The Virginia Gazette

The Earl of Dunmore has opened the Sessions of the General Assembly at New York with a short but very polite Speech, which requires no great Penetration of what may be the Reply from both Houses. His Lordship esteems himself "peculiarly happy in being at the Head of a Province whose Example has been the happy Means of renewing that mutual Intercourse between the Mother Country and her Colonies which is so much the Interest of both to preserve uninterrupted." His Lordship goes on to say, "This salutary Reconciliation, effected by this Province, cannot fail of endearing them, in a particular Manner, to our most gracious Sovereign." All this plainly refers to the Part taken by the Merchants and Traders of New York towards vacating the Non Importation Agreement, and breaking that Union among the Colonies, in this as well as other very important Points, which had proved so embarrassing to an Administration remarkably tender of the Rights both of Britain and America. His Lordship's Heart seems to be full upon this Occasion, and his Compliments are high. Some may perhaps imagine, at first View, his Partiality to his new Government may have biased his Mind on this Occasion; for the People of New York very warmly disclaimed the Honour his Lordship so liberally bestows upon them for this Measure, and very courteously endeavoured to transfer this Glory to the Bostonians. They warmly denied their having done any Thing to the Prejudice of the Non Importation Agreement, and freely gave the whole Merit of this reconciling Step to their Brethren in this Province. This they did in the most publick and explicit Manner, in which they were aided by our common Friends the Commissioners, and some very fair Publications from the Customhouse Books, said to have been printed under their Auspices. But, doubtless, his Lordship was thoroughly convinced, before he made his Speech, that the good People of New York were, in this Instance, too complaisant to their Neighbours, and were modestly declining an Honour which no other Province could justly claim. They have, however, lost Nothing by this singular Modesty; for his Lordship has, with great Justice, and a good Grace, given the Palm to those who merited it; and, doubtless, more substantial Rewards, if not already, will soon be conferred, by a grateful Administration, upon some Individuals, for so seasonable and important a Service. It is, however, very unfortunate for this poor Town, that a Measure, while it is considered as base and odious, should be laid at our Door, and as soon as it begins to be viewed in a different Light that both the Honours and Gains should be transferred to our Neighbours.