We were surprised, the last week, with a symptom of a disposition to
repeal the stamp act. Petitions for that purpose had come from Rhode
Island and Virginia, and had been committed to rest with the Ways
and Means. Mr. Harper, the chairman, in order to enter on the law for
amending it, observed it would be necessary first to put the petitions
for repeal out of the way, and moved an immediate decision on this. The
Rhode-Islanders begged and prayed for a postponement; that not knowing
that this was the next question to be called up, they were not at all
prepared: but Harper would show no mercy; not a moment's delay would be
allowed. It was taken up, and, on question without debate, determined in
favor of the petitions by a majority of ten. Astonished and confounded,
when an order to bring in a bill for revisal was named, they began in
turn to beg for time; two weeks, one week, three days, one day; not a
moment would be yielded. They made three attempts for adjournment. But
the majority appeared to grow. It was decided, by a majority of sixteen,
that the bill should be brought in. It was brought in the next day, and
on the day after passed and was sent up to the Senate, who instantly
sent it back rejected by a vote of fifteen to twelve. Rhode Island and
New Hampshire voted for the repeal in Senate.
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