Proceedings

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London, October 5, 1775.

Yesterday there was a numerous meeting of the Gentlemen, Merchants, and Traders of this City, at the King' s Arms Tavern, in Cornhill. At twelve o' clock, Mr˙ Baker, who had been Chairman of a previous meeting, came forward and informed the gentlemen present what had been done at that meeting, and the intention of calling them together. He was immediately requested to take the chair, and again addressed the company, begging that they would be deliberate in their resolves.

Mr˙ Sampson, an American merchant, rose and stated the present unhappy situation of publick affairs, and concluded with moving for an humble Address, Petition, and Remonstrance to His Majesty, relative to the unhappy dispute between Great Britain and the American Colonies.

Mr˙ Baker then produced an Address to His Majesty, intituled "The humble Address and Petition of the Gentlemen, Merchants, and Traders of London;" which he requested he might have leave to read.

A motion was then made, seconded, and carried, that the said Petition should be read; and it was twice read accordingly, first by Mr˙ Baker, in his place, and afterwards by Mr˙ Wooldridge, merchant, at the lower end of the table.

Mr˙ Wooldridge having read the Petition, moved that said Petition should be approved by the meeting; which was carried unanimously. He then made a further motion, that the Petition, so approved, be signed by the company present; which was also carried.

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The Chairman then informed the meeting that he had in his possession the Address, fairly transcribed on vellum, for signing; and having signed it himself, several of the merchants present followed his example.

A motion was afterwards made, that a Committee of twelve merchants attend the signing; which was carried.

Mr˙ Alderman Lee then moved, that the four Members for London be requested to attend Mr˙ Baker, the Chairman of this meeting, on the delivery of the Address to His Majesty; which was also carried in the affirmative unanimously.