... in these last years, attracted, and still attract every day, a greatpart of the cares of the venerable Regency; nevertheless, having regard to the importance of the affair, the petitioners have ... absolutely abandoned to the rapacity of an enemy greedy of pillage, and destitute of all protection whatever, hath appeared to the petitioners, as well as to all the othercommercial inhabitants; ... in case these offers of the court of England should be,at any time, the cause that the affair of the admission of Mr. Adams, in quality of Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America,...