Petition of the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Assistants

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A Petition of the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Assistants of the Borough of Leeds, in the County of York, and of the several other persons whose names are thereunto subscribed, principal Inhabitants, Merchants, Traders, and Manufacturers in the Borough of Leeds aforesaid, and in Wakefield, Halifax, Bradford, and other

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That the Petitioners, convinced that the preservation of the commerce of this country and its Colonies, depends upon a due obedience to the laws of England, are greatly alarmed at the unwarrantable proceedings now carrying on by the inhabitants of Boston, and some other Colonies in North America, in open defiance of the supreme Legislative power of this Kingdom, manifestly obstructing commerce, and subverting all legal Government; and that the Petitioners have great reason to believe attempts are now making to excite groundless fears and apprehensions in the minds of many of his Majesty' s faithful subjects in this Kingdom, respecting the present situation of American affairs, and by false representations, and other undue means, to prevail upon them to sign Petitions to the House for a repeal of several Acts of Parliament; and that the Petitioners, on the contrary, apprehend the maintaining the authority of the British Legislature, is the best security for all interested in the trade to America; and, therefore, praying the House to take such measures as may seem to them most expedient for enforcing a due obedience to the British Legislature, and restoring order and good Government in America.

A motion was made, and the question being proposed, that the said Petition be referred to the consideration of the Committee of the Whole House, to whom the Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and others, of the City of London, concerned in the commerce of North America, is referred;

An amendment was proposed to be made to the question, by leaving out from the word "whom" to the end of the question, and inserting the words, "it is referred to consider further of the several Papers which were presented to the House by the Lord North, upon the 19th and 31st days of January last, by his Majesty' s command," instead thereof,

And the question being put, that the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question,

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Then the main question being put,

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the consideration of the Committee of the Whole House, to whom the Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and others, of the City of London, concerned in the commerce of North America, is referred.