44 Journal and Correspondence

Original

Majesty, and the common Good of all his Subjects: Provided
that no Regulation, provision, matter or thing, so proposed,
treated, consulted or agreed shall have any other force or
Effect or be carried further into Execution, than is mentioned
in this Act, until approved by Parliament.
Provided also that the Commrs or any ——— of them may
order & proclaim a Cessation of Hostilities, on the part of his
Majestys Troops, in any of the Colonies, for any Time, & under
any Conditions or Restrictions, they shall think convenient,
and such order & proclamation may revoke & annul, accord-
ing to their Discretion.
And be it Enacted That the Commrs or any of them, may
by proclamation suspend the operation & effects of the Act of
Parliament, of the 16^th year of his Majesty " for prohibiting all
Trade & Intercourse," or of any of the provisions or Restric-
tions therein contained, for such convenient Time, as they
think proper.
And be it Enacted That the Commrs &c. shall have Power
to suspend, in such place, & for such Times, as they may think
fit, during the Continuance of this act, the operation & Effect
of all or any of the Act or Acts of Parliament, which have
passed, since 10^th February 1763, & which relate to any of the
Colonies, so far as the same does relate to them.
And be it Enacted That the Commrs &c. shall have Power
to grant a Pardon or Pardons to any number or Description of
Persons, within any of the Colonies, & to appoint a Governor
in any Colony, with such powers as heretofore granted by his
Majesty.
The Act to continue in force till I^st June 1779.
Published by order of the Commander
in chief
Philad^a 14 April 1778. Robert Mackenzie Secry

Two opinions prevail here. Some that this insidious Silence
originated in Philadelphia, others the far greater number
believe it came from the Ministry, the manifest Intention is
to amuse us with a Prospect of Peace & to relax our Reserva-
tions. I hope my Countrymen will have too much good sense
to be deceived. I think it would be adviseable immediately
to publish this Attempt, but I hope it will be attended with
some Remarks to expose its Design, & remove the baneful
Effects it may have on the credulous & weak among the
People. M^r Paca has Leisure — it ought not to be attempted
to be suppressed.
Captain Nicholson informs, that a Number of Recruits are
enlisted for the Enemy in Worcester and Som^t Counties, 90
came to the fleet, when he was on board, it is reported the