution of that province, and ‘as a standing example of the power of parliament.’ Franklin's reply was brief: ‘While parliament claims the right of altering American constitutions at pleasure, there can be no agreement, for we are rendered unsafe in every privilege.’ ‘An agreement is necessary for America,’ it was answered; ‘it is so easy for Britain to burn all your seaport towns.’ ‘My little property,’ rejoined Franklin, ‘consists of houses in those towns; you may make bonfires of them whenever you please; the fear of losing them will never alter my resolution to resist to the last the claim of parliament.’

The plan of intimidation proceeded. When on the sixth of February the address was reported to the house, Lord John Cavendish earnestly ‘deprecated ’

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