assigned by Providence to the English and American people, in
the great work which they and we rejoice to know is now so
rapidly progressing, of improving the moral and religious
character and condition of the world; nor can they be unmindful
of the fact, that to the same extent as their standing before
the world in this respect is permanent, so will be the influence
of their example on the nations around them, whether it be good
or bad.

"That the subject here presented may receive your Lordship's
favorable and Christian consideration is the sincere and earnest
desire of your Lordships' most respectful memorialists."

The signatures to this document included the late mayor and one of the
former ones, who was also Lieutenant-Governor of the State of
Massachusetts, one bishop, upwards of forty clergymen of different
denominations, nine gentlemen, upwards of one hundred and twenty
merchants, seventeen presidents of insurance companies, the postmaster
of Boston, five physicians, seven members of the legal profession, two
editors of newspapers; and it was accompanied by the following
memorandum from one of the gentlemen who had taken it round for
signature.

"The undersigned having been personally engaged in obtaining the
signatures to the memorial, asking a change in the sailing of
the Cunard steamers, when the regular sailing day occurs on the
Sabbath, hereby certifies that the memorialists are among the
most respectable and influential of their respective
professions, that the memorial was received with almost
universal favor, and that, had time been allowed, and had it
been deemed necessary to do it, thousands of names might have
been obtained.

"AMOS A. PHELPS."

"Boston, July 31, 1841."

On my arrival in this country, I found that Lord Melbourne's
administration was about to resign; I therefore deferred forwarding the
memorial until the present ministers had entered upon the duties of
their respective offices; when I called at the Admiralty, and placed it
in the hands of the Secretary, having little doubt the application would
have been at once granted; but a few days after it was presented I
received the following reply:--

"Admiralty, September 21, 1841.

"Sir,--Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty the communications of the citizens of Boston, United
States, representing th