Browsing: Papers of John Adams, Volume 2

2. It is conceivable that Gordon refers here to the petition and memorials framed by the First Continental Congress, which would date his plan after they became known to the public. Or this could be a general reference to various petitions of the past; but his apparent uncertainty about whether the old requisition system could be reinstated suggests the ambiguity of the congress' resolve asserting the colonies' right “in all cases of taxation and internal polity, subject only to the negative of their sovereign, in such manner as has been heretofore used and accustomed” (italics supplied; JA's Service in the Continental Congress, 5 Sept. – 26 Oct. 1774, No. IV, resolution No. 4, above).