| Description | We hear that in a few days will be published a narrative (upon oath) of all the proceedings at Birmingham relative to the two petitions lately sent from that place, by which it will appear that the signers of the petition in favour of the support of our Goverment were men of at least as good fortune and of as much reputation as those who sign'd the factious petition, or even the alusive declaimer himself, and that although there was not quite so many names annexed to the former, yet there was double the number of merchants sign'd it to what did the latter; and from the general approbation and reception it met with there is no doubt but a thousand names would have been subscrib'd to it, provided it had been handed to that region of manufacturers who compose the greatest part of the signers of the factious one.
The Birmingham friends of Great Britain were more ambitious to be early in Parliament with their petition than they were to have hundreds of names to it, as they hope to see (if American disputes are not speedily and finaly settled) their example follow'd not only by other tradeing towns but even from the country of Great Britan. The eyes of our countrymen are now a little open'd in respect to our disputes with America, and there is scarcely a gentleman of knowledg and independant property in any part of England (whose distance is upwards of five miles from Westminster Hall and Bishopsgate Street) but what is most heartily disposed to sign petitions of a similar tendancy to that which Mr. Burk hath endeavour'd to shew his bloody wit so much upon-nay, even to add to it that they are ready to defend with their lives and fortunes the supremacy of Great Britain.
The petition was neither composed nor sent by Dr. Roebuck, nor any other person from London, but it was the sentiments of those persons who wrote it, and who also sign'd it. Who ever says that any proposal was made at a publick meeting of American merchants at Birmingham to send a petition to Lord North have been guilty of a great mistake.
It is true that advice was given to that meeting not to send any petition to Parliament, as it would only be adding fuel to the flame, but if they had any grievance it was thought better to fully state them in a letter to their representative in Parliament, and express'd in such terms as it might not be improper to be shewn to the minister, in case it was thought necessary produce a better effect than doing a . . .
[Edited transcript.]
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