House in Committee, on the Petition from the Merchants

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The House, according to order, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to consider of the Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and others, of the City of London, concerned in the commerce of North America, and of the several other Petitions referred to the consideration of the said Committee.

Mr˙ Speaker left the Chair.

Sir Charles Whitworth took the Chair of the Committee.

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Mr˙ Thomas Wooldridge, one of the Committee of American Merchants, was called to the Bar, when he addressed the Committee in the following words:

I am directed by the Committee of Merchants, Traders, and others, of the City of London, concerned in the commerce of America, to represent to this Honourable Committee, that Merchants revealing at this Bar the state of their affairs, is a measure which all would wish to avoid, unless upon such great occasions as the present, when the publick weal is evidently at stake, when their duty as good subjects requires it of them; but when the mode of examination is such as totally precludes them from answering the great publick object, (which, in their opinion, is clearly the case at present) they beg leave humbly to signify, that they waive appearing before the Committee which has been appointed, and that the Merchants are not under any apprehensions respecting their American debts, unless the means of remittance should be cut off by measures that may be adopted in Great Britain.

Mr˙ Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir Charles Whitworth reported from the Committee that they had made a progress; and that he was directed by the Committee to move that they may have leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this House will, upon this day seven-night, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to consider further of the said Petitions.

The other Order of the Day being read;

The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to consider further of the several Papers which were presented to the House by the Lord North, upon Thursday, the 19th day of this instant, January, by his Majesty' s command.

Mr˙ Speaker left the Chair.

Sir Charles Whitworth took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr˙ Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir Charles Whitworth reported from the Committee that they had made a further progress in the matters to them referred; and that he was directed by the Committee to move that they may have leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Tuesday morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to consider further of the said Papers.